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

Document	Document Title
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.
US08256711B2	Landing gear casing with reduced space requirement The invention relates to a landing gear casing that comprises a longitudinal box with walls defining an inner housing (24) open at the bottom and enabling the stowage of the landing gear (20) inside the housing and the deployment thereof outside the housing, the walls of the casing separating the non-pressurised inner housing from a surrounding pressurised area (18) of the aircraft, characterised in that the casing includes a primary inner frame including: several primary transverse reinforcement arcs (26, 28) inside the housing; at least one longitudinal central reinforcement arc (30a, 30b) inside the housing; wherein the walls of the casing and the reinforcement being adapted to conform to the shapes of the landing gear (20) and the stowage/expansion mechanism (22) thereof.
US08256708B2	Device for attaching an aircraft engine comprising a thrust force take-up device with a compact design An aircraft engine attachment device including a rigid structure and a mechanism attaching the engine on the rigid structure, the attachment mechanism including a rear engine attachment and a device for taking-up thrust forces generated by the engine. The rear engine attachment is attached to the rigid structure by two lateral fittings attached to the rigid structure. The force take-up device includes two connecting rods mechanically connected to a spreader beam by a mechanical connection, a connection fitting attached to the rear engine attachment and mechanically connected to the rigid structure by a thrust pin, the lateral fittings including a stop mechanism to limit pivoting of the spreader beam if a connecting rod breaks and ensuring transmission of thrust forces to the rigid structure.
US08256705B2	Torque production vehicle and method A torque production vehicle includes a plenum body having a wall with a central port and a radial port formed within the wall, an impeller disposed within the plenum body to move air through the central port, an engine coupled to the impeller to rotate the impeller about an axis, at least one arm coupled to the plenum body, and a plurality of foils disposed in the radial port to direct air about the plenum body to provide a torque force about the plenum body.
US08256700B2	Continuous feed material dispenser with adjustable brake A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.
US08256698B2	Jaw assembly for a jaw crusher A jaw assembly for a jaw crusher is disclosed where the assembly comprises a jaw stock (12), a wear plate (16), and a fastening device in the form of a bolt (34) with a square head (42) at one end and a washer (56) and fastening nut (52) positioned at an end opposite to the one end. The bolt (34) extends between the jaw stock (12) and the wear plate (16). The fastening device (34, 42, 56, 52) is operative to adopt a clamped configuration where the device provides a clamping force along a fastening axis to clamp the wear plate (16) at the jaw stock (12), and a released configuration where the fastening device does not prevent the wear plate (16) from being separated from the jaw stock (12). The fastening device (34, 42, 56, 52) is accessible from a direction that is transverse to that fastening axis, to enable the device (34, 42, 56, 52) to be changed from its clamped configuration to its released configuration.
US08256694B2	Spray-gun line-connecting device A spray-gun line-connecting device is provided for the connection of a plurality of lines between a robotic arm and a spray device. The spray-gun line-connecting device may provide a plurality of cylindrical connection joints at an interface between mating surfaces. For example, the lines may include enlarged cylindrical heads, which fit within cylindrical receptacles in a first mating surface. A second mating surface may extend over the first mating surface, and include passages aligned with the lines.
US08256691B2	Nozzle module for an injection valve and injection valve A nozzle module for an injection valve has a nozzle body with a nozzle body opening extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis, and which can be hydraulically coupled to a fluid feed; a nozzle needle which is movable axially in the nozzle body opening and which in a closed position prevents a flow of fluid through at least one injection opening and otherwise releases the fluid flow; and an induction-heated heating element disposed between the nozzle body and the nozzle needle. The heating element is at least partially spaced a distance away from the nozzle body and from the nozzle needle, and during operation of the injection valve the fluid can flow against a side of the heating element facing the nozzle body and a side of the heating element facing the nozzle needle.
US08256690B2	Radiant heating and cooling panel A radiant panel for use in radiant heating and cooling systems that provides numerous benefits over conventional panels currently in use. The radiant panel comprises an offset hydronic radiant tube channel in which is nested a hydronic radiant tube that obviates the need to thread the hydronic tubes through the joists in a ceiling installation or the studs in a wall installation. In an alternative embodiment, specific emissivity coatings on each side of the radiant panel further promote the efficient transfer of heat. The system provides increased sound isolation and is robust enough to withstand the crushing forces associated with a floor installation.
US08256689B2	Air conditioner and indoor humidity control method An air conditioner has an automatic operation mode or other regular mode, and a rest operation mode. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit, an outdoor air-conditioning unit, an air supply/humidification unit, and a humidity control unit. The indoor unit, the outdoor air-conditioning unit, and the air supply/humidification unit humidify or dehumidify air and supply the air into a room. The humidity control unit controls the devices in the indoor unit, the outdoor air-conditioning unit, and the air supply/humidification unit during the regular mode so that the indoor humidity reaches a first target humidity. The humidity control unit also controls the devices in the indoor unit, the outdoor air-conditioning unit, and the air supply/humidification unit during the rest operation mode so that the indoor humidity reaches a second target humidity, which is lower than the first target humidity.
US08256688B2	Method for certifying and subsequently authenticating original, paper or digital documents for evidences The present invention relates to a method for certifying and subsequently authenticating original physical or digital documents. The concept of the evidence lies in the dual nature of a physical information item and a digital information item, one being the reference for the other that cannot lie amended at the risk of the evidence being lost. For a physical original document associated with a bubble seal there is a corresponding time-and-date-stamped, proprietary paperless reference counterpart. For a time-and-date-stamped, proprietary digital original document there is a corresponding reference counterpart in the form of a bubble seal.
US08256681B2	Data collection device having dynamic access to multiple wireless networks There is described a data collection device that can incorporate an encoded information reading unit that can operate within a system including an access point that is wireline connected to a server. The encoded information reading unit can include at least one of a bar code reading unit, an RFID tag reading unit and a credit/debit card reading unit. Further incorporated in the data collection device can be dynamic access module. The dynamic access communication module enables the data collection device to participate in a self organized network that supports multi-hop data packet transmissions between data collection devices and which further enables the device to transmit data received from a peer device to the system access point.
US08256678B2	Indicia reading terminal having image sensor and variable lens assembly There is described an image sensor based indicia reading terminal comprising a variable setting imaging lens having a first setting at which the terminal has a first plane of optimum focus and a second setting at which the terminal has a second plane of optimum focus. According to one embodiment, a first predetermined picture size where picture size is determined according to a number of pixels subject to read out, can be associated to the first lens setting and a second picture size can be associated to the second lens setting such that the terminal with the lens setting set to the first setting reads out a frame of a first picture size and with the lens setting set to a second setting reads out a frame of a second picture size. In addition to or in place of the picture size operational parameters, different operational parameters can be associated to the respective first and second lens settings. Additionally or alternatively, different processes for determining an operational parameter and/or different algorithms for determining an operational parameter can be associated to each of the first and second lens settings.
US08256677B2	Enabling holographic media backwards compatibility with dual-use media card connector A holographic read only memory card which can be coupled to and read by a card reader to which electronic read only memory cards can also be coupled to and read by the card reader is disclosed. The holographic read only memory card comprises: a housing having a compartment for receiving a holographic storage medium; a holographic storage medium having stored thereon holographic data; and optionally a an electronics panel member having an electronic memory component which can be read by the card reader when the holographic read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader. The housing comprises one or more card locating members to thereby repeatedly position the holographic read only memory card each time the holographic read only memory card is coupled to the electronic card reader so that the holographic data can be read.
US08256673B1	Time-varying barcode in an active display Embodiments of the present invention provide time-varying barcodes in an active display for information exchange. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for communicating information between electronic devices via a barcode image sequence. In a typical embodiment, a barcode image sequence is displayed on the display screen of a first electronic device. A second electronic device reads and decodes the barcode image sequence. The second electronic device displays an acknowledgement on the display screen of the second electronic device. The acknowledgement is read by the first electronic device.
US08256670B1	System and method for granting access to a restricted access area using an approved list A system and method for granting access to a restricted access area using an approved list is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the system may include a card reader that receives a card number from the access card; a card verifier comprising an approved list of card numbers; a card presented list of presented card numbers; and a processor that compares the card number to the approved list and compares the card number to the card presented list; and an access device. The access device grants access to the area if one of (1) the card number is on the approved list and (2) the card number is not on the presented list; and denies access to the area if the card number is not on the approved list and the card number is on the presented list.
US08256668B2	Online purchasing system supporting lenders with affordability screening An online system uses, in various embodiments of the invention, credit report information, loan affordability screening and credit approval and management functionality to facilitate the purchase and finance of products online. The online system may include both sellers of products and lenders that offer financing to buyers seeking to purchase the products. The system may automatically obtain a buyer's credit report information and use that information to determine if the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to obtain financing for a particular product or products. The system also enables use of buyer credit information to identify only those of a seller's products for which the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to finance using one or more loans. The system then enables selection of an identified product or products for purchase, and selection of a loan, for example, for financing of the selected product or products. Credit approval (or pre-approval) may be performed automatically, and along with credit processing, may be performed completely online.
US08256665B2	Methods and systems for interacting with physical objects A camera, of a handheld computing device, is used to capture a picture of an object. At least some image data corresponding to the captured picture is provided to a processor, which returns processed information corresponding to the object. By reference to this processed information, the system automatically identifies a particular one of plural different software application programs—a program that is particularly relevant to the object, rather than being generally relevant to all objects. Output information is then produced using the identified software application program, which is then presented to the user, e.g., on a screen of the handheld computing device. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08256663B2	Instrument parameter setting method An instrument parameter setting device and an instrument parameter setting method are provided. The instrument parameter setting device has a parameter-setting card combined with a biological detection instrument. The parameter-setting card includes a strip area and a first set of block areas. Each block area in the first set of block areas is connected to the strip area respectively. The instrument detects data represented by a logical change of the block areas, so as to set parameters. In addition, it is convenient to input the data into the instrument through an external setting of the instrument. Accordingly, the characteristic parameters of a detection specimen are conveniently input into the instrument, thereby increasing the yield of specimen production, establishing a self-owned technology, and reducing the cost.
US08256658B2	Wire bonding apparatus comprising rotary positioning stage A wire bonding apparatus, comprising a bonding tool mounted on a bondhead body which is in turn mounted on a positioning table, is provided for bonding electronic devices. The positioning table has first and second motors coupled to it that are operative to drive the bondhead body to positions along respective first and second orthogonal axes. The bondhead body is connected to the positioning table through a pivot such that the bondhead body is rotatable relative to the positioning table about a third axis which is substantially orthogonal to the first and second axes. Further, a third motor drives the bondhead body to rotate about the third axis.
US08256656B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
US08256646B2	Device and method for storing, mixing and dispensing components A device for storing, mixing, and dispensing components that has at least one container and a transferor configured to transfer a first, liquid component into a second, powdery component, a dispensing piston configured to dispense mixed materials, a valve assembly arranged between the first, liquid component and the second, powdery component, and a closure element. The first, liquid component and the second, powdery component are located in the at least one container, and the transfer device arranged between the first, liquid component and the second, powdery component is designed as a sealing passage piston. Such a multicomponent syringe has a significantly reduced volume as compared to the multicomponent syringes of the prior art but nevertheless offers a simple and safe handling besides the required safety with regard to separate storage and hygiene.
US08256642B2	Sippy cup assembly A sippy cup assembly including a valve insert having a sheath and a stabilizing core is disclosed. The sippy cup assembly generally includes a container, a lid releasably coupled to and enclosing the container, and an annular seal for preventing liquid from leaking out of the container. The valve insert maintains form while permitting repeated removal and insertion, in addition to washing and long-term use, by providing that the stabilizing core has a rigidity greater than that of the sheath formed over the stabilizing core. The valve insert may be installed in the lid to correspond with a spout and air exchange aperture to permit egress of liquid and ingress of air upon application of suction by a user. When no suction is applied to the spout, the valve insert prevents leakage of liquid from the container.
US08256635B2	Collapsible cargo container assembly A collapsible cargo container assembly includes a collapsible skeleton framework defining a front, rear and opposite sides of the container assembly and includes a plurality of generally parallel ribs spaced from and generally planar to each other when the container assembly is in an open condition. A plurality of articulated braces are connected to and extend between the ribs to hold the ribs in spaced relationship in the open condition of the container assembly. The articulated braces are foldable to position the ribs in juxtaposition alongside each other in a collapsed condition of the container assembly. A flexible cover is positioned substantially about the collapsible framework and is fixed thereto for folding therewith as the framework moves back-and-forth between the open and collapsed conditions thereof.
US08256633B2	Multipurpose plastic bottle made in one piece The present invention refers to a multipurpose plastic bottle made in one reusable piece which is provided with the means for conversion to objects which may be kept by the user. It comprises an upper belt and a lower belt formed by pairs of circular rings connected round the whole profile of the bottle with the connection of both pairs of rings defined by a cutting guide for separating the bottle in an upper section, a mid section and a lower section. The multipurpose plastic bottle which is the object of the invention belongs to the technical sector of plastics, specifically to the plastic industry relating to manufacture of bottles designed to hold liquids for mass distribution and consumption. The products to be bottled are soft drinks, sodas, drinking water, cooking oils and domestic cleaning products.
US08256630B2	Foldable and portable storage shelf A frame structure includes two side frames and a foldable frame coupled with the side frames to fold between an unfolded position and a folded position. The foldable frame includes a transmission link supported between the side frames, a sliding joint slidably coupling with the transmission link, and two folding arms coupling the transmission link to the side frames respectively. Each of the folding arms has an upper end pivotally coupling with the sliding joint and a lower end pivotally coupling with the respective side frame. At the unfolded position, the sliding joint is upwardly slid to an upper end of the transmission link to move the side frames away from each other. At the folded position, the sliding joint is downwardly slid away from the upper end of said transmission link to move the side frames towards each other for folding the side frames side-by-side.
US08256626B2	Composite membrane for the separation of water and method for manufacturing same A composite membrane is provided for the separation of water with at least one separation layer of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, with the separation layer being subjected in a separate process step to a post-crosslinking operation with an acid or an acid-releasing compound and at least one dialdehyde.
US08256624B2	Money handling apparatus and dispensing method thereof A money handling apparatus includes a storage and feed unit that stores or feeds moneys, a transport unit that transports the moneys to the storage and feed unit or to outside of the apparatus, a deposit reject port that ejects a deposit reject money recognized as an improper money at the time of deposit processing so that it can be taken out from outside of the apparatus, and a transport control unit that controls the transport unit so that the moneys fed out by the storage and feed unit at the time of dispensing processing to the deposit reject port.
US08256621B2	Load tray and method for unitizing a palletized load A new load tray especially well suited for use under loads on pallets is disclosed. The tray has a central load supporting base and as many as four flaps hingedly connected to the base. The tray includes flap supports for supporting the flaps and releasably maintaining them at a 90 to 135 degree angle relative to the base. The tray is designed so that it may be positioned on a pallet and have a load placed on it so that the flaps remain in an upstanding position so that when the load is wrapped, the flaps are held captive against the load.
US08256619B2	Convertible container for electronic devices A container for an electronic device has pivotally coupled first and second portions. The first portion is configured to house the electronic device and has an opening for receiving the electronic device and for displaying the electronic device when the container is configured in a first configuration. The second portion is configured to act as a mount for mounting the container on a surface when the container is configured in the first configuration and the first portion is displaying the electronic device. The second portion is further configured to cover the opening in the first portion, and thus the electronic device, when the container is configured in a second configuration.
US08256616B2	Pack for containing hygiene products A pack (1) for containing at least two hygiene products (100), in particular at least two uncompressed toilet paper rolls, kitchen paper rolls, household towels, individual packs of handkerchiefs or other tissue paper products. The pack includes a packaging (2) for containing the hygiene products (100), the packaging (2) being folded over and joined in an overlap (264) in a bottom wall (26) of the packaging (2); a side wall (22) extending substantially in an angle, preferably by 90° or 60°, with respect to the bottom wall (26) of the packaging (2); a single line of weakness (3) extending in a portion of the side wall (22), a portion of the bottom wall (26) and a portion of the overlap (264).
US08256614B1	Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure. The deck clips are interconnected and on-site severable, are attached to the underlying support structure, and engage the two adjacent decking planks so as to fasten the two adjacent decking planks to the underlying support structure without a need for nails or screws to pass through the two adjacent decking planks. The installation tool is hand-held, removably receives a number of the deck clips, and feeds the deck clips one at a time to fasten to the underlying support structure, and when a deck clip is fastened to the underlying support structure, the deck clip is severed from the other deck clips in the installation tool and a next deck clip is feed by way of the installation tool and attached to the underlying support structure to engage the two adjacent decking planks.
US08256607B2	Sensor system for a conveyor belt A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.
US08256602B2	Roller conveyor Roller conveyors of an aircraft cargo deck, including rollers for transporting freight packages, particularly containers, and a channel with side walls and a base for the installation of locking bar elements to hold the freight packages, are provided. The side walls have reinforcing sections with recesses in which the rollers are installed, whereby axles on which the rollers are rotatably mounted are fixed in each of the side walls. This results in an extremely sturdy but nevertheless lightweight construction.
US08256599B2	Wave spring holding structure and frictional engagement apparatus A wave spring holding structure includes a wave spring that includes crest portions and recessed portions that are alternately formed in a circumferential direction thereof, and a first gap; a circular member provided to be rotatable around an axis; and an arc-shaped snap ring that includes a second gap, and that restricts movement of the circular member in a direction of the axis. The wave spring and the snap ring share the axis with the circular member. The wave spring and the snap ring are rotatable with respect to each other. The wave spring is disposed and held between the circular member and the snap ring so that the crest portions protrude toward the circular member, and the recessed portions protrude toward the snap ring. The first gap is formed in one of the crest portions.
US08256597B2	Friction clutch and vehicle equipped with the same A cam face 81 and a cam face 181 are formed in such a manner that an angular velocity ω represented by the following equation increases when a parameter R increases and the angular velocity ω decreases when the parameter R decreases, ω2=(1/m)·[F(tan α+tan β)/R], where the mass of the centrifugal weight (41) is m, the revolution radius that is the distance from the rotation center (0) of the centrifugal weight (41) to the center of gravity of the centrifugal weight (41) is R, the angle formed by a radial line (L0) and a tangent line (L1) of a point of the cam face (81) being in contact with the centrifugal weight (41) is α, the angle formed by a radial line (L0) and a tangent line (L2) of a point in the cam face (181) being in contact with the centrifugal weight (41) is β, and the urging force of a Belleville spring that urges a roller retainer (78) is F.
US08256595B2	Multiple disc clutch A multiple disc clutch includes a pressing member that can be axially moved and that is turned together with an output shaft so as to compress driving friction plates and driven friction plates, a ringed set plate is provided on a side of the pressing member so as to receive a load by a clutch spring that axially presses the pressing member and a cam plate fixed to the pressing member so as to enable increasing or reducing frictional fitting force of the driving friction plates and the driven friction plates. The area for receiving the set plate is extended using a minimum number of parts, preventing a shape of the pressing member from being intricate and strength for supporting the set plate is enhanced. A part of the set plate axially touches the cam plate.
US08256593B2	Driving force transmitting device A driving force transmitting devices is able to engage a main clutch with a small amount of hydraulic pressure. The driving force transmitting device includes an input shaft and an output shaft, and a main clutch. The device is formed of a primary clutch that intermittently transmits the driving force transmitted from the input shaft, a hydraulic pump that generates a hydraulic pressure, a piston that presses the primary clutch with the hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic pump, and a cam mechanism that presses the main clutch with a press-contact force which is amplified to be larger than the press-contact force of the piston by utilizing the driving force from the input shaft through the primary clutch, so as to engage the main clutch.
US08256584B2	Parking brake assembly for railway vehicle brake system A parking brake assembly for a railway car includes a ratchet mounted for rotation on a threaded piston rod of a brake actuator and a holding pawl engageable with the ratchet for maintaining a push rod of the parking brake assembly to apply braking force when the air pressure is lost in the brake pipe and releasing the push rod to accordingly release the braking force when the supply of air pressure in the brake pipe is restored. An operating lever and a cylinder connected thereto are provided for selectively rotating the holding pawl. Valve is provided for supplying air pressure to and evacuating it from the cylinder. Release mechanism is provided for manually releasing the braking force. The parking brake assembly is employed with either truck-mounted or carbody-mounted braking system.
US08256579B2	Elevator car brake The present invention relates to a braking apparatus and an elevator system comprising the braking apparatus for grasping or gripping a hoisting rope of the elevator. The system comprises a pair of brake shoes, a motorized rotatable camshaft with at least one cam surface for pressing against a push plate to compress a spring means and keep the shoes apart or when the motor is disengaged cause the cam shaft to not push on the push plate such that the springs expand cause the brake shoes to come together and grip the hoisting rope.
US08256575B2	Methods and systems for sealing rotating machines Methods and systems for reducing a flow of ambient air into a bearing lubricating oil system are provided. The system includes a lubricating oil bearing cover that is stationary with respect to the bearing wherein the bearing is configured to support a portion of a rotatable machine shaft. The cover includes a first end cap extending radially inwardly towards the shaft such that a cavity surrounding the bearing is formed by the cover and the first end cap and a set of seal rings positioned substantially concentric with the shaft and forming a seal against lubricating oil flow. The seal rings include a plurality of wire bristles extending radially inwardly from the end cap wherein the wire bristles are configured to extend to a surface of the shaft when assembled and the bristles are configured to present a tortuous flow path to gas infiltrating the cavity.
US08256571B1	Frequency-modifying muffler A muffler for raising the audible pitch of an internal combustion engine's exhaust note that includes an enclosed case having an inlet and an outlet, and a plurality of flow-directing components which are adapted to subdivide an inlet flow into a plurality of interior flows, including a first interior flow providing the shortest flow length through the muffler between the inlet and the outlet, a second interior flow having a flow length at least about twice the length of the first interior flow, and one or more intermediate flows following by-pass passages to split off from the second interior flow between the inlet and the outlet and having flow lengths between the flow lengths of the first and second flows.
US08256569B1	Exhaust sound attenuation device and method of use A sound muffler combines a resonator chamber with a dissipative layer surrounding a through pipe. The muffler provides sound attenuation over a wide range of sound frequencies while maintaining unimpeded flow of gases through the pipe. This attenuation is achieved by combining dissipation with a frusto-conical resonant chamber. The dissipation is achieved by encircling the through passage with a layer of low density material such as metallic or ceramic foam or loosely packed fibers of a heat resistant material. The low density material attenuates the high frequency waves while permitting the passage of low frequency sound waves into the frusto-conical resonant chamber.
US08256557B2	Canister mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same A saddle-type vehicle includes a canister mounting structure. The vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine fastened to the vehicle body frame, an exhaust pipe connected to the engine, a fuel tank mounted on the vehicle body frame, a canister for storing gasoline vapors form the fuel tank and a purge control valve for controlling purge of the canister. The canister mounting structure includes a canister holder having a first mounting portion for mounting the canister, and a second mounting portion for mounting the purge control valve therein. The canister holder is disposed adjacent the exhaust pipe. The canister holder is formed so as to cover sides of the canister and a side of the canister adjacent the exhaust pipe. Such configuration of the canister mounting structure provides heat-shielding measures for the canister, and achieves a desired ease of assembly.
US08256552B2	Car battery array having a plurality of connected batteries A car battery array is provided with battery blocks (2) having a plurality of connected batteries (1), a first load-bearing plate (3) on top of which the battery blocks are mounted, a second load-bearing plate (4) attached on both sides to the first load-bearing plate and covering the tops of the battery blocks, and a reinforcing rod (5) that connects with the second load-bearing plate and the battery blocks to attach the second load-bearing plate to the battery blocks. The battery blocks are disposed in a battery compartment (6) established inside the first and second load-bearing plates, which are joined together on both sides. The battery blocks are mounted on top of the first load-bearing plate and connected to the second load-bearing plate via the reinforcing rod to support the battery block load with the first load-bearing plate and the second load-bearing plate.
US08256551B2	Agricultural vehicle cooling assembly fan shroud with seals for pass-through cooling and exhaust tubes A self-propelled, low-emission vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a vehicle cooling assembly, and an engine exhaust assembly disposed within an engine compartment. The vehicle cooling assembly includes an enclosure and a powered fan to vent the enclosure by drawing a stream of cooling air therethrough. The engine exhaust assembly carries exhaust gas through exhaust lines from the engine, which is disposed outside of the enclosure, through an exhaust treatment device, which is disposed inside of the enclosure, and out to the environment. A fan shroud assembly defines an outlet margin of the enclosure and includes a shroud body defining a pair of passageways through which the exhaust lines pass. The fan shroud assembly includes an insulated connection assembly disposed adjacent each passageway to provide sealing connection between the respective exhaust line and the shroud body while prohibiting direct contact between the respective exhaust line and the shroud body.
US08256544B2	Electric system for providing electrical power for a vehicle and an implement The invention relates to a device for supplying electricity to an agricultural utility vehicle (10) and/or an attachment (26) which can be coupled to the utility vehicle (10). The utility vehicle (10) comprises a generator (16) and an attachment interface (24). Electrical energy can be generated by means of the generator (16). At the attachment interface (24) an attachment (26) can be reversibly coupled to the utility vehicle (10). The attachment (26) has at least one electrical load by means of which an agricultural working function can be carried out. So that the attachment (26) can be controlled more flexibly or better when it is operating, the device according to the invention is defined by a transmission device and at least one transformer (40). By means of the transmission device the electrical energy which is generated by the generator (16) of the utility vehicle (10) can be transmitted in the form of alternating voltage to the attachment (26). The transformer (40) is provided on the attachment (26). By means of the transformer (40) the transmitted alternating voltage can be converted in order to be made available to the electrical load.
US08256541B2	Transferring device using aero-levitation style A transferring system using aero-levitation style and a transferring device using aero-levitation style are provided. The transferring device using aero-levitation style includes one or more pairs of caterpillars each of which moves while drawing a track; a plurality of air bearings disposed inside of the caterpillars and levitated from an inner bottom surfaces of the caterpillars by repulsive force of air; and a loading unit coupled to the air bearings onto which a portage is loaded, wherein the loading unit is levitated and moved together with the caterpillars by the movement of the caterpillars.
US08256532B2	System, program products, and methods for controlling drilling fluid parameters Embodiments of systems, program product, and methods for controlling drilling fluid pressures are provided. These embodiments, for example, can provide dynamic density control with highly adaptive, real-time, process-control and are scalable to any rig, large or small, on land or water. Combined static and dynamic stresses and displacements can be determined continuously at strategic locations in and around the wellbore of a well so that insitu and operational induced pressure window limitations at specific weak-points or other locations of interest are controlled.
US08256530B2	Method of processing rock with laser and apparatus for the same An object is to provide a method capable of boring a borehole even when quartz glass or silicon dioxide is deposited as molten dross by laser irradiation. A laser irradiation position of a workpiece is irradiated with a laser having wavelength of 1.2 μm or longer and a high factor of absorption into liquid, for example, a CO2 laser, from a laser oscillator through liquid. By high pressure generated in an advancing microbubble flow occurring in the liquid, molten dross is scattered. Thus, the processing, such as boring, of the rock is performed.
US08256528B2	Vibration-damped holder for additional handle A damper for mounting between a power tool, having an axis of vibration, and a handle. The damper includes a damping arrangement for damping impacts and a spacer. The spacer is dimensioned so that, when the damper is mounted to the power tool, a ratio of a first distance between the axis of vibration and the handle to a second distance between the axis of vibration and the damping arrangement is at least 2:1. Further, a handle having such a damper for a power tool, as well as the corresponding power tool having such a handle, are described.
US08256525B2	Inerting method for reducing the risk of fire outbreak in an enclosed space and device therefor The present invention relates to an inerting method for reducing a risk of fire outbreak in an enclosed space as well as a device therefor. A continuous inerting of the enclosed space to spatially-separated zones of the enclosed space is performed as necessary without needing structural separations. At least one inert gas having a gas density (ρGas) which differs from the mean gas density (ρGas) of the ambient atmosphere of the space is introduced into the enclosed space such that a gas stratification including a first gas layer (A) and a second gas layer (B) forms in the enclosed space, wherein the oxygen content in the first gas layer (A) corresponds substantially to the oxygen content of the ambient atmosphere, and wherein the oxygen content in the second gas layer (B) corresponds to a specific, definable oxygen content which is lower than the oxygen content of the ambient atmosphere.
US08256523B2	Wellbore plug and method A wellbore plug and method for retrieving two or more wellbore plugs simultaneously from the wellbore. The wellbore plug can be actuated to an open position and released from engagement in the wellbore. The plug can be locked in an open position, and remain in an open position without regard to weight or tension applied to the plug. The released and locked open plug can be lowered to next plug to be retrieved. Prior to connecting to the next plug, reverse and/or normal fluid circulation can be utilized to clean the next plug. Upon connecting the first plug to the second plug, the second plug can be locked open and released in by applying tension in the same manner as the first plug. The process can continue to retrieve multiple plugs.
US08256521B2	Consumable downhole tools A downhole tool having a body or structural component comprises a material that is at least partially consumed when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The material may comprise a metal, such as magnesium, which is converted to magnesium oxide when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The downhole tool may further comprise a torch with a fuel load that produces the heat and source of oxygen when burned. The fuel load may comprise a flammable, non-explosive solid, such as thermite.
US08256518B2	Fail as is mechanism and method A technique enables failsafe control over actuators used to actuate downhole tools. The technique may utilize a well system having a tool with an adjustable member. An actuation mechanism serves as a fail-as-is mechanism and works in cooperation with the adjustable member. The actuation member is shiftable upon receiving a predetermined input; however the actuation member does not move the adjustable member upon each shift. Once the actuation member has been shifted the requisite number of times to move the adjustable member to another position, at least one subsequent shift of the actuation member is not able to cause movement of the adjustable member. The result is a fail-as-is technique for ensuring the tool is not inadvertently actuated to another operational position.
US08256516B2	System and method for providing a downhole mechanical energy absorber A system and a method provide a downhole mechanical energy absorber that protects downhole tools from impact loads and shock loads that occur during run-in contacts, tool drops, perforating blasts, and other impact events. A continuous localized inelastic deformation of a tube is a primary energy absorber in a load limiting design of the downhole mechanical energy absorber.
US08256515B2	Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
US08256514B2	Down-hole actuation device storage apparatus and method for launching An apparatus for holding and launching down-hole actuation devices that has a body, a bottom end, a top end and a long bore between the ends. Moveable and protruding into the long bore are retainers upon which down-hole actuation devices may rest. Retainers are moved by a lockable hydraulic drive system. Additionally, a method for loading the apparatus with down-hole actuation devices and for launching said devices into a well bore is provided.
US08256513B2	Apparatus for depositing a slurry in a well A wireline apparatus for depositing slurry in a well. The apparatus includes a container for holding slurry to be deposited in the well. The container is operatively associated with and disassociated from a packer. The apparatus also includes a displacement valve actuated by a predetermined pressure and a cross-over tool operatively associated with the displacement valve. Actuation of the displacement valve causes the slurry to enter and pass through the cross-over tool and into the well. A method of gravel packing a well with the wireline deployed apparatus is also disclosed.
US08256505B1	Sealed well cellar A well cellar system includes a substantially planar base plate, the base defining an aperture sized to receive a conductor pipe. The planar base plate is an integral structural member which, in conjunction with the seal between the base plate and the wall and the riser and the conductor, are sufficiently robust to support the weight of the conductor pipe and its auxiliary equipment. The sealed well cellar is afforded with a laterally extending flange which serves as an anti-buoyancy anchor. A anti-buoyancy port allows the upward floatation pressure to be balanced out by water pressure within the cellar during placement to avoid floatation. A sacrificial anode housing is provided with a removable lid and holes for allowing passage of electrolyte. Although the preferred embodiments of sealed well cellars are metal and plastic, a cementaceous embodiment is also envisioned.
US08256503B2	Plastic heat exchanger with extruded shell A plastic heat exchanger has a shell with tanks disposed side-by-side. First and last distribution tanks straddle heat transfer tanks. The shell has a plurality of flow gaps, to allow coolant to flow between adjacent tanks. Spacers hold the flow gaps open.Upper and lower flanges are adhesively attached to the shell. Flange holes align with the tanks. Each flange hole has an annular wall encircling one of the tanks to preclude the shell from expanding.Upper and lower manifolds are adjacent the flanges, and have chambers disposed side-by-side for each heat transfer tank. Baffles are adapted to be removably received between the chambers to selectively block flow.A plurality of tubes extends between upper and lower tube headers, comprising a tube bundle, removably received within each of the heat transfer tanks.A header O-ring is between each header and flange. A seal plate is disposed against each flange. Each seal plate has seal plate holes in alignment with the flange holes, defining a hole pair. Each hole pair has a groove to receive the header O-ring. Each manifold and seal plate has a manifold seal.The shell, the manifolds, the headers, and the flanges, are constructed of a polymer. The tubes are constructed of metal materials having efficient heat transfer properties.
US08256502B2	Heat exchange member and heat exchange apparatus A heat exchange member comprising a liquid layer and a solid layer capable of conducting a heat exchange reaction with the liquid layer upon their solid-liquid contact at an interface between the solid layer and the solid layer, wherein the solid layer further comprises on a surface thereof which is contacted with the liquid layer a surface coating layer capable of reducing a difference of the vibration between a thermal vibration of the solid and a thermal vibration of the liquid, and the surface coating layer comprises a plurality of fibrous structures arranged on a surface of the solid layer, and a heat exchange apparatus using the heat exchange member.
US08256493B2	Casting mold surface treatment method and casting mold using said method A surface treatment method includes covering a surface of a casting mold with a carbon film containing at least one type of nanocarbon selected from the group of carbon nanocoils, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofilaments, and further applying fullerenes to that surface. With this surface treatment method being performed on a surface (a cavity surface, etc. of a casting mold) making contact with a molten casting material such as aluminum, etc., sticking of the molten casting material to the mold is inhibited, release resistance of the product is reduced, and release effectiveness is improved. The release effectiveness lasts longer than in the case of a conventional carbon film.
US08256492B2	Frame-mounted sunshade device A sunshade device for a vehicle includes a sunshade cloth that has two opposite lateral ends inserted respectively into two track rails, a fixed end fixed to a winding shaft assembly, and a pull end interconnecting the lateral ends oppositely of the fixed end. A cross bar is attached to the pull end and extends between the track rails. A tensioning unit includes a spring disposed within the cross bar, a buffer sleeve disposed around the spring, and two tension cords each having an intermediate section attached to one of two lateral ends of the sunshade cloth, a first end section connected to one end of the spring, and a second end section connected to the winding shaft assembly. The tension cords prevent the sunshade cloth from becoming slack.
US08256487B2	Portable curtain retraction device and system A portable barrier retraction device and system for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The device includes a first drum, a rotatable shaft in selective rotational communication with the first drum, and a clutch configured to disengage the first drum from the rotatable shaft. The device further includes a detachable rotatable second drum in rotational communication with the first drum. The rotatable shaft selectively imparts rotation to the second drum by selectively imparting rotation to the first drum. The second drum includes at least one spool configured to retract or deploy at least one line in response to rotation of the second drum.
US08256482B2	Apparatus for covering and grouping wires and method thereof There is provided an apparatus for applying tape on a plurality of wire to form a harness thereof, the apparatus comprising a casing defining a fixed portion adapted to rotatably receive a moveable portion rotatable about a moveable portion axis, the moveable portion being adapted to secure a roll of tape thereon such that the roll of tape revolves with the moveable portion in a fashion allowing unwinding of the tape on the plurality of wires, the fixed portion and the moveable portion defining cooperating indentations encompassing the moveable portion axis, the indentation in the moveable portion being adapted to be selectively aligned with the indentation of the fixed portion to receive and allow positioning of the plurality of wires about the moveable portion axis such that the tape on the rotating moveable portion being unwounded on the plurality of wires to secure the plurality of wires in a harness.
US08256477B2	Portable work bench An improved portable work bench includes a beam, legs for supporting the beam, and at least one bracket having first and second surfaces for contacting respective first and second sides of the beam, wherein the second surface is movable between a first position contacting the second side of the beam, and a second position not contacting the second side of the beam. A spring biases the second surface towards the first position.
US08256473B2	Supporting and weighing device for containers A container supplied to a carousel type filling unit is directed onto a supporting and weighing device (1) that presents a hollow body (12) attached to the carousel and housing a load cell. The hollow body (12) is equipped with a pedestal (19) presenting a platform (20) on which to stand the container, and a connecting element (21) of which a first end (21a) is coupled with the load cell internally of the hollow body (12) and a second end (21b), opposite to the first end (21a), is secured to the platform (20). To advantage, the first end (21a) of the connecting element (21) is seated in a through opening (13) afforded by the underside of the hollow body (12).
US08256467B1	Plug with pressure release valve A plug having a pressure release valve for releasing excess pressure within a bladder of the plug. The release valve has a valve core with a pressure release passage therethrough with an inlet in fluid communication with an interior void of the bladder and an outlet in fluid communication with the external environment outside the bladder. An elastomeric seal under hoop stress about a portion of the valve core seals the outlet until overinflation of the bladder causes the seal to become elastically deflected and unseal the outlet, thereby allowing excess pressure to be released. When the overinflation no longer exists because of the pressure release, the hoop stress of the seal causes resealing of the outlet. An inflation valve may also be provided to inflate the bladder, and with the inlet opening into an inflation passageway into the bladder's interior.
US08256465B2	Microfluidic valve structure A microfluidic valve structure is provided. The valve structure includes a valve body having a fluid flow passage formed therein for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve boss is configured to move relative to a valve seat to open and close the fluid flow passage. A plurality of flexible support arms extend between a wall of the valve body and the valve boss for supporting the valve boss relative to the valve body such that the valve boss engages and disengages the valve seat to close and open the passage.
US08256464B2	Check valve flap for fluid injector A backflow-prevention system that substantially prevents contaminant backflow at a treatment site. The system includes a fluid ejector tube for insertion into the patient's mouth and a backflow prevention device that receives fluid from the fluid ejector tube. The backflow prevention device includes an internally positioned valve member. The valve member limits contaminant backflow. The valve member is movable between open and closed positions based on a vacuum pressure condition in the system.
US08256463B2	Faucet with adjustable height spout A faucet spout having an adjustable height relative to a stationary base or surface to which it may be mounted. A spout tube is slideably engaged within a spout body in which a support member is housed. The support member is received within the spout tube and provides a positive stop at a lowest position. A ratchet assembly within the support member engages the end of the spout tube at any one of a series of ratchet teeth providing a variety of additional stops/heights at which the spout tube may be retained for operation. A release button withdraws the ratchet arm and permits the spout tube to return to the first stop at its lowest point.
US08256461B1	Distribution valve and cam mechanism An improved multi-port water distribution valve is disclosed together with the improved cam mechanism that significantly enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the valve when used to distribute water to multiple sets of pop-up cleaning heads incorporated into the in-floor cleaning system of a swimming pool. Two forms of prior art distribution valves are disclosed as is the improved cam mechanism that, when used to replace the prior art cam in these devices, significantly improves their performance. Comparative data is provided demonstrating the results achieved with two different prior art valves operated with and without the improved cam. Embodiments of the invention suitable for use in existing six-port and five-port distribution valves are disclosed.
US08256460B2	Device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit A device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit driven by a compressed fluid source p available in the operating room and comprising A) a control valve attachable to the drive unit for controlling a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source p to a drive unit; B) a first control means by means of which the control valve is operable; and C) a second control means by means of which a flow rate of compressed fluid may be controlled. The device further comprises D) a control switch which is attached to the control valve and allowing to select between at least three positions (A;B;C): in position A the control valve is locked and closed; in position B the control valve is unlocked and a flow rate of the compressed fluid is controllable by means of the first control means; and in position C the control valve is unlocked and open permitting the control of a flow rate by means of the second control means.
US08256458B2	Device for the prevention of high oil tank pressures under negative G conditions An aircraft gas-turbine oil tank has a breather outlet tube 2 branching off from an upper area of the oil tank 1 and connecting to a breather and a connecting tube 6 joining to a bottom area of the oil tank 1. An air guide tube which is open at both ends is arranged in the upper area of the oil tank 1, with the air guide tube 3 protruding into the breather outlet tube 2 and extending into a middle area of the oil tank 1.
US08256456B2	Modular electrical bus system with built-in ground circuit A modular electrical bus system has a grounding circuit through a plurality of modular units with each unit being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent units and the main communication module. The bridge member and modular units are grounded together with a ground circuit that extends within both components.
US08256455B1	Alarm and method A valve and method allows efficient closure for a pipe containing liquid. The valve in the preferred form is operated by a float in a sump pit should the sump pump fail to operate. The float is lifted by rising water and an arm attached to the float is supported on rollers when the valve is normally open turns to disengage from the rollers to close the valve. A shaft positioned in the conduit is attached to a cap which reacts to the expansion of a spring to thus close the end of the conduit and prevent further liquid flow therethrough. An audible alarm system sounds as the rising liquid level reaches a water sensor on the valve to warn a homeowner or building occupant. The alarm also sounds when a manual test switch is closed or if the smoke sensor is activated.
US08256453B2	Vacuum regulator having selectable adjustment ranges A vacuum regulator has a vacuum range controller and a manifold including an inlet opening, a vacuum source connection, and a bleed orifice. The vacuum range controller includes a regulator stem having a metering tip, a stem body, and an adjustment rod. The metering tip is selectively positioned against the bleed orifice. The vacuum range controller further includes a vacuum adjuster having an adjustment collar and a resilient member which are coaxially disposed on a portion of the regulator stem. An adjustment knob engages the adjustment rod for concurrent rotational movement therewith.
US08256451B2	Valve device for filling containers, in particular containers intended to contain liquefied gases A valve device for filling containers, particularly containers intended to contain liquefied gases, includes a valve body in which a gas duct is defined at the inlet of the container, the gas duct extending predominantly in an axial direction. A closure is axially movable in the valve body away from and towards a valve seat in order, respectively, to open and shut off the gas duct. A float type actuator, capable of exerting a thrust on a second end of the closure, is provided. A deflector cover is disposed transversely to the gas pipe and is integral with the valve body. The deflector includes a guide cavity in which a first end of the closure is slidably engaged.
US08256450B2	Butterfly valves with undulating sealing surface A butterfly valve with an undulating sealing surface, which has an inflatable annular seal mounted in a housing. A disk is pivotally mounted in the housing and has an edge with an undulating sealing surface and a peripheral sealing edge. The undulating sealing surface of the disk and a sealing face of the annular seal have non-mating profiles when the valve is in an unsealed condition. Pressure in a chamber proximate the annular seal causes the face of the annular seal to expand and deform and the face forms a high-pressure seal between the sealing ridge and the annular seal. Also includes a method for stopping delivery of a conduit transportable material through a butterfly valve.
US08256448B2	High temperature butterfly valves A butterfly valve for handling materials where the temperature of the materials flowing through the butterfly valve can exceed the breakdown temperature of the sealing member with the butterfly valve inhibiting contact of hot transportable materials with the sealing member to isolate the hot transportable materials from the sealing member. Cooling conduits maintain at least portions of the valve that contacts the sealing member at a temperature below the breakdown temperature of the sealing member to prevent seal failure.
US08256444B2	Check ball valve assembly with check ball guide A check ball valve assembly is used to regulate fluid flow from two separate fluid sources to a single fluid outlet. The assembly utilizes a single check ball alternating between two check ball seats in two separate fluid passages. A check ball guide is installed at the intersection of the separate fluid passages and deflects the check ball from the pressurized passage to the non-pressurized passage to prevent backflow into the fluid source.
US08256441B2	Method for cleaning optical element of EUV light source device and optical element cleaning device A method for cleaning an optical element of an extreme ultraviolet light source device for removing, from the optical element in a chamber, scattered matter generated together with extreme ultraviolet light by plasma formed through laser beam excitation of a target in the chamber, the method which comprises: making the scattered matter generated by the plasma no larger than nanosize by using solid tin as the target and using a CO2 laser as an excitation source of the solid tin; and imparting, to the scattered matter no larger than the nanosize adhered to the optical element, an effect of overcoming the adherence of the scattered matter.
US08256438B2	Hair holder, open/close device for hair-holding member, and hair holder for hair treatment A hair holder includes a tube formed of a sheet in such a design as to allow a hair bundle to be inserted from a one-end opening at one end of the tube toward an other-end opening at the other end thereof. The tube includes an integration mechanism in the vicinity of the one-end opening. The integration mechanism is for a clip-type fixing member having a pair of pinchers. The one-end opening is openable and closable by operating the clip-type fixing member having been integrated with the tube.
US08256437B2	Mascara brush including bristles of various diameters An applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator having a brush with a twisted core and including at least two segments. Each segment includes a plurality of bristles having a common diameter associated with the segment, the bristles being held by the twisted core. The common diameter associated with each of the at least two segments increases for each segment towards a distal end of the twisted core.
US08256432B2	Unit and a method for wrapping tobacco products Tobacco products are wrapped by a unit equipped with a rotating drum carrying a set of holder mechanisms around the periphery, each rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the drum, by which single products are supported and carried through an assembly station together with leaves of wrapping material received from a vacuum roller turning on an axis parallel to the axis of the drum; the vacuum roller revolves tangentially to the drum at the assembly station and comprises a system by which each leaf is transferred to a gripper associated with the support mechanism. The transfer system is timed to operate in a situation of substantially zero relative peripheral velocity between the support mechanism and the vacuum roller.
US08256431B2	Methods for treating hyperopia and presbyopia via laser tunneling A method for treating presbyopia utilizes an Erbium based, pulsed laser to sever sub-conjunctival strictures located within the scleral matrix of the eye. Introduction of treatment energy into the scleral matrix increases or facilitates an increase in accommodation, thereby mitigating the effects of presbyopia. The treatment energy can be directed into the scleral matrix to form tunnel ablations in and through the strictures of the scleral matrix. The tunnel ablations can enhance the accommodation of the patient's eye, enabling the eye to refocus at near distances while not losing its ability to focus at a distance.
US08256427B2	Endotracheal tube holder An endotracheal tube holder is provided. The endotracheal tube holder includes an adjustable securing clamp, an adjusting unit, a bite block, and a securing strap. The adjustable securing clamp includes a first clamping unit having a first clamping portion, and a second clamping unit having a second clamping portion. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are oppositely and correspondingly aligned for holding an endotracheal tube. The adjusting unit includes an elastic member, coupled between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit. The bite block is configured at one side of the first clamping portion and includes an endotracheal tube accommodation portion. The endotracheal tube accommodation portion covers over the endotracheal tube for providing a protection to the endotracheal tube. The securing strap includes two ends respectively coupled to two lateral sides of the first clamping unit.
US08256423B2	Condom A condom may include pouch having a wall and a frame. The pouch may have an open end and a closed end and the frame may be positioned proximate the open end. An anchoring device may be secured to the pouch proximate the closed end. Further, a harness or accessory attachment may be provided to assist in securing the condom to a user. At least one condom accessory, for stimulating at least one of the five senses, may also be positioned on or in at least one of the pouch, frame, anchor or harness using a variety of attachment methods.
US08256419B2	Method and device using myoelectrical activity for optimizing a patient's ventilatory assist The present invention relates to a method and device for determining a level of ventilatory assist to a ventilator-dependent patient, in which a critical threshold of a respiration-related feature is calculated. Fatigue of a respiratory muscle of the ventilator-dependent patient develops when the critical threshold is reached by the respiration-related feature. The level of ventilatory assist to the ventilator-dependent patient is controlled in relation to the critical threshold of the respiration-related feature so as to prevent fatigue of the patient's respiratory muscle.
US08256416B2	Dispensing device A device for dispensing individual doses of powder from respective pockets of a disc-shaped carrier by outwardly rupturing a lidding foil by means of pressure on an opposite side surface, the device providing individual respective deaggregation flow paths for each pocket, split airstreams allowing improved entrainment of powder, a cam mechanism for outwardly rupturing the pockets, an indexing mechanism linked to the cam mechanism and a dose counter.
US08256415B2	Portable liquid oxygen delivery system A portable liquid oxygen medical delivery system including a portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus and a portable liquid oxygen recharger. The portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus contains an initial quantity of liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen delivery apparatus is sufficiently lightweight for portability by an ambulatory patient and has a fill port for receiving liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen recharger stores a supplemental quantity of liquid oxygen and is also sufficiently lightweight for portability by an ambulatory individual. The liquid oxygen recharger has an interface for interfacing the liquid oxygen recharger with the portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus for delivering the supplemental quantity of liquid oxygen to the portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus.
US08256411B2	Thermal bottle sock and associated methods A bottle warmer includes a flexible tubular sleeve having a closed lower end and an open upper end. The open upper end is to receive a bottle therethough, and the closed lower end is to receive a bottom of the bottle thereagainst. An elastic band is carried by a medial portion of the flexible tubular sleeve to secure the medial portion to an adjacent portion of the bottle, and permit the open upper end to be folded back adjacent the closed lower end to define a pocket. A chemical heat source element is to be received by the pocket for warming the bottle.
US08256410B2	Barbecue grill A barbecue grill for cooking an object. The barbecue grill includes a first resistive element subassembly energizable for generating heat to cook the object, and a second resistive element subassembly energizable for generating heat to cook the object.
US08256408B2	Mounting plate for a wire sawing device, wire sawing device comprising the same, and wire sawing process carried out by the device The device (1) for wire sawing of a piece (10) to be sawed that is mounted on a support table (20) comprises fastening means (15, 26, 40) for fastening said piece (10) to be sawed to a carriage (18) apt to cooperate with a guide rail of said support table (20), said fastening means (15, 26, 40) consisting of a mounting plate (15) apt to be manufactured to which said piece (10) to be sawed is bonded, and of anchoring means (26, 40) for anchoring said mounting plate (15) directly on said carriage (18).
US08256406B1	Systems and methods for regulating pneumatic gas propulsion Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for regulating pneumatic gas propulsion. More specifically, some embodiments include a first spring that exerts a spring force, where the spring set point increases as the first spring is compressed. Similarly, some embodiments include a piston that is in physical communication with the first spring and a valve. The valve mechanism may receive the gas, where upon the gas being received by the valve mechanism at a pressure that meets the spring set point, the gas causes the piston to move in the longitudinal direction. Further, movement of the piston creates a cylinder space between the piston and the valve mechanism, where a volume of the cylinder space is defined by a position of the piston. The pressure causes the piston to compress the first spring until an equilibrium exists between the gas force and the spring force.
US08256403B2	Engine and supercharger An internal combustion engine is coupled to a supercharger operable to supply varying amounts of air to the engine responsive to the load on the engine. The supercharger has a pair of screw rotors driven by the engine to move air to the engine and a control apparatus for varying the mass and pressure of air supplied to the engine.
US08256398B2	Fuel supply apparatus and fuel supply method of an internal combustion engine A high-pressure pump (50) is provided which is drivingly connected to an engine output shaft (1) and delivers fuel to an injector (4) through a delivery pipe (5) based on the rotation of the output shaft (1). The high-pressure pump (50) includes an electromagnetic valve (50b) that adjusts, based on the engine operating state, a fuel delivery amount within an adjustable range that changes according to a rotation speed of the engine output shaft (1). When an abnormality is detected in the electromagnetic valve (50b), the rotation speed of the engine output shaft (1) is restricted to equal to or less than a reference engine speed (NT).
US08256395B2	Engine cover having a retainer to secure an engine accessory A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.
US08256392B2	Method for actuating an electromagnetic switching valve A method for actuating an electromagnetic switching valve (2) which is part of a fluid system s which has different operating states and which has a solenoid (17) and an armature group (19) which can be moved between a first switched position, which enables a flow of fluid, and a second switched position which blocks the flow of fluid, and has a valve-closing body (22) and a magnet armature (20) which is connected to the valve-closing body (22) in a tensile force-free frictional connection. In this context, in at least one operating state of the fluid system, intermediate excitation (30) in order to damp overshooting of the magnet armature (20) is performed between two coil excitations which move the armature group (19).
US08256391B2	Valve control system with malfunction detection The invention relates to a valve control system for an engine including at least one cylinder (1, 2, 3, 4) with valves (5, 6), wherein said system comprises valve electromagnetic actuation members (7, 9, 10) associated with a management unit (11, 15) that controls the actuation members, said system comprising a member (11, 12, 13) for detecting a malfunction of the actuation members and a member (11, 12, 13) for electrically insulating the faulty actuation member.
US08256385B2	Dual retractable pet leash with ability to stop pets individually A twin pet leash prevents tangling by permitting the reel portion to rotate relative to the handle portion, and features individually controllable leash stop mechanisms. Even while an individual leash is stopped, the reel portion can rotate relative to the handle portion so that tangling of the pet leashes is avoided. The leash handle portion has two triggers which are color coded to match the color of the leash, so that a user can readily identify which of the two leashes are to be stopped. Either or both of the leashes can be stopped or released, without interfering with the operation of the other one of the leashes.
US08256383B2	Collapsible practice barrels for equine barrel racing A collapsible barrel is provided for use in training for equine barrel racing. The collapsible barrel is configured and sized to approximate the dimensions of a conventional barrel used in the sport of equine barrel racing, but is constructed of sturdy, lightweight materials that enable the barrel to be transformed between a fully deployed state and a collapsed state. The collapsible barrel of the present invention is sufficiently lightweight and dimensioned, when in a collapsed state, to be easily transported, deployed for training and later stored. The flexibility of the collapsible barrel makes training ideal because it eliminates injury to the legs of the rider and the body of the horse.
US08256374B2	Apparatus and methods for profile wrapping laminates Apparatus and methods for applying a coating of adhesive to laminate cover material in a profile wrapping operation. The apparatus can include a slot nozzle, a pressure roller, and a drive roller. The drive roller and pressure roller are movable to first positions in which the drive roller and pressure roller are spaced from the laminate, and second positions in which the drive roller and pressure roller contact the laminate to feed the veneer over the slot nozzle. The apparatus may be used to apply adhesive to raw veneer provided in strip form and to laminates provided in roll form.
US08256372B2	Apparatus for applying deglossing paint on peripheral inactive portion including a slidable holder and elastically disposed carrier An exemplary apparatus for applying deglossing paint on a peripheral inactive portion of a lens is provided. The apparatus includes a platform, a holder and a printing device. The platform includes a worktable, and a supporting member extending from the worktable and having a cantilever portion suspending above the worktable. The holder is mounted on the worktable, and is configured for holding one or more lenses thereon. The printing device is supported by the cantilever portion, and includes a stamper facing toward the lens. The stamper is capable of having the deglossing paint stained thereon and applying the deglossing paint on the peripheral inactive portion by bringing the deglossing paint into contact with the peripheral inactive portion.
US08256369B2	Collapsible construction barrier A collapsible barrier has at least three integrally-formed wall sections with a plurality of contiguous living hinges, as a series, joining each adjacent pair of wall sections, the at least three wall sections including two endmost wall sections joinable to form an upright structure. A collapsible barrier may include a plurality of interconnected wall sections each having a top-facing side, where one of the top-facing sides has a pocket adapted for securely holding a light. A thermoformed unitary plastic object may include at least two wall sections, at least one hinge member connecting adjacent interior ones of the wall sections' longitudinal sides, the hinge member comprising a plurality of interconnected living hinges, where a nominal thickness of the at least one hinge members of the thermoformed unitary plastic object approximates 0.100 inch.
US08256368B2	Reinforcement of kiss-off in rotationally molded watercraft Embodiments are disclosed that relate to the efficient reinforcement of molded kiss-offs in a kayak. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a personal self-propelled watercraft comprising a unitary molded plastic body comprising a hull and a seat, a kiss-off connecting two proximate surfaces of the self-propelled watercraft, and a plastic reinforcing structure welded within an interior of the kiss-off.
US08256364B2	Methods and devices for controlling the tension of yarn in a tufting machine A tufting machine for forming tufted carpet having means for inserting loops of at least two different yarns into a backing material moving through the tufting machine and means for controlling the deviation of the ratio of different yarns projecting from a top surface of the backing material. It is contemplated that the tufting machine can be used to maintain the color of the tufted carpet at a desired color during the operation of the tufting machine.
US08256360B2	Massage table with secure lock legs A massage table for supporting a person above a surface during a massage includes a table top assembly and a leg assembly. The table top assembly supports the person. The leg assembly is secured to the table top assembly and supports the table top assembly above the surface. The leg assembly includes a plurality of legs. At least at least one of the legs includes (i) a first leg section that is attached to the table top assembly, (ii) a second leg section that is movable relative to the first leg section to adjust the position of the table top assembly relative to the support, and (iii) a section attacher that selectively attaches the first leg section to the second leg section. In one embodiment, the section attacher includes a section stop and a section clamp. The section stop inhibits relative movement between the first leg section and the second leg section. The section clamp also selectively inhibits relative movement between the first leg section and the second leg section. With this design, in certain embodiments, the leg is designed to inhibit relative movement between the leg sections to insure quiet use of the massage table.
US08256359B1	Height adjustable table A height adjustable table is disclosed wherein all horizontal supports that span between legs have been eliminated to increase storage space and knee space in the area under the table work surface. A unique telescoping leg arrangement is disclosed.
US08256355B2	Cover system for open top rail cars An improved rail car is pulled by an engine for transporting coal or other porous dust bearing materials. The car has opposing long sidewalls and opposing shorter end walls, which together define an initially open interior, a bottom and an open top. The open top of the car is covered by at least one pair of main doors in the form of opposing hinged A-frame sections which are pivotable between a closed, transport position and an open loading position which exposes the rail car interior for loading. The A-frame sections also have longitudinally spaced edges which are spaced apart to form a discharge door opening. A discharge door is located in each of the discharge door opening and is pivotally hinged within the respective door opening so that it opens under the influence of gravity in a rotary dumping operation. The discharge doors, together with the A-frame sections, form a door-within-a-door operating configuration.
US08256353B1	System and method for processing and distributing freight containers A system and method for optimally managing the inventory of railroad freight cars and for transporting and processing the unladen cars to reloading points. The system provides a means for returning unladen cars at one or more strategically located yards or aggregation facilities where the cars are cleaned, inspected, repaired/maintained, stored and blocked for ultimate delivery. After such processes the cars may be treated as generic, and used for the transport of any materials within the constraints of the car type, rather than being dedicated to specific products and returned to a specific production facilities as in current practice. As well, the method provides a means by which multiple car operators may pool their collective rail car assets to further optimize the rail car supply chain. The method provides a means to determine candidate locations for such aggregation facilities/processing yards, and for optimal inventory control, sorting by next destination, and transit scheduling to deliver unladen cars to their next reloading points. The system and method are particularly useful in transporting specific polymer resins to a manufacturing region and returning the rail car through the aggregation/processing facility such that the cleaned, repaired, inspected, stored and blocked car may be used at any resin production facility.
US08256352B2	Jacketed bullet with bonded core A jacketed bullet comprising a dense core of a first material substantially surrounded by and bonded to a jacket of a second material, wherein the thickness of the jacket varies.
US08256351B1	Non-lethal variable distance electronic timed payload projectile ammunitions A non-lethal projectile used to immobilize, impair, disorient, or distract a live target. The non-lethal projectile can also be used as a signaling device. In one embodiment, a non-lethal payload carrying projectile that is detonated at a set distance determined and, set by the operator. The distance is electronically controlled and can be set in the field seconds before the projectile is fired.
US08256346B2	Plateless lithographic printing Embodiments of the present invention dispense with the need for lithographic printing plates, instead facilitating direct transfer of ink from a permanent cylinder to a recording medium. Accordingly, instead of being permanently modified to exhibit oleophilic and oleophobic (or hydrophilic) regions, the cylinder is effectively “programmed” with the image prior to each transfer of ink.
US08256345B2	Printing press, methods for using the printing press, and methods for handling a web guided through a printing press A printing press has at least one first printing tower with at least one first printing unit that has several offset printing couples which are usable to print on one or on both sides of a first web which runs through the first printing unit substantially from the bottom to the top. The web is printed in multiple colors in the first printing tower. A dryer is arranged downstream of the first printing unit and along the conveying path of the first web. A former structure, with at least one former through which the web runs, is located downstream of the dryer. At least one nipping roller is located downstream of the dryer and upstream of the former. A spreading device is provided between the dryer and the at least one nipping roller that is located upstream of the former and along the conveying path of the first web.
US08256343B2	Coffee maker comprising means for generating a rotation in a flow of beverage A pad holder of a coffee maker for making coffee with a foam layer on top includes a stud plate having studs for supporting a coffee pad containing ground coffee beans and an outlet opening for delivering coffee extract. Studs in the direct vicinity of the outlet opening are arranged in a circle, where surfaces of the studs form a circular directing surface. During operation of the coffee maker, a flow of coffee extract enters a space encompassed by the studs via channels between the studs, and is put into rotation as a result of interaction with the directing surface. Consequently, the coffee flow enters the outlet opening in a rotating condition, causing the outlet opening to deliver the coffee as a spray of fine droplets, from which the foam is created.
US08256342B2	Extraction module with linear closure for the pressurized preparation of a drink from a capsule The invention relates to an extraction module with linear closure for the pressurized preparation of a drink from a capsule, containing a substance for extraction, comprising means for extraction with a first extraction sub-assembly and a second mobile extraction sub-assembly closing against the first sub-assembly such as to form an extraction chamber in the closed position and to provide sufficient space between the two sub-assemblies for introduction of a capsule between the sub-assemblies in the open position and comprising a means for fixing and positioning the capsule between the two sub-assemblies. Said means for fixing and positioning may be displaced in a coaxial manner with relation to the linear displacement of the mobile extraction sub-assembly and is capable of being displaced linearly by the second mobile sub-assembly in to a displaced position such as to permit a closing of the two sub-assemblies around the capsule.
US08256341B2	Air brake diaphragms An air-operated diaphragm brake, more particularly a brake actuator assembly containing a diaphragm with a rib or ring design for centering and maintaining the location of a piston or push plate and for reducing debris build up in the brake actuator assembly. The diaphragm includes a projecting rim for engaging a housing containing a piston, a bottom wall having an interior surface for engaging the piston, a sidewall connecting the projecting rim with the bottom wall; and a plurality of ribs or a ring disposed on the interior surface of the bottom wall. The ribs or ring structure extends in a direction away from the intersection between the sidewall and the bottom wall, toward the center of the interior surface, and revolving around the center point of the interior surface.
US08256336B2	System for disabling small water craft A system and method for disabling a small boat comprises at least two hulls and an entanglement device disposed therebetween. In the illustrative embodiment, each hull is an unmanned underwater vehicle. The system is launched from a vessel to intercept the small boat. When close to the small boat, the separating distance between the two hulls is increased, thereby deploying the entanglement device and causing it to become entangled with the small boat (e.g., the small boat's propulsion system, etc.).
US08256335B1	Bi-directional chainsaw chain A saw chain which is reversible having adjacent chain sections each having a pair of cutting links with cutting teeth disposed on opposite sides of the chain having flanged cutting teeth extending over the chain. The cutting edge on the pairs of cutting teeth on adjacent sections are oppositely disposed so that when the chain becomes dulled it can be reversed on the chain saw bar to reverse the chain sections to place sharp teeth in the cutting position and the previously used teeth are in a non-cutting position.
US08256333B2	Window covering sizing method and apparatus An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises a lateral support surface and a saw for cutting the window covering positioned at an end of the lateral support surface. An engagement member locates the center of the window covering that is retractably mounted on the lateral support surface. A clamp assembly comprises a clamping jaw that is movable to a first position where the clamping jaw presses the window covering against the lateral support surface. The clamp assembly is movable relative to the first saw and the second saw. A controller for moves the clamp assembly to automatically position a first end of the window covering relative to the first saw and a second end of the window covering relative to the second saw. Methods of cutting a window covering are also provided.
US08256327B2	Coaxial gear set A coaxial gear set, in particular a hollow shaft gear set for industrial drive technology, having high power density, comprising a drive element (7), an element (3), and an output element, with a gear ratio and a transmission of a drive torque occurring between the drive element (7) and the output element via a plurality of radially movable tooth segments (5), an outer tooth flank contour (11.1, 11.2) of the tooth contour (6) of the tooth segments (5) and/or a flank contour (12.1, 12.2) of a gearing (13) of an inner gearing (15) of an internal wheel (1), relative to a gear axis (M), a tooth contour that allows surface contact in the engagement area comprising a logarithmic spiral.
US08256325B1	Wheel for rolling stock handbrake A wheel is for use in manually turning a shaft on rolling stock, such as for a handbrake. The wheel has a hub and a rim. The hub is made of a first material and has an opening that is structured and arranged to receive the shaft. The opening has a rotational axis. The hub has an exterior around the rotational axis, with the hub having drive surfaces relative to the rotational axis. The rim is coupled to the hub so as to engage the drive surfaces. The drive surfaces include flat surfaces and corners of a tube portion of the hub, a radially extending plate with holes therethrough and teeth in an outer edge and gussets coupled between the tube portion and the plate. The rim has an outer periphery structured and arranged to be gripped by a human hand for rotating the wheel. The rim is made of a second material that is softer than the first material.
US08256323B2	Control device with thumb trigger A manual control device including a handle configured to be grasped by a hand with a thumb, and a trigger configured to be subjected to a pressure from the distal phalanx of the thumb. The trigger is placed relative to the handle so as to be able to be subjected to a pressure from the distal phalanx while the proximal phalanx from the thumb is resting along the handle.
US08256322B2	Steering apparatus A steering apparatus includes a fixed bracket, an outer column, an arm unit, an inner column, a steering shaft, and a tightening tool. The outer column includes a main holding body portion, a divided portion, and a tightening portion. The arm unit includes by a bifurcated arm portion that extends axially outward in a substantially bifurcated shape at the axial front side of the main holding body portion and a linking portion formed between the arms of the bifurcated arm portion. The inner column is held by the outer column. The steering shaft is pivotally supported by the linking portion. Two tightening plate pieces of the tightening portion are disposed inside two fixed side portions of the fixed bracket and tightenably connected by the tightening tool.
US08256319B2	Offset remote center manipulator for robotic surgery Medical, surgical, and/or robotic devices and systems often including offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assemblies which constrains a position of a surgical instrument during minimally invasive robotic surgery are disclosed. The improved remote center manipulator linkage assembly advantageously enhances the range of instrument motion while at the same time reduces the overall complexity, size, and physical weight of the robotic surgical system.
US08256318B2	System for gearing A system for gearing, the system comprising a toothed wheel mounted on a shaft, the wheel being pierced by channels fed with lubricant, each channel opening out to the toothed periphery of the wheel. Said wheel is mounted on an end portion of the shaft, so as to be capable of being rotated by said shaft, said end portion being hollow so as to present an inside chamber, said chamber opening out to the end of the shaft via an orifice. Said channels communicate with said chamber. The system includes an injector for injecting lubricant into the chamber, the injector being situated outside the chamber and facing said orifice in such a manner as to inject the lubricant through said orifice, the lubricant penetrating into and flowing along the channels to the toothed periphery of the wheel under the effect of centrifugal force associated with rotation of the shaft.
US08256317B2	Transmission device and power seat slide device for vehicle A transmission device that transmits rotation of a drive cable to a screw shaft is provided. The transmission device includes a worm gear attached to the drive cable, a helical gear attached to the screw shaft, a gear case, a pair of first bearing wall portions, and a pair of second bearing wall portions. The gear case has an opening on one side so as to accommodate the worm gear and the helical gear. The first bearing wall portions are integrally formed with the gear case so as to face each other along the axial direction of the drive cable, and rotatably support both ends of the worm gear. The second bearing wall portions are integrally formed with the gear case so as to face each other along the axial direction of the screw shaft, and rotatably support both ends of the helical gear.
US08256316B2	Linear bearing assembly with spherical rollers A linear bearing employs spherical roller bodies which are contained in a roller nut body with two drive helixes and two return helixes which form a continuous loop in the nut body. The return helixes are offset from the drive helixes and have a pressure relief cutout to allow for movement of the spherical roller bodies through the return helix region.
US08256313B2	Actuator with linearly movable drive screw An actuator and vehicle system including a drive gear with an integral drive nut in meshing engagement with a drive screw. The drive screw is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear motion of the drive screw.
US08256306B1	High-capacity low-profile load cell for measuring compression force A high-capacity low-profile load cell for measuring compression force. The load cell comprises a support ring, a diaphragm supported by the support ring, and first and second pluralities of strain gages arranged under the diaphragm for detecting strain produced by application of a load from above. The diaphragm comprises a slug portion and a plate portion that surrounds and supports the slug portion. The slug portion has a height greater than a thickness of the plate portion. The first plurality of strain gages is disposed on a bottom surface of the slug portion, while the second plurality of strain gages is disposed on a bottom surface of the plate portion. These strain gages are electrically connected to form a Wheatstone bridge.
US08256305B2	System and method for air containment zone pressure differential detection An air pressure differential sensing system includes a conduit defining an air passage through which air flows upon application of an air pressure differential across different regions of the air passage, a flap pivotally connected to the conduit, and a sensing device mounted proximate to the air passage and separate from the flap. The flap is configured to move about a pivotal axis in response to the air flowing through the air passage. The sensing device is configured to sense an angular position of the flap about the pivotal axis, the angular position of the flap being a function of the air pressure differential.
US08256300B2	Pressure sensor A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
US08256298B2	MEMS pressure sensor A MEMS pressure sensor for sensing the pressure in a sealed cavity of a MEMS device, comprises a resonant MEMS device having a pressure sensor resonator element which comprises an array of openings. The resonant frequency of the resonant MEMS device is a function of the pressure in the cavity, with resonant frequency increasing with pressure. Over the pressure range 0 to 0.1 kPa, the average change in frequency is at least 10−6/Pa. The invention is based on the recognition that for fast oscillation, the elastic force causes the resonance frequency to shift. Therefore, it is possible to sense the pressure by a device with resonance frequency that is sensitive to the pressure.
US08256291B1	MEMS switch triggered by shock and/or acceleration An acceleration-triggered or shock-triggered, smart, tunable MEMS switch that may function as both a classic accelerometer and an acceleration threshold detector. A parallel element MEMS device has a stationary and a movable element forming a capacitor. Varying acceleration moves the movable member with respect to the stationary member, thereby changing the capacitance of the device. The capacitance varying may be used, in cooperation with appropriate circuitry, to provide a signal representative of instantaneous acceleration. By applying a biasing voltage, the movable element may be positioned in a predetermined fashion such that acceleration of a predetermined magnitude causes the movable element to pull in (snap down). The movable and stationary elements may function as a switch such that when the predetermined acceleration or shock level occurs, electrodes close, a current flows between the elements so that an external device such as an air bag may be activated.
US08256289B2	Angular rate sensor An angular rate sensor comprises a piezoelectric film having a first and a second surfaces forming an x-y plane and utilizes a perturbation mass coherently vibrating elastic acoustic waves on which a Coriolis force acts when the angular rate sensor undergoes a rotary motion about an x-direction. A first elastic acoustic wave is excited in the piezoelectric film by a driving transducer and a second elastic acoustic wave generated by the Coriolis force proportional to an angular rate of the rotary motion of the angular rate sensor itself is detected by the detecting transducer. The angular rate sensor further comprises at least a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the piezoelectric film for discharging a surface charge caused due to piezoelectric effect at the lower surface of the film in which the first elastic acoustic wave is excited.
US08256286B2	System and method for detecting and measuring ethyl alcohol in the blood of a motorized vehicle driver transdermally and non-invasively in the presence of interferents This invention relates to a system and method that can quickly and accurately detect and measure ethyl alcohol in the blood of a motorized vehicle driver transdermally and non-invasively within minutes of ethanol consumption and in the presence of interferents. The system includes an array of sensors embedded into the steering mechanism of a motorized vehicle, a data base of patterns produced through empirical testing of various analytes in various combinations and concentrations, neural net based pattern recognition algorithms to ascertain the driver's transdermal alcohol concentration and a database derived from human testing, correlating the driver's transdermal alcohol concentration with the driver's blood alcohol concentration. The detection system is integrated with a motor vehicle decision module which can prevent the operation of a motorized vehicle by a driver whose BAC exceeds a preset limit.
US08256282B2	In situ determination of critical desorption pressures The critical desorption pressure is determined by pumping out an area within a well bore. As the pressure in that area is decreased, formation fluid from the surrounding rock matrix is drawn into the area. As the local pressure is decreased further, gaseous bubbles within the formation fluid will begin to form. The formation fluid is observed, and the formation of the gaseous bubbles is detected. The critical desorption pressure is determined based upon the presence of gas within the formation fluid. The concentration of gas within the formation fluid can then be determined based on the determination of the critical desorption pressure.
US08256281B2	Fuel property determination apparatus for internal combustion engine An object of the present invention is to determine individually and accurately an ignitability index value and an evaporativity index value of a fuel.A fuel injection valve (12) for which a fuel injection direction is set such that fuel is directed toward a cylinder wall surface (54) is included. An air-fuel ratio (a first air-fuel ratio) of an exhaust gas and a crank angular velocity (a first crank angular velocity) during combustion associated with fuel injection at a first after injection timing T1 are acquired. An air-fuel ratio (a second air-fuel ratio) of the exhaust gas and a crank angular velocity (a second crank angular velocity) during combustion associated with fuel injection at a second after injection timing T2 that is retarded from the first after injection timing T1 are acquired. A cetane number and a distillation property are determined based on Δ A/F that is an amount of change between the first air-fuel ratio and the second air-fuel ratio, Δ crank angular velocity that is an amount of change between the first crank angular velocity and the second crank angular velocity, and predetermined determination basic information.
US08256280B2	Arrangement structure for sensor to be mounted to engine of vehicle Disclosed is an arrangement structure for a sensor to be mounted to an engine of a vehicle, wherein the engine is arranged in an engine compartment 2 of the vehicle in a posture allowing a crankshaft 8 of the engine to be oriented in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The arrangement structure comprises a driveshaft 50 arranged along a vehicle-rearward lateral surface of the engine 1 facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle, to rotatably drive a front wheel, and a flange section 28a provided as a joining section between two members (12, 15) constituting the engine 1, to protrude in the rearward direction of the vehicle and at a height position below that of the driveshaft 50, wherein the sensor 42 is mounted to the vehicle-rearward lateral surface of the engine 1 at a height position located above the flange section 28a and in overlapping relation with the driveshaft 50 when viewed from a rear side of the vehicle. The arrangement structure of the present invention is capable of more reliably protecting the sensor mounted to the engine against foreign objects, such as water and a pebble, to adequately maintain performance of the sensor on a long-term basis.
US08256277B2	Gas turbine engine debris monitoring arrangement An example method of controlling gas turbine engine debris monitoring sensors includes detecting debris carried by air moving through an engine using at least first and second debris sensors, and processing signals from both the first and second debris sensors using a common signal conditioning unit. Another example method of monitoring gas turbine engine debris includes configuring at least one first debris sensor to detect debris carried by airflow moving through a first portion of an engine and configuring at least one second debris sensor to detect debris carried by airflow moving though a second portion of the engine. The method alternates between using the first debris sensor to detect debris and using the second debris sensor to detect debris.
US08256276B2	Ball movement path measuring method A ball movement path measuring method includes the steps of: preparing an operating unit and a measurement unit, mounting the triaxial accelerometer in the object to be measured for enabling the triaxial accelerometer to define XYZ triaxial space coordinates, obtaining the data of a initial position of the XYZ axes at a first measuring time and the data of a reference position of the XYZ axes at a second measuring time and transmitting the obtained data to the operating unit, and comparing the reference position to the initial position and calculating the XYZ acceleration data, XYZ vector components of force and torsion force relative to each of XYZ axes after receipt of force subject to the contained angle between the coordinates data of the reference position and the coordinate data of the initial position and then using the XYZ acceleration data and the data of the weight and size of the object to calculate the force experienced by the object, initial velocity, flight duration, flight height, flight distance and/or rotation speed.
US08256272B1	UV adhesive viscosity adjustment apparatus and method Examples of an apparatus and method for adjusting a viscosity of an adhesive are disclosed. An apparatus may comprise a motor including a spindle. A tooling bit may be disposed spaced from and axially aligned with the spindle extending into a first end of a syringe to contact an adhesive in the syringe while the syringe is detachably mounted for rotation to the spindle. A lamp may selectively shine a curing light on the adhesive. A meter may be coupled to the motor to measure a torque on the motor. The method may include detachably mounting the syringe containing the adhesive to the motor. The motor may be operated to stir the adhesive at a first voltage for a predetermined time. A torque on the motor may be measured and compared to a reference range of values.
US08256270B2	Pipeline pressure tool An apparatus and method for pressure testing one or more sections of a pipeline are provided. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first high pressure seal and a second high pressure seal adapted to isolate a test volume located within a section of the pipeline between the first and second high pressure seals. The apparatus also includes at least one flexible member connecting the first high pressure seal to the second high pressure seal, the at least one flexible member adapted to permit movement of the first high pressure seal relative to the second high pressure seal, allowing the apparatus to travel through a curvature in the pipeline.
US08256269B2	Aqueous chemical leak detection cable Disclosed are aqueous chemical leak detection cables that provide protection to sensor wires by using a conductive polymer coating that is resistant to corrosion by aqueous chemicals. In addition, non-conductive, liquid pervious layers may surround one or more of the sensor wires to assist in preventing false detection of a aqueous chemical leak as a result of various non-liquid contaminants. The non-conductive, liquid pervious layer may comprise braided, non-hydroscopic, non-conductive fibers, or a continuous, non-conductive pervious coating.
US08256268B2	System and method for measuring porosity of high strength and high performance concrete using a vacuum-pressure saturation method The method for measuring porosity of concrete is a vacuum pressure saturation-based method for calculating a porosity value of a sample of concrete. The method includes the steps of first drying a concrete sample and then making a first weight measurement of the concrete sample. Following the first weight measurement, the concrete sample is placed in a vacuum pressure vessel, where the sample is subjected to vacuum. The vacuum pressure vessel and a pressure cell are next filled with water. Water in the pressure cell and vacuum pressure vessel is pressurized, and the sample remains within the pressurized water for twenty-four hours. The sample remains submerged in the vacuum pressure vessel for another twenty-four hour period to achieve equilibrium. A second weight is then taken in the water, and a third weight measurement is taken in air. The porosity is calculated based upon the first, second and third weight measurements.
US08256257B2	Method of operating an apparatus for decelerating and temporarily accumulating hot rolled long products A method for operating an apparatus for decelerating and temporarily accumulating a hot rolled long product. The product is deposited on a rotating drum in the form of a helix, and is simultaneously unwound from the drum to a receiving guide movable incrementally along a path parallel to the rotational axis of the drum. Immediately upon entry of the product front end into the receiving guide, the incremental movement of the receiving guide is preceded by an initial rapid shifting through a distance adequate to prevent subsequent product convolutions of the helix from buckling and overlapping.
US08256255B2	Finishing station of variable structure for a machine for the formation of pipes A finishing station of variable structure includes two plates, joined integrally to each other and able to slide along two vertical shoulders which support a plurality of forming rollers mounted on shoes able to slide in radial guides formed in the plates. The shoes that support the forming rollers are moved by levers hinged to the plates and connected to each other by connecting rods, two of which are hinged to levers hinged to the plates and secured to the ground. A further forming roller, situated in the lower part of the plates, is preferably secured to the ground. In the inner part of the two forming rollers situated in the upper part of the finishing station a disc blade is formed to control the position of the edges of the bent strip of sheet metal during the finishing operation.
US08256252B2	Steering lock device A steering lock device includes a lock member that is slidable between a lock position and an unlock position, and a slider that is disposed slidably in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the lock member. A sloped portion that is linearly sloped toward the steering shaft along a slide direction of the slider is provided on at least one of the lock member and the slider. The lock member is shifted between the lock position and the unlock position by the sloped portion in response to sliding of the slider. According to the steering lock device, downsizing can be brought due to its short height along a stroke direction of the lock member and cost reduction by commoditization of its main components can be achieved.
US08256251B2	Mortise deadbolt lock cam engagement device A stop arrangement for precluding disengagement of a mortise deadbolt lock element by a cam which is employed to extend and retract the element. The arrangement employs first and second stop arms angularly spaced from a cam, which are rotatable, along with the cam, and which engage the lock element to preclude over-rotation.
US08256249B2	Laundry machine The present invention relates to laundry machines, and, more particularly, to a safe laundry machine which enables a user to open/close a door easily, and can prevent an accident caused by opening/closing of the door from taking place.The laundry machine includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet, a door having a latch for being opened/closed selectively to expose an inside of the drum to an outside of the laundry machine, and a door switch assembly provided for enabling opening/closing of the door, wherein the door switch assembly includes a switch unit for making selective connection to the latch, and an opening operation unit spaced from the switch unit for the user to enable to disconnect the connection between the latch and the switch unit.
US08256245B2	Method for melting a composition of raw materials with an arched burner The invention concerns a method for melting a composition of raw materials including introducing the composition in an oven to form a layer (2) at the surface of the molten pool (4). An oxycombustion burner (10) is arranged above the pool and directed towards the composition layer (2) to produce a melting front (3). Parameters of the burner are adjusted to produce a large covering flame (12) causing an essentially radiation-based thermal transfer. Additionally, a plane containing a longitudinal section of the flame (Z-Z) and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axis of the oven (X-X) intersects the melting front (3) at a height (h) included ranging between one third and half of the thickness of the composition (e). Such a method provides for a stable operation of the oven and is particularly adapted to a large-capacity oven.
US08256242B1	Cooler with multiple compartments An insulated cooler with two (2) separate independent storage compartments and lids allowing for compartmentalized transportation and storage of items is herein disclosed. The separate compartments eliminate possible cross-contamination as well as provide different thermal conditioning of the contents. The compartments are completely independent of each other having an interior divider wall extending completely through the body of the cooler and continuing into a lid area, thereby sealing independent compartments. Additionally, each compartment is also provided with a draining means.
US08256241B2	Air conditioner A centrifugal fan mounted in an air conditioner has the following relationship: outer diameter of a side plate of the centrifugal fan > outer diameter of the blade rear-edge part on side-plate side > diameter of the blade rear-edge part on main plate side ≧ outer diameter of the main plate. In the centrifugal fan, the blade rear-edge part is positioned inside from a straight line connecting the connection point between the blade rear-edge part and the main plate, to the connection point between the blade rear-edge part and the side plate, as viewed from the rotation axis. The blade rear-edge part has a shape such that the distance from the rotation axis becomes larger from the main plate toward the side plate.
US08256238B2	Control system for a variable-capacity compressor in air conditioner An air conditioning system for a vehicle has a refrigerant cycle device which has an evaporator and a compressor and in which refrigerant is discharged from the compressor to be evaporated in the evaporator so that air passing the evaporator is cooled to be blown into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The control unit drives the compressor at a control value which is determined based on at least one of a pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle device and an outside-air temperature outside the passenger compartment, when the control unit actuates the compressor.
US08256235B2	Apparatus and method for transferring heat A heat transfer apparatus and method comprises first and second heat transfer units. A heat exchanger has a first portion thereof arranged between the first and second units, and a second portion that is thermally connected to the first portion and not arranged between the first and second units. Each heat transfer unit comprises one or more modules, and each module comprises a chamber having a first part which contains a first gas adsorbent material and a second part which contains a second gas adsorbent material. These parts are connected so as to allow gaseous communication therebetween whilst being relatively thermally isolated from each other.
US08256234B2	Method and apparatus for coolant control within refrigerators A method for cooling an icemaker is disclosed. The icemaker includes an ice mold body having a channel for transport of coolant and a plurality of ice cavities. The method includes the steps of injecting a coolant into the channel, adding water to the ice cavities, forming ice cubes in the ice cavities, removing coolant from the channel, heating the ice mold body, and ejecting the ice cubes from the ice mold body. The removal step is performed by reversing direction of a coolant pump.
US08256233B2	Systems, devices, and methods for making or administering frozen particles Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one substrate.
US08256230B2	Operating system of liquefied natural gas ship for subcooling and liquefying boil-off gas A method for reliquefying boil-off gas generated in a cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas ship generally includes the steps of compressing boil-off gas generated in the cargo tank with a compressor, sub-cooling the compressed boil-off gas in a heat exchanger, feeding the liquefied gas to a gas phase separator, venting flash gas generated in the gas phase separator through a first pipe, feeding the vented flash gas from the gas phase separator to a gas combustion unit of the ship via the first pipe, oxidizing the vented flash gas in the gas combustion unit, diverting a portion of the compressed boil-off gas from the compressor through a second pipe, feeding the diverted portion of compressed boil-off gas from the compressor to an upper region of the gas-phase separator and returning liquefied gas from the gas-phase separator to the cargo tank.
US08256229B2	Rear hub cooling for high pressure compressor In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a turbine and a high pressure compressor. The high pressure compressor includes a last stage having a last stage compressor blade and a last stage vane. The gas turbine engine includes a first flow path through which bleed air flows to the turbine and a second flow path through which air from the last stage of the high pressure compressor flows. The bleed air in the first flow path exchanges heat with a portion of the air in the second flow path in a heat exchanger to cool the air in the second flow path. The cooled air in the second flow path is returned to the high pressure compressor to cool the high pressure compressor.
US08256227B2	Ultra efficient engine An engine comprises a combustion chamber, an expansion cylinder with a piston adapted for reciprocating motion in the expansion cylinder via combustion products combusted in the combustion chamber, and a transmission associated with the expansion cylinder. The transmission has a guide frame with a first drive wheel rotatably mounted at one end of the guide frame and a second drive wheel rotatably mounted at an opposite longitudinal end of the guide frame. Each of the drive wheels is driven by an inextensible continuous loop. The guide frame has a crank head adapted to reciprocatingly translate along the guide frame. The crank head has a drive connection pivotally connecting the crank head to the loop. The crank head is operatively connected to the piston such that reciprocating motion of the piston results in corresponding reciprocating motion of the crank head, movement of the loop, and corresponding rotation of the drive wheels.
US08256225B2	Gas turbine engine with a variable exit area fan nozzle, nacelle assembly of such a engine, and corresponding operating method A turbofan engine includes a fan variable area nozzle having a multiple of vents through a fan nacelle and a sleeve system movable relative to the vents by an actuator system. The fan variable area nozzle changes the effective area of the fan nozzle exit area to permit efficient operation at predefined pressure ratios. The vents include a grid structure which directs and smoothes the airflow therethrough as well as to reduce noise generation.
US08256220B2	Exhaust gas bypass valve control for thermoelectric generator A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve.
US08256211B2	Aqueous urea solution feed device of an internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine wherein when an aqueous urea solution should be fed from an aqueous urea solution feed valve (8), a feed pump (9) is operated forward and aqueous urea solution in an aqueous urea solution tank (4) is fed through an aqueous urea solution feed passage (10) into the aqueous urea solution feed valve (8). When ceasing the feed of aqueous urea solution from the aqueous urea solution feed valve (8), the feed pump (9) is operated in reverse whereby the ammonia gas generated in the aqueous urea solution tank (4) is drawn through a ammonia gas feed pipe (11) into the aqueous urea solution feed passage (10). Next, when the feed pump (9) is operated forward, the ammonia gas drawn into the aqueous urea solution feed path (10) is ejected from the aqueous urea solution feed valve (8).
US08256209B2	Device and method for regenerating a particulate filter The invention relates to a device for the regeneration, temperature loading and/or thermal management of a component, which is assigned to an exhaust gas system, of an internal combustion engine preferably of a vehicle, having at least one injection valve, which operates preferably in a chatter mode as a function of the pressure of supplied fuel, for injecting fuel for the purpose of regeneration, temperature loading and/or thermal management into the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine. The invention is distinguished by at least one pressure control valve which is arranged upstream of the injection valve and dampens or eliminates pressure fluctuations. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.
US08256200B2	High-security cable A high-security cable is provided, wherein the high-security cable is capable of achieving a smoothing of a work-to-break energy curve. The high-security cable is manufactured of a mixture of plastic yarns or of plastic yarns and metal wires, wherein the cable comprises a first constituent part of untwisted or twisted yarns, or untwisted or twisted yarns and metal wires, a second constituent part of doubled yarn, the doubled yarn manufactured of plastic yarns or of plastic yarns and metal wires, and a third constituent part of cord manufactured from the doubled yarns, wherein the doubled yarn is manufactured from plastic yarns or of plastic yarns and metal wires. The high-security cable can be used as a safety arrester cable, and can also be used to form a netting to serve as safety arrester netting or falling-rock protection netting.
US08256199B2	Method for operating a spindle of a two-for-one twister or cabling machine A two-for-one twister or cabling machine and a method for operation thereof, wherein a yarn (5, 25) is withdrawn from a supply bobbin (7, 21) and fed to a guide device below a twisted yarn plate (8, 24) of the spindle (2, 22) and from which the yarn (5, 25) exits virtually perpendicular to the axis of the spindle (2, 22) and is deflected to the outer edge of the twisted yarn plate (8, 24) and runs along the spindle (2, 22) as a free yarn balloon (B) encompassing the spindle (2, 22), until the yarn (5, 25) is fed into the twist or cabling point of a yarn guide device (9, 27) above the spindle (2, 22). The supply speed of the yarn (5, 25) is adjusted to achieve a yarn tension which minimizes the yarn balloon diameter as a function of the spindle geometry.
US08256194B2	Simulated commercial envelopes and methods of making the same Simulated commercial envelopes and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example envelope includes a first envelope portion having a front panel including a top edge and a bottom edge parallel to the top edge, connected by a pair of side edges. A top flap is integrally formed with the top edge of the front panel about a first fold line and a bottom flap is integrally formed with the bottom edge of the front panel about a second fold line. A second envelope portion having a rear panel is adapted to be secured to the front panel to form a pocket for a mailer insert. The bottom flap foldable about the second fold line and is secured to the rear panel on a side opposite the formed pocket, and the top flap is foldable about the first fold line and is also secured to the rear panel or the bottom flap on the side opposite the formed pocket to form the example envelope.
US08256191B2	Automated methods of packaging objects using a clipper Methods of automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting include: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.
US08256189B2	Hot punch assembly for providing an opening in packaging material A punch assembly is provided in a form, fill, and seal machine that provides a package that includes a sealed end portion and contains an article. The punch assembly includes a housing, and a heat sink provided in and retained by the housing, where the heat sink includes a punch tip that is to provide an opening in the sealed end portion of the package. The punch assembly also includes a coil heater contacting the heat sink to provide heat to the heat sink and the punch tip, where one or more air gaps are provided between the housing and the heat sink to prevent heat transfer from the heat sink to a seal jaw assembly of the form, fill, and seal machine.
US08256184B2	Protective covering for wooden utility poles and method of installation A protective cover for a wooden utility pole comprises a polymer envelope in which the bottom of the pole is placed. The envelope is sufficiently dimensioned to cover about 10 feet of the bottom of the pole. The envelope body is wrapped around the bottom portion of the pole and PVC tape is used to secure the body to the pole. A hermetic seal is placed over the mouth of the envelope which is located above the grade level of the excavation in which the pole sits thereby sealing the envelope to the pole. A metallic band is placed around the seal to protect it.
US08256181B2	Internal structural mullion for standing seam panel system Provided is an internal structural mullion for a standing seam panel system. A two-piece assembly includes a man extrusion having one hooked portion and a secondary extrusion having an opposing hooked portion. A cavity is defined on the main extrusion, and the secondary extrusion includes a foot wherein upon insertion of the foot into the cavity, the foot forms a fulcrum about which the secondary extrusion can bend away from the main extrusion and be tightened or loosened by the tightening or loosing of a screw, as a result forming a clamp for engaging panels of the panel system with variable pressure. Further, when clamped a continuous gasket seal occurs at a level just inside the panels so as to form a barrier against the intrusion of water.
US08256179B2	Concrete veneer panel with air entrained concrete core A multi-layered veneer panel that includes a foamed core, a concrete surface layer, and a mounting device. The concrete surface layer forms a front surface and an edge perimeter region of the veneer panel. The front surface approximates a desired topography of a simulated wall. The foamed core forms a back surface of the veneer panel and is disposed adjacent the concrete surface layer. The mounting device is cast into at least one of the concrete surface layer and the foamed core and extends from the edge perimeter region. A method of making a multi-layered veneer panel is also disclosed.
US08256175B2	Stud A stud for enabling a construction surface to be raised with respect to the ground, said stud comprising at least a first and second element, said first element comprising a first body mounted on a base intended to be placed on said ground, said second element comprising a second body, each of the bodies being provided with a screw thread for mutually engaging one in the other, thus forming an internal body and an external body, said external body being provided with an orifice giving access to the screw thread of the internal body, said stud also comprising a locking member arranged to lock the movement of the first body with respect to the second body in a plurality of positions, the locking member comprising first and second segments, said first segment being designed to pass through said orifice and be inserted between two successive grooves of the screw thread on the internal body, said second segment being designed to pass through said orifice and be interposed in a space provided in an internal wall of the external body.
US08256174B2	Tower construction The invention relates to a tower construction with an annular cross section, comprising one or more component tubes arranged concentrically one on top of the other, wherein at least one component tube is composed of at least 3 tube segments, the tube segments of at least one component tube are pretensioned relative to one another by means of tensioning devices, hereinafter referred to as segment tensioning devices, and the component tubes have tensioning devices, hereinafter referred to as component tube tensioning devices, which act at least in the axial direction and extend over at least one horizontal joint, the tube segments and the component tubes composed therefrom form, at their butting edges, joints having gaps, the gaps of the joints are filled at least partially with a joint-filling material, and the joints between the tube segments of the same component tube allow a certain, substantially constraint-free rotation of the adjoining tube segments about the joint axis.
US08256168B2	Structure comprising hexagonal tubes and rhomboid inserts A structure comprising a plurality of regular hexagonal tubes and a plurality of rhomboid inserts is disclosed. At least one of the tubes can be placed end-to-end relative to another of the tubes in a configuration where the central axes of the tubes are parallel. These central axes can be either collinear or not collinear depending upon the overall configuration of the structure chosen. Each rhomboid insert fits inside at least one section of a hexagonal tube. Those rhomboid inserts that fit into more than one hexagonal tube provide a means for interlocking the tubes.
US08256165B2	Single ply roofing system A roofing system for application on a roofing substrate wherein flexible supports alleviate fatiguing of the roofing sheeting which typically occurs due to thermal expansion and contraction, thus enabling thicker roofing sheeting to be used and thus extending the usable life of the roofing sheeting.
US08256162B2	Double hung window with improved water management system A water management system for a double hung window prevents leakage between the lower sash and the frame of the window in a blowing rainstorm. The water management system comprises interior pressure-drop seals disposed between the vertical stiles of the lower sash and the jambs of the window frame and an interior pressure drop seal disposed along an interior edge of the bottom rail of the lower sash and the sill of the frame. Exterior shingling seals are disposed at least between outside edges of the sash and the jamb and the exterior shingling seals and the interior pressure-drop seals at least partially bound vertical channels. A vent communicates between the vertical channels and the outside environment to maintain the pressure in the vertical channels substantially the same as that of the outside environment. This prevents rainwater in a blowing rainstorm from violently breaching the exterior shingling seals and splashing onto the interior pressure-drop seals, which, in turn, prevents leaks into a home.
US08256161B2	Automatic opening/closing apparatus for vehicle An automatic opening/closing apparatus for vehicle including a detected subject and a detection sensor for detecting rotation of an output shaft is downsized. A worm gear mechanism decelerating a rotation speed of an electric motor to output it from the output shaft is accommodated in a gear case, and a drum is fixed to a tip portion of the output shaft projecting from the gear case to the outside, whereby motive power of the output shaft is transmitted from this drum to a sliding door. A concave portion centering at an axial center and recessed in an axial direction is formed in a worm wheel constituting the worm gear mechanism, a magnet unit constituting a rotation sensor is disposed inside the concave portion of the worm wheel, and a magnetic sensor for detecting rotation of the magnet unit is fixed to an inner surface of the gear case.
US08256157B1	Fumigation apparatus for buildings A fumigation apparatus for decontamination or disinfection of a building having a fumigation pollution source, a fog generator, a hose for conveying fog to a building to be fumigated and a nozzle on the outer end of said hose that includes a body portion and a radially extending flange that has at least one slot so that when said apparatus is pumping fog into said building air is drawn through the slots to improve the flow of fog into the building.
US08256154B2	Laser gunsight system for a firearm trigger guard The present invention provides a sighting device for a firearm having a trigger guard, a frame with an underside portion forward of the trigger guard, and a handgrip with a front strap. The sighting device has a body having a first portion including an illumination device. The body defines an engagement feature operable term the bubbly connectivity for portion of the trigger guard. The body has an elongated extension portion that extends from the first portion. The extension portion is shaped to underlie a lower portion of the trigger guard from the first portion to the front strap. The extension portion has a free end including a switch, and the extension portion includes a conductor operably connecting the switch to the illumination device.
US08256146B2	Infant shoes An infant shoe includes a shoe outsole defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The outsole defines a substantially arcuate shape along both the longitudinal and transverse axes. A shoe upper is secured to the shoe outsole. The shoe upper and the shoe outsole together define curved side surfaces.
US08256142B2	Anatomically correct flexible contoured footbed insole Disclosed herein is a flexible contoured footbed insole for footwear for providing an anatomically correct foot support to a wearer of the footwear. The flexible contoured footbed insole comprises a heel section and a support system extending anteriorly from the heel section. The heel section comprises a cup shaped structure for accommodating a heel of a foot of the wearer. The support system comprises an inner longitudinal arch support, an outer longitudinal arch support, a transverse arch support, a metatarsal arch support, and a toe support for supporting an inner longitudinal arch, an outer longitudinal arch, a transverse arch, a metatarsal arch, and toes of the foot of the wearer respectively. The flexible contoured footbed insole may further comprise a flexible structure disposed within the support system. The flexible structure provides flexibility and freedom of movement to the foot of the wearer.
US08256141B2	Article of footwear having an adjustable ride An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning.
US08256137B2	Determining clog steam generator tank filter laundry drier, and apparatus A home laundry drier (1) having a revolving drum (5) for housing the laundry to be dried, a hot-air generator (7) for circulating a stream of hot air inside the drum (5), and a steam generator (17) for feeding steam into the drum (5); the steam generator (17) having an electric boiler (18) designed to receive a given quantity of water and immediately convert it into a stream of low-pressure steam to be fed into the drum (5), a demineralized-water reservoir (20) located over and communicating with the electric boiler (18), and a lint filter (23) located upstream from the water reservoir (20); the water reservoir (20) receiving distilled water from the water canister (12) of the heat exchanger (10) of the hot-air generator (7) via a water drain circuit (13); and the laundry drier (1) also having a liquid level sensor (26) for determining when the water in the water reservoir (20) is below a given minimum level, and a central control unit (24) for determining whether the water reservoir (20) is in a given low-water-level condition at both the start and end of a user-selected drying cycle not including activation of the steam generator (17).
US08256135B2	Method for removing or treating harmful biological and chemical substances within structures and enclosures A process for removing or treating harmful biological and chemical substances from an enclosure, such as a building or vehicle by using heated air. The method of the present invention is non-toxic and can be performed in a relatively short amount of time while effectively killing and removing a large proportion of dead organisms and substantially reducing volatile organic compounds.
US08256133B2	Dryer exhaust duct alarm A dryer exhaust duct alarm detects the presence of lint or other obstructions in an exhaust duct or vent. A thin lever is suspended within the duct and is slightly cupped in shape to more effectively capture air flow. In the presence of uninhibited air flow, the lever is substantially displaced from its initial substantially-vertical position toward a substantially horizontal position. But when airflow is inhibited, the lever is not sufficiently displaced. A detector detects operation of the dryer. If the dryer operates for a determined period of time but the lever is not sufficiently displaced, the user is alerted of the problem. Other data may also be presented to the user, including real-time data over a communication medium.
US08256132B2	Silencer for drying appliance and silent hair dryer A silent hair dryer and a silencer for a hair dryer includes at least one casing with an inlet end and an outlet end and enclosing at least one turbine sucking in air via at least one admission orifice upstream of the turbine and expelling it downstream via at least one outlet orifice. The silent hair dryer includes at least one chamber upstream of the admission orifice and an inlet orifice for aspiration of air upstream of the chamber; the diameter of the chamber being greater than the diameter of the admission orifice and the diameter of the inlet orifice, the length and the diameter of the chamber being of such a size so as to define a volume turned as a function of the sound frequencies to be attenuated by the silencer.
US08256129B2	Test indicator A plurality of types of body cases, a movement unit housed inside each of the body cases, and a dial unit are provided. The movement unit is configured to include a gauge head swingably supported by a movement frame; a crown gear rotatably supported by the movement frame; and a magnifying transmission mechanism magnifying and transmitting a swing amount of the gauge head to a rotation amount of the crown gear. The dial unit is configured to include an indicating needle rotatably provided in a dial frame; a scale plate provided along a rotation area of the indicating needle; and a pinion transmitting rotation of the crown gear to the indicating needle.
US08256123B2	Displacement sensing using a flexible substrate Angular displacement of a flexible substrate is determined based on an electrical change of a mm-wave circuit associated with the flexible substrate. This electrical change may relate to, for example, one or more of a phase shift, an amplitude shift, a frequency shift, or a pulse shift. In some implementations the flexible substrate may include conductors on multiple layers whereby an angular displacement of the flexible substrate causes a relative displacement between conductors of different layers, thereby inducing the electrical change of the mm-wave circuit.
US08256122B2	Magnetic two part scraping tool A two part scraper for scraping glass and other substrates, wherein a scraping part may be located on one side of the substrate and a handle member may be located on the other side. The two parts are magnetically coupled and move in tandem when the handle part is pulled by the user. A cutting blade may be received within a blade holder which may be mounted to the scraping part by screws and coil springs. The blade holder may be mounted at an angle such as a forty-five degree angle to the surface being scraped. The scraping part may comprise hook and loop material as a scrubbing surface and may have a suction cup located on that surface contacting the substrate. The handle part may have a soft felt lining for contacting the substrate.
US08256119B2	Method and plant for manufacturing forks for lift trucks A method of manufacturing forks for lift trucks comprises the steps of: providing a straight metal bar designed to make the fork, heating the bar at a segment thereof where the fork knee is to be formed, bending the bar at the heated segment in order to form the knee by carrying out bending in a closed-die press provided with containment walls that, when bending has been completed, enclose the knee so as to define the surface contours of the latter.
US08256114B2	Method of manufacturing a cooling jacket of a cylinder head A cooling jacket casting core for the production of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The cooling jacket casting core has a slot running at least in part substantially in the direction of a crankshaft longitudinal axis and separating the cooling jacket casting core in at least one section. The slot can run at least in part in an impression of the cooling jacket and can have at least one elevation arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cooling jacket casting core.
US08256108B2	Bonding method A bonding method uses a bonding apparatus, which includes a frame, a first feeding mechanism, a second feeding mechanism, and a bonding mechanism. The first feeding mechanism is mounted on the frame and includes a turntable capable of rotating relative to the frame. A plurality of workpiece seats are arranged on the turntable. Each workpiece seat defines a plurality of air holes. The second feeding mechanism is mounted on the frame and includes a first carrier and a second carrier. The first carrier includes a plurality of holding seats and the second carrier including a plurality of temporary holding seats. The first carrier is capable of rotating to stack on the second carrier. The bonding mechanism is movably mounted on the frame to correspond to the workpiece seats or the second carrier.
US08256107B2	Method of manufacturing electronic-parts package An electronic-parts package includes a base member, a conductive member extending through the base member, the conductive member having the insulating substance on the surface removed by polishing, electronic parts disposed on one surface of the conductive member through a connection portion, an exterior electrode disposed through a metal film on the opposite surface of the surface of the base member on which the electronic parts is disposed, and a cap member that protects the electronic parts on the base member.
US08256106B2	Method for fabricating circuit board structure with capacitors embedded therein A circuit board structure with capacitors embedded therein and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The structure comprises at least two core layers individually comprising a dielectric layer having two opposite surfaces, circuit layers disposed on the outsides of the two opposite surfaces of the dielectric layer, and at least two capacitors embedded respectively on the insides of the two opposite surfaces of the dielectric layer and individually electrically connecting with the circuit layer at the same side; at least one adhesive layer disposed between the core layers to combine the core layers as a core structure; and at least one conductive through hole penetrating the core layers and the adhesive layer, and electrically connecting the circuit layers of the core layers. Accordingly, the present invention can improve the flexibility of circuit layout, and realize parallel connection between the capacitors to provide more capacitance.
US08256105B2	Electrical connector devices and methods for employing same An apparatus and method are disclosed that may include a contact pin; and a plurality of loops of conductive wire, coated with insulation material, disposed in proximity to the contact pin, wherein along at least one portion of the conductive wire, at least one edge of the contact pin extends through the insulation material and thereby forms conductive electrical contact with the conductive wire.
US08256104B2	Fastener installation system A blind fastener installation tool comprises a structural housing which features a mechanism for securing a fastener installation assembly in position relative to the structural housing during the blind installation of a fastener; and a mechanism for reciprocating the fastener installation assembly relative to the structural housing at the conclusion of blind installation. The blind fastener installation tool also comprises a fastener installation assembly. This assembly comprises (1) a pull rod assembly comprising a mechanism for pulling a first portion of a fastener; (2) an annular, piston-actuated, piston-decoupled pull rod actuation assembly to translate the pull rod assembly; and (3) a nose assembly comprising a fastener receptacle for securing the position of a fastener; and one or more optional pull rod translation dampening assemblies to smoothly and effectually dampen the sudden translation of said pull rod assembly after pintail break.
US08256101B2	Apparatus for attaching substrates of flat display panel An apparatus for attaching first and second substrates of a flat display panel together includes a frame; an upper chamber fixed to an upper part of the frame and to which a first substrate can be attached and a lower chamber disposed under the upper chamber and to which a second substrate can be attached. A lifter acts to lift the lower chamber while controlling a gap between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. A position control stage interposed between the lower chamber and the lifter is used to adjust a position of the lower chamber relative to the upper chamber.
US08256100B2	Stator manufacturing apparatus An stator manufacturing apparatus including an substantially cylindrically-shaped insertion jig from which the rectangular wire is axially detachable, and having protrusions respectively provided at positions aligned with the slots on an outer peripheral surface thereof to protrude radially, and one end-side restricting members respectively provided at positions offset from the protrusions formed in the circumferential direction on an inner diameter side of an inscribed circle of teeth each located between adjacent ones of the slots so as to protrude toward one axial end side. With the linear portions and the slots being aligned with each other, the insertion jig is inserted into the stator core from the one end side of the insertion jig, and is removed from the stator core toward the other end side, so as to respectively dispose the linear portions at predetermined positions in the slots.
US08256097B2	Method for manufacturing a coil device A method for manufacturing a coil device comprises a first step of twisting a tip end part of the conductive wire by approximately 90 degrees with respect to a conductive wire portion arranged rearward continuously from the tip end part to form a twist part, and winding the tip end part of the conductive wire around the outer peripheral surface of the core in a lying posture on the outer peripheral surface; a second step of winding the conductive wire arranged rearward continuously from the twist part around the outer periphery surface of the core in a standing posture on the outer peripheral surface; and a third step of transforming the conductive wire on a tip end side with respect to the twist part in a direction apart from the outer periphery surface of the core to form one lead part extending substantially linearly.
US08256093B2	Method of manufacturing an acoustic mirror An acoustic mirror of alternately arranged layers of high and low acoustic impedances is manufactured in that a basic material having a first layer of the layer sequence is initially provided, on which a second layer of the layer sequence is created on the first layer such that the second layer of the layer sequence partially covers the first layer. Subsequently, a planarization layer is applied onto the layer sequence, and the planarization layer is removed in an area which in the common layer plane projects laterally beyond the second layer so as to result in a residual planarization layer. Finally, a termination layer is applied onto the layer sequence and the residual planarization layer.
US08256092B1	Method for helical boring A tool may be used to form an engine cylinder bore in a compacted graphite iron workpiece using helical interpolation. The tool may be rotated about a first axis while orbiting about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. While rotating and orbiting, the tool may be advanced into the workpiece. This helical interpolation may be used to successively engage cutting or honing elements of the tool with the workpiece. The elements may thereby be permitted to cool between each successive engagement, which may reduce wear on the tool. Various operating parameters associated with the process may have certain relationships that may be exploited in certain ways to obtain ideal results. For instance, a helical interpolation process may be used to perform an act of rough cutting on the workpiece and finish honing on the workpiece, without having to perform an intermediary step of semi-finish boring.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10