最新美国发明专利第2012-09-04期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08258187B2	Materials and methods for improving alcohol metabolism and alleviating the effects of hangovers The subject invention provides materials and methods for improving alcohol metabolism in animals. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods for increasing the ability of people to consume alcohol while reducing hangovers or other effects of intoxication. Specifically exemplified herein is the use of a cysteamine compound to reduce the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. For example, the undesirable and unpleasant symptoms association with hangovers can be reduced through consumption, according to the subject invention, of cysteamine hydrochloride.
US08258186B2	Pharmaceutical for oral delivery comprising MGBG Disclosed herein are new oral pharmaceutical compositions of MGBG and related polyamine analogs, polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, polyamine inhibitors of AMD-I and regulators of osteopontin, and their application for the treatment of disease.
US08258172B2	Agents useful for reducing amyloid precursor protein and treating dementia and methods of use thereof The present invention provides compounds and methods of administering compounds to a subject that can reduce βAPP production and that is not toxic in a wide range of dosages. The present invention also provides non-carbamate compounds and methods of administering such compounds to a subject that can reduce βAPP production and that is not toxic in a wide range of dosages. It has been discovered that either the racemic or enantiomerically pure non-carbamate compounds can be used to decrease βAPP production.
US08258171B2	pH-sensitive fluorescent probe A compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 represents an amino group which may be substituted with one or two alkyl groups; R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represent an alkyl group; and R6 and R7 independently represent a monocarboxyalkyl group, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, which is useful as a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe which emits intense fluorescence in an acidic region.
US08258169B2	Pyrazole-4-N-alkoxycarboxamides as microbiocides Compounds of formula (I) in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as microbiocides.
US08258167B2	Naphthylmethylimidizoles as therapeutic agents Disclosed herein is a method of treating stress urinary incontinence comprising administering a compound to a mammal in need thereof, wherein said compound has the formula Compositions and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08258161B2	Crystalline salt form of an antidiabetic compound A novel crystalline anhydrous toluenesulfonic acid salt form of a selective PPAR gamma partial agonist which has a fused bicyclic aromatic group attached to an oxypropanoic acid moiety is stable and non-hygroscopic. The crystalline salt form is useful for making pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
US08258156B2	Compounds and compositions as modulators of GPR119 activity The invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with the activity of GPR119.
US08258151B2	3-aminoimidazo [1,2-A] pyridine derivatives as SGLT inhibitors Novel compounds of the formula I, in which X, Y, R, R′, R1, R1′, R1″, R2, R2′, R2″, R3, R3′, R4, R4′ and n have the meanings indicated in Patent Claim 1, are suitable as antidiabetics
US08258150B2	Treatment of inflammatory diseases The present invention relates generally to the field of inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system. More particularly, it concerns methods for treating inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system by modulating sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a subject with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or other autoimmune neuropathies comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of FTY720.
US08258149B2	Isoquinoline derivatives The invention provides novel compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 to R7 are as described herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of preparing and using the compounds.
US08258148B2	Spiroindoline modulators of muscarinic receptors The present invention relates to spiroindoline modulators of muscarinic receptors. The present invention also provides compositions comprising such spiroindoline modulators, and methods therewith for treating muscarinic receptor mediated diseases.
US08258147B2	Compositions and methods for treating and preventing dermatoses The invention encompasses protectant agents including uracil or a metabolite thereof that effectively prevent and/or treat the cutaneous toxicities and dermatological side-effects associated with chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, and surprisingly compositions including uracil or a metabolite thereof are effective for treating or preventing various dermatoses.
US08258146B2	Minoxidil aqueous composition containing bile acid An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid composition wherein minoxidil can be dissolved at a relatively high concentration (the saturating amount or above), stimulation of skin and stickiness is suppressed without containing an organic solvent, and excellent effects of percutaneous absorption is achieved. The present invention provides a liquid composition comprising (i) minoxidil, (ii) bile acid or a salt thereof, and (iii) an aqueous medium in an amount of 30% by weight or more of the weight of the composition.
US08258145B2	Method of treating brain cancer Disclosed are 4-arylamino-quinazolines and analogs thereof effective as activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. The compounds of this invention are useful in the treatment of a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs, and in particular to the use of these compounds in treating brain cancer.
US08258144B2	Inhibitors of protein kinases The present invention is directed to compounds of formula I-II and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, and prodrugs thereof which are inhibitors of syk and/or JAK kinase. The present invention is also directed to intermediates used in making such compounds, the preparation of such a compound, pharmaceutical compositions containing such a compound, methods of inhibition syk and/or JAK kinase activity, methods of inhibition the platelet aggregation, and methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions mediated at least in part by syk and/or JAK kinase activity, such as undesired thrombosis and Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
US08258141B2	Organic compounds A compound of formula (I) or stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and their preparation and use as pharmaceuticals wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein.
US08258140B2	Chemical compounds—643 The invention concerns bicyclic compounds of Formula I wherein , R1, R2, L1, L2, J, Y, k, n, p and r are as defined in the description. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of androgen-receptor associated conditions, particularly prostate cancer.
US08258138B2	Potassium channel blockers The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or its salts or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives wherein R1, R2, R3, X1, and A are defined herein. The compounds are useful as potassium ion channel inhibitors.
US08258134B2	Pyridazinone glucokinase activators Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus.
US08258133B2	2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2, 6-dicarboxylic ester derivative A drug effective for the treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety and related ailments thereof, depression, bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The drug antagonizes the action of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors and shows high activity in oral administration. A 2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic ester derivative represented by formula [I] [wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; Y represents —OCHR3R4 or the like (wherein R3 and R4 are identical or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-10alkyl group or the like; and n represents integer 1 or 2)], a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof.
US08258128B2	Organic compounds The present invention relates to novel aza-thia-benzoazulene derivatives of formula I as defined in the claims, their preparation, the use of these novel compounds for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, the use of these novel compounds and compositions for managing arthritis and arthritis-related conditions as well as in the treatment of pain in animals and humans. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical, preferably veterinary compositions and methods for reducing inflammation and pain associated with acute inflammation of body parts, particularly joints, due to injury or due to arthritic conditions or other disease conditions.
US08258119B2	Anti-cancer drugs and uses relating thereto for metastatic malignant melanoma and other cancers The present invention discloses triazene analogs of the general formula (I) and formula (II), their tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the metastatic malignant melanoma and other cancers including but not limited to lymphomas, sarcomas, carcinomas, and gliomas.The invention further discloses a process for the preparation of the above said triazene analogs of formula (I) and formula (II), and their pharmaceutically acceptable compositions.
US08258111B2	Compositions and methods related to miRNA modulation of neovascularization or angiogenesis The present invention concerns methods and compositions for diagnosing and/or treating vascular diseases including cancer, cardiac diseases, vascular diseases of the eye, and inflammatory diseases. The methods involve measuring the levels of one or multiple miRNAs in patient samples and using the test results to diagnose and/or predict an optimal treatment regimen for the patient. Compositions described in the invention include nucleic acids that function as miRNAs or miRNA inhibitors that can be introduced to a patient to reduce or increase vascularization as needed.
US08258110B2	Methods and compositions for the treatment of eye disorders with increased intraocular pressure The present invention relates to methods and compositions that decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. The compositions of the invention comprise short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siNA) including, but not limited to, siRNA that decrease expression of genes associated with production or drainage of intraocular fluid. The compositions of the invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of an eye conditions displaying increased IOP such as glaucoma, infection, inflammation, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The methods of the invention comprise the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of one or more siNAs of the invention.
US08258109B2	Compositions and methods for modulation of LMNA expression Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of LMNA in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. Further provided are methods of identifying cis splicing regulatory elements of a selected mRNA using the disclosed compounds.
US08258105B2	Antisense oligonucleotides optimized for kidney targeting The present invention provides antisense compounds and methods for modulating the expression of target genes expressed in the kidney. In particular, this invention provides antisense oligonucleotide compounds optimized for targeting nucleic acid molecules expressed in the kidney. Such compounds are shown herein to efficiently modulate the expression of target genes SGLT2 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the kidney.
US08258100B2	Ligand/lytic peptide methods of use Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid. The two components—the ligand and the lytic peptide—may optionally be administered as a fusion peptide, or they may be administered separately, with the ligand administered slightly before the lytic peptide, to activate cells with receptors for the ligand, and thereby make those cells susceptible to lysis by the lytic peptide. The compounds may be used in gene therapy to treat malignant or non-malignant tumors, and other diseases caused by clones or populations of “normal” host cells bearing specific receptors (such as lymphocytes), because genes encoding a lytic peptide or encoding a lytic peptide/peptide hormone fusion may readily be inserted into hematopoietic stem cells or myeloid precursor cells.
US08258097B2	Amino acid derivatives Compounds of formula (I) or formula (II) have dopaminergic activity: wherein: R1 is a carboxyl, carboxyl ester, or carboxamide group; R2 is a group —C(═O)—NR3R4, or —S(═O)2—NR3R4; R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, (C1-C5 fluoroalkyl)-CH2—, -Q, and —CH2Q, wherein Q is an optionally substituted monocyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring of (3) to (6) ring atoms; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form an optionally substituted monocyclic cycloalkyl or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring of (3) to (8) ring atoms; R5 is hydrogen, or a natural or non-natural alpha amino acid residue linked via a peptide bond; R6 is hydrogen or a group R7C(═O)—; and R7 is C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 fluoroalkyl or cyclopropyl.
US08258096B2	Therapy procedure for drug delivery for trigeminal pain The present invention relates to methods for the treatment or prevention of trigeminal nerve-associated pain, in particular chronic, acute and procedural-related pain. The methods comprise administration of analgesic agents to the trigeminal nerve system which results in analgesia to the facial or head region.
US08258094B2	Analogs of ghrelin The invention comprises peptidyl analogs according to formulae (I) or (II) as depicted below: (R2R3)-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9-A10-A11-A12-A13- A14-A15-A16-A17-A18-A19-A20-A21-A22-A23-A24-A25- A-26-A27-A28-R1 wherein the definitions of A1 to A28 and R1 to R3 are provided for in the specification for each of formulae (I) and (II), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), that possess agonist or antagonist ghrelin activity, along with therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses thereof.
US08258093B2	Wound healing compositions containing keratin biomaterials Disclosed are keratin preparations for use in medical applications. Methods of treating wounds are provided, wherein keratin preparations are applied to the wound in a treatment effective amount. Methods of treating burn wounds are also provided. Surgical or paramedic aids are provided, comprising a substrate with keratin preparations provided thereon. Kits comprising keratin derivatives packaged in sterile form are also provided.
US08258083B2	Method for the fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation having a wellbore by using impact-modified thermoset polymer nanocomposite particles as proppants A method for fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation includes providing a thermoset polymer nanocomposite particle precursor composition comprising a polymer precursor mixture, dispersed within a liquid medium, containing at least one of an initiator; at least one of a monomer, an oligomer or combinations thereof, said monomer and oligomer having three or more reactive functionalities capable of creating crosslinks between polymer chains; at least one of an impact modifier; and nanofiller particles substantially dispersed within the liquid medium; subjecting the nanocomposite particle precursor composition to suspension polymerizing conditions; subjecting the resulting nanocomposite particles to heat treatment; forming a slurry comprising a fluid and a proppant that includes the heat-treated nanocomposite particles; injecting the slurry into a wellbore; and emplacing the proppant within a fracture network in the formation.
US08258080B2	Tissue markings and methods for reversibly marking tissue employing the same Provided are methods of applying a tissue marking to a tissue and rendering said tissue marking colorless when desired, comprising implanting into the tissue an amount of the tissue marking in sufficient quantity to form a detectable marking, said tissue marking comprising at least one colored compound comprising a thermally activatable fragmentation group and at least one infrared absorbing compound, wherein the at least one colored compound is capable of being rendered colorless by unimolecular fragmentation of the thermally activatable fragmentation group when the tissue marking is non-imagewise exposed by a source of infrared radiation and applying sufficient infrared radiation to a sufficient amount of the tissue marking to render the tissue marking colorless when desired.
US08258077B2	Hydrogen storage material and method for producing the same A crystalline Al phase and a crystalline TiH2 phase each having a maximum length of 200 nm or less are dispersed in an amorphous phase containing an Al—Mg alloy to obtain a hydrogen storage material capable of reversibly storing and releasing hydrogen.
US08258076B2	Phosphorus compound adsorbent, phosphorus compound adsorption system, and method of using phosphorus compound adsorbent A phosphorus compound adsorbent; a phosphorus compound adsorption system, wherein the phosphorus compound adsorbed can be desorbed in a neutral solvent; and a method of using the phosphorus compound adsorbent are provided. The phosphorus compound adsorbent includes a nitrogen-containing compound having an amino group at an end of the molecular structure, a support carrying the nitrogen-containing compound, and at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of a zinc ion, a copper ion, an iron ion, and a zirconium ion, which is fixed to the nitrogen-containing compound.
US08258071B2	Catalyst in the form of grains comprising an acidic porous core surrounded by a uniform outer layer The invention relates to a catalyst that comes in the form of grains, each grain consisting of a core covered by at least one external layer, the core consisting of an acidic porous solid and having a size of between 0.1 micron and 0.4 millimeter, in which the external layer has a uniform thickness with a uniformity criterion C, which is less than 0.30, whereby said uniformity criterion C is defined as being equal to an average, on a number N of catalyst grain samples, of the ratio of the difference between the maximum thickness, Eimax, of the external layer and the minimum thickness, Eimin, of this same layer to the average of these two thicknesses Eimax and Eimin.
US08258069B2	Zeolitic separation membrane and process for producing the same The invention provides a process for production of a zeolite separation membrane having a porous support and a zeolite layer formed on the porous support, the process comprising: a seed crystal attaching step in which zeolite seed crystals are attached to the porous support; a layer forming step in which: the porous support to which the zeolite seed crystals have been attached is contacted with a reaction solution containing zeolite raw material, and the temperature of the reaction solution is raised to a prescribed temperature to form a zeolite layer on the porous support; and a support separating step in which the porous support on which the zeolite layer has been formed is separated from the reaction solution; wherein in the layer forming step, after the start of contact between the porous support and reaction solution, the temperature of the reaction solution is held at or below 40° C. for at least 30 minutes before being raised to the prescribed temperature. The production process of the invention yields a zeolite separation membrane that can accomplish reliable and satisfactory separation of alcohol and water even when the water content relative to alcohol is low.
US08258068B2	Sintered product produced from a zircon-based charge The present invention relates to a sintered product elaborated from a starting charge containing 75-99% of zircon, in mass percentage based on the oxides and having the following average weight chemical composition, in mass percentages based on the oxides 60%≦ZrO2≦72.8%, 27%≦SiO2≦36%, 0.1%≦B2O3+GeO2+P2O5+Sb2O3+Nb2O5+Ta2O5+V2O5, 0.1%≦ZnO+PbO+CdO, B2O3+GeO2+P2O5+Sb2O3+Nb2O5+Ta2O5+V2O5+ZnO+PbO+CdO≦5%, 0%≦Al2O3+TiO2+MgO+Fe2O3+NiO+MnO2+CoO+CuO≦5%, other oxides: ≦1.5%, for a total of 100%. Notably used in a glass furnace.
US08258064B2	Methods of forming a metal silicate layer and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device including the metal silicate layer Methods of forming a metal silicate layer and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device including the metal silicate layer are provided, the methods of forming the metal silicate layer include forming the metal silicate using a plurality of silicon precursors. The silicon precursors are homoleptic silicon precursors in which ligands bound to silicon have the same molecular structure.
US08258063B2	Method for manufacturing a metal gate electrode/high K dielectric gate stack A method of manufacturing a metal gate/high K dielectric gate stack includes the steps of: forming an interfacial layer of SiON or SiO2 on a silicon substrate; depositing a high K dielectric film on the interfacial layer; performing a rapid thermal anneal of the high K dielectric film; depositing a TaN metal gate electrode film on the high K dielectric film; depositing a polysilicon gate layer on the TaN metal gate electrode film, and then depositing a hard mask layer; patterning a photoresist mask, and performing an anisotropic etching of the hard mask layer; removing the photoresist mask, and etching the polysilicon by reactive ion etching with the hard mask as masking layer using a mixed gas of Cl2/HBr; and etching the TaN metal gate electrode/high K dielectric gate stack by reactive ion etching with the hard mask as masking layer using BCl3-based etchant gas.
US08258056B2	Method and material for forming a double exposure lithography pattern A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first material layer on a substrate; forming a first patterned resist layer including at least one opening therein on the first material layer; forming a second material layer on the first patterned resist layer and the first material layer; forming a second patterned resist layer including at least one opening therein on the second material layer; and etching the first and second material layers uncovered by the first and second patterned resist layers.
US08258054B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching a substrate to form a plurality of trenches, forming first liner layers over bottom surfaces and inner sidewalls of the trenches to a first height, forming sacrificial liner layers on one of the inner sidewalls of the trenches where the first liner layers are formed, forming third sacrificial layers to a second height, so that the third sacrificial layers are buried over the trenches where the sacrificial liner layers are formed, removing portions of the sacrificial liner layers exposed by the third sacrificial layers to form sacrificial patterns, forming second liner layers on the inner sidewalls of the trenches exposed by the third sacrificial layers, and removing the third sacrificial layers to form side contact regions opening one of the inner sidewalls of the trenches in a line form.
US08258048B2	Semiconductor laser device and method of fabricating the same A semiconductor laser device capable of reducing the threshold current and improving luminous efficiency and a method of fabricating the same are obtained. This semiconductor laser device comprises a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface and a semiconductor element layer, formed on the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate, having a principal surface substantially inclined with respect to the principal surface of the semiconductor substrate and including an emission layer.
US08258046B2	Laser processing method for workpiece A processing method for a workpiece which includes a first modified region forming step of forming first modified regions along first division lines and second division lines near the front side of the workpiece, a second modified region forming step of forming second modified regions at intersecting regions between the first division lines and the second division lines at predetermined positions between the back side of the workpiece and the first modified regions formed in the workpiece by performing the first modified region forming step, and a dividing step of applying an external force to the workpiece after performing the first and second modified region forming steps to thereby divide the workpiece along the first division lines and the second division lines into individual chips.
US08258044B2	Method for fabricating chip elements provided with wire insertion grooves The invention relates to a method for fabricating chip elements provided with a groove from devices formed on a wafer. The method comprises the steps consisting in, depositing a sacrificial film on the wafer so as to leave a central part of each device exposed and to cover an edge of the device at the level of which the groove is to be formed; applying a mold on the sacrificial film; injecting a hardenable material into the mold; hardening the hardenable material; dicing the wafer between the devices; and eliminating the sacrificial film.
US08258042B2	Buried layer of an integrated circuit Various aspects of the technology are directed to integrated circuit manufacturing methods and integrated circuits. In one method, a first charge type buried layer in a semiconductor material of an integrated circuit by implanting first charge type dopants of the first charge type buried layer through a sacrificial oxide over the semiconductor material and through an intermediate region of the semiconductor material transited by the implanted first charge type dopants. When the implanted dopants pass through the sacrificial oxide, damage to the semiconductor crystalline lattice is averted. If the sacrificial oxide were absent, the implanted dopants would have passed through and damaged the semiconductor crystalline lattice instead. Later, a pre-anneal oxide is grown and removed.
US08258041B2	Method of fabricating metal-bearing integrated circuit structures having low defect density A method of fabricating metal-bearing structures in an integrated circuit such as metal-polysilicon capacitors using conductive metal compounds. Defects due to organometallic polymers formed during the etch of a hard mask material are minimized by using a process that includes a plasma etch for the hard mask that achieves a predominantly chemical character using a fluorine-based etch chemistry. Using a low-temperature liquid-phase strip of the hard mask photoresist instead of an ash prevents further cross-linking of polymers formed during the plasma etch. Etching the metal-bearing material using a hot fully-concentrated mixture of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide allows short etch times that are particularly shortened for tantalum nitride films deposited with a nitrogen concentration of about 30 percent or greater.
US08258029B2	Semiconductor structure and process for reducing the second bit effect of a memory device A non-volatile memory cell capable of storing two bits of information having a non-conducting charge trapping dielectric, such as silicon nitride, layered in association with at least one electrical dielectric layer, such as an oxide, with a P-type substrate and an N-type channel implanted in the well region of the substrate between two source/drain regions is disclosed. The N-type channel achieves an inversion layer without the application of bias voltage to the gate of the memory cell. A method that implants the N-type channel in the P-type substrate of the cell wherein the N-type channel lowers the un-programmed or programmed voltage threshold of the memory cell to a value lower than would exist without the N-type channel is disclosed. The N-type channel reduces the second bit effect such that the window of operation between the programmed and un-programmed voltage thresholds of the bits is widened.
US08258027B2	Method for integrating SONOS non-volatile memory into a standard CMOS foundry process flow An embodiment of a method is disclosed to integrate silicon oxide nitride oxide silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory (NVM) into a conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) semiconductor foundry process flow. An embodiment of the method only adds a few additional steps to a standard CMOS foundry process flow and makes minor changes to the rest of the baseline CMOS foundry process flow to form a new process module that includes both CMOS devices and an embedded SONOS NVM.
US08258025B2	Method for manufacturing microcrystalline semiconductor film and thin film transistor A microcrystalline semiconductor film with high crystallinity is manufactured. In addition, a thin film transistor with excellent electric characteristics and high reliability, and a display device including the thin film transistor are manufactured with high productivity. A deposition gas containing silicon or germanium is introduced from an electrode including a plurality of projecting portions provided in a treatment chamber of a plasma CVD apparatus, glow discharge is caused by supplying high-frequency power, and thereby crystal particles are formed over a substrate, and a microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed over the crystal particles by a plasma CVD method.
US08258019B2	Flip chip assembly process for ultra thin substrate and package on package assembly In some embodiments, selective electroless plating for electronic substrates is presented. In this regard, a method is introduced including receiving a coreless substrate strip, attaching solder balls to a backside of the coreless substrate strip, and forming a backside stiffening mold amongst the solder balls. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US08258018B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device Performing electrolysis plating to a wiring is made possible, aiming at the increasing of pin count of a semiconductor device. Package substrate 3 by which ring shape common wiring 3p for electric supply was formed in the inner area of bonding lead 3j in device region 3v of main surface 3a is used. Since a plurality of first plating lines 3r and fourth plating lines 3u for electric supply connected to common wiring 3p can be arranged by this, the feeder for electrolysis plating can be arranged to all the land parts on the back. Hereby, it becomes possible to perform electrolysis plating to the wiring of main surface 3a of package substrate 3, and the back surface.
US08258015B2	Integrated circuit package system with penetrable film adhesive An integrated circuit package system including: providing a wire bonded die with an active side and a bond wire connected thereto; forming a penetrable film adhesive on the active side and partially encapsulating the bond wire; mounting an interposer, having a first functional side facing up away from the wire bonded die and a second functional side facing down toward the wire bonded die and having exposed conductors, over the wire bonded die; providing a substrate and connecting the first functional side by the exposed conductor with an electrical interconnect to the substrate; and encapsulating the wire bonded die, and the penetrable film adhesive with an encapsulation.
US08258010B2	Making a semiconductor device having conductive through organic vias A plurality of semiconductor die is mounted to a carrier separated by a peripheral region. An insulating material is deposited in the peripheral region. A first opening is formed in the insulating material of the peripheral region to a first depth. A second opening is formed in the insulating material of the peripheral region centered over the first opening to a second depth less than the first depth. The first and second openings constitute a composite through organic via (TOV) having a first width in a vertical region of the first opening and a second width in a vertical region of the second opening. The second width is different than the first width. A conductive material is deposited in the composite TOV to form a conductive TOV. An organic solderability preservative (OSP) coating is formed over a contact surface of the conductive TOV.
US08258004B2	Display device and manufacturing method thereof According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manufacturing method of a display device includes forming a plurality of gate wires comprising a gate electrode on an insulating substrate, forming an electrode layer comprising a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from each other to define a channel region on the gate electrode interposed therebetween, forming a first barrier wall having a first opening for exposing the channel region, a portion of the source electrode, and a portion of the drain electrode on the electrode layer where the first barrier wall has a surface, forming a shielding film to cover the channel region inside the first opening, treating the surface of the first barrier wall, removing the shielding film, and forming an organic semiconductor layer inside the first opening.
US08258003B2	Manufacturing method of compound semiconductor solar cell Provided is a manufacturing method of a compound semiconductor solar cell. The method includes; preparing a substrate on which a back electrode is disposed, and sputtering a metal target to form a copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) thin film on the back electrode under an indium (In) deposition gas atmosphere.
US08258002B2	Phase change memory device resistant to stack pattern collapse and a method for manufacturing the same A phase change memory device resistant to stack pattern collapse is presented. The phase change memory device includes a silicon substrate, switching elements, heaters, stack patterns, bit lines and word lines. The silicon substrate has a plurality of active areas. The switching elements are connected to the active areas. The heaters are connected to the switching elements. The stack patterns are connected to the heaters. The bit lines are connected to the stack patterns. The word lines are connected to the active areas of the silicon substrate.
US08257998B2	Solar cells with textured surfaces Semiconductor photovoltaic cells have surfaces that are textured for processing and photovoltaic reasons. The absorbing regions may have parallel grooves that reduce loss of solar energy that would otherwise be lost by reflection. One form of texturing has parallel grooves and ridges. The cell also includes regions of metallization for collecting the generated electrical carriers and conducting them away, which may be channels. The topography is considered during production, using a process that takes advantage of the topography to govern what locations upon will receive a specific processing, and which locations will not receive such a processing. Liquids are treated directly into zones of the cell. They migrate throughout a zone and act upon the locations contacted. They do not migrate to other zones, due to impediments to fluid flow that are features of the surface texture, such as edges, walls and ridges. Blocking liquid may also be deposited and migrate within a zone, to block or mask a subsequent activity, such as etching.
US08257997B2	Semiconductor photodetectors In one aspect, a method includes forming a pit in a top surface of a substrate by removing a portion of the substrate and growing a semiconductor material with a bottom surface on the pit, the semiconductor material different than the material of the substrate. The pit has a base recessed in the top surface of the substrate. In another aspect, a structure includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate including at least one pit having a base lower than the top surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor material having a bottom surface formed on the base of the pit.
US08257995B2	Microwave anneal of a thin lamina for use in a photovoltaic cell A cleave plane is defined in a semiconductor donor body by implanting ions into the wafer. A lamina is cleaved from the donor body, and a photovoltaic cell is formed which comprises the lamina. The implant may cause some damage to the crystal structure of the lamina. This damage can be repaired by annealing the lamina using microwave energy. If the lamina is bonded to a receiver element, the receiver element may be either transparent to microwaves, or may reflect microwaves, while the semiconductor material absorbs the microwaves. In this way the lamina can be annealed at high temperature while the receiver element remains cooler.
US08257993B2	Light emitting device and method of fabricating the same Provided are a light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device comprises: a first conductive semiconductor layer; an active layer comprising an InGaN well layer and a GaN barrier layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer; and a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer. The GaN barrier layer comprises an AlGaN layer.
US08257992B2	Method of fabricating a pixel array A method of fabricating a pixel array is provided. A first metal layer is formed over a substrate. The metal layer is patterned to form a plurality of data lines and a plurality of drain patterns adjacent to each data line. The data lines and the drain patterns are separated from each other. An oxide semiconductor layer and a first insulation layer covering the oxide semiconductor layer are formed over the substrate. A second metal layer is formed on the first insulation layer and patterned to form a plurality of scan lines intersected with the data lines and the drain patterns. By using the scan lines as a mask, the oxide semiconductor layer and the first insulation layer are patterned to form a plurality of oxide semiconductor channels located under each scan line. Each oxide semiconductor channel is located between one data line and one drain pattern.
US08257987B2	Planarization of GaN by photoresist technique using an inductively coupled plasma Films of III-nitride for semiconductor device growth are planarized using an etch-back method. The method includes coating a III-nitride surface having surface roughness features in the micron range with a sacrificial planarization material such as an appropriately chose photoresist. The sacrificial planarization material is then etched together with the III-nitride roughness features using dry etch methods such as inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching. By closely matching the etch rates of the sacrificial planarization material and the III-nitride material, a planarized III-nitride surface is achieved. The etch-back process together with a high temperature annealing process yields a planarize III-nitride surface with surface roughness features reduced to the nm range. Planarized III-nitride, e.g., GaN, substrates and devices containing them are also provided.
US08257980B2	Sensory pigments used on food, packaging, paper and pharmaceutical and electronic products The invention relates to sensory pigments for use in foods, packagings, pharmaceutical products, paper and electronic products. Said pigments are characterized by the fact that a chemically reactive polymer layer that is 5 to 500 nm thick is applied to metallic particles, metal particles or particles containing at least one metal-oxygen compound, said particles being preferably platelet or fiber-shaped, and a layer of chromophore particles that are between 1 and 100 nm in size is applied to the polymer layer, said particles having a color that is visible to the human eye and that changes after contact with an analyte.
US08257977B2	Measuring levels of a metabolite Described herein are methods for determining an amount of an analyte in a test sample. The methods involve preparing a calibration curve using standard samples containing an isotopically-labeled standard in a biological matrix.
US08257974B2	Method of reaction in flow channel of microchip and analysis device In the case of passing a reagent in a reaction channel in a microchip, which carries a reactant capable of reacting with the reagent on the wall thereof, and bringing the reactant into contact with the reagent so as to carry out a reaction, the reagent is efficiently passed to the reactant to thereby promote the progress of the reaction. In carrying out the reaction as described above, the reagent (30a) is passed in such a manner that the periphery of the gas/liquid interface at the front end of the reagent moves forward and backward along the wall face of the reaction channel (10). After the completion of the reaction between the reagent (30a) and the reactant, another reagent (30b), which is to be reacted with the reactant capable of reacting with the reagent that is carried on the reaction channel, is passed into the reaction channel (10) while providing a gas in the front edge side thereof. In carrying out the reaction, the reagent (30b) is passed in such manner that the periphery of the gas/liquid interface at the front end of the reagent moves forward and backward along the wall face of the reaction channel (10).
US08257972B2	Cell transformed by human Wnt3a gene Disclosed is a cell transformed by a vector containing human Wnt3a gene, wherein the cell is selected from a group consisting of hair follicle-derived cells and prostate cancer-derived cells.
US08257967B2	Method and system for the detection of cardiac risk factors A system for the rapid characterization of multi-cardiovascular risk factor analyte fluids, in one embodiment, includes a light source, a sensor array, and a detector. The sensor array is formed from a supporting member, in which a plurality of cavities may be formed. A series of chemically sensitive particles, in one embodiment, are positioned within the cavities. The particles may produce a signal when a receptor, coupled to the particle, interacts with the cardiovascular risk factor analyte and the particle-analyte complex is visualized using a visualization reagent. Using pattern recognition techniques, the analytes within a multi-analyte fluid may be characterized. In an embodiment, each cavity of the plurality of cavities is designed to capture and contain a specific size particle. Flexible projections may be positioned over each of the cavities to provide retention of the particles in the cavities.
US08257964B2	Microwell cell-culture device and fabrication method Methods for fabricating microfluidics devices, microfluidics cell-culture device and systems having a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, the fabrication methods using semi-rigid materials during molding that are incorporated into the final device.
US08257963B2	Chondrocyte container and method of use Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent produced via a genetically-altered chondrocyte are provided. More specifically, the device includes a housing which defines a cell chamber configured to retain a large volume of chondrocytes while selectively releasing therapeutic agents produced via these entrapped cells. In an exemplary embodiment, the cell chamber can be configured such that a portion of cells can be positioned at least about 1.5 mm from an external wall of the device (i.e., about 1.5 mm away from an external nutrient supply). For example, the cell chamber can have a tubular configuration having a length and a diameter wherein each of these dimensions is at least about 3 mm (thereby the central core to the chamber is at least about 1.5 mm from the outer wall of the device).
US08257962B2	Extracellular potential measuring device and its manufacturing method An extracellular potential measuring device includes a plate portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an electrode provided on the second surface of the plate portion. In the plate portion, a pocket having an opening which opens to the first surface is formed, and a through-hole communicating to the second surface from the pocket. The through-hole communicates from a position which is closer to the opening than a deepest point of the first pocket. The electrode is provided around of the opening of the through-hole. In this device, even if a cell to be examined does not reach the deepest point of the pocket, a cell membrane of the cell can tightly attaches onto the through-hole securely without a clearance. Hence, culture solution inside the through-hole is isolated from culture solution over an upper surface of the plate portion, thereby allowing electrochemical changes caused by activities of the cell to be detected efficiently with a detector electrode.
US08257961B2	Oxygen-assisted fermentation process A fermentation process uses substantially pure oxygen. The oxygen is the only reactive gas which is injected into a fermentation vessel. The oxygen is moved through the vessel solely by its own pressure. The process can be used with both mechanically-agitated and air-lifted fermenters. The mechanically-agitated fermenter includes an analyzer for measuring oxygen concentration in the exhaust line, and adjusting the flow of fresh oxygen into the vessel accordingly. In the air-lifted fermenter, an analyzer measures the oxygen concentration in the head space of the vessel, and operates valves which either recycle the gas from the head space, or vent that gas to the outside, according to the measured concentration. A stream of nitrogen is periodically injected into the vessel to drive out carbon dioxide and other gases, to control the pH of the fermentation medium. The present invention substantially improves the efficiency of a commercial fermentation process.
US08257959B2	Non-recombinant Saccharomyces strains that grow on xylose The present invention relates to methods for producing Saccharomyces strains that are capable of growth on xylose as a sole carbon source at a desired growth rate, (such as at least one generation per 48 hours), strains made by such methods, and Saccharomyces strains that grow at a growth rate of at least one generation per 48 hours using xylose as a sole carbon source for growth made by non-recombinant methods.
US08257958B2	Microorganism capable of controlling plant diseases and plant disease-controlling agent using the microorganism The object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism which places little burden on the environment, shows an extremely low possibility of a resistant pathogenic bacterium to emerge, and has a superior controlling ability against various plant diseases (in particular, soft rot and canker of leaf and root vegetables); a plant disease controlling agent containing the microorganism; and a method for controlling plant diseases comprising applying the plant disease controlling agent to the plant and/or the grove soil thereof. A plant disease controlling agent is used which contains a bacterial cell of Pseudomonas rhodesiae having controlling ability against plant diseases, preferably a bacterial cell of Pseudomonas rhodesiae FERM BP-10912 or its variant having controlling ability against plant diseases.
US08257956B2	Sulfonylurea-responsive repressor proteins Compositions and methods relating to the use of sulfonylurea-responsive repressors are provided. Compositions include polypeptides that specifically bind to an operator, wherein the specific binding is regulated by a sulfonylurea compound. Compositions also include polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides as well as constructs, vectors, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and eukaryotic organisms including plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotide, and/or produced by the methods. Also provided are methods to provide a sulfonylurea-responsive repressor to a cell or organism, and to regulate expression of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell or organism, including a plant or plant cell.
US08257954B2	Generation of modified polymerases for improved accuracy in single molecule sequencing Provided are compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerases that exhibit branching fractions that are less than the branching fractions of the polymerases from which they were derived, or branching fractions that are less than about 25% for a phosphate-labeled nucleotide analog. Also provided are compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerases that exhibit closed polymerase/DNA complexes with increased stability relative to the parental polymerases. Also provided are compositions comprising modified recombinant polymerases that exhibit decreased rate constants relative to the parental polymerases. Provided are methods for generating polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes. Provided are methods of using such polymerases to make a DNA or to sequence a DNA template.
US08257951B2	Ethanol production process An improved ethanol production process providing novel stillage treatment is disclosed wherein the stillage is separated into four value added product streams that are subjected to drying conditions reducing or eliminating volatization of any VOC's in the product streams.
US08257948B1	Method of preparing alpha-glucosyl Stevia composition Glucosyl stevia compositions are prepared from steviol glycosides of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. The glucosylation was performed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using the starch as source of glucose residues. The short-chain glucosyl stevia compositions were purified to >95% content of total steviol glycosides. The compositions can be used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
US08257946B2	Cysteine protease autoprocessing of fusion proteins Disclosed are fusion proteins, polynucleotides that encode the disclosed fusion proteins, and methods for expressing and autoprocessing of the disclosed fusion proteins to obtain a target protein. The disclosed fusion proteins include an autoproteolytic cysteine protease fused to a heterologous polypeptide, which may be isolated as the target protein. Preferably, the protease activity of the cysteine protease is inducible. Suitable autoproteolytic cysteine proteases for the fusion proteins include the cysteine protease of the Vibrio cholerae RTX toxin.
US08257945B2	Identification of eukaryotic internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements A method of search for and identification of a eukaryotic IRES element active in cap-independent translation of RNA in eukaryotic cells is provided, comprising the following steps: i) screening eukaryotic mRNA sequences or corresponding DNA sequences for a potential IRES element having a block of nucleotides having: a) a length of at least 30 nucleotides; b) an adenine nucleotide content of at least 40 mol-%; and c) a pyrimidine nucleotide content of less than 40 mol-%; ii) inserting said potential IRES element into a linear dicistronic construct between an upstream gene and a downstream GUS reporter gene, whereby said potential IRES element is positioned for IRES-dependent translation of said downstream GUS gene and whereby said upstream gene is preceded by a stable hairpin structure to prevent IRES-independent translation of said genes; and iii) testing said potential IRES element for IRES-dependent translation of said GUS gene in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate or in a wheat germ extract in vitro translation assay, whereby GUS gene expression is quantitated preferably relative to a construct having a reference IRES element or a non-IRES element between said upstream gene and said GUS gene.
US08257942B2	Tissue embedding matrix The invention is a matrix for preparing a tissue sample made of saline, albumin, gelatin, formaldehyde, a detergent, sucrose, lysine, and glutaraldehyde. The matrix is formed by first preparing a solution of saline, albumin, and gelatin, and then mixing the solution with formaldehyde, a detergent, and sucrose. Immediately prior to fixation of the tissue, a separately prepared lysine-glutaraldehyde mixture is added. The resulting matrix will harden rapidly and may be used to fix tissue samples for histological processing. In particular, a layer of the matrix may be poured into a mold and allowed to harden to form a base. One or more tissue samples may then be pinned to the base of matrix in the mold and then covered with the matrix. Once the matrix hardens, the pins and mold may be removed, and the tissue sample or samples embedded in the matrix are ready for sectioning.
US08257939B2	Compositions comprising a dehalogenase substrate and a fluorescent label and methods of use A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.
US08257938B2	Hemolysin and its protein fragments in sero-detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Disclosed is the cloning, expression and purification of a hemolysin protein and its protein fragments in Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The recombinant hemolysin and its protein fragments are useful in the ELISA detection of anaplasma pathogen. The use of same as a kit for ELISA is also disclosed.
US08257931B2	Regulation of protein synthesis A composition and method for inhibiting proliferation of a tumor cell compared to a non-tumor cell. Also described are methods of screening for a composition that inhibits cap-dependent translation compared to cap-independent translation of proteins.
US08257928B2	Methods for predicting and treating tumors resistant to drug, immunotherapy and radiation The present invention relates to methods for prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant tumors that were treatment resistant. The present invention provides methods of prognosis and diagnosis of multidrug resistant tumors through detection of the expression levels of nuclear co-repressor 2 (“N-CoR2”), histone deacetylases 3 (“HDAC3”), and their associated gene expression biomarkers. The present invention also provides methods of sensitizing tumors to anti-tumor therapeutics by disrupting HDAC3 activation, abrogating the N-CoR2-HDAC3 interaction, inhibiting the activity of either protein, or by downregulating the expression of either protein.
US08257924B2	mRNA ratios in urinary sediments and/or urine as a prognostic and/or theranostic marker for prostate cancer Described herein are methods and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer in a subject. The methods comprises: (a) determining the ratio of PCA3 and of a prostate-specific marker expression in a urine sample and (b) correlating the value of the PCA3/prostate-specific marker ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. Kits for prognosing prostate cancer are also described. More particularly, the present invention features a method for prognosing prostate cancer in a biological sample of a patient comprising: assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of prostate-specific marker in the biological sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of prostate-specific marker; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.
US08257923B2	Methods for detecting inflammatory bowel disease The present invention provides for a method of detecting the presence of inflammatory bowel disease in gastrointestinal tissues or cells of a mammal by detecting increased expression of LY6 genes in the tissues or cells of the mammal relative to a control.
US08257921B1	NRIP1 regulation of apolipoprotein A1 The present invention provides, in part, methods for identifying inhibitors of NRIP1 and methods of using such inhibitors. Methods of treating NRIP1-mediated disorders using NRIP1 inhibitor are also provided.
US08257919B2	Micro-RNA profiles associated with endometrial cancer development and response to cisplatin and doxorubicin chemotherapy A method predicting of cancer chemoresponse of the population of cancer cells to the one or more chemotherapeutic agents. Our ability to treat patients with advanced stage and recurrent endometrial cancer is hampered by an incomplete understanding of the molecular basis of disease development and response to therapy. A novel class of gene products called microRNA (miRNA) has recently been implicated in the etiology of several different human cancers. Altered levels of expression of specific miRNAs may contribute to cancer development in a variety of cancers such as endometrial cancer and may also influence response to cytotoxic chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. Evidence is provided that differential expression of miRNAs contributes to endometrial carcinogenesis and further associates with sensitivity of endometrial cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin and doxorubicin chemotherapy. MiRNA profiles and their gene targets show promise as biomarkers of endometrial cancer chemo-response, and as a novel class of therapeutic targets for patients with endometrial cancer.
US08257918B2	Intelligent nanomedicine integrating diagnosis and therapy A method of controlling the activity of a biologically active compound. The method concerns an oligonucleotide-based compound, comprising a hairpin-forming oligonucleotide, an effector moiety physically associated with the oligonucleotide, where the effector moiety possesses a biological activity, and a regulating moiety physically associated with the oligonucleotide, where the regulating moiety controls the biological activity of the effector moiety by interacting with the effector moiety. The oligonucleotide can assume a hairpin configuration, where the effector and regulating moieties interact, or an open configuration, where the effector and regulating moieties fail to interact. Depending on the nature of the effector and regulating moieties, either configuration can result in the expression of the biological activity of the effector moiety.
US08257914B2	Botulinum toxin screening assays Methods for detecting BoNT/A activity in a sample, methods for screening molecules able to compete with BoNT/A receptor binding, methods for reducing BoNT/A activity in a human and methods of marketing a neurotoxin capable of selectively binding to FGFR3 to a governmental or regional regulatory authority.
US08257912B2	Photolithography The invention relates to a method of photolithography comprising the steps of: providing a substrate and forming a layer of a photoresist on the substrate, performing a first exposure in which a predetermined part of the layer of photoresist is irradiated through a mask having a pattern for forming a latent image of said pattern in the layer of the photoresist, performing a pretreatment on the layer of the photoresist to remove a predetermined part of the latent image before performing the fixation. The method provides an improved process window. The invention further relates to a photoresist for use within the method of the invention.
US08257910B1	Underlayers for EUV lithography The present invention provides methods of fabricating microelectronics structures and the resulting structures formed thereby using EUV lithographic processes. The method involves utilizing an underlayer immediately below the photoresist layer. The underlayer can either be directly applied to the substrate, or it can be applied to any intermediate layer(s) that may be applied to the substrate. The preferred underlayers are formed from spin-coatable, polymeric compositions. The inventive method allows reduced critical dimensions to be achieved while improving adhesion and reducing or eliminating pattern collapse issues.
US08257908B2	Coating-type underlayer coating forming composition for lithography containing vinylnaphthalene resin derivative [Object] To provide a coating-type underlayer coating forming composition that is applied for multi-ply coating process by thin film resist in order to prevent collapse of resist pattern after development with miniaturization of resist pattern, and that shows a sufficient etching resistance against a semiconductor substrate to be processed on processing of the substrate by having a low dry etching rate compared with the photoresist and substrate.[Means for solving problems] A coating-type underlayer coating forming composition that is used for lithography process by multi-ply coating, comprising a polymer containing a vinylnaphthalene based structural unit and an acrylic acid based structural unit containing an aromatic hydroxy group or a hydroxy-containing ester. A coating-type underlayer coating forming composition further comprising an acrylic acid based structural unit containing an aliphatic cyclic compound-containing ester or an aromatic compound-containing ester.
US08257907B2	Negative-working imageable elements Negative-working imageable elements have an imageable layer comprising a free radically polymerizable component, an initiator composition capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate polymerization of the free radically polymerizable component upon exposure to imaging radiation, a radiation absorbing compound, one or more polymeric binders, and at least 5 weight % of core-shell particles comprising a hydrophobic polymeric core and a hydrophilic polymeric shell that is covalently bound to the polymeric core. The hydrophilic polymeric shell has one or more zwitterionic functional groups. These elements can be imaged such as by IR lasers to provide lithographic printing plates.
US08257905B2	Method of fabricating thin film transistor substrate and negative photoresist composition used therein A method of fabricating a thin film transistor substrate and a negative photoresist composition used therein are provided, which can reduce pattern inferiority. The method of fabricating a thin film transistor substrate includes forming a conductive film composed of a conductive material on a substrate, forming an etch pattern composed of a negative photoresist composition on the conductive film, and forming a conductive pattern by etching the conductive film using the etch pattern as an etching mask, wherein the negative photoresist composition includes 10-50 parts by weight of novolak resin including a hydroxyl group that is soluble in an alkali developing solution, 0.5-10 parts by weight of a first photo acid generator represented by the following formula (1), 0.5-10 parts by weight of a second photo acid generator represented by the following formula (2), 1-20 parts by weight of a cross-linking agent, and 10-90 parts by weight of a solvent:
US08257904B2	Resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A resist composition including: a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of an acid; an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure; and an organic solvent (S), wherein the base component (A) includes a polymeric compound (A1) which contains a structural unit (a0) represented by the general formula (a0-1) shown below: [Chemical Formula 1] (in the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a halogenated lower alkyl group; R2 represents a bivalent linking group; and R3 represents a cyclic group which has —SO2— within the ring skeleton), and the organic solvent (S) includes a cyclic ketone having a 5 to 7-membered ring or an ether represented by the general formula (S-1) shown below: [Chemical Formula 2] (in the formula, R4 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R5 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 0 to 2).
US08257903B2	Compound, positive resist composition and method for formation of resist pattern The present invention provides a compound that can be used within a resist composition, an intermediate compound for the compound, a positive resist composition, and a method for forming a resist pattern.The present invention discloses a compound represented by a general formula (A-1) shown below [wherein, R′ represents a hydrogen atom or an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, provided that at least one of the plurality of R′ groups represents an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group; R″ represents an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R11 to R17 each independently represents an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, which may include a hetero atom within the structure; g and j each independently represents an integer of 1 or greater, and k and q each represents an integer of 0 or greater; a represents an integer of 1 to 3; b represents an integer of 1 or greater, and l and m each independently represents an integer of 0 or greater; c represents an integer of 1 or greater, and n and o each independently represents an integer of 0 or greater; and A represents a group represented by a general formula (Ia) shown below, a group represented by a general formula (Ib) shown below, or an aliphatic cyclic group].
US08257899B2	Polyester process The present disclosure provides processes for the preparation of unsaturated polyesters. In embodiments, a process of the present disclosure includes reacting an organic diol with a cyclic alkylene carbonate in the presence of a first catalyst to thereby form a polyalkoxy diol, optionally adding thereto a further amount of cyclic alkylene carbonate in the presence of a second catalyst, and subsequently polycondensing the resulting mixture with a dicarboxylic acid in combination with an anhydride.
US08257897B2	Toners with fluorescence agent and toner sets including the toners A toner set includes a plurality of toners, at least one toner but less than all toners of the toner set including binder, colorant and fluorescence agent and remaining additional toners including binder, colorant and free of fluorescence agent. At least a first toner grouping and a second toner grouping of the toner set form a combination, the first and second groupings of the combination exhibiting a substantially same color under ambient light conditions upon image formation. The first toner grouping and the second toner grouping of the combination contain a different amount of the fluorescence agent, wherein upon exposure to activating energy, the fluorescence agent fluoresces to cause a visible change in the color of a pattern formed in an image by the first toner grouping as compared to the second toner grouping.
US08257893B2	Polyester-based photoreceptor overcoat layer The presently disclosed embodiments are directed generally to an improved electrostatographic imaging member in which the overcoat layer comprises cross-linkable polyester resins. The overcoat layer not only provides wear resistance, but it also provides higher charge transport efficiency and therefore better photoelectrical properties. In addition, the polyesters can cross-link with a variety of resins and thus provide good adhesion as well.
US08257892B2	Releasable undercoat layer and methods for using the same Embodiments relate generally to an imaging member that facilitates removal of the imaging member coating layers disposed over the imaging member and environmentally or “green” methods for using the same. More specifically, the present embodiments disclose an electrophotographic photoreceptor that includes a specifically formulated undercoat layer that allows easy removal of the photoreceptor layers disposed on top of the undercoat layer. The present embodiments provide a simple yet efficient method for reclaiming recycling or remanufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptors.
US08257889B2	Imaging members comprising capped structured organic film compositions A imaging member, such as a photoreceptor, comprising a capped structured organic film comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.
US08257887B2	Photomask defect correcting method and device A photomask defect correction method for correcting a defect of a photomask. A defect in a portion of a photomask to be corrected is observed and information of the observed defect for performing correction of the defect is acquired. The observed defect is corrected in accordance with the acquired defect information by irradiating the observed defect with a focused ion beam from an ion beam irradiation system having a gas field ion source that generates rare gas ions for forming the focused ion beam.
US08257882B2	Cathode for fuel cell and process of the same The cathode 114 is formed by forming several layers comprising an inorganic material that is primarily electron conductive and a complex oxide B that is primarily oxygen ion conductive and that supports an oxygen dissociation-promoting catalyst, on an electrolytic membrane 112. The electrolytic membrane 112 and the outermost layer of the cathode 114 (layer of mixture furthest from the electrolytic membrane 112) facing the separator 120 are physically and electrically continuous by means of the inorganic material a and complex oxide B disposed between them.
US08257879B2	Fuel cell compression retention system using compliant strapping A fuel cell system is provided including a fuel cell stack having a first end and second end. The fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between adjacent gas diffusion layers. The fuel cell system further includes a compression retention system having a plurality of compliant straps adapted to apply a compressive force to the fuel cell stack. The plurality of compliant straps are further adapted to accommodate an expansion of the fuel cell stack during an operation thereof and maintain the compressive force within a desired range.
US08257871B2	Electrolyte for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery including the same An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery including the same are provided. The electrolyte includes: a cyclic ester; an organic solvent including a nitrile-containing solvent represented by Formula 1 at a content ranging from 1 to 5% by volume; and a lithium salt, R—C≡N (1) wherein R is selected from the group consisting of a C1 to C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1 to C10 halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C6 to C10 aromatic hydrocarbon, and a C6 to C10 halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon. The electrolyte can improve swelling characteristics and discharge capacity characteristics at a low temperature, and realize equal or better performance in characteristics such as capacity, life span and the like, as compared to a conventional carbonate-containing electrolyte.
US08257869B2	Electrode for electrochemical element and electrochemical element using the electrode An electrode for an electrochemical element reversibly absorbing and releasing lithium ions including: a current collector having a higher first convex portion and a lower second convex portion on at least one surface thereof; a columnar body including an active material formed in such a manner as to rise obliquely on the first convex portion and the second convex portion of the current collector.
US08257866B2	Template electrode structures for depositing active materials Provided are examples of electrochemically active electrode materials, electrodes using such materials, and methods of manufacturing such electrodes. Electrochemically active electrode materials may include a high surface area template containing a metal silicide and a layer of high capacity active material deposited over the template. The template may serve as a mechanical support for the active material and/or an electrical conductor between the active material and, for example, a substrate. Due to the high surface area of the template, even a thin layer of the active material can provide sufficient active material loading and corresponding battery capacity. As such, a thickness of the layer may be maintained below the fracture threshold of the active material used and preserve its structural integrity during battery cycling.
US08257863B2	Method of making electrode Batteries and related compositions and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of making a battery can include heating at least one cathode including a cathode material in an atmosphere including oxygen, heating the cathode in a vacuum, adding the cathode into a housing, adding a separator into the housing, and adding an anode into the housing.
US08257860B2	Battery module and method of making the same A battery module including a plurality of unit batteries, a pair of end plates located at outermost sides of the plurality of unit batteries and connecting rods disposed at first and second edges of at least one of the end plates, the first and second edges being opposite edges, wherein the connecting rods fix the pair of end plates to the plurality of unit batteries, and the connecting rods are spaced apart at different intervals along the first and second edges of the at least one end plate.
US08257857B2	Method for manufacturing separators, separators manufactured by the method and electrochemical devices including the separators A method for manufacturing separators includes (S1) treating at least one of the laminating surfaces of two porous substrates by corona discharge and laminating the porous substrates, (S2) preparing a slurry containing inorganic particles dispersed therein and a solution of a binder polymer in a solvent, and coating the slurry on both surfaces of the laminate of the porous substrates, and (S3) delaminating the coated laminate of the porous substrates. According to the method, two separators can be simultaneously manufactured with enhanced productivity. In addition, corona discharge can reduce damage to the surfaces of the porous substrates during lamination while maintaining the porosities of the porous substrates. Therefore, excellent performance of electrochemical devices using the separators can be ensured.
US08257853B2	Battery cover assembly and portable electronic device utilizing the same A portable electronic device includes a base, a battery cover defining a notch, and a latching module. The base has two latching tabs. The latching module comprises an operating element, and two latching element fixed on the battery cover. The operating element is slidably received in the notch. When the operating element slides towards the battery cover, the two latching elements separate from corresponding latching tabs.
US08257852B2	Battery cover mechanism A battery cover mechanism includes a body member, a battery cover and an operating piece. The body member defines a receiving cavity recessed therefrom for receiving the battery cover and a battery therein. The battery cover is rotatably assembled to the body member to cover the receiving cavity of the body member. The operating piece is releasably assembled to the battery cover for locking the battery cover to the body member and unlocking the battery cover. The battery cover mechanism is convenience to operate, and avoids the interfering signals efficiently.
US08257851B2	Battery cover latch mechanism and portable electronic device using the same A battery cover latch mechanism includes a housing, a battery cover, and a latching part. The housing includes a clasp positioned thereon. The battery cover includes a guiding portion and a resisting block facing the guiding portion. The latching part includes a button and a resilient bar assembled on the battery cover. The button includes a hook resisting the resisting block. The button slidably and releasably latches to the clasp to lock the battery cover to the housing or release the battery cover from the housing. The invention also discloses a portable electronic device using the battery cover latch mechanism.
US08257848B2	Safety venting mechanism with tearing tooth structure for batteries A battery comprises a battery cell having two voltage terminals and a flexible sidewall; a wall structure against which the battery cell is located, the wall structure including a sidewall that is adjacent to the sidewall of the battery cell; and a tooth structure that extends away from the sidewall of the wall structure and towards the sidewall of the battery cell, wherein the tooth structure includes a distal end sufficiently sharp to puncture the flexible sidewall of the battery cell when the flexible sidewall of the battery cell is forced up against the tooth structure due to a build up of excess pressure inside the battery cell.
US08257847B2	Lithium secondary battery A main object of the present invention is to provide a lithium secondary battery whose potential can be rapidly increased immediately after the start of overcharge, thereby terminating charging before a safety valve is actuated. This object can be solved by a lithium secondary battery comprising: a cathode having a phosphate compound of olivine structure as a cathode active material, an anode, a separator sandwiched between the cathode and the anode, an electrolyte comprising a supporting salt dissolved therein, and a safety valve having a valve-opening pressure within the range of 25 kgf/cm2 to 30 kgf/cm2, wherein assuming that the initial amount of Li contained in the cathode is 100, the initial amount of Li contained in the electrolyte is within the range of 5 to 20.
US08257846B2	Temperature increasing method for sodium-sulfur battery A temperature increasing method for a sodium-sulfur battery includes three or more temperature gradients, and inflection points of 90±5° C. and 150±5° C. at which the temperature gradient changes, and the temperature gradient in a section from 90±5° C. to 150±5° C. is 5° C./h or less, whereby it is possible to increase a temperature of the sodium-sulfur battery quickly without affecting the quality of the sodium-sulfur battery.
US08257844B2	Low-coupling oxide media (LCOM) A low-coupling perpendicular magnetic recording media comprising a magnetic storage layer and at least one low saturation magnetization layer. The magnetic storage layer has a saturation magnetization between about 400-900 emu/cm3 and the at least one low saturation magnetization layer has a saturation magnetization below that of the magnetic storage layer.
US08257841B2	Bodies coated with a hard material and method for the production thereof The invention relates to bodies coated with a hard material, comprising a multi-layer coating system containing at least one Ti1-xAlxN hard material coating and to a multi-stage CVD method for producing the bodies. The aim of the invention is to achieve excellent adhesion of the Ti1-xAlxN hard material coating in bodies coated with a hard material comprising a multi-layer coating system containing at least one Ti1-xAlxN hard material coating and a high degree of wear resistance. According to the invention, the bodies coated with a hard material comprising a multi-layer coating system containing at least one Ti1-xAlxN hard material coating are characterized by the following features: the coating system consists of a) a bonding coating applied to the body, consisting of TiN, Ti(C,N) or TiC; b) a phase gradient coating that is applied to the bonding coating; and c) the single or multi-phase Ti1-xAlxN hard material coating or coatings applied to the phase gradient coating. The phase gradient coating consists of a TiN/h-AlN phase mixture on the side facing the bonding coating and has an increasing phase fraction of fcc-TiAIN with an increasing coating thickness, (the fraction being >50%), towards the Ti1-xAlxN hard material coating(s) and a corresponding simultaneous decrease in the phase fractions of TiN and h-AlN. The coating according to the invention can be used in particular for tools and components consisting of steel, hard metals, cermets and ceramics, such as for example drills, milling cutters and indexable cutting inserts.
US08257839B2	Polyvinyl pyrrole host material, luminescent layer comprising the same, and organic electroluminescent device comprising the luminescent layer Provided are a polyvinyl pyrrole host material emitting highly efficient phosphorescence, a luminescent layer using the material, and an organic electroluminescent display device. The polyvinyl pyrrole host material shows highly efficient luminescence having improved energy transfer, and thus is useful for an organic electroluminescent display device and other various light emitting devices.
US08257830B2	Electrically conductive protective liner and method of manufacture A protective liner includes a base layer that can be affixed to an aircraft canopy or other substrate, a conductive polymeric interlayer positioned over the base layer, and a conductive top layer containing a reactive organic salt, or a hygroscopic salt, positioned over the conductive polymeric interlayer. The substrate can also be treated with a multilayer stack (including a substrate base coat layer, a metal layer positioned over the substrate base layer, a metal oxide layer positioned over the metal layer, and a tie layer positioned over the metal oxide layer). The protective liner can be affixed to a pretreated substrate by lamination or other means to form an enhanced, multilayer stack having beneficial properties.
US08257828B2	Synthetic microcarriers for culturing cells A coated microcarrier for cell culture includes a microcarrier base and a polymeric coating grafted to the base via a polymerization initiator. A method for forming the coated microcarrier includes (i) conjugating a polymerization initiator to the microcarrier base to form an initiator-conjugated microcarrier base; (ii) contacting the initiator-conjugated microcarrier base with monomers; and (iii) activating the initiator to initiate polymerization and graft the polymer to the base.
US08257827B1	Silicone composition and devices incorporating same A silicone composition having anti-microbial properties contains well distributed silica and nanoparticles of a noble metal. Silica and nanoparticles of a noble metal are added to liquid vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. A coupling agent is then added to the mixture and heated, the coupling agent comprising trialkoxysilane having a formula R1Si(OR2)3, wherein R1 is vinyl or allyl, and R2 is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, trimethylsiloxy terminated polymethylhydrosiloxane is then added to the mixture and heated in the presence of a catalyst so as to cross-link and cure the same into a silicone elastomer. In another embodiment, in place of the trimethylsiloxy terminated polymethylhydrosiloxane, a peroxide is added to mixture and heated to form the silicone. In this later example, no catalyst is needed.
US08257823B2	Molding precursor, process for producing molded fiber-reinforced resin, and molded fiber-reinforced resin A molding precursor which includes a main body part and a burr formation part protruding outward from the edge of the main body part and extending continuously along the edge, wherein the main body part includes a first base having many reinforcing fibers and a second base having many fibers and has been superposed on the first base in an outer peripheral part of the main body part, the burr formation part is constituted of that part of the second base which protrudes outward from the edge of the main body part, and spaces among the many fibers constitute passages for a molding resin.
US08257822B2	Film for thermal sterilization packaging Provided is a film for thermal sterilization packaging which is excellent in a total balance of characteristics such a transparency, an impact resistance, a heat sealing property, a blocking resistance, a heat resistance and the like.The film for thermal sterilization packaging according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: an outer layer containing a propylene/ethylene block copolymer (A) which has a melt flow rate (MFR; ASTM D1238, 230° C., load: 2.16 kg) in the range of 1 to 10 g/10 minutes and a melting point in the range of 150 to 170° C. measured by means of a differential scanning colorimeter. (DSC) and which is constituted from 90 to 80% by weight of a part (Dinsol) insoluble in n-decane at room temperature satisfying the specific requisites and 10 to 20% by weight of a part (Dsol) soluble in n-decane at room temperature satisfying the specific requisites and an intermediate layer or an outer layer containing a propylene/ethylene block copolymer (B) which is not the same as the above propylene/ethylene block copolymer (A).
US08257817B2	Exercise grid An exercise grid includes four running strips and four crossing strips. Each running strip connects with each crossing strip at an intersection to form a grid. The running and crossing strips comprise firm rods positioned between pliable intersections. The firm rods positioned between pliable intersections facilitates folding of the grid at the intersections for transport. Placement of the grid on a playing surface allows one to perform various drills using the spaces between the running and crossing strips.
US08257815B2	Vacuum insulator The vacuum insulator includes an internal structure; a filler for filling empty spaces of the internal structure; and an envelope having an upper envelope composed of a metal layer and a polymer layer formed on the metal layer to surround an upper surface of the internal structure, and a lower envelope composed of a metal layer and a polymer layer formed on the metal layer to surround a lower surface of the internal structure, the metal layer of the upper envelope and the metal layer of the lower envelope being opposite to each other, wherein in a certain area along outlines of the upper envelope and the lower envelope, the metal layer of the upper envelope and the metal layer of the lower envelope between which a film composed of a Low density polyethylene LDPE and a Linear-Lowdensity polyethylene LLDPE is inserted, are adhered by heat, and in an area excluding the certain area, the metal layer of the upper envelope and the metal layer of the lower envelope are adhered by polyurethane.
US08257813B2	Information recording medium An information recording medium comprising a substrate (1), a recording layer (2) formed on the substrate in order to record information, a color filter (4) formed on the substrate, and a thermal reflectance variation layer (3) formed on the substrate in order to vary light reflectance by heat incident to irradiation of light and to reflect visible light entering from one side of the substrate through a color filter. High precision color writing or color label writing can be carried out on an information recording medium such as DVD and BD where a label can be written on the surface by irradiating light.
US08257804B2	Double-sided recording medium A recording medium includes a substrate and two or more ink receiving layers on each of a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. The ink receiving layers each contain a pigment and a binder. A1, A2, B1, and B2 (nm) satisfy the relationships (1), (2), and (3), where A1 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer on the first surface side, A2 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost layer, B1 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer on the second surface side, and B2 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost layer. The arithmetic average roughness Ra specified in JIS B 0601 of each of the outermost ink receiving layers is 0.50 μm or more.
US08257801B2	Photoalignment compound, photoalignment composition, display substrate having an alignment layer, and method for manufacturing the display substrate A photoalignment compound is represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, wherein “x” represents an integer in a range of 1 to 4, each of R1 and R2 represents —(CH2)n—, “n” represents an integer in a range of 1 to 6, at least one of the (—CH2—)s in R1 is replaceable with R3 represents —(CH2)mCH3, “m” represents an integer in a range of 1 to 12, each hydrogen atom of R3 is replaceable with F or Cl, R4 represents an amino group, aniline group, carboxy group, hydroxyl group, cyano group, alkylene group, or functional groups being represented by the following Chemical Formulas 2, 3, 4, or 5, each hydrogen atom of Chemical Formula 1 is replaceable with —O(CH2)kCH3, —(CH2)kCH3, F, or Cl, and “k” represents an integer in a range of 1 to 3, or 0.
US08257800B2	Retardation film and method for manufacturing the same A retardation film and formula thereof, and method for manufacturing the same are provided. Furthermore, the retardation film is applied to compensate TFT-LCD viewing angle. Referring to the formula of the invention, the positive A film-embedded negative C optically anisotropic coating of the retardation film can be formed by single step coating, and the retardation film with net negative C symmetry in whole is easily manufactured.
US08257792B2	Process for depositing sensors on a porous support Process for manufacturing an article comprising an approximately flat porous support and, within this support, defined zones in a chosen pattern, these zones being grafted with sensor molecules, such as metals, biological molecules, whereas the rest of the support remains free of this grafting.
US08257790B2	Ti-containing film formation method and storage medium A Ti film is formed on a surface of a wafer W placed inside a chamber 31, while injecting a process gas containing TiCl4 gas into the chamber 31 from a showerhead 40 made of an Ni-containing material at least at a surface. The method includes performing formation of a Ti film on a predetermined number of wafers W while setting the showerhead 40 at a temperature of 300° C. or more and less than 450° C., and setting TiCl4 gas at a flow rate of 1 to 12 mL/min (sccm) or setting TiCl4 gas at a partial pressure of 0.1 to 2.5 Pa, and then, performing cleaning inside the chamber 31, while setting the showerhead 40 at a temperature of 200 to 300° C., and supplying ClF3 gas into the chamber 31.
US08257789B2	Film formation method in vertical batch CVD apparatus A film formation method, in a vertical batch CVD apparatus, is preset to repeat a cycle a plurality of times to laminate thin films formed by respective times. The cycle alternately includes an adsorption step of adsorbing a source gas onto a surface of the target substrates and a reaction step of causing a reactive gas to react with the adsorbed source gas. The adsorption step is arranged to make a plurality of times a supply sub-step of performing supply of the source gas to the process field with an intermediate sub-step of stopping supply of the source gas to the process field interposed therebetween, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the reactive gas. The reaction step is arranged to continuously perform supply of the reactive gas to the process field, while maintaining a shut-off state of supply of the source gas.
US08257786B2	Decomposable vehicles in printing or coating compositions A printing or coating composition has a non-volatile liquid vehicle carrying a conductive polymer to be deposited on a substrate and is cleavable by heat or acidification without decomposition of said material, cleavage of said vehicle producing decomposition products that are more volatile than said vehicle and which can be evaporated to dry the composition. Suitably, that vehicle is a carbonic acid diester or a malonic acid diester, e.g. of the formula: wherein R2 is an organic substituent such that R2—OH is a volatile alcohol; R1 is an aliphatic or aromatic substituent of more than three carbon atoms such that is volatile; and R3 is C1-3 alkyl.
US08257781B1	Electroless plating-liquid system A main reservoir holds cool reactant liquid. A reaction vessel for treating a substrate is connected to the main reservoir by a feed conduit. A heater is configured to heat reactant liquid in the feed conduit before the liquid enters the reaction vessel. Preferably, the heater is a microwave heater. A recycle conduit connects the reaction vessel with the main reservoir. Preferably, a recycle cooler cools reactant liquid in the recycle conduit before the liquid returns to the main reservoir. Preferably, an accumulation vessel is integrated in the feed conduit for accumulating, heating, conditioning and monitoring reactant liquid before it enters the reaction vessel. Preferably, a recycle accumulator vessel is integrated in the recycle conduit to accommodate reactant liquid as it empties out of the reaction vessel.
US08257776B2	Surface modification method and surface modified material A surface modification method includes a step of applying, onto a material, an application fluid containing a polymer having a functional group capable of producing a silanol group through hydrolysis thereof and an alkoxysilane and a step of applying, onto the material on which the application fluid is applied, an application fluid containing a hydrophilizing agent having a functional group capable of producing a silanol group through hydrolysis thereof or a silanol group.
US08257772B2	Method for obtaining a vegetable plant protein fraction, in particular for producing vegetable ice cream A method for obtaining a vegetable protein fraction, in particular for producing vegetable ice cream, is described wherein vegetable parts are added to water or to an aqueous solvent in order to dissolve and/or disperse vegetable proteins from the vegetable parts, and wherein one or more vegetable protein fractions are separated from the aqueous mixture thus obtained by the separation. According to the method, one or more substances having lipophilic or amphiphilic boundary surfaces are added to the aqueous mixture in order to separate one or more vegetable protein fractions, to which dissolved and/or dispersed proteins having lipophilic or amphiphilic groups in the mixture attach. The substances including the attached proteins are separated from the mixture. A vegetable protein fraction having particularly good emulsifying characteristics is obtained by the method, the protein fraction being advantageous as an emulsifier in the production of vegetable ice cream.
US08257770B2	Method of maximizing utilization of egg albumen A food product formulation which includes dried hen egg albumen (white), wherein the level of said albumen in said formulation is based on the water absorption or water binding (gelling) capacity of said albumen.
US08257764B2	Ruminant mineral feed additive A ruminant mineral feed additive for dairy cattle and ruminant animals includes a unique combination of zeolite and dolomitic hydrate mineral fines that are prilled and hydrothermally reacted to produce a valuable dietary supplement for control of acidosis.
US08257759B2	Antitussive composition and method for making the same An antitussive composition is provided. A pharmaceutical composition for relieving, preventing and/or treating a cough includes a sufficient amount of the Morus australis Poir extract as an active component. The effective Morus australis Poir extract is prepared by extracting the root-bark of the Morus australis Poir with water, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, or a combination thereof. The crude extract can be further fractioned by ultrafiltration or reverse phase column.
US08257755B2	Metabolic syndrome-improving agent and medicine, supplement, functional food and food additive containing the same A metabolic syndrome relieving agent that is free from a problem of side effects and can be taken for a long term is provided. Bergamottin is used as an agent for relieving a metabolic syndrome. Since bergamottin has functions of activating PPARα and PPARγ, promoting the secretion of adiponectin in adipocytes and inhibiting the generation of VLDLs in hepatic cells, it is possible to prevent or treat diseases such as insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism, type 2 diabetes, obesity, visceral fat obesity, hypertension, hyperlipemia, arteriosclerosis and the like and thus prevent or treat the metabolic syndrome. Also, as understood from the fact that citrus fruits such as a grapefruit or the like containing bergamottin have been eaten for many years, they have no problems in terms of safety and have a low calorie content, and therefore, they can be taken for a long term. Further, since bergamottin is tasteless and odorless, it does not impair the unique taste of a food when added to this food, so that it can be added to foods and taken.
US08257754B2	Synergistic compositions that treat or inhibit pathological conditions associated with inflammatory response A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops. Other embodiments relate to combinations of components, including at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops, tryptanthrin and conjugates thereof, rosemary, an extract or compound derived from rosemary, a triterpene species, or a diterpene lactone or derivatives or conjugates thereof.
US08257753B2	Use of an active principle originating from flax in a composition intended to reinforce the barrier function of the skin and to protect the skin and the appendages against external aggressions The present invention concerns the use, in a cosmetic composition, of an effective quantity of active principle originating from flax (genus Linum) to reinforce the barrier function of the skin and to protect the skin and the appendages against external aggressions. The active principle originates from the hydrolysis of flax proteins and contains principally polypeptides or peptides. The invention likewise relates to the use, in a cosmetic composition, of a peptidic hydrolysate of flax as active principle capable of activating HMG-CoA reductase. The invention likewise relates to the use of a peptidic hydrolysate of flax as active principle capable of activating transglutaminase. The active principle can likewise be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions intended to prevent or combat against the pathologies linked to alterations to the barrier function, such as certain hypersensitivies, irritations of the skin and reactive skins, or atopic dermatitis.
US08257750B2	Calcium carbonate compositions for preventing or treating hyperphosphatemia Compositions and methods for inhibiting gastrointestinal absorption of phosphate in a subject are provided. Such compositions are composed of enteric-coated, sustained-release calcium carbonate, which find application in the prevention or treatment of hyperphosphatemia.
US08257749B2	Systems providing at least pesticidal activity A process reduces the insect, arthropod or pest content in land mass by providing molecular iodine in the land mass in a concentration in aqueous material in the land mass of at least 10 parts per million. The molecular iodine may be added in gaseous or liquid or solid state, and may be formed in situ in the land mass using available water in the reaction.
US08257746B2	Tannate compositions, methods of making and methods of use Tannate compositions containing active pharmaceutical ingredients to be used for treating nausea, vomiting, pain, convulsions, and insomnia and manufacturing processes for preparing the tannate compositions.
US08257744B2	Pharmaceutical forms for the release of active compounds Pharmaceutical form containing at least an active compound and a polymeric matrix, wherein said polymeric matrix comprises at least one polymer of cationic nature and at least one biodegradable polymer, process for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical formulations comprising said pharmaceutical form, and their uses. The pharmaceutical form provides enhanced absorption of active compounds across the mucosa.
US08257738B2	Encapsulation compositions and process for preparing the same Encapsulation compositions in which an encapsulate (A) is encapsulated in a matrix (B) may be prepared by: (i) mixing matrix (B) with a liquid plasticizer and encapsulate (A) in an extruder, to obtain a melted mixture of encapsulate (A) and matrix (B); and (ii) extruding the melted mixture, to obtain an extruded mixture.
US08257737B2	Tissue implants and methods for making and using same The invention provides biocompatible, biodegradable calcium sulfate matrices containing calcium sulfate activated platelets for use in tissue formation. The matrices are particularly useful in stimulating hard tissue, for example, bone formation. The matrices may also further include a growth factor and/or a transfectable gene, the inclusion of which may be useful in stimulating the growth of tissue of interest.
US08257736B2	Drug-transfer device, drug-delivery system incorporating the same, methods of fabricating the same, and methods of enabling administration of a drug A method of fabricating a drug-transfer device includes forming a package having a first component retaining multiple volumes of a drug and a second component retaining an agent. The first component and the second component are integrally formed together. The agent is configured to suppress a physiological effect of the drug when the agent contacts the drug or is coadministered with the drug. The method allows exterior surfaces of the first and second components to be cleanable (e.g., prior to final assembly). After such cleaning, either no or substantially no amount of drug and agent is present outside the package. According to some embodiments, the package may be fabricated such that either no or substantially no amount of the drug is present within the second component and such that either no or substantially no amount of the agent is present within the first component.
US08257734B2	PQS and its conjugates as adjuvants and their uses in pharmaceutical compositions The present invention relates to new adjuvants and the uses in pharmaceutical compositions, like in vaccines. In particular, the present invention provides new compounds useful as adjuvants and/or immunomodulators for prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination in the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, tumors, allergies as well as for the control of fertility in human or animal populations. The compounds are particularly useful not only as systemic, but preferably as mucosal adjuvants. In addition, the invention relates to its uses as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions.
US08257731B2	Devices and methods for the delivery of molecular sieve materials for the formation of blood clots An apparatus for promoting the clotting of blood and controlling bleeding comprises a receptacle for retaining molecular sieve material in particulate form therein. A pad for controlling bleeding comprises a mesh structure and a rigid or semi-rigid support attached to the mesh structure to facilitate the application of pressure to the pad and the wound. A bandage applicable to a bleeding wound comprises a mesh structure and a flexible substrate attached to the mesh structure, the substrate being a cloth or plastic member that may be adhesively attached to cover a wound. In any embodiment, at least a portion of the receptacle or mesh structure is defined by a mesh having openings therein, and at least a portion of the particulate molecular sieve material is in direct contact with blood.
US08257728B2	Metal implant coated under reduced oxygen concentration with osteoinductive protein The present invention relates to a method for producing a device comprising the steps of (a) providing a solution comprising dissolved osteoinductive protein, (b) contacting the solution of the preceding step with a carrier containing a surface of metal or a metal alloy, (c) allowing coating of the surface of said carrier with said dissolved protein and (d) drying of the coated carrier obtained in step (c) wherein steps (b) to (d) are carried out under a reduced concentration of oxygen. The invention also encompasses a device obtainable by the method of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said device and to the use of the device for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition to be used for an accelerated osseointegration and new bone formation. Finally, the present invention relates to a kit comprising the device of the present invention.
US08257724B2	Delivery of highly lipophilic agents via medical devices An apparatus and system for delivering a lipophilic agent associated with a medical device including: a medical device, a first lipophilic agent capable of penetrating a body lumen, wherein the transfer coefficients of the first lipophilic agent is by an amount that is statistically significant of at least approximately 5,000, wherein the first lipophilic agent is associated with the medical device, wherein the first lipophilic agent/medical device is placed adjacent to said body lumen, and wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the first lipophilic agent is delivered to a desired area within a subject. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for improving patency in a subject involving placement of a medical device in a body lumen for treating and/or preventing adjacent diseases or maintaining patency of the body lumen.
US08257714B2	Compositions and methods for immunotherapy of cancer and infectious diseases The present invention provides compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases and infectious diseases, for stimulating an immune response in a subject, and for use as an alternative to interleukin-12 (IL-12) treatment. In particular, the present invention provides Apicomplexa-related proteins (ARPs) that have immune stimulatory activity and thus have uses in the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases and in immune modulation. Compositions comprising an ARP are provided. Methods of use of an ARP for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer and/or infectious diseases, for use as an alternative to interleukin-12 (IL-12) treatment, and for eliciting an immune response in a subject, are also provided.
US08257711B2	Epitope peptides derived from vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 and vaccines containing these peptides The present invention provides immunogenic peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 13, 32, and peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility, and also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.
US08257708B2	Antibodies against cancer antigen TMEFF2 and uses thereof The invention relates to the identification and generation of antibodies that bind to TMEFF2 proteins which are involved in cancer. Further, the invention provides for the use of these antibodies in the treatment of cancer.
US08257706B2	CD30 binding agents and uses thereof This invention relates to CD30 binding agents and methods of using such binding agents for treating disease characterized by expression of CD30 antigen.
US08257705B2	Single-domain antigen-binding antibody fragments derived from llama antibodies A phage display library of variable heavy domain (VHH or VH) fragments (sdAb fragments) derived from the antibody repertoire of a non-immunized llama is disclosed. The sdAb fragments of the library are characterized by the absence of cysteine residues in complementarity determining regions (CDRs) and a very low presence of residues of glutamic acid, arginine and glycine at positions 44, 45 and 47, respectively, of the VL interface of the variable heavy domain VHH. The large size of the library (in the order of 109) makes it a source of antigen-binding fragments having high affinity to almost any antigen of interest. The library is preferably generated using a modified fd-tet phage growing in plaques in the absence of a tetracycline.
US08257704B2	Anti-sclerostin antibodies Humanized and chimeric antibodies are provided that specifically bind human sclerostin and are characterized as having high affinity and strong neutralizing properties. The antibodies of the invention are useful for increasing bone mass, bone mineral density and bone strength and for the treatment of various disorders, e.g., osteoporosis, in human subject.
US08257702B2	Compositions with hematopoietic and immune activity The present invention provides methods of using Bv8 and EG-VEGF polypeptides and nucleic acids to promote hematopoiesis. Also provided herein are methods of screening for modulators of Bv8 and EG-VEGF activity. Furthermore, methods of treatment using Bv8 and EG-VEGF polypeptides or Bv8 and EG-VEGF antagonists are provided.
US08257701B2	Methods for anti-fibrinolytic treatment using MMP-10 neutralizing antibody The present invention concerns the use of a neutralizing antibody for matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) in the preparation of a medicine useful for anti-fibrinolytic treatment, and for hemorrhages and hemorrhagic complications of various etiologies.
US08257700B2	Proteomic analysis of active multiple sclerosis lesions The invention provides methods for treating demyelinating inflammatory diseases by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that provides activated protein C activity, where the dose is effective to reduce the adverse clinical indicia of the disease. In some embodiments, the patient being treating is of the chronic active plaque type.
US08257699B2	Soluble glycosaminoglycanases and methods of preparing and using soluble glycosaminoglycanases The invention relates to the discovery of novel soluble neutral active Hyaluronidase Glycoproteins (sHASEGPs), methods of manufacture, and their use to facilitate administration of other molecules or to alleviate glycosaminoglycan associated pathologies. Minimally active polypeptide domains of the soluble, neutral active sHASEGP domains are described that include asparagine-linked sugar moieties required for a functional neutral active hyaluronidase domain. Included are modified amino-terminal leader peptides that enhance secretion of sHASEGP. The invention further comprises sialated and pegylated form of a recombinant sHASEGP to enhance stability and serum pharmacokinetics over naturally occurring slaughterhouse enzymes. Further described are suitable formulations of a substantially purified recombinant sHASEGP glycoprotein derived from a eukaryotic cell that generate the proper glycosylation required for its optimal activity.
US08257698B2	Protein engineering of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL) A number of soluble engineered forms of MGLL that are suitable for high-throughput screening and protein crystallization, as well as a crystallized form of monoacylglycerol lipase protein (MGLL) and descriptions of the X-ray diffraction patterns are disclosed. The engineered constructs of MGLL permit the expression and purification of protein suitable for crystallography or high-throughput screening and identification of ligands, which can function as active agents to MGLL. The X-ray diffraction patterns allow the three dimensional structure of MGLL to be determined at atomic resolution so that ligand binding sites on MGLL can be identified and the interactions of ligands with MGLL amino acid residues can be modeled. Models prepared using such maps permit the design of ligands which can function as active agents which include, but are not limited to, those that function as inhibitors of MGLL.
US08257697B2	Use of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase as biomarker for anaphylaxis A method for determining a patient's susceptibility to anaphylaxis comprises assaying the activity of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity and comparing the measured activity to a reference value, wherein the level of PAF-AH activity inversely correlates with the susceptibility to anaphylaxis. The method further comprises determining the severity of anaphylaxis by correlating the degree of reduced PAF-AH activity to the reference value. The method further comprises measuring IgE concentration and comparing the measured concentration to a reference concentration. The invention further provides a method for diagnosing anaphylaxis in a patient comprising measuring the serum concentration of platelet activating factor (PAF) and comparing the measured concentration to a reference value, wherein the concentration of PAF correlates directly with severity of anaphylaxis. The invention also provides a kit for performing the required assay or assays.
US08257691B2	Composition and dosage form comprising a particle formulation and suspending vehicle A liquid composition in an osmotic drug delivery system and a dosage form in an osmotic drug delivery system is disclosed comprising an amphiphilic molecule, a non-aqueous liquid solvent, and a pharmaceutically active agent.
US08257690B2	Protein-based polymer tissue adhesives for medical use Tissue adhesives formed by crosslinking albumin and/or gelatin with certain polyamines and/or polycarboxylates using a water-soluble carbodiimide are disclosed. The use of the tissue adhesives for medical and veterinary applications such as topical wound closure; and surgical procedures, such as intestinal anastomosis, vascular anastomosis, tissue repair, and ophthalmic procedures; drug delivery; anti-adhesive applications; and as a bulking agent to treat urinary incontinence are described.
US08257688B2	Controlled delivery system of antifungal and keratolytic agents for local treatment of fungal infections of the nail and surrounding tissues A topical sustained release delivery system for delivery of antifungal agents to the finger or toenails achieving high penetration through the nails by combining the antifungal agent with a keratolytic agent and a humectant. The pharmaceutical sustained release topical preparation is provided in a varnish or spray form for treating the nail and surrounding tissues, where the active ingredient is an antifungal agent, a keratolytic agent or combination thereof. The composition may further include an antibacterial, an antiviral, an antipsoriatic agents, or combinations thereof.
US08257680B1	Catalytic radiofluorination One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing radiofluorinated substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and alkenyl compounds. In a preferred embodiment, potassium fluoride-18 is used. Another aspect of the invention relates to arylammonium compounds containing fluorine-18 that are useful as imaging agents. In certain embodiments, the ammonium compound is a tetraaryl ammonium salt. Another aspect of the invention relates to arylsulfonium compounds containing fluorine-18 that are useful as imaging agents. In certain embodiments, the sulfonium compound is a triaryl sulfonium salt. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of obtaining a positron emission image of a mammal, comprising the steps of administering to a mammal a compound of the invention, and acquiring a positron emission spectrum of the mammal.
US08257675B2	Artificial quartz member, process for producing the same, and optical element comprising the same An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial quartz member inhibited from suffering the decrease in transmittance in a laser light wavelength region which is caused by long-term irradiation with a laser light having a wavelength of 200 nm or shorter; and a process for producing the artificial quartz member. The invention provides an artificial quartz member for use as an optical element to be irradiated with a laser light having a wavelength of 200 nm or shorter, having an aluminum content of 200 ppb or lower.
US08257673B2	Process for removing sulfur from separate less reactive and more reactive fuel gas streams containing organic sulfur and light olefins Disclosed is a process for removing organic sulfur from more than one reactive fuel gas stream. A reactor vessel that is provided with at least one bed of hydrodesulfurization catalyst is used to hydrodesulfurize multiple reactive fuel gas streams with a less reactive fuel gas stream being introduced into the reactor vessel at a point above the introduction point of a more reactive fuel gas stream. An hydrotreated fuel gas is yielded from the reactor vessel having a hydrogen sulfide concentration and a low organic sulfur content.
US08257672B2	Method for preventing re-emission of mercury from a flue gas desulfurization system An improvement in the method for preventing re-emissions of mercury from a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system by addition of an additive to the FGD scrubber liquor which interacts in the system scrubber with mercury present in the flue gas to curtail the mercury re-emissions; the mercury re-emissions are reduced to substantially zero by use of an additive selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a dithiol, a dithiolane, and a thiol having a single thiol group and either an oxygen or a hydroxyl group.
US08257667B2	Cytocentrifuge sample container holder and support device A support device for a cytocentrifuge sample container includes a support body including spaced edge fingers and a clip hinged to the support body. The clip has a latch for each spaced edge finger of the support body and edge members each including lugs engaging slotted ledges in the sample container.
US08257665B2	Dual inlet microchannel device and method for using same A dual inlet microchannel device and a method for using the device to perform a flow-through kinetic assay are described. A microplate having an array of the dual inlet microchannel devices and in particular their specially configured flow chambers is also described. Several embodiments of the dual inlet microchannel devices and specially configured flow chambers are also described.
US08257662B2	Process for producing nanostructure composite-covered structure, nanostructure composite-covered structure, and reactor using nanostructure composite-covered structure The present invention provides a structure in which the surface of a solid substrate of any shape is covered with metal oxide, in particular, a nanostructure composite in which polyethyleneimine, which is an organic substance, and metal oxide, which is an inorganic substance, are combined in nano-meter scale, spreads at the entire surface of a substrate, and the nanostructure composite forms a nano-boundary of complex shapes so as to thoroughly cover the entire surface of the substrate; a structure in which metal ions, metal nano-particles, organic pigment molecules are contained in the nanostructure composite; a process for producing these structures which can produce these structures with ease and efficiently; and an application method for the structures as an immobilized catalyst type reactor.
US08257659B2	Prevention of face-plugging on aftertreatment devices in exhaust An inlet face for an aftertreatment device that prevents and/or eliminates face-plugging for a passageway where the inlet face is disposed. The inlet face includes a particular end surface disposed on an outer surface at the end of a substrate. The end surface includes at least one of a three-dimensional topographical configuration disposed at the end of the substrate, a chemical coating applied on the end of the substrate, or both a three-dimensional topographical configuration disposed on the end of the substrate and a chemical coating applied on the three-dimensional topographical configuration. As one example, the inlet face can be helpful in preventing carbonaceous fouling, which can result from engine exhaust material, such as carbon soot and other engine exhaust by-products.
US08257656B2	Heater coil for gas sensor, detecting element for gas sensor, catalytic combustion gas sensor, and manufacturing method of catalytic combustion gas sensor A lead portion (25) of a heater coil (22) is constituted of a single coil wound into a coil and a bead portion (24) is constituted of a double coil formed by further winding the single coil into a coil. By constituting a detecting element (2) by burying the bead portion (24) in a heat conductive layer (21) and adhering a catalyst layer (23) on the surface of the heat conductive layer (21), improvement of the gas sensitivity and the response speed of a catalytic combustion gas sensor is facilitated. Zero point variation is reduced by improving impact resistance. When both ends of the heater coil are fixed to electrode pins, both ends of the heater coil are welded to the electrode pins using a resistance welding method, etc., with a platinum wire, etc., wound on a primary core wire, and thereafter, the primary core wire is melted and eliminated while leaving the platinum wire, etc., by a wet etching process.
US08257653B2	Central server system for collecting patient health condition management data A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.
US08257649B2	Hydroxyl generator Superior hydroxyls are provided which have effects on organic and inorganic compounds and/or pollutants over substantial periods of time and/or at substantial distances from where the superior hydroxyls are generated. Also provided is a hydroxyl generator, in which UV-lamps are positioned such that the coronas which they produce when emitting UV-radiation fill substantially all of the interior space of the hydroxyl generator. The coronas overlap each other by a maximum amount of between 5% and 25% of the radius of each corona.
US08257648B2	System and method for reducing odors in a blind The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a concentration of descenting particles within a temporary structure. The temporary structure comprises a plurality of sidewalls and a roof interconnecting the sidewalls. A plurality of selectively openable and closeable upper windows and lower vents are disposed in the sidewalls. The lower vents are disposed at a location below the upper windows. An ozone generator is disposed within and coupled to the temporary structure to produce descenting particles that are controlled within a hunting zone of the temporary structure to be between about 0.04 and 0.1 ppm.
US08257647B2	Strip of hot rolled micro-alloyed steel for obtaining finished pieces by cold pressing and shearing A micro-alloyed low carbon steel strip is obtained by hot rolling at temperature of the pre-strip never lower than 900° C. and shows such metallurgical and geometrical features, as well as relating to planarity and deformability, to render the same suitable to obtain structures of low weight and good mechanical resistance, thus being able for use in replacement of cold rolled strips for the production of finished stamped or cut pieces. Said steel strip, having thickness>0.7 mm, has a ratio yield load/breaking load>70%, a fine grain structure better than grade 10 of ASTM E 112 standard in a percentage higher than 90% of the whole structure and a ratio between breaking limit under strain and yield point σ/RPo.2>90%.
US08257644B2	Iron core annealing furnace An iron core annealing furnace that is used in annealing of an amorphous iron core requiring strict control of annealing temperature. There is provided an iron core annealing furnace comprising a furnace body fitted at its superior area with a heat source and a fan, wherein the furnace body has a double layer structure consisting of a furnace interior defined by the inside division wall of the furnace body and an interspace defined by the division wall and the outside wall of the furnace body, and wherein the fan is disposed in the center of a superior area of the furnace body, and wherein the fan is adapted to introduce hot air from the furnace interior of the double layer structure, feed the hot air to the outside of the double layer structure, allow the hot air to enter the furnace interior from an inferior area of the furnace body and heat the iron core, and circulate the hot air.
US08257641B1	Process of making core-sheath nanofibers by coaxial electrospinning Exemplary embodiments provide core-sheath nanofibers produced by coaxial electrospinning, fuser members comprising core-sheath nanofibers, and methods for forming core-sheath nanofibers that can include a core solution comprising a high performance polymer and sheath solutions comprising a solvent-soluble fluoropolymer or solvent-insoluble fluororesins and a sacrificial polymeric binder.
US08257636B2	Method for reforming a portion of a plastic container to include a transferable element, and the resulting container A method and apparatus for reforming a portion of a blow molded plastic container includes directing energy from a heater onto the portion of the container so as to heat the portion while leaving the remainder of the container relatively unheated. The heated portion of the container is then engaged by a reforming tool having an embossed or imprinted characteristic on a contact surface of the reforming tool so as to reform the portion of the container and form a three-dimensional feature thereon which is not reproducible without using the method and/or apparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, the heated portion of the container is engaged by a reforming tool having a transferable element on a contact surface of the reforming tool so as to reform the portion of the container and transfer the transferable element to the portion of the container.
US08257632B2	Heat-insulating transparent PVC sheet A heat-insulating transparent PVC sheet useful to replace the glass or affixed to the glass is made by a non-coating process for cutting-off infrared and ultra-violet, which production method is an improved traditional process for producing the PVC sheets, and in the production a specific formula of PVC blends containing PVC resin, plasticizer, inorganic heat-insulating particles and other additives is directly used to produce the PVC sheet to keep the properties of PVC and to provide transparency, low haze and an excellent effect for cutting-off infrared and ultra-violet.
US08257631B2	Mold for use in making composite structures Machinable composite molds for use in molding composite structures. The mold includes a mold body having a tool surface that is shaped to provide the molded surface of the composite structure. The mold body is made up of at least one mold layer composed of a quasi-isotropic material composed of a plurality of randomly oriented fiber bundles or chips impregnated with a resin. The use of randomly oriented fiber chips allows post-cure machining of the mold body.
US08257625B2	Molded filter A method of molding a micro-fibrous filter including the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous slurry of micro-fibers; (b) introducing the slurry under pressure into the top of an annular molding space so that a mass of fibers becomes compacted on a vertical cylindrical screen and liquid is discharged from the molding space through the screen; (c) increasing the effective open area of the screen by moving upwardly a sleeve in sliding contact with the screen at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which the height of the mass of fibers increases above the support; then (d) removing, drying, and curing the resulting tubular mass of fibers. Acrylate binder resin compatible with the e.g. acidic conditions needed to stabilize the resin, can form part of the fiber slurry used for molding the filter, and after filter formation and drainage can be cured by heat to form the filter.
US08257623B2	Extrusion die flow modification and use An extrusion die is processed to alter the flow of extrudable material through the die by collecting data reflecting flow variations across the face of the die, constructing a graded resistance flow restrictor utilizing the data, and forcing an abrasive machining medium through the flow restrictor and die with the flow restrictor being arranged to deliver higher abrasive flow through die portions initially exhibiting low extrusion rates, the resulting die being useful for the manufacture of ceramic honeycomb bodies exhibiting a reduced incidence of shape defects attributable to die flow variations.
US08257621B2	Transparent polymer film and method for producing it, and retardation film, polarizer and liquid crystal display device comprising the film A transparent polymer film satisfying Rth/Re≧−0.39, Re>0 and Rth<0 and having a moisture permeability of 100-2000 g/(m2·day) at 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90%, and not containing an additive composition that raises Rth by at least 8 nm.
US08257620B2	Blue/violet diphenylanthracene chemiluminescent fluorescers Compounds are disclosed for the production of chemiluminescent light, particularly for the production of blue/violet light within the range of about 390 nm to less than 438 nm, and most particularly to the use of compounds composed of symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted anthracenes which are effective for increasing the production of such blue/violet light when used as fluorescers in conjunction with chemiluminescent systems. These systems utilize derivatives of 9,10-diphenylanthracene containing one or more fluorines As shown in General Formulae 1-3. The variables shown in Formulae 1-3 are defined in the specification.
US08257618B2	Conductor composition V A conductive composition consisting essentially of (a) 50-95 wt % finely divided particles of an electrically-conductive material dispersed in (b) a liquid vehicle, for use in the manufacture of an electrically-conductive pattern on a substrate for the use of reducing cross-sectional area and width while retaining conductivity and resistivity.
US08257615B2	Electrolyte composition and photoelectric conversion element incorporating the same An electrolyte composition includes an ionic liquid and a solvent, wherein the solvent contains a material made of at least one of sulfolane and derivatives thereof, and a content of the material is 5 to 40 mass % of the total content of the electrolyte composition.
US08257614B2	Electrophoretic dispersions This invention relates to improved electrophoretic dispersions and a method for improving the performance of an electrophoretic display. The invention also relates to a method of inducing or enhancing the threshold voltage of an electrophoretic dispersion.
US08257613B2	Filled compositions and a method of making A composition comprises a poly(arylene ether), a polyamide, electrically conductive filler, an impact modifier, and wollastonite wherein the wollastonite particles have an average length to diameter ratio less than or equal to 5 and a median particle size of 2 to 5 micrometers. Methods of making the composition are also described.
US08257609B2	Etchant for etching metal wiring layers and method for forming thin film transistor by using the same The present invention discloses an etchant for etching at least two different metal layers, the etchant comprising hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and one of carboxylic acid, carboxylate salt, and acetyl group (CH3CO—). The present invention also discloses a method of fabricating a metal wiring on a substrate, the method comprising forming a first metal layer on a substrate, forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer, and simultaneously etching the first metal layer and the second metal layer with an etchant comprising hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and one of carboxylic acid, carboxylate salt, and acetyl group (CH3CO—).
US08257608B2	Process and composition for froth flotation A method for conducting froth flotation using a collector which is primarily hydrocarbon in nature or is a mixture of hydrocarbons with certain oxygenates, the collectors being substantially free of polynuclear aromatics, sulfur and nitrogen.
US08257607B1	Fluorocarbon-free, environmentally friendly, natural product-based, and safe fire extinguishing agent A safe, environmentally-friendly, fluorocarbon-free temperature suppressing composition includes water in combination with a sugar alcohol in solution with the water and having a general formula H(HCHO)n+1H. Sorbitol is a preferred sugar alcohol (n=5) but sugar alcohols having n=3 to 4 or 6 to 11 may be used. The composition provides a heat absorption greater than the water alone and the sugar alcohol alone. Other sugar alcohols having the general formula H(HCOH)n+1HC, where n=10, may also be used. The composition may further include a wetting agent, an emulsifying agent, a viscosity adjusting agent, a preservative or biocide, or a freeze suppression agent. The composition affords levels of protection suited to a variety of applications including possibility of damage from exposure to excessive heat, combustion or explosion such as may be experienced in military combat.
US08257606B2	Ceramic body and process for the preparation thereof A process for the preparation of ceramic dental implants having a surface for improving osseointegration, wherein the following process steps are performed for preparing such surface: —preparation of a ceramic blank having a surface; —treating at least one partial area of the surface of the ceramic blank by an ablating process that produces a surface roughness of the surface that corresponds to a treatment by sand blasting under a blasting pressure of from 1.5 bar to 8 bar and with a grain size of the blasting media used for sand blasting of from 30 μm to 250 μm; —followed by a chemical treatment of said at least one partial area of the surface of the ceramic blank treated with the ablating process; —followed by a thermal treatment of the blank whose surface has been subjected to said ablating and chemical treatments at temperatures of >125° C. > A ceramic body obtainable by the process according to the invention is also described.
US08257602B2	Pulsed-continuous etching In a system and method of etching a sample disposed in an etching chamber, a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas is discharged, one at a time, into a sample etching chamber. The discharge of each charge of etching gas occurs such that a momentary overlap exists in the end discharge of one charge of etching gas with the beginning discharge of another charge of etching gas, whereupon the desired flow of etching gas into the etching chamber is maintained. During discharge of one charge of etching gas, a previously discharged charge of etching gas is recharged. The process of discharging a plurality of separately stored charges of an etching gas, one at a time, and recharging at least one previously discharged charges of etching gas during the discharge of at least one charge of etching gas continues until the sample is etched to a desired extent.
US08257601B2	Substrate processing method, system and program A substrate processing method is used for a substrate processing system having a substrate processing device and a substrate transfer device. The substrate processing method includes a substrate transfer step of transferring a substrate and a substrate processing step of performing a predetermined process on the substrate. The substrate transfer step and the substrate processing step include a plurality of operations, and at least two operations among the plurality of the operations are performed simultaneously. Preferably, the substrate processing device includes an accommodating chamber, a mounting table placed in the accommodating chamber to be mounted thereon the substrate, and a heat transfer gas supply line for supplying a heat transfer gas to a space between the substrate mounted on the mounting table and the mounting table.
US08257592B2	Biological wastewater treatment apparatus and methods using moving belt contractor A compact biological treatment assembly, apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a movable belt biological contactor having selected microbial cultures established thereon. The apparatus further includes a tank having a volume for receipt of wastewater to be treated, first and second drums positioned at the tank each connected to an end of the belt contactor, and a motor or motors together with a controller for rotating the drums cooperatively to move the belt contactor between the drums thereby coiling and uncoiling the belt contactor on the drums.
US08257590B2	Hollow fiber membrane module, process for manufacturing the same, hollow fiber membrane module assembly and method of purifying suspended water with use thereof A hollow fiber membrane module characterized by having a tubular module case; a bundle of a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes housed in the module case; adhesively fixing parts for fixing both side edge portions of the bundle in the module case in such a fashion that raw fluid can pass through the interior of the hollow fiber membranes; a permeated fluid communication part adapted for passable connection between both end faces outside the adhesively fixing parts by a pipe of diameter significantly larger than that of the hollow fiber membranes; and a raw fluid distribution supply part capable of feeding the raw fluid into the module case at one of the adhesively fixing parts, wherein the raw fluid distribution supply part has multiple raw fluid introduction holes made in hollow fiber membrane interspaces so as to be able to supply the raw fluid along the longitudinal direction of the hollow fiber membranes.
US08257584B2	Solid digesting waste treatment unit The wastewater treatment tank results in high quality effluent meeting what is referred to as “Secondary Treatment Standard. The tank deploys in combination an Facultative Aerobic Bacterial Generators (FABG) that includes a plurality of surrounding horizontally extending bacteria supporting filters disposed in a vertical array along with a second vertical filter media disposed between the FABG and the outlet port. A facultative bacteria generator and additional bacteria supporting filters are also deployed adjacent the FABG and between the second vertical filter media.
US08257582B2	Dialysis system and machine having therapy prescription recall In an embodiment, an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes at least one pump, a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient, and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine.
US08257581B2	Water filter A water filter comprising a closed shell, a filter media and a valve. The closed shell having an inlet and an outlet. The filter media is within the shell and arranged such that water flowing from the inlet to the outlet passes through the filter media. The filter media is arranged to filter hydrocarbons from the water to reduce the proportion of hydrocarbons in water exiting the water filter to below a predetermined threshold. The valve is arranged such that water passing through the water filter passes through the valve. The valve comprises a chamber housing a plug of material arranged to absorb a predetermined proportion of hydrocarbons present in water passing through the valve. the plug of material changes its material properties in response to absorbing hydrocarbons to restrict or block the flow of water through the water filter before exhaustion of the filter media causes the proportion of hydrocarbons in water exiting the water filter to rise above the predetermined threshold.
US08257576B2	Ammonia gas sensors with lanthanide vanadate sensing electrode An ammonia gas sensor is disclosed that includes a reference electrode, an ammonia selective sensing electrode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween. The ammonia sensing electrode comprises an oxide material characterized by the formula CewAxLyVOz wherein L is lanthanum or another lanthanide element other than cerium, A is one or more other metals, and w, x, y and z are numbers indicative of atomic proportion with w ranging from about 0.001 to about 4 x ranging from 0 to about 0.8, y ranging from about 0.001 to about 4, and z with a range to balance the existence of Cew, Ax, Ly and V.
US08257574B2	Plating method A plating method for pre-plating or plating a cylinder inner peripheral surface to be treated of a cylinder block by introducing treatment liquid to the cylinder inner peripheral surface by using a plating apparatus provided with a sealing jig having a sealing member and an electrode to which the seal jig is mounted includes the steps, which are performed successively: sealing the cylinder inner peripheral surface by bringing the sealing jig into contact with the cylinder inner peripheral surface; introducing the treatment liquid to the cylinder inner peripheral surface; and treating the cylinder inner peripheral surface by applying predetermined charge to the electrode of the plating apparatus and the cylinder block to thereby perform pre-plating or plating process in a state that a liquid to be treated fills a space including the cylinder inner peripheral surface. In the method, the treatment liquid introducing step is performed after confirmation of sealing by the sealing step.
US08257570B2	Electrophoresis chip and electrophoresis unit having the same In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
US08257555B2	Carrier belt for wet paper web A wet paper web transfer belt 10 comprises a wet paper web side layer 20 having hydrophilic fibers 41 and a machine side layer 23. The machine side layer 23 is a batt layer having a core-sheath conjugate fiber comprising a core member made of nylon with a high melting point and a sheath member made of nylon with a lower melting point than the core member, and said machine side layer has a fused layer of the sheath member on the surface thereof.
US08257548B2	Electrode orientation and parallelism adjustment mechanism for plasma processing systems A mechanism for adjusting an orientation of an electrode in a plasma processing chamber is disclosed. The plasma processing chamber may be utilized to process at least a substrate, which may be inserted into the plasma processing chamber in an insertion direction. The mechanism may include a support plate disposed outside a chamber wall of the plasma processing chamber and pivoted relative to the chamber wall. The support plate may have a first thread. The mechanism may also include an adjustment screw having a second thread that engages the first thread. Turning the adjustment screw may cause translation of a portion of the support plate relative to the adjustment screw. The translation of the portion of the support plate may cause rotation of the support plate relative to the chamber wall, thereby rotating the electrode with respect to an axis that is orthogonal to the insertion direction.
US08257545B2	Chemical mechanical polishing pad with light stable polymeric endpoint detection window and method of polishing therewith A chemical mechanical polishing pad is provided, comprising: a polishing layer having a polishing surface; and, a light stable polymeric endpoint detection window, comprising: a polyurethane reaction product of an aromatic polyamine containing amine moieties and an isocyanate terminated prepolymer polyol containing unreacted —NCO moieties; and, a light stabilizer component comprising at least one of a UV absorber and a hindered amine light stabilizer; wherein the aromatic polyamine and the isocyanate terminated prepolymer polyol are provided at an amine moiety to unreacted —NCO moiety stoichiometric ratio of <95%; wherein the light stable polymeric endpoint detection window exhibits a time dependent strain of ≦0.02% when measured with a constant axial tensile load of 1 kPa at a constant temperature of 60° C. at 100 minutes and an optical double pass transmission of ≧15% at a wavelength of 380 nm for a window thickness of 1.3 mm; and, wherein the polishing surface is adapted for polishing a substrate selected from a magnetic substrate, an optical substrate and a semiconductor substrate. Also provided is a method of polishing a substrate (preferably a semiconductor wafer) using the chemical mechanical polishing pad provided.
US08257541B2	Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of envelope A method of manufacturing a hermetically sealed container provided with first and second substrates includes the steps of disposing, within a chamber, the first and second substrates opposite to each other to form a gap therebetween, and separating an edge portion of at least the first substrate from the second substrate, for processing to warp the first substrate, within the chamber. Additional steps include exhausting a space between the first and second substrates, by exhausting an inside of the chamber in a state of warping the first substrate, and hermetically connecting the first and second substrates through a bonding material, within the chamber, in a state of exhausting the space between the first and second substrates.
US08257539B2	Device for treating perishable objects or liquids and method of fabricating the device A device for treating perishable objects or liquids and a method of fabricating the device. The method comprising breaking a single piece of magnetic material into a plurality of pieces; inhibiting movement of the pieces with respect to each other during the breaking of the magnetic material; and forming a magnetic structure comprising the plurality of pieces of the magnetic material.
US08257534B2	Methods for manufacturing a paint roller with grooved substrate A method for improving strength of the finished product in paint roller manufacturing processes and other continuous processes for producing tubular goods from polymers. The method utilizes a substrate such as a polypropylene strip with grooves on its surface. The grooved substrate is fed onto a mandrel to form a tube. Adhesive is applied upon the grooved surface of the grooved substrate. A cover may be applied about the tube, and the resulting product is then cut into finished-size paint rollers. The hardened adhesive in the grooves may operate to reduce the hoop-force which would otherwise tend to unwind the wound substrate. The method in certain embodiments provides a reduction in cost and weight of the finished product.
US08257533B2	Box with improved resealable cover and process of making the same A box having a top surface and a resealable cover, the resealable cover comprising a top layer and a base layer. The top layer comprises a first clear film layer, an adhesive layer, and a second clear film layer disposed on a resealable adhesive layer. The base layer comprises a third clear film layer an adhesive layer, and a fourth clear film layer. In one embodiment, ink printing may be disposed between the first adhesive layer and the second clear film layer and/or between the second adhesive layer and the fourth clear film layer.
US08257526B2	Plasterboard jointing system The present invention provides a system of jointing and finishing plasterboard sheets. The system comprises adjacently abutted first and second plasterboard sheets and a connective material. The connective material is applied to a region at or near the side edge portions of the first and second plasterboard sheets and which securely joins the side edge portion of the first plasterboard sheet to the side edge portion of the second plasterboard sheet. There is also provided a joint filling compound and a finishing compound, which are optionally also applied to the region of the first and second plasterboard sheets.
US08257525B2	Production method for hydraulic binder-based, tapered-edge boards The subject of the invention is a novel plasterboard and its manufacturing processes. The novel board comprises, on one side, two first parallel feathered edges and, on the other side, two other, second, parallel feathered edges that are perpendicular to the first ones; or, on one side, two first parallel feathered edges and, either on the same side or on the other side, two second parallel feathered edges that are perpendicular to the first ones, the said other parallel feathered edges having a width of between 100 and 200 mm; or, on one side, two first parallel feathered edges and, either on the same side or on the other side, two second parallel feathered edges that are perpendicular to the first ones, the said second parallel feathered edges having a width such that the ratio of the width of the said second parallel feathered edges to the width of the said first parallel feathered edges is between 1.5 and 5.
US08257522B2	Black powder substitutes for small caliber firearms Propellant compositions are provided herein for use in small arms cartridges. Such propellant compositions include a cellulose-based organic fuel, a non-azide, nitrogen-containing primary organic oxidizer and a secondary nitrate, perchlorate, chlorate of peroxide oxidizer. Preferably, such compositions are in the form of extruded shaped hollow cylindrical grains having dimensions that makes it loadable in a muzzleloader firearm or small calibre firearm cartridge case. Ignition grains are also provided for use alone or in a mixture with the propellant compositions. When used in a small calibre firearm or muzzleloader, the temperature of combustion is at a level that ensures substantially complete combustion of the fuel during firing so that the products of combustion are mostly gaseous.
US08257521B2	Propellant device of enhanced performance The present invention relates to the field of propellant devices and more particularly to the propellant devices used in weapon systems and munitions. The invention has the two advantages of minimizing the risk associated with accidental attack to which propellant devices may be exposed thanks to the filling of the central channel commonly provided along the core of the cylindrical explosive charge and of greatly increasing the effectiveness of these propellant charges by the use of explosive materials having a very high burn rate.
US08257519B1	Host-guest complexes of liquid energetic materials and metal-organic frameworks A process for making metal-organic frameworks and metal-organic frameworks having host-guest complexes of either liquid energetics, solid energetics, or solid oxidizers.
US08257518B2	Method, use and device relating to nuclear light water reactors The invention concerns a method of producing and treating a sheet suited to be used as a component or as a part of a component in a fuel assembly for a nuclear light water reactor, which method comprises: a) producing a sheet of a Zr-based alloy by forging, hot rolling and cold rolling in a suitable number of steps, b) carrying out an α+β quenching or a β quenching of the sheet when the sheet has been produced to a thickness which is equal to or almost equal to the final thickness of the finished sheet, c) heat treating the sheet in the α-phase temperature range of said alloy, wherein the sheet is stretched during the heat treatment according to step c). The invention also concerns a use of a sheet that is produced and treated according to this method, and to methods and fuel assemblies of which said sheet forms a part.
US08257517B2	Method of producing cold-rolled steel sheet A steel sheet excellent in mechanical strength, workability and thermal stability and suited for use as a raw material in such fields of manufacturing automobiles, household electric appliances and machine structures and of constructing buildings, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.The steel sheet is a hot-rolled steel sheet of carbon steel or low-alloy steel, the main phase of which is ferrite, and is characterized in that the average ferrite crystal grain diameter D (μm) at the depth of ¼ of the sheet thickness from the steel sheet surface satisfies the relations respectively defined by the formulas (1) and (2) given below and the increase rate X (μm/min) in average ferrite crystal grain diameter at 700° C. at the depth of ¼ of the sheet thickness from the steel sheet surface and said average crystal grain diameter D (μm) satisfy the relation defined by the formula (3) given below: 1.2≦D≦7 formula (1) D≦2.7+5000/(5+350·C+40·Mn)2 formula (2) D·X≦0.1 formula (3) wherein C and Mn represent the contents (in % by mass) of the respective elements in the steel.
US08257509B2	Method and apparatus for deriming cryogenic equipment The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for liquefying natural gas.
US08257508B2	Method and system for deriming cryogenic heat exchangers The invention relates to a method and apparatus relate for the liquefaction of natural gas. In another aspect, the present invention concerns the deriming the interior surfaces of a cryogenic heat exchanger employed in the liquefaction of natural gas. In another aspect, the present invention concerns the utilization of a pump to derim the interior surfaces of a cryogenic heat exchanger.
US08257501B2	Plasma doping device with gate shutter In a plasma doping device according to the invention, a vacuum chamber (1) is evacuated with a turbo-molecular pump (3) as an exhaust device via a exhaust port 11 while a predetermined gas is being introduced from a gas supply device (2) in order to maintain the inside of the vacuum chamber (1) to a predetermined pressure with a pressure regulating valve (4). A high-frequency power of 13.56 MHz is supplied by a high-frequency power source (5) to a coil (8) provided in the vicinity of a dielectric window (7) opposed to a sample electrode (6) to generate inductive-coupling plasma in the vacuum chamber (1). A high-frequency power source (10) for supplying a high-frequency power to the sample electrode (6) is provided. Uniformity of processing is enhanced by driving a gate shutter (18) and covering a through gate (16).
US08257498B2	Substrate transfer module and substrate processing system A substrate transfer module that can prevent corrosion of components, adhesion of particles to the substrate, and increases in the manufacturing cost and the size of the substrate transfer module. A substrate transfer module is connected to a substrate processing module. The substrate processing module implements desired processing on a substrate. A substrate transfer device transfers a substrate and includes a holding unit and a moving unit. The holding unit holds the substrate, and the moving unit moves the holding unit. A transfer chamber houses the substrate transfer device in an interior thereof that is isolated from an external atmosphere. An isolation device isolates at least the holding unit and the substrate held by the holding unit from an interior atmosphere of the transfer chamber.
US08257497B2	Insitu post atomic layer deposition destruction of active species Systems and methods for insitu post atomic layer deposition (ALD) destruction of active species are provided. ALD processes deposit multiple atomic layers on a substrate. Pre-cursor gases typically enter a reactor and react with the substrate resulting in a monolayer of atoms. After the remaining gas is purged from the reactor, a second pre-cursor gas enters the reactor and the process is repeated. The active species of some pre-cursor gases do not readily purge from the reactor, thus increasing purge time and decreasing throughput. A high-temperature surface placed in the reactor downstream from the substrate substantially destroys the active species insitu. Substantially destroying the active species allows the reactor to be readily purged, increasing throughput.
US08257496B1	Crucible weight measurement system for controlling feedstock introduction in Czochralski crystal growth A weighing system is provided for a continuous Czochralski process that accurately measures the weight of the crucible and melt during crystal growth to control the introduction of feedstock in order to keep the weight approximately constant. The system can measure the weight of the crucible while the crucible is rotating, and is insensitive to vibrations of the melt surface as well as variable torques on the crucible shaft induced by the rotation. The system also measures the weight of the crucible and its contents in order to control the amount of feedstock recharged after an ingot is withdrawn.
US08257489B2	Slurries and methods of making light weight gypsum board The invention generally provides gypsum-containing slurries including stucco, naphthalenesulfonate dispersant, and pregelatinized starch. The naphthalenesulfonate dispersant is present in an amount of about 0.1%-3.0% by weight based on the weight of dry stucco. The pregelatinized starch is present in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight up to about 10% by weight of pregelatinized starch by weight based on the weight of dry stucco in the formulation. Other slurry additives can include trimetaphosphate salts, accelerators, binders, paper fiber, glass fiber, and other known ingredients.
US08257486B2	Composition for building material and a process for the preparation thereof The present invention provides a composition and a process for the preparation of chemical activated cold setting fly ash building construction materials. The chemical activator is an alkaline aqueous solution of 11.2 to 13.6 in pH and 1.25 to 1.40 gm/cc in density which contains admixtures of different concentrations of hydroxyl, sulfate, acetate and chloride bearing chemical salts of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and aluminum in water medium. The reaction of chemical activator solution and the mineral constituents of fly ash mix develop binding property. The binding matrix of chemical activated fly ash mix is mostly hydrous silica and silicate group of phases which on setting under atmospheric condition attains strength suitable for building construction application. Utilization of fly ash of any source by weight ranges from 80 to 99% in manufacture of building materials including heat and acid resistance and toxic waste disposal products.
US08257484B1	Microemulsion paint thinner A microemulsion paint thinner includes a hydrocarbon solvent, a glycol ether, a carboxylic acid, a base, and water, wherein the carboxylic acid is partially neutralized by the base. A process for thinning oil-based paint includes mixing uncured oil-based paint and the above composition.
US08257483B2	Bituminous cold glue A bituminous cold glue for cold gluing of construction material and comprising at least 35% by weight of bitumen and at least 10% by weight of oil, and further comprising clay and a dispersing agent, said oil being a vegetable oil compound, based on a carbon chain comprising at least one of the C6 to C12 carbon atoms and further comprising between 0.1 and 5% by weight of a solvent.
US08257481B2	Ink set, ink container, inkjet recording method, recording device, and recorded matter An ink set, comprising: an oil based ink composition containing a metallic pigment; and at least one or more oil based ink compositions selected from a group consisting of a chromatic color ink composition containing chromatic color pigment, a black ink composition containing black pigment, and a white ink composition containing white pigment.
US08257480B2	Ink set, ink container, inkjet recording method, recording device, and recorded matter An ink set, comprising: an oil based ink composition containing a metallic pigment; and at least one or more oil based ink compositions selected from a group consisting of a chromatic color ink composition containing chromatic color pigment, a black ink composition containing black pigment, and a white ink composition containing white pigment.
US08257472B2	Fuel removal system for hydrogen implanted in a nanostructure material According to one embodiment, a method for removing a gas from a nanostructure material includes a providing gas that is implanted in a carbon nanostructure material. The nanostructure material is subjected to a microwave field to remove the hydrogen from the nanostructure material.
US08257470B2	System of treating odor and hazardous gas with rotary regenerative heat exchanger and its apparatus Disclosed is a harmful material treatment system for recovering the energy and removing the harmful material in the process of treating the gas containing the harmful material generated in the multiplex utilization facility, in the display mall, in diverse manufacturing processes and in the vehicle painting process, more particularly, to a harmful material treatment system which can recover the energy contained in the air conditioning facility or in the exhaust gas of the process with an efficiency of more than 90%, for exhausting the inside air to the outside so as to treat the contaminating material such as odor and volatile organic chemicals, and to remove the harmful material with a removal efficiency of more than 90% by adsorbing and concentrating the harmful material with a rotary-type adsorbent.
US08257467B2	Process for partial dehydration of a gas by absorption on a solvent that can be regenerated by segregation at ambient temperature A process for partial dehydration of a gas by contact with a solvent that can be regenerated by: a) A stage for absorption of H2O by contact of the gas to be treated and regenerated solvent producing a dehydrated gas effluent and a liquid solvent effluent that is charged with H2O and absorbed gas, b) A stage for cooling the solvent charged with H2O at ambient temperature, c) A stage for separation by segregation during which liquid H2O and the solvent are separated at ambient temperature, d) A stage in which the regenerated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage c) is heated, e) A stage in which the regenerated and heated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage d) is recycled to the absorption stage a).
US08257466B2	Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.
US08257465B2	Crystalline noble metal nanostructures and methods for their preparation Crystalline noble metal nanostructures and methods for their preparation.
US08257463B2	Capacitor anode formed from flake powder A capacitor anode that is formed from flake powder is provided. The anodes are formed from low density flake powder (e.g., relatively large in size), which is believed to provide a short transmission line between the outer surface and interior of the anode. This may result in a low equivalent series resistance (“ESR”) and improved volumetric efficiency for capacitors made from such anodes.
US08257461B2	Method of producing fertilizer out of sludge A method of producing fertilizer out of sludge, in which method sludge is heated with superheated steam for achieving hygienization to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. In the method, the sludge is heated to a temperature of 60 to 100° C. with superheated steam having a temperature of 200 to 600° C. to activate increasing of the amount of soluble carbon in the sludge and to restart biodegradation of the sludge by using non-pathogenic microorganisms still remaining in the sludge after the heating.
US08257458B2	Cyclonic fluid separator A cyclonic fluid separator has a tubular housing (10) in which the fluid is accelerated and swirl imparting means (2) for inducing the fluid to swirl through an annular space between the housing and a central body (1) mounted within the housing (10), which central body (1) is provided with resonance abatement means, such as: tensioning means (20,22) which apply a tension load to an elongate tail section (8) of the central body (1) such that the natural frequency of the central body (1) is increased; vibration dampening means (31,50,60), which inhibit vibration of at least part (8) of the central body (1); solid particles (31) arranged in a segmented tubular tail section (8) of the central body (1), a viscous liquid (50) arranged between a tubular tail section (8) of the central body (1) and a tensioning rod (51), apertures (60) drilled radially through a tail section (8) of the central body (1); and/or a low pressure fluid (80) injected through a central opening (82) in the central body (1).
US08257455B2	Plasma burner and diesel particulate filter trap A plasma burner and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) trap that can effectively oxidize and remove a particulate material (PM) within an exhaust gas by preheating fuel and mixing the fuel with the exhaust gas are provided. The DPF includes: a filter that is connected to an exhaust conduit at a side opposite to that of an engine; a plasma burner that is provided within the exhaust conduit between the engine and the filter, and that includes a fuel inlet that supplies fuel and a flame vent that projects a flame by a plasma discharge, and that heats exhaust gas; and a fuel inflow conduit that connects the fuel inlet and a fuel tank.
US08257452B2	Method for producing hydrogen and power from a synthesis gas The invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen and power from a synthesis gas that contains CO, H2 and H2S. The synthesis gas is separated into two partial streams, vapor is added to the first partial stream of synthesis gas, out a CO conversion is carried out at a temperature of 220° C. to 500° C., pure hydrogen is obtained from the converted synthesis gas in a pressure swing absorption device and a residual PSA gas is produced. The second partial stream of synthesis gas is fed to a power-generating gas turbine for combustion, H2S and optionally other sulfur-containing components are removed in one or more separators that are arranged in any position in the process, however, before entry into the gas turbine, the residual PSA gas is mixed with nitrogen, the gas mixture so obtained is compressed and the compressed gas mixture is admixed to the partial stream of synthesis gas that is fed to the power-generating gas turbine.
US08257449B2	Method for manufacturing niobium solid electrolytic capacitor The present invention relates to a method for producing a niobium solid electrolytic capacitor using niobium as an anode body, which comprises a step of chemically converting the anode, wherein the chemical conversion step comprises a first chemical conversion step of forming a chemical conversion coating of the anode, a step of heating the anode body having been subjected to the first chemical conversion step, and a second chemical conversion step of once again chemically converting the heated anode body; wherein electrolytic chemical conversion is performed in the first chemical conversion step and the second chemical conversion step using a chemical conversion liquid, which contains a metal nitrate salt as an electrolyte, at a temperature from 40° C. to the boiling point of the solvent; and wherein the heating step is performed at a temperature of 150 to 300° C. The method for producing a niobium solid electrolytic capacitor of the present invention can increase the stability of an oxide film which functions as a dielectric body and prevent increase in leakage current, thereby improving the yield and reliability in the method for producing a niobium solid electrolytic capacitor.
US08257446B2	Clutch module for prosthesis The invention relates to a clutch module for prostheses, in particular for prosthetic grippers, arm prostheses or hand prostheses that comprise a chassis to which at least one finger prosthesis is articulated, the clutch module including a drive element, a driven element and a clutch device, which shifts between two gear stages depending on the torques applied to the driven element.
US08257444B2	End surface mounted plugs incorporated into an artificial joint and including cushioned soft plastic between outer hardened plastic layers The present invention discloses an implant for use with a joint defining bone having a three dimensional shape and including a first exposed and joint surface defining layer and an inner most and bone mounting layer. The body further has at least one intermediate layer exhibiting a hardness less than either of the exposed layer and the inner most layer such that, upon mounting the body to a conditioned end of a joint defining bone, it provides the dual features of dynamic cushioning support and external wear resistance.
US08257442B2	Expandable intervertebral spacers and methods of use An intervertebral spacer is inserted between vertebral members in a compact configuration and expanded post-insertion to contact the adjacent vertebral members. The intervertebral spacer comprises a first member and a second member movable with respect to the first member between retracted and extended positions.
US08257441B2	Intervertebral disc prosthesis An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises first and second articulated elements wherein one the elements includes an articulated tongue and the other of the elements includes a groove adapted to receive the tongue. The first and second elements are adapted to be moveable with respect to each other in various planes.
US08257431B2	Multi-furcated ePTFE grafts and stent-graft prostheses and methods of making the same Methods of making multi-furcated grafts and, more particularly, a bifurcated graft from at least one ePTFE member are provided. Also provided are grafts made according to such methods.
US08257430B2	Interconnected leg extensions for an endoluminal prosthesis An endoluminal prosthesis includes two stent grafts with a flexible bridge extending between and connected to the stent grafts. The prosthesis can be part of a prosthesis assembly for treatment of branched vascular systems and can function as an interconnected leg extension prosthesis in combination with a main bifurcated prosthesis. In treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, the prosthesis can be deployed within both iliac arteries.
US08257425B2	Stent with protruding branch portion for bifurcated vessels The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The surface has a geometrical configuration defining a first pattern, and the first pattern has first pattern struts and connectors arranged in a predetermined configuration. The stent also comprises a branch portion comprised of a second pattern, wherein the branch portion is at least partially detachable from the stent body.
US08257423B2	Stent/graft assembly A stent/graft assembly includes a tubular graft connected in substantially end-to-end relationship with a generally tubular stent. Free ends of the stent and graft extend in opposite directions from the end-to-end connection during a pre-deployment orientation of the assembly. However, the graft is inverted during deployment so that free ends of the graft and the stent extend in substantially the same direction from the end-to-end connection in a post-deployment orientation. Thus, at least a portion of the stent is disposed within at least a portion of the graft in a post-deployment orientation of the assembly.
US08257421B2	System and method for delivering and deploying an occluding device within a vessel A system and method for deploying an occluding device that can be used to remodel an aneurysm within the vessel by, for example, neck reconstruction or balloon remodeling. The system comprises an introducer sheath and an assembly for carrying the occluding device. The assembly includes an elongated flexible member having an occluding device retaining member for receiving a first end of the occluding device, a proximally positioned retaining member for engaging a second end of the occluding device and a support surrounding a portion of the elongated flexible member over which the occluding device can be positioned.
US08257416B2	Therapeutic devices and methods for applying therapy According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of therapeutic devices and methods for applying therapy. In one exemplary embodiment, a therapeutic device generally includes one or more light sources for emitting therapeutic light. In some embodiments, the therapeutic device can also include means for applying hot therapy and/or cold therapy to a user's body when the therapeutic device is applied to the user's body. As other examples, various embodiments of therapeutic devices can include massagers and/or adhesive bandage strips for attaching the lighted therapeutic device to the user's body.
US08257407B2	Bone plate system and method A system, components of the system, and methods for attaching a plate between two or more bones or bone fragments. The system includes distraction pins having a threaded bone attachment or screw section and a detachable shaft section. The screw section of the distraction pins remain in the bone and are used to affix a plate to the bones.
US08257405B2	Periarticular bone plate with biplanar offset head member A periarticular bone plate for the internal fixation of a fractured, proximal tibia of a surgical patient includes a shaft member connected to a head member, a top surface, a bottom surface, a posterior edge, an anterior edge and a plurality of holes extending between the top and bottom surfaces for receiving fasteners for attaching the plate to the bone. The head member is offset relative to the shaft member in each of a frontal and sagittal planes of the proximal tibia.
US08257403B2	Orthopedic plate for use in the midfoot An orthopedic plate is specifically configured for implantation at the mid-foot. The plate has a first radius along the x-axis in the y direction and a second radius along the y-axis in the y direction The plate has an ring-shaped footprint with two diagonal sets, (one set of longer and one set of shorter) of opposing tabs. In each set of tabs, one tab includes a compression slot that extends and causes compression in a direction toward a screw hole in the opposing tab of the other set of tabs. The maximum length of the plate extends between the longer set of tabs, and an opening is included along this axis to allow viewing of the bone/bone fragments under the plate. The placement of the compression slots and the screw holes account for the progressively anterior placement of the cuneiforms and provides for compression in the medial direction. In a further embodiment, the plate is flat or includes a crease midway between the first and second tabs, which facilitates placement of the plate at the joint between the metatarsals and the cuneiforms.
US08257402B2	Closure for rod receiving orthopedic implant having left handed thread removal An anti-splay closure with a left handed threaded removal bore, includes a cylindrical closure body with an external, continuous, helically extending anti-splay guide and advancement flange and a breakaway installation head. The removal bore is aligned with an axis of the closure body. The bore thread is sized and shaped to receive a removal tool having mating left handed thread. The closure is used with an open headed bone implant screw which is provided with internal, helically extending mating guide and advancement structure complementary to the flange of the closure body.
US08257400B2	Stabilization device for the dynamic stabilization of vertebrae or bones and rod like element for such a stabilization device A stabilization device includes a first bone anchoring element, a second bone anchoring element, and a rod-shaped element for connecting the first and the second bone anchoring elements. The rod-shaped element includes a curved section, that undergoes an elastic deformation under the action of a force acting on the rod-shaped element via an anchoring element. The rod-shaped element and the anchoring elements are arranged so that deformation occurs when a force acts in a main direction of motion of bone parts or vertebra relative to each other, whereas a deformation is suppressed when a force acts in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the main direction of motion.
US08257398B2	Polyaxial bone screw with cam capture A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion with a laterally extending lug and a retainer having an inner cam track for receiving the lug and thus attaching the shank upper portion to the retainer within a receiver. The retainer may be a closed or open ring. The receiver has a cavity and a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member such as a spinal fixation rod. The retainer has an external surface that mates with an internal surface of the receiver, providing a ball joint.
US08257397B2	Low profile spinal prosthesis incorporating a bone anchor having a deflectable post and a compound spinal rod A bone anchor comprising a self-centering ball-joint suitable for use in a spine stabilization prosthesis which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The bone anchor has a deflectable ball-rod partially received in a socket of a housing formed in the head of the bone anchor. A centering rod received partially in the ball-rod and partially within the housing operates to align the ball-rod with the longitudinal axis of the bone anchor. Deflection of the ball-rod bends the centering rod which in turn applies a restoring force upon the ball-rod.
US08257394B2	Apparatus and methods for positioning and securing anchors Apparatus and methods for positioning and securing anchors are disclosed herein. The anchors are adapted to be delivered and implanted into or upon tissue, particularly tissue within the gastrointestinal system of a patient. The anchor is adapted to slide uni-directionally over suture such that a tissue plication may be cinched between anchors. A locking mechanism, either within the anchor itself or positioned proximally of the anchor, may allow for the uni-directional translation of the anchor while enabling the anchor to be locked onto the suture if the anchor is pulled, pushed, or otherwise urged in the opposite direction along the suture. This uni-directional anchor locking mechanism facilitates cinching of the tissue plication between the anchors, and it may be utilized in one or several anchors in cinching a tissue fold.
US08257382B2	Lumen reentry devices and methods A device, such as for use with lumen reentry, including a catheter including a balloon disposed at a distal end thereof, the catheter being formed with a first lumen through the balloon for passing therethrough a guidewire and a second lumen for inflation and deflation of the balloon, the catheter and the balloon being sized and shaped for entry between two layers of a wall of a body lumen, wherein upon expansion of the balloon when placed between the layers, a distal portion of the first lumen that passes through the balloon is bent with respect to a portion of the first lumen proximal to the balloon and is directed towards the body lumen.
US08257381B2	One-way valve devices for anchored implantation in a lung An intra-bronchial device placed and anchored in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway. The device includes a support structure, an obstructing member carried by the support structure that reduces ventilation to the lung portion by preventing air from being inhaled into the lung portion, and at least one anchor carried by the support structure that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway. The anchor may engage the air passageway wall by piercing or friction, include a stop dimensioned for limiting the piercing of the air passageway wall, and may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the intra-bronchial device. The anchors may be carried by a peripheral portion of the support structure, or by a central portion of the support structure. The obstructing member may be a one-way valve.
US08257378B1	Ultrasonic guide wire for disintegration and dispersion of arterial occlusions of thrombi and plaque An angioplasty device for insertion into an artery having undesired deposits includes a guide wire for insertion into the artery; an elongated flexible catheter for insertion into the artery over the guide wire, the catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and one or more lumens extending longitudinally therethrough; an energizable ultrasonic transducer inside the distal end of the guide wire; an inflatable balloon overlying the catheter and the transducer such that when the transducer is energized, energy from the transducer is transmitted through the balloon to the deposits.
US08257377B2	Multiple end effectors ultrasonic surgical instruments A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. The transducer includes a first end and a second end. A first resonator portion includes a first end coupled to the first end of the transducer. The first resonator includes a second end adapted to receive a first ultrasonic transmission waveguide. A second resonator portion includes a first end coupled to the second end of the transducer. The second resonator includes a second end adapted to receive a second ultrasonic transmission waveguide.
US08257373B2	Device for performing a fundoplication surgical procedure A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.
US08257368B2	Device for suturing intracardiac defects In accordance with the present invention there is provided a suturing device. The suturing device includes a length of suture that will be delivered to the site of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) and placed through the tissue adjacent the opening to close the PFO. The suture is advanced through the tissue surrounding the opening by a pair of needles that penetrate the tissue adjacent to the opening. The suture can be secured to the tissue through use of a knot, a suture clip or other clip like device to retain the suture in a position such that the PFO is closed.
US08257366B2	Digital suture fixation system A digital suture fixation system includes an anchor, an introducer that is attachable to a finger of a person such that at least a distal tip of the finger is available to palpate tissue and identify a landmark within a patient, and a delivery device attached to the introducer. The anchor is removably attached to the delivery device. The anchor is exposed on an exterior of the delivery device and the delivery device is positioned to allow the finger to push the anchor into the landmark.
US08257364B2	Amniotomy device and assembly An amniotomy assembly includes an amniotomy device including a shaft having a rupture crown and a tubular sleeve disposed over at least a portion of the shaft and selectively lockable to the shaft. The rupture crown is disposed on a distal end portion of the shaft and includes a first set of leading bite wings formed on a distal end of the rupture crown and a second set of trailing bite wings formed on a side of the rupture crown adjacent to a side of the shaft. The tubular sleeve is movable relative to the rupture crown between a first position in which the rupture crown resides within the tubular sleeve and a second position in which the rupture crown extends from the tubular sleeve.
US08257359B2	Latarjet instrumentation and method Instrumentation for an open or arthroscopic Latarjet procedure that allows more control graft handling during the formation of the hole and proper positioning parallel to the articulating bone surface. The surgical instrumentation of the present invention includes an osteotome with a plurality of markings and a depth stop, a drill guide with jaws configured to securely engage an outer surface of the graft, and an offset guide to position the graft to the bone.
US08257358B2	Method for using retractable stylet and cannula combination to form an opening in bone In one preferred aspect, a method is provided for forming an opening in bone for the sequential dilation of tissue.
US08257356B2	Guidewire exchange systems to treat spinal stenosis Guidewire exchange systems, devices and methods, for positioning and actuating surgical devices in a desired position between two tissues in a patient's body are described. A guidewire may be coupled to a surgical device for positioning and actuating (e.g., urging against a target tissue). The guidewire may be exchanged between different surgical devices during the same procedure, and the guidewire and surgical devices may be releaseably or permanently coupled. The surgical device generally includes one or more guidewire coupling members. A system may include a guidewire and a surgical device having a guidewire coupling member. Methods, devices and systems may be used in open, less-invasive or percutaneous surgical procedures.
US08257355B2	Methods and devices for static or dynamic spine stabilization Methods and devices for static or dynamic spine stabilization include an anterior plating system that allows longitudinal and pivoting motion of the plates and of the stabilized vertebras. In one embodiment a spine fixation assembly for connecting a first vertebra to a second vertebra includes a first plate configured to be attached to one or more locations of the first vertebra and a second plate configured to be attached to one or more locations of the second vertebra. The first plate is pivotally connected to the second plate and may also allow longitudinal and/or horizontal motion of the plates relative to each other.
US08257354B2	Hip fracture nail system An instrument system is provided for positioning an internal fixation prosthesis and guiding a cannulated bone drill during a surgical, radioscopic procedure for the repair of a fractured bone of a patient. The instrument system includes a target wire, a handle formed from a radio translucent material having a target hole for guided passage of the target wire along a target axis. The target axis coincides with the intersection of a first plane and a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. The instrument system also includes a nose component attached to an end of the handle and removably connectable to the prosthesis. The nose component includes an alignment sight formed from a radio-opaque material.
US08257353B2	Orthopedic external fixation device A telescopically adjustable strut for use with orthopedic external fixators has a first end and a second end and includes a universal-hinged connector provided at each of the first and second ends for connecting the strut to orthopedic external fixator base members. The universal-hinged connector is configured and adapted for pivoting the strut relative to the base members and to lock the universal-hinged connector at a desired angle.
US08257350B2	Method and system of an electrosurgical controller with wave-shaping An electrosurgical controller with wave-shaping. At least some embodiments are methods including generating an alternating current (AC) voltage signal within an electrosurgical controller. The generating may be by inducing an intermediate AC voltage signal on a secondary winding of a first transformer, and wave-shaping the intermediate AC voltage signal by a second winding of a second transformer coupled to the first transformer, and thereby creating a final AC voltage signal. Thereafter, the method includes applying the final AC voltage signal to electrical pins of a connector configured to couple to an electrosurgical wand.
US08257349B2	Electrosurgical apparatus with predictive RF source control An electrosurgical generator is disclosed, which includes a closed loop control system having a sensor system configured to sense tissue and/or energy properties at a tissue site and to generate a sensor signal representative of the tissue and/or energy properties. The control system includes a controller configured to select an electrosurgical operational mode from a plurality of electrosurgical operational modes in response to the sensor signal. A radio frequency arbitrary source is also included which is configured to generate a radio frequency input signal corresponding to the selected electrosurgical operational mode and a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a treatment signal which corresponds to the electrosurgical operational mode. The system also includes a predictive signal processor configured to adjust the radio frequency output stage in response to the radio frequency input signal, such that the radio frequency output stage alters the treatment signal in real time based on the selected electrosurgical operational mode.
US08257347B2	Vein treatment device and method Device/system and treatment method of varicose veins and other vein abnormalities are presented. Treatment A comprises combining two wavelengths to occlude abnormal veins. Wavelengths are chosen as effective absorption peaks of hemoglobin and/or water, e.g. 980 nm and 1460 nm. Irradiations of blood, collagen and water in the vessel cause occlusion/shrinkage. Constant power-density is used based on fiber withdrawal speed and structural vein parameters. Treatments employ dual laser wavelengths or highly-controlled vein-wall damage wavelengths. Monitored control parameters and predetermined vein structural parameters. Alternatively, 1460+60 nm laser energy is employed, having high absorption in the vein wall, creating little thermal stress outside the vein, and being effective in initiating damage reaction response. Treating at 1460+60 nm has benefits of high vein closure rates and favorable post-operative results, i.e., little post-operative pain/discomfort, brusing/inflammatory reactions, due to their very high absorption in small volumes of the collagen/water in vein walls.
US08257346B2	Unified systems and methods for controlling use and operation of a family of different treatment devices Unified systems and methods enable control of the use and operation of a family of different treatment devices, to treat dysfunction in different regions of the body.
US08257342B2	Dual lumen gastrointestinal feeding and aspirating device A dual lumen gastrointestinal feeding and aspirating device includes an aspiration channel which carries a feeding channel. The aspiration channel has a distal opening with a larger size than that of the feeding channel so it can operate more effectively as a stent and accommodate larger sized instruments. The distal end of the aspiration channel is repeatably moveable between open and closed conditions in response to the extension and retraction, respectively, of the instrument therethrough.
US08257335B2	Diaper having hip stretch panels A disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly in combination with a support element that extends circumferentially around the waist of the wearer. The support element includes hip stretch panels. The chassis includes a water-impermeable backsheet that may be folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The chassis may include an extensible formed web material. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow unattached portions of the chassis to extend laterally. Frangible tear lines and/or tear locator lines may be formed to facilitate removal of the article from the wearer.
US08257334B2	Disposable pant-type diaper having improved protection against red marking A disposable pull-on garment is provided having a front region, a back region and a crotch region. The garment includes a chassis having edge lines in the front and back regions. A pair of extensible front ear panels extends laterally outward from the chassis in the front region, and a pair of extensible back ear panels extends laterally outward from the chassis in the back region. Each of the panels is joined along its outermost edge line to its corresponding opposite front or back ear panel to form two overlapping seams, two leg openings and a waist opening. At least one of the overlapping seams has a substantially bonded portion and an unbonded portion such that the ratio in the length of the unbonded portion to the substantially bonded portion is between about 4:96 and about 20:80.
US08257333B2	Absorbent article with an elastic waistband having a preferred ratio of elastic to non-elastic materials An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front and back waist regions. An outer cover member and a bodyside liner extend longitudinally between the front and back waist regions. An absorbent body structure is sandwiched between the outer cover member and the bodyside liner. A waistband portion includes at least one elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has a relaxed circumference wherein between about 45% to about 70% of the circumference is defined by the elastomeric portion. The waistband portion has an extended circumference for a target wearer wherein, at the extended circumference, the elastomeric portion is extended between about 10% to about 40% of its relaxed circumferential length.
US08257326B2	Apparatus for enhancing wound healing A wound therapy apparatus for enhancing healing of a wound includes a wound dressing configured for placement over the wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a wound contact fluid may be maintained by forming a substantially fluid-tight seal around the wound. An elastic bladder member defined by or within the wound dressing is expandable to exert a pressure on the wound contact fluid within the reservoir. A fluid system is in fluid communication with the reservoir for selectively delivering the wound contact fluid to the reservoir, and a pressure system is in fluid communication with the bladder member for delivering a compressed liquid or gas to the bladder member to effect expansion in the bladder member.
US08257321B2	Pressure activated valve for high flow rate and pressure venous access applications A valve comprises a first housing including a first lumen extending therethrough and defining a first disk-facing surface and a second housing including a second lumen extending therethrough and defining a second disk-facing surface, the second housing being mated to the first housing so that the second disk-facing surface faces the first disk-facing surface in combination with a flexible disk gripped between gripping portions of the first and second disk-facing surfaces, the disk including a slit extending therethrough which, when acted upon by a fluid pressure of at least a predetermined threshold level opens to permit fluid flow between the first and second lumens and which, when acted upon by a fluid pressure less than the threshold level remains sealed preventing fluid flow between the first and second lumens and a relief well between opposing portions of the first and second housings radially outside the gripping portions, a width of the relief well exceeding a width of a radially outer portion of the flexible disk so that the radially outer portion of the disk is free to move therewithin.
US08257320B2	Multi-valve injection/aspiration manifold with needleless access connection An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located at an upstream end of the manifold. However, the check valve may alternatively be located between injection ports. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite a first seal. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings. Alternatively, two way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use the Plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.
US08257316B2	Surgical portal apparatus with variable adjustment Accordingly, a surgical portal apparatus for accessing a cavity is provided. The surgical portal apparatus includes a portal member defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway therethrough for receiving a surgical object, and an adjustable seal disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The adjustable seal includes a first configuration wherein the adjustable seal defines a first opening configured for receiving a first surgical object having a first diameter. The first opening defines a first central axis therethrough. The adjustable seal includes a second configuration wherein the adjustable seal defines a second opening configured for receiving a second surgical object having a second diameter. The second opening defines a second central axis laterally offset from the first central axis. The apparatus further including an adjustment member mounted within the portal member and positioned to intersect the longitudinal passageway to engage the first or second surgical object and move relative to the portal member. The adjustment member is operatively connected to the adjustment seal to move the adjustable seal to the first configuration upon engagement with a first surgical object to thereby facilitate passage of the first surgical object through the adjustable seal.
US08257315B2	Trocar seal with retraction induced hinge A trocar comprising an alignment channel and an instrument seal comprising a bending portion and a base portion. The bending and base portions of the instrument seal are spaced relative the alignment channel such that when a surgical instrument is retracted the bending portion inverts and the lip does not enter the alignment channel.
US08257307B2	Method of controlling a surgical system based on a load on the cutting tip of a handpiece A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as the instant an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system determines an approximate temperature of the eye using an irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power or stroke of the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip.
US08257304B2	Extension tubes for balloon catheters A balloon catheter may include a multi-lumen tube having an inflation lumen and a guide wire lumen. The multi-lumen tube may include a proximal end and a distal end and may terminate at a distal tip. The catheter may include an extension tube extending distally from the distal tip of the multi-lumen tube and a dilatation balloon disposed about the multi-lumen tube and the extension tube. The distal tip of the multi-lumen tube may be under the balloon.
US08257301B2	Device for administering several liquid medicines to a patient This device comprises a tube (22) containing several substantially parallel channels extending along the entire length of tube of which one end, referred to as distal, is connected with a connection element to the patient, thereby forming a mixing chamber for the various liquids, and of which the other end, referred to as proximal, is connected to a housing (3) provided with connection means (9) for several containers each containing a liquid, wherein the housing has liquid delivery lines (7), wherein each delivery line (7) is intended to be connected to a container and to a channel of the tube (22) respectively. At least one delivery line (7) of the housing is provided with a check valve (12) intended to prevent the passage of liquid from the channel of the corresponding tube into the corresponding container.
US08257300B2	Safety features for integrated insulin delivery system Safety features are applied to an integrated insulin delivery system to enhance safety while accounting for glucose sensor bias and calibration errors. One safety feature includes comparisons of calibrations of the sensor to nominal sensitivity and taking action, such as limiting insulin delivery or taking a further calibration of the sensor. In another feature, an automatic resumption of a basal delivery rate is programmed into the delivery device to avoid the possibility of complete loss of delivery of insulin in the event that communication with the delivery device is disrupted. Other features include steps taken to avoid hypoglycemia in the event that the sensor is negatively biased.
US08257299B2	Dialysis methods and systems having autoconnection and autoidentification A dialysis system includes at least one pump actuator, a disposable cassette operable with the at least one pump actuator, a plurality of disposable cassette supply connections, and plurality of dialysis solution lines. Each of the plurality of solution lines is connected to a dialysis solution container. The system further includes an autoconnection mechanism configured to connect the plurality of supply connections to the plurality of dialysis solution lines. The system additionally includes an autoidentification system configured to automatically identify information associated with the plurality of dialysis solution lines to determine at least one of (i) dialysis solution type (ii) dialysis solution volume, or (iii) a number of the plurality of dialysis solution supply containers.
US08257298B2	Multitube catheter A multitube catheter is provided. The assembly includes two or more tubes fused together to form one catheter tube shaft. Each tube has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter from its distal end to its proximal end. The tubes are fused together by use of heat and pressure. A distal end of the united catheter tube can be split to form a split tip, stepped tip, or a tapered tip. The proximal segment (non-fused portion) forms catheter extension legs.
US08257296B2	System including an implantable medical device and electronic valve indicator and locator device A system including an implantable flow control device and an electronic valve indicator and locator device. The implantable device includes a valve and a magnetic device. The electronic device includes a locator tool, an indicator tool, and an adjustment tool. The indicator tool includes an electronic compass module for measuring an orientation of sensed magnetic fields and a locator tool interface module for electronically communicating sensed magnetic fields to the processing module. The locator tool has a processing module which receives and stores background magnetic field data, receives target magnetic field data when the indicator tool is coupled to the locator tool and positioned above the implanted device, and electronically determines the setting of the valve based on the background magnetic field data and the target magnetic field data. The adjustment tool aligns with the locator tool for modifying the valve setting when magnetically coupled to the implantable device.
US08257292B2	Neck cast with multi-position adjustability of height and diameter and including downwardly configured shoulder supports for immobilizing a patient's head The present invention teaches a head and neck cast for providing secure immobilization of a patient's upper neck and head extremities and includes a lower ergonomically configured ring supported upon the shoulders of the wearer. An upper ring is vertically displaceable in each of upper and lower directions relative to the lower support ring via an interconnecting network of both scissoring and vertically extending jacks. In this fashion, the neck and head of the patient is immobilized via the positional support provided by the lower ring and without the need for screws mounted to the skull.
US08257287B2	Safety connector assembly A connector assembly includes first and second mating connectors that can be joined to make a fluid connection. The connectors are constructed to discriminate improper connectors so that no fluid tight connection can be formed with improper connectors. The connector assembly can be used with a system for compression therapy to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
US08257282B2	Pressure pulse/shock wave apparatus for generating waves having plane, nearly plane, convergent off target or divergent characteristics An apparatus for generating pressure pulse/shock waves (PP/SWs) is disclosed which comprises a pressure pulse/shock wave (PP/SW) source, a housing enclosing said PP/SW source, and an exit window from which wave fronts of waves generated by said PP/SW source emanate. The wave fronts have plane, nearly plane, convergent off target or divergent characteristics. In one embodiment, an extracorporeal shock wave system provides a planar wave for the treatment of tissue. A parabolic reflector is provided in order to propagate the planar wave through a membrane and to the tissue of a human subject. A piezoelectric, electrohydraulic or electromagnetic source may be used to develop the wave.
US08257281B2	Method for normalizing the spine Disclosed is a method of normalizing a spine of an individual including identifying a first point on the spine that exhibits the greatest degree of spinal misalignment and the hemisphere of the misalignment. A second point on the back of the individual is identified using a measuring device to measure along the spine a calculated distance specific to the individual. The second point on the back is then translated to the front of the individual opposite the second point to identity a third point. Application of therapeutic treatment near the third point normalizes the spine. In one embodiment, the distance is calculated by dividing the height of the individual by eight.
US08257280B2	Bioimpedance methods and apparatus Methods and apparatus for providing bioimpedance analysis are provided. In certain aspects, equivalent circuit frequency response models are provided which lead to improved correlations with MRI data. The frequency response models take account of body composition, including the fat component of a body segment. Data obtained by performing bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and MRI on the calves of subjects illustrates the improved correlations achieved compared to single frequency analyses at 50 kilohertz and analyses performed using the conventional Cole-Cole model.
US08257279B2	Medical device for navigation through anatomy and method of making same Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.
US08257277B2	Test media cassette for bodily fluid testing device A bodily fluid sampling device includes a piercing device and a sensor enclosed in a housing. A cassette, which contains test media, is positioned proximal to the sensor so that the sensor is able to analyze a bodily fluid sample collected on the test media. The cassette includes a supply portion from which unused test media is supplied and a storage portion in which contaminated test media is stored after exposure to the bodily fluid. The cassette is adapted to collect a series of bodily fluid samples without requiring disposal of the test media.
US08257276B2	Lancet device having capillary action A device for sampling body fluid, the device comprising, a main body, a lancet disposed within the main body, a carrier disposed within the main body fixedly attached to the lancet, a biasing means in communication with the lancet and the carrier, an annular space disposed within the main body adjacent the lancet, and a means for measuring a body fluid. Wherein the means for measuring the body fluid may include micro-porous test strips, an electronic testing device, an optical/reflectance testing measuring device, or a visual inspection.
US08257274B2	Medical sensor and technique for using the same According to various embodiments, a hat-based or headband sensor assembly may provide an output to indicate when a patient's body temperature changes. The sensor assembly may include sensors and other features to alert healthcare providers when a temperature is outside of a desired range. The sensor assembly may include a medical sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor, and a temperature sensor.
US08257264B2	Ultrasonic probe with a needle clip and method of using same A compact ultrasound needle guidance system and method of use is described. The needle guidance system has components to adjustably target a needle's destination in the plane of a two-dimensional ultrasound image before insertion of a needle into a patient. Needle movement is tracked using a position detector that provides a visual display of the needle path on the ultrasonic image.
US08257262B2	Ultrasound adaptor methods and systems for transducer and system separation Methods and systems are provided for adapting signals from an ultrasound transducer for an ultrasound system. Where the signal processing in a transducer assembly outputs data incompatible with the ultrasound system, circuitry provided within the transducer assembly converts the data to be compatible with the ultrasound systems. For example, sub-array mixing is provided to partially beamform signals from a plurality of transducer elements. The resulting output signals from a plurality sub-arrays are provided through a cable to a connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. Since the mixers alter the data, such as shifting the data to an intermediate frequency, the output data may be at a frequency different than the frequencies for operation of the receive beamformer. Additional mixers are then provided to convert the intermediate frequency signals to radio frequency signals that may be processed by the ultrasound systems received beamformer. As another example, signals from a plurality of transducer elements are multiplexed together. Where the receive beamformer is not operable to de-multiplex such signals, circuitry within the transducer probe assembly converts the signals by de-multiplexing the data for beamforming. Ultrasound systems have a limited number of received beamformer channels. By providing signal processing, conversion, and/or partial beamforming within the transducer probe assembly, the number of elements used may be different than the number of received beamformer channels provided by the system.
US08257258B2	Integrated lancet and blood glucose meter system A sensor array designed to be continuously indexed through a compatible blood glucose test monitor for the purpose of conducting multiple consecutive blood glucose measurements. The sensor array can be configured to substantially conform to a non-planar surface. In one embodiment, the sensor array includes first and second test sensors which are hingedly coupled together through a pin and socket interconnection. In another embodiment, the sensor array includes a unitary, non-conductive substrate which is scored to define one or more fold lines, a first set electrodes deposited on the substrate to define a first test sensor, and a second set of electrodes deposited on the substrate to define a second test sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor array includes a first test sensor, a second test sensor spaced apart from said first test sensor, a first spacer mounted on the first test sensor, a second spacer mounted on the second test sensor, and a unitary flexible member disposed across said first and second spacers.
US08257257B2	Capsule type medical device A capsule type medical device is of a type of a capsule type medical device that is introduced inside the living body to gather in-vivo information, and comprises a capsule shaped casing; an in-vivo information acquisition device for acquiring the in-vivo information; a communication device for sending the in-vivo information acquired by the in-vivo information acquisition device to outside of the living body by wireless; at least one pair of first electrodes provided in a vicinity of one end along an axis of the casing for giving electric stimulation to body tissue in the living body; a first current control device for sending current to the first electrodes; and an interelectrode distance variation device for changing a distance between the electrodes.
US08257254B2	Laparoscopic instrument and trocar systems for trans-umbilical laparoscopic surgery Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument-trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one- or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.
US08257253B2	Laparoscopic instruments and trocar systems and related surgical method Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument—trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one- or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.
US08257249B2	Flexible tube for endoscope and method of manufacturing the same A flexible tube for an endoscope comprises: a spiral tube including a band-shaped plate which is spirally wound; a braid which covers an outer circumferential surface of the spiral tube; and an outer skin made of a resin, which covers an outer circumferential surface of the braid, wherein the braid includes metal fibers deposited with a release agent and heat-resistant resin fibers deposited with a bonding material, the metal fibers and the resin fibers are blended in a mesh pattern, and the braid is bonded to the outer skin by the bonding material.
US08257241B2	Brachytherapy device having an alignment and seal adaptor A brachytherapy device for treating tissue within a cavity of a body. The device may include a first set of tubes configured to be inserted into the cavity through an opening at the surface of the body. Each of the tubes may have an external end and an interior channel beginning at the external end that is configured to receive radioactive material. The external ends of the tubes may be bundled together. The tubes may be of a length that causes the external ends to be near the opening in the surface of the body while the tubes are in the cavity. A seal may be configured to prevent fluid that originates from the cavity from entering into the external ends of the tubes while they are near the opening in the surface of the body. The seal may include a gasket that is pressed against the external ends of the tubes. The gasket may have openings that align with channels within the external ends of the tubes.
US08257239B2	Umbilicus for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing An umbilicus is provided for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing system. The umbilicus has a pair of anchor portions, at least one fluid-transmitting lumen, and a drive shaft. The fluid-transmitting lumen and drive shaft extend between the anchor portions. The lumen and drive shaft may be comprised of different materials. If multiple lumen are provided, they may either be separate from each other and the drive shaft or defined in a single umbilicus body which also provides a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the drive shaft.
US08257238B2	Method and apparatus for feeding and folding sheets A method and apparatus are provided for feeding and folding sheets. Providing a folding blade having a free edge, reciprocably movable between a retracted position and a folding position, provided with blade surfaces adjacent to the free edge converging towards the free edge at a first angle in the folding position, and by further providing a pressing mechanism having pressing surface areas reciprocably movable between a retracted position and a pressing position, and enclosing in the pressing position a second angle larger than the first angle of the folding blade, allows an apparatus, having a pair of folding rollers and a sheet support, selectively to fold only an outer sheet from a set of sheets or to fold a set of sheets simultaneously.
US08257237B2	System for bifolding an absorbent article A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum. Thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.
US08257234B2	Method and device for facilitating use of an exercise ball An exercise device for facilitating a user to perform a variety of exercises using an exercise ball supported on the device is disclosed. The device comprises a pouch having a mouth end wherein the pouch is configured to form a seat portion to the user. The device further includes a plurality of linking members attached to the mouth end by an attachment means and a plurality of straps. The lower end of the plurality of straps is secured to the linking members and the upper end of the plurality of straps is attached to a securing means. Each of the pair of straps is crisscrossed in preparation for attachment to the exercise ball. The crisscrossed straps is looped around the exercise ball and secured by using the securing means. The crisscross arrangement of the straps securely holds the exercise ball in relation to the seat portion.
US08257233B2	Weightlifting system A weightlifting system includes a weight bar first frame member that extends along a longitudinal axis. The first frame member includes a front face, a first side face, a second side face and a multiple of opposed pairs of openings disposed along the longitudinal axis. Each of the multiple of opposed pairs of openings are generally L-shaped and include a first opening and a second opening. A weightlifting weight arm system includes a weight horn and a bracket assembly that is engageable with at least two opposed pairs of openings of the multiple of opposed pairs of openings.
US08257228B2	Interactive athletic training log Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.
US08257225B2	Control method for carrying out a gear upshifting in an automatic manual transmission having a dual-clutch gearbox An embodiment of a control method for carrying out a gear shifting in an automatic manual transmission having a dual-clutch gearbox to pass from a current shorter gear to a successive longer gear; the embodiment includes the steps of: receiving a gear shifting command; opening a first clutch associated to the current gear; closing a second clutch associated to the successive gear in a same first moment; finishing the opening of the first clutch associated to the current gear and finishing the closure of the second clutch associated to the successive gear in a same closing moment; keeping the rotation speed of the drive shaft of the engine constant and equal to an initial value imposed by the gear ratio of the current gear until the closing moment in which the opening of the first clutch is completed; after the closing moment, progressively decreasing the rotation speed of the drive shaft of the engine from the initial value imposed by the gear ratio of the current gear to a final value imposed by the gear ratio of the successive gear; and temporarily overlengthening the second clutch after the closing moment so that the second clutch temporarily transmits an additional torque which determines a progressive reduction of the rotation speed of the drive shaft from the initial value to the final value.
US08257222B2	Preventing gear shift cycling of a hybrid electric vehicle In a powertrain for a motor vehicle that includes a power source, a transmission driveably connected to the power source and wheels of the vehicle, an electric machine able to operate as an electric motor for transmitting power to at least some of the vehicle wheels, a method for controlling the powertrain includes operating the power source and the transmission in a desired gear to produce a first wheel torque in response to a demanded wheel torque, increasing the demanded wheel torque while turning the vehicle along a curved path, and using the electric motor to provide a second wheel torque, such that a combined magnitude of the first wheel torque produced in the desired gear and the second wheel torque is equal to or greater than the increased demanded wheel torque.
US08257219B2	Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08257216B2	Infinitely variable transmission An infinitely variable power transmission comprising an input shaft, a layshaft driven by the input shaft via internal/external gearing, a toroidal variator, and gearing and clutches which implement a low/reverse variable ratio mode and a high range variable ratio mode. An additional clutch and gearing implement an optional fixed ratio mode.
US08257211B2	Pulley assembly A pulley assembly for a flexible motor vehicle transmission, comprising a supporting member rotatable about an axis, a pulley adapted to cooperate with a belt and connected to the supporting member to be rotatable about said axis with respect to the supporting member, elastic spiral means interposed between the supporting element and the pulley and comprising a sliding portion elastically loaded in radial direction against a sliding wall carried by one of either the supporting members or the pulley for tangential force drive coupling pulley to the supporting member. In particular, the elastic spiral means comprise a supporting element and sliding portion comprising at least one runner carried by the supporting element and sliding along the sliding walls.
US08257209B1	Versatile variable gear ratio transmission A versatile, variable gear ratio mechanical transmission system is providing having similar first and second spaced Disc Subsystems connected by a belt or chain. Each subsystem of which comprises three primary components: (1) a Shift Actuation Structure located at one outermost side; (2) a Receiving Disc located at the opposite side; and, (3) a Retention Disc sandwiched between. The Retention and Receiving Discs accommodate concentric rings of proportionally spaced holes in which corresponding smooth, contoured or toothed Headed Pins are maintained, engaged, or retracted. When the pins are engaged, they span the slot between the Receiving Disc and Retention Disc and interface with the conveyance transferring load from Driving Disc Subassembly to the Driven Disc Subassembly.
US08257204B1	Automatic ball collection system for table tennis The automatic ball collection system contains a blower sub-system and a collection device. The blower sub-system drives the balls on the ground towards the collection device, and the balls are then automatically collected by the collection device. The blower sub-system contains a number of blowing devices configured at the corners capable of producing air flow substantially along ground surface so as to push the balls to roll towards the collection device. As such, the players' time and effort in constant bending and picking up balls, and the possible injury resulted as such are avoided.
US08257203B2	Volleyball training system The present invention is a volleyball training system that allows a user to practice hitting a ball without the inconvenience of retrieving the ball. The ball is connected to the user's body so that once hit, the ball will not travel far distances requiring retrieval by the user. The system includes a volleyball tethered to a band that is secured to the user's body. The first end of the tethering cord is secured to the volleyball with a plug. The cord runs through the ball, secured to the second side of the ball with a plug, while the second end of the cord is secured to the band, which is secured to the user's body on either wrist. A portion of the cord runs through the diameter of the ball such that the cord is attached to opposite ends of the ball.
US08257202B1	Adjustable batting practice tee A teaching aid device that helps baseball players learn how to properly swing and hit a ball includes a pair of batting tees placed in a linear pattern parallel to the bat swing. The batter contacts one ball and then the other during one swing. With balls on both tees and the tees at the same height, the hitter is aligned to hit the back or rear baseball up the middle. By hitting the rear ball, and then extending through contact and hitting the front ball, the hitter teaches him or herself to “get extension” through the baseball. If the hitter does not hit the front ball squarely, the device will indicate that he or she does not “follow through”. If the hitter hits the back ball only, this device provides instant feedback that the swing is not level.
US08257200B2	Multi-layer core golf ball having opposing hardness gradient with steep gradient outer core layer A golf ball comprising an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center has a hardness of 56 to 80 Shore C and the outer surface has a hardness of 50 to 75 Shore C. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface having a hardness of 85 to 98 Shore C and an inner surface having a hardness of 68 to 78 Shore C and being formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of +7 to +30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of −1 to −15 Shore C.
US08257199B2	Golf ball core with soft outer transition volume and negative hardness gradient A golf ball including a unitary core having a volume, an outer surface, a geometric center, and an outermost transition volume adjacent to the outer surface, the core being formed from a substantially homogenous composition; and a cover layer including ionomer, metallocene-catalyzed polymer, polyester, polyamide, non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer, copolyether-ester, copolyether-amide, polycarbonate, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, or polystyrene block copolymer. The outermost transition volume is disposed between the core outer surface and the geometric center, the transition volume has an outer portion congruent with the core outer surface, and comprises the outermost 45% of the core volume or less. Both a hardness of the core outer surface and a hardness within the outermost transition volume are less than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.
US08257195B1	Weighted golf club head A golf club head having a center of gravity located at a point close to the face and the sole is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head comprises a hollow body including a weight lip and face component, and the weight lip extends from the sole inside the body into the face component. The golf club head is preferably a wood-type or hybrid-type golf club head.
US08257190B2	Golf strap According to this invention, a golf strap comprised of a flexible soft material with a visual alignment indicator and fastener is provided with a raised flexible bar across the palm portion, which aligns the golf club for proper gripping. The golf strap is worn around a golfer's hand, and the visual alignment indicator directs the golfer in proper golf strap placement before affixing the fastener to secure the golf strap. The flexible bar is so positioned across the palm portion of the golf strap that, when the golf club grip is held, the gripping hand of a golfer wearing the golf strap receives the grip portion of the club shaft across the palm of the golf strap and against the flexible bar. The flexible bar positions the club shaft to lie diagonally across the roots of the fingers. When the hand is closed around the golf club, with the flexible bar cradling the grip portion of the golf club, an automatic proper gripping of the golf club will be ensured.
US08257189B2	Advanced golf monitoring system, method and components Monitoring of a golf ball and apparatus for doing so is described using differential time locating. Launch parameters of a golf ball can be characterized independent of any specific positional measurement on the basis of a ball signal that is transmitted from the ball. These parameters include initial spin, initial velocity, and initial trajectory. Ground proximity detection is described as well as a landing position and rollout position detection technique and associated apparatus. Calibration techniques are described for various kinds of range receivers that subsequently receive the ball signal.
US08257184B1	Driveline coupler A driveline coupler can have a pair of load arms that engage with an insert member between them. The load arms can be configured to couple to shafts in a drive assembly. At least one load arm can be adjustable to couple with different sized shafts. The at least one load arm can also self center different sized shafts including different sized shafts of similar shapes. The coupler can further have a center pin to align the coupler. A coupler with a center pin can further have a fixing member to lock the coupler in alignment.
US08257181B2	Gaming machine that senses player playing game thereon A gaming machine includes at least a human body detection sensor. The human body detection sensor is disposed on a lower face of a housing portion, so as to face downward and face a cabinet main body. In addition, the gaming machine is provided with a sound sensor on an upper face thereof, and starts executing a game in a case where the human body detection sensor responds and then the sound sensor detects a player's voice.
US08257179B2	Network for token-based and related devices The present network 10 enables an off-site subscriber 46 to monitor, analyze and alter on-site token-based and related devices without taking them out of service. A central application 20 presents output data from the on-site devices to an off-site subscriber in a useful form and sends input commands from the subscriber 46 to an on-site network interface appliance 18, which relays the commands to a transceiver 26, processor 28 and function monitor/controller 30 installed in the token system device. The transceiver, processor and function monitor/controller are programmed to make output data concerning the on-site devices available to the subscriber and to control selected functions of the device in response to the subscriber's input commands. The network could be added onto currently operating token based and related devices or installed in those yet to be produced.
US08257177B1	Proximity based games for mobile communication devices The present invention integrates the inference of a first mobile wireless device proximity to a second wireless device, access point, or other source (target source) by way of receiving, measuring and storing signal strength (or its equivalent) from the source as an integral element of game play for a game. The proximity determination that one wireless device is close to a target source provides the ability to create new and interesting interactive games that can take advantage of the communication and network capabilities of mobile wireless devices.
US08257174B2	Embedding of games into third party websites Systems and methods for embedding and tracking revenue from fully operational games into third party websites are disclosed.
US08257170B2	Dynamic gaming library A method for casino operators and/or players to instantly “create” new games without requiring recertification by a gaming laboratory. New games are created on the fly by making combinations of game attributes including but not limited to theme, denomination, volatility, RTP. Game attributes are associated to pre-certified software components that are then dynamically linked to instantly offer a new game. Having players dynamically create games according to their preference totally removes the game operator's risk to compose menus of available games that players will not play.
US08257168B2	Gaming machine that can move chip bet to another region A gaming machine detects a player touching a bet region on which an existing bet is placed and, upon detecting that another bet region has been touched thereafter, dynamically displays a chip displayed on the bet region on which an existing bet is placed so as to move to the other bet region.
US08257165B2	Amusement devices and games including means for processing electronic data where ultimate outcome of the game is dependent on relative odds of a card combination and/or where chance is a factor In various methods, systems, and computer-readable media embodiments, first information about possible future outcomes of an event may be provided to at least one user of a gaming device. Wagers may be associated with possible outcomes. A first set of likelihood values corresponding to a set of possible outcomes may be determined using second information based on the wagers. Each of the first set of likelihood values may correspond to a respective possible outcome of the set. A second set of likelihood values may be determined based at least in part on the first set if one or more of its likelihood values are greater than or less than specific values. The second set of likelihood values may be associated with possible outcomes of the set. Third information based on the second set of likelihood values may be provided to at least two of the users.
US08257162B2	Slot machine When a game mode is shifted from a base game to a free game, if a symbol of “APPLE” is rearranged in a symbol display frame 111 for the first time in one unit game which composes the free game, the payout amount which is awarded to a player is computed based on the number of the symbols of “APPLE” that are rearranged for the first time. The symbols of “APPLE” that are rearranged for the first time are displayed in the stock area 201. In a following unit game, if the symbol of “APPLE” is rearranged in a symbol display frame 111 again, the payout amount which is awarded to a player is computed based on a total number of the symbols of “APPLE” which is obtained by adding the number of the symbols of “APPLE” being displayed in the stock area 201 to the number of the rearranged symbols of “APPLE”. At this time, the rearranged symbols of “APPLE” are additionally displayed in the stock area 201 in addition to the symbols of “APPLE” being displayed in the stock area 201. The same operation will be carried out in the following unit games.
US08257161B2	Gaming system having collectible and redeemable special symbols A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a first matrix of symbols representing a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, the symbols selected from a plurality of symbols including at least one special symbol. The system further includes a controller operative to (i) collect occurrences of the at least one special symbol in the first matrix, (ii) vary the symbols to create a final matrix of symbols, (iii) redeem the collected special symbols by placing the collected special symbols into the final matrix, and (iv) provide an award if the final matrix of symbols indicates a winning combination.
US08257155B2	Selectively routing air within an electronic equipment enclosure A method of cooling electronic equipment mounted in an enclosure includes routing air from beneath the enclosure to an upper portion of the enclosure, selectively routing air to electronic equipment mounted in the upper portion of the enclosure, and exhausting heated air from the electronic equipment to an enclosure outlet. In addition, preventing recirculation includes installing and arranging an internal air duct within an enclosure in such a manner that recirculation is prevented, and balancing air temperature around an enclosure includes using an internal air duct.
US08257152B2	Silicate composite polishing pad The invention provides a polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of semiconductor, magnetic and optical substrates. It includes a polymeric matrix having a polishing surface. Polymeric microelements are distributed within the polymeric matrix and at the polishing surface of the polymeric matrix. Silicate-containing regions distributed within each of the polymeric microelements coat less than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements. Less than 0.1 weight percent total of the polymeric microelements are associated with i) silicate particles having a particle size of greater than 5 μm; ii) silicate-containing regions covering greater than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and iii) polymeric microelements agglomerated with silicate particles to an average cluster size of greater than 120 μm.
US08257139B2	Garment and brassiere accessory A garment and brassiere accessory that is substantially triangular in shape having attachment straps (8) extending outward from upper corners (6) of the undergarment that may be looped around shoulder straps (14) of a brassiere (13). In addition, a lower corner (7) may be looped around a center portion (16) of the brassiere. An upper band (11) of preferably elastomeric material located along an upper edge (4) of the undergarment keeps the undergarment securely against a woman's chest while being worn. The undergarment is preferably constructed from two layers of material, an outer layer (17) and an inner layer (18) so that the outer layer hides any wrinkles or indentations (19) caused by the stress of the lower corner pulling on the inner layer while the undergarment is being worn. Additional features include extension straps (20) that allow a user to adapt the undergarment to a larger chest and/or brassiere size or to wear the undergarment without a brassiere and detachable jewelry.
US08257138B2	Athletic bra A bra to be worn during vigorous physical activity. It provides the wearer with a high level of breast tissue support without undue restriction of breathing or shoulder movement, while providing means for ventilation and moisture management. The bra is underwire-free, and designed to be worn as outerwear. The bra achieves these objectives through the innovative combination of various non-stretch and stretch fabrics. The non-stretch portions of the garment provide a high level of compression and stability to the breast tissue, while the multiple regions of stretch fabric minimize breathing and shoulder restrictions and provide ventilation. Non-stretch wicking fabric is used to form the majority of the body of the bra, and is used to pull the breast tissue in and hold it firmly to the chest. This non-stretch fabric is connected to panels of stretch wicking fabric located in the front and back of the body of the bra.
US08257129B2	Method for manufacturing flexible display device having an insulative overcoat and flexible display device having the same A flexible display device and a method for manufacturing a flexible display are provided. The flexible display device includes a flexible substrate, a display element layer formed on the flexible substrate; an insulating protective layer covering the display element layer; and a rigid substrate. The rigid substrate has an etching selectivity at least 20 times greater than that of the insulating protective layer.
US08257128B2	Methods of preparing a Li film and methods of preparing an organic light emitting device The present invention relates to a method of preparing a Li film, wherein said Li film is fabricated by directly decomposing a compound of Li under a vacuum evaporation condition, and said compound is Li3N. Said Li film is fabricated by decomposing Li3N at an evaporation rate of 0.01-0.25 nm/s and an evaporation temperature of 300-450° C., and said Li film has a thickness of 0.3-5.0 nm. The present invention also relates to an organic light emitting device comprising said Li film as an electron injection layer and a method for the preparation thereof, and an organic light emitting device including an electron injection layer comprising an electron transport material doped with Li obtained by decomposing Li3N under a vacuum evaporation condition, and a method for the preparation thereof.
US08257120B2	Female terminal and production method for female terminal A female terminal (30) has a main portion (31) and contact pieces (32) that project from that main portion (31) in a facing state. A male terminal (80) is accommodated into an accommodation space (35) surrounded by the contact pieces (32). The accommodation space (35) is mainly formed by horizontal holes (38) that open laterally. Cross-sectional shapes of surfaces (S) of the contact pieces (32) forming the horizontal holes (38) cut along a cutting plane crossing an axial center of the main portion (31) are straight lines.
US08257116B2	Audio jack connector with an improved contact arrangement An audio jack connector includes an insulative housing (1) having a main body (10) defining a pair of opposite front and rear faces (11, 12) and a pair of opposite first and second side walls (15, 16), a set of columned mating portions (17) extending forwardly on the front face, and a set of receiving chambers (111) extending in the main body and passing through the mating portions for insertion of plugs (200); and a plurality of contacts (3) retained in the first side wall and arranged in several different rows along a transverse direction so as to protrude into the receiving chambers respectively, each row of the contacts being arranged along a front-to-back direction in accordance with an insertion direction of the plug and perpendicular to the transverse direction.
US08257112B2	Press-fit coupling joint for joining insulated conductors A fitting for coupling an end of a first insulated conductor to an end of a second insulated conductor is described. The fitting includes a sleeve placed over the end of the first insulated conductor and the end of the second insulated conductor and a core coupling located inside the sleeve. The core coupling fits around an end of a core of the first insulated conductor and an end of a core of the second insulated conductor. An interior volume of the sleeve is at least partially filled with electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material is compressed with an end portion of an electrical insulator in the first insulated conductor and an end portion of an electrical insulator in the second insulated conductor when the fitting is coupled to the insulated conductors.
US08257111B1	Sealed electrical splice assembly A sealed electrical splice assembly includes a housing defining a cavity and including an opening. A conductive bus plate is retained in the cavity. A plurality of electrically conductive terminals are received in the cavity are electrically connected to the bus plate. The plurality of terminals are connected to a plurality of wire conductors. A seal plug is disposed in the cavity through the opening adapted to sealingly engage an interior surface of the housing surrounding the seal plug. An end cover overlies the seal plug disposed in the opening. The cavity receives the plurality of terminals through the end cover and the seal plug thereby allowing the seal plug to sealingly engage the plurality of wire conductors.
US08257106B2	Method and apparatus for interconnecting distributed power sources A method and apparatus for power wiring. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a splice box comprising (i) a plug having a plurality of plug pins, each plug pin of the plurality of plug pins for coupling to a conductor within a cable adapted for coupling to a power line; (ii) a first pin receptacle for coupling to a first guide pin of a connector; and (iii) a first pair of retention bars disposed within the first pin receptacle, the first pair of retention bars for retaining the first guide pin.
US08257105B2	Locking system for multipart housings In order to lock a housing that consists of at least two parts, particularly a plug connector housing, a locking system that functions similar to a toggle lever mechanism is provided. In this case, a locking plate is arranged within a shell-shaped sliding element to both sides of a first and a second housing half and movably held on bearing pins on the second housing half, wherein latches are provided on the first housing half and engage into window openings provided in the locking plate for this purpose when the sliding element is displaced into its locking position in order to hold together the two housing halves.
US08257104B2	Device for securing a connector A device for securing a connector in an insulating module housing particularly a USB connector is disclosed. The module housing contains a connection region with at least one location spring arranged therein, wherein the spring end of the location spring is aligned in the connection direction. The spring ends protrude into the connection region so that connectors with non-standardized outside dimensions, inserted between the spring ends are prevented from falling out of the module housing.
US08257101B2	Vehicle-side connector A vehicle-side connector (10) has a housing (20) to which a charging connector is connectable. A terminal accommodating portion (22) is provided in the housing (20) and includes terminal accommodating holes (H1) for accommodating vehicle-side terminal fittings (30) that are connectable to charging terminals in the charging connector. A retainer (40) including a partition wall (45) is inserted between two adjacent terminal accommodating holes (H1), and is mounted onto the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion (22) from behind. Drainage holes (24) are formed at sides of peripheral parts of inner walls of the terminal accommodating holes (H1) distant from the partition wall (45), and water guides (26) slope down from the peripheral edges of the first drainage holes (24) toward the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating portion (22).
US08257099B2	Switch for universal serial bus A switch for universal serial bus is disclosed. The universal serial bus (USB) port has a built switch actuator that automatically turns power on and off upon insertion and removal of a USB plug. The switch for universal serial bus comprises of a USB port with a switch actuator in a power-off position and a momentary switch wherein when a USB plug is inserted into the USB port, the switch actuator is depressed which in turn depresses the momentary switch to turn on the power to the USB port. When the USB plug is removed from the USB port, the switch actuator returns to its original power-off position thereby turning off the power to the USB port.
US08257098B2	Socket connector capable of preventing mismatch of pick-up cap thereof A socket connector includes a socket body, a plurality of contacts received in the socket body; and a pick-up cap mounted upon the socket body. The socket body includes a base and a first sidewall and a second sidewall respectively located by opposite sides of the base. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are respectively formed with a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The pick-up cap includes a cover section and a first flange and a second flange which respectively extend downwardly from opposite sides of the cover section and which are respectively engaged with the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the socket body. The first flange and the second flange are respectively formed with a first notch and a second notch arranged in asymmetrical manner and engaged with the first protrusion and the second protrusion, respectively.
US08257095B2	Connector A connector having a plug connector and a receptacle connector, one of which includes a first fixed insulator, first contacts aligned in a first direction orthogonal to a connecting/disconnecting direction and each including a first resiliently deformable portion deformable in a second direction orthogonal to the connecting/disconnecting direction and the first direction, a first movable insulator supported by the first contacts, and partition walls on the first fixed insulator and/or the first movable insulator. The other of the plug connector and the receptacle connector includes a second fixed insulator, second contacts aligned in the first direction, each including a second resiliently deformable portion deformable in the first direction and contactable with one first contact, and a second movable insulator supported by the second contacts and engaged with the first movable insulator when the first and second contacts come in contact with each other.
US08257094B2	Connection terminal and transmission line A lead terminal includes signal lead pins and GND lead pins. The signal lead pin connects one signal pattern on a flexible substrate and another signal pattern on a rigid substrate. The GND lead pin connects one GND pattern on the flexible substrate and another GND pattern in the rigid substrate. A holding member has an insulating property and holds pairs of the signal lead pins and the GND lead pins at a distance. One main part of the signal lead pin and another main part of the GND lead pin form a microstrip line structure.
US08257093B2	Electronic apparatus Connector jacks are surface-mounted on one surface of a substrate. A reinforcing member reinforces the connector jacks. On the reinforcing member, a first reinforcing part, which is in contact with the back of the surface of the substrate on which the connector jack is mounted, and second reinforcing parts, which elastically urge the top surface of the connector jacks, are formed.
US08257090B1	Residual limb model A residual limb model may be a model of a residual limb. A residual limb model may include a residual limb portion and a bladder complementary in shape to the residual limb portion. A prosthesis donning and doffing training system may include a check socket and a residual limb model complementary in shape to the check socket. A method of training in the care of a residual limb may include providing a residual limb model and training in the care of a residual limb using the residual limb model. A method of training in the donning and doffing of a prosthesis may include providing a prosthesis training system and training in the donning and doffing of a prosthesis using the prosthesis training system.
US08257089B2	Auscultation training device and related methods A cap composition that can mechanically attach to a stethoscope headpiece, the cap composition having a cap; a cap element having a design that includes a shape and characteristic dimensions that enable the cap to mechanically attach to a stethoscope headpiece; and a speaker attached to and positioned on or at least partially within the cap, such that when the cap is attached to the stethoscope headpiece, the speaker is either touching or proximate to the stethoscope diaphragm such that a sound or signal emitted by the speaker can cause the stethoscope diaphragm to vibrate.
US08257087B2	Low contrast training Methods and equipment to improve the visual ability of a subject during athletic activities are provided. One such method includes configuring a sporting object to visually approximate the appearance of a background or configuring a background to visually approximate the appearance of a sporting object. A subject may then train using the sporting object visually in front of the low contrast background. A background where the visual appearance of the background comprises at least one depiction of the sporting object may be used. A subject may then train using the sporting object visually in front of the background.
US08257085B2	Device for simulating a stomach of a monogastric mammal or of a human being The invention relates to a device for simulating the stomach of a monogastric mammal or of a human being that includes at least two compression chambers (C2, C3) connected together by an intermediate chamber. Each compression chamber (C2, C3) includes a piston (72, 73) adapted for urging the content of a compression chamber (C2, C3) towards the other compression chamber (C2, C3). The device includes means (20) capable of generating turbulent flow of the device content when passing through the intermediate chamber (C8). The intermediate chamber (C8) is formed in an intermediate block (8) provided with an access means (11a, 12, 16) for supplying products (12) and/or tapping the content of the device at any moment of the operation cycle thereof.
US08257081B2	Denture attachment, denture and process for producing the same A dental attachment is embedded in a denture base so as to attach to a keeper made of a soft magnetic material built in a tooth root by magnetic attractive force. The dental attachment comprises an attachment main body which has a magnetic body delivering magnetic attractive force and a cap which covers a head portion located on the opposite side of an attractive surface to attach the keeper of the attachment main body. The cap, made of a non-magnetic material, is installed in the attachment main body so as to be able to move between a contacting position (A) which contacts with the head portion and an extended position (B) which is far from the head portion for a certain distance.
US08257080B2	Low profile orthodontic bite corrector A bite corrector for moving the relative positions of the jaws includes a telescoping assembly with an outer member and an inner member received in the outer member. The outer and inner members have matching, curved configurations. Both of the members remain in close proximity to the patient's dentition during opening and closing movement of the jaws and the likelihood of contact of the bite corrector with adjacent tissue in the patient's oral cavity is reduced.
US08257069B2	Low speed, high torque rotary abutment motor An improved high torque rotary abutment motor is provided that is capable of producing ultra high pressures, while still remaining light weight and reliably efficient. The rotary abutment motor is provided with a body and rotor are sealed in the axial direction with two face spring seals compensating for tolerance and wearing gap. In such a configuration, increasing pressures create increasing force of sealing, thereby allowing operational pressures in excess of what is currently available today.
US08257067B2	High pressure pump A volume chamber is formed by a valve member, an inner peripheral wall of a tubular portion and a bottom portion of a stopper when the valve member is engaged with tubular portion. A communication passage communicates between the volume chamber and one of an intermediate passage of a valve body and a tertiary passage of the stopper. The communication passage is formed at a location, which is spaced from a contact surface between the tubular portion and the valve member by a first predetermined distance and is also spaced from a contact surface between the bottom portion and the first urging member by a second predetermined distance.
US08257065B2	High pressure lubricant pump for steelworks The high pressure lubricant pump for steelworks has a body provided with at least one cylinder, the cylinder having a lubricant intake port and a lubricant delivery port. Within the cylinder a piston is movable to pressurize the lubricant. The cylinder and the piston define a pre-assembled pumping unit removably fixed into a seat of the body.
US08257063B2	Refrigerant compressor A refrigerant compressor is provided that can be assembled easily and can quickly discharge lubricating oil that leaks from contact sliding parts of its mechanical seal so as to prevent the oil from turning into sludge around the stationary ring. In a refrigerant compressor in which a mechanical seal which shaft seals the inner side and the outer side of a housing is installed at a portion of the housing through which a rotating shaft penetrates, a mechanical seal comprises a stationary ring securely fastened to the inner circumferential surface of a boss portion, a rotary ring securely fastened to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft to the inside of the stationary ring so as to face the stationary ring, whereby sliding contact is formed between sides of the stationary ring and the rotary ring. The inner circumferential surface of the boss portion to the outside of the stationary ring is provided with an inclined portion over the entire circumference or at least the gravitationally lower portion of the inner circumferential surface, which enlarges from the stationary ring side toward an oil discharge hole to the outside of the stationary ring.
US08257054B2	Method of installing and removing a cassette from a pump body having a mounting pin A peristaltic pump assembly includes a pump body including a mounting pin coupled thereto. A removable cassette is slidably received on the mounting pin and is secured to the pump body via a retaining feature. The mounting pin is also configured to allow the removable cassette to rotate into and/or out of an installed position, or to position(s) therebetween.
US08257047B2	Rotor blade, method for producing a rotor blade, and compressor with a rotor blade A rotor blade for fastening on the rotor of a turbomachine, especially of a compressor of a gas turbine, has a blade airfoil and a blade root (15) which adjoins the lower end of the blade airfoil and extends along a blade axis and by which the rotor blade, in an encompassing slot which is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotor, is retained between two spacers (12, 18) which follow each other in the circumferential direction and which in their turn are retained in the slot. The blade root (15) is formed with a T-shape in cross section and includes circumferential shoulders (16, 16′) which fit under the adjacent spacers (12, 18), and the spacers (12, 18), in the direction of the blade axis, engage by retaining surfaces (20) in undercuts (24) in the slot. Reduced production cost with comparable service life is achieved by the T-shaped blade root (15) being milled, and, for reducing the mechanical stresses at the transitions of the blade root (15) to the shoulders (16, 16′), by a relief groove (21), which extends in the direction of the blade axis.
US08257044B2	Steam turbine rotor blade assembly The present invention is a steam turbine rotor blade assembly including: an airfoil; a shroud provided at a tip of the airfoil; a blade root (dovetail) projecting toward a radially internal circumferential side of a turbine rotor and fitted to a root attachment provided on an outer circumferential portion of the turbine rotor; a platform provided between the airfoil and the blade root; a pin provided between the blade root and the root attachment; a bore formed between respective surfaces of the shrouds facing each other and included in the respective adjacent rotor blades; and a bar-like member provided in the bore.
US08257043B2	Multiblade impeller The multiblade impeller of the present invention comprises a main plate, a side plate having a suction port at a center thereof, and a large number of blades provided between the main plate and the side plate and extend in the radial direction in an arc form. The main plate and the side plate each have a large number of ridge portions, each extending in the radial direction in an arc form so as to coincide with the shape of the blade extending in the radial direction in an arc form. End portions of the blades are inserted in grooves formed inside the ridge portions of the main plate and the side plate and are fixed to the ridge portions by being bent.
US08257042B2	Fluid drive device A torque converter includes a pump shell constituting an internal space for retaining ATF and capable of rotating about the rotation axis; a blade engaging with the pump shell; and an extension sleeve pressing the blade against the pump shell. The pump shell has a groove into which a tip portion of the blade is fit formed at its inner peripheral surface. In the state where the tip portion is fit into the groove, the extension sleeve presses the blade to fix the blade to the pump shell. The groove forms an acute angle θ with respect to a meridian of the shell passing through the groove. The groove extends in one direction, has one end opened and the other end closed, and has a width larger on the side of the one end than on the side of the other end. The groove has a portion smallest in width equal to the width of the tip portion.
US08257038B2	Metal injection joining A method of joining a first part together with a second part is disclosed. The method may comprise providing a first part having a first joining portion including a first channel and a second part having a second joining portion including a second channel. The method may further comprise positioning the first part adjacent to the second part such that the first channel and second channel align with one another to define a cavity. The method may still further comprise preparing a mixture comprising at least one of a metal powder and a polymer binder, placing the mixture into the cavity so as to form a preform and solidifying the preform forming a metal element in the cavity. The metal element joins the first part together with the second part.
US08257036B2	Externally mounted vortex generators for flow duct passage A high drag vortex generator for inhibiting the formation of boundary layer gas flow is mounted in a duct having a strong adverse pressure gradient with high speed gas flow over a primary aerodynamic. The vortex generator includes a mounting for supporting the high drag vortex generator at a spatial interval in the high speed gas flow above the primary aerodynamic surface. The high drag vortex generator is supported from the mounting and extends from the mounting in the high speed gas flow less than the full distance to the primary aerodynamic surface. Each high drag vortex generator includes first and second vanes. The first and second vanes have flow confining components at substantial right angles to one another. The vanes flow confining components deflect fluid flow towards and/or away from the primary aerodynamic surface inhibiting boundary layer formation downstream of the vortex generator.
US08257026B2	Expansion turbine A braking mechanism is provided that is suitable for an expansion turbine that rotates at high speed. Upper end salient poles 26a and 26b are formed in two opposite places on the outer peripheral upper end of a rotating shaft 12, and lower end salient poles 28a and 28b are formed in two opposite places on the outer peripheral lower end of the rotating shaft 12 such that they are staggered in the vertical direction with respect to the upper end salient poles 26a and 26b. A casing 22 is provided in a location facing an outer periphery of the rotating shaft 12, and an excitation coil 30 is provided on the casing 22 for forming a magnetic path between the upper end salient poles 26a and 26b and the lower end salient poles 28a and 28b. By rotation of the rotating shaft 12, and by the magnetic path formed by the excitation coil 30, eddy currents are generated in the casing 22.
US08257021B2	Gas-turbine engine with variable stator vanes A gas-turbine engine includes stator vanes (1) angularly variable about their longitudinal axes by actuating elements in order to control airflow supplied to downstream rotor blades (6). The actuating elements are arranged in the most confined downstream stages of the compressors and/or turbines, with these stages being exposed to high temperatures, so that stable and efficient operation is ensured. The actuating elements (8) fixed to the inner or the outer casing (4, 12) are made of a material expanding, contracting or deforming in dependence of the temperature and transmit the respective deformation to the swivellably borne stator vanes (1).
US08257017B2	Method and device for cooling a component of a turbine A method for cooling a component of a turbine is provided, wherein a fluid with a pressure below 1 bar is guided away from the component. Moreover, a turbine is described comprising a component, a conduit which is connected to the component so that a fluid can be guided away from the component, and a fluid discharge which is connected to the conduit. The fluid discharge is constructed so that it removes a fluid with a pressure below 1 bar.
US08257016B2	Gas turbine with a compressor with self-healing abradable coating A gas turbine with a compressor includes at least one row of blades, with the blades having a free end each, with a self-healing abradable coating being provided adjacent to the free end of the blades on an annular casing area and/or an annular drum area.
US08257012B2	Process and apparatus for picking up, transferring and depositing a whole layer of products to be palletized A process and associated apparatus (1) for picking up, transferring and depositing a whole layer of products to be palletized, the pickup apparatus (1) including a flexible loading surface (5) which is movable between two positions, a wound position for defining a bottom opening, and a deployed position for closing the opening to thereby define the loading surface, the motion being driven by an associated motor unit (17). In the pickup process, the layer of containers is reached by the flexible loading surface (5) in a wound position to be introduced in such configuration in the apparatus. The layer of containers therein introduced is transferred onto the flexible surface by retracting the pickup apparatus. Actuation occurs either after disconnecting the drive between the flexible loading surface (5) and the associated motor unit or by synchronizing the unit with the arms of the corresponding robot (2) associated to the apparatus.
US08257011B2	Palletizer puller bar In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.
US08257009B2	Dipper stick with implement coupling means An assembly for detachably connecting an implement having a pair of mounting pins to a machine provided with a dipper stick and a pair of tilt links operatively connected to the dipper stick, comprising a first assembly including a pair of jaw members pivotally connected to the dipper stick and cooperable upon pivotal movement thereof to selectively grip and release one of the mounting pins, and means for selectively pivoting the jaw members in opposite directions to effect such grip and release of the one of the mounting pins; and second and third assemblies each including a pair of jaw members pivotally connected to one of the tilt links and cooperable upon pivotal movement thereof to selectively grip and release the other of the mounting pins, and means for selectively pivoting the jaw members in opposite directions to effect such grip and release of the other of the mounting pins.
US08257007B2	Cargo loader A cargo loader operable to load cargo into an opening of an enclosed trailer. The loader has an elongated bed with a front portion and a rear open portion. The opening of the trailer is positioned adjacent to the rear open portion of the bed. A pair of sidewalls flank the rear open portion and define an interior cargo receiving area. A carriage is moveably mounted to the bed and coupled to a drive assembly operable to move the carriage between the front portion and the rear open portion. The carriage is positioned on the front portion to allow cargo to be loaded into the cargo receiving area. The carriage is configured to push a ram longitudinally along the bed to push the cargo inside the cargo receiving area into the opening of the enclosed trailer.
US08257006B2	Bookbinding device A bookbinding device includes a plurality of annular binders corresponding to binding holes. A part of an annular binder is inserted into a binding hole to be engaged, and by virtue of the insertion of the annular binder into the corresponding binding hole, the sheet bundle is bound to be provided as a booklet. Respective ends of binding members engage with each other, whereby the binding members are unified. The binding members are disposed so as to be aligned and constitute respectively binding member units which can be separated one by one. The pairs of the binding members are located in sequence so as to correspond to the binding holes to be pushed and moved and, thus, to be inserted through the binding holes. The respective ends of the binding members then engage with each other, whereby the binding members are unified.
US08257004B2	Thread clamping device and methods of use The present invention relates to a thread clamping device including a plurality of movable nut segments around a threaded rod, and spring members flexibly holding the segments against the rod. The thread clamping device has a structure adapted to accommodate substantially planar outer surfaces of the segments engaging planar surfaces of the end housing of the device, leading to a more robust device and improved performance. Such a thread clamping device can advantageously be used as a component of a self-adjusting shrinkage compensation device, a coupler for threaded rods, hold-downs, among other uses. Various embodiments of the thread clamping device include a multi nut configuration, a quick release, and including mechanical or magnetic clip attachments.
US08257003B2	Side actuated collet lock mechanism A side actuated collet lock mechanism includes a collet; a drawbar at least partially disposed within the collet, and a pair of wedge members threadingly received onto each end of a double-ended drive screw. The drive screw is rotated to cause the wedge members to move downward such that a first cam surface engages the drawbar. The drawbar and collet are pulled into the tool holder and firmly secure the shank. To remove the shank, the drive screw is rotated in an opposite direction to cause the wedge members to move upward such that a second cam surface engages the drawbar. The drawbar and the collet are pushed out from the toolholder, thereby releasing the shank.
US08257001B2	Tool system A tool system having at least two tool parts with opposed end contact surfaces which bear against one another in the region of an interface. The contact surfaces have a tooth system thereon including intermeshing teeth and recesses. The tooth system is shaped and positioned such that the contact surfaces can be fitted together only in at least one defined rotary angle position with respect to the center axis of the tool parts.
US08257000B2	Drill A drill includes a blade portion provided with spiral cutting blades along a cutting direction from a tip end to a rear end, and a shank portion formed consecutively on a rear side of the blade portion. The blade portion includes distal-side cutting blades provided from the distal end of the blade portion along the cutting direction and angled at a constant first torsion angle, intermediate grooves formed at a variable torsion angle that varies gradually from the first torsion angle to a second torsion angle, and rear-side grooves formed at the constant second torsion angle. The rear-side grooves are longer than the distal-side cutting blades in the cutting direction, and the second torsion angle is greater than the first torsion angle.
US08256999B2	Metal cutting system for effective coolant delivery A metal cutting system with a tool holder, a shim, an insert with a top depression, a top piece and a clamp. A rake face cooling channel for fluid delivery is formed between the top piece and the depression in the insert. A primary discharge slot at the end of the rake face cooling channel delivers fluid from below the cutting edge of the insert. A second cooling channel for delivery of fluid to the flank face is formed between the insert and the shim or is formed between the shim and the tool holder with a portion of the cooling channel passing through the shim.
US08256998B2	Metal cutting system for effective coolant delivery A metal cutting system with a tool holder, a shim, an insert with a top depression, a top piece and a clamp. A rake face cooling channel for fluid delivery is formed between the top piece and the depression in the insert. A primary discharge slot at the end of the rake face cooling channel delivers fluid from below the cutting edge of the insert. A second cooling channel for delivery of fluid to the flank face is formed between the insert and the shim or is formed between the shim and the tool holder with a portion of the cooling channel passing through the shim.
US08256995B2	Aboveground modular, permeable reactive barrier system for liquid runoff treatment A system and method are disclosed for the treatment of liquid runoff, such as rainfall, irrigation, and waste or produced water, utilizing aboveground, modular, permeable barriers containing reactive media that can immobilize particular solutes of concern, removing them from the liquid runoff. The modular design allows construction of a relatively-uniform barrier, or media volume, that is self-supporting and easily assembled, maintained, modified, and augmented. A permeable reactive barrier constructed according to the present invention provides significant contact between the reactive media and the solutes of concern while allowing the runoff stream to flow through the structure relatively unimpeded.
US08256994B2	Biosealing The invention relates to a method to repair a leak in a geological structure or a construction comprising a geological material, comprising administering a liquid nutrient composition, comprising an energy source for anaerobic bacteria and a multivalent metal ion upstream of the leak allowing micro-organisms present in the structure or construction to ferment the energy source and to grow, thereby increasing biomass in and/or around the leak releasing mineral particles upstream of the leak allowing the mineral particles to migrate to the leak; and allowing the mineral particles to settle in the biomass.
US08256993B2	Hybrid riser towers and fabrication thereof Disclosed is a riser tower structure including a plurality of elongate objects. The riser tower structure is provided with blocks, preferably of buoyant material, along at least part of its length. The blocks provide the riser tower with a substantially circular cross-sectional profile, wherein one or more strakes are provided on the outside of the blocks. The strakes in a main embodiment are helical. Also disclosed is a corresponding method of constructing such a riser tower structure.
US08256992B2	Underground sequestration system and method Underground sequestration system and method in which a liquid or gas is stored in a sequestration zone of enhanced porosity in an underground geological formation, with a containment barrier around the sequestration zone. Conditions within the formation are monitored to verify the integrity of the sequestered substance, and any necessary repair or maintenance is done through wells that extend into the formation. In some disclosed embodiments, the porosity of the formation in the sequestration zone is enhanced by boreholes and laterals that are drilled with high velocity hydraulic cutting jets, and the sequestered liquid or gas is injected into the sequestration zone through the boreholes and laterals. Additional boreholes and laterals are employed in the containment barrier, and the barrier is formed of a thixotropic material that is injected into the formation through the additional boreholes and laterals.
US08256988B1	Hurricane taming apparatus and method of use An apparatus and method for disrupting a hurricane are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of interconnected slabs. The slabs are connected using a series of cables. Cushions placed between the slabs prevent damage to the slabs during use. In practice, the interconnected slabs are towed to a position in the anticipated path of a hurricane. Once the interconnected slabs are positioned at a pre-determined location within the hurricane, they are maneuvered with the hurricane such their position remains generally fixed relative to the hurricane. The slabs form a partial barrier between the ocean and atmosphere thereby interfering with the critical mechanics, namely the rise of warm, moist air, of hurricane formation. The interconnected slabs are maneuvered with the hurricane for extended time periods such that they constantly disrupt the mechanics of hurricane formation.
US08256986B2	Machine for paving concrete paths A machine for paving concrete paths, of the type in which a concrete mix, in a plastic condition, is spread over a certain width, and is then levelled to a certain height. The machine includes a tractor and a levelling section connected to it, wherein the working width of the tractor and levelling section are adjustable and wherein the adjustment of the working width of the tractor is independent of the adjustment of the working width of the levelling section. The tractor is provided with an element whose width is adjustable and which distributes the concrete mix over a certain width and to a certain height.
US08256985B2	Barrier A collapsible barrier (10) comprises: a first pair of members (12,14) pivotally coupled together at a first coupling (16); and a second pair of members (18, 20) pivotally coupled together at a second coupling (22); wherein each member (12, 14) of the first pair is pivotally coupled at a respective lateral coupling (24, 26) to a corresponding member (18, 20) of the second pair such that the members (12, 14, 18, 20) are movable from an erected configuration where the members of the first pair are mutually inclined at a first angular separation, and a collapsed configuration where the members of the first pair are mutually inclined at a second angular separation which is less than the first angular separation.
US08256983B2	Quick release device for bicycle A quick release device includes an attaching member having a chamber for receiving various objects and having two end members, and having an aperture formed through the end members for receiving a tie rod, a longitudinal lever arm having a bore for reducing the weight of the lever arm, and having a cam member for engaging with one of the end members, and having a channel formed in the cam member for forming two limbs, and having an orifice formed in the limbs for receiving a shaft, and the free end portion of the tie rod is secured to the shaft for securing or releasing the end members, the lever arm includes an increasing strength and a decreased weight and a decreased manufacturing cost.
US08256980B2	Assembly comprising a carrier part and a ball joint housing An assembly comprises a carrier part and a ball joint housing. The housing is provided with an attachment projection which is formed integrally with the housing on an outer surface of the housing. The carrier part is formed as a double-layer structure, and the attachment projection is held between two layers of the carrier part.
US08256966B2	Roller bearing arrangement The invention is directed to a roller bearing arrangement comprising two rings arranged mutually concentrically and at least regionally inside each other, and comprising a gap between these rings, so that they are rotatable in opposite directions about an imaginary axis at the center of the rings and approximately perpendicular to the ring plane, wherein disposed in the region of a gap portion situated between the rings and surrounding the axis of rotation at an approximately constant radius is at least one raceway for at least one row of rollers, each having a rotationally symmetrical shape and rolling displacingly between the rings, each of which rollers, when the rings and the rollers are at the same temperature, has at least one point or region of contact with the raceway portions on each of the two rings, so that the radial and/or axial clearance between the two rings is equal to zero or at least is negligibly small; and comprising a mechanism for compensating for temperature-induced radial changes in the cross section of the raceway for at least one row of rollers, so that the compressive stress exerted on the rollers and/or the clearance between the rings remains approximately constant, even in the case of a temperature difference between the rings and/or between them and the rollers.
US08256965B2	Thrust sliding bearing and combination mechanism of the thrust sliding bearing and a piston rod A thrust sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made bearing body 4 having an annular upper surface 2 and an annular outer peripheral surface 3; a synthetic resin-made bearing body 6 which is superposed on the bearing body 4 so as to be relatively rotatable; a synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing piece 7 interposed between the annular upper surface 2 of the bearing body 4 and an annular lower surface 5 of the bearing body 6; an annular upper cover 10 having an annular engaging inner peripheral surface 9 which engages an annular engaging outer peripheral surface 8 of the bearing body 4; and an annular metal plate 15 interposed between an annular upper surface 11 of the bearing body 6 and a lower surface 14 of the annular upper cover 10.
US08256960B2	Seal of an opening A seal for an opening of a bore in a component, with a threaded screw, around a core shaft of which a helical screw thread is arranged. The screw engages in the bore and the thread creates a mating thread in a wall of the bore. The diameter of the bore is larger than the diameter of the core shaft. A helical channel, which is located between the core shaft of the screw and a wall of the bore, and which is delimited by the thread, is interrupted at a minimum of one point in a liquid-tight and/or gas-tight manner.
US08256953B2	Methods and apparatus for measuring temperature and heat flux in a material using ultrasound Methods and apparatus for measuring heat flux in a material are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves emitting an acoustic signal into the material and determining a first propagation time associated with the propagation of the acoustic signal through the material. A first heat flux value indicative of a first heat flux of the material is then determined based on the first propagation time.
US08256948B2	Light emitting diode display device and portable terminal device An LED 1 and an LED 2 are respectively arranged at diagonal positions so as to face the long sides of a lens 3 having a shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Further, the LED 1 and the LED 2 respectively emit light beams to the side surface portions of the long sides of the lens 3 so as to prevent the light beams from intersecting with each other. The lens 3 has a function to reflect the light beams emitted by the LED 1 and the LED 2 by cut-out sections 34 to 36 and projecting sections 31 to 33. Therefore, the light beams emitted by the LED 1 and the LED 2 are emitted from holes of a display section side case 10, which holes are formed in correspondence with the three light-emitting sections 31 to 33 of the lens 3.
US08256943B2	Vehicle light A vehicle light can simultaneously form a light distribution pattern for a tail/stop lamp in one direction and another light distribution pattern for a side marker lamp in another direction without use of a dedicated light source(s). The vehicle light can include: a cover lens having a lens portion and a wraparound lens portion extending from the lens portion to the vehicle side face; a first LED light source configured to form first and second light distribution patterns; and a first reflector configured to reflect a first part of light from the first LED light source so as to form the second light distribution pattern. The first LED light source can be disposed so that a second part of the light from the first LED light source passes through the wraparound lens portion to form the first light distribution pattern. The first reflector can be disposed between the first LED light source and the wraparound lens portion so that the first reflector does not block the second part of the light.
US08256935B1	Simulated electronic flame apparatus and method An apparatus and method for creating electronically simulated flames is disclosed. The apparatus includes features to allow for remote control of multiple electronic flame apparatuses with hand held transmitters and/or computer control with the use of a transceiver. The apparatus can employ incandescent and LED type bulbs or lamps to create a variety of color and brightness conditions. An Internet-based portal is also disclosed to allow for remote access by authorized users.
US08256933B1	Heat dissipation apparatus for a lamp A heat dissipation apparatus for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes passive heat dissipation elements that enable the LED lamp to meet form factor standards while managing heat to optimize operation and lifespan of the LEDs. The heat dissipation apparatus includes a reflector dish that has surface area enhancement features. The heat dissipation apparatus is in thermal connection with the lamp LEDs. The heat dissipation apparatus further includes a heat pipe that further enhances the passive heat dissipation.
US08256932B2	Light diffusion plate and backlight module using the same An exemplary light diffusion plate includes a main body, and a plurality of diffusion particles dispersed in the main body. The main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the main body. The first surface is a flat surface. The second surface defines a plurality of rectangular structures. Each rectangular structure defines four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions. A backlight module using the light diffusion plate is also provided.
US08256927B2	Illumination device An illumination device includes a lamp housing component, a main bone disposed inside the lamp housing component, and at least one light emitting component. The light emitting component has a heat sink member and a light emitting member. The heat sink member is locked on the main bone, and the light emitting member is disposed on the lamp housing component and contacts the heat sink member. According to the demand for luminance, the number of light emitting components is optionally increased or decreased on the main bone, or the main bone inside the lamp housing component is replaced by an extended main bone, so as to increase the number of light emitting components.
US08256924B2	LED-based light having rapidly oscillating LEDs An LED-based light includes a support structure. At least one oscillator is connected to the support structure. At least one LED is coupled to each oscillator. The oscillator can oscillate the LED to produce a light blurring effect.
US08256923B1	Heat management for a light fixture with an adjustable optical distribution A light fixture includes a member having a substantially frusto-conical shape. A channel extends between a wide top end of the member and a narrower bottom end of the member. The member includes multiple surfaces (“facets”) disposed around its outer surface. Each facet is configured to receive one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) in a linear or non-linear array. Each facet can be integral to the member or coupled to the member. The channel is configured to transfer heat generated by the LEDs through convection. Fins can be disposed within the channel, extending from the inner surface of the member to an inner channel. The fins are configured to transfer heat away from, and provide a greater surface area for convecting heat away from, the member. For example, one or both of the channels can transfer heat by a venturi effect.
US08256921B2	Lighting system with combined directly viewable luminous or transmissive surface and controlled area illumination An apparatus, system and method for lighting an area, for example, an outdoors pedestrian area or building facade or an auto traffic area, or an indoor large area, which provides indicator/guide light, reference light for structures, and task lighting for a target area. The method uses first lighting sources that are directly viewable by observers and which can be historical, architectural, or aesthetically selected sources, but which produce a relatively low level of light or luminance insufficient to effectively light the area but sufficient to act as an indicator or guide, as well as to provide reference illumination on buildings or structures. Second lighting sources are configured to produce directional light to light the area but hide the light sources from most conventional observer viewing angles and may be enclosed within the general outlines of the globe or transmissive surface area of the fixture. Additionally, the fixture may appear to the average observer that the two sources are one historic or architectural source. Use of low-level directly viewable sources allows lower levels of light from the second sources to effectively light the area. This produces benefits regarding light pollution, such as reducing sky glow, glare, and spill light, as well as reducing energy usage.
US08256920B2	Illumination unit consisting of discharge lamp, LEDs and conversion phosphors The invention relates to an illumination unit having an adjustable color location consisting of a discharge lamp as primary light source and LEDs as secondary light source and additionally a phosphor layer in the form of a phosphor screen comprising conversion phosphors. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for lighting usable areas by the illumination unit according to the invention.
US08256916B2	Light device A light device is disclosed which is arranged to receive at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device. The light device comprises a flexible body portion movable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration and defining an enclosure when the body portion is in the expanded configuration, the body portion being at least partially transparent or translucent. The light device also comprises at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from the or each electrical power storage device disposed during use in the light device, the light emitting element being arranged so as to generate light which passes outwardly of the light device through the body portion, and a solar power converting device arranged to convert solar power to electrical power for recharging the or each electrical power storage device disposed during use in the light devices. The light device is disposable in an expanded configuration or a contracted configuration by respectively expanding or contracting the body portion.
US08256915B2	Illuminated mirror with comfort augmentation An illuminated mirror includes a central reflective mirror portion and a surrounding transmissive portion supported to a housing. Spacing between an outer diameter of the transmissive portion and the housing allows airflow to exit from the housing. A chamber behind the mirror surface may comprise a dish reflector surface. In one form, the dish reflector comprises a white enamel surface. Lamps, which may comprise LEDs, are mounted to the reflector surface. The LED lamps may be placed in a pattern on the reflector surface. Circuitry may be provided to illuminate either all or selected ones of the LEDs. Lamps of selected colors may be provided. Preselected combinations of lamp illumination vary the level and composite color of illumination. In order to enhance the comfort of a user, a fan may be positioned in the housing behind the reflector. A cooling device may cool airflow from the fan.
US08256911B2	System for asynchronous remote steering of reflectors The system for asynchronous remote steering of reflectors has parallel asynchronous remote steering mechanisms operably connected to reflectors. A powerless (mechanical) focal beam brake is also provided. In addition to the powerless focal beam brake, a plurality of safety mechanisms are employed. Remote angle checking is provided to adapt the system for solar thermal power plants, solar furnaces, or the like.
US08256901B2	Image projection apparatus and method of cooling an image projection apparatus An apparatus and method of cooling an image projecting apparatus. The image projecting apparatus includes a main body frame, at least one heat generating unit, a heat dispersion part, at least one heat transfer member, and a single cooling fan, where the first side of the at least one heat transfer member is connected to the at least one heat generating unit, and a second side of the at least one heat transfer member is connected to the heat dispersion part.
US08256897B2	Circular profile mapping and display of retinal parameters Certain diseases of the retina are diagnosed by circular profile analysis of retinal parameters, such as thickness. Retinal thickness around a user-defined circle on the retina is measured by various ophthalmological techniques and—+mapped to a circular profile map. The circular profile map does not use segmentation of measurement data into arbitrary arcs, and thickness is mapped to a quasi-continuous range of display bands. The circular profile map is superimposed on a fundus image, or other two-dimensional image of the retina, allowing association of the circular profile map with the presence of blood vessels and other anatomical features. The simultaneous display of a series of circular profile maps generated from sets of measurement data taken at different times permits the ready visualization of the progression of retinal abnormalities.
US08256895B2	Progressive multifocal ophthalmic lenses identically optimized over a wide range of refractive indices, base curves, and additions The invention relates to so-called progressive medical eyeglass lenses. A progressive lens is a type of lens for making eyeglasses for correcting human vision defects, being adapted simultaneously to far vision and to near vision. The present invention makes it possible to reconcile a design that is finely optimized over a wide range of variables; it enables the looked-for optical powers to be made for any progressive lens prescription while controlling and obtaining a distribution of virtually identical optical values on the entire surface of the lens, and doing so for a wide range of materials (i.e. of refractive indices) e.g. lying in the range 1.498 to 1.74 (values mentioned here in non-exhaustive manner), and for any combination of refractive index, of basecurves lying in the range 0.5 diopters to 10.5 diopters, and for any addition values, over an addition range of 0.5 diopters to more than 3.5 diopters. This design presents exceptional “robustness”, thereby eliminating the major obstacle of conventional progressive lenses that present characteristics that vary strongly and that depend strongly on the selected materials, basecurves, and additions.
US08256891B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, including: a recording head; a conveyor belt for conveying the medium in a conveyance direction; an attraction device including: a base; a first electrode having first extending portions and a first connecting portion; a second electrode having second extending portions and a second connecting portion; and a protective film provided on the base to cover the electrodes, the attraction device being configured to permit the belt to generate an attractive force to attract the medium to the belt. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located respectively on an upstream side and on a downstream side, of the head, in the conveyance direction. The first electrode and the protective film are bent such that the first connecting portion is located distant from the head by a distance larger than a distance by which the first extending portions are distant from the head.
US08256887B2	Composition, method and system for making high whiteness inkjet media The present application relates to a surface treatment composition for inkjet media, including: starch; fluorescence whitening agent selected from the group consisting of nonionic, cationic, and anionic fluorescence whitening agents, and combinations thereof; metallic salt including cation and anion, the cations being selected from monovalent metal ions, multiple valent metal ions, and combinations and derivatives thereof, and the anions being selected from the group consisting of fluoride, chloride, iodide, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, chlorate, acetate, and combinations and derivatives thereof; and chemical chelant. The application also relates to a method of making surface-treated inkjet media, including providing a base stock including cellulose paper and applying a surface treatment composition to the base stock. The application also relates to a paper coated with the surface treatment composition and a system of inkjet printing with surface treated inkjet media.
US08256886B2	Materials and methods to produce desired image drum surface topography for solid ink jet Exemplary embodiments provide an aluminum image drum and method of its formation such that the aluminum image drum can have a surface texture to provide desirable surface oil consumption and high print quality for solid ink jet marking systems.
US08256885B2	Cyan inkjet ink having improved print quality with porous photo media The present invention relates to cyan dye-based inkjet inks having improved permanence when jetted onto porous photo media. The inkjet ink includes a copper phthalocyanine dye having sulfonylamine groups, at least three co-solvents having about 18% to about 24% of the composition of the ink by weight, a polymeric dye dispersant having about 0.5% to about 2.0% of the composition of the ink by weight, a penetrant, at least one wetting agent, and water.
US08256883B2	Water based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording apparatus, method of evaluating water-based ink for ink-jet recording, and method of producing water-based ink for ink-jet recording A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. In the water-based ink after drying, a phase (δ) obtained by a tan δ measured at about 25° C. is constantly about 45 degrees or more. In other words, the phase (δ) never becomes less than about 45 degrees at a strain amount of about 0.1% to about 100%.
US08256881B2	Electronics device, replacement part thereof, package of replacement part, and method for arranging identifying section An ink cartridge used in a color printer, comprises at the surface, a convexity or convexities (identifying section) that correspond to a color of an ink, and that can be identified by tactile sense. A cartridge setting section of the color printer comprises at the surface, a convexity or convexities (identifying section) that correspond to the color of the ink of the ink cartridge that is to be set, and that can be identified by tactile sense. The user can identify the color of the ink of the ink cartridge, by touching the ink cartridge with his/her hand, and obtain information of the position where that ink cartridge should be set, by touching the cartridge setting section with his/her hand.
US08256878B2	Substrate for ink ejection heads, ink ejection head, method of manufacturing substrate, and method of manufacturing ink ejection head A liquid ejection head according to the present invention includes a heat-generating resistor layer, a first electrode layer, an insulating layer extending over the heat-generating resistive layers and the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer that has a first portion which extending through the insulating layer and which is electrically connected to the first electrode layer and also has a second portion which is not in contact with the insulating layer. The second portion has a space or a piece of resin disposed between the insulating layer and the second electrode layer.
US08256873B2	Liquid discharge apparatus An apparatus including nozzles that discharge liquid; a liquid discharge head including nozzle arrays where the nozzles are arranged in one direction; a liquid adsorbent that adsorbs liquid attached to a portion of the liquid discharge head where the nozzle arrays are formed; a moving unit that relatively moves the liquid adsorbent in an arrangement direction of the nozzles; support rollers that support the liquid adsorbent so as to allow the liquid adsorbent to rotate; a rotating shaft corresponding to the axis of rotation of the support roller and rotated in a normal or reverse direction using the relative movement of the liquid adsorbent, which is caused by the moving unit, as a source of power, and a reverse rotation preventing unit that transmits the normal rotation of the rotating shaft to the support roller and does not transmit the reverse rotation of the rotating shaft to the support roller.
US08256870B2	Image recording apparatus, image processing apparatus and image processing method and computer-readable medium An image recording apparatus includes: a recording head having a plurality of recording elements; a conveyance device which conveys at least one of the recording head and a recording medium; a recording defect information acquisition device which acquires recording defect information; a recording defect correction device which corrects an image defect caused by the recording element having a recording defect; an image reading apparatus which reads in an image of a test chart for density measurement recorded by the recording head; a recording density information acquisition device which acquires recording density information indicating recording density of the plurality of recording elements; a density correction information calculation device which calculates density correction information; a density correction device which corrects density of image data; an uncorrected recording defect information acquisition device which acquires uncorrected recording defect information; and a recording density information amendment device which amends the density correction information.
US08256869B2	Capacitive drop mass measurement system An imaging device includes an image receiving surface movably supported within the imaging device and at least one printhead having a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being configured to eject drops of ink on the image receiving surface. At least one sensing electrode is positioned adjacent the image receiving surface that outputs capacitance signals indicative of a capacitance in a gap between the at least one sensing electrode and image receiving surface that are output to a controller. The imaging device includes a drop mass detection mode of operation in which: at least one ink jet in the plurality of ink jets is actuated to eject drops of ink to form at least one test band on the image receiving surface; the image receiving surface is moved so that the at least one test band of ink is positioned in the gap; the at least one sensing electrode outputs a test band capacitance signal indicative of a capacitance with the at least one test band in the gap; and the controller modifies an operating parameter of the imaging device based on the capacitance indicated by the test band capacitance signal.
US08256867B2	Recording apparatus The recording apparatus includes: an image forming device which deposits ink onto a recoding medium to form an image; a conveyance device which conveys the recording medium in a recording medium conveyance direction at a recording medium conveyance speed; a pressing member which presses the recording medium on which the ink has been deposited, onto the conveyance device; and a pushing device which pushes the pressing member to press the recording medium to suppress cockling occurring in the recording medium on which the ink has been deposited, the pushing device having a spring constant k that satisfies: 48 ⁢ EI ( 1 ⁢ / ⁢ f ) 3 < k < v · 2 ⁢ A t · 48 ⁢ EI ( 1 ⁢ / ⁢ f ) 3 , where EI is a flexural rigidity of the recording medium, t is a thickness of the recording medium, v is the recording medium conveyance speed, A is an amplitude of the cockling in the recording medium, and f is a frequency of the cockling in the recording medium along the recording medium conveyance direction.
US08256863B2	Ink-jet printer An ink-jet printer has an ink-jet head which discharges an ink from nozzles, and an ink supply passage through which the ink is supplied to the ink-jet head. The ink-jet head and the ink supply passage are filled with an initial ink, which is of a same type as that of the ink to be discharged from the nozzles, upon shipping of the ink-jet printer. The ink-jet printer includes a purge mechanism which executes a purge process to forcibly discharge the ink in the ink-jet head and the ink supply passage from the nozzles; an input section which accepts an input from a user; an initial ink detecting section which detects whether or not the initial ink remains in the ink-jet head and the ink supply passage; and a controller which controls the purge mechanism and the input section based on a detecting result of the initial ink detecting section.
US08256861B2	Droplet ejection apparatus A droplet ejection apparatus includes a common flow path; droplet ejection units each respectively including a first distribution port; first flow paths that respectively connect each first distribution port to the common flow path; first open/close mechanisms provided respectively at the first flow paths; a first pressurizing unit that applies a positive pressure to the common flow path; a second open/close mechanisms provided at the common flow path at the first pressurizing unit side of connection portions that connect the common flow path and the respective first flow paths; and a controller. When the second open/close mechanism is closed, the controller opens only one or more first open/close mechanisms corresponding to one or more target droplet ejection units, applies positive pressure to a section of the common flow path at the first pressurizing unit side of the second open/close mechanism, and then opens the second open/close mechanism.
US08256857B2	System and method for compensating for small ink drop size in an indirect printing system A method improves transfer efficiency of ink images on an image receiving member that were formed with small ink drops. The method includes identifying image data that correspond to ink drops that have a mass less than a predetermined threshold and that fail to comingle with another ink drop ejected with reference to the image data, modifying the identified image data to generate ink drops that comingle with at least one other ink drop ejected with reference to the image data, generating firing signals for inkjet ejectors in a print head with reference to the image data and modified image data, and ejecting in response to the firing signals a plurality of ink drops from the inkjet ejectors for each identified image data to enable a coalesced ink drop to form on an image receiving surface that has a mass that is greater than the predetermined threshold.
US08256852B2	Clothing and textile system A tray for supporting clothing, textiles, or other delicate articles includes a frame and an inert liner located in the frame. Further, the frame may include guides for sliding engagement with the rails. Optionally, a storage system includes a pair of rails for supporting the tray. The rails permit unrestricted sliding movement of the tray so that the tray can be moved in opposed directions and removed or inserted from either side of the storage system.
US08256848B2	Method for making interdental brush The method for making an interdental brush inserts a bristle stem into a through hole of a handle in a combining step, whereby exposing the stem to each fixing slot on the handle. Thence the stem is further punched by a punching device, allowing a correspondent formation of expanding portions. Hereby, the expanding portions have an outermost diameter larger than an opening of the through hole for the stem to be firmly lodged in the fixing slots in a fixing step. A filler for wrapping the entire handle and the stem offers a solid engagement between the expanding portions and the fixing slots, so that the stem does not depart from the handle while using.
US08256846B2	Dimples lifting pipe for mining deep-sea mineral resources Disclosed herein is a lifting pipe which is used in a manganese nodule mining system including a collection device for collecting deep-sea manganese nodules and a lifting pump and which has a structure in which dimples are formed on the surface of the lifting pipe so as to reduce drag so that the lifting pipe is less influenced by flows of ocean current. The dimpled lifting pipe includes dimples that are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the dimpled lifting pipe, so that turbulent flows are generated, thereby reducing drag caused by ocean currents of a deep sea.
US08256844B2	Vehicular seat having a walk in mechanism A vehicular seat including a reclining apparatus capable of adjusting an angle of a seat back relative to a seat cushion, a tilt down mechanism, a walk in mechanism, a base member provided on a side of the vehicular floor, and a middle member provided between the base member and the seat back is provided. A lower portion of the middle member and the base member are connected to adjust an angle therebetween by the reclining apparatus, an upper portion of the middle member and the seat back are connected by a connecting apparatus of the walk in mechanism, the walk in mechanism includes a stopper apparatus for positioning the seat back at a normal angle and a forward tilting angle, and the tilt down mechanism moves the seat cushion in the lower direction toward the vehicular floor relative to the base member.
US08256841B2	Actively securable base for a modular child restraint system A child restraint system for use in vehicles comprises a seat portion and a base. The base secures the child restraint system to a vehicle seat with a vehicle restraint such as a seat belt or a LATCH system. The base both engages the vehicle restraint and includes a force-multiplying mechanism for tensioning the vehicle restraint. Tensioning the vehicle restraint secures the base by forcing the base against the vehicle seat. An embodiment of the base includes a platform configured to rest on the vehicle seat, an upright member joined to the platform, and a tensioning device, including a force-multiplying mechanism, for tensioning the vehicle restraint.
US08256837B2	Rear monitor mounting structure integrated with armrest A rear monitor mounting structure may include an armrest having a recess formed in an upper portion and an armrest hinge portion provided on one end thereof, a rear monitor mount provided in the one end of the armrest and pivotally coupled to the armrest hinge portion of the armrest, a vertical rotary motor fixed to the armrest hinge portion and coupled to the rear monitor mount to selectively rotate the rear monitor mount, wherein the vertical rotary motor is co-axially aligned with an armrest hinge shaft pivotally coupling the armrest and a center console, and a rear monitor connected to the rear monitor mount, wherein the rear monitor rotates toward or away from the recess according to a rotation angle of the rear monitor mount with respect to the armrest hinge shaft.
US08256833B2	Child chair having engaging assembly for seat A child chair includes a seat and a frame. The seat is detachably mounted on the frame by using an engaging assembly. The engaging assembly includes an engaging device and a coupling device. The engaging device is movably mounted on the seat. The coupling device is mounted on the frame and coupled with the engaging device on the seat. The engaging device is cooperated with the coupling device between a locking position and a release position relative to the seat.
US08256832B2	Roof module for a motor vehicle A roof module for a motor vehicle has an inner frame connected to a roof that has an opening for panorama roof parts that are displaceable in guide rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and have glass sections. A transversely running reinforcing support can be fit retrospectively in a central region of the inner frame of the roof module, as seen in the direction of travel, at a distance behind B pillars. Free ends of the reinforcing support are held in receiving brackets on frame parts on the longitudinal sides of the inner frame.
US08256829B2	Active material inserts for use with hollow structures A modifiable structural assembly comprising an active material based insert positioned within a hollow structural member, wherein the insert defines a first insert dimension, is configured, when activated, to change the first insert dimension to a second insert dimension, and selectively achieving the first or second dimension facilitates positioning the insert, or changes a characteristic of the assembly, such as the stiffness, damping effect, or energy absorption rate, once the insert has been positioned.
US08256828B2	Chassis component for a motor vehicle A chassis component of a motor vehicle including a first outer component and a second inner component connected to the first outer component to form a composite, wherein the first outer component is formed of a material of greater ductility than the material of the second inner component whereby the force of impact on said composite component will be absorbed by deformation of said first outer component.
US08256827B2	Butt joint for trailer side wall A sidewall of a trailer includes a side panel, an outer member, a base rail. The side panel is positioned within the channel. The outer member has a planar inner surface. The base rail has an upper portion offset from a lower portion. An outer surface of the upper portion of the base rail is generally parallel to and spaced from the inner surface of the outer member. A channel is defined by an outer surface of the upper portion of the base rail and the inner surface of the outer member. The side panel is positioned within the channel. The lower portion of the base rail is positioned beneath the channel.
US08256822B2	Driving force transmitting device and vehicle seat slide device A driving force transmitting device having a direction changing gear mechanism which transmits a rotation torque from a drive shaft to a driven shaft having an axis extending in a direction different from a direction of an axis of the drive shaft. The direction changing gear mechanism includes an output, an input gear attached to the drive shaft for restricting a relative rotation and engaged with the output gear, a gear housing rotatably supporting the output gear and the input gear under engagement condition, wherein one of the output gear and the input gear is provided with a rotation phase adjusting portion exposed outside for adjusting a rotation phase of the output gear relative to a rotation phase of the second engagement portion of the driven shaft upon the output gear being assembled to the driven shaft.
US08256821B2	Accessory module system for a vehicle window The present invention is concerned with an accessory module system for a vehicle, the system comprising an accessory module assembly for location against an interior of a vehicle windscreen and which defines a plurality of sites for the modular location of one or more electronic accessories or the like, in particular for communicating with and/or through the vehicle windscreen, the accessory module system also including a cover assembly for location between the windscreen and a rigid frame assembly forming part of the accessory module assembly, the cover assembly being resiliently deformable in order to be capable of closely conforming to the shape of the windscreen.
US08256820B2	Adjustable toolbox An adjustable toolbox for use in conjunction with a bed on a pickup. The adjustable toolbox includes a base portion, a mounting portion and a lid portion. The base portion has a recess formed therein that is adapted to receive at least one object. The mounting portion is operably attached to the base portion so that at least part of the mounting portion is slidable with respect to the base portion to adjust a width of the adjustable toolbox. The lid portion is operably attached to at least one of the base portion and the mounting portion.
US08256818B1	Vehicle table system An embodiment of a vehicle mounted table system comprises hardware adapted to attach to a cargo area of a vehicle by way of one or more coupling mechanisms. The embodiment has a slider assembly adapted to slide relative to the hardware whereby the slider assembly can be slid at least partially out of a tailgate of the vehicle while the hardware remains attached to the vehicle. Operatively coupled to the slider assembly is one or more platforms, the platforms folding out of the vehicle through a hinge-turntable assembly. The embodiment also includes a canopy assembly having a flexible covering and one or more associated canopy supports, the one or more canopy supports adapted for attachment to the table structure when the tailgating assembly is fully deployed.
US08256812B2	Wrap for bundling objects The present invention is comprised of an elongate piece of first material having flexible qualities with a flexible strip of second, more rigid, and bendable material enclosed within the first material. The apparatus may be twist-tied around equipment for relatively easy transport.
US08256811B2	Door gripper for a vehicle and manufacturing methods using such a door gripper Featured is a door gripper for a vehicle including a frame, upper clamping units and a lower clamping unit. The lower clamping unit including a rotary pad with a swivel ball in restricted surfaces of a clamper and a locator of a lower clamping unit to deal with an angle difference of restricted cross sections of the door. The lower clamping unit and upper clamping units being configured and arranged so as to be movable in the up-down direction and the width direction along a guide rail of the frame in order to deal with differences in height and width of the restricted cross section.
US08256810B2	Lifting sling with excessive elongation warning indictor A lifting sling having warning markings that indicate if the maximum safe load for the sling has been exceeded, whereby a visible indicator is provided to the operator at the time of overload. In an embodiment, an externally visible releasable member retained by a frangible indicator member connected to the cover of the lifting sling is released upon breaking of the frangible indicator member to provide a permanent indication of sling overload.
US08256808B2	Tongs with basting apparatus A pair of tongs in combination with a basting apparatus and an optional sharpened edge that can be used as a knife for cutting into food to check for degree of cooking. Also a container for use as a holder of a tool, such as a pair of tongs with a basting apparatus, for applying a spreadable basting material (e.g., sauce) held in the container. The container provides a stable support of the tool, such as the pair of tongs, to prevent cross contamination of working surfaces and basting material on the basting apparatus, while at the same time providing a holder from which the tongs/baster efficiently can be retrieved for use.
US08256806B2	Dual cam magnetic latch system A magnetic latch system including a latch assembly and a keeper assembly. The keeper assembly includes a magnetically attractable keeper pin. The latch assembly includes two base assemblies, one on either side of a movable gate element. The base assembly adjacent the keeper assembly includes a magnet and an internal actuator which is arranged to engage the keeper pin to move it away from the permanent magnet when one of the latch handles is manually rotated. The system may also include a locking system in one or both handles to fix the internal actuator in a locked position so that it cannot engage the keeper pin.
US08256802B2	Barb clamp with collet interlocks Disclosed herein is a barb clamp for a flexible tube having a predetermined inner diameter defining a passageway therein and an outer surface. The clamp includes a barb connector having a tubular configuration with a first end for disposing within an end of the tube, a cylindrical collet having a through center aperture slidable over the first end of the barb connector, the collet having a first end and a second end, the first end including a plurality resilient members each having a first lateral edge having a first interlocking portion and an opposing second lateral edge having a second interlocking portion, and a cylindrical sleeve having a through center aperture for slidably receiving the collet.
US08256801B2	Coupling device for media conduits A coupling device for tubes and/or pipes comprising two substantially identical plate-type coupling parts is provided. Each coupling part has an even number of openings to receive inserted plug-in couplings configured as plug parts or socket parts. In one embodiment, the receiving openings for plug parts are arranged mirror-symmetrically across an axis of symmetry from the receiving openings for socket parts. The plug and socket parts are joined by first inserting and securing them into their respective receiving openings in the two coupling parts, then connecting the coupling parts.
US08256800B2	Apparatus and method for supporting a pipe coupling A pipe coupling support having a substantially rigid body with an inner surface formed to mate with at least a portion of the exterior surface of a pipe coupling installed on pipe. In many cases, the exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling will be non-cylindrical. For example, when pipes of differing diameters or pipes manufactured from different materials must be joined with commonly available pliable couplings. In this instance the inner surface of the body of the pipe coupling support may be formed to mate with a majority of or substantially the entire exterior surface of the installed pipe coupling.
US08256796B2	Passenger restraint system A vehicle occupant restraint system includes an inflatable airbag arranged in a vehicle seat. When the airbag is triggered it at least partially unfolds in the direction of travel on a side of the vehicle seat facing the vehicle interior. The vehicle seat includes a backrest frame extending in a substantially vertical direction in the vehicle seat and substantially aligned in the direction of travel. The airbag is connected to a front end of the backrest frame pointing in the direction of travel.
US08256795B2	Off-road truck suspended with rubber spring device A rubber spring device is formed by alternately laminating a plurality of layers of hard plates whose linear dimension W in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of each equalizer bar is shorter in plan view than a linear dimension H in a direction parallel to an axle direction, and rubber layers. The rubber spring device is disposed between an end portion of each equalizer bar and a center axle in an articulated dump truck, and is allowed to function as a suspension. Thus, even when the rubber spring device is deformed into an accordion shape, peak positions of an internal stress within each rubber layer can be dispersed and reduced, thereby preventing generation of cracks within each rubber layer.
US08256793B1	Multi-functional stroller and associated method A multifunctional stroller includes a frame, a user interface, a light assembly, a music playback device, and a timer-actuated switch electrically coupled directly to a power source. Sensors determine a real-time temperature at the multifunctional stroller and are coupled directly to the timer-actuated switch. Such sensors generate and transmit first, second and third input signals to the timer-actuated switch upon detecting first, second and third triggering events respectively. The user interface generates and transmits first and second control signals to the light assembly and the timer-actuated switch respectively upon receiving corresponding user inputs respectively. The timer-actuated switch is toggled to an open position upon receiving at least one of the first, second and third input signals within a first time period after receiving the second control signal so that power is transmitted to the music playback device for a second time period.
US08256789B2	Device for guiding a boat on a trailer A device for guiding a boat onto a trailer, the trailer having at least two longitudinal side rails, the device including a mounting assembly for attachment to a side rail to provide for transverse adjustment relative to the side rail's longitudinal axis and a bumper assembly attached to the mounting assembly and having at least one bumper mechanism that moves between an engaged position in which the device guides the boat into an aligned position on the trailer and a disengaged position in which the bumper mechanism is moved away from the boat to avoid contact with the boat.
US08256786B2	Adjustable front caster mount assembly for a wheelchair A caster mount assembly for a front caster of a wheelchair. The assembly includes a first rotatable body having a first plurality of non-uniformly spaced apart apertures and a second rotatable body having a second plurality of non-uniformly spaced apart apertures. The first and second rotatable bodies may be rotated relative to one another along a common axis of rotation to align a selected one of the first apertures with a selected one of the second apertures. The first rotatable body is non-rotatably coupled to the second rotatable body by a first coupler after the selected first aperture and second aperture have been aligned. A bearing fork assembly is non-rotatably coupled to the second rotatable body for rotation therewith. The second rotatable body may be rotated to orient an upright pivot pin of the bearing fork assembly substantially perpendicular to a support surface.
US08256783B2	Suspension system for a vehicle A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel.
US08256781B2	Vehicle suspension, steering, damping and anti-roll system with linear wheel travel A vehicle suspension, steering, damping and anti-roll system for a wheeled vehicle. Unlike most previous vehicle suspension and steering systems, this invention uses a rod-in-sleeve design for the front and rear suspension assemblies to allow vertical linear wheel knuckle movement of the wheels. This invention is unusual by using a cable-operated steering system and also by using cables to transfer cable tension from upward wheel movement to remote spring/shock absorber assemblies. Also unique is the use of a spring/shock absorber assembly arrangement that provides both suspension and anti-roll effects for a pair of right and left wheels in the same unit. The rear suspension proposed shares some similarities to the front suspension and consists of a dual rod-in-sleeve design with cables that transfer forces from road bumps to a remote spring assembly.
US08256777B2	Shopping cart adapted to receive elongated items There is provided a shopping cart adapted to receive elongated items. The shopping cart includes a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. A plurality of wheels are connected to the lower portion of the frame. The shopping cart includes an upper basket attached to the upper portion of the frame and a lower basket attached to the lower portion of the frame. The upper basket and lower basket are each open at the top and each is formed from a plurality of vertical and horizontal wire segments which form a plurality of windows. The upper basket has a front wall with a slot therein. The slot has a top portion and a bottom portion with the top portion being open so as to receive and retain an elongated item. The bottom portion of the slot extends down at least a portion of the front wall. The lower basket has a back wall with at least one major open for receiving an elongated item.
US08256775B2	Stabilizer assembly unit for a motor vehicle A stabilizer assembly unit for a motor vehicle, having a first fluid pressure actuator and a second fluid pressure actuator which are associated with opposite ends of an antiroll bar, characterized in that exactly one pressure fluid connection is provided on each of the fluid pressure actuators.
US08256773B2	Clamping fixture including a chuck for releasably locating a workpiece pallet A clamping fixture features a chuck provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locating a workpiece pallet. The locking mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members which in the locked position are engineered to engage a clamping spigot connected to the workpiece pallet. Each clamping member, or alternatively an actuating member assigned to a clamping member, is provided with a feedthru bore which on correct locking and/or release of the corresponding clamping members is closed off at one end. The feedthru bores are connectable by a common connecting conduit to a compressed air source. In addition, at least one sensor is provided for sensing air flow in the connecting conduit by means of which it can detected whether the clamping members are correctly released or locked.
US08256772B2	Lip type seal For better assembling characteristic and sealing performance with secured circularity and coaxiality of a seal lip, a lip type seal installed to an inner periphery of a shaft hole of a housing in slidable contact with a peripheral surface of a shaft for inhibiting a sealed fluid in the machine from leaking to an atmospheric air side, has a cartridge fitted to an inner periphery of the shaft hole, a first lip seal member made of a rubber-like elastic material and fitted in a non-bonding manner to the cartridge, a case fitted in a non-bonding manner to the first lip seal member, a second lip seal member made of a resin and a backup ring supporting the second lip seal member which are retained by caulking to the case, and an adapter fitted to the cartridge at a sealed fluid side of the first lip seal member.
US08256771B2	Roulette payout calculator A mechanical calculator that computes payouts for combinations of roulette bets. A number wheel (50) has an array of payout numbers (54) for a combinations of two types of bets over a range of chips, such as up to 20 chips on a street bet and up to 20 chips on a line bet. A mask wheel (40) overlays the number wheel (50). Windows (44) on the mask wheel each reveal an individual number (54) on the number wheel, depending on the relative rotational positions of the mask and number wheels, which are manually selectable with knobs (28, 32). A cover plate (22) overlays the mask wheel, and has a window (26) that reveals a single combined payout number (54) on the number wheel under a mask window (1-20) and the cover plate window (26). Rotational index numbers (49, 68) indicate the number of chips selected for each bet.
US08256769B2	Feeding device and image forming apparatus A sheet discharge roller has a contact portion in contact with a feed roller and a noncontact portion not in contact with the feed roller. The sheet discharge roller includes a kick-out unit having a projected portion and a recess portion on one end of the noncontact portion in the circumferential direction. A reverse roller also has a contact portion in contact with the feed roller and a noncontact portion not in contact with the feed roller. The reverse roller includes a large-diameter portion on its one end in a direction opposite to a direction of the kick-out unit. The large-diameter portion has a diameter larger than a diameter of the contact portion.
US08256768B2	Module to module skew alignment A method of aligning transport modules in a printing system, the method including passing at least one substrate media in a process direction through two adjacent belt driven transport modules with one of the two transport modules having a belt steering control disabled. Each of the two transport modules including a transport belt for engaging and conveying the at least one substrate media, which transfers skew between the two adjacent transport modules. The method including detecting a first cross-process position of the transport belt in one of the two adjacent transport modules using a first edge sensor and detecting a second cross-process position of the transport belt in the other of the two adjacent transport modules using a second edge sensor. Further, aligning the two adjacent transport modules based on a relative skew between the two transport modules indicated by the first cross-process position and the second cross-process position.
US08256767B2	Sheet registration using edge sensors Accurate sheet registration is achieved by measuring the arrival of a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the sheet using a first sensor. Also, measuring a first position of the sheet using a second sensor on a lateral edge of the sheet. Then performing a first adjustment moving the sheet laterally using the first position measurement. The first adjustment actuated prior to the sheet reaching a third sensor for measuring a second position of the sheet. The third sensor disposed downstream in the process direction of the second sensor and a sheet feeding nip. Then measuring a second position of the sheet using the third sensor on the lateral edge and performing a second adjustment of the sheet with regard to at least one of sheet skew, sheet velocity and sheet lateral position using at least one of the arrival, first position and second position measurements.
US08256764B2	Image forming apparatus with paper pressing member A sheet of paper is conveyed by a convey roller to a print receiving member and pushed forward thereon while being supported by ribs and pressed downward by pressing members so as to keep a predetermined distance between the paper and a recording head while an image is printed on the paper. Since the pressing members press respective side portions of the paper, the paper can be bent downward outside the outmost ribs and prevented from rising at the side portions.
US08256763B2	Paper feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A paper feeding apparatus transports paper one by one through a transportation mechanism to an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus. The paper feeding apparatus includes a paper feed cassette to contain paper, a paper side guide arranged in the paper feed cassette to position the paper in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a transport direction of the paper, and a dust removing roller arranged in the paper side guide and in contact with the paper contained in the paper feed cassette.
US08256761B1	Sheet separator having multi axis motion for an image forming device A multi-axis moveable sheet separator for separating media sheets on a media dam having a mount having a plurality of pairs of opposed openings and a spring mount. The sheet separator comprises a spring mounted on the spring mount and a base including a sheet receiving surface having a plurality of lateral detents. Depending from the base are a first plurality of pairs of opposed legs and a second plurality of pairs of opposed legs that are shorter than the first plurality of pairs of opposed leg. When mounted in the media dam, the base compresses the spring. The moveable sheet separator may move with respect to a media receiving surface of the media dam in one of a translational direction, a rotational direction or a combination of both.
US08256760B2	System for controlling a drive belt in a mailpiece feeder A system for conveying mailpieces along a feed path including first and second conveyances. A first conveyance is operative to convey mailpieces along the feed path and includes a singulating and drive belt. The singulating and drive belts define a throat or singulating a mailpiece from the stack of mailpieces. A second conveyance accepts mailpieces from the first conveyance and conveys singulated mailpiece downstream of the first conveyance. The system further includes a series of sensors extending from the first to the second conveyance for issuing a gap signal indicative of the relative spacing between sequential mailpieces along the feed path. Additionally, the system includes a means to vary the velocity of the drive belt based upon the location of the gap signal along the series of sensors.
US08256759B2	Sheet post-processing apparatus with protection cover A sheet post-processing apparatus of the invention includes a sheet guiding unit configured to have plural components including paper carrying components be attached thereto, a tray onto which a sheet of paper is discharged, and a protection cover attached to the sheet guiding unit at a portion in close proximity to the tray side. A protection cover has a cover main body, a screw attachment portion, a screw cover that covers the screw attached to the screw attachment portion, and a slit used for the tip end of the screw cover to be inserted into the cover main body to be fixed thereto.
US08256758B2	Bookbinding system, bookbinding method, and bookbinding control program A bookbinding system that includes: a center folding unit configured to perform center folding on an integrated sheet bundle; an additionally folding unit configured to additionally perform folding of a folded portion of the center-folded sheet bundle; a back surface forming unit configured to form a back surface on the sheet bundle by pressing a front end of the folded portion of the center-folded sheet bundle and both surfaces of the sheet bundle; and a control unit configured to change the content of additionally folding according to whether to perform the back surface forming or not.
US08256757B2	Sheet folding apparatus with skew correction mechanism and image formation system provided with the sheet folding apparatus A sheet folding apparatus for performing folding processing on a sheet from a carry-in entrance to carry out to a carrying-out exit has a sheet feeding apparatus, a first transport path, a second transport path, and a folding processing device. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a transport roller pair in press-contact with each other, a gate stopper device having a stopper member, a register area to curve and deform the sheet with the front end regulated, and a stopper driving device for shifting the gate stopper device. The stopper member is formed so that a shift trajectory of the regulation surface is to guide the front end of the sheet to the press-contact portion of the transport roller pair. The first transport path is provided with the sheet feeding apparatus for aligning a front end of the sheet fed from the carry-in entrance to feed to a predetermined processing position.
US08256756B2	Printing system, control method for printing system, and storage medium A printing system includes a processing unit configured to cause a sheet processing unit to execute a sheet processing including a folding processing and a trimming processing on a printed sheet by executing a job, a determining unit configured to determine whether a fold line of a sheet folded by the folding processing is cut out by the trimming processing, and a control unit configured to perform controlling such that the fold line of the sheet folded by the folding processing is not cut out by the trimming processing if the determining unit determines that the fold line of the sheet folded by the folding processing is cutout by the trimming processing.
US08256754B2	Lift pin for substrate processing A lift pin is provided for manipulating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support and uniformly transferring heat from the substrate support to the substrate. The lift pin includes a pin shaft. The pin shaft includes a cross-section having at least three equal edges and round corners configured alternatively. A pin head is an end portion of the pin shaft, wherein the pin head has a convex support surface larger than the cross-section of the pin shaft. A flat portion is disposed on a central area of the convex support surface for directly contacting the substrate.
US08256752B2	Removing a processed part A machine tool is provided for processing a workpiece, e.g., a metal sheet. The machine tool comprises at least one support configured to, in a support position, support a part of the workpiece on an upper surface, the part being completely separated from the workpiece, and a motion unit for moving the support downwards out of the support position into a discharge position located underneath the support. The motion unit is configured to accelerate the support, at least in a region of the part lying thereon, out of the support position along a gravitational direction with an acceleration which is greater than an acceleration of the part in the gravitational direction, and to move the accelerated support into an open position located outside a path of movement of the part at a speed such that the workpiece part attains the discharge position in free fall.
US08256747B2	Closed-loop sensor tester for simulating open-area releases A system and method for closed-loop testing of a biological or chemical sensor is disclosed. The tester is fluidically coupled to the input port and exhaust port of a sensor. A mixture of a chemical or biological simulant and air is generated by the tester and is delivered to the sensor. The mixture of simulant and air exiting the sensor is delivered to a collection device.
US08256744B2	Direct touch type metal diaphragm valve A direct touch type metal diaphragm valve, wherein durability of the valve, that is to say, the ensured number of continuous open/close operations of the valve, is substantially increased under conditions that an appropriate flow rate coefficient Cv is maintained, and changes of the afore-mentioned Cv value over time are mitigated by means of restricting the deformation of the valve seat over time. The afore-mentioned metal diaphragm is formed in a round, reverse-dish shape by laminating a plural number of thin stainless steel plates and a thin Nickel.Cobalt alloy plate, and its center part is bulged upward, and the maximum valve stroke of the valve is regulated to be 55% to 70% of the distance of the maximum bulge height Δh of the afore-mentioned metal diaphragm.
US08256742B2	Manual to automatic valve conversion device A sensor and powered valve actuator assembly adaptable to fit on and operate a manual valve, the sensor for detecting a valve operating trigger event such as a fluid leak, the actuator for automatically operating the manual valve in response to the triggering event. The assembly includes a motor, motor control circuit, operating shaft, and manual valve engaging member, in a housing mountable to a manual valve body. A sensor which may be remote to the housing is connected to the motor control circuit. When mounted, the valve engaging members extend from the shaft into flexible, rotational engagement with the manual valve shaft, such as with tines spanning or piercing the valve handle. The control circuit controls the motor based on a signal from the sensor, or other control means, such that the motor can actuate valve operation.
US08256734B1	Support apparatus for device The support apparatus includes a base, a pair of supporting arms, and a locking element. The base defines at least one engaging projection on a top thereof. Each supporting arm includes a body having a first curved end and a second curved end extending from the two opposite ends thereof. The first curved end is connected to the base and the second curved end is positioned in the locking element. The locking element defines a rail, and two curved protruding blocks extend from the two opposite ends of the rail. When the at least one engaging projection is engaged with a side of an external device, the supporting arms rotate relative to the base and the locking element sits on top of the external device, and the rail and the protruding blocks holds another side of the external device.
US08256732B1	Telescoping support stand apparatus A telescoping support stand comprising a first tube partially defining a first enclosed area and a second tube partially defining a second enclosed area. A first end of the second tube may be telescopically slidable within the first tube. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a first locking mechanism attached to the second tube. The first locking mechanism may releasably secure the first tube to the second tube. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a first air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air to flow between the first and second enclosed areas. The telescoping support stand may further comprise a release mechanism and a release rod attached to the first locking mechanism. The release mechanism may comprise a displacement member adjacent to the release rod, the displacement member being configured to displace the release rod and release the first locking mechanism.
US08256723B2	Cable routing devices with integrated couplers A fitting for a cable trough system, the fitting including a bottom wall and side walls extending from at least a first terminal end to a second terminal end and forming a trough therebetween, the side walls being curved in a longitudinal direction, and an end portion formed at each of the first and second terminal ends, the end portion including first and second guiding surfaces defining a space therebetween, and a spring member positioned in the space. The space is sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member of the cable trough system, and wherein the spring member is positioned to engage the terminal end of the trough member to couple the trough member to the fitting. Other cable routing devices can also be used.
US08256718B2	Method and device for providing automatic load alleviation to a high lift surface system, in particular to a landing flap system, of an aircraft A method and a device for providing automatic load alleviation to a high lift surface system, in particular to a landing flap system, of an aircraft when a blockage occurs, wherein in response to a control signal emitted by a control device at least one high lift surface, which is actuated by means of a local mechanical final control element, is brought to a predetermined position by a central drive unit that is connected by way of a rotary shaft arrangement to the local final control element by generating a torque transmitted by the central drive unit to the rotary shaft arrangement. If a signal is registered that indicates that there is a blockage within the high lift surface system, the torque transmitted by the central drive unit to the rotary shaft arrangement is automatically reduced to a predetermined low torque value, and the position of the high lift surface system is fixed.
US08256715B2	Devices, systems and methods for modular payload integration for unmanned aerial vehicles Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to providing wing designs with payload integration capabilities on existing modularly assembled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Exemplary embodiments of the present invention present a novel technique of adding payloads to existing UAVs while improving flight performance over existing techniques by maintaining a similar overall weight with improved aerodynamic properties. The technique includes using a reinforced foam core center wing with a fiberglass epoxy skin. A lightweight payload canopy cover integrates onto the center wing as an agnostic enclosure for payloads. The payload canopy cover may contain venting holes for the cooling of electronic payloads. The systems may also include common devices such as antennas, GPS, and batteries for use with a wide range of payloads.
US08256714B2	Modularized airplane structures and methods A modularized airplane includes two separably interconnected modules. A first module, incorporating substantial airplane styles, includes a fuselage portion and at least one wing or stabilizer with an associated control surface. A second module carries a set of essential flight components sufficing airplane operations, including propulsion unit, servo for moving control surface, and power source. Magnetic connectors affixed on the modules facilitate inter-modular structural connection. A control linkage assembly, linking control surface on first module and associated servo on second module, is formed with two portions longitudinally movable and separably connected by two magnetic connectors oppositely affixed on each portion. The structural connection and the servo-to-control surface linkage assembly facilitate substantially effortless inter-modular connections to form a functional airplane, as well as nondestructive inter-modular disconnection. The second module can be connected to different aerodynamic styled first modules to form airplanes for different applications, using same essential components.
US08256713B2	Aircraft fuselage section The invention relates to an aircraft fuselage section comprising several longitudinal strengthening beams attached to the fuselage section lower panel and several longitudinal rails intended for supporting the floor boards, characterized by at least one crosspiece laid transversally between two strengthening beams and supporting one longitudinal rail, said crosspiece said crosspiece being mounted swiveling on the fuselage section lower panel in order to permit the rotation of the crosspiece around a longitudinal axis.

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