最新美国发明专利第2012-09-11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
US08263155B2	Beverage dispenser outlet and a method of preparing a beverage with same A beverage dispenser, including a whipper disk and a dispensing spout connected downstream to the housing for dispensing the whipped beverage mixture. A sieve is disposed within the dispensing spout and is configured for reducing the number of large bubbles present within the fluid over a predetermined size. An output plate covers a downstream end of the dispensing spout and has a plurality of holes formed therein for reducing the velocity of the whipped beverage mixture through the dispensing spout.
US08263150B2	Beverage compositions having low levels of preservative with enhanced microbial stability The present disclosure relates to beverage compositions comprising low levels of preservative, without the need for hot or aseptic packing. In particular, the present invention relates to beverage compositions comprising: (a) from about 20 ppm to about 90 ppm of a preservative selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, benzoic acid, alkali metal salts thereof and mixtures thereof; (b) from about 300 ppm to about 3000 ppm of a polyphosphate having the structure: where n averages from about 3 to about 100 and each M is independently selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium; and (c) water; wherein the beverage composition has a pH of from about 2 to about 5 and a total hardness of from 0 to about 300.
US08263146B2	Consumable product containing probiotics The present invention relates to any kinds of consumable products enriched with probiotics and a method for obtaining them. After production of probiotic biomass, the probiotics are applied to the product. Also metabolites obtained from a fermentation product may be directly applied to a consumable product.
US08263143B2	Degradable chewing gum The present invention provides gum base compositions and chewing gum compositions having non stick or reduced-stick properties and/or increased degradability. Methods of preparing the gum base and chewing gum compositions, as well as methods of use, are provided.
US08263136B2	Low dose colonic cleansing system A method of colonic cleansing that includes administering orally a first dose and a second dose of a liquid osmotic colonic evacuant composition. The second dose includes an amount of the liquid osmotic colonic evacuant composition that is 55% to 95% of the amount of the first dose.
US08263129B2	Methods for fabricating isolated micro-and nano-structures using soft or imprint lithography The presently disclosed subject matter describes the use of fluorinated elastomer-based materials, in particular perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-based materials, in high-resolution soft or imprint lithographic applications, such as micro- and nanoscale replica molding, and the first nano-contact molding of organic materials to generate high fidelity features using an elastomeric mold. Accordingly, the presently disclosed subject matter describes a method for producing free-standing, isolated nanostructures of any shape using soft or imprint lithography techniques.
US08263126B2	Orally-dispersible multilayer tablet The present invention relates to a multilayer orodispersible tablet and to the process for preparing it.
US08263120B2	Oral antimicrobial pharmaceutical compositions The present invention relates to oral pharmaceutical compositions with controlled and/or programmed release containing at least one active ingredient having antimicrobial and/or anti-infectious activity for the treatment of infections of the large intestine, in particular the colon.
US08263113B2	Method for increasing the shelf life of a physically discrete dry pet food composition A composition comprising a physically discrete pet food oral intake composition coated with a physically stable film, the film comprising a component which is a) capable of carrying a beneficial agent to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect or b) capable of releasing the benefit agent into the mouth or alimentary canal with the benefit agent traveling to a site in the pet wherein the benefit agent is effective in producing a beneficial effect.
US08263109B2	Injectable bulking compositions According to an aspect of the invention, injectable bulking compositions are provided which contain the following: (a) fibers that are configured to prevent migration to locations in the body remote from the injection site, for example, because they have a minimum length that is sufficiently large to prevent migration of the fibers and/or because they have surface features that stimulate host tissue response to lock the fibers in position and (b) a carrier in an amount effective to render the composition injectable.
US08263108B2	Zero-order prolonged release coaxial implants A coaxial implant has been developed using entirely biodegradable polymeric materials. As referred to herein, a coaxial implant is a device having a core containing drug, surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane that controls the rate of release of material from the core. The device is formed by extrusion, using a pre-milling and extruding step to maximize uniformity of drug dispersion within the polymeric material. In one embodiment, the polymer is processed to yield a semi-crystalline polymer, rather than an amorphous polymer. The core containing the drug and the polymer membrane(s) can be the same or different polymer. The polymer can be the same or different composition (i.e., both polycaprolactone, or both poly(lactide-co-glycolide) of different monomer ratios, or polycaprolactone outside of a core of poly(lactide)), of the same or different molecular weights, and of the same or different chemical structure (i.e., crystalline, semi-crystalline or amorphous). The core acts as a reservoir of drug, which partitions from the core polymer to form a saturated solution of at least 10% drug at the polymer membrane.
US08263102B2	Drug delivery coating for use with a stent A coated medical device an a method of providing a coating on an implantable medical device result in a medical device having a bio-absorbable coating. The coating includes a bio-absorbable carrier component. In addition to the bio-absorbable carrier component, a therapeutic agent component can also be provided. The coated medical device is implantable in a patient to effect controlled delivery of the coating, including the therapeutic agent, to the patient.
US08263101B2	Passive methods for anti-microbial biological meshes Tissue matrices having anti-microbial properties are provided. In certain embodiments, the tissue matrices include cationic anti-microbial agents that form a stable bond with the tissue matrices without adversely affecting the biologic properties of the tissue matrices.
US08263098B2	High alcohol content foaming compositions with silicone-based surfactants This invention relates to a “high lower alcohol content” (>40% v/v of a C1-4 alcohol) liquid composition able to be dispensed as a stable foam with the use of non-propellant foam dispensing devices from non-pressurized containers. The liquid compositions comprise an alcohol, C1-4 (>40% v/v), a silicone-based surfactant of at least 0.001% by weight to prepare a foamable composition, 0-10% w/w of additional minor components added to obtain the desired performance (a foamable composition), and the balance being purified water. The compositions may include emulsifier-emollients and mosturizers, secondary surfactants, foam stabilizers, fragrances, antimicrobial agents, other type of medicinal ingredients, and the like ingredients or additives or combinations thereof commonly added to alcohol gels or foams, aerosol compositions or to toiletries, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the like.
US08263096B2	Method for incorporating high levels of emollient oils into bodywash Bodywash compositions incorporating high levels of emollient oils and a method for incorporating such high levels of emollient into bodywash compositions.
US08263094B2	Esters of 4,5-disubstituted-oxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl alkyl acids and preparation thereof Esters of 4,5-disubstituted-oxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl alkyl acids were prepared chemically and/or enzymatically. Depending upon the ester, improved melanocyte cytotoxicity was achieved. Improved cytotoxicity characteristics are consistent with ester analogs being more physiologically compatible and less irritating to skin than their corresponding acids.
US08263089B2	Compounds and methods for treatment and diagnosis of chlamydial infection Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydial infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a Chlamydia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided, together with antibodies directed against such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Chlamydial infection in patients and in biological samples.
US08263087B2	Compositions and methods for vaccinating against HSV-2 This invention relates to a method for systemic immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
US08263086B2	SlpA as a tool for recombinant protein and enzyme technology Disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide wherein human FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) are excluded as target polypeptides, a corresponding expression vector encoding said fusion protein as well as host cells transformed with said expression vector. Also disclosed are a method for producing the fusion protein, a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide. A further aspect of the invention is the use of the recombinantly produced fusion protein, and a reagent kit containing a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide.
US08263079B2	Antibodies against CSF-1R The invention provides a human antibody that binds human CSF-1R with high affinity. Antibodies of the present invention have significant advantages over the antibodies known in the art by being multifunctional: inhibiting signaling of CSF-1R, internalizing and inducing CSF-1R degradation and stimulating ADCC in cell including tumors, macrophages and monocytes. They are also shown to be effective in treating leukemia, breast, endometrial and prostate cancer alone or in combination with docetaxel, paclitaxel, Herceptin® or doxorubicin.
US08263074B2	Fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 inhibitors and methods of treatment thereof The present invention is directed to an antibody or fragments thereof that are specific for a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1(IIIb), FGFR-1(IIIc), and/or FGFR-4. Also, provided herein, are vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids encoding those antibodies. The present invention further provides methods of antagonizing FGFR-1 or FGFR-4 as a treatment for obesity, diabetes, or a condition related thereto, and methods of reducing food intake.
US08263073B2	Anti-CTLA-4 antibodies with reduced blocking of binding of CTLA-4 to B7 and uses thereof The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind to CTLA-4 and that are capable of increasing the response of T cells to antigenic stimulation in vivo yet the antibodies do not substantially block the binding of CTLA-4 to B7 ligands (e.g., B7-1 and B7-2) in vitro. Thus, the antibodies of the invention demonstrate that is it possible to separate the immunostimulatory function of anti-CTLA-4 antibodies from their ability to block the binding of B7 ligands. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for increasing the response of T cells to antigenic stimulation using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating cancer using the antibodies of the invention.
US08263072B2	ADAMTS4 as a blood biomarker and therapeutic target for chronic renal failure ADAMTS4 is found to be useful as a blood biomarker for chronic renal failure and also as a therapeutic target for treating chronic renal failure in a human individual. A change in the level of expression of selected genes as disclosed herein in kidney tissue of an individual may also be used to diagnose chronic renal failure in an individual.
US08263071B2	Protein involved in ovarian cancer The present invention relates to new uses of CDCP1 in the diagnosis, screening, treatment and prophylaxis of ovarian cancer. The invention also provides compositions comprising CDCP1, including vaccines, antibodies that are immunospecific for CDCP1 and agents which interact with or modulate the expression or activity of CDCP1 or which modulate the expression of the nucleic acid which codes for CDCP1.
US08263067B2	Adenoviral systems and the uses thereof The invention is related to a nucleic acid comprising an adenoviral nucleic acid, which also comprises a nucleic acid sequence coding for YB-1.
US08263066B2	Methods for treating cancers and pathogen infections using antigen-presenting cells loaded with RNA Disclosed are cells and methods for treating or preventing tumor formation or infections with pathogens in a patient. The cells of the invention are antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells or macrophage) that have been loaded with RNA derived from tumors or pathogens. By administering the RNA-loaded antigen-presenting cells to a patient, tumor formation or pathogen infections can be treated or prevented. Alternatively, the RNA-loaded cells can be used as stimulator cells in the ex vivo expansion of CTL. Such CTL can then be used in a variation of conventional adoptive immunotherapy techniques.
US08263065B2	Tumor suppression using human placental perfusate and human placenta-derived intermediate natural killer cells Provided herein are placental perfusate, placental perfusate cells, and placenta-derived intermediate natural killer cells, and combinations thereof. Also provided herein are compositions comprising the same, and methods of using placental perfusate, placental perfusate cells, and placenta-derived intermediate natural killer cells, and combinations thereof, to suppress the growth or proliferation of tumor cells, cancer cells, and the like, and to treat individuals having tumor cells.
US08263064B2	Method of suppressing disease severity of multiple sclerosis using chemokine CXC11 A method of treating an autoimmune disease such as Multiple Sclerosis is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of CXCL11. Polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions for treating same are also disclosed.
US08263062B2	Multi-arm polymer prodrugs Provided herein are water-soluble prodrugs. The prodrugs of the invention comprise a water-soluble polymer having three or more arms, at least three of which are covalently attached to an active agent, e.g., a small molecule. The conjugates of the invention provide an optimal balance of polymer size and structure for achieving improved drug loading, since the conjugates of the invention possess three or more active agents releasably attached to a multi-armed water soluble polymer. The prodrugs of the invention are therapeutically effective, and exhibit improved properties in-vivo when compared to unmodified parent drug.
US08263059B2	Compositions and kits for the removal of irritating compounds from bodily surfaces The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for the removal of harmful or irritating substances from bodily surfaces. Kits may include a composition containing capsaicin and a capsaicin-cleansing composition, e.g., a composition in which capsaicin is soluble.
US08263058B2	Personal care compositions that deposit hydrophilic benefit agents A personal care composition is provided that comprises a hydrophilic liquid, a structurant for the hydrophilic liquid, a surface active, a lipid, and an aqueous phase. The lipid, hydrophilic liquid, structurant, and surface active are included in a lipid phase. The hydrophilic liquid, structurant, and surface active are connected to the lipid in the lipid phase. These compositions provide improved skin and/or hair moisturization, appearance, aesthetics and skin and/or hair conditioning during and/or after application, and are useful in providing improved deposition to the desired area of the skin and/or hair. A method of using the personal care composition is also provided.
US08263057B2	Mascara composition containing shape-memory polymers, gels, and fibers Cosmetic compositions containing an eyelash curling or branching agent, or a skin-lifting mask or lotion. The mascara composition comprises a SMP, at least one film-forming polymer and at least one wax and leads to a make-up product with good staying power, as well as good coating and curling. The skin-lifting mask or lotion comprises a SMP, a water phase and an oil phase and leads to a make-up product with a skin-lifting effect. The invention also pertains to a process for coating eyelashes which consists of applying the composition to the eyelashes with heat.
US08263054B2	Method of enhancing hair growth Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include a cyclopentane heptanoic acid, 2-cycloalkyl or arylalkyl compound represented by the formula I wherein the dashed bonds represent a single or double bond which can be in the cis or trans configuration, A, B, Z, X, R1 and R2 are as defined in the specification. Such compositions are used in treating the skin or scalp of a human or non-human animal. Bimatoprost is preferred for this treatment.
US08263053B2	Hair treatment compositions The present invention relates to hair treatment compositions and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to hair treatment compositions comprising lipids and creatine. The hair treatment compositions of the present invention may be used to improve the tensile properties of hair, such as hair elasticity and strength.
US08263040B2	Metal chelates having a perfluorinated PEG radical, processes for their preparation, and their use The invention relates to the subjects characterized in the patent claims, namely metal chelates having a perfluorinated PEG radical, processes for their preparation, and their use, processes for their preparation and their use in NMR and X-ray diagnosis, radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy, and in MRT lymphography.
US08263028B1	Methods of recovering rare earth elements Processes described include reacting a fresh or spent catalyst, or sorbent, with a solution containing an extracting agent (such as an acid or a base). Preferably, the catalyst contains both alumina and a molecular sieve (or a sorbent), and the reaction is performed under relatively mild conditions such that the majority of the base material does not dissolve into the solution. Thus, the catalyst can be re-used, and in certain instances the catalyst performance even improves, with or without re-incorporating certain of the metals back into the catalyst. Additionally, metals contained in the catalyst, such as Na, Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Zn Sb, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pb, or their equivalent oxides, can be removed from the catalyst. Some of the metals that are removed are relatively valuable (such as the rare earth elements of La, Ce, Pr and Nd).
US08263023B2	Microfluidic system and method for sorting cell clusters and for the continuous encapsulation thereof following sorting thereof A microfluidic system and method for sorting cell clusters, and for the continuous and automated encapsulation of the clusters, once sorted, in capsules of sizes suitable for those of these sorted clusters is provided. The microfluidic system comprises a substrate in which a microchannel array comprising a cell sorting unit is etched and around which a protective cover is bonded, and the sorting unit comprises deflection means capable of separating, during the flow thereof, relatively noncohesive cell clusters, each of size ranging from 20 μm to 500 μm and of 20 to 10 000 cells approximately, such as islets of Langerhans, at least two sorting microchannels arranged in parallel at the outlet of said unit being respectively designed so as to transport as many categories of sorted clusters continuously to a unit for encapsulation of the latter, also formed in said array.
US08263017B2	Temperature-switching materials having improved strength and thermal properties The subject matter described herein relates to thermoresponsive switching materials that undergo a thermal transition over a narrow temperature range and to devices, such as actuators, indicators, and sensors, prepared from such compositions.
US08263014B2	Method and apparatus for generating a carbon nanotube In an apparatus and method of generating a carbon nanotube (CNT), a process chamber is heated to a target temperature and a catalyst powder is supplied into the heated process chamber. The catalyst powder moves in a first direction in the process chamber. A source gas is supplied into the process chamber in a second direction opposite to the first direction, so that the source gas delays the movement of the catalyst powder in the first direction and is reacted with the catalyst powder in the process chamber to thereby produce the CNT in the process chamber. Accordingly, the flow of the source gas against the flow of the catalyst powder reduces the drop velocity of the catalyst powder. Therefore, the source gas and the catalyst powder may be reacted with each other for a sufficiently long time.
US08263013B2	Method for removing micro-bubbles and/or particles from liquid, liquid supply apparatus and immersion exposure apparatus A liquid supply apparatus capable of removing micro-bubbles and particles is described, including a pipe, a laser provider and at least one micro-bubble/particle outlet. The laser provider provides a laser crossing the pipe, wherein the laser is provided in a manner such that a micro-bubble/particle blocking/repelling barrier is formed crossing the pipe blocking or repelling micro-bubbles, particles or both in the liquid in the pipe. The micro-bubble/particle outlet is disposed on the pipe between the barrier and the liquid inlet of the pipe, adjacent to the barrier for discharging micro-bubbles, particles or both.
US08263012B2	Photocatalyst protection A gas treatment system for treating a gas stream containing contaminants includes first and second gas treatment members in fluid communication with each other. Each of the first and second gas treatment members is selectively controllable between an on and an off condition. A third gas treatment member is in fluid communication with the first and second gas treatment members, and the third gas treatment member selectively retains or releases the contaminants based upon the on or off condition of at least one of the first or second gas treatment members.
US08263011B2	Reactor Reactor 1A includes a reaction vessel 10 having an inlet 4 for a to-be-reformed gas 2 and an outlet 8 for a reformed gas 6, a pair of electrodes 12 for plasma generation, a power source 14 for applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes 12, and a catalyst for promoting a reforming reaction, wherein one of the pair of electrodes 12 is a linear electrode 32, the other of the pair of electrodes 12 is a honeycomb electrode 34 made of a conductive ceramics, and the catalyst is loaded on the partition walls of the honeycomb electrode 34, which reactor further includes shielding members 30A placed between the linear electrode 32 and the honeycomb electrode 34, which are protruded toward the gas-introducing end face side of the honeycomb electrode 34 and prevent the inflow of the to-be-reformed gas 2 passing through a zone other than a plasma-generating zone 42.
US08263010B2	Device for removing pollutants from the exhaust gases of a heat engine A device for removing pollutants from exhaust gases of a combustion engine, includes a longitudinal outer casing (23) defining a passage through which the exhaust gases flow, and first and second pollution-removal members (18, 20) mounted in series in the passage. The device includes a holding sleeve (38) holding the first pollution-removal member (18) in place and interposed between the first pollution-removal member (18) and the outer casing (23) and running longitudinally at least over most of the length of the first pollution-removal member (18), the holding sleeve (38) being guided in the external casing (23) and forming, between the first and second pollution-removal members (18, 20) a longitudinal thrust surface (40) against which the first pollution-removal member (18) bears.
US08263008B2	Apparatus for improving flow properties of crude petroleum A process and apparatus for improving flow properties of crude may include processing a first crude stream, which may in turn include cracking the first crude stream with catalyst to form a cracked stream and spent catalyst, hydrotreating a portion of the cracked stream and then mixing the hydrotreated stream with an unprocessed second crude stream.
US08262995B2	System with a pluggable data transfer module which transfers data from an analytical system to a data processing unit The invention concerns a pluggable data transfer module and a method that can be used to transfer data from an analytical system to a data processing unit in a galvanically decoupled manner. This invention is particularly suitable for medical fields of application in which recently it has become more and more desirable to process analytical data of a patient.
US08262994B2	Analyzer An analyzer comprising: a first specimen holder configured to hold a plurality of first specimen containers; a conveying assembly for conveying the first specimen containers held in the first specimen holder; a second specimen holder arranged at a position higher than an upper end of the first specimen containers held in the first specimen holder; a holder moving assembly for moving the second specimen holder so as to pass the upper side of at least one of the first specimen containers held in the first specimen holder; a container transferring assembly for transferring at least one of the first specimen containers from the first specimen holder to the second specimen holder; and a controller for controlling the holder moving assembly and the container transferring assembly, is disclosed.
US08262993B2	Slidable autosampler tray A sample tray assembly includes a first tray. The first tray defines a first slot and is disposed on a generally horizontally-oriented plane. The sample tray assembly also includes a second tray adjacent to the first tray. The second tray is configured for translational movement substantially parallel to the generally horizontally-oriented plane of the first tray between a retracted position and an extended position. The second tray defines a second slot. The second slot and the first slot are substantially aligned when the second tray is in the retracted position. The sample tray additionally includes a base member supporting the first tray. The second tray is slidably coupled with the base member.
US08262989B2	Micro-calorimeter apparatus A micro-calorimeter apparatus comprises a thermostated housing (3,4,5); a pair of essentially flat heat sinks (9,10), suspended in the housing (2) and thermally floating relative to the environment inside the housing (3,4,5). The heat sinks (9,10) are arranged with their surfaces facing each other. A pair of Peltier elements (11) are thermally attached to the heat sinks (9,10), one element (11) on each heat sink (9,10), on the facing surfaces, forming a gap between them for the accommodation of a generally flat biosensor unit (12).
US08262985B2	Smelting or reduction furnace, in particular electric arc furnace with an open, semi-closed or closed configuration The invention relates to a melting or reduction furnace (2), in which the charge stock (9) is supplied using feed pipes (17). Each feed pipe (17) has a mouthpiece (18) that is not cooled and is configured from an uncooled wear-resistant inner guide pipe (19) and an uncooled concentric, heat-resistant outer protective pipe (20).
US08262977B2	Process for the manufacture of a shaft bottom The invention relates to a method for producing a concrete shaft bottom which comprises a drain having a defined shape. According to said method, concrete is introduced into a bottom mold (1) that comprises a mold jacket (2) and a mold bottom (3). On said mold bottom (3), a molded body (8) forming the negative shape of the drain is disposed to configure the drain. The aim of the invention is to allow for the inexpensive and mechanized production of a shaft bottom having an individual drain. For this purpose, the molded body (8) is configured from at least one molded piece (9) that is fixed on the bottom mold (1), especially on the mold bottom (3). The molded piece (9) is adapted to the dimensions of the defined shape of the drain and is removed from the shaft bottom once or while the formwork is dismantled from the shaft bottom.
US08262971B2	Method of centralizing and retaining molded end coils in magnet formers A method for centralising and retaining a molded end coil (20) in a magnet former (12) which includes an oversleeve (24) for retaining the end coil in position, the radially outer (A2) surface of the end coil being of lesser diameter than the radially inner surface of the oversleeve. The method comprises the steps of: (a) centralising the end coil (20) on the former (12) by passing a spigot (28) through the bore of the end coil and into the end of the bore of the former to locate the end coil within the oversleeve and to leave a gap (30) between the radially outer surface of the end coil and the oversleeve; (b) retaining the end coil in position against an axially adjacent surface of the former by applying an axial force to the end coil in the direction of the former; (c) filling the gap with a hardening material (42) along at least part of its axial length; (d) causing or allowing the hardening material to harden, thereby to securely and accurately retain the end coil onto the former; and (e) removing the spigot.
US08262968B2	Vehicle component and method for making a vehicle component A molded article with multi-material or color and soft portions and a method of making the same is disclosed. The molded article comprises a multi injection substrate, and a coverstock or skin. The article is formed by a process wherein the coverstock or skin is secured within the mold, a first material is injected into a first cavity, a retractor member is moved to define a second cavity, and a second material is injected into the second cavity. The first and second materials may be different types of plastic, different colors, or combinations thereof. The first cavity is defined by two mold sections (e.g., a cavity and a core) and the retractor member. The second cavity is also defined by the two mold sections, the retractor member, and the (at least partially) hardened first material. The first material may be configured to couple to the second material by a locking interface provided by recesses and/or projections on the mold sections. A method of forming the flexible skin may include coupling a compressible material to the skin; positioning the skin and compressible material in a mold; and forming a rigid substrate around the skin and compressible material providing a first soft region wherein the compressible material is disposed between the skin and the substrate so that a first soft region is defined by the compressible material.
US08262966B2	Process for cooling flat plastic products Method for cooling flat plastic products, in which plasticized plastic compound is fed to a calender via a slot nozzle by means of an extruder and is rolled and calibrated to the desired shape in this calender between at least two smoothing rolls, after which the film or sheet produced in this way is fed to a chill section comprising a plurality of adjustable rolls and passes through this section until it is sufficiently cool and dimensionally stable, at least both the gap width between the rolls and the speed of the rolls being controllable by open- and/or closed-loop control.The degree of wrap of the flat plastic product around the respective roll is varied by adjusting the rolls in the chill section into a mutually offset arrangement, hence increasing or minimizing the cooling capacity.
US08262965B2	Cure growth control apparatus An apparatus for curing a composite assembly may include a base tool, a growth control apparatus, and at least one engagement fitting. The base tool may have a different thermal expansion growth rate than a composite assembly to be cured using the apparatus. The growth control apparatus may have a different thermal expansion growth rate than the base tool. The engagement fitting may be moveably disposed relative to the base tool and connected to the growth control apparatus. The engagement fitting may hold a composite assembly being cured against the engagement fitting. The growth control apparatus may grow a pre-determined amount during curing of a composite assembly to produce a cured composite assembly having a pre-determined design dimension.
US08262964B2	Refractory alloy, fibre-forming plate and method for producing mineral wool An alloy, characterized in that it contains the following elements (the proportions being indicated in percentages by weight of the alloy): Cr: 23 to 34% Ti:0.2 to 5% Ta:0.5 to 7% C:0.2 to 1.2% Ni:less than 5% Fe:less than 3% Si:less than 1% Mn:less than 0.5%, the balance consisting of cobalt and inevitable impurities. An article for the manufacture of mineral wool, especially fiberizing spinner, made of such an alloy.
US08262963B2	Process of making bioabsorbable filaments Methods for making bioabsorbable copolymer filaments are provided herein. The methods include drying the polymer pellets to be extruded, melt extrusion of copolymer components, stretching the filaments in one or more draw steps and permitting the drawn filaments to relax. The copolymer preferably contains units derived from glycolide or glycolic acid and units derived from an alkylene carbonate, such as, for example, trimethylene carbonate.
US08262961B2	Aromatic vinyl ether based reverse-tone step and flash imprint lithography A molding composition and a method of forming an pattern. The method includes forming on a substrate a molding layer of a molding composition of aromatic divinyl ethers; pressing the template into the molding layer, the template having a relief pattern, the molding layer filling voids in the relief pattern, the template not contacting the substrate; exposing the molding layer to actinic radiation, the actinic radiation converting the molding layer to a cured molding layer having thick and thin regions corresponding to the relief pattern; removing the template; filling the thin regions of the relief pattern with a backfill material; removing regions of the molding layer not protected by the backfill material to expose regions of the substrate; forming trenches in the exposed regions of the substrate; and removing any remaining molding layer and backfill material. A transfer layer may be used between the molding layer and the substrate.
US08262958B2	Process of making woven articles comprising water-dispersible multicomponent fibers Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. The fibers and fibrous articles have further applications in flushable personal care and cleaning products, disposable protective outerwear, and laminating binders.
US08262954B2	Method of producing granular substance A method of producing a granular substance comprising (i) a step of melting a compound of the formula (1): (wherein, R1 and R2 represent each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl group having 5 to 8 carbon atoms, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. X represents a single bond, sulfur atom, oxygen atom, alkylidene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or cycloalkylidene group having 5 to 8 carbon atoms) to obtain the melted substance, and (ii) a step of dropping the melted substance obtained in the step (i) into water and recovering the granular substance.
US08262952B2	Molds for production of ophthalmic devices A mold assembly for the manufacture of at least one ophthalmic device used in or on the eye is disclosed. The mold assembly includes a mateable pair of mold parts wherein at least one of the mold parts comprises at least an oxygen-absorbing mold material and an oxygen scavenger composition containing (i) an oxygen scavenging polymer comprising a polymer backbone and one or more substituted or unsubstituted cyclic olefinic groups covalently linked to the polymer backbone; and (ii) an oxygen scavenging catalytic amount of a transition metal catalyst.
US08262950B1	Low sintering temperature glass waste forms for sequestering radioactive iodine Materials and methods of making low-sintering-temperature glass waste forms that sequester radioactive iodine in a strong and durable structure. First, the iodine is captured by an adsorbant, which forms an iodine-loaded material, e.g., AgI, AgI-zeolite, AgI-mordenite, Ag-silica aerogel, ZnI2, CuI, or Bi5O7I. Next, particles of the iodine-loaded material are mixed with powdered frits of low-sintering-temperature glasses (comprising various oxides of Si, B, Bi, Pb, and Zn), and then sintered at a relatively low temperature, ranging from 425° C. to 550° C. The sintering converts the mixed powders into a solid block of a glassy waste form, having low iodine leaching rates. The vitrified glassy waste form can contain as much as 60 wt % AgI. A preferred glass, having a sintering temperature of 500° C. (below the silver iodide sublimation temperature of 500° C.) was identified that contains oxides of boron, bismuth, and zinc, while containing essentially no lead or silicon.
US08262946B2	Color composition for color filter, color filter using the composition and liquid crystal display device Disclosed is a color composition for a color filter, which includes at least acrylic resin and a coloring agent. The acrylic resin contains a copolymer formed of a first vinyl monomer having a benzyl group and a second vinyl monomer having a carboxyl group, the copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 to 11,000, and an acid value of solid matter of the copolymer being confined to 30 to 85.
US08262940B2	Coated conductive powder and conductive adhesive using the same The present invention provides a coated conductive powder in which the aggregation of conductive particles is suppressed and which is also excellent in electrical reliability, and a conductive adhesive using the same that can provide connection with high electrical reliability even for the connection of the electrodes of miniaturized electronic parts, such as IC chips, and circuit boards. The coated conductive powder of the present invention is a coated conductive powder obtained by coating the surfaces of conductive particles with insulating inorganic fine particles, wherein the volume resistivity value of the coated conductive powder is 1 Ω·cm or less, the specific gravity of the insulating inorganic fine particles is 5.0 g/ml or less, the particle diameter ratio of the insulating inorganic fine particles to the conductive particles (the insulating inorganic fine particles/the conductive particles) is 1/100 or less, and the insulating inorganic fine particles adhere to the surfaces of the conductive particles.
US08262939B2	Thermoplastic nanocomposite resin composite materials A polymer composite material includes metal (oxide) nanoparticles chemically bonded to a vinyl polymer. Some embodiments may additionally comprise thermoplastic resin through which the nanoparticles and vinyl polymer are dispersed. In some embodiments, the composite materials have improved impact strength, tensile strength, heat resistance, and flexural modulus.
US08262936B2	Phosphor, method for manufacturing the same, and light emitting diode A phosphor is formed with a glass coating layer on a surface of a phosphor grain to have improved moisture and/or thermal stability. A method for manufacturing the phosphor comprises preparing phosphor gains excitable by light, and forming a glass coating layer on a surface of each phosphor grain. The glass coating layer may be formed by mixing the phosphor grains with a glass composition; heat-treating a mixture of the phosphor grains and the glass composition to make the glass composition melt and surround the phosphor grains; and cooling and breaking the heat-treated mixture to provide phosphors, each comprising the phosphor grain having the glass coating layer formed on a surface of the phosphor grain.
US08262933B2	Thermoplastic resin composition, method for producing the same, and molded article obtained from the same The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and aggregated particles of fibrous crystals. According to the thermoplastic resin composition, a molded articles which adequately reduce a defect in appearance can be obtained.
US08262926B2	Method of making calcium chloride—aggregate composition A method of forming a calcium chloride and aggregate composition includes providing a calcium chloride compound, adding an aggregate into the calcium chloride compound, and mixing the aggregate and calcium chloride compound to establish a mixed composition having the aggregate substantially uniformly suspended in the calcium chloride compound. The aggregate may comprise any suitable aggregate material, such as sand, salt or rock salt or the like. The aggregate may be mixed with the calcium chloride when the calcium chloride is in a paste form so as to substantially uniformly mix or blend the aggregate and calcium chloride and to substantially uniformly suspend the aggregate in the calcium chloride paste.
US08262922B2	Plasma confinement rings having reduced polymer deposition characteristics Plasma confinement ring assemblies are provided that include confinement rings adapted to reach sufficiently high temperatures on plasma-exposed surfaces of the rings to avoid polymer deposition on those surfaces. The plasma confinement rings include thermal chokes adapted to localize heating at selected portions of the rings that include the plasma exposed surfaces. The thermal chokes reduce heat conduction from those portions to other portions of the rings, which causes selected portions of the rings to reach desired temperatures during plasma processing.
US08262918B1	Methods of producing damascene main pole for perpendicular magnetic recording head Methods of producing magnetic recording heads are disclosed. The methods can include providing a wafer comprising a substrate layer in which are disposed a plurality of damascene trenches. The method can further include depositing a pole material across the whole wafer, wherein the plurality of trenches are filled with the pole material. The methods can further include depositing a mask material over the pole material across the whole wafer. The methods can further include performing a first material removal process across the whole wafer to remove the mask material and a first portion of the pole material at a same material removal rate. The methods can further include performing a second material removal process to remove a second portion of the pole material above the substrate layer.
US08262915B2	Method for removing micro-bubbles and/or particles from liquid, liquid supply apparatus and immersion exposure apparatus A liquid supply apparatus capable of removing micro-bubbles and particles is described, including a pipe, a laser provider and at least one micro-bubble/particle outlet. The laser provider provides a laser crossing the pipe, wherein the laser is provided in a manner such that a micro-bubble/particle blocking/repelling barrier is formed crossing the pipe blocking or repelling micro-bubbles, particles or both in the liquid in the pipe. The micro-bubble/particle outlet is disposed on the pipe between the barrier and the liquid inlet of the pipe, adjacent to the barrier for discharging micro-bubbles, particles or both.
US08262914B2	Wastewater treatment system The present invention is a system and method for treating a wastewater stream to produce an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. The invention comprises a controller operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for providing a plurality of additives to the wastewater stream. Furthermore, a method of sequentially testing the amount of each additive required to produce an effluent stream having an acceptable turbidity is disclosed.
US08262912B1	Isolated bioactive compounds and method of use Bioactive compounds extracted from a fermentation broth created by a unique microbial community during a fermentation process and fractionated into several fractions based on size. Four of the resulting fractions stimulate growth of plants that are planted in soil to which the fractions have been applied. The fractions can be applied to the soil individually or combined together prior to application. In another embodiment, the unique fractions can be freeze dried or spray dried.
US08262910B2	Residential reverse osmosis system Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a reverse osmosis (RO) system that includes a housing and a pre-filter within the housing such that feed water flows into the housing and enters the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis (RO) system further includes a membrane element within the housing such that the pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter and enters the membrane element and permeate exits the membrane element through the housing. In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end cap at one end and a second end cap at an opposing end such that feed water flows through the first end cap into the pre-filter and pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter into the first end cap. In addition, the pre-filtered water may flow from the first end cap to the membrane element such that permeate exits the membrane element through the first end cap in order to exit the housing.
US08262909B2	Methods and devices for minimizing membrane fouling for microfluidic separators A fluid separation method for performing fluid analysis of an unfiltered fluid. The fluid separation method includes providing a structure with a fluid analyzer and a power supply. Using a substrate for receiving a fluid flow stream of a multiphase mixture through a fluid sample inlet, wherein the substrate interconnects with the structure. Providing a membrane disposed across the fluid sample inlet for separating a fluid of interest from the multiphase mixture, wherein the fluid flow stream of the multiphase mixture has a shear rate that prevents a fouling of the membrane. Finally, the fluid separation method includes the substrate having fabricated channels, such that the fabricated channels are arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane.
US08262907B1	Composite sock filter for aquariums Disclosed are vertical sock filters for aquarium filter assemblies. The sock filters typically include an annular collar coupled to filter material. The filter material typically is a composite material that includes upper material and lower material, where the upper material typically is more porous than the lower material. The assembly and the annular collar may include respective first and second coacting components that mate or interlock with each other.
US08262906B2	Flow selection device for use with pools and the like A flow selection device for removal of detritus from a body of water, the device including at least one inlet manifold having a forward face with an opening, at least one outlet located in an upper rear portion of the device and at least one chamber located between the at least one inlet and at least one outlet and defining an annodated flow path between the opening in the forward face and the at least one outlet.
US08262901B2	Adsorbing polynuclear aromatics from a reforming process using adsorbents containing iron An exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more polynuclear aromatics from at least one reformate stream from a reforming zone. The PNAs may be removed using an adsorption zone. The adsorption zone can include first and second vessels each vessel containing an activated carbon adsorbent. Generally, the process includes passing the at least a portion of an effluent of the reforming zone through the first vessel containing a first activated carbon adsorbent wherein the first activated carbon adsorbent comprises iron.
US08262900B2	Methods and apparatus for measuring analytes using large scale FET arrays Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
US08262897B2	Method for producing aerodynamic structures in the manufacturing of integrally bladed gas turbine rotors The invention relates to a method for the production of aero-dynamic structures during the production of integrally bladed gas turbine rotors. Aerodynamic structures of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor are produced on a rotor disk base body, whereon the end contours are precise, by removing material according to an electrochemical removal process, i.e. by means of an electrochemical machining (ECM)-process. The method comprises the following steps: a) preparing a rotor disk base body which is made of a material which is difficult to machine; b) removing the material which is between the blade wings until a specific dimension is obtained, according to a removal process; c) preparing at least one working electrode in order to finish at least one aerodynamic structure of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor. The contours of the or each of the working electrodes are adapted to the contours of the aerodynamic structure, which are produced by means of the respective working electrode, such that a gap between the rotor disk base body and a working electrode are produced in an approximately identical manner during the removal process of the material; d) electrochemically machining the or each aerodynamic structure in an electrochemical sinking by placing the rotor disk base body and the or each working electrode in an electrolyte and by applying voltage and/or current, whereby the applied current and/or voltage is temporally pulsed; e) pressure-rinsing the gap which is filled with electrolytes between the aero-dynamic structure and the or each working electrode by a pulsed movement of the or each working electrode.
US08262886B2	Apparatus for analyzing characteristics of particulate with dielectrophoresis of particulate by applying angle-modulated wave and method for the same The present invention provides a method for analyzing characteristics of a particulate, comprising: selecting at least one particulate in a fluid; positioning said selected particulate in the vicinity of a pair of electrodes; applying a programmed voltage signal for generating a spatially inhomogeneous electric field between said pair of electrodes; detecting the movement of the particulate while applying said programmed voltage signal to create a time-series data corresponding to said movement of the particulate; and analyzing the characteristics of said particulate based on said time-series data.
US08262882B2	Methods for passivating a metal substrate and related coated metal substrates Disclosed are methods for passivating metal substrates, including ferrous substrates, such as cold rolled steel and electrogalvanized steel. The methods comprise the steps of autodepositing copper, silver, a IIIB metal and/or IVB metal onto at least a portion of the substrate, and simultaneously and/or immediately subsequently electrophoretically depositing on the substrate a curable, electrodepositable coating composition; wherein the copper, silver, IIB metal and/or IVB metal and the curable, electrodepositable coating composition are both contained within a single bath composition. The present invention also relates to coated substrates produced by the above methods.
US08262879B2	Devices and methods for determining the length of biopolymers and distances between probes bound thereto Devices and methods for detecting the length of analytes and/or sequencing analytes are provided in which two or more electrical signals are obtained as an analyte traverses a fluidic channel. Detection of the relative position of probes hybridized to a biopolymer and/or the length of the analyte (e.g., a biopolymer) does not rely on the absolute time between detection events of a given electrical signal to determine a distance associated with the biopolymer. Instead, multiple signals are obtained (e.g., as functions of time) corresponding to a plurality of detector volumes at known locations along a fluidic channel through which the biopolymer passes, and the distances are determined from the multiple signals.
US08262878B2	Controlled activation pH sensor The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor.
US08262874B2	Biosensor coating composition and methods thereof The disclosure provides for reagent compositions for biosensors comprising release polymers, methods of making such biosensors and films of reagent compositions comprising release polymers. The reagent compositions comprise a release polymer and an effective analyte detecting amount of an enzyme an enzyme cofactor and a redox compound capable of acting in a biosensor as (i) a redox mediator associated with a working electrode (ii) a redox couple associated with a reference electrode or (iii) the redox mediator associated with the working electrode and the redox couple for the reference electrode.
US08262872B2	Cleansing agent generator and dispenser Electrochemical apparatus and processes for the point-of-use production of cleansing, sanitizing, and antimicrobial agents, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The processes may be used to produce NaOCl from seawater, low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. HOCl may be produced from HCl solutions and water. NaOCl is produced using a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane, such as membranes based on NASICON-type materials, in an electrolytic cell. HOCl is produced using an anion conductive membrane in an electrolytic cell. The cleansing, sanitizing, and antimicrobial agent may be generated on demand and used in household, industrial, and water treatment applications.
US08262870B2	Apparatus, methods, and compositions for removing coatings from a metal component Apparatus and methods for removing coatings from metal components, such as metal components used in aircraft and other aerospace vehicles and the oil industry, as well as aqueous bath compositions. The metal component may be DC coupled with a counter electrode and immersed in an aqueous bath that includes an active oxygen source and a ligand in a composition effective to remove the coating. The aqueous bath may include hydrogen peroxide as the active oxygen source and may be maintained in a specific pH range if the temperature of the aqueous bath is controlled. In an alternative embodiment, the composition of the aqueous bath may include a non-peroxide active oxygen source, such as sodium perborate, and be maintained in a different specific pH range. An oxygen sensor may be provided to periodically monitor the concentration of active oxygen in the aqueous bath.
US08262865B2	Optimizing heavy oil recovery processes using electrostatic desalters The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. The process may include providing a bitumen froth feed stream, separating the stream in a froth separation unit to produce a diluted bitumen stream, treating the diluted bitumen stream in an electrostatic desalter to produce a treated bitumen stream, and separating the treated bitumen stream into a solvent recycle stream and a bitumen product stream. The system may include a combined AC/DC desalter with a control unit for optimizing the treatment process to produce a product bitumen stream using less solvent and smaller separators than conventional bitumen froth treatment plants and processes.
US08262861B2	Refiner for refining pulp A refiner plate for forming accepts and exhaust from a pulp material includes a first side and a second side and defines a channel extending between the first side and the second side. The channel is operable to direct at least some of the exhaust and at least some of the accepts away from the first side.
US08262860B2	Paper pulp pre-processor A pulp pre-processor for the papermaking industry uses pulp fiber analyzers to determine the distribution of fiber parameters, such as length, curl or coarseness from a feed source, such as recycled pulp, and mixes metered portions of pulp from augmenting pulp sources on an as-needed basis to provide a uniform distribution of a particular fiber parameter while maximizing use of recycled pulp.
US08262859B2	Glyoxalated N-vinylamine The present invention is directed to compositions comprising a cellulose reactive functionalized polyvinylamine first adduct, compositions comprising combinations of the cellulose reactive functionalized polyvinylamine first adduct and cellulose reactive functionalized polyvinylamide second adduct, methods for preparing first adduct and second adduct blends and finally methods of increasing the wet or dry strength of paper by incorporation into the paper furnish or coating a paper or board with said adducts.
US08262855B2	Method for determining the total peroxide content of pulp suspension A method and an apparatus for determining the total peroxide content of a cellulose pulp suspension in the pulp suspension bleaching stage, wherein the bleaching chemical is peroxide. A sample is taken from the pulp suspension, which sample is measured in a measuring device (25, 25′). Before measuring, the pH of the sample is adjusted and after that the total peroxide content or the perhydroxyl content of the sample is measured, of which measurement the total peroxide content of the sample is determined.
US08262853B2	Methods for pretreatment and processing of biomass According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for processing biomass includes a water-impermeable bottom liner, a gravel layer supported by the bottom liner, a drain pipe disposed within the gravel layer, a biomass input device operable to deliver biomass over the gravel layer to form a biomass pile, a lime input device operable to deliver lime to the biomass for pretreating the biomass, a distribution pipe elevated above the gravel layer, and a pump operable to circulate water through the biomass pile by delivering water to the distribution pipe and receiving water from the drain pipe after it has traveled through the biomass pile.According to another embodiment, a method for biomass pretreatment with alkali, conducted at ambient pressure for approximately 4-16 weeks at temperatures ranging from approximately 25° C. to 95° C. Biomass may be lignocellulosic biomass and may be rendered suitable for enzymatic digestion or pulp production.
US08262852B2	Method for improving fiber quality and process efficiency in mechanical pulping This invention provides a composition and method for improving a mechanical pulping process by decreasing freeness and amount of shives, providing energy and chemical savings, and enhancing brightness and mechanical strength of a paper product made from a pulp material in the process. The composition includes formulations, such as surfactants, chelants, hydrotropes, reductive and oxidative pulp modifiers, and pH-controlling chemicals. The method includes selectively introducing these formulations to the pulp material in the mechanical pulping process.
US08262849B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing fibre mass suspension A fiber mass suspension is produced by mixing together a fiber material (FM) and water (W) in a pulper (1). The formed fiber mass suspension is divided into an accept fraction and a reject fraction. The reject fraction is supplied continuously to a first secondary pulper (2) for further screening and defibring. The accept fraction formed in the first secondary pulper (2) is supplied continuously for further processing and the reject fraction formed in the first secondary pulper (2) is supplied continuously to a second secondary pulper (3) for further processing. The accept fraction formed in the second secondary pulper (3) is supplied continuously for further processing.
US08262838B2	Fusible completion plug A fusible completion plug and method for its use includes a cylindrical plug body having a lower portion that includes a fusible element in communication with an electric power supply. The completion plug also includes an elastomeric seal that provides for a temporary seal. A pressure balancing port and equalization valve are provided to relieve the differential pressure across the completion plug as the plug is positioned in place. The pressure equalization valve also includes a fusible element for fusing the valve within the port, thereby preventing a leak path through the plug body. A blind flange may be installed above the completion plug in case the plug fusion fails. The blind flange may be a traditional blind flange or may be a fusible blind flange.
US08262837B2	Bonding method, bonded structure, liquid droplet discharging head, and liquid droplet discharging apparatus A bonding method includes a first process that includes plasmatizing a first gas including a raw gas containing a siloxane (Si—O) bond at a reduced-pressure atmosphere, substituting the first gas by a second gas mainly including an inert gas, and plasmatizing the second gas to form a first plasma polymerized film on at least a part of a base member so as to obtain a first bonded object including the base member and the plasma polymerized film and a second process that includes preparing a second bonded object that is to be bonded to the first bonded object and pressing the first and the second bonded objects against each other such that a surface of the first plasma polymerized film is closely contacted to a surface of the second bonded object to bond the objects together.
US08262833B2	Use of infrared technology to install and/or repair construction membranes An apparatus is provided for applying a construction material, the apparatus having construction and an infrared heat emitter for providing infrared heat on the construction material. The construction material can be a roll of roofing material, which can be a roll of modified asphalt/bitumen roofing membrane material. The infrared emitter can be gas powered or electric powered. A method of applying a roofing membrane is also provided, where construction material is heated using infrared heat and applied onto a rooftop or other suitable surface.
US08262831B2	Method for forming a circuit pattern A method for forming a circuit pattern is disclosed. A circuit pattern that forms an electrically conductive layer (2L) is formed on an insulating resin (11) that forms a first insulating layer (1L). An insulating resin (13) that forms a second insulating layer (3L) is laminated on the insulating resin (11) on which the circuit pattern has been formed. A trench (14) is formed in the laminated insulating resin (13) to expose the circuit pattern. An electroless plating metal (15) is buried by electroless plating in the trench (14) formed.
US08262826B1	Insulation wrap A method for producing insulation tape. A strip of fabric is provided and a layer of insulation powder material is deposited onto the fabric. The fabric is folded over the insulation powder to form insulation tape that may be wrapped around pipes. The method of folding the fabric includes first bending the fabric into a trough shape that has a bottom portion and lateral upstanding flaps that terminate in lateral edges. The insulation powder may be deposited onto the bottom portion of the trough. The insulation powder is packed onto the bottom portion. Tape with adhesive on both sides is placed on one of the flaps so that when the flaps are folded in overlapping contact over the insulation powder the powder is enclosed and the flaps remain secured to each other. Stitching may be added to further secure the adhered flaps to each other and to the bottom portion.
US08262824B2	Method for manufacturing electret diaphragm A method for manufacturing electret diaphragms is provided. First, a dielectric film is attached to a frame by an adhesive material and a fastening element grips the peripheral area of the dielectric film on the frame. Afterward, the dielectric film is subjected to a metal sputtering process to form a conductive material layer thereon. Finally, the dielectric film is subjected to a polarizing process thereby forming an electret diaphragm.
US08262822B2	Method for manufacturing a tyre and apparatus for laying a reinforcing element on a forming support A method for manufacturing a tire for vehicle wheels includes the steps of building a carcass structure, including at least one carcass ply associated with annular anchoring structures, on a forming support, building a belt structure in a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure and building a tread band in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, wherein the at least one carcass ply, the annular anchoring structures and the belt structure each include at least one reinforcing element deposited in a radially outer position with respect to the forming support. The deposition of the at least one reinforcing element includes the steps of setting a first deposition path of the at least one reinforcing element on the forming support based upon a theoretical deposition profile; detecting the deviations between an actual deposition profile and the theoretical profile along the first deposition path, defining, based upon the deviations, an actual deposition path of the at least one reinforcing element on the forming support; and depositing the at least one reinforcing element on the forming support along the actual deposition path.
US08262814B2	Composite article and method Method, and articles therefrom, for providing a hard, abrasion-resistant, attractive, oxide surface layer of selectable thickness and having an outer appearance within the scale from gray to blackness, to a zirconium titanium alloy article by heating the article in an oxygen containing atmosphere.
US08262813B2	Oxygen-enriched niobium wire A process for providing a niobium wire and its use for connection to niobium or niobium oxide capacitors. The wire is enriched with oxygen and preferably has oxygen concentrations of about 3,000 to 30,000 μg/g.
US08262810B2	Method for conversion treating surface of magnesium alloy workpiece A method for conversion treating a surface of a magnesium alloy workpiece includes the steps of degreasing, acid pickling, alkali pickling, and chemical converting. A phosphating solution is used in the step of chemical converting and includes the following solution concentrations: 2.89 gram/liter to 8.67 gram/liter of phosphoric acid, 0.3 gram/liter to 1.0 gram/liter of carbamide, 0.39 gram/liter to 1.56 gram/liter of nitric acid, 6 gram/liter to 30 gram/liter of manganese dihydrogen phosphate, and 0.2 gram/liter to 0.6 gram/liter of tannin.
US08262806B2	Low-pressure sludge removal method and apparatus using coherent jet nozzles Provided area cleaning apparatus and an associated method of using the disclosed apparatus wherein the apparatus utilizes one or more nozzles configured to provide a coherent stream of one or more cleaning fluids for removing accumulated fine particulate matter, sludge, from surfaces. The nozzles may be sized, arranged and configured to provide coherent streams that maintain the initial stream diameter for a substantial portion of the maximum dimension of the space being cleaned. The apparatus and method are expected to be particularly useful in the cleaning of heat exchangers incorporating a plurality of substantially vertical and narrowly spaced tubes by directing cleansing streams along a plurality of intertube spaces.
US08262803B2	Method and tool for cleaning cavities A method for cleaning cavities in workpieces, a cleaning device for this purpose and a device for the supply of media to a cleaning device of this type. Supercritical carbon dioxide is introduced into the cavity and the cavity is rinsed. The supercritical carbon dioxide located in the cavity is relieved of pressure after rinsing of the cavity, so that carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow are formed in the cavity and subsequently driven out of the cavity.
US08262802B2	Method of removing deposits A method of removing a deposit from a passage extending through a component includes immersing the passage within a liquid, and directing a liquid jet at the passage from a source within the liquid bath and with a sufficient velocity so as to remove at least a portion of the deposit.
US08262801B2	Vacuum processing method A vacuum processing method using an apparatus including a processing chamber disposed in a vacuum reactor and having plasma formed thereon, a sample stage having a sample placed on the upper plane thereof, and a gas introducing mechanism, wherein the sample stage includes a gas supply port for introducing thermal conductance gas between the sample stage and the sample to be processed. The method includes placing a dummy sample on the sample stage, introducing dust removal gas between the sample stage and the dummy sample, and removing particles attached to the sample stage via the flow of dust removal gas.
US08262800B1	Methods and apparatus for cleaning deposition reactors Improved methods of removing tungsten film from the interior reactor and reactor component surfaces between tungsten deposition operations are provided. The methods involve increasing the availability of molecular fluorine to remove tungsten from the reactor while maintaining fast removal rates. Certain embodiments involve a multi-stage process including a stage in which atomic fluorine is introduced at a low pressure (e.g., about 8 Torr or less) and a stage in which molecular fluorine is introduced or allowed to form in the chamber at high pressure (e.g., about 8 Torr or higher).
US08262798B2	Shower head, device and method for manufacturing thin films The present invention herein provides a shower head whose temperature can be controlled in consideration of the film-forming conditions selected and a thin film-manufacturing device which permits the stable and continuous formation of thin films including only a trace amount of particles while reproducing a good film thickness distribution and compositional distribution, and a high film-forming rate and which is excellent in the productivity and the mass-producing ability as well as a method for the preparation of such a film. The shower head is so designed that the shower head structure is incorporated into an upper cap of a film-forming vessel, that a heat-exchange means is disposed in the upper cap to thus control the temperature of the upper cap and to in turn allow heat-exchange to occur at the contact surface between a disk-like shower plate constituting the shower head surface and the upper cap and that the temperature of the shower head can be controlled in consideration of the film-forming conditions selected. A thin film-manufacturing device is equipped with the shower head in its film-forming vessel and a thin film is prepared using the device.
US08262796B2	β-Ga2O3 single crystal growing method, thin-film single crystal growing method, Ga2O3 light-emitting device, and its manufacturing method A thin-film single crystal growing method includes preparing a substrate, irradiating an excitation beam on a metallic target made of a pure metal or an alloy in a predetermined atmosphere, and combining chemical species including any of atoms, molecules, and ions released from the metallic target by irradiation of the excitation beam with atoms contained in the predetermined atmosphere to form a thin film on the substrate.
US08262787B2	Configuration of contacting zones in vapor liquid contacting apparatuses Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.
US08262785B2	Hydrocarbon adsorption trap for an engine air intake tract A hydrocarbon adsorption trap for adsorption of evaporated fuel vapors includes a first fuel vapor permeable media retention layer, a second media retention layer positioned in a spaced parallel relationship to the first layer forming a gap therebetween and a hydrocarbon vapor adsorbent media disposed in the gap between the first and second layers for adsorbing evaporated fuel vapors from the intake tract when the engine is not operating. A mounting member is secured to peripheral edge portions of the layers and closes the gap between the layers while providing a means of securing the trap into an air intake tract.
US08262784B2	Regenerative adsorption gas dryer A regenerative adsorption gas dryer has a wet gas inlet, first and second drying towers, and a dried gas outlet. The inlet, towers and outlet are arranged such that, in use, a flow of purge gas regenerates an off-stream one of the towers, while a stream of wet gas from the wet gas inlet enters an on-stream one of the towers to exit that tower as a stream of dried gas which then continues to the dried gas outlet. The roles of the off-stream and on-stream towers are reversible. The dryer further has a first check valve for controlling a stream of dried gas between the first drying tower and the dried gas outlet, and a second check valve for controlling a stream of dried gas between the second drying tower and the dried gas outlet.
US08262783B2	Gas separation device A gas separation device is disclosed. In particular, seal assemblies and adsorbent element constructions for a gas separation device such as a pressure swing adsorption device are disclosed. The seal assembly can be part of a rotary valve and can include a seal backer and a floating seal positioned within a bore in the seal backer. The floating seal is configured to press towards and seal against an adjacent rotor. Valve action is provided as apertures in the floating seal and rotor are brought into and then out of alignment as a result of relative rotation therebetween. The seal assembly can include two types of gas chambers to apply balanced sealing pressures over the sealing surface of the valve, one type configured to receive pressurized process gas from within the device and the other configured to receive gas from an independently controlled pressurized gas source. The adsorber elements in the device may comprise improved spacer cross support structures at the ends of wound laminate adsorbent structures.
US08262781B2	Fungi preventing method, flying organism removing apparatus and plant protecting apparatus by adsorption of conidia using dielectric polarization A method is provided which can efficiently remove conidia and microbe or the like of a phytopathogen from air and does not cause generation of ozone originated from discharge or so, thereby preventing occurrence of a plant disease without damaging a plant. There are also provided a flying organism removing apparatus and a plant protecting apparatus which can adequately capture flyable organisms, such as spores of a phytopathogen and/or small vermin, by applying an electrostatic field to the flyable organisms. An electrostatic field generated by dielectric polarization is applied to flyable organisms.
US08262777B2	Method for enhancing a gas liquid contactor The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets with reduced linear stability. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a stability unit used with nozzles of a gas liquid contactor and/or an enhancer for stable jet formation, and more particularly to reducing the stability of liquid jets formed from nozzles of the gas liquid contactor. Another aspect of the invention relates to operating the apparatus at a condition that reduces the stability of liquid jets, e.g., a droplet generator apparatus. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to operation of the apparatus with an aqueous slurry. Still another aspect of the invention is directed towards to an apparatus for substantially separating at least two fluids.
US08262768B2	Method to improve recovery of gold from double refractory gold ores The present invention is directed to a precious metal recovery process in which carbonaceous material, such as preg robbing carbon, is floated after sulfide oxidation to separate the carbonaceous material from the precious metal.
US08262767B2	Method of producing steel for steel pipe excellent in sour-resistance performance A method of producing steel for a steel pipe excellent in sour-resistance performance comprises controlling the amount of Ca addition charged into a molten steel in a ladle according to a N content in the molten steel prior to Ca addition. Non-metallic inclusions in the steel are mainly composed of Ca, Al, 0 and S, and a CaO content in the inclusions is in the range of 30 to 80%, the ratio of the N content in the steel to the CaO content in the inclusions satisfying equation (1), and a CaS content in the inclusions satisfies equation (2), 0.28≦[N]/(% CaO)≦2.0 (1) (% CaS)≦25% (2) where [N] represents the mass content (ppm) of N in the steel, (% CaO) represents the mass content (%) of CaO in the inclusions, and (% CaS) represents the mass content (%) of CaS in the inclusions.
US08262766B2	Method for reducing chromium containing raw material An object of the present invention is to provide a method for reducing a chromium-containing material at a high chromium reduction degree. In the method of the present invention, a mixture of a feedstock containing chromium oxide and a carbonaceous reductant is heated and reduced by radiation heating in a moving hearth furnace. The average rate of raising the temperature of the mixture in the reduction is preferably 13.96° C./s or higher in the period from the initiation of the radiation heating of the mixture until the mixture reaches 1,114° C.
US08262763B2	Bagless dustcup A vacuum cleaner having a housing, a suction fan, a dustcup, a cover and an inlet into the dustcup. The dustcup is removably secured to the housing, and includes a cup end wall, a sidewall extending from the cup end wall, and an open end opposite the cup end wall. The cover can be connected to the open end of the dustcup, and includes an air outlet in fluid communication with the suction fan, and a filter covering the air outlet and extending from the cover towards the cup end wall. The cup end wall includes a barrier positioned to be contacted by air flowing through the dustcup to thereby separate dirt particles from the air.
US08262755B2	Staged membrane oxidation reactor system Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.
US08262754B2	Catalyst structure for a rapid reaction A compact catalytic reactor (20) comprises a channel for a rapid reaction having an inlet (26) for a gas mixture to undergo the reaction. The channel is provided with two different catalyst structures (32, 34), a first catalyst structure (32) in the vicinity of the inlet (26) and a second catalyst structure (34) further from the inlet, such that a gas mixture supplied to the inlet flows past them both. The first catalyst structure (32) has little catalytic activity for the rapid reaction, whereas the second catalyst structure (34) has catalytic activity for the rapid reaction. This is applicable to combustion of gas mixtures containing hydrogen, for which the first catalyst structure (32) may comprise uncoated oxidized aluminum-containing ferritic steel, while the second catalyst structure (34) may incorporate Pt and/or Pd in an alumina support. Exhaust gases may also be recycled to the inlet (26) to inhibit combustion.
US08262751B2	Development of a techno-economic process for organo refining of coal An improved organo-refining process to produce low ash clean coal from high ash coal, comprising: mixing coal, solvent and a co-solvent to produce a slurry; feeding the slurry to a reactor by pumping; extracting a coal-solvent mixture from the reactor; feeding the extracted mixture to a flasher unit; recovering about 30% of the solvent from the flashing unit; feeding the remaining heavy material to an evaporator; extracting about 60% of solvent from the evaporator; discharging the residue from the evaporator to a precipitator having water which produces a coal slurry; filtering the slurry in a rotary drum; collecting the super clean coal as a residue and feeding the filtrate into a distillation unit; and separating the water and the organic material in the filtrate to recover at least 7 to 8% of the remaining solvent.
US08262750B2	Method for producing polyolefinic amines and compositions containing same Polyolefinic amines may be produced in a reaction comprising contacting an olefin or a polyolefin with an azo compound under free radical conditions to form a polyolefinic nitrile having an average molecular weight of at least 250, followed by reducing the polyolefinic nitrile to a corresponding polyolefinic amine. The polyolefinic amines produced by the reaction may be included as a detergent in compositions, such as fuel compositions, additive compositions, and/or carrier compositions.
US08262748B2	Method for manufacturing an emulsified fuel A method for manufacturing an emulsifier package is disclosed. The method comprises blending a flow of fuel soluble product, a flow of stabilizer, and a flow of water in a mixing vessel to form a mixture. Mixing the mixture in the mixing vessel and recirculating the mixture through the mixing vessel. Lastly, shearing the mixture with a shearing device at a rate of about 27,500 shears per second to about 87,500 shears per second. A method for manufacturing an aqueous fuel emulsion is also disclosed.
US08262745B2	Capacitor with sacrificial lead wire configuration and improved manufacturing method thereof The capacitor has a monolithic anode and at least one anode lead wire extending from the anode. At least one sacrificial lead wire extends from the anode. A dielectric layer is on said anode and a cathode layer is on the dielectric layer. The anode lead wire is in electrical contact with the anode and a cathode lead is in electrical contact with the cathode.
US08262744B2	Optical brighteners and compositions comprising the same Novel compounds based on diaminostilbene are provided. The compounds conform to the general structures The compounds are useful as optical brighteners. Compositions, such as laundry compositions, containing such compounds are also provided.
US08262743B2	Optical brighteners and compositions comprising the same Novel compounds based on distyryl-biphenyl are provided. The compounds conform to the general structure The compounds are useful as optical brighteners. Compositions, such as laundry care compositions, containing such compounds are also provided.
US08262741B2	Non-aqueous washing apparatus and method Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.
US08262737B2	Composite interbody spinal implant having openings of predetermined size and shape An interbody spinal implant including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, opposing anterior and posterior portions, a substantially hollow center, and a single vertical aperture. The single vertical aperture extends from the top surface to the bottom surface, has a size and shape predetermined to maximize the surface area of the top surface and the bottom surface available proximate the anterior and posterior portions while maximizing both radiographic visualization and access to the substantially hollow center, and defines a transverse rim. The body may be non-metallic and may form one component of a composite implant; the other component is a metal plate disposed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the body.
US08262734B2	Stackable intervertebral devices and methods of use An intervertebral device for spacing apart vertebral members comprises a plurality of stackable shims including at least a first shim and a second shim. The first shim includes a first body with a first portion of a male-female connector, and a removable guide that is affixed to the first body and extends along at least a portion of the first body. The second shim includes a second body with a second portion of the male-female connector. A longitudinal passage extends through the second body and is sized to receive the guide on the first body. The second shim is moveable relative to the first shim with the guide disposed in the passage between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the first shim is stacked on the second shim.
US08262729B2	Dynamic ossicular prosthesis An ossicular replacement prosthesis includes first and second engagement structures for engaging middle ear structures, a spring that biases the first and second engagement structures longitudinally apart when under compression, and a rod that axially stabilizes longitudinal movement of the first and second engagement structures and conducts sound waves between the first and second engagement structures. Relative axial pressure on the first and second engagement structures causes compression or expansion of the spring which results in movement of the rod to adjust the length of the prosthesis to accommodate changes in anatomical distance as occurs under changes in pressure or abnormal middle ear conditions.
US08262725B2	Transvalvular intraannular band for valve repair Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band having an elongate and arcuate body. The elongate and arcuate body has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is displaced from the plane containing the first end and the second end. The transvalvular band is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets and the central portion is displaced towards the left ventricle relative to the first anchoring portion and the second anchoring portion. The ventricular direction displacement moves coaption to an earlier point in the cardiac cycle.
US08262719B2	Braided flange branch graft for branch vessel A braided flange branch graft formed of a braided super elastic memory material includes a neck between an inner flange and an outer flange. The neck is positioned in a side opening in a sidewall of a main stent graft and the inner flange and outer flange are deployed on opposite sides of the sidewall. The inner flange and the outer flange have a diameter greater than a diameter of the side opening in the sidewall of the main stent graft. Thus, the sidewall of the main stent graft is sandwiched between the inner flange and the outer flange securely and simply mounting the braided flange branch graft to the main stent graft. The braided flange has a substantially unobstructed fluid communication passage therethrough. Further, when stretched into a substantially cylindrical shape for delivery, the braided flange branch graft has a small delivery profile and is extremely flexible.
US08262712B2	Phalangeal arthrodesis implant, surgical kit and method for manufacturing same A medical implant interposable between a first bone and a second bone in order to support the first and second bones substantially joined one to the other, so as to obtain bony fusion of the first and second bones. Also disclosed is a surgical kit comprising an implant and a surgical instrument for bony preparation. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a medical implant.
US08262711B2	Dynamic vertebral column plate system A vertebral column construct for stabilizing a segment of a vertebral column can include first and second plate segments, and a spring connected between adjacent plate segments. The spring can be adapted and configured to provide a predetermined preload between the first and second plate segments. Such a preload can advantageously enhance fusion across a bone graft. Alternatively, the spring can be adapted and configured to resist, by a predetermined degree, loading between the first and second plate segments. A cam can be provided on one of the first and second plate segments, wherein engagement between the cam and the cam surface prevents dynamic connection between the first and second plates. The cam can be adapted and configured to adjust a preload applied between segments, such as by adjusting tension in the spring.
US08262707B2	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.
US08262697B2	Modular interspinous fixation system and method A modular interspinous fixation system and method are shown. The system and method comprise a first plate, a second plate and a locking cross bar for locking the first and second plates together and into locked engagement with a first spinous process and a second spinous process. A bridge is mounted or received on the locking cross bar so that it becomes locked onto the locking cross bar when the locking cross bar is in locked engagement. The bridge and locking cross bar are adapted so that the bridge does not rotate about its axis while on the locking cross bar. Various other embodiments are shown illustrating various bridges of different shapes and sizes, integral and non-integral locking cross bars and even a ramped locking cross bar for facilitating preventing separation of the first and second plates after they are mounted to the first and second spinous processes.
US08262694B2	Devices, systems, and methods for closure of cardiac openings The invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous closure of cardiac openings and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. In one embodiment, a closure device includes a patch with an adhesive and/or a removable frame. The patch may be placed across a cardiac opening, such as a patent foramen ovale, or across a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, a closure device includes a balloon together with adhesives and/or substances for stimulating tissue growth coated on, or contained within, the balloon. The balloon may be inserted into a cardiac opening, such as the patent foramen ovale, or into a cardiac cul-de-sac, such as a left atrial appendage.
US08262680B2	Anastomotic device An apparatus and system for forming a compression anastomosis. The apparatus includes an anastomotic device with an anastomotic portion including a first end and a second end. The anastomotic portion is formed of a ferrous, magnetic, or paramagnetic material. At least one flexible portion protrudes from the first end of the anastomotic portion. The at least one flexible portion includes an articulation node located at a predetermined distance from the first end of the anastomotic portion. The articulation node enables the at least one flexible portion to move relative to the anastomotic portion. The system further includes a magnet having a first end and a second end. The magnet is adapted to magnetically couple to the anastomotic portion of the anastomotic device and to compress tissue between the magnet and the anastomotic device. The compressive force on the tissue is sufficient to create a compression anastomosis through the tissue.
US08262675B2	Methods and devices for applying multiple suture anchors Methods and devices are provided for deploying and applying multiple suture anchors. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided having a shaft configured to be introduced into a body, e.g., through a scoping device, and to deliver a plurality of suture anchors, each having a suture attached thereto, into tissue, preferably without the need to remove the shaft from the body. The shaft can be configured to penetrate tissue and to deploy one or more of the suture anchors through the tissue such that the sutures extending from the deployed suture anchors extend through the tissue to allow the anchors to engage the tissue. The surgical device can also include a knotting mechanism configured to secure the sutures attached to the deployed anchors, thereby securing the anchors to the tissue.
US08262671B2	Vascular introducer having hemostatic valve with integral seal A vascular introducer includes a proximal hub portion with an interior bore, an elongated sheath extending distally from the hub portion, with a lumen in communication with the interior bore of the hub portion, and a hemostatic valve disposed within the bore of the hub portion. The hemostatic valve has a passage extending therethrough, and includes a sealing flap movable between an open position relative to the passage and a closed position relative to the passage.
US08262670B2	Self-retaining surgical driver A surgical tool includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical tool has a fastener engagement tip having a spring extension extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surgical tool. The spring extension is resiliently flexible and deflectable between a first arrangement, in which the spring extension is in a relaxed state, and a second arrangement, in which the spring extension is deflected to facilitate insertion of the fastener engagement tip into a fastener slot.
US08262668B2	Hip file carrier with a movable jaw File carrier which is intended to carry a file for filing bone of the medullary canal of the femur; a fixed jaw and a movable jaw are arranged at the distal end of the intermediate portion and there are provided means which are intended to control the movement of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw between a closed state in which the file is fixed in position on the file carrier and an open state in which the file is released from the file carrier; the position of the movable jaw in the open state is displaced in the mediolateral direction relative to the position of the movable jaw in the closed state.
US08262662B2	Break-off screw extensions The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.
US08262657B2	External fixation apparatus with adjustable pin clamping means and convergent bone pins An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member. Other embodiments include pin holders arranged so that bone pins, extending from a linearly extending or arcuate surface are concentrated in a region.
US08262652B2	Imaginary impedance process monitoring and intelligent shut-off An electrosurgical generator for supplying electrosurgical energy to tissue is disclosed. The generator includes sensor circuitry configured to measure an imaginary impedance and/or a rate of change of the imaginary impedance of tissue. The generator also includes a controller configured to regulate output of the electrosurgical generator based on the measured imaginary impedance and/or the rate of change of the imaginary impedance.
US08262649B2	Method and apparatus for tissue ablation A method for ablation in which a portion of atrial tissue around the pulmonary veins of the heart is ablated by a first elongated ablation component and a second elongated ablation component movable relative to the first ablation component and having means for magnetically attracting the first and second components toward one another. The magnetic means draw the first and second components toward one another to compress the atrial tissue therebetween, along the length of the first and second components and thereby position the device for ablation of the tissue.
US08262648B2	Control method and structure of laser beam irradiation by using a contact sensor The present invention relates to a laser beam control structure and method. A laser beam control structure of the present invention comprises a handpiece for irradiating laser beams output from a laser beam output device, on a predetermined part; at least one electrode unit positioned at a human body contact portion of the handpiece and receiving hum noise generated from a human body; and a control unit electrically connected to the electrode unit so as to measure the hum noise applied from the electrode unit and to cause the laser beams to be irradiated according to the measured hum noise. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that various types of hum noise generated from a human body are measured without applying an electric current to the human body, and a laser beam is irradiated according to the measured hum noise.
US08262647B2	Optical system for ophthalmic surgical laser A laser system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source, to generate a pulsed laser beam, an XY scanner, to receive the pulsed laser beam, and to output an XY-scanning beam, scanned in two directions transverse to a Z axis, a Z scanner, to receive the XY-scanning beam, and to output an XYZ-scanning beam, scanned in addition along the Z axis, the Z scanner including a first lens group to output a beam having an intermediate focal plane, and a movable lens group to receive the beam through the intermediate focal plane and to collimate the beam in a variable manner, and an objective to receive the collimated beam from the Z scanner and to focus the beam into a focal spot in a target region.
US08262641B2	Filling system and method for syringes with short needles A filling system for syringes utilizing short needles to be filled from a vial having a thick septum is described. The system may be useful in any situation where the septum or vial stopper of a medication container is thicker than the usable length of the needle on the delivery device. Preferably, the syringe is filled just prior to use. The short needle includes an optional limiter which only permits a certain predetermined length of the needle cannula to protrude beyond the limiter a distance which limits penetration of the needle tip into both the skin and a vial stopper. The system and adapter may be useful for needles having a protrusion distance from approximately 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or any needle with a protrusion length shorter that the thickness of a septum to be accessed. Furthermore, a device is provided with shielding capabilities to shield the needle of the device.
US08262640B2	Biological fluid filtration system utilizing by-pass line and tube support device An improved biological fluid filtration system is shown having, seriatim, a blood container, a biological fluid filtration device downstream of the blood container, and a blood receiving container downstream of the biological fluid filtration device; a bypass line is provided to allow fluid communication between the blood container and the blood receiving container, the bypass line includes a loop, the loop of the bypass line being configured to be disposed above the blood container at a sufficient height to prevent the passage of fluid around the leukocyte depletion device; the loop of the bypass line being disposed in a tube support device, the tube support device being configured to support substantially the entire weight of the biological fluid filtration system without substantially crimping said bypass line.
US08262634B1	Absorbent article having barrier sheet against the migration of the skin care composition An absorbent article having a barrier sheet against a skin care composition is disclosed. The absorbent article has a body surface and a garment surface. The absorbent article comprises an absorbent core. At least a portion of the absorbent article has a skin care composition provided thereon. The absorbent article has a barrier sheet. The barrier sheet is treated to reduce the migration of the skin care composition therethrough.
US08262625B1	Introducer sheath having a hemostasis valve with an adhesive means for attachment to the skin An introducer sheath for placement of a tubular shaft into the vascular system of a human subject. The introducer sheath has a tubular shaft, a side arm, and a hemostasis valve placed at a proximal portion of the introducer sheath. The hemostasis valve has an adhesive pad formed integral with the shell of the hemostasis valve. The adhesive pad is designed to attach and detach a proximal section of the introducer sheath to and from the skin of the human subject.
US08262624B2	Anchor and anchor deployment apparatus An anchor for maintaining a portion of a therapy delivery element within a desired location of a patient has (i) a first opening, (ii) a second opening, (iii) a body member formed of elastic material disposed between the first and second opening, (iv) and a lumen extending though the body member from the first opening to the second opening, and (v) a retention element secured to or integrally formed with the body member for retaining the anchor within a tissue location of a patient. The therapy delivery element has an outer diameter and an outer surface about which the anchor is disposable. The body member has a first inner diameter defined by the lumen in a relaxed state and a second inner diameter defined by the lumen in a radially stretched state. The first inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the therapy delivery element, which is smaller that the second inner diameter. The lumen is configured to be disposed about at least a portion of the therapy delivery element. Radially compressive forces, due to the elastic material of the body member, contribute to retaining the anchor relative to the therapy delivery element.
US08262617B2	Medical infusion pump with power source voltage logging and method for logging a power source voltage in a medical infusion pump A medical infusion pump and a method for logging a power source voltage of a medical infusion pump are disclosed. The medical pump may include a power source, a processor, and a voltage supervisor which responds if a voltage (VDD) drops to a response voltage level which is above a reset voltage level of the processor. When the voltage supervisor responds, the processor start logging the voltage (Vbat) of the power source in a memory, thus generating a voltage log. The memory maintains the logged data when the power supply by the power source is interrupted, thus enabling retrospective analysis of the voltage log.
US08262604B2	Single-use injector with at least one draw hook A single-use injector is disclosed comprising a housing (10), arranged in which are at least one mechanical spring energy store (50), at least one piston-cylinder unit (100), which can be effectively filled at least for a certain time, at least one piston-actuating ram (60) and at least one triggering unit (80). The spring energy store comprises at least one pre-tensioned spring element. The spring-loaded piston-actuating ram (60) has at least one retaining rod or hook (62), which can be moved transversely, at least in certain regions, and by means of a supporting portion supports the tensioned spring energy store on at least one resting surface of the housing. When actuation occurs, the triggering unit (80) releases the supporting portion to allow it to move away from the resting surface.
US08262601B2	Helmet trauma bandage and method An emergency helmet trauma bandage and method of use, which, when applied, applies minimal pressure to stop bleeding, doesn't compromise cervical spine immobilization, allows for fast and effective application of ice/cold packs to control intracranial/internal swelling, doesn't come apart during treatment and transport, and doesn't require a caregiver to re-wrap the dressing.
US08262596B2	Cervical collar The present invention discloses a novel cervical collar for maintaining the airways in head and neck immobilized trauma patient open. This collar comprises a rigid motion-restricting frame (220, 230, 240, 270, 280) attached to the head (100); and, a jaw clasp (210, 290) attached to the jaw (110). The collar is simultaneously restricting the motion of the head (100) and neck while allowing motion of the jaw (110) to maintain open airways. A jaw clasp (290) useful for performing the jaw-thrust maneuver motion of the jaw (110) to maintain open airways is also presented. Said device comprising a plurality of movable fitting elements adapted to fit the jaw (110) tightly; and, a plurality of movable mover elements adapted to move the jaw (110).
US08262593B2	Method and apparatus for relieving leg cramps and massaging muscles Removably attached leg cramp relieving and muscle massaging elements with a variable length handle. A non-pinching foot supporting loop combined with the handle permits a user to stretch a leg to alleviate leg cramps. Muscle massaging elements combined with the handle permit a user to massage various areas of the body. The massage elements can also be used as a foot and leg exercising and blood circulation devices.
US08262592B1	Fluid dispenser An inexpensive and disposable dispenser has few parts. The dispenser has a housing with a reservoir of fluid therein. The housing has a valve seat and a valve. The valve is biased in a closed position by resilient spring arms. Each spring arm has a fixed end coupled to the housing and a free end that contacts a rounded or inclined surface of the valve in a location that is offset from a centerline of movement. As the valve moves to an open position, the spring arms flex with the free ends moving apart. When the spring arms straighten and the free ends move closer to each other, the valve is moved to the closed position. The dispenser can be manipulated by a hand or by a massager. A massager imparts vibrations to the valve by way of the housing and the spring arm. The dispenser can be used to work the fluid into an object such as human skin.
US08262586B2	Large sample low aspect ratio biopsy needle A high aspect ratio biopsy needle achieves reliable performance with large solid sample size by means of a variety of features and combinations thereof, including support to prevent bending, reinforcement of the needle, and cutting edges arranged to resist deformation.
US08262576B2	Imaging probe An imaging probe is suitable to be inserted into a tubular object so as to detect an interior image of the tubular object. The imaging probe includes a light source excitation assembly, an ultrasonic transducer and a receiver. The light source excitation assembly includes a pulsed laser, a first optical fiber and a cone-shaped reflecting member. The pulsed laser is suitable to generate a pulsed light energy. The cone-shaped reflecting member is suitable to reflect the pulsed light energy to let the pulsed light energy annularly irradiate the inner wall of the tubular object so as to produce a photoacoustic signal. The ultrasonic transducer is suitable to generate an ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic signal annularly irradiates the inner wall of the tubular object so as to produce an ultrasonic echo signal. The receiver receives the photoacoustic signal and the ultrasonic echo signal.
US08262575B2	Method and system for detecting electrophysiological changes in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue Methods and systems are provided for determining a condition of a selected region of epithelial tissue and/or an organ in a body as well as to diagnose disease, susceptibility, premalignancy or cancer and to measure response to therapy, introduction of a drug and to assess the margins of a tumor or resection. The methods utilize through the tissue or organ electrical measurements with alternating current applied using one or more surface or internal electrodes and measuring the electrical response using one or more surface electrodes, preferably in combination with one or more electrodes in direct or indirect contact with epithelium comprising the organ or tissue under test. The methods are also useful in combination with DC measurements on the surface of the organ or tissue under test. Measurement of impedance, admittance, electropotential and dielectric properties is particularly useful, particularly as a function of frequency and position on and in the tissue or organ.
US08262574B2	Needle and tine deployment mechanism A needle electrode deployment shaft includes a central member and a plurality of needle electrodes. The central member has a plurality of needle advancement channels formed therein. The needle electrodes are disposed within the advancement channels and each advancement channel terminates in a ramp portion which deflects the needles radially outwardly as they are axially advanced. The ramps may be spirally or acutely configured in order to increase the distance through which the needles may be bent as they are axially advanced. Additionally, the central member may have a radially reduced distal tip in order to decrease tissue insertion forces.
US08262572B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and image processing apparatus for ultrasonic diagnosis An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including means that acquires a three-dimensional ultrasonic signal of an internal organ of an examinee, means that sets a direction of a two-dimensional standard cross-section of the internal organ; means that adjusts display parameter of an image of a site which an examinee intends to observe, means that generates a two-dimensional standard cross-sectional image from the three-dimensional ultrasonic signal on the basis of the set direction of the two-dimensional standard cross-section of the internal organ, means that generates an observation cross-sectional image and a rendering image from the three-dimensional ultrasonic signal on the basis of the display parameters of the adjusted image, and display means that combines and displays the two-dimensional standard cross-sectional image, the observation cross-sectional image and the rendering image.
US08262571B2	Intermuscular guide for retractor insertion and method of use A guide is provided for insertion into a surgical incision to create interior access along a preferred plane to an interior surgical site. After inserting the guide into an incision, a retractor or other tool may be inserted though the guide to the interior surgical site. The guide serves as a pathway for the retractor to the interior surgical site of the patient.
US08262567B2	Tissue retractor, tissue retractor kit and method of use thereof A tissue retractor for retracting tissue opened by an incision, the tissue retractor including a base support unit having a topside and an underside. The topside has at least one securing mechanism and the underside is conformable and removably attachable to a surface proximate to the incision. The tissue retractor has a tissue hook having a tissue engagement portion and a mounting portion, the tissue engagement portion capable of engaging at least the periphery of the incision. The tissue retractor has a retractable member substantially inelastic in its central longitudinal axis and bendable in any axes deviating from the central longitudinal axis. The retractable member receives the mounting portion of the tissue hook, the retractable member being removably attachable to said securing mechanism on the topside of the base support unit, and being retractable away from the incision, such that the tissue engagement portion retracts tissue engaged thereto.
US08262564B2	Power transmission apparatus for electric bending endoscope A power transmission apparatus for an electric bending endoscope includes an actuating member switchable between a connection position to bring a clutch mechanism into a connection state and a release position to bring the clutch mechanism into a release state, the actuating member being interlocked with the clutch mechanism, an electric drive mechanism being interlocked with the actuating member, and a manual drive mechanism including an operation member manually switchable to at least one of a connection drive position to bring the actuating member into the connection position and a release drive position to bring the actuating member into the release position, and a selective actuation transmission mechanism provided between the operation member and the actuating member and to transmit the actuation of the operation member to the actuating member and absorb the actuation of the actuating member without transmitting the actuation to the operation member.
US08262557B2	Method and apparatus for levator distension repair Improved methods and apparatuses for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse are provided. A specialized mesh having a shape for convenient subcutaneous placement to support the levator ani muscles is provided, as is a method of use of such a device. Appropriate devices for introducing such a mesh implant are also disclosed.
US08262553B2	Ophthalmic surgical console system A ophthalmic surgical console system reduces kinking or flow restrictions in the tubing/cables attached to a ophthalmic surgical console by rotatably mounting the head of the surgical console to the base of the surgical console. The screen on which surgical parameter outputs are displayed and control inputs are made is attached to the ophthalmic surgical console using a movable adjustable arm.
US08262551B2	Centrifuge having displacement sensor According to an aspect of the invention, a centrifuge includes: a rotor for separating samples; a motor for driving and rotating the rotor; a drive shaft for connecting together the motor and the rotor; a rotation sensor for detecting at least one of the rotation speed of the motor and the rotor; and a displacement sensor for detecting the swinging motion of the rotor or the drive shaft, wherein, after one of speed of the motor and the rotor is accelerated up to previously set rotation speed, when the swinging amount of the rotor or the drive shaft is equal to or more than preset allowable value, the supply of power to the motor is stopped to decelerate the motor, wherein, during the deceleration, signal from the displacement sensor is compared with the preset allowable value, and wherein when the signal from the displacement sensor becomes equal to or less than the preset allowable value, the motor is accelerated.
US08262543B1	Leg exercise machine with multi exercise capability A leg exercise machine comprises a user support assembly pivotally attached to a sub frame that is linearly attached to a main support frame. The sub frame linearly travels back and forth during leg press exercise and extended leg calf raise exercise. The user support assembly pivots up and down during seated calf raise exercise. A movable brace assembly mounted to the user support assembly adjusts to a first position for engaging a user's legs during seated calf raise exercise and a second position storing the brace assembly during leg press exercise.
US08262540B2	Shift control device for work vehicle A shift control device for a work vehicle that has a stepped automatic transmission includes: a control device that controls an engine rotation rate at the work vehicle and the stepped automatic transmission; a forward/reverse switchover member that outputs a forward/reverse switchover command for the work vehicle; and an operation quantity detection device that detects an accelerator pedal operation quantity in the work vehicle is operated. As the forward/reverse switchover command is output via the forward/reverse switchover member, the control device executes forward/reverse switchover control for the stepped automatic transmission and also controls the engine rotation rate so as to decrease the engine rotation rate gradually to a target lower limit value selected to ensure that a reverse rotation of a turbine runner at a torque converter in the work vehicle does not occur.
US08262539B2	Power transmitting apparatus A power transmitting apparatus, such an automotive transmission, adapted to properly select transmission of or cutting-off of a driving force of the driving source to or from the wheels of a vehicle can include a torque converter having a torque amplifying function. A clutch mechanism can include a first clutch device configured to transmit the driving force to the wheels through the torque converter and a second clutch device configured to transmit the driving force without passing through the torque converter. A selecting device can control the first clutch device or the second clutch device in accordance with conditions of the vehicle including starting from a stop. An input-side measuring device can be used to measure an input-side rotational speed of the first clutch device and an output-side measuring device can be used for measuring an output-side rotational speed of the first clutch device. A slip ratio calculating device can be used to calculate the slip ratio of the first clutch device from the difference or the ratio between the rotational speed measured by the input-side measuring device and the rotational speed measured by the output-side measuring device.
US08262537B2	Method for transitioning control in a multi-mode hybrid transmission A multi-mode hybrid transmission including a selectable one-way clutch and first and second torque machines transitions to operating in a target continuously variable mode including applying a selectable one-way clutch and controlling input torque and motor torques of the first and second torque machines using a second kinematic relationship. A multi-step process is executed to transition the first clutch to a deactivated state, transition the second selectable one-way clutch to the applied state, and transition to using the second kinematic relationship to achieve a preferred output torque.
US08262534B2	Transmission device with at least one planetary gearset and a frictional shift element A transmission device (1) having at least one planetary gearset (2) and at least one frictional shift element (3) by which a ring gear (4), of the planetary gearset (2), can be connected to a component (5) that is fixed to a transmission housing. The ring gear (4) of the planetary gearset (2) is at least partially radially arranged within an inner disk carrier (6) of the shift element (3). The ring gear (4) and the inner disk carrier (6) are supported on a main transmission shaft (7) by a common carrier element (8). The ring gear (4) and the inner disk carrier (6) are radially separated from one another at least over a certain area.
US08262528B2	Power transmission device A power transmission device 1 includes a power transmitting mechanism 15 having a first casing 3, a speed change mechanism 13 and first oil and an intermittent mechanism 27 having a pair of rotating members 17, 19, an intermittent part 21, an actuator 23, a second casing 25 and second oil. The second casing 25 includes a first casing member 33 having a cylindrical part 29 and one end wall 31 and a second casing member 37 having another end wall 35 connected to the cylindrical part 29 integrally. The second casing 25 further includes a sealing member 39 arranged between the rotating member 19 and the end wall 31, another sealing member 41 arranged between the rotating member 19 and the other end wall 35 and an O ring arranged between the first casing 33 and the second casing 37, respectively. The second oil is enclosed in the second casing 25.
US08262525B2	Hydrostatic-mechanical power split transmission A hydrostatic-mechanical power split transmission with at least two continuous operating ranges for use in agricultural and construction machines. The transmission has a summation planetary gear and a clutch for forward drive (7) and a clutch for reverse drive (6) that are arranged upstream of the summation gear. The transmission has a first sun gear (13) and a second sun gear (14) and a ring gear such that the ring gear (15) can be connected to an output drive shaft (22), via a clutch for the first driving range (23), and the second sun gear (14) can be connected to the output drive gear (22), via a clutch for the second operating range (27).
US08262524B2	Hybrid powertrain A hybrid powertrain is provided that includes an engine operatively connected with an input member. The powertrain includes a transmission with first and second electric motor/generators, a differential gear set having multiple members, and selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The input member, the output member, the engine and the motor/generators are selectively interconnected through the differential gear set by engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanisms in different combinations. The powertrain provides multiple operating modes between the input member and the output member, including an electric-only operating mode in which the engine is off and both electric motor/generators act as motors to provide torque at the output member.
US08262520B2	Pulley assembly for a power transmission belt A pulley assembly has a first body to engage a power transmission belt. The first body is rotatable around a first axis. A second body is movable relative to the first body around the first axis. First and second axially spaced elastic members each has a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. One of: (a) the radially inner portions of the first and second members; and (b) the radially outer portions of the first and second members are: (i) coupled to move together around the first axis; and (ii) each movable relative to the first and second bodies around the first axis. The other of: (a) the radially inner portions of the first and second members; and (b) the radially outer portions of the first and second members are fixedly coupled, one each to the first and second bodies, to follow movement of the first and second bodies around the first axis.
US08262519B2	Sport ball casing and methods of manufacturing the casing A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder located within the casing. The casing may include a plurality of panel elements joined to each other with welds, and portions of the panel elements that include the welds may project toward an interior of the ball. A method of manufacturing a sport ball may include providing a plurality of casing elements that include a thermoplastic polymer material. Edges of the casing elements are welded to each other to join the casing elements. The casing elements may then be turned inside-out through an aperture formed by at least one of the casing elements, and the aperture may be sealed.
US08262518B2	Arrow point alignment system An arrow apparatus is disclosed comprising an arrow point alignment structure having a tapered leading end disposed on an outer surface of an arrow shaft. The arrow point may also comprise a tapered aperture defined therein for receiving and mating with at least a portion of the tapered leading end of the arrow point alignment structure in order to bring the arrow point into axial alignment with the arrow shaft. The arrow point alignment structure may be integrally formed with, or affixed to, the outer surface of the arrow shaft or affixed to a portion of the arrow point. The arrow apparatus may also further comprise an insert at least partially disposed within the arrow shaft. The insert may comprise a first insert portion removably attached to a second insert portion that weighs less than the first insert portion. Various arrow points and corresponding methods are also disclosed.
US08262515B2	Athletic training method, system, and apparatus Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed herein for aiding a user in learning and practicing techniques for performing a volley kick of a soccer ball. A volley kick training apparatus, as disclosed herein, is configured to position and hold a soccer ball to simulate to a user the scenario of kicking a soccer ball while in mid air to perform and achieve the volley kick.
US08262513B2	Low lift golf ball A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising at least first areas containing a plurality of first dimples and second areas containing a plurality of second dimples, the areas together forming a spherical polyhedron shape, wherein the first dimples are spherical dimples and the second dimples are truncated spherical dimples, the first dimples having a first radius and a first, spherical chord depth, and the second dimples having a second radius larger than the first radius and having a second, truncated chord depth less than half the spherical chord depth of the first dimples.
US08262512B2	Golf balls having two or more core layers formed from HNP compositions The present invention is directed to golf balls having a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Golf balls of the present invention have at least three layers, including an inner core layer, an outer core layer, a cover, and optionally an intermediate core layer. The present invention is not limited by which golf ball layers are formed from an HNP composition, so long as at least one layer is formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and at least one layer is formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Relatively soft HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. Relatively hard HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi.
US08262510B2	Golf ball with an ionomeric inner cover, stiff TPU intermediate cover, and cast thermoset outer cover A golf ball includes a core and a cover disposed adjacent the core. The cover includes a thermoplastic inner cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; an outer cover layer having a hardness between 55 and 60 Shore D; and a non-ionomeric thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurea intermediate cover layer disposed between the inner and outer cover layers. The intermediate cover layer has a hardness greater than the inner cover layer hardness and the outer cover layer hardness. The inner cover is formed from a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer and the outer cover layer is formed from a polyurethane, a polyurea, or a urethane-urea blend.
US08262506B2	Golf club head with composite weight port A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole, and each of the weight ports include a weight receiving region for receiving a weight and a screw receiving region for receiving a screw that secures the weight in the weight port.
US08262502B2	Metal wood club with improved hitting face A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. In another embodiment, the hitting face as a central zone that is thicker than the surrounding material. In another embodiment, a dense insert is attached directly or indirectly to a plate-like face insert at or near the geometric center of the insert. In another embodiment, the central zone of the hitting face is reinforced with ribs. In another embodiment, the central zone is elliptical with varying thickness. In this embodiment, the central zone minor axis is thinner than the major axis. The central zone is positioned within the hitting face such that the minor axis is oriented from the low heel region to the high toe region.
US08262501B2	Golf club head with improved performance A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.
US08262497B2	Golf club having removable sole weight using custom and interchangeable panels A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
US08262496B1	Wood-type golf club head with adjustable sole contour A wood-type golf club head with an adjustable keel zone member is disclosed herein. The golf club head includes a body and an adjustable keel zone member. The body has a front portion, a crown portion and a sole portion. The body also having a heel end, a toe end and an aft end. The sole portion has only a single keel point. The adjustable keel zone member is disposed within a keel zone of the sole and located preferentially with respect to the center of gravity. The keel zone member is capable of adjusting the face angle of the wood-type golf club head.
US08262493B2	Systems and methods for martial arts combat Systems and methods are provided relating to martial arts competitions including martial arts games, team competitions, and a martial arts combat league. A martial arts combat league may combine traditional aspects of martial arts competitions with the appeal of rooting for a favorite team or individual competitor. Martial arts competition rules and scoring systems may be provided for the martial arts combat league. A martial arts competition area may be provided for presentation of martial arts combat league events. A novel scoring system may involve and inform fans of the martial arts combat league.
US08262484B2	Telescopic shaft for vehicle steering shaft and grease composition for lubricating telescopic shaft A telescopic shaft for vehicle steering installed in a vehicle steering shaft. A male shaft and a female shaft are non-rotatably and slidably fitted to each other and an outer peripheral portion of the male shaft and an inner peripheral portion of the female shaft come in contact with each other to transmit a torque during rotation. A grease composition which has an apparent viscosity of 400 to 750 Pa·s (25° C.) at a shear rate of 10 sec−1 as defined in JIS K2220 is enclosed in a gap between the outer peripheral portion of the male shaft and the inner peripheral portion of the female shaft.
US08262482B2	Wireless communication game system and storage medium storing a wireless communication game program A wireless communication game system includes at least one parent device and a plurality of child devices that can communicate wirelessly with one another. The parent device transmits a parent device program and game data for distribution and generation information indicating what generation the data for distribution belongs to when counting from the one in the parent device. Each of the child devices receives the data for distribution and executes the parent device program to update the generation information and transmit to another plurality of child devices the parent device program and game data for distribution and the updated generation information.
US08262477B2	Information storage medium, game device, and method of controlling game device An information storage medium storing a program that generates an image of a virtual space viewed from a virtual camera, an operation object and a non-operation object being disposed in the virtual space. The program causes a computer to function as: an operation object movement control section that controls a movement of the operation object in the virtual space based on a movement instruction input about the operation object; a non-operation object movement/motion control section that controls at least one of a movement and a motion of the non-operation object in the virtual space; an attack target setting section that determines whether or not an attack target tracking condition is satisfied by at least one of the operation object and the non-operation object, and sets the non-operation object to an attack target tracking state in which the non-operation object tracks the operation object as an attack target when it is determined that the attack target tracking condition is satisfied; and a display control section that displays an attack target tracking notification image that indicates that the non-operation object is set to the attack target tracking state when the non-operation object is set to the attack target tracking state.
US08262476B2	Game apparatus, character and virtual camera control method, program and recording medium To apply a certain change to a displayed image while controlling a position and direction of a character and a virtual camera. In changing a direction of a character card without changing its position, when the direction changes slowly a direction of a character changes according to change direction of the character card, and a visual point of a virtual camera moves circularly according to the change direction of the character. When the direction of the character card is changed fast only the visual point moves circularly and the direction of the character does not change.
US08262470B1	Multiple pull single token slot machine and method therefor A slot machine has a wager receiving device to determine what currency is inserted into the slot machine. A processor is coupled to the wager receiving device. The processor executes program instructions causing the processor to: receive signals from the wager receiving device of the currency inserted into the slot machine; calculating a number of credits based on the currency inserted into the slot machine; and providing one of multiple credits for each paid credit or multiple plays of the slot machine per credit paid regardless of outcome of a previous play.
US08262469B2	Server based gaming system having system triggered loyalty award sequences A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming tables. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming table at which that the player is currently playing.
US08262467B2	Wagering game system for providing gaming establishment with guaranteed theoretical winning percentage A gaming system maintains a theoretical payback for a gaming establishment and comprises a plurality of gaming machines, a network, and a controller. The plurality of gaming machines are for playing wagering games having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering games. Each of the gaming machines has a theoretical payback that is associated with a math algorithm for generating the randomly selected outcomes. Each of the gaming machines has an actual payback of awards that are provided to players. The network is connected to the plurality of gaming machines. The controller is within the network and is operative to send instructions for transferring funds from a first account to a second account. The funds are based on a summation of differentials between the actual payback and the theoretical payback that occurred over a certain period of time at the gaming machines.
US08262466B2	Presenting and controlling wagering game marketing information A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a wagering game toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can cross market affiliate content and wagering game content using features of the toolbar.
US08262456B2	Wagering game with community game feature A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a community display for displaying a community game having a plurality of features for determining a community award that is awarded to all players at eligible linked gaming machines. The community game includes selection of a player at an eligible linked gaming machine to interact with the community game to determine the community award. One of the plurality of features includes a community free spin feature that awards free spins of a base wagering game to each player.
US08262455B2	Gaming device and method for providing player selection of modifiers to game components In one embodiment, the gaming device and method disclosed herein provides a player one or more modifiers to apply to different components or characteristics of a game. In one such embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to selectively apply or associate a plurality of modifiers to a single game component or apply the plurality of modifiers across the plurality of game components. For each game component with at least one applied modifier, the gaming device disclosed herein modifies said game component based on each applied modifier. The gaming device generates any awards based on any modified game components and any unmodified game components and provides any generated awards to the player.
US08262451B2	Bingo system with discrete payout categories Novel methods, devices and systems are described for mapping pay amounts for a variety of Class III game themes to a common set of bingo pay amounts. Each Class III game theme may cause a different type of entertaining display on a gaming machine when bingo is played, based upon a corresponding Class III game. Preferably, each Class III game theme will offer game play and paytable percentages closely matching those of the original Class III game. Some implementations allow flexibility in matching the probabilities of bingo outcomes and Class III game outcomes by mapping ranges of Class III pay amounts to a single bingo pay amount. Some implementations provide a system wherein electronic gaming machines presenting entertaining displays of various Class III game themes are linked to a single bingo server.
US08262450B1	Non-commission pai gow poker games, devices, systems and methods thereof Methods of playing commission-free pai gow poker games are disclosed. The commission-free pai gow poker games have multiple features, including a novel push mechanism and a novel copy-fostering mechanism, that provide a gaming establishment with an adequate house edge without the need to charge a commission on player wins. The features of the commission-free pai gow poker games may be incorporated in one or more instruction sets or software configured in one or more mechanical devices and/or electronic devices. Furthermore, the features may be configured in one or more displays in communication with one or more servers as desired. Furthermore, the commission-free pai gow poker games may be offered in a non-gaming media environment as desired.
US08262449B2	Playing method of card game and game machine A card game playing method, for performing a basic game and a side game, is provided, and includes the steps of: (a) dealing player's cards to a player having accepted participation entry, and dealing banker's cards to a banker, from a first card set consisting of plural kinds of cards, while in the basic game; (b) determining player's cards dealt to a player having accepted in excess of the number of players, based upon cards excluding the banker's cards dealt based upon the first card set, among the first card set and a second card set consisting of cards included in the first card set, in a case where the number of players having accepted the participation exceeds a predetermined number of players; (c) dealing the player's cards dealt in the step (b) to a player having accepted participation, while in the basic game; (d) determining a winner or loser, and paying out a payment, by comparing the players' cards with the banker's cards, while in the basic game; and (e) comparing all the players' cards in the basic game with the banker's cards, and paying out a payment of a jackpot to a player having a winning combination with a high payment among plural kinds of winning combinations, while in the side game.
US08262448B2	Gaming system, method and device including player/dealer role reversal for modified blackjack game A modified version of a Blackjack game includes a plurality of Blackjack rules including at least one player rule and at least one dealer rule. The modified Blackjack game includes at least one deck of cards, a plurality of participant hands formable from the deck, and a plurality of game administrator hands formable from the deck. A game outcome can be produced by applying the player rule to at least one of the game administrator hands, and by applying the dealer rule to at least one of the participant hands.
US08262445B1	Live action multi-track skills game A system and method for operation of a game in which teams of players attempt to negotiate through a track of rooms, or several tracts of rooms. Teams attempt to progress through the track by solving problems presented in each room thereby earning access to a following room, until the team completes a track comprising several rooms. A control system is operable to control flow of teams from room to room, and to control presentation of problem solving activities to the teams, and to interpret data from the rooms to assess the performance of the team, and grant access to a following room or to bar access to a following room and/or eject the team from the room to start over on the track.
US08262444B2	Electronic device with airflow reversal prevention assembly An electronic device includes a housing, and an active fan and an airflow reversal prevention assembly installed in the housing. The assembly includes a first grid plate defining a plurality of vents, a second grid plate abutting against the first grid plate, a passive fan, and an elastic member. The second grid plate defines a plurality of vents being selectively aligned with the vents of the first grid plate. The passive fan is driven by air from the active fan to rotate, thereby driving the second grid plate to slide relative to the first grid plate. Thus the vents of the second grid plate are aligned with the corresponding vents of the first grid plate. The elastic member is capable of urging the second grid plate to slide to return, whereby the vents of the second grid plate are out of alignment with the vents of the first grid plate.
US08262442B2	Method and system for managing thermal energy in a building with duct for lifting installations The invention concerns an energy management method in a building including a lifting installation with a mobile car in a shaft and a ventilation passage between the shaft and the atmosphere. The method includes the monitoring of at least one state parameter of the lifting installation; the evaluation, in a control unit, of the necessity to ventilate the shaft based on at least one state parameter; the switching of an obturator element associated with the ventilation passage from an open position, wherein the ventilation passages is essentially open, to a closed position, wherein the ventilation passages is at least partially obturated, only when the evaluation indicates that ventilation of the shaft is not required, the obturator element being prestressed in its open position. The invention also concerns an energy management system designed to implement the method according to. The present method and system are particularly suitable for installation of a lift in a low-energy or passive building.
US08262440B2	Concrete polishing extension A Concrete Polishing Extension device for treating hardened concrete surfaces and more specifically interior surfaces of countertop sinks made from decorative concrete. The extension device has features for use with grinding deep, contoured surfaces of concrete. The preferred embodiment is comprised of an extended shaft with connection features and other features; a containment cap; a means to connect cap to shaft; an external sleeve that encircles the shaft; a slip ring collar; a means to connect external sleeve to slip ring collar; a bearing such as a thrust bearing; means to connect slip ring collar to bearing; and a means of the extended shaft used to contain bearing, slip ring collar and sleeve assembly. The device has a distal end with means to removably attach to a standard driver and a proximal end with means to removably attach to engage a standard grinding head.
US08262438B1	Knife sharpener An apparatus for sharpening a knife comprising a clamping mechanism for holding the knife and a base rod mounted adjacent and perpendicular to said clamping mechanism. Two sharpening blocks are located on either side of the clamping mechanism and are slidably mounted on guide rods extending vertically from the base rod. The guide rods are movably fixed to any point along the base rod and can be moved about the selected point in two directional planes that are perpendicular to each other.
US08262432B2	Lightweight enhanced modesty sports bra cup A lightweight enhanced modesty sports bra is provided. The sports bra comprises an interior liner layer having two faces and an exterior shell layer having two faces and a printed obscuration pattern in between the interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer. The interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer with the printed obscuration pattern are assembled in a way that provides modesty and the printed pattern is not visible from the outside. An optional layer called the intermediate liner layer may be placed in between the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer.
US08262430B2	Animal shaped punch toy A punch toy including an animal shaped body. The animal shaped body includes legs, a head portion having a mouth, a tail portion and a tube portion connected to an opening of the mouth portion. The animal shaped body is expandable and the tube portion is stretchable.
US08262426B1	Life vest with rescue handle A life vest with a rescue handle located on the back side thereof. The rescue handle has a flange located at the lower end thereof, the flange being attached to the back side of the life vest with the rescue handle extending substantially vertically upwards. The rescue handle is attached to the back side of the life vest in a manner adapted to support the weight of a user. The rescue handle has a non-loop shape that eliminates the potential for entanglement with objects in the water.
US08262425B1	Solar surf board The solar surfboard is a full functioning surfboard; it can be made in all sizes of surfboards, short board, long board or standup paddle boards. The solar surfboard works the same way as any surfboard, except it has a solar charging system under the fiberglass bonded to the foam core to keep it safe and waterproof, it collects the suns radiation and converts it into electricity for the purpose of charging small electrical devices, such as cell phones, I pods, mp3 players, and various electrical devices, it replaces the need for costly toxic batteries, and damage to landfills, the solar surfboard is a green sustainable energy source that can be used for charging when no electrical infrastructure is available, the thin film solar panels or solar cells used only weigh ounces, it looks the same as a regular surfboard and works the same as a regular surfboard.
US08262423B2	Method for performing overhead work using air-propelled vessel with articulating member A method of using a wide, flat-bottom, buoyant, amphibious hull with a powered articulating member mounted on the deck. The hull is propelled by at least one engine-driven propeller rotating above the hull. The hull has a shallow draft and distributes its weight over a large area. These features cooperatively provide a vehicle capable of performing overhead work, such as installing or servicing power transmission poles, towers, or other structures located in environmentally sensitive wetlands, swamps, marshes, shallow water, or other terrain.
US08262421B2	Contact for electrical connector The present invention relates to contact, including a mating end for mating to two or more contacts and a conductive section. The conductive section includes a crimping end which is adapted to receive an electrical conductor and for being crimped thereto and a shaft section which extends between the crimping end and the mating end and includes two legs.
US08262418B2	Implantable medical device headers that facilitate device and lead configuration variants Implantable medical devices include headers having various features such as a modular design whereby the header is constructed from a series of stacked contact modules. Additional features include a feedthrough where pins exiting a housing of the implantable medical device extend into the header to make direct electrical connection to electrical contacts present within the header where those electrical contacts directly engage electrical connectors of leads inserted into the header. Other features include electrical contacts that are relatively thin conductors on the order of 0.040 inches or less and may include radial protrusions where the radial protrusions establish contact with the electrical connectors of the lead. Furthermore, electrical contacts may be mounted within the header in a floating manner so that radial movement of the electrical contact may occur during lead insertion.
US08262416B2	Dual-personality extended USB plugs and receptacles using with PCBA and cable assembly An extended USB plug connector includes a connector substrate including a frontend having a first set of electrical contact pins disposed thereon and a backend having a second set of electrical contact pins disposed thereon. The first set includes a first row of electrical contact pins disposed on a top surface of the connector substrate and a second row of electrical contact pins disposed in parallel with the first row of electrical contact pins and interior to the first row of electrical contact pins, where the second row includes more electrical contact pins than the first row. The second set of electrical contact pins includes a number of electrical contact pins equal to the first row and second row of electrical contact pins in total. The second set of electrical contact pins are used to connect to corresponding electrical contact pads disposed on a printed circuit board assembly having a USB controller and flash memory devices disposed thereon.
US08262415B2	Methods and apparatus for reducing crosstalk in electrical connectors A communication jack having crosstalk compensation features for overall crosstalk interference reduction is disclosed. In one embodiment, the jack is configured to receive a plug to form a communication connection, and comprises jack contacts disposed in the jack, with each contact having at least a first surface and a second surface. Upon the plug being received by the jack, the plug contacts interface with the first surface of the jack contacts. The jack further includes a first capacitive coupling connected between two pairs of jack contacts to compensate for near end crosstalk, with the first capacitive coupling being connected to the pairs of jack contacts along the second surface adjacent to where the plug contacts interface with the jack contacts. A far end crosstalk compensation scheme is also set forth.
US08262414B1	Connector A connector includes an insulating housing, terminals assembled in the insulating housing, a first shell having a receiving space surrounded by a top plate, two lateral plates and a bottom plate for receiving the insulating housing therein, and a second shell having a base board electrically fixed on the top plate. Two sides of the top plate define two first openings spaced from each other and communicating with the receiving space. A rear side of each first opening extends forward to form an elastic arm with a free end arched downward into the receiving space. Two sides of the base board define two second openings corresponding to the first openings. A rear side of each second opening protrudes forward to form an extending arm resting against a top of the elastic arm for strengthening insertion and extraction strength of the elastic arms acting on a plug connector.
US08262411B2	Electrical connector having a crosstalk prevention member The invention provides an electrical connector having a cross crosstalk prevention member such as a metal plate readily connectable to ground with simple structure of the connector itself. The electrical connector includes: a housing (10) with an receiving hole (120); contact groups (200a, 200b), being arranged on opposite sides of the receiving hole in the housing; and a multilayer circuit board (300) to be received in the receiving hole and interposed between the contact groups. The contact groups include ground contacts (220a, 220b). The multilayer circuit board includes a solid conductor layer (310) provided inside the multilayer circuit board, ground conductors (322, 332) provided on a surface of the multilayer circuit board, and through-holes (340) to connect the solid conductor layer with the conductors. When the multilayer circuit board is received in the receiving hole, the conductors are in contact with the contacts.
US08262407B2	Active copper cable extender Methods and apparatus for reducing distortion in signals propagating through cables at data rates of at least 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) are provided. By connecting such direct attach cables with an active cable extender assembly described herein, data signals may be reshaped, retimed, and/or emphasized in an effort to increase the cable length between network devices while still complying with the signal quality requirements of communication standards, such as the SFF-8431 MSA, the SFF-8461 MSA, and the IEEE 802.3ba CR4/10 standards for Ethernet communications. Copper cable solutions with such increased cable length possible between network devices may provide substantial cost reduction when compared to optical cable solutions. Furthermore, by potentially increasing the signal quality effectively transmitted by a host, solutions utilizing embodiments of the present invention may guarantee host-to-host interoperability.
US08262399B1	Reconfigurable plug strip A power strip for conducting electrical power between an electrical power outlet having at least a live receptacle and a neutral receptacle, and at least two electrical device power plugs, each plug having at least a live prong and a neutral prong. The power strip includes a first housing segment having a first receptacle configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a first device plug and a second housing segment having a second receptacle configured to receive at least an electrically conductive portion of a second device plug. The second housing is coupled to the first housing for pivotal movement relative to said first housing.
US08262398B2	Coaxial electrical connector A coaxial connector includes an outer conductor having a tubular section and leg sections. A central conductor having a mating portion extends in an axial direction within the tubular section, and the mating portion is centrosymmetrical about a central axis thereof. A dielectric block holds said outer and central conductors. The mating portion has a contacting portion, a transitional portion and a guiding portion, the transitional portion joins the contacting portion and the guiding portion together, the transitional portion is larger than the guiding portion and smaller than the mating portion at diameters thereof; wherein an acute angle formed by the transitional portion and the central axis is larger than an acute angle formed by the guiding portion and the central axis.
US08262396B2	Electrical connector with a handling portion with a cover An electrical connector includes a housing, a plurality of contacts received in the housing, a shielding and a handling portion. The housing includes a mating portion and a connecting portion. The shielding includes a first upper cover and a second down cover respectively assembled on the housing from up to down and from down to up. The upper cover and the down cover respectively includes a pair of extending arm to combine to form a fastening portion located on the two sides of the shielding. The handling portion is fixed on the fastening portion and includes a connecting element, and a cover over mode on the connecting element, a pair of fastening arms inserted into the fastening portion of the shielding. The cover is apart from the housing.
US08262393B2	Rosary A rosary prayer device has a ring or elongated housing containing a series of stops. The stops are arranged in five groups of five or ten with a starting space adjacent one of the groups of stops. A bead is positioned on the ring and sized to travel around the ring and remain between any two selected stops on the ring until pushed over one of the two selected stops. A user pushes the bead to the next stop after saying each prayer of the rosary.
US08262390B1	Vial for delivery of its contents without shards A flexible tubular vial is plugged at one end. The plug is pulled out to open the one end and define a gap between the open end of the vial and the plug. A sleeve bounds the gap. The sleeve has a rib as does the vial (or an intermediate component) that block each other so as to limit relative movement of the plug between a retracted relative position that plugs the open end and a cleared relative position that clears the open end. By squeezing the vial, contents of the vial are urged out through interstices in the plug. The contents may be a teeth whitening composition gel that urges out through interstices in the plug to a brush-like applicator to be applied to teeth or may be a topical medicine to be applied to skin.
US08262389B2	Apparatus for explanting a dental implant from a human or animal bone The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for explanting a dental implant from a human or animal bone. In one example, the invention may use a trephine bur on the end side of which there is formed a bur bit. In one or more examples, an apparatus by which dental implants can be drilled out accurately is achieved by a guide pin that can be attached to the dental implant and by a guide element attached to the trephine bur, said guide element cooperating with the guide pin so that the trephine bur is guided in the axial direction of the guide pin.
US08262381B2	Mastering tools and systems and methods for forming a cell on the mastering tools Mastering tools and systems and methods for forming a cell on the mastering tools are provided. An exemplary method includes emitting a first laser light pulse from a laser for a first predetermined time interval such that at least a portion of the first laser light pulse forms the cell on the mastering tool. The cell has an opening size within a range of 10-100 micrometers and an aspect ratio less than or equal to 1.25.
US08262375B2	Tube pump and rotor for tube pump A tube pump rotor including a rotor element, a plurality of first swing portions supported pivotally at their base end portions by the rotor element, second arm-shaped swing portions supported pivotally at their base end portions individually by the first swing portions, rollers supported rotatably by the individual free ends of the second swing portions, and buffer members made to confront the side faces of the second swing portions so that the rollers may be individually directed radially outward of the rotor.
US08262373B2	Compressor having wire retainer A compressor comprising a shell, a compression mechanism disposed within the shell, a drive shaft for operating the compression mechanism, and a motor for driving the drive shaft. A terminal is secured to the shell for delivering electric current to at least one of the compression mechanism and the motor. A terminal block is engaged with the terminal, and a wire carries the electric current from the terminal and the terminal block. A wire retainer located relative to the compression mechanism supports the wire in a predetermined orientation within the shell.
US08262371B2	Pneumatic control device for supplying hydraulic fluid A pneumatic control device includes a base comprising a reservoir, a first check valve for only allowing hydraulic fluid to flow into the reservoir, and a second check valve for only allowing the fluid to flow out of the reservoir; a hollow cylinder comprising a spring biased piston; a body mounted to the cylinder thereunder and releasably secured to the base, the body comprising a stepped-diameter passageway with a poppet mounted therein; and a cover releasably secured onto the poppet. In response to feeding pressurized air into the cylinder, the fluid in the reservoir flows out during a first stroke of the piston, and the fluid is sucked back into the reservoir during an opposite second stroke of the piston. In one embodiment, the fluid is for actuating a machine vise.
US08262365B2	Method for operation of a compressor unit, and associated compressor unit The invention relates to a method for operating a compressor unit, in particular for underwater operation. The aim of the invention is to minimize the risk of gas hydrate formation during the compression process. To reduce said risk, according to the method components of the compressor unit are supplied with anti-freeze and/or anti-freeze is injected into the flow path of the conveyed medium to be compressed. The invention also discloses a compressor unit, which operates according to said method.
US08262364B2	Wind turbine blades with improved bond line A wind turbine blade includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member defining an internal cavity therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste along bond lines at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade. A seal member is disposed between the upper and lower shell members at a designed width of the bond line along at least one of the trailing or leading edges. The seal member comprises a dam on each of the lower and upper shell members that overlap in a mated configuration of the shell members.
US08262361B2	Wind turbine multi-panel blade A wind turbine blade comprising at least one central spar longitudinal section and at least two shell longitudinal sections forming, respectively, the leading edge and the trailing edge of the corresponding blade section. The central spar is composed of two cap prefabricated panels and two web prefabricated panels placed side by side in a box shape. The shell longitudinal sections are placed adjacently to the central spar section and are composed of a single prefabricated panel or of two prefabricated panels. The aerodynamic profile of the blade being defined by the cap panels and the single shell panels or two shell panels.
US08262360B2	Wind turbine rotor A wind turbine rotor comprising a hub and a plurality of blades. The hub comprises a plurality of sites, each having a pair of spaced apart annular bearings for receiving a respective wind turbine blade. Each blade has a spar extending along a substantial portion of the length of the blade and protrudes from the proximal end of the blade. The spar protrudes into and is rotatably received within the respective spaced apart bearings and is fixed to the hub.
US08262354B2	Method and apparatus for load measurement in a wind turbine The present invention provides a connecting device adapted for connecting a hub and a main shaft of a wind turbine. The connecting device comprises at least one sensor bolt connecting the hub and the main shaft, wherein a stress detection element is mounted inside the sensor bolt. The stress detection element is adapted to detect a length variation of the sensor bolt and to output a sensor signal indicative of the length variation of the sensor bolt. A signal output device is used for outputting the sensor signal which is indicative of a stress applied to the sensor bolt.
US08262351B2	Casing structure for stabilizing flow in a fluid-flow machine A casing (2) includes at least one casing structure (casing treatment) for stabilizing a flow in an area of blade tips of rotor blades (4) in a fluid-flow machine, with the casing structure (casing treatment) being provided in at least one stage on an inner circumference of the casing (2). To provide a casing which improves compressor stability, is simply designed, features low weight and operates reliably without heating-up fluid in the fluid-flow machine, the casing structure is designed as a duct (20) which includes a first end (21) and a second end (22), with the first end (21) issuing into the interior of the casing (2) in the area of the blade tips of a rotor blade row and with the second end (22) being closed.
US08262349B2	Adaptive compliant plate seal assemblies and methods A steam turbine comprises a steam turbine casing, a rotor, and at least one compliant plate seal assembly situated between the casing and the rotor. The compliant plate seal assembly comprises a supporting member being stationary with respect to the casing, a plurality of plate members movably mounted to the supporting member and extending towards the rotor, each plate member being inclined with respect to a rotation direction of the rotor, and an actuator for selectively exerting a pressure to retract the plate members in a direction away from the rotor.
US08262346B2	Control ring for variable turbine geometry The invention relates to a variable turbine geometry (12) of a supercharging device, in particular an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine. The variable turbine geometry (12) comprises guide vanes (30) that are assigned to the circumference of a turbine rotor and are operated by means of a control ring (22) that is accommodated on journals (16) of the guide vanes (30). The control ring (22) is locked on these supporting journals (16) of the guide vanes (30).
US08262345B2	Ceramic matrix composite turbine engine In one embodiment a transition section for a turbine engine is provided that includes one or more components constructed of a ceramic matrix composite. The transition section may fluidly connect a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine within the gas turbine engine. The transition section may include a transition duct and a variable area turbine nozzle. One or both of the transition duct and the variable area turbine nozzle may be constructed of the ceramic matrix composite.
US08262344B2	Thermal management system for a gas turbine engine A thermal management system and method for a miniature gas turbine engine includes a forward cover having a filter portion along an axis of rotation of a gas turbine engine, a first lubrication passage and a second lubrication passage.
US08262341B2	Turbine part of a turbocompressor and a method of avoiding carbon build-up in the turbine part of a turbocompressor A turbine unit of a turbocompressor comprises a turbine wheel having blades and a flow channel for directing exhaust gas onto the turbine wheel. The turbine unit additionally comprises injection means for injecting carbon build-up preventing substance into the flow channel.
US08262338B2	Vertical axis dual vortex downwind inward flow impulse wind turbine A wind-powered turbine has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Located in the housing is a cylindrical stator array having a plurality of spaced-apart stators located in it. An annular cylindrical rotor array having a plurality of cups rotates about a central axis, fits inside of the stator array. The stators are positioned to cause air which flows around the outer periphery of the stator array to impinge on the rotors and an air handling system causes air entering the housing to be distributed substantially around the periphery of the stator array.
US08262337B2	Utilization of renewable energy sources with a passively savonius rotor (PVSR) A Savonius Rotor may use the flow of wind or the flow of water from undersea current or tidal movement. The Savonius Rotor is passively vented and has a base support ring, and a space frame support structure supported on the base support ring. The space frame has building block cube elements which facilitate the ease of on-site assembly and erection. The space frame support structure supports sails and louvered panel assemblies for each of the cube elements. The louvered panel assemblies close passively when facing into the wind or ocean flow and open passively when moving into the wind or ocean flow. A distributed gearbox including planetary power takeoff assemblies located on the perimeter of the base support ring is provided for transfer of the extracted wind or ocean flow through the planetary power takeoff assemblies at points arrayed about the perimeter of the base ring.
US08262336B2	Method for handling welding gas bottles The method of landing a welding gas bottle in a predetermined location on a support tray on a welding machine by providing a non-supporting area between two supporting areas and a having a hand truck which provides a welding gas bottle support which will fit between the supporting areas and allows the hand truck support to pass between the support areas of the support tray and thereby transferring the support of the welding gas bottle from the hand truck to the support tray by a pivoting of the handle of the hand truck.
US08262331B2	Integrated expanding sleeve hole filling threaded fastener A novel fastener is provided which includes an expanding sleeve for receiving a pin where the pin has shank terminating at a first end in a pin head and terminating at a second end in an externally threaded portion of the pin. The expanding sleeve may include a hollow tubular shank terminating at a first end in a sleeve head and having an opening at a second sleeve end for receiving the pin. The sleeve head include an internal sleeve head surface for engagement with an external pin head side surface when in an assembled position. When the pin and expanding sleeve in the assembled position are inserted into an aperture in a structure, a gap is formed between the aperture and an outer surface of the expanding sleeve. The outer surface of the expanding sleeve radially expands outward into the aperture filling the gap upon engagement of the internal face of the sleeve head and the external pin head surface.
US08262329B2	Fastening device Fastening unit and method for fastening components together. The fastening unit includes a blind rivet nut having a set head and a rivet shank, a screw with a screw head and a threaded shank, and a washer held on the blind rivet nut by the screw, and including a torque application surface and a projection projecting over the torque application surface at least in some sections. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08262327B2	Dual-contact tool holder for lathe/miller A dual-contact tool holder is provided for a lathe/miller, including a tool seat having an inner circumferential surface in which a circumferential groove is defined and an operation barrel having a circumferential surface in which holes are defined for receiving therein steel balls. The operation barrel forms a central bore in which a connection bar is movably received. A lid is mounted to an upper end of the operation barrel. The connection bar is coupled to a draw bar of a ram, whereby the draw bar of the ram, when caused to move upward, drives the operation barrel upward via the connection bar, causing the steel balls to move upward and tightly engage the inner circumferential surface of the tool seat to generate a dual constraint force for enhancing the fixing of a tool rest.
US08262325B2	Spade bit having threaded conical tip portion A bit including a shaft defining an axis about which the bit is configured to be rotated. The bit further includes a blade having a first end attached to the shaft and an opposite second end, the blade further having (i) a first blade portion including a first shoulder defining a first cutting edge portion at the second end of the blade, and (ii) a second blade portion including a second shoulder defining a second cutting edge portion at the second end of the blade. The bit additionally includes a frusto-conically-shaped tip portion having an apex and being attached to the second end of the blade. The frusto-conically-shaped tip portion includes threads extending from the apex to a location adjacent to the first cutting edge portion and the second cutting edge portion.
US08262322B2	Pile with integral geothermal conduit loop retaining means A pile adapted to be driven into the ground and having retaining formations to retain one or more geothermal conduit loops. Each conduit loop is formed by opposed longitudinal conduit sections interconnected at a lower end by an interconnecting section. The conduit loops are adapted for flow of a heat exchange fluid therein. The retaining formations retain the one or more conduit loops in close proximity to the pile through the attachment means as the pile is driven into the ground.
US08262320B2	Ballast-filled pipeline weight A flexible bag-type pipeline weight, configured to straddle a pipeline, has internal tie means to prevent excessive bulging of the weight after being filled with ballasting material, thus facilitating installation in narrow trenches. Built-in loading loops facilitate filling the weight with ballasting material without need for special loading equipment. The bag-type pipeline weight is formed with a pair of leg sections on either side of a central, pipeline-receiving recess. Once filled with ballast, the legs remain separated, thus facilitating installation on a pipeline. The filled pipeline weight is also freestanding and stable for purposes of transport and storage prior to installation. Hoisting slings facilitate lifting and manipulation of loaded pipeline weights without the need for spreader bars.
US08262315B2	Hydroelectric generating station and method of constructing same The invention relates to hydroelectric generating plants which may be prefabricated and subsequently exchanged for preexisting radial water control gates. The hydroelectric generating plant disclosed herein may be particularly advantageous for hydroelectric development of projects with preexisting submergible radial gates. Various configurations are disclosed which maximize generating capacity, hydraulic efficiency, and flood flow capacity, while minimizing weight and cost.
US08262314B2	Method for decreasing the intensity and frequency of tropical storms or hurricanes Modification of tropical storms or hurricanes by mixing the upper layer of a section of a body of water with water from a lower section of the body of water. Rapidly mixing the warmer upper layer with the cooler lower layer cools the surface of the water, thereby reducing the amount of heat energy available to fuel the intensity and movement of storms. By cooling selected sections of water, the frequency, intensity or direction of storms may be altered. In one embodiment of the invention, a bluff shaped object is attached to a submarine to facilitate rapid mixing of the upper and lower layers of the body of water.
US08262311B2	Self locking mast assembly and method of making A mast arrangement having two elongate individual masts. The first elongate individual mast comprises a hollow connector comprising an inner diameter. The second elongate individual mast comprises a protruding connector end. The protruding connector end telescopically engages with the hollow connector end. The mast arrangement also comprises a pin and slot arrangement and collars to connect the masts together and minimize unwanted disengagement of the masts from each other.
US08262303B2	Pre-designed face painting system The pre-designed face-painting system consists of a protective mask, the pre-designed face painting, and a transparent film. The pre-designed face painting comprises a layer of ink that is mixed with an adhesive to apply the design to the face upon the application of pressure from the protective mask. The system requires removal of the transparent film, alignment of the mask, pressing the face painting onto the face, and removal of the protective mask. The face painting is easily removed after rinsing the face with soap and water.
US08262301B2	Developer spraying device for reducing usage quantity of developer A developer spraying device for reducing usage quantity of developer includes a hollow inner tube unit and a hollow outer tube unit. The hollow inner tube unit includes a hollow inner tube and a plurality of nozzles communicating an inner portion of the hollow inner tube with external world. The hollow inner tube has at least one liquid receiving space formed therein, and the liquid receiving space is filled with the developer. The hollow outer tube unit includes a hollow outer tube disposed around the hollow inner tube and tightly mated with the hollow inner tube and an opening formed on the hollow outer tube and communicating with an inner portion of the hollow outer tube. The hollow outer tube is selectively rotated clockwise or anticlockwise relative to the hollow inner tube, thus the nozzles are selectively exposed from the opening or shaded by the hollow outer tube.
US08262299B2	Panoramic camera mount A panoramic device includes a base member and a clamp member rotatably interconnected within a single plane of rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with respect to the base. The upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with respect to one another.
US08262297B2	Body having a dedicated lens for imaging an alignment feature A body is configured for alignment to a substrate having an alignment feature. The body includes an alignment structure defining a viewing surface, and a dedicated lens adapted to focus an image of the substrate's alignment feature through an optically-clear material of the body and onto the viewing surface. In the fiber optic context, a lens body is provided for optically coupling a substrate's OED to a corresponding optical fiber. The lens body further includes at least one active lens adapted to cooperate optically with a respective OED. The dedicated lens is positioned externally to any optical path. An optical subassembly includes a substrate having at least one perceptible alignment feature provided in a predetermined spatial relationship to the OED, and a lens body secured to the substrate such that the image of the substrate's alignment feature appears aligned relative to the viewing surface.
US08262295B2	Pluggable optical transceiver module set A pluggable optical transceiver module set includes an optical signal male connector with an elastic flake with an opening thereon, and an optical signal female connector with a bump, a holding rod and a driven element. When the optical signal male connector is plugged into the optical signal female connector, the bump is fastened in the opening, and the optical signal male connector is disconnected from the optical signal female connector when the holding rod is moved to rotate the driven element to press the elastic flake and release the bump from the opening.
US08262289B2	Reversible fastener for a resealable bag-type container A reversible fastener is provided for a resealable bag-type container (100) having first and second opposing wall panels (102,104), each of the first and second opposing wall panels having an interior face and an exterior face. The fastener includes first and second closure mechanisms. The first closure mechanism (114) includes first and second complementary interlockable components (116,118) disposed on the interior face of each of the first and second opposing wall panels proximate a top periphery (112) of the first and second opposing wall panels. The second closure mechanism (120) includes first and second complementary interlockable components (122,124) disposed on the exterior face of each of the first and second opposing wall panels proximate a top periphery of the first and second opposing wall panels.
US08262286B2	Digital output temperature sensor A temperature sensor generates a digital output signal representative of the absolute temperature of the sensor. The sensor includes a first circuit configured to generate a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) voltage signal and a second circuit configured to generate a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current signal. A comparator receives the CTAT and PTAT signals and generates a comparison signal based on a comparison between the signals. A converter circuit receives the comparison signal and generates a digital output signal based on the comparison signal. The digital output signal is representative of the temperature of the sensor.
US08262285B2	Device for measuring gas or air temperature in a casing box A device for measuring gas temperature in a casing box having different heat-generating units disposed therein. The device includes a temperature-measuring arrangement disposed substantially in a plane above the different heat-generating units. The temperature-measuring arrangement includes a matrix of uniformly distributed temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of rising gas.
US08262284B2	Simulation test system for thermal impact ageing of power transmission insulator The present invention relates to a simulation test system for thermal impact ageing of a power transmission insulator which simulation tests an influence of a forest fire on the power transmission insulator. The present invention provides a simulation test system of thermal impact ageing for a power transmission insulator, which includes a heating chamber provided with a flame supplying part and electric heating parts in fireproof walls and a partition wall having an opening/closing door in a lower part thereof; a cooling chamber placed under the heating chamber and provided with a cooling nozzle in a fireproof wall; a sample lifting device for selectively lifting a test sample up and down through the heating chamber and the cooling chamber; a door transporting device for slidingly moving the opening/closing door; and a central control part for controlling the flame supplying part, the electric heating part, the opening/closing door, the cooling nozzle, the sample lifting device and the door transporting device independently and respectively. Therefore, since the heating chamber and the cooling chamber are configured independently from each other, heating and cooling tests for the test sample can be performed individually or together.
US08262279B2	Automated recirculation system for large particle size analysis The present invention relates to a wet-type recirculation system for particle size analysis of sample including coarse particles (hundreds to thousands μm). According to the wet-type recirculation system of the present invention, the mixture liquid is recirculated using not a single recirculation line but two recirculation lines between the mixer and the particle size analyzer and the recirculation lines are connected with the mixer at the upper inputting part side of the mixer to discharge the mixture liquid. Further, the rotatable baffle is attached to the inside of the mixer to generate vortex in a horizontal direction as well as a vertical direction within the reservoir of the mixer and the baffle is rotated by a pressure of the mixture liquid discharged from the two recirculation lines to form vortex. Consequently, the mixture liquid in which fine particles and coarse particles are uniformly mixed is provided to the particle size analyzer and thus reliable and accurate result of the particle size distribution measurement can be obtained when particle size measurement of sediment including from fine particles of several μm to coarse particles of thousands μm.
US08262276B2	Chassis assembly, illumination device, display device, and television receiver apparatus A chassis assembly comprises a chassis 14 and lamp clips 18. The chassis 14 has mounting holes 33 to 35. Each lamp clip 18 includes a main body 27 to be mounted to the chassis 14, a lamp gripping portions 28 provided on the main body 27 so as to grip cold cathode tubes 17, and mounting portions 30 to 32 protruding from the main body 27 toward the chassis 14 side. The mounting portions 30 to 32 are to be inserted in the respective mounting holes 33 to 25. Rims of the mounting holes 33 to 35 are sandwiched between the main body 27 and the respective mounting portions 30 to 32. Three mounting portions 30 to 32 and three mounting holes 33 to 35 are provided in relative positions so as to restrict mounting of the lamp clip 18 to the chassis 14 in an orientation other than a predefined orientation.
US08262275B2	Portable electronic device A portable electronic device comprises a housing, a display protecting lens, a display and a light guiding element. The housing has an opening and a trough defined therethrough. The display protecting lens is mounted in the opening of the housing. The display is mounted with the first light guiding element in the housing. The light guiding element is accommodated in the trough. The portable electronic device further includes a light guiding member located between the display protecting lens and the display, a portion of the light emitted by the display is guided by the light guiding member and then transmitted to the light guiding element.
US08262270B1	System and method for providing visual and audio alerts and cargo capacity on a personal transporter A system and method for providing added functionality to a personal transporter by way of adding increased lighting, sound, and cargo carrying options is described. The system can include front, side, and rear lighting and an audio alert system. The system can further include flatbed structures for carrying hazardous or other materials, as well as cargo organizing systems for carrying supplies and equipment.
US08262268B2	Exterior mirror vision system for a vehicle An exterior mirror vision system includes a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the vehicle. The driver-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing, and a driver-side reflective element. The driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera. The passenger-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing, and a passenger-side reflective element. The passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera may be part of a multi-camera vision system of the vehicle.
US08262267B2	Lamp device-integrated rearview mirror A lamp device-integrated rearview mirror 30 includes a mirror member 34 oriented toward the rear side of a vehicle body and a single bulb 40 provided in a housing 31 attached to the vehicle body. The lamp device-integrated rearview mirror may also include a reflecting member 35 configured to reflect the light emitted from the bulb 40 toward the rear side of the vehicle body and a reflector 36 configured to reflect the light toward the front side of the vehicle body. The reflecting member 35 may be provided on the rear side of a lens 32 attached to the housing 31 to transmit the irradiation light, and the reflector 36 may be provided inside the housing 31. The mirror member 34 may be fitted in the opening portion of the housing 31.
US08262265B2	Lamp device A lamp device includes a supporting housing connected fixedly to a base disposed on a supporting surface, and having an inclined top surface inclined with respect to the supporting surface. A lamp-mounting housing is connected pivotally to the supporting housing, has an inclined connecting surface parallel to and facing the inclined top surface of the supporting housing, and is rotatable relative to the supporting housing about a pivot axis perpendicular to the inclined top surface of the supporting housing between a first position, where the supporting housing cooperates with the lamp-mounting housing to constitute an upright structure, and a second position, where the supporting housing cooperates with the lamp-mounting housing to constitute a bent structure. A lamp unit is mounted to the lamp-mounting housing such that the lamp unit emits light toward the supporting surface when the lamp-mounting housing is at the second position.
US08262264B2	Interlocking system for hanging decorative lights and fixtures A system of interlocking, rigid or semi-rigid, components which when connected provide a modular, easy-to-install, direct, decorative, lighting system.
US08262262B2	Gobo retaining spring system Gobo wheel assembly has multiple gobo devices on a rotatable wheel. A central sun gear can rotate all the gobos. The gobos can be inserted and released from the wheel assembly.
US08262261B2	High power LED lamp for traffic light A vehicular traffic light lamp includes a higher part defining final optic capacities of the lamp and composed by a truncated pyramid aluminum heat sink with plural sides, a higher area, and a lower plate; a high power led situated on each side of the higher part; a lower part comprised of an electronic component and a lampbase; and a transparent plastic cover.
US08262258B2	System for retrofitting an existing light fixture with an LED luminaire An adapter plate is provided that fits an existing luminaire in place of an existing globe that mounts to the luminaire. A heat sink mates to the adapter plate and also houses a solid state light engine and associated electronics. The heat sink may provide an enclosed, protective volume for the associated electronics, such as a power supply for the solid state light engine. A globe mounting ring attached to the heat sink allows either an existing globe to be re-mounted or a new globe to be installed.
US08262255B1	Small sized LED lighting luminaire having replaceable operating components and arcuate fins to provide improved heat dissipation A small sized recessed LED lighting luminaire having detachable and replaceable components to enable one failed component to be replaced while the remainder of the luminaire is used and not discarded. The LED lighting luminaire includes a detachable unit comprising transverse arcuate longitudinal heat dissipation fins for effectively dissipating heat, and a reflector having interior transverse circular baffles for aesthetically transmitting light.
US08262245B1	Solar pathway light The present invention relates to a device for providing solar outdoor lighting including a generally U-shaped support pole. The support pole free-ends are spaced apart and attached to a base or substrate connected together by an upper joining section which connects orients and spaces apart the pole supports. Connected to the upper joining section is an electrical light source that is directed downward through a lens suspended below the joining section. Below the lens and above the base or substrate is a housing that includes the solar panel, a rechargeable battery, charging and illumination control circuitry, and activation circuitry to turn on the light at low ambient light levels. The support pole forms a safety barrier for the light source and solar panel from knocks while providing at least two poles for attached to a base or substrate. The present invention further relates to a water-resistant customer activation structure.
US08262239B2	Display filter having a great EM-radiation shielding effect and display apparatus including the same A display filter and a display apparatus including the display filter increase a contrast ratio, increase brightness, and have a great electromagnetic (EM) radiation-shielding effect. The display filter includes a filter base and an external light-shielding layer formed on a surface of the filter base. The external light-shielding layer includes a base substrate including a transparent resin and light-shielding patterns spaced apart on a surface of the base substrate at predetermined intervals, and including a conductive material.
US08262238B1	Minimum retroreflectivity compliance system, method and assembly A system, method and assembly for performing traffic sign inspections is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a first plurality of sheetings that each have a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other first plurality of sheetings; a first clamp and second clamp for clamping one of said first plurality of sheetings to a traffic sign; a first handheld light source; and a first enclosure for removably housing the first plurality of sheetings, said first and second clamps, and said first handheld light source. The assembly may further include a second enclosure for removably housing a second plurality of sheetings that each has a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other second plurality of sheetings.
US08262236B2	Systems and methods for transmitting information associated with change of a projection surface The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are related to transmitting and receiving information associated with projection. For example, in some embodiments, a method includes obtaining information associated with one or more changes in one or more features of one or more projection surfaces; coordinating one or more changes in one or more features of one or more projection surfaces with one or more commands; and transmitting one or more signals that include the information associated with one or more changes in one or more features of one or more projection surfaces. In further embodiments, a content is selected responsive to the coordinating.
US08262226B2	Apparatus and method for an anamorphic Pepper's ghost illusion An assembly and method of generating a Pepper's ghost illusion involving an image generation platform, such as a computer providing an anamorphically-distorted image coupled with some form of display projects an image, directly or indirectly on a spherical medium. The spherical medium reconstitutes the anamorphically-distorted image and generates a Pepper's ghost illusion of the reconstituted anamorphically-distorted image.
US08262225B2	Eye examination apparatus, method for manufacturing spectacle lens, spectacle lens, method for manufacturing multifocal eyeglasses, and multifocal eyeglasses An eye examination apparatus includes an accommodation power acquisition unit, a corrected accommodation power calculation unit, a drive unit and an accommodative microfluctuation measurement unit. The accommodation power acquisition unit acquires an accommodation power which is determined from a difference between a near point and a distant point of an examined eye. The corrected accommodation power calculation unit calculates an integrated value of the accommodation power and a correction coefficient. The drive unit drives a vision target in a direction of an optical axis of the examined eye. The accommodative microfluctuation measurement unit controls the drive unit to cause the vision target to be arranged onto a corrected accommodation position corresponding to the integrated value, such that the accommodative microfluctuation measurement unit measures an eye accommodation function based on a frequency of appearance of a high frequency component representative of ciliary body accommodative microfluctuation.
US08262224B2	Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope A binocular indirect ophthalmoscope that is adapted to be worn on a wearer's head includes a headband and illumination housing having an illumination source and a viewer module wherein the viewer module is moveable between an in-use and an out-of-use position. A mounting assembly is provided for allowing the viewer module to be pivoted between the in-use and the out-of-use positions and also allows adjustment and locking to the wearer's face in the in-use position. The mounting assembly includes a magnetic securement of the viewer module in both the in-use and out-of-use positions. Part of the magnetic securement operates as an electrical contact to automatically provide power to the illumination source in the in-use position. An optical polarizer provides intensity adjustment of the light energy transmitted to the eye being examined. Preferably the illumination source is a light emitting diode.
US08262217B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and method The inkjet recording apparatus includes: an inkjet head which forms an image on a recording surface of a recording medium by ejecting ink to be deposited to the recording surface; a roller member which rotates in contact with the recording surface of the recording medium on which the image has been formed; an oil supply device which supplies oil to the roller member, the oil suppressing adherence of the ink to the roller member; a medium holding device which has a medium holding surface on which the recording medium is held while the roller member on which the oil has been deposited is making contact with the recording surface of the recording medium; and a cleaning sheet supply device which supplies a cleaning sheet to the medium holding device when a size of the recording medium is changed and an image is to be formed on a recording surface of the recording medium of large size compared to a size of the recording medium used before the change of size, the cleaning sheet removing the oil adhering to the medium holding surface of the medium holding device.
US08262215B2	Dot omission inspection method used in printing apparatus and the printing apparatus Provided is a dot omission inspection method used in a printing apparatus for forming an image constituted by dots of first and second photo-durable inks. In the dot omission inspection method, an arbitrary image is formed by performing liquid droplet discharge of causing a liquid droplet of the first or second ink to be landed on a medium, performing provisional curing of irradiating the landed liquid droplet using light from a first light source so as to be provisionally cured, and performing main curing of irradiating the provisionally cured liquid droplet using light from a second light source to fix the liquid droplet on the medium. An inspection image is formed without performing the provisional curing on the liquid droplet of the first ink landed on the medium by performing the liquid droplet discharge, and by causing the liquid droplet of the second ink to be landed by performing the liquid droplet discharge at the same position as the liquid droplet of the first ink which is not provisionally cured so as to mix the first ink and the second ink with each other.
US08262213B2	Liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head which ejects photo-curable liquid from a nozzle; a supporting member which supports, from a side opposite to the liquid ejection head, an ejection target to which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection head; a light applying apparatus which applies light for curing the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head; and a control device which controls the liquid ejection head and the light applying apparatus. The control device controls the liquid ejection head and the light applying apparatus to execute: a liquid ejection mode in which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection head to the ejection target and the light is applied from the light applying apparatus to the ejection target; and a curing mode in which the light is directly applied from the light applying apparatus to the supporting member.
US08262211B2	Ink-jet printer An ink-jet printer comprises: a platen plate including a plurality of recesses, which are formed and regularly arranged in a front surface by digging from the front surface toward the back surface, and a suction hole extending from a part of the bottom surface of the recess through the back surface; and a print head having ink-discharging nozzles arranged in a nozzle face which is arranged in a position facing the front surface of the platen plate. The ink-discharging nozzles are arranged between an opening end of the recess and an opening end of the suction hole excluding an area directly above the suction hole of the platen plate.
US08262210B2	Curable gel inks with reduced syneresis and halo formation This disclosure is generally directed to curable gel inks, such as radiation-curable phase-change inks, and their use in forming images, such as through inkjet printing. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to radiation-curable gel inks, such as ultraviolet-light-curable phase-change inks, that comprise a curable gellant and a curable solid.
US08262197B2	Manufacturing method for liquid ejecting head unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head unit includes liquid ejecting heads, each having a row of nozzles that eject liquid. The liquid ejecting heads are anchored to a base plate. An anchoring plate is anchored to the base plate and positions the liquid ejecting heads relative to the base plate. A reference mark is formed in the anchoring plate and a positioning mark is formed in the base plate for positioning the anchoring plate relative to the base plate. The positioning marks are formed along the direction in which the nozzles are arranged in a row. A related manufacturing method includes selecting the positioning mark in accordance with a predetermined resolution and anchoring the anchoring plate to the base plate so that the reference mark and the selected positioning mark are in the same relative positional relationship. The liquid ejecting heads are anchored to the base plate using the anchoring plate.
US08262192B2	Ink jet printer for printing electromagnetic wave curing ink A printing device has a gas source, a printhead having a nozzle plate with nozzles in the nozzle plate, the nozzles are fluidly connected to corresponding pumping chamber and a gas outlet positioned adjacent to the nozzle plate. The gas outlet is in fluid communication with the gas source and the gas outlet is configured to provide gas to an exposed surface of the nozzle plate so that the gas flow is substantially parallel to the surface of the nozzle plate. Fluid that is ejected out of the nozzles has a UV curable component. After the fluid has been ejected out of the nozzle and onto a receiver, the fluid is irradiated and cured.
US08262180B2	Liquid jet apparatus and printing apparatus A liquid jet apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles provided to a liquid jet head, an actuator provided corresponding to each of the nozzles, and drive unit that applies a drive signal to the actuator, wherein the drive unit includes drive waveform signal generation unit that generates a drive waveform signal providing a basis of a signal for controlling the operation of the actuator, modulator unit that pulse-modulates the drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform signal generation unit, a digital power amplifier for power-amplifying the modulated signal, which is pulse-modulated by the modulator unit, a low-pass filter for smoothing the power-amplified and modulated signal power-amplified by the digital power amplifier and supplying the actuator with the power-amplified and modulated signal as the drive signal, and carrier frequency adjusting unit that adjusts a carrier frequency of the pulse modulation by the modulator unit in accordance with the number of the actuators to be driven.
US08262179B2	Liquid material discharge device A liquid material discharge device that can discharge a liquid material supplied to the device while keeping the liquid material clean and holding a stable discharge amount of the liquid material, and that can be reduced in size. The liquid material discharge device comprises a liquid material supply section for supplying a liquid material to be discharged, a discharge section having a discharge port for discharging the liquid material, a measurement section comprising a measurement hole and a plunger sliding along an inner wall surface of the measurement hole to suck and discharge the liquid material into and from the measurement hole, a valve section comprising a body and a valve member which is formed with a channel for interconnecting the liquid material supply section and the measurement section and with a channel for interconnecting the measurement section and the discharge section, the valve member sliding in a space formed in the body, and a control section for controlling the aforesaid sections. When the liquid material is sucked into the measurement hole, the control section controls the valve member to be located at a first position to interconnect the liquid material supply section and the measurement section and to interrupt the interconnection between the measurement section and the discharge section. When the liquid material in the measurement hole is discharged, it controls the valve member to be located at a second position to interconnect the measurement section and the discharge section and to interrupt the interconnection between the liquid material supply section and the measurement section.
US08262167B2	Apparatus and method for mining coal The present invention relates to a novel method of mining underground coal and recovering coal seam gas, the method including locating a seam of coal; digging a mine shaft to reach the seam of coal; constructing a ventilated underground control center which includes a computerized control panel, wherein the computerized control panel controls the movement of a drill head, a hollow drill shaft, a movable hydraulic shield, a movable resin roof bolting machine, and a movable waste extrusion device; providing mining personnel to the ventilated underground control center; and allowing the mining personnel to operate the computerized control panel wherein they perform the tasks of moving the drill head into the seam of coal to obtain aggregate coal and coal seam gas; extruding waste material into mined-out space of the coal seam; and transferring the aggregate coal and coal seam gas to the surface of the earth.
US08262165B2	Connection devices A reclining device as a connecting device includes an internal gear member, an external gear member and a retainer member. The retainer member is constructed such that when retainer strips are axially inserted into depressed portions formed in an outer circumferential portion of the external gear member and then insertion distal ends of the support strips are radially inwardly bent to form contact surface portions, the contact surface portions can be axially held against the outer circumferential portion of the external gear member. The external gear member has dowels that are capable of being fitted to a cushion frame, and the dowels are formed circumferentially in locations positioned between the depressed portions (the locations in which projected portions are formed), so as to be axially projected.
US08262162B2	Biasing mechanism for a seating structure and methods for the use thereof A seating structure includes a leaf spring and a body support structure biased by the leaf spring. One of the leaf spring and the body support structure has a cam with a concave cam surface, while the other of the leaf spring and body support structure has a cam follower with a convex cam surface. The cam follower engages the cam.
US08262159B2	Toolbox seat for pickup truck bed A combination toolbox and seating assembly is provided. The toolbox seating assembly is installed in the bed of a pickup truck, wherein the toolbox includes a hinged lid, and wherein a bench style seat may be stored within the lid of the toolbox when not in use, and may be positioned within the upper portion of the toolbox when in use to provide comfortable rearward seating within the bed of the truck.
US08262158B2	Convenience apparatus for automotive rear seats A convenience apparatus for automotive rear seats includes: a base gear fixed to at least one of the rear seats, a space between which an arm rest is movably mounted; a driver, which has a driving gear engaged with the base gear and a motor for rotating the driving gear, for folding or unfolding the arm rest into or from the space using a driving force of the motor; an integrated audio/video (AV) monitor which is rotatably coupled to a front end of the arm rest and is connected to the driving gear through a gear train so as to be able to be folded or unfolded with respect to the arm rest while the arm rest is folded or unfolded; and a cup holder which is mounted so as to be able to slide into or out of a hole defined in the front end of the arm rest and is connected to the driving gear through the gear train so as to be able to move into or out of the arm rest while the arm rest is folded or unfolded.
US08262156B2	Wire harness guide and protector A wire harness guide for accurate placement of a wire harness onto a component and protection of the wire harness from rubbing against a surface in near proximity thereof is provided. The wire harness guide can include an elongated bracket having a channel portion extending along a length of the bracket, the channel portion located between an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange can extend along at least a portion of the elongated bracket, as can the lower flange. A side wall can extend between the upper flange and the lower flange and a bend extending transversely across the elongated bracket can be present.
US08262155B2	Overmolded joint for beam assembly A subassembly of a vehicle assembly is provided. The subassembly of the vehicle assembly includes at least one beam, at least one beam support having a plurality of holes, wherein the at least one beam and the at least one beam support are connected and reinforced by an overmolded joint. The overmolded joint includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one load bearing wall. An end of the at least one beam support contacts the at least one beam, and the at least one load bearing wall abuts the at least one beam.
US08262154B2	Vehicle side door structures A vehicle side door structure includes a door and a rocker panel providing a show surface beneath the door. The rocker panel includes a trim portion providing the show surface and a connecting portion moveably connected to the trim portion by a region of weakness such that the connecting portion is movable relative to the trim portion while connected thereto between an unlatched position and a latched position. The trim portion includes a lowest point and an upwardly extending section that locates a lowermost point of the region of weakness above the lowest point of the trim portion with the connecting portion in the latched position.
US08262151B2	Extension with improved support An elongate mechanical device for vehicles, for absorbing impacts, which includes a profiled or tubular elongate part of polygonal cross section, and an end part mounted at one end of the elongate part, at an angle perpendicular to the axis of the elongate part, and intended for fastening to other elements. In the vicinity of its end, the elongate part includes cutouts, which create adjusted regions or faces, in the vicinity of edges of its cross section, and a rigid fastening is provided between the elongate part and the end part that maintains the adjusted regions in direct contact with the end part, the adjusted regions being dimensioned to withstand compressive loads and a tilting torque during impacts.
US08262148B2	Tonneau cover system A tonneau system for a cargo box of a vehicle having at least one panel section having opposing edge members. The edge members each have a downwardly extending cam surface engagable with opposing sides of the cargo box of the vehicle to generally self-center the panel section between the opposing sides of the cargo box.
US08262132B1	Stabilizer pad for vehicles A stabilizer pad structure for supporting earth moving equipment is provided. A weldment is formed of metal plate material that is adapted for connection with a stabilizer arm of earth moving equipment. The weldment includes a mounting plate that defines a pocket, that can be integrally formed with the weldment or a separate material plate secured thereto, for receiving the resilient pad. The structure includes a pair of clamping bars disposed in the pocket, one on each side of the resilient pad. The clamping bars and mounting plate include respective engagement elements for interlocking the clamping bar and mounting plate together. This inhibits the clamp bars from movement in a longitudinal direction, and transfers force from the pad, through the clamp bar, to the mounting plate.
US08262124B2	Folding stroller actuating system An actuating system for a foldable stroller including a foldable stroller frame having left and right front legs and left and right rear legs and a wheel mounted to each leg. The frame includes an operator handle having left and right support rails extending therefrom and connected to the left and right rear legs. At least one locking member is movably connected to at least one the support rails and biased toward a locking position to secure the connection between the left and right support rails and the left and right rear legs. A support member having an actuator connected thereto is connected between the left and right support rails. The actuator is coupled to the at least one locking member. An operator tray is removably connected to the support member and includes at least one recess formed therein for receiving at least a portion of the actuator.
US08262120B1	Trailer coupler A trailer coupler which has two cameras mounted at right angles at the rear of the towing vehicle. The cameras transfer images to a monitor inside the cab of the towing vehicle.
US08262119B2	Systems and methods for connecting a power supply to a trailer Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide systems and methods for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer. The system includes a connector plate that may be configured to be coupled to a hitching member. The connector plate may define a curvilinear slot that may be configured to receive a first connector. The curvilinear slot may allow the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector. A retention spring may be configured to be coupled to the first connector and the connector plate. In certain embodiments, the hitching member may be a downward extending member of a gooseneck trailer. In other embodiments, the hitching member may be a tongue of a fifth wheel trailer.
US08262116B2	Bicycle stand This invention relates to a bicycle stand structure mainly comprising: a pedal pivotally fixed to the crank shaft of bicycle; a locating member attached fixedly to the crank shaft; a clamper provided between the locating member and the pedal; a restorer, such as a spring or a pair of magnetic body arranged with same poles facing oppositely to each other, provided between the clamper and the pedal; and a stand body, which is hinged to the other end of the pedal, to provide handy support for parking bicycle. When bicycle is to be parked, the clamper is engaged in the locating member of the crank shaft so that the stand body is not affected by the spinning of the pedal. Therefore, best stability and safety can be attained.
US08262115B2	Variable height and lateral position suspension seat post assembly A variable height seat bicycle suspension seat post assembly for bicycles that descends at an angle toward the rear of the bicycle while providing a suspension component to the seat post. The downward angle at which the seat post assembly travels lowers the rider's center of gravity and improves the balance, stability, handling characteristics, and traction of the bicycle while at the same time absorbing shocks and other impacts caused by rough terrain.
US08262113B1	Powered running boards for locking doors of a vehicle A powered running board for attaching to a vehicle comprising a stepping platform and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly comprises a rotating bar connected to a pivoting support arm, which is attached to the stepping platform. The powered running board can pivot between a down position (e.g., horizontal orientation) and an up position (e.g., vertical orientation), wherein the down position is for providing a step for entry into and out of the vehicle, and the up position is for obstructing the opening of the side doors so as to secure the vehicle.
US08262111B2	Leaning vehicle suspension A suspension for a motorized rear wheel driven tricycle which can lean into turns includes a planar central upright frame which is mounted coaxially to the main frame of the tricycle. Upper and lower control arms are hinged to the central upright frame and extend to the left and to the right to connect to wheel bearing knuckles. An inverted rocker member is hinged to the central frame, pivotable about the front and rear ends of the central frame at about the midpoint between the top and bottom of the frame. The rocker member provides connection points for shock absorbers which interconnect the rocker member with each link member of the lower control arm on each side of the central frame. Drive members are supported on the central frame to continuously drive the rear wheels as the tricycle leans into turns.
US08262109B1	Steering system for a zero-turn radius vehicle A steering apparatus for a zero-turn radius vehicle using a steering mechanism coupled to a first set of wheel assemblies by a plurality of cables. User input to the steering mechanism causes the cables to turn the first set of wheel assemblies about a vertical axis. Specifically, the cables link the steering mechanism to cam mechanisms that are attached to each wheel assembly. The design of the cam mechanism, which preferably includes two cams of varying radii, enables the two wheel assemblies to rotate about their vertical axes at varied degrees of rotation and greater than ninety degrees from the forward facing position, thereby resulting in zero-turn radius capability.
US08262107B2	Stroller and related vibration-absorbing mechanism A stroller includes a chassis, a main body disposed on the chassis, and a first vibration-absorbing mechanism including a first rod structure, a first sleeve structure, a first inner elastic part, and a first outer elastic part. The first rod structure is connected to a side of the chassis. The first sleeve structure is connected to the main body and movably sleeves the first rod structure. The first inner elastic part abuts against the first rod structure and the first sleeve structure. When the first vibration-absorbing mechanism is in a first use state, the first outer elastic part is in contact with one of the first sleeve structure and the first rod structure. When the first rod structure slides toward the first sleeve structure over a specific distance, two ends of the first outer elastic part abut against the first sleeve structure and the first rod structure, respectively.
US08262105B2	Lock and release mechanisms for interconnecting devices A method of releasably connecting a child hand truck to a parent hand truck is provided. The method includes lifting a handle assembly to a raised position. The handle assembly is locked in the raised position using a lock and release mechanism.
US08262103B2	Vehicle for carriage of children Vehicle for carriage of children, comprising a frame and at least two wheels which are attached to the frame. The vehicle can be transformed between at least a first configuration as pushable buggy and a second configuration for use as a towed trailer, and in both first and second configurations provides room for at least one child. The vehicle can be transformed between the first and second configuration by adjusting the width of the frame and location of the center of gravity.
US08262100B2	Vehicle height adjustment suspension device A vehicle height adjustment suspension device provides for both automatic and selective raising and lowering of a supported portion of a vehicle frame relative a ground surface, while also providing shock absorption. The device includes a suspension assembly for absorbing shocks mounted on a rotatable threaded screw connected to a motor and extending into the suspension assembly. The assembly may be extended and retracted on the screw by rotating the screw in first and second directions to raise and lower the supported portion while the shock absorber assembly simultaneously provides shock absorption capability.
US08262099B2	Apparatus for adapting a workpiece holding device to a machine tool An apparatus for adapting a workpiece holding device to a chuck of a machine tool includes a plurality of chuck locators configured for attachment to the chuck, such that the plurality of chuck locators includes at least three chuck locators. The apparatus further includes a mounting plate configured for attachment to the workpiece holding device. The mounting plate includes a body and a plurality of mounting plate locators corresponding to the plurality of chuck locators, such that the plurality of mounting plate locators are attached to the body and are configured to interface with the plurality of chuck locators.
US08262094B2	System for sealing a space between an inner wall of a tubular opening and at least one tube or duct at least partly received in the opening A system for sealing a space between an inner wall of a tubular opening and at least one tube or duct at least partly received in the opening such that a longitudinal direction of the opening and a longitudinal direction of the at least one tube or duct are substantially parallel to each other. The system comprises at least two segmental longitudinal parts for forming a sealing plug which can be received in the space. The longitudinal parts are each provided with a number of outer ribs and a number of inner ribs, wherein the inner ribs are adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction.
US08262091B2	Scarf cut backup rings A seal assembly is provided for sealing a gap with a high pressure side and a low pressure side between a first component and a second component. The seal assembly can include a primary seal configured to be arranged on the first component and spanning the gap on the high pressure side between the first and second component; and a backup ring configured to be arranged on the first component adjacent the primary seal on the low pressure side. The backup ring includes an inner diameter and a scarf cut slit at an angle that is a function of the inner diameter of the backup ring.
US08262089B1	Depinching mechanism for paper jam removal in printer A depinching mechanism including a frame, a star wheel assembly, a transmitting device and a sensor is provided in present invention. Through the transmitting device rotating reversely, the star wheel assembly is lifted to the second position when paper jam occurs, thus depinched the media so that user can clear the paper jam. After that the star wheel assembly is lowered to the first position again. The star wheel assembly remains in the first position in normal printing process. Using a one-way clutch and a cam with an outer predetermined profile, the transmitting device rotates forwardly without transmitting any torque during normal printing process, and rotates inversely with transmitting a torque to lift the star wheel assembly up and lower the star wheel assembly down when paper jam occurs. Thus, the depinching mechanism can be used in printers to auto fix the paper jamming problems.
US08262088B2	Medium conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus A medium conveying apparatus includes: a medium conveying member that conveys a medium; a rotation start position detecting unit as defined herein; a driving start timing determining unit that determines whether a time reaches a driving start timing when rotation driving by the medium conveying member is started or not; and a medium conveying member controlling unit that controls the rotation driving of the medium conveying member, and that, in case the driving start timing determining unit determines that the time reaches the driving start timing and the rotation driving is started from one of the rotation start positions, the rotation driving is stopped at another one of the rotation start positions that is different from the rotation start position where the rotation driving is started, based on a result of the detection by the rotation start position detecting unit.
US08262084B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus with sheet feeding cassette and associated locking means The detachment of a feed roller rotatably supported by a holding portion provided in the main body of an apparatus, and held detachably in the axial direction thereof is restricted by a locking device. The locking device is made movable to a lock position and a lock releasing position for permitting the detachment of the feed roller. Further, when the locking device is in the lock releasing position when a sheet stacking portion is mounted, the locking device is moved to the lock position by a position changeover device in operative association with the mounting operation of the sheet stacking portion.
US08262082B2	Medium supplying unit and image forming apparatus having the same A medium supplying unit of an image forming apparatus includes: a cassette frame; a loading plate which is movably coupled to the cassette frame, and which supports a printing medium thereon; a pickup roller which picks up the printing medium from the loading plate; and a loading plate moving unit which causes the loading plate between a knock up state in which the loading plate located to allow the printing medium can be picked up by the pickup roller and a knock down state in which the loading plate is separated from the pickup roller, the loading plate moving unit causing the loading plate to move during when the loading plate is in the knock down state so as to reduce the occurrence of multiple sheets of printing media being picked up and supplied.
US08262076B2	Media depository A bunch sheet depository is described. The depository comprises: a pressure plate for pressing on a bunch of sheets; a picker aligned with the pressure plate and arranged to remove sheets individually from the bunch of sheets; a link arm including (i) a pivot, (ii) an urging portion coupled to the pressure plate and (iii) a resilient member; and an actuator coupled to the resilient member. The actuator is operable, when actuated, to move the resilient member to rotate the link arm about the pivot and thereby cause compression of the bunch of sheets by the pressure plate using a force from the resilient member that reduces as the resilient member relaxes in response to the pressure plate moving as sheets are removed from the bunch of sheets.
US08262074B2	Device for collecting printed sheets A plurality of conveying elements is arranged on a traction device of a conveying arrangement in spaced apart succession in a conveying direction. Each conveying element includes a support surface and an end stop coupled to a front of the support surface, positioned perpendicular to the support surface and transverse to the conveying direction. The conveying elements are guided at least while in a feed region of respective feed devices that feed printed sheets to the conveying elements. The support surfaces of the conveying elements are aligned parallel to the conveying direction on the feed section. A holding down device located at a downstream end in the conveying direction of the feed region of each of the feed devices holds down and guides the book block from above while conveyed on the conveying element.
US08262073B2	Sheet processing apparatus A sheet processing apparatus includes a pushing member, a drive device, a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit provided on a downstream side of the first conveyance unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The drive device moves the pushing member to push a portion of a sheet bundle to fold the sheet bundle. The first conveyance unit uses a roller pair to convey the folded sheet bundle folded. The second conveyance unit conveys the sheet bundle. The first detection unit detects an amount by which the pushing member is moved by the drive device. The second detection unit detects an amount by which the sheet bundle is conveyed by the first conveyance unit. The control unit separates the roller pair based on the amounts detected by the first and second detection units.
US08262068B1	Shock mount Shock mounts are described that provide improved shock and vibration isolation compared to existing shock mounts. The shock mounts utilize zero-overlap elastomeric mount technology designed to provide more effective shock and vibration isolation. The shock mounts described herein can be used to mount any objects in which it is desired to isolate the objects from shocks and vibrations including, but not limited to, equipment and large mass objects on military and commercial vessels.
US08262067B2	Method for calibrating an elastomer spring of a mount, and mount produced according to the method A mount has a housing and a mount core. An elastomer spring supports the mount core on a housing and a receiving part is vulcanized into the elastomer spring. The receiving part has a receiving opening for the mount core. As the mount core is inserted, a preload is applied to the elastomer spring. The receiving part has at least one first core guide and a second core guide, between which the mount core is held. The receiving part also has a web which connects the core guides to one another in a first state and which is removed before or during the insertion of the mount core. The production of a mount of this type is simplified in this way.
US08262058B2	Balanced pilot operated check valve A valve assembly includes a check valve element in an output chamber. The check valve element opens to permit forward flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from an input port to an output port. The check valve element closes to block back flow of fluid under pressure in the output chamber from the output port toward the input port. The back flow of fluid under pressure exerts a closing force upon the check valve element from within the output chamber. A counter force generating element, or pilot element, communicates with the valve element, to selectively open the valve, even in the presence of back flow pressure. The counter force generating element may apply a counter force to the check valve element, which urges the valve element toward the opened condition. The counter force may be less than the closing force, so the check valve element remains closed.
US08262056B2	Prop head for ceiling formwork A prop head (17) of a formwork prop for a concrete ceiling has an end piece (15) facing the concrete ceiling, the end piece (15) having a longitudinal axis which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the concrete formwork. The prop head (17) also has a hinge mechanism (20) at the end piece (15) end facing away from the concrete ceiling. The longitudinal axis of the end piece (15) can be placed in swiveled positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the prop in hinged positions of the hinge mechanism (20), the hinged positions being lockable by means of fastening means (30), preferably on the hinge mechanism (20). A load-introducing center of gravity formed by the end piece (15) end facing the concrete ceiling essentially lies on a line encompassing the longitudinal axis (62) of the prop (2, 3, 4) in the hinged positions.
US08262055B2	Stair forming apparatus and related methods The invention relates to an adjustable stair forming apparatus, adapted to form a flight of stairs of a settable material. The flight of stairs including a series of treads interconnected by intermediate risers. The apparatus comprises, a frame to support a series of forming units provide a forming surface. Each forming unit, includes a tread defining formwork that includes a rectangular shaped tread forming surface, slidably and pivotally mounted to the frame from or toward a first major edge of the tread forming surface. The forming unit also has a riser defining formwork that includes a rectangular shaped riser forming surface with a first major edge adjustably mounted from or toward the opposite major edge of the tread forming surface. The riser forming surface at least in part co-extending with the tread forming surface in a stair width direction. The forming units each adjustably held in an array to the frame with a bearing surface of one forming unit supported by a tread forming surface of the adjacent forming unit.
US08262051B2	Z-leg shock isolator An isolator. The novel isolator includes a first mounting structure, a second mounting structure, and a structure for providing a coupling path between the first and second mounting structures, this path having a series of zigzag patterns adapted to attenuate shock and/or vibration energy. The first mounting structure is attached to the shock source, and the second mounting structure is attached to the device to be isolated. In an illustrative embodiment, the isolator provides a path having a series of ninety-degree bends and a length greater than a direct distance between the first and second mounting structures. The path length and number of bends is tuned to provide a desired attenuation level. The dimensions of the isolator may also be tuned to provide a desired resonant frequency. In a preferred embodiment, the isolator is made from metal or some other material having stable properties over time.
US08262047B2	Stand with panning base A stand for supporting an object. The stand includes a base, a support member coupled to the base, and a movement mechanism adapted to allow the object to move along a range of travel relative to the base. The base includes a planar surface for resting on a support surface. The planar surface includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a pad for providing frictional resistance between the base and the support surface on which the base is placed. The second portion includes at least first and second wheels, for rotating the base about the pad such that the object is rotated about the pad when the base is rotated about the pad.
US08262045B2	Stability support TV anti-tip device A support device for a flat appliance is disclosed. The support device includes a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein. The mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a side of the flat appliance with a fastener extending through the at least one hole and into at least one corresponding receiving hole in the flat appliance. The device further includes a mounting bracket that is adapted for attachment to a stand structure. The device also includes a brace disposed between the mounting plate and the mounting bracket. The at least one hole in the mounting plate is adapted for accommodating the receiving hole of a variety of different flat appliances.
US08262043B2	Universal metal stud clip A universal metal stud clip is a support mechanism for securing one or more electrical boxes or other construction components to metal construction elements such as metal studs. The opposed spring arm design permits the clip to be oriented in any useful way and frictionally secured to metal studs of varying dimensions. Metal stud clips include one or more pair of resilient arms to frictionally engage metal studs. Using two or more pair of resilient arms provides a very stable attachment to the metal stud.
US08262037B1	Automation device and systems packaging and packaging methods for energy management and other applications An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device. The peripheral device can be deployed in a peripheral package that includes at least a base portion that is attachable to a structure, a device portion configured to support the peripheral device and to detachably cooperate with the base portion to secure the base portion to the structure. The peripheral package is assembled and cooperates without external fasteners.
US08262034B2	Control, sound, and operating system for model trains A model train system including a track interface unit for bi-directional communication with one or more trains; and a communication circuit installed in the one or more trains that communicates with the track interface unit in a bi-directional manner, the communication circuit communicating to the track interface unit information regarding a current speed of said one or more trains, the communication circuit being configured so as to be capable of receiving an integrally formed command/power signal and processing the command signal independently of the power signal.
US08262033B2	Derail assembly This invention relates to a derail assembly used in the railroad industry for derailing a wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle. The invention particularly relates to derailing a moving locomotive having a pilot at the front of the locomotive. The derail may be a single ended derail or a double ended derail. The derail includes a rigid derail plate which is in direct contact with the upper surface of the rail. An upright derail bar is securely mounted on the derail plate and the derail bar is angled outwardly for engaging a wheel of the locomotive or other railway car when moving undesirably for causing a desired derailment. The second derail bar may be provided in the case of a double ended derail. The derail includes longitudinally spaced rigid hooks at opposite ends of the derail to secure one side of the derail to the rail. The opposite side has a clamp mounted on the derail for securing the derail to the rail. A pair of rigid upright members are longitudinally spaced from each other on the underside of the derail plate. An open space is provided between the upright rigid members. A railroad tie is snugly received between the spaced upright rigid members to longitudinally secure the derail against longitudinal movement caused by an undesirably moving railway car or a locomotive.
US08262032B2	Collapsible wing beams and method A wing, such as a wing for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes a beam or box that can be selectively expanded from a collapsed condition, to increase the thickness of the wing. The beam may include a pair of plates that are close together when the beam is in a collapsed condition, and separate from one another to put the beam in an expanded condition. The plates may be substantially parallel to each other, and may have shape memory foam and/or resilient devices, such as coil springs, between them, in order to provide a force to separate the plates before, during, and/or after deployment of the wing. The expandable/collapsible beam may have a lock mechanism to lock it into place when the beam is in an expanded condition.
US08262030B2	Apparatus for twisting a wing to increase lift on aircraft and other vehicles A method and apparatus for varying the twist of a wing such that induced drag is minimized or reduced during cruise and lift is maximized or increased at least during takeoff and landings. In addition, variations in the twist may produce yawing and rolling moments. The twist amount is varied pursuant to the operating conditions, including those parameters used to determine the lift coefficient. The twist for reducing induced drag and/or improving lift may be employed by geometric or aerodynamic twist, including full span control surfaces used to provide roll control, high-lift and reduced induced drag. The twist may also be employed by twisting just a portion of the wing or the entire wing, either geometrically or aerodynamically.
US08262029B2	Electrodynamic method An electrodynamic method includes providing an electrodynamic structure with a periphery, providing power, collecting electrons, and emitting electrons. The emitting electrons and the collecting electrons utilizes at least 20% of the periphery of the electrodynamic structure. The method includes conducting current to provide at least one of electrodynamic propulsion and power generation.
US08262023B2	Aircraft frame element connected to an air-conditioning system A frame element for use in an aircraft air-conditioning system is attachable to an aircraft structure and includes at least one strut which is formed to at least in sections as a hollow cylinder, wherein an air inlet connection of the at least one-section-wise hollow cylindrically formed strut of the frame element is connectable to an air outlet duct of an aircraft air-conditioning unit, and an air outlet connection of the at least one section-wise hollow cylindrically formed strut of the frame element is connectable to an air outlet opening terminating in a cabin region of an aircraft.
US08262019B2	Method and system for health monitoring of aircraft landing gear The invention relates to a new method and system for health monitoring of aircraft landing gear. The system includes sensors that are attached to the landing gear structure and equipment (e.g., one or more of brakes, tires, hydraulics, electrical systems and switches) and analyzed to report and alert personnel such as pilots, maintenance personnel, airline operators, ground crew and regulatory authorities of the health of the landing gear and the potential need for service, maintenance or replacement. The system monitors and reports critical health issues as real-time information which can be analyzed in conjunction with an extensive database of information and used to alert pilots or other relevant personnel to the condition of the landing gear and actions that may be required as a result.
US08262018B2	Drag-optimised ram-air duct and process for controlling a mass flow of ambient air or cooling air through a ram-air duct A ram-air duct includes a ram-air inlet duct and a ram-air outlet duct arranged downstream of the ram-air inlet duct and in fluid communication with the ram-air inlet duct. At an inlet of the ram-air inlet duct, a first movable element is arranged and adapted to set an inlet parameter of the inlet. At an outlet of the ram-air outlet duct, a second movable element is arranged and adapted to set an outlet parameter of the outlet. The outlet parameter and the inlet parameter are linked together by a function, so that an outlet parameter corresponding to a value of the function is assigned to each inlet parameter. A controller implements the control function by actuating movements of the first and second movable elements.
US08262017B2	Aircraft with forward lifting elevator and rudder, with the main lifting surface aft, containing ailerons and flaps, and airbrake An area ruled forward lifting elevator aircraft [100] comprising a fuselage [120]; area ruling [600] throughout the length of the fuselage [120]; an airbrake [400] at the rear of the fuselage; an aircraft propulsion system [140]; and lifting surfaces that include a forward lifting [200] surface and an aft lifting [300] surface. The inner portion [210] of the forward lifting surfaces [200] move outward from the top fuselage [120] with a V shape forming a large dihedral angle at the fuselage [120] wherein the inner portion of the forward lifting surfaces act as rudder [250] and also act as elevator[ 260]. The inner V shaped portion [210] of the forward shaped lifting surfaces [200] is swept forward, and at the junction [215] with the outer surface [220], this surface changes to an aft swept design. The main aft lifting wing allows for an area rule system.
US08262014B1	Device for storing and dispensing flexible tubing The present invention is a device for storing, displaying, and dispensing flexible tubing upon a store shelf. In one embodiment, the device comprises a one-piece housing having inner and outer bottom walls, a rear wall extending upward from the outer bottom wall, and first and second sidewalls. The first sidewall extends upward from the inner bottom wall and is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall. The first sidewall comprises a smooth leading wall, a curved edge, and a trailing straight edge. The second sidewall extends upward from the outer bottom wall and is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall and parallel to the first sidewall. The second sidewall comprises a smooth leading wall, a curved edge, and a trailing straight edge. The smooth leading walls of the first and second sidewalls may be formed by first and second flaps that are folded upon inside surfaces of the first and second sidewalls, respectively.
US08262012B2	Leader block, reel hub, and reel using the same The cartridge for accommodating the tape can be downsized, a carrying mechanism is not required to be retracted after the leader block and the reel hub are fitted, and the generation of the non-uniform winding can be prevented. A reel formed by combining a leader block and a reel hub to load the leader block, in which the reel hub has a slot formed along a radial direction from a peripheral surface to a shaft center. Further, the leader block is detachably fitted in the slot of the reel hub, the reel includes a hook part which detachably engages with a leader pin attached at a beginning of the tape and protruding parts which are supported by the reel hub when the leader block is loaded in the slot of the reel hub.
US08262010B2	Coil rack fixing device A coil rack fixing device for fixing a coil rack to a rotor of a winding machine, includes a first member and a second member. The first member is configured for mounting on the rotor. The first member includes a support shaft coaxial to the rotor. The support shaft has a magnetic attracting portion positioned on a free end thereof. The second member includes a body and a magnet. The body defines a through hole thereof. The through hole receives the support shaft. The magnet is received in the through hole and capable of moving along the through hole relative to the magnetic attracting portion.
US08262009B2	System for electrical cable management in limited rotation applications A system for managing a flexible electrical cable for use in limited rotational applications is provided. The system includes a main hub coupled with a substrate, the main hub comprising an outer hub portion, an inner cavity portion and a gap portion, the main hub rotatable about a stationary post disposed inside the inner cavity portion and coupled with the substrate. The system is for managing a contiguous length of flexible electrical cable having a first free end and a second end, the second end electrically coupled to the inner post wherein a first portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the free end is wrapped around the outer hub portion in a first direction and a second portion of the flexible electrical cable proximate the second end is wrapped inside the inner cavity portion in a second direction and wherein the contiguous length of flexible electrical cable passes through the gap portion of the main hub.
US08262006B2	Roll mill The invention relates to a roll mill having a grinding plate rotatable about an axis of rotation, at least one grinding roller in rolling engagement with the grinding plate, and a main drive for driving the grinding plate. An auxiliary drive for driving the grinding plate, and a regulating device are also provided, the regulating device including at least one damping regulator which regulates the auxiliary drive in dependence on torque variations of the main drive and/or variations in the speed of rotation of the grinding plate.
US08262005B2	Processing apparatus and method A processing apparatus and method includes a housing, including: a motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by a motor about a drive axis, including a drive engagement device movable along the drive axis, a bowl, the drive shaft extending into the bowl when the bowl is secured to the housing in a working position, a bowl lid including a chute, a lid shaft including a lid engagement device axially aligned with the drive shaft when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, and a pusher including a pusher engagement portion for causing the lid engagement device to move the drive engagement device into the retracted position when the bowl and bowl lid are in the working position, wherein, when the drive engagement device is in the retracted position, the drive shaft is rotatable by the motor.
US08262004B2	Hopper spreader/sprayer apparatus A hopper spreader apparatus adapted for mounting to a vehicle, to be towed by a vehicle or to be pushed by hand, includes a sprayer apparatus for spraying liquid material as well as dispensing dry free-flow material. The hopper spreader apparatus includes a variable discharge mechanism, allowing adjustment of both the flow rate and the distribution pattern of the dry free-flow material particulate material being dispensed. The operation of the hopper spreader apparatus can be controlled remotely using radio frequency (RF) signaling. The hopper spreader apparatus obtains electrical power from an on-board battery and includes a battery charger to allow the battery to be charged when the hopper spreader apparatus is not in use.
US08262003B2	Two-part spray application system and method The invention concerns a two-part spray application system and method for applying a two-part spray on an object. First and second pumps have outlets, with the pressure at each outlet monitored by pressure transducers. During the spraying process for each object, the pressure at the outlet of each pump must exceed a minimum threshold pressure at least once, or a fault condition is indicated. Such fault conditions may indicate a leak or disconnect in a hose downstream of the pumps.
US08262001B2	Method for physically marking objects using continuous functions A set of symbols is encoded using a continuous mapping function to produce corresponding encoded functions, wherein the mapping function is continuous and values of the encoded functions are real and vary continuously. The encoded functions are summed in a spatial domain to generate a summed function, which is biased so that values of a biased function are all positive and real. Then, a physical property of the object is altered according the biased function to arrange a mark on the object.
US08262000B2	Method and system for encoding and decoding data Disclosed is a processing system and method, the system including a code physically associated with a source. The code includes one or more patterns including a guide pattern arranged in a mark, wherein each pattern includes one or more pattern elements arranged in pattern element zones. Each of the respective pattern has a pattern signature based on a predetermined physical attribute corresponding to the one or more pattern elements within the respective pattern. The system further includes a detection device configured to capture the mark, and a controller coupled to the detection device configured to generate physical attribute data associated with the captured mark, receive the physical attribute data, and determine the pattern signatures by performing an arithmetic calculation on the physical attribute data.
US08261999B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device such as an RFID, which can easily generate a given stable potential, is provided. Circuits included in a semiconductor device are categorized depending on whether a given stable power source potential is necessary. A power source potential generated from a wireless signal received by an antenna with the use of the antenna and a rectifier circuit is supplied to a circuit which needs a given stable power source potential through a regulator. On the other hand, a power source potential generated by the rectifier circuit is supplied to a circuit other than the circuit which needs the arbitrary power source potential. Thus, a semiconductor device including a regulator circuit easily designed with a smaller layout can be provided, and the semiconductor device can easily generate a given stable power source potential.
US08261991B2	High performance image capture reader with low resolution image sensor A reader for and method of electro-optically reading symbols aim a front of a handheld housing at a symbol during reading. A solid-state, low resolution image sensor having a linear array of pixels is arranged in the housing and has less than 2000 pixels in number. The pixels sense return light returning along an optical path away from the symbol that is located in an extended range of working distances relative to the front of the housing. An imaging lens is positioned deep in the housing at an increased spacing of at least one inch as measured along the optical path away from the front of the housing, for capturing the return light over a reduced scan angle that is less than 40 degrees, and for projecting the captured light onto the sensor. A controller processes the return light sensed by the imager into data relating to the symbol.
US08261982B2	Solicitation-response lifecycle tracking and management Tracking and management data for a solicitation and response lifecycle is disclosed. The system generates and links tracking data for both the solicitation and the response, generates indicators that include the tracking data, and encodes the indicators so that the indicators are detectable as they traverse various events and locations throughout the lifecycle. A detailed audit trail of each event in the correspondence and response lifecycle is constructed using data matching methods and various statistics regarding the lifecycle, such that the response habits of customers are formulated.
US08261981B2	Apparatus and methods for monitoring transfusion of blood Apparatus and methods are described for ensuring that blood transfused into a patient is the correct blood for that patient, is transfused in the correct manner and that a complete audit trail is created that will allow later tracing of blood from donation through to ultimate transfusion.
US08261978B2	Wallet consolidator to facilitate a transaction A wallet consolidator to warehouse information pertaining to at least one card and to retrieve the warehoused information to facilitate a transaction is provided. An embodiment of a Wallet consolidator can include a housing, one or more input devices positioned to receive information, and a memory device positioned to store at least a portion of the information received by the one or more input devices. The wallet consolidator can also include a radio frequency wireless communication interface associated with the housing and adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal thereby to provide at least a portion of the Information stored in the memory device to the point-of-sale terminal, a display screen, and a controller positioned within the housing in communication with and to control each of the one or more input devices, the memory device, the radio frequency wireless communication interface, and the display screen.
US08261976B1	ATM transaction authorization based on user location verification An automated banking machine transaction request is authorized based on the determined location of an authorized user relative to the machine. Identification of an authorized machine user is linked to a remotely locatable item (e.g., a cell phone) of the authorized user. A machine receiving the user identification causes the location of the cell phone to be determined. A comparison is then made of the cell phone location and the machine location. If the locations correspond, then the current machine user is recognized as the authorized user and machine transactions are permitted. If the locations do not correspond, then the current user is denied transactions at the machine. The security arrangement helps prevent an unauthorized person from using a fraudulent machine card to access a financial account.
US08261973B2	Mobile table for implementing clamshell-to-case association Systems and methods are provided for associating traceability codes on clamshells with unique identifiers on containers in which the empty clamshells are packed for later use. In various methods, the clamshells are marked with traceability codes and stacked together, one traceability code is read from one of the clamshells in each stack, a unique identifier is read from a container, and the stack is placed in the container. The traceability code is stored in association with the unique identifier for later retrieval. An exemplary table for making clamshell-to-container associations comprises a scanner for reading traceability codes and rails for positioning stacks of clamshells proximate to the scanner. The table can also comprise a second scanner positioned to read unique identifiers from containers placed proximate thereto. The table can further comprise a computing system to make and store the associations.
US08261972B2	Stand alone product, promotional product sample, container, or packaging comprised of interactive quick response (QR code, MS tag) or other scan-able interactive code linked to one or more internet uniform resource locators (URLs) for instantly delivering wide band digital content, promotions and infotainment brand engagement features between consumers and marketers The present invention relates to and provides methods and product, product samples, containers, or packaging comprised of interactive quick response or scan-able codes linked to Internet Uniform (or Universal) Resource Locator (URL) for providing contact information, promotional or cross promotional product samples or products, containers, or and packaging, where the product, product sample, container, or packaging, has any type of associated scan-able internet quick response URL code, quick response MS TAG or quick response QR Code that delivers an interactive “infotainment” brand experience to consumers or retailers when the product or package is scanned with a smart phone, internet tablet, computer, netbook, or other device.
US08261971B2	Self-powered electronic label An electronic label system is provided which includes a data source having information to be displayed by an electronic label. An optical source such as an LED array broadcasts optical signals modulated with the data source data to plural electronic labels. Each electronic label has an optical receiver which receives the modulated optical signals and also receives unmodulated optical signals to supply power to an energy storage device. A mode switch switches the optical receiver between a signal reception mode and an energy storage device power-supplying mode. One or more bistable displays display the data received from the modulated optical signals. Through the use of bistable displays, the power consumption of the electronic label is greatly reduced while use of a single receiving element for receiving both the signal light and power storage light reduces the number of components needed to assemble the electronic label, thus reducing cost.
US08261970B2	Wireless payment system having long range crediting and short range payment approval The present invention provides an electronic payment system with which even without an operation for payment by a customer who has a card etc. for electronic payment, credit processing can be performed in advance based on personal identification information of the card etc. and therefore, at the time of payment at a register, communications with a host are omitted, and a payment can be made in a short time. The electronic payment system detects an ID symbol of a portable telephone 1 comprising the IC card installed inside by middle-distance communication functions 12 and 31, introduces authentication data and a usable upper limit amount of the user from a payment server 4 in the shop server 3 and stores and credits these in advance, and when a payment terminal 2 detects an IC card ID symbol of the IC card 11, the IC card 11 is authenticated by using the authentication data stored in the shop server 3, and a payment of purchase is made within the usable upper limit amount.
US08261964B2	Carton packaging with film internal container, prefabricated carton unit for the production thereof, and process for the production of carton packaging of this type In carton packaging having an outer folding carton and an inner folding carton which surrounds a film internal container, the inner folding carton is adhesively bonded by means of one of its carton body walls (14) to an adjacent carton body wall (6) of the outer folding carton. The outer folding carton and the inner folding carton surround the film internal container essentially completely. The film internal container consists of a flexible film internal bag provided with a withdrawal closure. The carton body walls (13, 14, 15, 16) of the inner folding carton are connected to one another in a foldable manner at the body edges (17, 18, 19, 20) via carton bridges, each bridging an edge slot. The lid flaps of the inner folding carton are angled in the finished carton packaging. The inner folding carton and the outer folding carton consist of a joint carton blank or each consist of a separate carton blank or each consist of a plurality of carton blanks.
US08261959B2	Friction stir welding spindle downforce and other control techniques, systems and methods Friction stir welding equipment control force spindle for mounting in an orbital head housing uses a coaxial sensor to measure downforce. Simultaneously, an axial electrical actuator is controlled to dynamically correct the axial tool position during the welding, by a direct axial force system control, in order to maintain controlled downforce according to parameters previously set, based on numerical control. The equipment also sets up, monitors and controls spindle rotation speed, welding speed, acceleration speed and downforce using for example closed loop control functions. A laser system may scan the backing surface before welding and correct original tool path, in order to get an offset tool path. A precision alarm system may provide safe welding while preventing the tool from colliding with the backing surface.
US08261953B2	Beverage container and closure A resilient unitary beverage container comprises a body portion, a ring portion, and a lid portion. In one embodiment, the body portion comprises a fluid reception cavity and has a first thickness. The ring portion is integrated to the body portion and comprises a second thickness. The lid portion comprises a spout and an opening, with the lid portion having a third thickness and also being integrated to the ring portion.
US08261952B2	Dispensing device Disclosed is a device (1) for dispensing a liquid (2) without spraying as well as a use of such a dispensing device (1). In order to prevent liquid from escaping after a dispensing process, an outlet that opens towards the environment can be closed by means of a discharge valve (7). Said discharge valve (7) is provided with a valve body (9) which can be moved in accordance with the prevailing liquid pressure such that the discharge valve (7) opens when a minimum pressure is exceeded.
US08261948B2	High velocity foam pump A foam pump including a pump housing with a liquid chamber in fluid communication with a foamable liquid filled container and an air chamber in fluid communication with a high pressure air source through an air inlet. The foam pump also includes a dispensing tube having a wiper seal post with a closed distal end positioned within the pump housing, and an outlet tube with an open distal end positioned outside the pump housing. The wiper seal post includes at least one inlet hole in fluid communication with the liquid chamber, and a check valve near the second open end. The foam pump further includes at least one foam screen in the open end of the outlet tube, a wiper seal slidably positioned around the wiper seal post and in sealing contact with the pump housing and the wiper seal post, and a spring bias to bias the wiper seal in an unactuated position. The wiper seal forms a movable barrier between the liquid chamber and the air chamber and is adapted to slide axially along the wiper seal post past the inlet hole when actuated by high pressure air, thereby allowing the high pressure air to enter the dispenser tube and cause mixing of said air and foamable liquid within the dispensing tube. The mixture is then expelled through the check valve and the foam screen.
US08261946B2	Dispensing device The present invention relates to a portable liquid dispensing device. The present invention further relates to a dispensing device equipped with a cover member that covers and protects the nozzle to inhibit inadvertent or unintentional actuation. In addition, a button may be provided in a manner that further contributes to inhibiting inadvertent or unintentional actuation. The liquid dispensing device may be provided with an optional key holder.
US08261942B2	Liquid dispenser A liquid dispenser has a liquid filled container which is attached to a pump for dispensing. The pump has at least two sensors, a first sensor that identifies whether a person's hand is present and activates the pump, and a second sensor that identifies when the pump has been fully actuated which then switches the direction of the pump's actuation back to its starting point. The dispensing nozzle serves as the pump's actuator and is moved by a motor powered gear system and a toothed rack to move the nozzle.
US08261939B2	Pill dispenser canister having dual reservoirs A dual-reservoir canister for dispensing pills includes a dispensing reservoir and a backup reservoir. Pills (solid medications such as pills, capsules and caplets) are stored in both reservoirs but dispensed only from the dispensing reservoir until the dispensing reservoir is empty, at which time, the dual-reservoir canister is tilted to pour the pills from the backup reservoir into the dispensing reservoir. An access door is provided to refill the backup reservoir and, in some embodiments, the access door includes an extension that prevents pills from accidentally falling into the dispensing reservoir while the backup reservoir is refilled.
US08261926B2	Kit for temporally protecting electrical box A kit for temporarily protecting an electrical outlet box and its contents during construction. The kit includes retaining clips and a cover plate of the appropriate dimensions to cover a single or multiple electrical outlet box. The cover plate is constructed of a material that is not easily damaged by a rotary cutting tool and preferably can be located magnetically. The outer dimensions of the cover plate are selected to cover the face of the electrical box, the screw sockets and the contents of the electrical box. Two screw openings aligned on the center line of the cover plate are positioned to align with the screw sockets in the electrical box. The retaining clips are snap-wise removably attached to the screw openings of the cover plate and may be used to secure the cover plate temporarily to the electrical box by a friction fit into the screw sockets of the electrical box that allows the cover plate to be removed simply by pulling on the cover plate. A removal opening locate asymmetrically in the cover plate allows the insertion of a tool such as a screwdriver or awl to remove the cover plate. The retaining clip is snap-wise removable from the cover plate so that the cover plate may secured to the electrical box by screws if desired.
US08261925B2	Interlocking storage units A pillbox comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment having two side walls, two end walls, and a bottom and each compartment having a top, each top comprising a hinged lid for accessing the compartment, the hinged lid being hinged pivotally at a hinge area; a slot at one of the walls of each compartment disposed parallel to the one wall, further wherein the hinged lid for each compartment is separable from the compartment, each hinged lid having a tab depending from the hinged lid and being pivotable from the lid at the hinge area, the tab being insertable into the slot to secure the hinged lid to the compartment for access to the compartment, the tab being releasably and frictionally held in place in the slot and being removable from the slot integral with the lid when the lid is removed.
US08261923B2	Collapsible container A collapsible container is provided that incorporates various features for improving the stability of the container and for reducing damage to the items carried by the container. The container may include a stabilizing hinge assembly including a stabilizing ledge and a stabilizing hook that securely engage the respective sidewalls to the base of the container to stiffen the container and distribute the loads more evenly. The sidewalls and base of the container may also define contact areas to support the carried items without bruising or damaging the items. Non-contact areas of the container that do not come into contact with the items may include openings that are aligned with other openings in the container and other adjacent containers to provide a consistent flow of air through a number of containers stacked beside one another. The sidewalls may also include various latching features to maintain the container in the expanded configuration.
US08261919B2	Fluid filter module including handle A fluid filter module including an end cap assembly disposed about at least one end of a tubular-shaped housing. The end cap assembly includes a base, fluid port and handle which may optionally comprise an integrally molded structure.
US08261916B2	Paper sorting apparatus, and method and computer readable medium therefor A paper sorting apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to scan an image printed on a paper, a printing ratio determining unit configured to determine a printing ratio as a ratio of an area of the printed image as scanned by the scanning unit to a whole area on the paper with the printed image thereon, a classification determining unit configured to determine a recycling classification of the paper based upon the printing ratio determined by the printing ratio determining unit, and a sorting assist unit configured to assist sorting of the paper in accordance with the recycling classification of the paper determined by the classification determining unit.
US08261909B2	Display package for a plurality of products The present invention is directed to a display package that, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of packs containing one or more products and a sleeve. The primary packs are arranged in a bundle and disposed within the sleeve. A separator panel can be included in certain embodiments of the bundle between the packs. Portions of the packs may protrude through apertures in the front and rear panels of the sleeve and apertures within the separator panel to assist with maintaining the bundle within the sleeve.
US08261906B2	Rubber composition for conveyor belt, and conveyor belt Disclosed is a rubber composition for a conveyor belt, which is characterized by containing 0.5-3 parts by weight of zinc dimethacrylate, 1-10 parts by weight of a cobalt neodecanoate compound and 0.5-4 parts by weight of cobalt stearate per 100 parts by weight of the rubber component. Also disclosed is a conveyor belt in which a galvanized steel cord that is covered with an adhesive rubber layer is arranged as the core body between cover rubber layers, said conveyor belt being characterized in that the adhesive rubber layer is formed from the above-described rubber composition. The rubber composition has excellent adhesion to a galvanized steel cord, good rolling performance and good laminatability. The conveyor belt using the rubber composition has excellent durability and productivity.
US08261905B2	Wafer carrier drive apparatus and method for operating the same A drive rail includes a sealed interior cavity and an exterior drive surface that extends along a length of the drive rail. A first magnetic member is disposed within the interior cavity and adjacent to a surface of the interior cavity that is immediately opposite the exterior drive surface. A drive mechanism is disposed within the interior cavity and in connection with the first magnetic member, and is configured to move the first magnetic member within the interior cavity along the length of the drive rail, such that the first magnetic member remains immediately opposite the exterior drive surface. The first magnetic member is configured to magnetically couple through the exterior drive surface to a wafer carrier disposed adjacent to the exterior drive surface. Movement of the first magnetic member within the interior cavity along the drive rail causes corresponding movement of the wafer carrier along the exterior drive surface.
US08261904B2	Coin depositing and dispensing machine A coin depositing and dispensing machine prevents a foreign object mixed together with coins put in a coin receiving port from causing a malfunction, facilitates distinguishing coins of a depositing and transporting system from coins of a dispensing and transporting system, and facilitates removal of a coin jam. Coins received from a coin receiving port are fed separately by a feeding unit to a depositing and transporting unit. A rotary disc rotated at a position tilted at a predetermined angle is used for the feeding unit. By using the rotary disc, only coins are fed to the depositing and transporting unit, and foreign objects are eliminated. The depositing and transporting unit and a dispensing and transporting unit are arranged opposite to each other in a machine body, and the depositing and transporting unit is tilted together with the rotary disc. Coins in each unit are thereby easily distinguished from each other.
US08261901B2	Note acceptor-dispenser validator An acceptor-dispenser validator system for accepting bills, vouchers, scrip and/or currency into, and for distributing currency or a currency equivalent from, an electronic gaming machine or alternative type of customer service device is disclosed. The system includes a note acceptor-dispenser assembly to be mounted in or on the machine, the note acceptor-dispenser having a note validator to sense the authenticity, denomination, amount and type of the note passing there through and issue a signal corresponding to the note type to the acceptor-dispenser's processor and the host machine's processor for accumulation of credits. A note box is provided to receive deposited notes as is a note hopper to receive and dispense notes intended for payouts.
US08261893B2	Suspension damper having inertia valve and user adjustable pressure-relief A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.
US08261888B2	Brake lever with a mechanism for quickly loosening brake cable of racing bicycle A brake apparatus for a racing bicycle includes a housing mounted on either handlebar and comprising an internal recess; a brake lever pivotably secured to the housing and having one end pivotably disposed in the recess; a spring depressible detent rod slidably disposed in the brake lever and comprising a head on an outer surface of the brake lever, an annular flange, and an annular groove between the flange and the head; a brake cable having one end attached to the brake lever and the other end attached to a brake; and a locking member having one end urged against the flange. Pushing the head to cause one end of the locking member to fall into the groove and cause one end of the brake lever to fall into the recess will loosen the brake cable.
US08261885B2	Safety arrangements for elevators and methods for monitoring safety of elevator systems A safety arrangement of an elevator includes a mechanical safety device (3, 4, 11) that ensures the safety of the elevator hoistway (2) and that can be moved into a use position (2), and which safety arrangement of an elevator includes a detector (5) of intrusion into the elevator hoistway, which detector is fitted to receive measuring data (6) from the sensors (7) that determine the status of the entrances (9, 10) of the elevator hoistway, and also to determine intrusion into the elevator hoistway (2) from the measuring data received, and after verifying an intrusion to switch into an operating mode (8) in which driving with the elevator is prevented.
US08261877B2	Fire fighter's personal escape system A wearable lightweight fire fighter's personal escape system and method includes a rope, having a distal and proximal end, packed within an exterior rope pouch that is appointed to be removably attached to a belt or harness, worn by a fire fighter. The proximal end of the rope exits through an opening in the exterior/outer rope pouch and is attached directly to a lightweight hook, or optionally enters a belay device. The hook has a sharp point for creating a purchase point on soft surfaces, a hook opening having sufficient diameter to surround radiators, steam pipe and the like, and capture rope that surrounds substantial objects. The hook has a central opening appointed for holding a firefighting tool to aid in creating a substantial object. The fire fighter escapes by creating a purchase point and repelling at a high speed or at a controlled speed by adjusting belay friction.
US08261872B2	Work machine having modular ignition switch keypad with latching output A work machine having an engine, a hydraulic system powered by the engine, a source of electrical power, and electrical systems which run on the electrical power includes an ignition system and a modular ignition switch keypad to control the ignition system. The modular ignition keypad is mounted to the work machine in the operator compartment and generates a latching output to control electrical power distribution to the electrical systems and to control ignition functions to turn on and turn off the engine. The modular ignition switch keypad includes a start user input, a run user input, a stop user input and latching logic circuitry providing the latching output.
US08261867B1	Wheeled vehicle drive apparatus The wheeled vehicle drive apparatus attaches to an existing wheeled vehicle, such as a wheelchair or shopping cart and uses the existing wheels of the vehicle for drive. The circular drive case provides efficient space utilization in typically cramped confines in and around a wheeled vehicle. The two-piece case allows easy service and parts replacement. Two levers are provided for attachment to existing vehicle handles, with one providing throttle speed control and one providing breaking. Braking is provided internal to the drive case, thereby negating the need for an external brake on the vehicle. Positive engagement with vehicle wheels is assured by the adapters with adapter lugs.
US08261864B2	Hybrid powertrain auto start control system with engine pulse cancellation A control system for a hybrid powertrain includes an engine start detector that detects when an engine of the hybrid powertrain is activated via an electric motor during an auto start. An electric motor speed monitor determines a first speed of the electric motor for a first time and a second speed of the electric motor for a second time after detection of the engine in an active state. A control module determines a rate of change in speed of the electric motor based on the first speed and the second speed. The control module adjusts torque output of the electric motor during startup of the engine and based on the rate of change in speed.
US08261860B2	Hybrid powertrain system using free piston linear alternator engines A hybrid powertrain system includes reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines, each including a linear alternator device configured to generate electric power. A control module determines mechanical and electrical power demands responsive to an operator torque request and a state of charge of an energy storage device. The control module operates the torque machine to generate an output torque responsive to the mechanical power demands and operates the reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines to generate electric power responsive to the electrical power demands.
US08261857B2	Core barrel sonic latch mechanism and methods of sonic drilling using the same A head assembly includes a body, a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and at least one latch operatively associated with the spearhead and the body. The latch is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body. In an extended position, the latch covers more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches.
US08261856B1	Methods and systems for drilling boreholes A computer-readable medium including program instructions for collaring a borehole. When the program instructions are executed by one or more processors of a computer system operatively associated with a drill rig, the program instructions cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of performing a first phase collaring operation from a surface start to a point at which a drill bit reaches a dynamically determined collaring depth or a maximum collaring depth, and performing a second phase collaring operation to form a hole collar. The second phase collaring operation includes the steps of retracting the drill bit until the drill bit is above the surface, and activating a water injection system during the retracting of the drill bit.
US08261855B2	Methods and systems for drilling boreholes A system for drilling a borehole according includes a drill rig and a control system. The control system receives information from the drill rig that relates to at least one drill parameter. The control system processes information relating to the drill parameter, determines whether the drill parameter is within a predetermined specification for the monitored drill parameter, chooses a hole defect mitigation routine based on the monitored drill parameter when the monitored drill parameter is outside the predetermined specification, and controls the drill rig to implement the chosen hole defect mitigation routine.
US08261854B2	Reciprocating tool A reciprocating tool (1) includes a housing (20, 30), a driving source (21), a reciprocation conversion unit (34, 36), —and a vibration reduction mechanism (30). The driving source is accommodated in the” housing. The reciprocation conversion unit (34, 36) is supported by the housing and is configured to convert a driving force of the driving source into a reciprocating motion for providing a tool bit (16) movably supported to the housing with a reciprocating motion. The vibration reduction mechanism (70) includes a shaft (72), a weight (71), a support member (73), and a urging portion (74). The shaft i(72)s supported by the housing and extending in a direction perpendicular to directions of the reciprocating motion of the tool bit (41) t and has an axis. The weight (71) is located away from the shaft (72) and is swingable in a swinging direction. The support member (73) swingably supports the weight (71) about the axis of the shaft (72). The urging portion (74) urges the weight (71) toward a prescribed position of the weight in the swinging direction with respect to the housing.
US08261851B2	Electric hammer An electric hammer comprising a hammer bit performing hammering work on a work, a drive motor, a hammering piece driven by the drive motor to apply a hammering force to the hammer bit, and a mechanism for damping vibration generated during hammering. The damping performance of the electric hammer is enhanced by causing the driving amount applied to the damping mechanism to vary between a first mode where the damping mechanism generates vibration of the hammer bit subjected to an external force from the work during the load driving time and thereby optimizes the damping and a second mode where the damping mechanism generates vibration corresponding to the vibration of the hammer bit not subjected to an external force from the work during the no-land driving time and optimizes damping.
US08261849B2	Jumbo hammer clutch impact wrench A power driven tool for rotating a mechanical element. The tool includes a housing and motor. The motor has an output shaft. The shaft rotates relative to the housing. The tool also includes an impact drive axially fixed within the housing. The impact drive includes a base and an anvil shaft having an anvil. The impact drive includes an annular hammer having opposite impact lands pivotally mounted on the base for movement between three positions, including a forward position in which the hammer is positioned so one impact land engages the anvil, a reverse position in which the hammer is positioned so another of the impact lands engages the anvil, and a disengaged position in which neither of the impact lands engages the anvil. Further, the tool includes a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes an output drive mounted for rotation relative to the housing for rotating a mechanical element.
US08261847B2	Automatic low power consumption mode for combustion tools A combustion tool having a circuit for conserving battery power includes a battery assembly to power at least a portion of the combustion tool, a control circuit to place the combustion tool in an active mode or a low power consumption mode, and a motion sensing circuit to indicate a movement of the combustion tool and to indicate a non-movement of the combustion tool. A timer is set when a movement is detected and resets each time a new movement is sensed. If a new movement is not sensed when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the combustion tool enters into a low power consumption mode. The movement may be a vibration or a tilt movement. The motion sensing circuit enables the tool to be actuated without any unnecessary priming when motion is sensed and only minimal current is consumed when motion is not sensed, conserving battery power.
US08261846B2	Implement support stand A support stand for an implement such as a tiller is provided. During use of the implement when the implement is connected to a tractor, the support stand is in a stowed position adjacent to a side of the implement. When the implement is disconnected from the tractor, the support stand is rotatable outwards from the side of the implement and frontwards toward the front of the implement and rests against the ground to maintain the implement in a generally upright position.
US08261845B2	Walking beam assembly and lift system for tillage implements A tillage machine has an undercarriage that utilizes a triple axle walking beam wheel assembly for each load-supporting wheel assembly of the center section of the machine. Hydraulically powered lift arms are connected with the wheel assemblies to raise and lower the chassis of the machine as the wheel arms are swung downwardly and upwardly relative to the chassis. Each wheel assembly includes a primary walking beam pivoted to the lower end of the wheel arm, and a secondary walking beam pivoted to the rear end of the primary beam. A single front wheel is disposed at the front end of the primary beam, while a pair of wheels are disposed on the secondary beam on opposite fore-and-aft sides of the pivot connection with the primary beam. An abutment on the wheel arm engages a stop on the primary beam upon downward rotation of the wheel arm by a predetermined amount relative to the chassis such that continued downward movement of the wheel arm causes load to shift partially off the front wheel and onto the rear wheels.
US08261844B2	Fire extinguisher A lightweight fire extinguisher is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fire extinguisher, which is portable, includes a press-source fluid container capable of retaining compressed air; extinguishant containers capable of retaining extinguishant; a pressure-source fluid tube connected to the pressure-source fluid container and the extinguishant containers, for leading the compressed air retained in the pressure-source container to the extinguishant containers; a pressure reducing valve intervening in the pressure-source fluid tube, for reducing pressure of the compressed air flowing down the pressure-source fluid tube; discharge device capable of discharging the extinguishant retained in the extinguishant containers; and an extinguishant tube connected to the extinguishant containers and the discharge device, for leading the extinguishant retained in the extinguishant containers to the discharge device.
US08261843B2	Portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus and method Portable wall-attachable firefighting monitor apparatus and method of use, including structure designed in combination to affix a monitor to a wall rim portion.
US08261841B2	Coated oil and gas well production devices Provided are coated oil and gas well production devices and methods of making and using such coated devices. In one form, the coated oil and gas well production device includes an oil and gas well production device including one or more bodies, and a coating on at least a portion of the one or more bodies, wherein the coating is chosen from an amorphous alloy, a heat-treated electroless or electro plated based nickel-phosphorous composite with a phosphorous content greater than 12 wt %, graphite, MoS2, WS2, a fullerene based composite, a boride based cermet, a quasicrystalline material, a diamond based material, diamond-like-carbon (DLC), boron nitride, and combinations thereof. The coated oil and gas well production devices may provide for reduced friction, wear, corrosion, erosion, and deposits for well construction, completion and production of oil and gas.
US08261834B2	Well treatment using electric submersible pumping system A technique provides an electric submersible pumping system to facilitate a well treatment, such as a hydraulic fracturing well treatment. The electric submersible pumping system is positioned downhole and oriented to intake a fluid delivered downhole for use in the well treatment. Once the fluid is delivered downhole, the electric submersible pumping system pumps, pressurizes and discharges this fluid to perform the well treatment, e.g. the hydraulic fracturing treatment. The pumping system reduces the pressure at which the treatment fluid must be delivered downhole.
US08261830B2	Fishing tool and method A fishing tool includes a grapple and an exciter in vibration transmissive communication with the grapple and method.
US08261827B2	Methods and compositions comprising kiln dust and metakaolin The present invention provides settable compositions and methods of using settable compositions that comprise a hydraulic cement; a partially calcined kiln feed comprising SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, SO3, Na2O, and K2O; metakaolin; and water. The location to be cemented may be above ground or in a subterranean formation.
US08261823B1	Integrated in situ retorting and refining of oil shale A system and method for producing hydrocarbons in situ from an oil shale, fixed bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a naturally occurring, water-flow leached, higher permeability zone next to a lower permeability zone. The system includes at least one injection opening and at least one production opening in the naturally occurring, water-flow leached, higher permeability zone. A heated thermal-energy carrier fluid is injected into the injection opening and circulated horizontally through the higher permeability zone. The carrier fluid pyrolyzes the hydrocarbons in the lower and higher permeability zones in situ by heating the higher permeability zone and the adjacent lower permeability zone along an interface extending substantially between from the injection opening and the production opening and produces at least a portion of the mobilized hydrocarbons by flowing the carrier fluid with the pyrolyzed hydrocarbons through the production opening to the ground surface.
US08261814B2	Exhaust-gas cooler An exhaust-gas cooler includes a housing having a bypass duct and a cooling zone having arranged therein an exhaust-gas cooling duct which includes an entry cooling duct, at least one reversing duct connected to the entry cooling duct, and an exit cooling duct connected to the reversing duct. The reversing duct is constructed to conduct the exhaust-gas flow in opposite direction to a direction of flow in the entry cooling duct and the exit cooling duct. A control element is received in the housing for selectively directing an exhaust-gas flow through the bypass duct or through the cooling zone, with the bypass duct being segregated from a deflection zone of the reversing duct.
US08261811B2	Roll line in a continuous caster A roll line in a continuous caster is disclosed. It comprises at least two segment roll lines (1, 2) for transporting steel. Each segment roll line (1, 2) comprises a roll body (3, 4), bearings (5) for supporting the roll body (3, 4), bearing housings (6). The roll body (3, 4) has two shaft ends (7, 8, 9, 10), and a ring (11). Adjacent shaft ends (8, 9) of segment roll lines (1, 2) are at least partly inside the through-hole of the ring (11) and the adjacent shafts ends (8, 9) are connected via torque transferring element (t1). There is a closed compartment (12) for receiving lubricant for lubricating the torque transferring element (T1). The closed compartment (12) is in the through-hole and is sealed off by sealing elements (s1, s2) located between the ring (11) and circumferential surfaces of the first and second adjacent shaft ends (8, 9).
US08261810B1	Turbine airfoil ceramic core with strain relief slot A ceramic core used for cast an air cooled turbine rotor blade or stator vane for a gas turbine engine, the ceramic core includes a larger ceramic core piece connected to a smaller ceramic core piece with a number of even smaller cross-over hole forming pieces connecting the larger piece to the smaller piece, and a strain relief slot formed in the larger ceramic core piece adjacent to the cross-over hole forming pieces that prevent the smaller cross-over hole pieces from breaking during the casting process from relative movement of the larger ceramic core piece with respect to the smaller ceramic core piece. The strain relief slot can be used to cast a rotor blade or a stator vane.
US08261808B2	Multiple window shade system and method A window shade system and method of installing the shade system. The shade system includes first and second shade units and brackets for interconnecting the shade units. The first shade unit includes a first headrail, a roller mounted beneath the first headrail, a first shading material spooled onto the roller, and a device for deploying the first shading material from the roller. The second shade unit includes a second headrail, a second shading material attached to the second head rail, and a device for deploying the second shading material from the second headrail. The brackets secure the headrails together so that, when installed in the window, the first headrail is positioned vertically above and rearward of the second headrail.
US08261807B2	Dual fabric covering for architectural openings A covering for an architectural opening with improved insulating properties in one embodiment includes face-to-face cellular insulative components defining a fabric with dual layers of cells with the fabric being retractably mounted in a headrail so as to either be rolled about a roller or gathered adjacent to the bottom of the headrail. A first component of the fabric includes a pair of spaced parallel sheets of material interconnected with horizontally-extending flexible vanes so as to define a plurality of horizontally-extending, vertically adjacent cells of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. A second component of the fabric is mounted on one sheet of the first component of the fabric so as to form a plurality of vertically adjacent drooping segments of fabric forming a roman-shade appearance. Single or multiple layers of the components can be used with or without the other type of component.
US08261805B2	Tire and wheel mounting system and method A system for providing at least a partially mounted tire and wheel assembly is disclosed. The system includes the steps of using a prime mover to bring a tire and wheel together and using the primer mover to work on at least one of the tire or the wheel to mount the tire and the wheel together, wherein the work performed by the prime mover is the only positive work introduced into the tire/wheel system.
US08261804B1	IC layers separator An IC layers separator includes a bed; two sets of two opposite seats secured onto the bed; two guide bars each interconnecting the two opposite seats of either set; a carrier assembly secured onto the bed and including a lower vacuum device and an upper vacuum device including a ramp at one end; an IC layer assembly including an upper layer and a lower layer; and a blade assembly moveably mounted on the guide bars and including a pressing roller pressing the IC layer assembly on the ramp, a spring biased blade for separating the upper layer from the lower layer, and two opposite rolls for conveying the separated upper layer and the lower layer.
US08261801B2	Intermittent cutting transferring device An intermittent cutting transferring device configured to cut a first web into individual sheets and to intermittently transfer the individual sheets onto a second web being continuously fed includes an upper blade roll with a blade and a lower blade roll with an anvil element. Each of the individual sheets cut from the first web is arranged to be guided and transferred onto the second web while the first web is being sucked onto an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll by the suction through suction holes formed in a first region on an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll. The first region defined as a suction region includes a plurality of the suction holes and a non-suction region does not include the suction holes. The suction region and the non-suction region are provided alternately in a roll rotating direction.
US08261796B2	Tire with component containing polybenzobisoxazole short fiber and epoxidized palm oil The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm and a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer, of an epoxidized palm oil.
US08261793B2	Pneumatic tire A pneumatic tire has a pair of bead portions, side wall portions, a tread portion, and a carcass ply rolled up in its end portion so as to pinch a bead filler. An outer surface of the side wall portion is provided with a concavo-convex region formed by arranging a lot of projecting lines extending in a tire circumferential direction in parallel in the tire diametrical direction, and an arranged density of the projecting lines becomes larger toward the outer side in the tire diametrical direction. An outer peripheral end of the concavo-convex region is positioned in the outer side than a position where an interface between a tread rubber and a side rubber is exposed, and an inner peripheral end of the concavo-convex region is positioned in an inner side than a leading end of the bead filler.
US08261792B2	Airbag for vehicle tires An airbag device for a vehicle tire capable of stabilizing the vehicle timely when the tire is exploding or being punctured suddenly to avoid potential accidents and to ensure driving comfort. The airbag device comprises a resilient outer ring installed between the tire and the wheel hub, and an inner ring serving to support the resilient outer ring. The resilient outer ring and the inner ring are compressed between the tire and the wheel hub under normal tire air pressure, and a space serving to increase driving comfortability and keep the outer ring from contacting the inner surface of the tire tread is designed between the resilient outer ring and the inner surface of the tire tread. When the tire is exploding or the air pressure of the tire is lost, the resilient outer ring is capable of bouncing instantly to support the weight of the vehicle.
US08261785B2	Gripper for an automatic bag filling apparatus A gripper used in, for instance, a bag filling apparatus including a pair of gripper arms provided with chuck holders. Each chuck holder includes first and second tubular portions, first and second tubular members slidably inserted therein, and first and second air cylinders installed within the tubular portions. An inside fixed chuck element is affixed to the tip end of the first tubular member, and an inside movable chuck element is attached to the tip end of the piston rod of the first air cylinder; in addition, an outside fixed chuck element is affixed to the tip end of second tubular member, and an outside movable chuck element is attached to the tip end of the piston rod of the second air cylinder; and the movable chuck elements are opened and closed with respect to the fixed chuck elements by the advance and retreat motions of the respective piston rods.
US08261782B2	Liquid reclamation apparatus A liquid reclamation apparatus for use in changing automobile oil includes a container, a portable receptacle within the container and dimensioned to hold a volume of oil sufficient to perform an oil change and a cover releasably secured to the container.
US08261780B2	RFID controlled chemical porportioner and dispenser A chemical dispenser reads RFID tags on both chemical source and diluted chemical mixture containers. A dispensing button shifts and electric controller from low to high power state for such reading and initiation of dispensing when data read from such tags is determined compatible. A battery powers the controllers in both power states. A selector valve for selecting a chemical concentrate at one of several source stations also provides selected station information to the controller. A controller learn mode stores data from RFID tags on the concentrated chemical containers, with the controllers initiated in a high power state in response to entering the learn mode. An alternate embodiment substitutes an alternative receiving container such as a mop bucket, and a dispensing nozzle is provided with an RFID reader for reading an RFID tag on the alternative container. Methods are provided.
US08261778B2	Motor vehicle exhaust pipe A motor vehicle exhaust pipe includes: an outer metal tube; at least one inner tube made from an inorganic matrix composite material and disposed inside the outer metal tube, each inner tube being arranged longitudinally and having a pre-determined longitudinal length and a gap being provided between each inner tube and the outer tube; and elements for maintaining each inner tube in position in relation to the outer tube. The elements for maintaining each inner tube in position in relation to the outer tube include at least one retaining element disposed in the gap between the inner tube and the outer tube, each retaining element exerting a minimum pressure of between 10−4 MPa and 10−1 MPa on the inner tube. All of the elements used to maintain one inner tube in position have a cumulative longitudinal length equal to less than half of the longitudinal length of the inner tube.
US08261775B2	Layered scavenging carburetor A scavenging valve assembly is used in a carburetor. The valve assembly includes a throttle valve and a rotary air valve. The throttle valve opens and closes an air-fuel passage. The rotary air valve opens and closes an air passage and has one or more air bore(s). When the rotary air valve begins to rotate, airflow travels through the bore(s) and the size of an opening area that airflow travels through continuously increases in size.
US08261774B2	Inlet stratification device An inlet stratification device (5) for a circuit circulating a fluid through a tank (1) and for providing and maintaining stratification of the fluid in the tank (1). The stratification device (5) is arranged vertically in the tank (1) and comprises an inlet pipe (6) being at least partially formed of a flexible porous material and having an inlet (19) and outlets formed of the pores of the porous material. The stratification device (5) further comprises at least one outer pipe (7) surrounding the inlet pipe (6) in spaced relationship thereto and being at least partially formed of a porous material.
US08261770B2	Diaphragm valve controlled through electronic pressure detection and method A flush valve for a waste water system comprises a valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a main valve element adapted for movement to allow fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet based on a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The valve also includes a vent system comprising a control chamber in flow communication with the fluid inlet of the valve and a vent outlet in flow communication with the fluid outlet of the valve, and a solenoid for venting fluid venting fluid from the control chamber to the fluid outlet. A pressure sensor, such as an electronic pressure transducer, senses the fluid pressure of fluid within the vent system and regulates water flow through the valve based on the sensed fluid pressure so as to deliver a predetermined quantity of water through the valve.
US08261768B2	Device for preventing overfilling of containers, in particular containers intended to contain liquefied gases A device for preventing overfilling of containers, such as those intended to contain liquefied gases, includes a valve body in which a gas duct is defined and a closure. The closure is axially movable in the valve body away from and towards a valve seat in order to respectively open and shut off the gas duct. An actuator, capable of exerting a thrust, urges the closure away from the seat. The actuator includes a float, a cam mechanism and a lever mechanism. The cam mechanism exerts the thrust in an ascending phase of the float until a preimposed limit position corresponding to a maximum filling level is reached. The lever mechanism exerts the thrust in at least a first part of a descending phase of the float starting from the limit position.
US08261767B1	Powdered metal inlay Differential coefficients of thermal expansion facilitate close approximation during cooling of a sintered cemented carbide tubular inlay preform (e.g., a first tubular portion) which is vacuum brazed within a corresponding tubular metal hull (e.g., a second tubular portion). Such a tubular inlay preform comprises at least one metal carbide and at least one nonvolatile cement which have previously been compressed and sintered in a predetermined shape. The tubular inlay preform's modulus of elasticity and thermal conductivity substantially exceed the corresponding parameters of the tubular metal hull, whereas the hull's coefficient of thermal expansion exceeds that of the preform. Longitudinal movement of a tubular inlay preform within a tubular hull may be limited by structural features of the hull and/or preform. Additionally, circumferential compression of a tubular inlay preform due to hoop stress in a corresponding tubular metal hull increases as the hull cools after vacuum brazing.
US08261765B2	Valve assembly A diaphragm for use in a valve assembly, comprising at least one sealing portion and a fixation portion, characterized in that the fixation portion and the at least one sealing portion are connected by a flexible portion.
US08261758B2	Apparatus and method for cleaning and removing liquids from front and back sides of a rotating workpiece An apparatus for simultaneously rinsing and drying front and back surfaces of a workpiece comprises a chuck adapted to spin the workpiece, a plurality of posts coupled to the chuck and adapted to support the workpiece, and first and second mechanical arms. The first mechanical arm is adapted to be positioned between the chuck and the workpiece, and to sweep along at least part of the workpiece back surface. The first mechanical arm comprises at least a first rinsing liquid nozzle, and a first tensioactive vapor nozzle. The second mechanical arm is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the workpiece front surface, and to sweep along at least part of the workpiece front surface. The second mechanical arm comprises at least a second rinsing liquid nozzle, and a second tensioactive vapor nozzle.
US08261757B2	Device and method for wet treating disc-like substrates A device for wet treatment of wafers includes a first plate and a second plate substantially parallel to the first plate, and a wafer is held between the first and the second plate substantially parallel. A first dispenser introduces fluid into a first gap between the first plate and the wafer when being treated, and a second dispenser introduces fluid into a second gap between the second plate and the wafer when being treated. At least one vibrating element is acoustically coupled to at least the second plate, and a holder and the second plate are rotated relative to each other about an axis substantially perpendicular to the second plate.
US08261756B1	Apparatus and process for decontaminating oil boom A rapid and effective means for decontaminating fouled oil-control booms is provided. The process involves washing the boom with pressured washing fluid, reorienting the boom to facilitate full inspection, and drying the boom. This can be performed in an assembly-line manner, using one or more conveyors to transport the boom sequentially to a washing area, an inspection area, and a drying area. Consequently, contaminated oil-control booms can be cleaned and redeployed rapidly and inexpensively during an oil release accident.
US08261746B2	Reinforcing member for a patient interface A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion, and a reinforcing member. The cushion has a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use. The face-contacting portion includes a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall. The reinforcing member is provided to at least a portion of an interior and/or exterior surface of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member provides reinforcement to the side wall of the cushion to at least limit lateral expansion of the cushion in use. The reinforcing member may have a stiffness that is selectively varied along its length.
US08261743B2	Breathing apparatus for an aircrew member The invention relates to a breathing apparatus for providing a respiratory gas to a crewmember in a cabin of an aircraft, said breathable apparatus comprising an air inlet (5) for admission of ambient air in said breathing apparatus, an additional gas inlet (2) for admission of additional gas in said breathing apparatus, an outlet nozzle (4) for feeding said crew member with the respiratory gas comprising said ambient air and/or additional gas, said breathing apparatus further comprising neutralizing means (70, 141) for neutralizing at least partially the admission of said additional gas below a predefined cabin altitude (Z1).
US08261740B2	Fluid-product dispensing device An inhaler comprising: a body; at least one cover element that is movable between a closed position and an open position; individual reservoirs formed on a reservoir substrate; movable support means that receive said reservoir substrate and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; and an indicator device for indicating doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed, said indicator device comprising: a rotary indicator element that supports indicator means, such as numbers, colors, and/or symbols; and an actuator that co-operates with said movable support means so as to cause said rotary indicator element to turn when said movable support means return from the dispensing position to the non-dispensing position.
US08261739B2	Dry powder inhalers A dry powder inhaler has a main airflow path including a cyclone chamber (16) having an air inlet and being so shaped that at least a part of the chamber decreases in cross-sectional area in a direction away from the air inlet, so as thereby in use to set up a reverse flow cyclone in the chamber. A bypass airflow path (8) bypasses the cyclone chamber and the main and bypass airflow paths communicate with a mouthpiece (6). The cyclone chamber may be provided by a part (22) which is removable from the rest of the inhaler for regular replacement thereof.
US08261738B2	Apparatus and method for maintaining consistency for aerosol drug delivery treatments An aerosol drug delivery apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a reservoir constructed to contain a predetermined dose of a liquid drug, an aerosol generator in communication with the reservoir, and a power source arranged to deliver power to the aerosol generator in order to produce an aerosolized form of the dose that can be administered to a patient. The apparatus may maintain consistent aerosol drug delivery treatments, for example, by way of a breath measuring mechanism that monitors the patient's breathing pattern during the administration of the dose and a controller configured to vary the power level at which the power source during the administration of the dose based on the monitored breathing pattern.
US08261737B2	Inhaler for powdery substances An inhaler for powdery substances, in particular medical substances, has a substance storage chamber and a dosing chamber, which receives a defined amount of the substance, is formed as a cross-hole of a rod and can be displaced from a filling position into an emptying position, in which emptying position the dosing chamber is located in an air flow channel. The rod has a number of dosing chambers located one after the other on the rod, which preferably move into the emptying position one after the other during a discharge actuation and can be blown out one by one as intermingling small portions (instead of one large one) by positive air pressure in the air flow channel.
US08261736B1	Fireplace cover A fireplace cover comprising a generally flat and flexible panel; a first slot disposed in the panel along the first side edge, wherein the first slot is adapted for receiving a removable first magnetic bar; a second slot disposed in the panel along the second side edge, wherein the second slot is adapted for receiving a removable second magnetic bar; a third slot disposed in the panel along the top edge, wherein the third slot is adapted for receiving a third magnetic bar; and a fourth slot disposed in the panel along the bottom edge, wherein the fourth slot is adapted for receiving a fourth magnetic bar.
US08261733B2	Modulating gas furnace A method controls a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace, learning an intermediate value associated with an intermediate capacity between a minimum output capacity of the gas furnace and a maximum output capacity of the gas furnace, learning one of a high value associated with the maximum output capacity and a low value associated with a minimum output capacity, establishing an estimated operating curve using either the intermediate value and the low value or using the intermediate value and the high value, and operating the gas furnace in accordance with the estimated operating curve.
US08261728B1	Firing mechanism for a paint ball gun A firing mechanism for a paint ball gun is provided so that wherein in response to turning off a switch and pressing a trigger an inner sliding assembly moves rearward to move a first piston, a second piston, and a plunger rearward until being stopped and disable both a safety and an arc member, and a blocked flow path is open to supply compressed gas from a pressure vessel to a passage member for pushing a topmost pellet through a barrel.
US08261727B2	Individual cylinder fuel control systems and methods for oxygen sensor degradation A system includes an offset determination module and a correction determination module. The offset determination module determines an offset value based on an average response time of an exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor located upstream of a catalyst in an exhaust system. The offset value relates one of a predetermined number of cylinder imbalance values to a cylinder of an engine. The correction determination module determines a fueling correction for the cylinder based on the offset value and one of the predetermined number of cylinder imbalance values.
US08261726B2	High shear process for air/fuel mixing Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process to produce aerated fuels for efficient combustion in an engine. In instances, the method comprises forming an emulsion of a gas and liquid fuel in a high shear device prior to introduction to an engine. A vehicular system for producing aerated fuels comprising a high shear device.
US08261725B2	Low pressure EGR apparatus A converting mechanism is provided between an EGR control valve driven by an actuator and an intake-air valve for generating negative pressure, so that the intake-air valve is also driven by the actuator. The converting mechanism has a cam plate rotated together with the EGR control valve and an arm rotated together with the intake-air valve. A cam groove formed in the cam plate is engaged with a driving pin of the arm. The intake-air valve is held at its maximum valve opening position, when the EGR control valve is rotated in a first angular range, while the intake-air valve is rotated from the valve opening position to a maximum valve closing position when the EGR control valve is rotated in a second angular range.
US08261722B2	Delivery unit A delivery unit for delivering fuel from a fuel reservoir to an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The delivery unit includes a fuel pump arranged in a swirl pot, a fuel filter arranged downstream of the fuel pump, and a valve arranged in the swirl pot. The valve is arranged downstream of the fuel filter and in a zone of the swirl pot that is continuously filled with fuel.
US08261721B2	Abnormality diagnosing system for internal combustion engine An abnormality diagnosing system for an internal combustion engine including a first fuel injection valve that injects fuel into a cylinder, and a second fuel injection valve that injects fuel into an intake passage is provided which has a control device controls an injection pattern of the first fuel injection valve and the second fuel injection valve. The control device stores engine operating conditions when an abnormality occurs in the engine, and make a return-to-normal determination as to whether the engine returns to a normal operating state when similar operation conditions that are the same as or within predetermined ranges of the stored operating conditions are established. The injection pattern is selected from patterns in which the fuel is injected solely from the first fuel injection valve, solely from the second fuel injection valve, and from both of the first and second fuel injection valves. The control device stores the injection pattern when the abnormality occurs, and makes a return-to-normal determination on condition that the engine is operating in an injection pattern that is the same as the stored injection pattern.
US08261720B2	Piezoelectric actuator with a sheathing composed of a composite material A piezoelectric actuator for flowing-around media, with a piezo element arranged between two end caps. The piezo element is surrounded by a ring-shaped sheathing connected to the end caps. The sheathing consists, at least in portions, of a composite material with at least two layers, at least one layer consisting of a metallic material and at least one layer consisting of a polymer.
US08261716B2	Device for generating a vacuum in a motor vehicle A device is provided for producing and/or augmenting a partial vacuum in a motor vehicle, in particular for operating a partial vacuum brake servo-unit. The device includes, but is not limited to a throttle unit, which has at least one throttle valve housing and a throttle valve which is arranged so as to be rotatable in an angle range in a throttle channel in the throttle valve housing for controlling a fluid flow in the throttle channel. The device also includes, but is not limited to means for producing and/or augmenting partial vacuum, the means being configured as partial vacuum augmentation means integrated into the throttle valve housing, which partial vacuum augmentation means act according to Bernoulli's principle in the manner of a sucking jet pump to produce an augmented partial vacuum for at least one brake servo-unit. The means are configured as at least one control bore extending through the throttle valve housing, wherein the control bore opens in the throttle channel in an opening to produce a partial vacuum in the control bore and the control bore is set in the drag direction at a setting angle α>0° measured with respect to the cross-sectional plane of the throttle channel.
US08261715B2	Combination piston and variable blade turbine internal combustion engine Internal combustion engine has intake with compression in piston/cylinders and combustion and exhaust in a turbine. Turbine assembly includes a rotor connected to an output shaft and has variable blades pivotally mounted to rotor. The output shaft is connected to a crankshaft that is connects to the pistons to synchronizes intake and compression with combustion and exhaust. While the rotor spins centrifugal force causes the blades to swivel outwardly. The blades swivel inboard of the rotor as the space between them and the turbine housing cam contour gradually decreases. After partial compression, air enters the turbine assembly's combustion and exhaust chamber. Once full compression is attained, combustion takes place initiating a power cycle causing the turbine to rotate. When the power cycle is completed, the inner cam contour forces the blades inboard and exhaust is cleared by the subsequent variable blade, facilitating the next combustion and exhaust cycle.
US08261714B2	RF monoblock filter with outwardly extending wall to define a cavity surrounding a top surface of the filter An electrical signal filter defined by a block of dielectric material with a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, and through-holes extending between the top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, a plurality of walls extend outwardly from the top surface to define a peripheral rim and filter cavity. A pattern of metallized and unmetallized areas is defined on selected surfaces of the block including an area of metallization that covers at least a portion of the top surface and at least one of the walls to define at least one input/output electrode on the wall. In one embodiment, a pair of input/output electrodes are formed on a pair of posts defined on one of the walls and the filter is adapted for mounting to a printed circuit board with the rim of the walls against the board and the posts coupled to respective input and output pads on the board.
US08261700B2	Steam superheater Process for the production of ammonia from a hydrocarbon feedstock all steam produced in the waste heat boilers of the reforming and ammonia section of the plant is superheated in one or more steam superheaters located downstream the ammonia converter in the ammonia section of the plant. There is no need for steam superheater (s) in the reforming section of the plant to cool the synthesis gas. A steam superheater for use in the process is also provided. The superheater comprises two compartments in which the first and second compartments are connected in series with respect to the steam flow and in parallel with respect to the process gas flow.
US08261696B1	Animal water toy and fountain An animal water toy that includes one or more playthings carried by flowing water that entices an animal, such as a cat, into interaction therewith. Playthings can be received in a container having water drinkable by the animal that is propelled by a pump into flowing and carrying the playthings. A portion can be upraised above the water providing an animal perch and/or flow director imparting flow deviations causing unpredictable plaything movement helping enhance animal interaction. A conveyance device can be provided conveying playthings relative to the flow. A pet watering device, e.g., fountain, can include an animal toy constructed in accordance with the present invention and a conveyance device lifting playthings from one level of the watering device to another. In one embodiment, playthings are animal attractant objects that can be buoyant and configured to attract an animal, such as by its color, graphics, indicia, and/or shape.
US08261695B2	Birdbath with integrated automated maintenance A method for automatically maintaining a birdbath, a kit for automating maintenance of a birdbath, and a birdbath with integrated automated maintenance are provided. Maintenance of a birdbath includes placing a barrier in a birdbath bowl. Further, maintenance comprises performing a cleaning phase that streams water from a nozzle located remotely from the barrier such that water is sprayed into the bowl with sufficient force to cause water to swirl around the barrier, which cleans the bowl and discharges debris and contaminated water in the bowl when such debris and contaminated water crosses in line with the water stream. Still further, the maintenance comprises performing a filling phase after the cleaning phase, which streams water through the nozzle such that water is sprayed from the nozzle to fill the birdbath bowl with water.
US08261694B2	Cattle management method and system An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time. At the slaughter facility, the animal's identification is used to correlate the live animal physical characteristics and performance data to the carcass characteristics data and build a-database to more accurately identify and measure value-based characteristics in subsequent animals for more effective selection and management.
US08261691B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus includes a vacuum evacuable processing chamber; a first electrode for mounting thereon a substrate to be processed in the processing chamber; a second electrode facing the first electrode in parallel in the processing chamber; and a processing gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas to a processing space between the first and the second electrode. The apparatus further includes a first high frequency power supply for applying a first high frequency power for generating a plasma of the processing gas to at least one of the first and the second electrode; and a cavity plasma generation unit, having a cavity formed in one of the first and the second electrode, for generating a plasma of a discharging gas in the cavity.
US08261685B2	Horn guard device for motorcycle A horn guard device for a motorcycle having an aesthetic appearance improved and being capable of meeting legally-specified values for a horn sound pressure in different countries. A spiral-type horn is attached onto a down tube with its sound-pressure outlet facing the road surface. The horn is placed downward of an engine. A water-exposure guard is provided facing a front portion of the sound-pressure outlet. The water-exposure guard faces the sound-pressure outlet with a predetermined angle therebetween. The water-exposure guard can be integrally formed on a lower portion of a bracket attached to bosses extending to the side from the down tube.
US08261682B1	Auto tab control system A boat trim tab system having an automatic controller for positioning trim tabs to perform user selected preset functions or maintain previously used positions in response to real time operating conditions. The system is intended to be a stand alone system that is installed on a boat using a master control module to operate the trim tabs and a manual keypad to provide a user interface to the master control module. The system gathers real time data from a variety of onboard sources and uses the data to determine the optimal position of the trim tabs to enhance boat performance.
US08261681B2	Ship There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).
US08261677B2	Gasification boiler for solid fuels, in particular for bales of straw, with optimised exhaust gas values The invention relates to a gasification boiler for the combustion of solid fuels, in particular bales of straw, for heating purposes and for the production of hot water. The inventive boiler is characterized by optimal combustion and ash separation. The aim of the invention is to carry out the combustion of small particles in the most complete manner possible and to achieve an almost total separation of the ashes from the combustion gas upstream of the heat exchangers. To achieve this, according to the first feature of claim 1, the combustion and gasification chamber comprises lateral depressions that are configured next to the central grating and combustion chamber. Coarse particles collect in said depressions, leaving the fine particles to be carried with the combustion gas into the combustion chamber. According to the second feature of said claim, a cylindrical combustion chamber, configured as an additional component, is connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber. Said secondary combustion chamber significantly increases the combustion time, allowing small particles and partially oxidized gases to burn completely. According to the third feature, a cylindrical ash separator, configured as an additional component, is connected to the combustion chamber.
US08261676B2	Table A table may include a table top and one or more leg assemblies. The table top may include a downwardly extending lip. The table may also include a frame, and the lip may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive a portion of the frame. The receiving portions may also be sized and configured to receive a portion of a leg assembly. The table top may be constructed from molded plastic, such as blow-molded plastic, and the receiving portions may be integrally formed in the table top during the molding process.
US08261668B2	Propulsion vehicle which travels along a soft, porous track A vehicle track including a soft porous material and a vehicle which rides on the track by skiing cm the soft porous material. The vehicle has a large ski surface that rides on the soft porous material, supporting the weight of the vehicle at high speeds. Air within the soft porous material supplies most of the lift needed to support the train, Only a small amount of the support is provided by the structure of the porous material itself when the vehicle is in motion. As a result, the friction between the soft porous material and the ski surface may also be exceedingly small. To increase the amount of lift provided by the soft porous material it can be contained within a channel having impermeable sides and bottom. If the ski surface is substantially the same width as the channel, the impermeable sides prevent the air from escaping on either side of die ski surface. Accordingly, the trapped air contributes to greatly enhanced lift force. At lower speeds the vehicle can use wheels to support some or all of its weight. These wheels can ride on rails that are part of the track. The vehicle includes a propulsion system that is independent of the wheels so that it may travel over the soft porous material without running on the wheels.
US08261667B2	Lead attached sabot slug Disclosed is sabot and a firearm round for a firearm. The sabot includes a compression section defining a payload receiving chamber. The payload chamber receives a slug to form the firearm round. Additionally, the sabot includes a solid section connected to the compression section. The solid section can include a powder cup section for sealing ignition gasses. Typically, the sabot is formed from a high density polyethylene.
US08261666B2	Charging holder for a non-lethal projectile A non-lethal projectile, and a storage and charging mechanism therefor are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An ammunition cartridge includes a propulsion mechanism and a non-lethal projectile. The non-lethal projectile is configured to detach from a launching device when propelled from the launching device, and includes a set of electrodes electrically coupled to an electrical power source. The electrical power source may be a capacitor, a battery, or a combination thereof, and may be rechargeable. The ammunition cartridge may be shaped and sized for firing from a weapon designed to fire a comparably shaped and sized conventional ammunition. A holder for holding and charging a non-lethal projectile in an ammunition cartridge includes a set of conductors to provide a charging current to the electrical power source in the non-lethal projectile. A charging base may receive the holder and provide electrical power to the set of conductors.
US08261665B1	Fluid-marker delivery systems A system relating to non-lethal gas-pressurized hand grenades used in the game of paintball, or other recreational war games. The system provides for an air-pressurized paintball grenade that is thrown or otherwise ballistic delivered to the target. The paintball grenade does not trigger until delivered to the target. It is constructed to be easily refilled and pressurized for repeated, safe, and environmentally friendly use. The paintball grenade comprises stabilizing fins, an integral hand-pump for pressurization, a trigger blocker, and attaching apparatus for carrying.
US08261659B2	Peeling cup for fruit juice extraction device A fruit juice extraction peeler cup and intermeshable pair thereof (100, 150) having a geometry allowing faster juicing rates with fewer misfeeds of fruit. Distal ends (158) of the blades (106) collectively define a shape, referred to as a Mendesaddle shape (160), including lateral arcs (112) connecting a top opening (114) for entry of a whole fruit (10) and a bottom opening (116) that is smaller than the top opening for exit of a fruit core (12). An interior contour of the cup includes a more distal loading region (332) and a more rearward linear compression region (334) providing effective juice extraction. The top and bottom openings may be formed entirely in the loading region. An exterior contour of the cup includes a horizontal portion (144) proximate the top opening effective to reduce an upward trajectory of the fruit as it approaches the opening.
US08261658B1	Portable outdoor cleaner and steamer A portable outdoor cleaner and cooker for steaming foodstuffs such as shellfish includes an elongated housing having an internal conveyor that routes the foodstuffs past a water dispersing station for cleaning and subsequently through a steaming section for cooking.
US08261655B2	Locking piston assembly A locking piston assembly (100) is provided according to the invention. The locking piston assembly (100) includes a piston chamber (107), a piston rod (106) configured to be substantially extended from and substantially retracted into the piston chamber (107), and a piston head (108) coupled to the piston rod (106) and configured to move reciprocally in the piston chamber (107). The locking piston assembly (100) further includes at least one lock (120) configured to mechanically lock the piston head (108) and the piston rod (106) in at least a substantially fully extended position. The lock (120) is configured to unlock the piston head (108) and the piston rod (106) in a presence of a pressurized fluid provided to retract the piston rod ( 106). The pressurized fluid is introduced into the piston chamber (107) and the piston rod (106) is retracted only after the lock (120) is unlocked.
US08261652B2	Ambidextrous bolt stop An ambidextrous bolt stop for use with a firearm generally includes a first bolt stop element having a bolt stop finger and a first release lever operatively connected to a left side of a receiver of the firearm and a second bolt stop element having a second release lever operatively connected to a right side of the firearm. The second bolt stop element engages the first bolt stop element via a yoke and pin type configuration interior to the receiver of the firearm. The first and second release levers include first and second buttons located exterior to the receiver on respective sides thereof to actuate the bolt stop.
US08261650B2	Cocking device for a bolt mechanism The invention concerns a cocking device for a bolt mechanism with a cocking slider (13, 14), which can be displaced, on a breech housing (2), between a rear uncocking position and a front cocking position, for the cocking and uncocking of a striker spring and a catch (21), located on the cocking slider (13, 14), which works together with a mating catch (23) to hold the cocking slider (13, 14) in the front cocking position. In order to attain an improved safety with respect to an unintended release of a shot, an uncocking mechanism (25, 29) for the automatic uncocking of the striker spring (48), when the magazine (5) has been removed, is correlated with the cocking slider (13, 14).
US08261649B2	Charging handle for automatic rife The present invention is a charging handle for an automatic, bolt actuated rifle. The handle features a ratcheting retraction assist and blowback diversion structures.
US08261646B2	Clamping device for transversal cutting machines of logs of paper Transversal cutting machine comprises feeding means (20) that supply a log of paper (15), for example hygienic paper, to a sawing station at which rolls or stacks (16) are cut off from the log (15) by a blade (25). During the cutting step the log (15) is held by a clamping device (1), divided in two parts (2, 3) arranged respectively upstream from and downstream of a slit (17) through which the blade (25) passes. In particular, the first part (2) and the second part (3) of clamping device (1) are movable relatively so that during the cut the log (15) is locally subject to traction at the same time of the blade (25) driven in the log. This way, during the cutting action of the blade (25) an opening (17) is created on the log (15) having a size at least the same as the thickness of blade (25) same. This makes easier the action of blade (25) since it reduces the friction produced between the blade (25) and the log (15). Moreover, the clamping device reduces the friction between the blade and the log thus reducing the wear caused by the cutting step.
US08261645B2	Log rest A new log support and clamp system (log rest) for a portable sawmill, having a log rest and a log dog. The log rest features a ratcheting, quick-adjustable, self-locking clamp which improves the ability of the user to affix the log in place for sawing. Also, a portable sawmill having such a log rest.
US08261641B2	Screw and driver bit Provided are a screw (11) which can significantly reduce the cam-out if a dedicated driver bit is (14) used, and which also allows the use of a driver (6) bit for a standard cross recess and can reduce the cam-out to some extent, and a dedicated driver bit (14) for such a screw (11).Of a recess (13), a central portion (17) and proximal end side portions (18a) of blade engaging portions (18) are configured in the same manner as in a standard cross recess. The tightening side sidewall (20) or the loosening side sidewall (21) in the distal end side portions (18b) of blade engaging portions (18) are bent at an oblique angle. A dedicated driver bit has a corresponding cross-sectional configuration to that of the recess (13). Because the dedicated driver bit is hard to tilt relative to the screw (11) and the engagement between the blades (19) of the driver bit (14) and the blade engaging portions (18) is improved, the cam-out becomes hard to occur. A standard driver bit can also be used, because the central portion (17) and the proximal end side portions (18a) of four blade engaging portions (18) are similar to those of a standard cross recess.
US08261639B2	Screwdriver A screwdriver comprises a shaft, and a handle core, a handle body and an outer layer formed on the shaft by injection molding. The multilayer structure of the screwdriver prevents the impact force from being transmitted to the user's hand and causing discomfort, and can relieve the discomfort caused by the impact force applied to the screwdriver while reducing the impact force loss during impact operation.
US08261636B2	Quick-turn wrench A quick-turn wrench includes a driving head with an axle hole. One side of the axle hole has a claw. A ratchet ring is accommodated in the axle hole. One end of the ratchet ring extends outside the axle hole and connects to a wrench handle. The ratchet ring is surrounded by a ratchet part that correspondingly engages the claw. A transmission rod is inserted into the ratchet ring, with one end having a transmission part. A bottom plate is disposed at the bottom of the axle hole. The end surface of the bottom plate facing the axle hole has a sliding groove. A pushing element is disposed in the sliding groove corresponding to the claw. The transmission part of the transmission rod connects to the pushing element. As the transmission rod rotates, the pushing element is driven to push the claw to release the fixing state between the claw and the ratchet ring.
US08261634B2	Large strike face hammer A hammer includes a handle and a head. The handle has a bottom end and an upper portion. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle and has a striking surface at one end thereof. The head includes a bell and a chamfer disposed along edges of the strike surface. The bell tapers so as to be reducing in diameter as it extends away from the chamfer.
US08261632B2	Methods of forming earth-boring drill bits Methods of forming bit bodies for earth-boring bits include assembling and sintering infiltrated green components, infiltrated brown components, or infiltrated fully sintered components. Other methods include isostatically pressing a powder to form a green body substantially composed of a particle-matrix composite material, and sintering or hot isostatic pressing the green body or brown body to provide a bit body having a desired final density. Methods of forming earth-boring bits include providing a bit body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material and attaching a shank to the body. The body is provided by pressing a powder to form a green body and sintering the green body.
US08261627B2	Rolling body screw device There is provided a new rolling body screw device manufactured with cheap cost without degrading quality in comparison with a conventional device even for a device having any large dimension in an end-cap type rolling body screw device. The rolling body screw device includes the direction changing passages 42 each including: a scoop-up portion 43 scooping a ball rolling in a loaded rolling body passage as a loaded area of the endless track so as to hand over the balls to the direction changing passage 42 as a non-loaded area of the endless track; and a route path 44 forming a circulation path of the ball scooped by the scoop-up portion. Each of the return pieces is composed, in combination, of a metal part 41a formed of a metal material including the scoop-up portion 43, and non-metal parts 41b, 41c formed of a non-metal material including the route path 44.
US08261621B2	Measurement of forces on packaged objects Force sensors may be useful for the measurement of forces on objects or packaging material in shipping articles during a packaging process. In some embodiments, a part of those force sensors may be similar or complementary to those objects or packaging material. Force data may be collected during packaging processes and may be used to determine conditions useful for improving those packaging processes.
US08261619B2	Time to digital converting circuit and pressure sensing device using the same A time-to-digital converting circuit and a pressure sensing device using the same are provided. The circuit includes: a delay time-varying unit generating a reference signal having a fixed delay time, and a sensing signal having a variable delay time in response to an impedance of an externally applied signal; and a delay time calculation and data generation unit calculating a delay time difference between the reference signal and the sensing signal, and generating digital data having a value corresponding to the calculated delay time difference. Accordingly, the digital data are generated using the delay time varied in response to the externally applied signal, so that the size of the time-to-digital circuit is significantly reduced. In addition, an affect due to external noises is minimized.
US08261616B2	Method for testing rotors A method for testing rotors is disclosed, wherein a rotor to be tested is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to an activating motor and is set in rotation. Vibrations of the rotor to be tested are measured, wherein the activating motor is operated such that torsional excitations are generated in the rotor.
US08261614B2	Rotational speed sensor having a coupling bar A rotational speed sensor including at least one substrate, at least two base elements which each have a frame, a means for suspending the frame from the substrate, at least one seismic mass and one means for suspending the seismic mass from the frame. One or more drive means are provided for driving one or more base elements and one or more reading devices. The at least two base elements are coupled to one another by means of at least one coupling bar.
US08261612B2	Accumulator with both direct and remote quantity level indication An apparatus for determining the fluid level of a container, such as an accumulator, may include both a remote quantity indicator and a direct quantity indicator. The remote quantity indicator may include a remote dial at the end of a flexible cable or an electrical signal receiver receiving an electrical signal from a rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT), such as a potentiometer. The RVDT type of indicator may include an electrical connector on the accumulator to attach an electrical cable to carry the quantity level signal. The direct quantity indicator may include a dial directly mounted on the accumulator. The remote/direct quantity indicators may include, for example, one of the following three combinations: 1) a dial directly on the accumulator and a remote dial at the end of a flexible cable; 2) an RVDT output and a dial directly on the accumulator; and 3) an RVDT output on an accumulator, a remote dial at the end of a flexible cable and a dial directly on the accumulator.
US08261611B2	Method for analyzing gait pattern A method for analyzing a gait pattern includes: measuring, by a plurality of force sensing resistor (FSR) sensors, foot pressure values, and outputting the measured foot pressure values, respectively; searching for a maximum pressure local area in which the sum of the output values from the FSR sensors included in each of a plurality of pressure local areas is maximized; calculating a center of pressure (COP) with respect to the detected maximum pressure local area; and analyzing a gait pattern by adding the calculated COP to the trajectory of COPs.
US08261609B2	Aerodynamic measurement probe and helicopter equipped with the probe The invention relates to a probe for aerodynamic measurement of an airflow. The probe comprises a plate rotating about an axis, a transmitter for transmitting a sound wave and a receiver responsive to the sound wave, the transmitter and the receiver forming two elements which are integrally connected to the plate and are placed at separate positions on the plate, the probe furthermore comprising means for delivering information representing a time of flight of the sound wave between the two elements and a temporal variation of the information. In the case of using the probe on board a helicopter, the rotating plate is advantageously placed at the centre of the rotor of the helicopter while being integrally connected to it. This type of probe makes it possible to carry out aerodynamic measurements even at low airspeeds of the helicopter.
US08261608B2	Solar protection installation equipped with a wind sensor The invention relates to a solar protection installation (1) comprising at least one mobile window blind (2), at least one drive means (3), at least one control unit (4), and at least one wind sensor (5). The wind sensor (5) is used to detect overload caused by the wind on the window blind, by the detection of variations in tension and/or pressure leading to deformations of the window blind. The wind sensor is provided on and/or in the window blind (2).
US08261603B2	Misfire detection apparatus for internal combustion engine Structured with a rotational fluctuation measuring section 51 measuring a rotational fluctuation amount DTdi, a misfire judging section 55 judging a misfire by comparing the rotational fluctuation amount with a judging threshold value, a low load judging section 56 judging an internal combustion engine operating under a low load condition, and an ignition angle judging section 57 judging an ignition angle exceeding an ignition delay angle, wherein the misfire judging section 55 has a map M1 with judging threshold values th1 with respect to rotational speeds ne of the engine and a map M2 with judging threshold values th2 with rotational fluctuation amounts larger than the map M1, and judges the misfire based on the maps M1 and M2 when the engine is operating under the low load condition with the ignition angle exceeding the ignition delay angle and, in other cases, based only on the map M1.
US08261593B1	Leak detector for heat exchanger A heat exchanger leak detector employs a bubble detector to detect gas pressure build up in a heat exchanger second side from leakage of pressurized gas introduced in a heat exchanger first side.
US08261588B2	Cylinder lock and key combination Cylinder lock and key with a rotatable plug in a cylindrical housing has radial slots each with two tumblers spring biased in the same direction and provided with side extensions for engaging a supporting spring. The side extensions are oriented opposite each other, and in certain slots the tumblers are spring biased in one direction and in other slots the tumblers are spring biased in another direction. The tumblers have cord projections protruding into a key channel and engaging control paths. The tumblers in series in odd slots are spring biased in one direction and tumblers in even slots are spring biased in the opposite direction, whereby their cord projections protrude in a direction orthogonal to sliding motion of the tumblers so that the cord projections are in each slot, substantially against each other and their lateral control edges adjacent the side projections cooperate with the control paths formed on the adjacent side walls of the control grooves in the key.
US08261587B2	Cylinder protective system A substantially burglary-proof lock, comprises a housing formed with a cylindrical bore defining an inner cylindrical surface, and a cylinder within said bore carrying locking elements movable to locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, said cylinder having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of said bore so as to be rotatable when the locking elements are in unlocking position with respect to said housing, said cylinder being formed with a keyway for receiving a proper key in order to move said locking elements to their locking and unlocking positions with respect to said housing, characterized in that said cylinder carries at least one insert of a hard material configured, dimensioned and located such as to prevent pull-out of the cylinder from the housing by a pull-out force applied to the cylinder, and/or by drilling through the locking elements.
US08261585B2	Quick release mechanism with integrated/attached multi-tool A quick release mechanism including a shaft having a first end cap and a second end cap is provided. The second end cap is attached to, or associated with, a lever designed and configured for actuating the quick release mechanism between closed and open positions and for use as a bicycle repair tool.
US08261584B2	Reversible mortise lock The reversible mortise lock of the present invention can be installed on either the left or right side edges of a door opposite the door hinges. The lock includes a housing with a live bolt pivotally and slidably mounted in the housing. The live bolt slides between an extended position beyond the housing and a fully retracted position within the housing. When fully retracted, the live bolt can be rotated 180° so that the beveled face of the live bolt can be reversed. A finger pivotally mounted within the housing blocks full retraction of the live bolt when the mortise lock is installed in the door.
US08261582B2	Front-loading laundry appliance such as a washing machine, a laundry dryer or a washer-dryer machine A front-loading laundry appliance includes a housing having a substantially circular housing opening closable by a door and a drum rotatably mounted in the housing. The front end of the drum has a substantially circular drum opening for introducing or removing laundry. The drum has an at least approximately horizontal axis of rotation lying lower than a central axis of the housing opening. The housing opening has a first diameter and the drum opening has a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter.
US08261581B2	Dispenser of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dishwasher A device for dispensing washing agents has a body defined in which is a reservoir for a liquid substance that can be dispensed. The reservoir has a charging passage that can be engaged by a plug. Operatively set between the body of the dispenser and the plug is an articulated connection, provided for keeping the plug mechanically connected to the dispenser even following upon removal of the plug from the charging passage. Preferably the articulated connection is of a “hide-away” type and comprises a movable member to which the plug is constrained so as to present a number of degrees of freedom.
US08261576B1	Earring with forward protruding post An earring assembly that displays the post of the earring through the body of the earring. The earring has an ornamental body with a face surface and an opposite rear surface. An opening is formed through the ornamental body. A contoured post is provided. The first end of the contoured post is coupled to the ornamental body at a hinged connection. The contoured post has a first section that extends away from the hinged connection and behind the rear surface. The contoured post also has a second section that extends from the first section to its second end. The second section extends through the inner opening of the ornamental body and positions the second end of the contoured post in front of the face surface of the ornamental body.
US08261574B2	Air conditioning system and accumulator thereof An air conditioning system having an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger between which a refrigerant circulates to effect a heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air at the outdoor heat-exchanger and to effect another heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air at the indoor heat exchanger, the air conditioning system which includes a compressor sucking the refrigerant to compress and discharging the resulting refrigerant, a liquid pump sucking the refrigerant to discharge, an expansion valve expanding the refrigerant, and an accumulator serving for gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant and accumulating the refrigerant in liquid phase, wherein when the compressor is brought into operation for indoor air cooling, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger, and the accumulator are connected in such an order to circulate the refrigerant therethrough, wherein suction lines of the respective compressor and liquid pump are in parallel to suck the refrigerant from the accumulator, and wherein when the compressor and the liquid pump are concurrently operated for indoor air cooling, a discharge line of the liquid pump is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger for discharging the refrigerant therefrom.
US08261569B2	Air conditioning system An air conditioner includes: a compressor configured to compress refrigerant; an indoor heat exchanger configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; an outdoor heat exchanger configured to evaporate the refrigerant condensed by indoor heat exchanger; a heater configured to transfer heat to the refrigerant condensed by the indoor heat exchanger; a first pipe configured to flow fluid towards the heater; a second pipe configured to flow fluid away from the heater; and a bypass pipe configured to flow fluid between the first pipe and the second pipe.
US08261568B2	Condensing gas package unit with a tubular conduit for passing a condensate drain line Air conditioning units packaged with condensing gas heat exchangers include a drain line connected to a collector attached to the heat exchanger. In different embodiments, the drain line, or a conduit for the drain line, may extend to the return duct opening for routing of the drain line through the return duct for disposal of the condensate, for instance, within the building, or the drain line may extend through a hole in the floor of the unit. The conduit may protect the drain line from direct heat from the heat exchanger, from freezing where the drain line passes through an outdoor section, or both. In some embodiments, air may be circulated through the conduit to prevent freezing. The conduit may guide the drain line through the unit, roof curb assembly, or roof, or the drain line may be routed through the unit by the manufacturer to the return duct opening.
US08261563B2	External refrigerator condensing unit An apparatus provides a high efficiency for refrigerator operation. The inclusion of a separate external evaporator and condenser that draws heat away from the common refrigerator condenser allows an increase in the intensity of the cooling process of the cooling agent, thereby diminishing electrical consumption, and decreasing the size and noise of the condenser. This is achieved by structuring the refrigerator condenser with the one tube for the cooling agent of the common refrigerator and another volume for evaporating the cooling substance of the external evaporator and condenser. Moreover, external system of natural cooling has a condenser that is located in the open air and connected to the evaporator with the help of vapor lines and condensed vapor lines.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10