最新美国发明专利第2013-01-08期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08349606B2	Lentiviral vectors for the preparation of immunotherapeutical compositions The invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a recombinant vector characterized in that it comprises a polynucleotide comprising the cis-acting central initiation region (cPPT) and the cis-acting termination region (CTS), these regions being of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, said vector comprising in addition a defined nucleotide sequence (transgene or sequence of interest) and regulatory signals of retrotranscription, expression and encapsidation of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, wherein the composition is capable of inducing or of stimulating a cell-mediated response for instance a CTL (Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes) response or a CD4 response, against one or several epitopes encoded by the transgene sequence present in the vector.
US08349600B2	Polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity Polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity are provided. Methods of stabilizing a nucleic acid duplex are provided. Methods of promoting the annealing of complementary nucleic acid strands are provided. Methods of increasing the processivity of a DNA polymerase are provided. Methods of enhancing the activity of a nucleic acid modification enzyme are provided. Fusion proteins are provided. Methods of using fusion proteins are provided. Kits are provided.
US08349596B2	Method for the enzymatic production of 2-hydroxy-2-methyl carboxylic acids Provided is a composition containing: an isolated and purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and/or a heterodimeric enzyme containing: the isolated and purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and an isolated and purified polypeptide containing the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided is a process for producing a 2-hydroxy-2-methyl carboxylic acid or a salt or ester thereof, wherein the process involves: contacting a 3-hydroxy carboxylic acid or a salt or ester thereof with the above-mentioned composition to produce the 2-hydroxy-2-methyl carboxylic acid or the salt or ester thereof.
US08349595B2	Method for increasing the content of docosahexaenoic acid in fat-containing materials or in fats and oils [PROBLEMS] To provide a fat-and-oil in which the content of docosahexaenoic acid is increased.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A process for producing highly unsaturated fatty acids comprising culturing a stramenopile capable of producing highly unsaturated fatty acids in a culture medium containing an inhibitor for fatty acid desaturases; fats-and-oils in which the content of highly unsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid produced by the relevant method, is increased. A method for enhancing the productivity of highly unsaturated fatty acids in stramenopiles, comprising culturing a stramenopile in a culture medium containing an inhibitor for fatty acid desaturases; stramenopiles having the enhanced productivity of highly unsaturated fatty acids, generated by the relevant method. Particularly, the process for producing highly unsaturated fatty acids, the method for enhancing the productivity of highly unsaturated fatty acids, and the stramenopile having the enhanced productivity of highly unsaturated fatty acids, wherein the stramenopile is a microorganism classified into Labyrinthulea.
US08349592B2	Producing fermentation products in the presence of aldehyde dehydrogenase The invention relates to a process of fermenting plant material in a fermentation medium into a fermentation product using a fermenting organism, wherein one or more aldehyde dehydrogenases are present in the fermentation medium.
US08349587B2	Methods and systems for chemoautotrophic production of organic compounds The present disclosure identifies pathways, mechanisms, systems and methods to confer chemoautotrophic production of carbon-based products of interest, such as sugars, alcohols, chemicals, amino acids, polymers, fatty acids and their derivatives, hydrocarbons, isoprenoids, and intermediates thereof, in organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert inorganic carbon to organic carbon-based products of interest using inorganic energy, such as formate, and in particular the use of organisms for the commercial production of various carbon-based products of interest.
US08349586B1	Commensal strain of E. coli encoding an HIV GP41 protein The present invention relates, e.g., to a commensal bacterium which can colonize the genitourinary and/or gastrointestinal mucosa, and which, under suitable conditions, secretes a heterologous antimicrobial polypeptide, wherein the secreted antimicrobial polypeptide is effective to inhibit infectivity by, or a pathogenic activity of, a pathogen. In a most preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial polypeptide inhibits HIV infection (e.g., fusion) and/or pathogenesis. Also described are preventive or therapeutic compositions comprising the commensal bacteria, and methods to inhibit infectivity and/or pathogenesis, using the bacteria.
US08349583B2	Distinguishing cells in a sample by inactivating extracellular enzyme before releasing intracellular enzyme A method for detecting the absence or presence of cells of interest in a liquid sample is provided. The method comprises providing a sample suspected of containing cells of interest that contain an intracellular enzyme with a measurable activity. The sample further comprises an extracellular medium that also includes an extracellular enzyme with the measurable activity. The method further comprises the steps of treating the liquid sample with a reagent that inactivates the measurable activity in the extracellular medium but does not inactivate the measurable activity in the cells of interest, lysing the cells of interest to release the intracellular enzyme, and measuring the measurable activity. Thus, the measurable activity of the intracellular enzyme can be measured without interference from the extracellular enzyme. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of bacterially-infected blood using a detection assay based on adenylate kinase activity.
US08349582B2	High-efficiency viable sampler for ultrafine bioaerosols Exemplary embodiments provide bioaerosol detection systems and methods for detecting bioaerosols. In one embodiment, the bioaerosol detection system can include a humidifier to increase the humidity of a continuously flowing sample volume of a bioaerosol sample using a biologically compatible liquid medium, and an amplifier to deposit vapor on the bioaerosol sample for a particle size amplification process. Bioaerosol(s) can thus be detected and sampled while simultaneously maintaining their viability. The disclosed bioaerosol detection systems and the methods can provide high efficiency for sampling and detecting ultrafine bioaerosol(s) such as viruses and proteins, which can be smaller than 0.3 μm in diameter and can be as small as 20 nm.
US08349576B2	eEF2K assays for identifying compounds that inhibit eEF2K activity Assays for identifying novel compounds for inhibiting eEF2 kinase and consequence peptides employed therein.
US08349567B2	Cathepsin C-based screening methods for identifying modulators of pain Present invention concerns the use of Cathepsin C. Other aspects of the invention concern methods for screening pharmaceuticals, for diagnosing pain susceptibility and for the treatment of pain.
US08349564B2	Method for continuous mode processing of the contents of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
US08349560B2	Method for diagnosing acute lymphomic leukemia (ALL) using miR-222 Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing the proliferation of ALL cancer cells through targeted interactions with ALL1 fusion proteins.
US08349558B2	Detection of individual T-cell reaction patterns against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) in tumor patients as a basis for the individual therapeutic vaccination of patients The present invention relates to a method for identifying the preferential target antigens of antitumoural T-cells of a tumour patient, comprising: a) providing T-cells from the blood of at least one tumour patient, b) providing dendritic cell (DCs) and/or B-lymphocytes (BLCs) that are autologous for said tumour patient, wherein said DCs and BLCs were transfected beforehand with a selection of mRNAs encoding for T-cell-immunogenic tumour-associated antigens (TAA), and express these, c) contacting said T-cells with the DCs and/or BLCs, d) identifying of those T-cells that recognize antigens of the DCs and/or BLCs, and e) identifying of the preferential target antigens of antitumoural T-cells of the at least one tumour patient on the basis of the T-cells that recognize antigens of the DCs and/or BLCs. The method can furthermore comprise the expansion of the T-cells that recognize the antigens of the DCs and/or BLCs. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for producing an individualized tumour vaccine or individualized tumour therapeutic, as well as corresponding methods for treating a tumourous disease using the individualised tumour vaccine or individualised tumour therapeutic.
US08349556B2	Use of base-modified deoxynucleoside triphosphates to improve nucleic acid detection Aspects of the invention provide novel and surprisingly effective methods for the detection of nucleic acids, comprising nucleic acid amplification using base-modified deoxynucleoside 5′-triphosphates (dNTPs). Particular aspects relate to methods for enhancing hybridization properties of oligonucleotide primers and probes in assays detecting nucleic acids, comprise amplifying target DNAs in presence of base-modified duplex-stabilizing deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates to provide for modified target DNAs, and thereby considerably improving performance of the detection assays. The disclosed methods allow for increasing of the reaction temperature in PCR-based detection systems or, alternatively, reducing the length of the oligonucleotide primers and probes. Certain aspects relates to improvement of real time PCR assays, wherein nucleic acids of interest are detected as the reaction proceeds using fluorescent agents or oligonucleotide FRET probes.
US08349554B2	Needle array assembly and method for delivering therapeutic agents A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment.
US08349552B2	Fabricating a flexible rapid blood cooling system A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having, a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design uses inner and outer containers, each made of transparent polyethylene sheets, where the inner compartments are filled with the solution and sealed, and then placed into each compartment in an outer container, wherein two compartments in the outer container are separated by a flattened and sealed portion of the polyethylene.
US08349545B2	Methods of forming patterns Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns of openings. The methods may include forming spaced features over a substrate. The features may have tops and may have sidewalls extending downwardly from the tops. A first material may be formed along the tops and sidewalls of the features. The first material may be formed by spin-casting a conformal layer of the first material across the features, or by selective deposition along the features relative to the substrate. After the first material is formed, fill material may be provided between the features while leaving regions of the first material exposed. The exposed regions of the first material may then be selectively removed relative to both the fill material and the features to create the pattern of openings.
US08349544B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a protection film can be formed using a double exposure technology to increase a developer resistance of the protection film without increasing the thickness of the protection film for realizing fine patterning. The method comprises forming a protection film on a first resist pattern formed on a substrate; and forming a second resist pattern on the protection film between parts of the first resist pattern. The protection film is formed in at least two layers by using different methods.
US08349542B2	Manufacturing process of semiconductor device A resist pattern thickening material has resin, a crosslinking agent and a compound having a cyclic structure, or resin having a cyclic structure at a part. A resist pattern has a surface layer on a resist pattern to be thickened with etching rate (nm/s) ratio of the resist pattern to be thickened the surface layer of 1.1 or more, under the same condition, or a surface layer to a resist pattern to be thickened. A process for forming a resist pattern includes applying the thickening material after forming a resist pattern to be thickened on its surface. A semiconductor device has a pattern formed by the resist pattern. A process for manufacturing the semiconductor device has applying, after forming a resist pattern to be thickened, the thickening material to the surface of the resist pattern to be thickened, and patterning the underlying layer by etching, the pattern as a mask.
US08349536B2	Dithiane derivative, polymer, resist composition, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device using such resist composition A dithiane derivative, having a structure expressed by the following general formula 1: where R1 is —H, or —CH3, a polymer containing a monomer unit containing the dithiane derivative, a resist composition containing the polymer, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the resist composition.
US08349532B2	Toner for electrostatic charge image development and method for producing the same Provided is a toner for an electrostatic charge image development having toner particles which contain: a binder resin; a colorant; and a compound represented by Formula (1) in an amount of 0.1 to 65 ppm based on the total weight of the toner particles: wherein R1 and R2 each respectively represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl group.
US08349531B2	Compounds and methods of forming compounds useful as a toner Compounds and methods of forming compounds useful as a toner or toner precursor are disclosed. The compounds may include an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion including: (A) at least one thermoplastic resin; and (B) 0 to 5 weight percent of a stabilizing agent, based on the total weight of (A) and (B). The dispersion may have an average volume diameter particle size from about 0.05 to about 10 microns. A combined amount of the thermoplastic resin and the stabilizing agent may have an acid number of less than 25 mg KOH/g.
US08349528B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. A plurality of features is formed on a workpiece, the plurality of features being located in a first region and a second region of the workpiece. Features in the first region have a first lateral dimension, and features in the second region have a second lateral dimension, wherein the second lateral dimension is greater than the first lateral dimension. The first region is masked, and the second lateral dimension of features in the second region is reduced.
US08349525B2	Protective apparatus, mask, mask fabricating method and conveying apparatus, and exposure apparatus A protective apparatus that protects a predetermined area of the front surface of a mask substrate, provided with a pellicle frame that is disposed on at least a portion of the circumference of the predetermined area and bonded to the front surface of the mask substrate, and a pellicle that is mounted on the pellicle frame so as to cover an opening portion that is formed by the pellicle frame in a manner facing the predetermined area; in which the pellicle frame includes a first side portion and a second side portion, and a third side portion and a fourth side portion that are disposed at different positions along the predetermined area, and in relation to the normal direction of the front surface of the mask substrate, the rigidity of the first side portion and the second side portion is lower than the rigidity of the third side portion and the fourth side portion.
US08349524B2	Hologram recording material and hologram recording medium The present invention provides a hologram recording material which attains high refractive index change, flexibility, high sensitivity, low scattering, environment resistance, durability, low shrinkage, and high multiplicity, and is suitable for volume hologram recording. Also, the present invention provides a hologram recording medium. A hologram recording material comprising: an organometallic compound at least containing at least two kinds of metals, oxygen, and an aromatic group, and having an organometallic unit wherein two aromatic groups are bonded directly to one metal; metal oxide fine particles; and a photopolymerizable compound. For example, the metal oxide fine particles are selected from the group consisting of silica fine particles, alumina fine particles, titania fine particles, zirconia fine particles, and complex oxide fine particles containing one or more kinds of metal atoms which constitute said four metal oxides. A hologram recording medium 11 has a hologram recording material layer 21.
US08349522B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell (1) includes an anode (11), a cathode (14), an electrolyte layer (13) containing ceria and provided between the anode (11) and the cathode (14), and at least two intermediate layers containing zirconia and provided between the electrolyte layer (13) and the anode (11). The at least two intermediate layers include a first intermediate layer (18) that contains ceria and a second intermediate layer (19) that has a higher zirconia concentration than the first intermediate layer and is provided between the first intermediate layer and the anode.
US08349519B2	Titanium electrode material and surface treatment method of titanium electrode material It is an object of the present invention to provide a titanium electrode material which is low in cost and is excellent in electric conductivity, corrosion resistance and hydrogen absorption resistance, and a surface treatment method of a titanium electrode material. A titanium electrode material includes: on the surface of a titanium material including pure titanium or a titanium alloy, a titanium oxide layer having a thickness of 3 nm or more and 75 nm or less, and having an atomic concentration ratio of oxygen and titanium (O/Ti) at a site having the maximum oxygen concentration in the layer of 0.3 or more and 1.7 or less; and an alloy layer including at least one noble metal selected from Au, Pt, and Pd, and at least one non-noble metal selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, and Hf, having a content ratio of the noble metal and the non-noble metal of 35:65 to 95:5 by atomic ratio, and having a thickness of 2 nm or more, on the titanium oxide layer. The surface treatment method of a titanium electrode material includes a titanium oxide layer formation step, an alloy layer formation step, and a heat treatment step.
US08349511B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell is provided that includes an anode, a cathode, a solid electrolyte layer, a barrier layer, and an intermediate layer. The solid electrolyte layer includes zirconium and is provided between the anode and the cathode. The barrier layer includes cerium and is provided between the solid electrolyte layer and the cathode. The intermediate layer includes zirconium and cerium, and has a first surface facing the solid electrolyte layer, a second surface facing the barrier layer, and pores. The pore ratio of the intermediate layer is higher than the pore ratio of the barrier layer.
US08349510B2	Solid state electrochemical cell having reticulated electrode matrix and method of manufacturing same A solid state electrochemical cell comprises a dense electrolyte layer; at least one reticulated electrode matrix (REM) of ion-conducting material partially sintered on the gas impermeable electrolyte layer, and electrode material located substantially within the REM. The REM has a majority of pores with an average pore size of less than micron. The REM can also have a porosity of 5 to 80%, thickness at or below 3.00 microns, and a mean grain size of 0.01 to 3.00 microns.
US08349505B2	Power generation system of fuel cell and control method thereof A fuel cell power generation system of the invention includes a hydrogen supply unit for reforming hydrocarbon fuel to generate reformed gas including hydrogen or generating reaction gas including the hydrogen from a hydrogen material, an oxygen supply unit, a fuel cell for receiving the hydrogen from the hydrogen supply unit and oxygen from the oxygen supply unit, for power generation, temperature sensors each for detecting a temperature of the hydrogen supply unit, and a temperature control unit for adjusting generated power, thereby controlling the temperature of the hydrogen supply unit, based on the detected temperature. The temperature control unit includes a target power setting unit for setting first and second target powers as generated power target values, and a target power switching unit for performing target value switching between the first and second target powers according to a predetermined change in the detected temperature.
US08349500B2	Solvent for dissolving electrolyte salt of lithium secondary battery There are provided a solvent for dissolving an electrolyte salt of lithium secondary battery comprising at least one fluorine-containing solvent (I) selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing ether, a fluorine-containing ester and fluorine-containing chain carbonate, 1,2-dialkyl-1,2-difluoroethylene carbonate (II) and other carbonate (III), a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising the solvent and an electrolyte salt, and a lithium secondary battery using the non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The solvent for dissolving an electrolyte salt provides a lithium secondary battery being excellent particularly in discharge capacity, rate characteristic and cycle characteristic and has enhanced incombustibility (safety) and the non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises the solvent and an electrolyte salt.
US08349499B2	Electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery, including a lithium salt, an organic solvent, lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB), and at least one kind of tris(trialkylsilyl)borate represented by following Chemical Formula 1. In the above Chemical Formula 1, R1 to R9 are the same as described in the detailed description.
US08349496B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material comprising sodium oxide, is characterized in that the sodium oxide contains lithium, and the molar amount of the lithium is less than the molar amount of the sodium.
US08349495B2	Nonaqueous battery with composite negative electrode A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a lithium-titanium composite oxide and a lithium-absorbing material in a weight ratio falling within the range defined in formula (1) given below, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The lithium-absorbing material has a lithium absorption potential nobler than a lithium absorption potential of the lithium-titanium composite oxide. 3≦(A/B)≦100 (1) Where A denotes the weight (parts by weight) of the lithium-titanium composite oxide, and B denotes the weight (parts by weight) of the lithium-absorbing material.
US08349493B2	Electrochemical cells with improved separator and electrolyte An electrochemical cell is described. The electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, a separator between said anode and said cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte includes a salt dissolved in an organic solvent. The separator in combination with the electrolyte has an area specific resistance less than 2 ohm-cm2. The electrochemical cell has an interfacial anode to cathode ratio of less than about 1.1.
US08349492B2	Negative electrode for rechargeable lithium battery, and rechargeable lithium battery including same The negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a current collector and a negative active material layer disposed on the current collector. The negative active material layer includes a metal-based negative active material and sheet-shaped graphite and has porosity of 20 to 80 volume %. The negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery can improve cell characteristics by inhibiting volume change and stress due to active material particle bombardment during charge and discharge, and by decreasing electrode resistance.
US08349488B2	Secondary battery including a protective circuit board made of metal A secondary battery has a bare cell including a can, an electrode assembly in the can and a cap assembly sealing the can. A protective circuit module is on the bare cell, the protective circuit module including a metal protective circuit board.
US08349486B2	Lithium secondary battery unit set with bus bar, and lithium secondary battery set with bus bar The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery unit set where a plurality of lithium secondary batteries are stacked, and a lithium secondary battery set including a plurality of lithium secondary battery unit sets. The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery unit set with a bus bar and a lithium secondary battery set with a bus bar. The lithium secondary battery unit set with a bus bar: accommodates and protects a plurality of lithium secondary batteries comprising a pouch and an electrode tab; facilitates the changes of voltage and capacity as the stacked structure of the lithium secondary batteries becomes free; prevents the flow of overcurrent during charging and discharging; and enables uniform temperature distribution of the stacked batteries.
US08349481B2	Power storage apparatus A power storage apparatus has a power storage element including an electrolyte layer and a plurality of electrode elements stacked with the electrolyte layer interposed between them, and a case accommodating the power storage element and a heat exchange medium for use in heat exchange with the power storage element. The power storage element has an opening portion passing through the power storage element and extending from one end face to the other end face of the power storage element in a stacking direction. A top-face portion of the case located above the power storage element includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to the stacking direction in the power storage element.
US08349477B2	Optical leak detection sensor A leak detection sensor for detecting a leakage of an electrolyte solution in a flow battery system is provided. The sensor includes a sensor housing, the sensor housing being at least partially surrounded by a fluid and having mounted therein at least one light source. The device also includes at least one light detector, wherein light emitted from at least one light source is incident on a portion of the housing in contact with a fluid and is at least partially refracted by an amount which is dependent on a refractive index of the refractor lens and the surrounding fluid, such that the amount of refraction at the refractor lens and the surrounding fluid causes a loss in a power of light detected by the at least one light detector, the light detector determines the intensity of the detected light, determines the composition of fluid surrounding the device housing based on the based on the difference between the measured light intensity and the intensity of light produced by the light source, and determines a leak if the composition of fluid is determined to be an electrolyte solution.
US08349474B2	Hob cutter with a coating and method for coating hob cutter The invention relates to a hob cutter tool with a coating, wherein the coating is produced by a physical vapor deposition method, in which in a coating chamber in an atmosphere containing nitrogen, an arc discharge is generated in each case between at least one anode and at least one pure Al cathode on the one hand, and at least one pure Cr cathode on the other hand, and in this way, Al and Cr are vaporized from the cathode, in which the hob cutter tool to be coated is rotated in the coating chamber, wherein the tool is subsequently guided past the at least two cathodes, and in which the vaporized Al and Cr is deposited in atomic or ionized form together with nitrogen from the atmosphere containing nitrogen onto the hob cutter tool led rotating past the cathodes. The coating has a multiplicity of layers, composed of (AlCr)-nitride, arranged on top of each other, wherein the multiplicity of layers is formed from two layer types differing with respect to their Al:Cr ratio, wherein a first layer type has an Al:Cr ratio in the range of 55:45 to 65:35, and a second layer type has an Al:Cr ratio in the range of 70:30 to 74:26, and wherein the two layer types alternate with each other in the coating, wherein each of the layers, in turn is formed from a multiplicity of nanolayers arranged on top of each other, and wherein the coating is connected to the tool base body using a bonding layer. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for recoating such a hob cutter tool.
US08349473B2	Organic electroluminescent device An organic electroluminescent device is provided and includes: a cathode; an anode; and at least one organic layer between the cathode and the anode. The at least one organic layer includes a light emitting layer containing at least one light emitting material. A compound represented by the following formula (I) is contained in the at least one organic layer. where n stands for an integer of 2 or greater, L represents an n-valent linking group, and R1, R2, R3, and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.
US08349468B2	Metal material for parts of casting machine, molten aluminum alloy-contact member A Ni alloy layer is formed on a surface of a steel base on the side to be in direct contact with a molten aluminum alloy, and titanium carbide (TiC) is bonded in a particulate state to the surface of the Ni alloy layer. This makes it possible to provide a metal material having materially enhanced melting loss resistance without resorting to conventional techniques, such as the provision of a ceramic coating by PVD or CVD.
US08349461B2	Photo-curing polysiloxane composition and protective film formed from the same A photo-curing polysiloxane composition includes a polysiloxane, an o-naphthoquinonediazidesulfonate compound, and a solvent. The polysiloxane contains less than 30 wt % of a polysiloxane fraction having a molecular weight above 8,000, and 35 wt % to 60 wt % of a polysiloxane fraction having a molecular weight ranging from 500 to 2,000 when calculated from an integral molecular weight distribution curve obtained by plotting cumulative weight percentage versus molecular weight falling within a range between 500 and 50,000 measured by gel permeation chromatography. A protective film formed from the photo-curing polysiloxane composition and an element containing the protective film are also disclosed.
US08349460B2	Organosilicon copolymer composites, method of manufacture, and articles formed therefrom Organosilicon composites are described, comprising 30 to 90 vol. % of a cured organosilicon copolymer derived by curing an organosilicon polymer having, in the same copolymer, silicon-containing repeating units comprising a silicon hydride and silicon-containing repeating units comprising a C1-10 ethylenically unsaturated group; and 10 to 70 vol. % of a dielectric filler. The composites are used in the manufacture of circuit subassemblies.
US08349459B2	Infiltration glass containing niobium The present invention relates to an all-ceramic dental prosthesis in which a porous ceramic matrix material is infiltrated with a glass, having a solubility of <1100 μg/cm2 according to DIN EN ISO 6872. The invention also relates to the use of niobium-containing glass having an Nb2O5 content of more than 0.1% by weight as an infiltration glass for all-ceramic dental compositions.
US08349458B2	Interlayers comprising glycerol based plasticizer The present invention includes interlayers and multiple layer glazing panels comprising those interlayers, wherein the interlayers comprise poly(vinyl butyral) and a glycerol based plasticizer. The addition of the glycerol based plasticizer surprisingly results in a plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) layer that is suitable for use in a wide range of multiple layer glazing applications.
US08349456B2	Process for preparing articles having anti-fog layer by layer coating and coated articles having enhanced anti-fog and durability properties Disclosed are processes for preparing articles having anti-fog properties, comprising providing a substrate having at least one main surface coated with an intermediate coating obtained by applying and at least partially curing an intermediate coating composition comprising at least one monoepoxysilane and/or an hydrolyzate thereof and at least one polyepoxy monomer comprising at least two epoxy groups, forming onto said intermediate coating at least one bi-layer, and curing said at least one bi-layer by heating at a temperature of 150° C. or less at atmospheric pressure and in the absence of added water steam. Also disclosed are articles made and/or makeable by these processes.
US08349450B2	Thermal spray powder, method for forming thermal spray coating, and plasma resistant member A thermal spray powder contains granulated and sintered particles composed of an oxide of any of the rare earth elements having an atomic number from 60 to 70. The average particle size of the primary particles constituting the granulated and sintered particles is 2 to 10 μm. The crushing strength of the granulated and sintered particles is 7 to 50 MPa. A plasma resistant member includes a substrate and a thermal spray coating provided on the surface of the substrate. The thermal spray coating is formed by thermal spraying, preferably plasma thermal spraying, the thermal spray powder.
US08349449B2	Polymer active complex fibers The invention covers a method of forming functionally active fibers and substrates including functionally active fibers. The method includes forming a mixture of at least one poly vinyl polymer and at least one bleaching active. The mixture is then injected at a controlled flow rate into an electric field to cause the mixture to at least partially form fine fibers that have an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers.
US08349448B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet including: a laminated structure in which a light-shielding layer, a white or silver layer, and a colored layer are laminated in this order; and at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer as at least one surface layer, in which at least one surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet has L* of 30 or more and C* of 3 or more, L* representing a luminosity and C* representing a chromaticness, and in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet as a whole has a transmittance of a light having a wavelength of 550 nm of 0.3% or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet of the invention is excellent in light-shielding property irrespective of the thinness thereof as well as in decorativity due to the surface thereof that is colored with a bright color.
US08349445B2	Microbicidal substrate The invention relates to a substrate comprising at least one photocatalytic compound active under the conditions of illuminating an interior of a building or transport vehicle, intended to neutralize the microorganisms with which it comes into contact, and also to its preparation processes and its uses as glazing or another substrate for disinfection, filtration, ventilation, etc.
US08349443B2	Method for treating a substrate A method for treating a substrate is described. In accordance with one aspect, the method includes applying a polymer coating to a substrate, and bringing the polymer coating into contact with a heated surface in a pressure nip while the coating is still in a wet state. Optionally the polymer coating may include a crosslinkable material, and a crosslinking agent may be used to promote crosslinking. The polymer coating replicates the heated surface. A product produced in accordance with the described method is also disclosed. The product is characterized by having subsurface voids within the coating.
US08349442B2	Agricultural film To provide an agricultural film which has high transparency and which has a coating film formed with excellent abrasion resistance (adhesion), hydrophilicity (anti-fogging, wettability and anti-fouling) and hydrophilic durability.An agricultural film 10 comprising a base material film 12 and a porous hydrophilic coating film 14 formed on the base material film 12. The hydrophilic coating film 14 contains boehmite particles, silica particles and a binder, wherein (a) the atomic ratio of Al to Si (Al/Si) is from 0.2 to 5.0, (b) the average particle diameter of the silica particles is from 5 to 50 nm, and (c) the crystallite diameter of the boehmite particles, as calculated from the diffraction peak of the (120) plane is from 20 to 50 nm. The hydrophilic coating film 14 is formed by applying a composition comprising boehmite particles, silica particles, a binder and water, on a surface of a base material film, followed by drying.
US08349432B2	Honeycomb structure and method for manufacturing honeycomb structure A honeycomb structure includes a ceramic block formed by combining a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies together with an adhesive layer interposed between the plurality of honeycomb fired bodies. The plurality of honeycomb fired bodies each has cell walls extending along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb fired bodies to define cells. The honeycomb fired bodies adjacent to each other via said adhesive layer each have at least one projected portion on the opposing side faces. The projected portions formed on the honeycomb fired bodies overlap each other when seen from an end face of the honeycomb structure and the projected portions formed on the adjacent honeycomb fired bodies abut each other.
US08349431B2	Composite grid with tack film for asphaltic paving, method of paving, and process for making a composite grid with tack film for asphaltic paving A composite material comprises: an open grid comprising at least two sets of strands. Each set of strands has openings between adjacent strands. The sets are oriented at a substantial angle to one another. A tack film is laminated to the open grid. The tack film has first and second major surfaces, such that a material of the tack film at its first and second major surfaces includes about 50% or more of resinous non-asphaltic component and about 50% or less of asphaltic component.
US08349430B2	Padding system for protecting a home appliance A padding system for protecting an outer surface of an appliance. The padding system includes a securing device that is attached to opposed first and second ends of a pad. The securing device consists of a first securing member that is releasably attachable to a second securing member when the pad is secured around the outer surface of the appliance. The padding system additionally includes a hand strap that is attached to the first end of the pad. A slit is formed in the pad adjacent to the second end of the pad. The hand strap is passable through the slit to provide a hand grip when the pad is secured around the outer surface of the appliance.
US08349429B2	Films for labels that are removable Clear and opaque polymeric film structures for providing clear and opaque labels that are removable, respectively. The film structure includes a core layer and first skin layer, wherein the first skin layer contains a polymeric matrix of a material that allows a label, which has been produced from the film structure and applied onto a container or product, to be removed from the container or product by the solution employed in a process for re-using the container. The first skin layer is co-extruded along with the remainder of the layers of the film structure, or the first skin layer is deposited on the film structure as an emulsion or extrusion coating. The first skin layer can be contacted with a water-based adhesive to affix the label onto a particular product or product container. Labels produced from the film structure exhibit a desirable combination of excellent initial adhesion strength, moisture resistance and delaminatability, as well as excellent removability.
US08349425B2	Thin biaxially stretched thin-walled polyester bottle A biaxially stretched polyester bottle of which a central part of a bottle body portion satisfies at least either (1) that an elongation in the circumferential direction is larger than an elongation in the longitudinal direction in the tensile test at room temperature or (2) that an orientation parameter in the circumferential direction is smaller than an orientation parameter in the longitudinal direction in the Raman spectrometry. Despite the body portion having an average thickness as small as 250 μm or less, the bottle has a drop impact resistance while exhibiting excellent appearance.
US08349417B2	Self-sealing inflatable article A self sealing inflatable article including an inflatable body portion and a neck portion having an opening, a ring member supporting the opening of the article and a plug member for sealing the opening wherein at least a portion of the body portion of the article is invaginated through the opening of the article with the plug member associated with the invaginated portion.
US08349412B2	Deposition of amorphous silicon films by electron cyclotron resonance A method is described for forming a film of amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) on a substrate by deposition from a plasma. The substrate is placed in an enclosure, a film precursor gas is introduced into the enclosure, and unreacted and dissociated gas is extracted from the enclosure so as to provide a low pressure in the enclosure. Microwave energy is introduced into the gas within the enclosure to produce a plasma therein by distributed electron cyclotron resonance (DECR) and cause material to be deposited from the plasma on the substrate. The substrate is held during deposition at a temperature in the range 200-600° C., preferably 225-350° C. and a bias voltage is applied to the substrate at a level to give rise to a sheath potential in the range −30 to −105V, preferably using a source of RF power in the range of 50-250 mW/cm2 of the area of the substrate holder.
US08349409B2	Pattern forming method, method for forming composite-metal oxide film and method for coating two-liquid reaction curing type adhesive A liquid droplet of a first liquid and a liquid droplet of a second liquid are mixed upon landing on a substrate, and then the reaction is initiated between the first and second liquid droplets. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the problem which would have been caused when the two liquids are mixed in advance before the usage that the reaction between the two liquids is advanced before the liquids are actually coated. Further, since the ink-jet system is employed, it is possible to precisely control the liquid-droplet amount and the landing position, thereby landing the first and second liquids on a same position with high precision. Accordingly, a highly integrated pattern can be formed. Furthermore, since the mixing ratio of the first and second liquids can be precisely controlled, the film quality can be stabilized.
US08349408B2	Method of protecting reactor components from fouling A method of protecting a reactor component from fouling includes forming an oxide layer on a metal foil to achieve an antifouling liner. The antifouling liner may be manipulated into a shape that conforms to one or more surfaces of the reactor component that are contacted by a fluid during reactor operation. The metal foil portion of the antifouling liner is secured to the surface(s) of the reactor component by suitable means. As a result, the oxide layer portion of the antifouling liner is exposed to the fluid in the reactor, thereby reducing or preventing the fouling of the component.
US08349404B2	Methods for growing and harvesting carbon nanotubes A method for directly growing carbon nanotubes, and in particular single-walled carbon nanotubes on a flat substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and subsequently transferring the nanotubes onto the surface of a polymer film, or separately harvesting the carbon nanotubes from the flat substrate.
US08349402B2	Applying vapour phase aluminide coating on airfoil internal cavities using improved method A method of applying an aluminide coating to an internal cavity of a metal part, such as an airfoil. The method includes inserting a perforated sealed container containing a source of aluminide into the internal cavity and vaporizing the aluminide source to form an aluminide coating on the wall surface of the cavity.
US08349400B2	Method of making a composite porous material Methods of making porous composite materials are provided. These methods involve providing a sintered porous first polymeric material, providing a solution containing a second polymeric material dissolved in a solvent, and, depositing the solution onto the sintered porous first polymeric material to form a precipitated porous second polymeric material wherein a portion of the second polymeric material is fused to the sintered, porous first polymeric material by at least one direct physical bond, and the second polymeric material is in at least some of the pores of the first polymeric material. In some methods, the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material are soluble in the same solvent.
US08349395B2	Electrically conductive steel-ceramic composite and process to manufacture it The invention relates to a electrically conductive steel-ceramic connection comprising a steel interconnector and an electrically conductive ceramic joining layer arranged thereon. The interconnector comprises a ferritic steel containing Cr in a quantity ranging from 18 to 24% by weight. The ceramic layer contains perovskite of a formula Ln1-xSrxMn1-yCoyO3-δ or Ln1-xSrxFe1-yCoyO3-δ, wherein 0.1≦x≦0.4, 0.1≦y≦0.6, 0≦δ≦x/2 and Ln=La—Lu. The inventive steel-ceramic connection is usable for a high-temperature fuel cell and regularly exhibits good adhesive properties and a low transition resistance (initial transition resistance R approximately equal to 0.01 Ωcm2). Said steel-ceramic connection makes it possible to advantageously introduce a ferritic steel into high-temperature fuel cells. The inventive method for producing said steel-ceramic connection consists in pre-treating an inserted ceramic powder exhibiting good sinterability during an assembly process and during the fuel cell operation.
US08349393B2	Silver plating in electronics manufacture Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.
US08349387B2	Method for production of coated preparations The present invention relates to a method for production of a coated preparation, characterized by coating a core material with a coating solution, the core material comprising an active ingredient, the coating solution comprising a) a resin composition obtained by copolymerization of polyvinyl alcohol having an average polymerization degree of 1300 or less, and at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer in a weight ratio of 6:4 to 9:1, b) water, and c) an organic solvent. The method for production make it feasible to efficiently coat a preparation such as a tablet, a granule, and a fine granule, etc. (a pharmaceutical drug, an animal drug, an agricultural chemicals, a fertilizer, or a food product) with the coating solution comprising a) the composition comprising the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer as the main component, b) water, and c) the organic solvent.
US08349386B2	Functional serum protein product for use in infant food and therapeutic compositions and methods for the preparation thereof The invention relates to a serum protein product, suitable as an ingredient for foods and therapeutic compositions, in particular infant and baby foods. The invention also provides a method for the preparation of the serum protein product, based on micro filtration of milk. The invention provides a method for the preparation of a serum protein product, comprising the preparation of a permeate through micro filtration of cow's milk at a temperature of between 10 and 20° C. utilizing a membrane having a pore size of between 0.3 and 0.5 μm.
US08349385B2	Milk component-based sweet comprising defined edible fat agglomerates, and method and device for the production thereof The invention relates to a sweet that has a long shelf life and is provided in the form of a soft, creamy, shape-retaining, and foamed mass comprising milk components, edible fats, sugar and/or sugar substitutes, and water. At least one portion of the edible fat is provided in a crystallized form at ambient temperature. The inventive sweet does not contain any lactose crystals that can be perceived by the consumer. The milk protein content amounts to 5.5 to 20% by weight while the fat-free dry milk content ranges between 14 and 55% by weight and the degree of denaturation of the whey protein amounts to ≦10%. The inventive sweet is characterized by the fact that the crystallized and non-crystallized edible fat agglomerates have a volume-related particle size D50.3 of 3.5 to 18 μm.
US08349380B2	Bromine-based biocides suitable for food processing Ultraviolet light stabilized antimicrobial compositions are formed from (A) and (B). (A) is (I) a solid-state microbiocidal compound having at least one bromine atom in the molecule; (II) an aqueous solution or slurry of (I); (III) is a concentrated aqueous antimicrobial composition having a dissolved active bromine content derived from (i) BrCl or BrCl and Br2 and (ii) overbased alkali metal sulfamate and/or sulfamic acid, alkali metal base, and water, (IV) solids made by dewatering a composition of (III). (B) is a ultraviolet light degradation-inhibiting amount of up to one part by weight of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and/or an edible water-soluble salt/ester thereof per part by weight of bromine in the selected antimicrobial composition. Preparation and uses of such compositions are described. Methods of controlling contamination of seafood and seafood products by pathogens are also described.
US08349379B2	Cream cheese product and its method of preparation The invention relates to a cream cheese product obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: (a) acidifying a whey protein concentrate with a food grade acidulant or with starter bacteria to reduce the pH to more than 4.5 to about 5.2, (b) heating the acidified whey protein concentrate of step (a) slowly to a temperature of about 75° to about 90° C. and maintaining it for at least about 30 min to produce a 1.5 functional whey protein concentrate, (c) optionally blending the whey protein concentrate of step (b) with milk fat in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 100:0 wherein step (c) may be carried out before step (b), (d) homogenizing the blend obtained in step (b) or (c) in a 2-stage high-pressure homogenizer at pressures of about 300-400/50-80 bar and a temperature of about 5° to about 75° C. to produce an emulsified functional whey protein concentrate, (e) blending the product of step (d) with curd the fat content of which is adjusted in accordance with the milk fat portion added in step (c) and with the desired product, and adding salt and optional stabilizers, and (f) homogenizing the product of step (e) in a 2-stage high pressure homogenizer at pressures of about 300-400/508-80 bar and at a temperature of about 68° to about 90° C.
US08349375B2	Water soluble pharmaceutical compositions of hops resins The present invention is drawn to water-soluble compositions for providing hops constituents, particularly alpha acids, iso-alpha acids, and beta acids. A pharmaceutical gel composition can comprise a hops extract and a surfactant. Such compositions can be formulated into products for various therapeutic applications, including oral and topical uses. Such compositions can also be dissolved in water to yield a clear solution containing more dilute hops acids. The invention also provides methods of treatment comprising administering water-soluble hops compositions. The present invention is also drawn to methods for making water-soluble preparations of hops constituents.
US08349374B2	Inhibition of angiogenesis and destruction of angiogenic vessels with extracts of noni juice (Morinda citrifolia) Noni juice and a protein-free, alcohol precipitate of Noni juice inhibited angiogenesis in in vitro human angiogenesis models. When growth medium contained Noni juice at least over the range from about 2.5% to about 33% (by volume), angiogenesis was blocked. Moreover, Noni juice and an ethanol precipitate were able to destroy a pre-existing angiogenic response as well as prevent the development of new vessels. Noni juice was effective in inhibiting the growth of angiogenic vessels from breast cancer explants. It will also be effective in treating cancers and non-cancerous diseases whose response includes an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. In an initial experiment, Noni juice was effective in treating lesions associated with psoriasis. The primary antiangiogenic component is believed to be a carbohydrate with a molecular weight less than about 6000 Daltons. In an initial experiment, oral administration of Noni juice appeared to adversely affect the antiangiogenic component(s) in the juice.
US08349371B2	Method for anti-oxidation, inhibiting activity and/or expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and/or inhibiting phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase using neonauclea reticulata leaf extracts A method of inhibiting at least one selected from the group consisting of oxidation, the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in a mammal, comprising administrating to the mammal an effective amount of a Neonauclea reticulate leaf extract, is provided.
US08349362B2	Dosage forms for tamper prone therapeutic agents A dosage form from which a burst release of a drug contained within a tampered dosage form is reduced or retarded by the presence in or on the dosage form of a TPTA (Tamper Prone Therapeutic Agent) trap. If the dosage form has not been tampered with, the TPTA trap does not significantly interfere with the rate of release of the drug from the dosage form. However, if the dosage form has been physically tampered with, the TPTA trap reduces or retards burst release of the drug from the dosage form.
US08349361B2	Composition for rapid disintegrating tablet in oral cavity The present invention provides rapid disintegrating tablets in oral cavity having a shortened disintegration time in oral cavity as well as a sufficient hardness with compared to rapid disintegrating tablets of the prior art.The above objective is solved by a composition for rapid disintegrating tablets in oral cavity, wherein components (a) to (c) are contained in such manner that (a) saccharides consisting of a combination of mannitol and xylitol is 40 to 90 parts by weight; (b) the inorganic excipient is 1 to 30 parts by weight; and (c) the disintegrating agent is 5 to 40 parts by weight, provided that the total amount of (a), (b) and (c) is 100 parts by weight.
US08349358B1	Transdermal anesthetic applicator having thermochromic indication A transdermal analgesic applicator configured to provide a visual signal subsequent sufficient absorption of an analgesic compound ensuing the transdermal analgesic applicator being applied to the skin of a patient. The transdermal analgesic applicator includes a first layer that is impermeable and has integrally formed therewith on at least a portion thereof a plurality of microcapsules containing a thermochromic dye mixture. The first layer having the portion of microcapsules presents a first color at ambient room temperature and a second color at temperature greater than the first temperature as a result of being placed on the skin of a patient. A second layer containing an analgesic compound is secured to the first layer. The first layer changes from the first color to the second color subsequent the first layer changing from the first temperature to the second temperature, which the rate of temperature change is approximately equivalent to the absorption rate of the analgesic compound.
US08349354B2	Composite layered hemostasis device The present invention is directed to a hemostatic composite structure having a bioabsorbable fabric or non-woven substrate having at least two major oppositely facing surface areas and a continuous non-porous polymer-based film that is laminated on one major surface of said substrate. The bioabsorbable fabric substrate can be an oxidized polysaccharide and/or the non-woven substrate can be made from bioabsorbable, non-cellulosic derived polymers. The continuous non-porous polymer based film can be a bioabsorbable polymer. The present invention also relates to a method for providing hemostasis by applying a composite structure described herein onto a wound site in need of a hemostatic device wherein a major surface of the substrate without the film layer is applied onto the wound site.
US08349353B2	Controlled release cytotoxic agent compositions and methods for the treatment of otic disorders Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic diseases or conditions with cytotoxic agent compositions and formulations administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disease or condition, through direct application of these compositions and formulations onto or via perfusion into the targeted auris structure(s).
US08349350B2	Coatings for drug delivery devices A polymer coating for medical devices based on a polyolefin derivative. A variety of polymers are described to make coatings for medical devices, particularly, for drug delivery stents. The polymers include homo-, co-, and terpolymers having at least one olefin-derived unit and at least one unit derived from vinyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and derivatives thereof.
US08349347B2	Capsule medication administration system and medication administration method A capsule medication administration system includes: a first capsule for internal body marking; a second capsule for medication; a marking device which makes a marking within a living body; a drug retention section which retains a drug; a release device which releases the drug; a detection device which detects the marking; a decision device which decides whether or not a marking which has been detected by the detection device is a specified marking; and a release control device which operates the release device, if it has been decided by the decision device that it is the specified marking; wherein the first capsule comprises the marking device. The second capsule comprises the drug retention section and the release device.
US08349330B2	Therapeutic use of anti-CS1 antibodies The present invention is directed to antagonists of CS1 that bind to and neutralize at least one biological activity of CS1. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of preventing or treating disease states, including autoimmune disorders and cancer, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering into said subject an effective amount of such antagonists.
US08349329B2	Antibodies that bind to PRO286 The invention relates to the identification and isolation of novel DNAs encoding the human Toll proteins PRO285, PRO286, and PRO358, and to methods and means for the recombinant production of these proteins. The invention also concerns antibodies specifically binding the PRO285, or PRO286, or PRO358 Toll protein.
US08349328B2	Rodent control agents comprising antibodies that binds to rodent specific peptide epitopes The present invention relates to novel rodent control agents comprising antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to proteins expressed in rodents and in particular antibodies or antigen-binding fragments that bind to proteins expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of rodents, as well as to methods of making such novel rodent control agents. The invention further extends to novel antibodies and antigen-binding fragments for use in rodent control as well as to methods of controlling rodents through the use of such antibodies, antigen binding fragments and novel rodent control agents.
US08349327B2	Method for treating muscular dystrophy using antagonist antibodies against GDF-8 The disclosure provides novel molecules related to growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), in particular mouse and humanized antibodies, and antibody fragments, including those that inhibit GDF-8 activity and signaling in vitro and/or in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, ameliorating, preventing, prognosing, or monitoring degenerative orders of muscle, bone, and insulin metabolism, etc., in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, the disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of such disorders by using the antibodies, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and vectors of the invention.
US08349325B2	Soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) antibody and related composition, kit, methods of using, and materials and method for making An isolated antibody that specifically binds to sFlt-1 or a fragment thereof having (i) a variable heavy domain region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) a variable light domain region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), a pharmaceutical composition and a kit comprising such an antibody, a method of making such an antibody, a method of determining the presence, amount or concentration of sFlt-1 or a fragment thereof in a test sample, a method of treating a patient in therapeutic or prophylactic need of an antagonist of sFlt-1, an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of (i) SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) SEQ ID NO: 4, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), optionally as part of a vector, and a host cell comprising and expressing such a nucleic acid.
US08349321B2	Immunoglobulin formulation and method of preparation thereof A stable aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, polysorbate 80, a buffer which inhibits polysorbate oxidation is described along with methods of making the preparation. Also described are formulations with high antibody concentrations which maintain fixed volumes and which may be used on patients of variable weight.
US08349318B2	Use of specifically engineered enzymes to enhance the efficacy of prodrugs The invention provides methods for enhancing efficiency of prodrugs by specifically engineered enzymes with altered or enhanced activity and broader substrate specificity towards nucleoside analogs used in cancer chemotherapy, and delivering the enzymes to specific target cells in a patient. The invention also provides modified deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) mutants with such enhanced activities. Furthermore, the invention provides antibody-conjugated enzymes, pharmaceutical composition and kit containing the same, that can be specifically delivered to tumor cells.
US08349313B2	Dairy composition with probiotics and anti-microbial system Dairy compositions are provided having a high pH, of about 4.8 to about 6.2, comprising desirable probiotic cultures as well as an anti-microbial system for inhibiting undesirable pathogenic and/or spoilage microbial growth without significantly reducing the beneficial effect of the probiotic cultures.
US08349312B2	Proline substituted cyclosporin analogues The present invention provides novel proline substituted cyclosporinanalogue compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds for the treatment of disorders and diseases, including immune disorders, inflammatory disorders and viral infections.
US08349310B2	Attractant compositions and method for attracting biting insects 1,5-octadien-3-ol is an attractant for biting insects, particularly mosquitoes and may be used alone or with other attractants.
US08349308B2	Modified polymers for delivery of polynucleotides, method of manufacture, and methods of use thereof A polynucleotide delivery vehicle comprising a modified polymer is provided herein, the modified polymer having the following formula: in which W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z9, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, and n6 are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of delivering a polynucleotide to the cytoplasm of a selected tissue type or cell type and methods of reducing expression of a gene in a cell or a subject in need thereof with the modified polymer.
US08349306B2	Amphiphilic block copolymer and polymeric composition comprising the same for drug delivery The present invention relates to an amphiphilic block copolymer of a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block with a terminal hydroxyl group wherein the terminal hydroxyl group of the hydrophobic bock is substituted with a tocopherol or cholesterol group. It also relates to polymeric compositions capable of forming stable micelles in an aqueous solution, comprising the amphiphilic block copolymer and a polylactic acid derivative wherein one or more ends of the polylactic acid are covalently bound to at least one carboxyl group.
US08349304B1	Evaporative cooling composition A liquid evaporative cooling composition, for providing relief from heat-related discomfort in humans and animals, is generated by means of a concentrate, dissolved in water, which preferably consists essentially of: (a) about forty-three percent by weight of an alcohol; (b) about twelve percent by weight of a surfactant; (c) about four percent by weight of an aromatic oil; (d) about one percent by weight of a cooling agent; and (e) about forty percent by weight of water.
US08349302B2	Shampoo containing a gel network and a non-guar galactomannan polymer derivative Shampoo compositions comprise (a) from about 5% to about 50% of one or more detersive surfactants; (b) a dispersed gel network phase comprising: (i) at least about 0.05% of one or more fatty amphiphiles; (ii) at least about 0.01% of one or more secondary surfactants; and (iii) water; (c) at least about 0.05% of a galactomannan polymer derivative with a net positive charge and having a mannose to galactose ratio of greater than 2:1 on a monomer to monomer basis, wherein the galactomannan polymer derivative has: (i) a molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 10,000,000; and (ii) a cationic charge density from about 0.7 meq/g to about 7 meq/g; and (d) at least about 20% of an aqueous carrier; all by weight of the shampoo composition.
US08349299B2	Conditioning agent and a method for making hair having a shape memory effect A method of imparting a shape memory effect to hair may include administrating an effective amount of a hair-conditioning agent to hair. The hair-conditioning agent may include a shape memory polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, an acrylic acid copolymer, a pyridine-based copolymer, and a pyrrolidone copolymer.
US08349295B2	Surface modified aerosol particles, a method and apparatus for production thereof and powders and dispersions containing said particles A method and apparatus for multicomponent surface modified aerosol particle production suitable for, for instance, therapeutic, cosmetic or diagnostic use in which an aerosol containing an active agent is introduced in an aerosol reactor together with a surface agent or surface agent source and/or precursor and wherein the surface agent and/or surface agent precursor is volatilizable. The surface agent vapor saturation ratio is elevated so to cause it to nucleate from the gas phase. Reactor conditions are maintaining such that the active agent remains in the condensed phase and provides a surface for the surface agent to deposit on the active agent containing aerosol particle thus producing surface modified aerosol particles. The method can be used for batch or continuous production. Particles made according to the method and powders and dispersions containing the particles are also described.
US08349293B2	Use of metal nanoparticles in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease The invention relates to the use of metal nanoparticles for the preparation of a composition for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease by MRI.
US08349291B2	Calcined UZM-22 and UZM-22HS aluminosilicate zeolites Crystalline microporous zeolites designated calcined UZM-22 and UZM-22HS have been synthesized. The calcined UZM-22 is represented by the empirical formula: M1′mn+Al1-xExSiyOz and UZM-22HS has an empirical formula of: M1an+Al(1-x)ExSiy′Oz″ where M1 and M1′ are exchangeable cations such as lithium or strontium and E is a framework element such as gallium. Both zeolites are obtained from an as synthesized microporous crystalline composition having an empirical formula of: Mmn+RrAl1-xExSiyOz either by calcination for UZM-22 or by various treatments such as ammonium hexafluorosilicate treatment for UZM-22HS.M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as lithium and strontium, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the choline cation and E is a framework element such as gallium.
US08349288B2	Process for enhancing the operability of hot gas cleanup for the production of synthesis gas from steam-hydrogasification producer gas A process for enhancing the operability of hot gas cleanup for the production of synthesis gas in which a stream of methane rich gas is autothermally reformed at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a stream of synthesis gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the synthesis gas is subjected to condensation and removing the resultant water, and sulfur impurities are removed from the resultant synthesis gas stream.
US08349284B2	Sol-gel process for the preparation of nanocrystalline CETI2O6 powder The present invention provides an improved sol-gel process for the preparation of nanocrystalline CeTi2O6 compound, which has applications in the area of photocatalytic activity. This compound can be obtained by completely drying the solution, which comprises both titanium and cerium precursors into a xerogel and sintering it at a temperature of 1400° C. for 5 min. in air. The Ce:Ti mole ratio in the precursor sol for the preparation of this compound is identified in the range of 0.33:1 and 0.6:1.
US08349283B2	Metal recovery method, metal recovery apparatus, gas exhaust system and film forming device using same A metal recovery apparatus recovers metal components from an exhaust gas exhausted from a processing chamber in which a thin film is formed on the surface of a target substrate by using a source gas formed of an organic metal compound serving as a source, and scrubs the exhaust gas. The metal recovery apparatus 66 includes a trap unit having an adsorption member for attaching thereon metal components included in the source gas by heating the exhaust gas and thus thermally decomposing an unreacted source gas included in the exhaust gas; and the scrubbing unit including a catalyzer for oxidizing and thus scrubbing harmful gas components included in the exhaust gas that has flowed through the trap unit.
US08349279B2	Samples storage system for pharmaceutical development A samples storage system for pharmaceutical development in which the usable volumes of ultramicrotubes (384 tubes) are increased and smooth insertion and extraction of ultramicrotubes is possible irrespective of the positions of the ultramicrotubes. The samples storage system includes tubes in which samples are sealed and a storage rack for vertically accommodating a plurality of the tubes in a grid pattern. Each tube is of a rectangular hollow tubular cross-section and the intersect is tapered toward the bottom portion of the tube. Corner portions of the outer four side surfaces of the tubes are chamfered. The storage rack has engagement partition walls forming open-ended sections in a grid pattern inside the rack frame. The height of the walls is smaller than the length of the tube, and tube-supporting pins project vertically from the intersections of the grid. The outermost walls of the grid are spaced inwardly from the frame so that all of the tubes in the grid are supported for ready insertion and removal.
US08349274B2	Microfluidic device A microfluidic device includes chambers for performing chemical, biochemical, or physical processes and a flow path connecting the chambers. A magnetic particle is moved through the chambers which are separated by a valve-like structure that enables passing-through of the magnetic particle from one chamber to another. At least one delaying structure delays movement of the magnetic particle along the flow path.
US08349272B2	Hydrogen peroxide vaporizer An apparatus for decontaminating articles comprised of: a decontamination chamber; a conveyor for conveying articles to be decontaminated along a first path through the decontamination chamber; a vaporizing unit connected to the decontamination chamber, the vaporizing unit disposed above the decontamination chamber; a blower for conveying a carrier gas through the vaporizing unit and through the decontamination chamber; heating means for heating the carrier gas flowing through the vaporizing unit; a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide fluidly connected to the vaporizing unit; and an injection device for injecting liquid hydrogen peroxide into the vaporizing unit.
US08349271B2	Medical instrument container system A container system for medical instruments comprising a molded plastic reticulated tray composed of a continuous rib that forms a tray rim and a plurality of intersecting ribs defining large openings therebetween. The intersecting ribs are dished and have opposite ends connected to the continuous ribs at spaced apart locations therealong. The plurality of intersecting ribs also have rounded surfaces so that a washing or cleaning fluid directed at the plurality of intersecting ribs from the outside, upon flowing through said openings will follow and intimately contact those rounded surfaces so that those surfaces are cleaned thoroughly. A preferred embodiment of the system also includes a reticulated cover releasably connected to the tray and various brackets for fixating instruments in the tray.
US08349269B2	High shear system and process for the production of acetic anhydride A system and method for a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of acetic anhydride as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the process. A system for the production of acetic anhydride including the mixing of catalyst and acetic acid via a high shear device.
US08349260B2	System and method for limiting sensor exposure to ozone This invention relates to a system for mitigating the deleterious effect on a gas-detection sensor of exposure to ozone, which system comprises a sensor capable of detecting one or more select gas species, the performance of which sensor is degraded by contact with ozone, and a scrubber capable of absorbing ozone or otherwise converting ozone to one or more other substances so as to mitigate degradation of the sensor's performance; and a method for mitigating such deleterious effect as well.
US08349259B2	Method for measuring analysis object, biosensor and measuring device A biosensor includes a cavity for holding a sample, an electrode system for measuring the sample concentration in the cavity, and a thermocouple for obtaining temperature information during measurement. A measurement device includes a reference temperature junction sensor or an environmental temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of reference temperature junctions of the thermocouple. A temperature compensation measures the temperature difference between a measuring junction and a reference temperature junctions of the thermocouple, and specifies the temperature of a reference temperature junction, thereby using the temperature information as the temperature of a measurement component and performing accurate temperature compensation from the measuring junction temperature information and the environmental temperature information with respect to the measured values.
US08349254B2	Circuit for collecting blood component and apparatus for collecting blood component A circuit for collecting a blood component includes a blood collection device provided with a blood collection needle through which blood is collected from a blood donor, a blood separator in which the blood collected by the above blood collection device is separated, a blood component collection bag in which a predetermined blood component separated by the above blood separator is collected, a blood line in which the blood collection needle is connected to an inlet of the blood separator, a line for removing an initial blood flow, which branches from a first branching portion formed in the blood line, and in which an initial flow of blood collected from the blood donor is removed, and an anticoagulant-injection line that branches from a second branching portion, formed in the line for removing the initial blood flow, and into which an anticoagulant is injected.
US08349253B2	Method for an agent containing package A product package is provided for containing a product or object. The package contains a first agent that is energizably convertible by an energy source to a sanitizing agent including ozone in the package. The sanitizing agent including ozone in the package is transferred to the product or object while in the package. The first agent can include oxygen. The oxygen converts to ozone after being energized by ultraviolet radiation energy inside the package. The ultraviolet radiation energy can be radiated from outside the package, through the package, and into the package to energizably convert the oxygen to ozone in the package. The product or object in the package can be treated with the sanitizing agent including ozone in the package to provide a sanitizing, disinfecting, or sterilizing treatment, in the package.
US08349252B2	Vitrified composition which preserves biological materials The present invention relates to a method for preserving biological material comprising the steps of: providing a vitrification solution comprised of the biological material and a vitrification agent where the solution has a temperature in the range from 0.1° C. to 17.9° C.; microwaving the vitrification solution for a first period of time; allowing the vitrification solution to rest for a second period of time; repeating steps b and c until the vitrification solution enters into a glassy state.
US08349250B2	Cobalt-nickel superalloys, and related articles A cobalt-nickel alloy composition is described, containing about 20% to about 28% cobalt; about 37% to about 46% nickel; at least about 6% chromium; aluminum; and at least one refractory metal. The total weight of cobalt, aluminum, and refractory metal in the composition is less than about 50% of the total weight of the composition. Moreover, the alloy composition comprises both a (Co, Ni)-gamma phase and an L12-structured (gamma prime) phase. Various components made from the cobalt-nickel alloy composition are also described. Examples include high-temperature machinery and devices, e.g., components of gas turbine engines.
US08349249B2	Metal alloy for medical devices and implants The present invention relates to a medical device or implant made at least in part of a high strength, low modulus metal alloy comprising Niobium, Tantalum, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zirconium, Tungsten and Molybdenum. The medical devices according to the present invention provide superior characteristics with regard to biocompatibility, radio-opacity and MRI compatibility.
US08349247B2	Controlled cooling apparatus and cooling method of steel plate The present invention provides a steel plate cooling method, in controlled cooling of thick-gauge steel plate, which uniformly cools steel plate over its entire length and eliminates plate warping, that is, a method of conveying and cooling the top and bottom surfaces of steel plate in a high temperature state after hot rolling while constraining the high temperature rolled steel plate by a plurality of sets or top and bottom draining rolls, wherein cooling nozzles having a large number of nozzle openings and individually or simultaneously spraying the two fluids of air and water are used to cool the steel plate, the cooling method of steel plate characterized by giving a stable pattern by driving out air trying to invade the path of flow reaching the front end of the cooling apparatus when the water which is fed is low in amount or low in pressure. Further, the apparatus for working this method is a steel plate cooling apparatus comprised of an outside header having an air feed system, a plurality of air spray nozzles arranged at the air spray surface of this header, an inside header having a cooling water feed system, and a plurality of cooling water spray nozzles arranged at a cooling water spray surface of this header.
US08349246B2	Blowing apparatus for expanding containers A blowing apparatus for expanding containers with a gaseous medium has a blowing piston and a blowing nozzle, through which the container is expanded with the gaseous medium. The blowing piston is movable in a longitudinal direction (L) of the blowing nozzle, the blowing nozzle is movable in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the blowing piston, and a guide device is provided which guides the movement of the blowing nozzle in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the blowing piston.
US08349244B2	Actuator mount system and method of mounting an actuator In an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold and a mold, a system for mounting an actuator to the manifold and the clamp plate, the system comprising: a mount comprised of a thermally conductive material having first and second heat conductive surfaces; the first conductive surface being in heat conductive communication with the actuator, the second conductive surface being in heat conductive communication with the clamp plate; the actuator being mounted in thermal communication with the manifold; the mount being adjustably mounted to the actuator such that the second conductive surface can be adjusted in position toward and away from the actuator.
US08349242B2	Method of molding reel flanges and tool arrangement thereof A method of molding a flange uses a first tool element and a second opposing tool element. The first tool element defines a negative of at least a portion of a first side of a flange, and the second tool element defines a negative of at least a portion of the second side of the flange. The method includes providing a set of blocks for insertion into a plurality of recesses in the second tool element, the set of blocks insertable in a plurality of configurations, each configuration defining a negative of a set of retention features on the second side of the flange. The plurality of configurations define differing configurations of retention features on the second side. The method also includes inserting at least some blocks into the second tool element to form a selected one of the plurality of configurations, and performing injection molding using the first tool element and the second tool element.
US08349238B2	Imprint lithography An imprint template configured to imprint an imprintable medium by an imprint lithography process is disclosed, the imprint template having a pattern with a pattern density corresponding to a volume of imprintable medium used to substantially fill pattern features per unit area of a contact face of the imprint template, wherein adjacent regions of the pattern on the imprint template contact face, each of which will provide different functionality once imprinted onto a substrate, have substantially the same pattern density, have differences in pattern density which are minimized, or differences in pattern density which are maintained below a maximum.
US08349237B2	High pressure balloon Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices are prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlayer balloon, encasing the web with a matrix material to form an assembly, and inserting the assembly into a preformed outer layer balloon to form the composite balloon.
US08349233B2	Material system and method for changing properties of a plastic component The instant invention relates to a method for changing characteristics of a plastic component, wherein a medium is introduced into the plastic component, which encompasses a porosity and wherein the medium forms a homogenous compound with the plastic component by at least partially dissolving the plastic component.
US08349228B2	Method of manufacturing cellulose film, manufacturing apparatus, optical film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display An optical film characterized by a high degree of flatness that can be used as a phase difference film of a liquid crystal display, and a method for manufacturing this optical film according to melt-casting film forming method. A melt including a cellulose resin is extruded onto a rotary support member 5 (cooling roll) from a flow casting die 4. A rotary pinch member 6 (touch roll) is energized to the rotary support member 5, and a nip is formed between them. When the melt is sandwiched and pressed by the nip, a die line and irregularity in thickness are removed. The linear pressure of the rotary pinch member 6 and the temperature of the melt immediately before the melt is sandwiched and pressed by the nip are set within a predetermined range, whereby effective correction of the film flatness is achieved.
US08349223B1	Boronated polyphosphinohydrazide fire retardant Boronated polyphosphinohydrazide fire retardants are provided having the basic structural unit: wherein, Y is O or S; R can be selected from H, alkyl (e.g., linear, branched, saturated, or unsaturated), aryl, heterocyclic, cycloaliphatic (e.g., saturated or unsaturated), or a metallocene (e.g., ferrocene, zirconocene or the like); and n can be selected from 1 to 500.
US08349214B1	Synthesis gas method and apparatus A method and apparatus for producing a synthesis gas product having one or more oxygen transport membrane elements thermally coupled to one or more catalytic reactors such that heat generated from the oxygen transport membrane element supplies endothermic heating requirements for steam methane reforming reactions occurring within the catalytic reactor through radiation and convention heat transfer. A hydrogen containing stream containing no more than 20 percent methane is combusted within the oxygen transport membrane element to produce the heat and a heated combustion product stream. The heated combustion product stream is combined with a reactant stream to form a combined stream that is subjected to the reforming within the catalytic reactor. The apparatus may include modules in which tubular membrane elements surround a central reactor tube.
US08349211B2	Fluorescent additives for ink The present invention relates to a fluorescent inkjet composition. The inkjet composition includes a fluorescent dispersion including a fluorescent colorant; wherein the inkjet composition emits light at a first intensity I1 in the range of 450 nm to 700 nm upon excitation by incident light having a wavelength in the range of 250 to 400 nm. In addition, the inkjet composition is capable of emitting light at a second intensity I2 upon exposure to a temperature of 60 ° C. for 8 weeks, wherein I2=(0.50 to 1.0)*I1.
US08349210B2	Mesogenic stabilizers The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, in which R1-R6 can each independently be selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or —OC(O)—R8—C(O)O—, where R8 can be divalent hydrocarbyl (e.g., —CH2CH2—); each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula I.
US08349208B2	Modification of copper/iron selectivity in copper solvent extraction systems Processes for improving copper/iron selectivity in a solvent extraction circuit by contacting an acidic aqueous solution containing dissolved copper and iron ions with a solvent extraction composition including an orthohydroxyaryloxime, a selectivity modifier, and an equilibrium modifier, wherein the ratio of selectivity modifier to orthohydroxyaryloxime is from 0.001 to 0.05, thereby decreasing the copper:iron transfer ratio, are provided herein.
US08349205B2	Lubricant composition for refrigerating machines Provided is a lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator, the refrigerator using a refrigerant which has a low global warming potential and is applicable to, in particular, current car air conditioning systems or the like, that is, the refrigerant including at least one kind of fluorine-containing organic compounds selected from compounds represented by the following molecular formula (A) or including a combination of the fluorine-containing organic compound and a saturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound, CpOqFrRs (A) where: R represents Cl, Br, I, or H; p represents an integer of 1 to 6, q represents an integer of 0 to 2, r represents an integer of 1 to 14, and s represents an integer of 0 to 13; and provided that, when q represents 0, p represents 2 to 6 and one or more carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds are included in molecules, in which the composition comprises a base oil including as a main component a polyvinyl ether-based compound having an alkylene glycol unit, or a polyoxyalkylene glycol unit and a vinyl ether unit in a molecule and having a hydroxyl value of 15 mgKOH/g or less.
US08349204B2	Hydroseed substrate and method of making such A Hydroseed substrate for mixing with other ingredients such as water, seeds, fertilizer, wetting agents and dye, to produce Hydroseeding slurry is disclosed. The substrate includes cellulose materials (e.g. cardboard, paper and/or wood) and an absorbent. The absorbent is a super absorbent polymer such as linear polyacrylamide (—CH2CHCONH2—) or copolymers of acrylamide (C3H5NO) polymers. The super absorbent polymer improves moisture retention, improves viscosity, reduces friction, and improves coverage of the hydroseed mixture.
US08349199B2	Ink feedhole of inkjet printhead and method of forming the same An ink feedhole of an inkjet printhead and a method of forming the same includes an ink feedhole that penetrates a substrate and has a width that narrows in an upper direction of the substrate, wherein at least one internal wall of the ink feedhole has a plurality of steps and inclines with respect to a surface of the substrate.
US08349197B2	Method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic write head having a tapered write pole and non-magnetic bump structure A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a write pole and a trailing wrap around magnetic shield, and having a non-magnetic step layer and a non-magnetic bump to provide additional spacing between the write pole and the trailing wrap around shield at a location removed from the air bearing surface. A magnetic write pole material is deposited on a substrate and a non-magnetic step layer is deposited over the write pole. A reactive ion milling can he used to pattern the non-magnetic step layer to have a front edge that is located a desired distance from an air hearing surface. A patterning and ion milling process is then performed to define a write pole, and then a layer of alumina is deposited and ion milled to from a tapered, non-magnetic bump at the front the non-magnetic step layer.
US08349195B1	Method and system for providing a magnetoresistive structure using undercut free mask A method and system provide a magnetoresistive structure from a magnetoresistive stack that includes a plurality of layers. The method and system include providing a mask that exposes a portion of the magnetoresistive stack. The mask has at least one side, a top, and a base at least as wide as the top. The method and system also include removing the portion of the magnetoresistive stack to define the magnetoresistive structure. The method and system further include providing an insulating layer. A portion of the insulating layer resides on the at least one side of the mask. The method and system further include removing the portion of the insulating layer on the at least one side of the mask and removing the mask.
US08349188B2	Systems and methods for removing finely dispersed particulate matter from a fluid stream Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.
US08349187B2	Method to remove antimony from copper electrolytes A method and solution for eluting one of antimony(V) and a mixture of antimony(III) and antimony(V) from an ion exchange resin, comprises contacting the resin with an eluting solution comprising thiourea having a concentration of at least 0.002 M and hydrochloric acid having a concentration of at least 3 M. The method can be used for electrolytes in an industrial electrorefining process, by the further steps of contacting the electrolyte with an ion exchange resin to adsorb the antimony from the electrolyte and separating the resin from the electrolyte, before contacting the resin with the eluting solution comprising thiourea and hydrochloric acid. The method and solution address the difficulties of removing antimony(V), and allow for increased reuse of the resins.
US08349185B2	Method for rebalancing a multicomponent solvent solution The invention pertains to a method for rebalancing a solvent solution useful for treating photosensitive printing elements having a photopolymerizable layer. The solvent solution becomes contaminated with unpolymerized material and other materials that release from the photosensitive printing elements during washout treating, and separation of contaminates also removes some of one or more components in the used solvent solution. The method rebalances the proportion of the components in a solvent solution having 3 or more components. The method includes measuring a reclaimant, which has been separated from the contaminates, for two or more properties, calculating a mass of the components to be added to the reclaimant based on an equation generated for each measured property, and adding the mass of the component or components to the reclaimant to adjust the proportion of the components in the reclaimant to targeted proportions.
US08349183B2	Water conditioner assembly A distributor for use on a dip tube in the particulate bed of a water conditioner includes a sleeve mounted on the dip tube, a plurality of resilient vanes extending radially outwardly from the sleeve, thin membranes on the vanes, and holes in the membranes, whereby water flowing through the bed is evenly distributed throughout the bed and the bed is agitated by up and down flexing of the distributor in the bed.
US08349182B2	Fluid distribution and collection system in a multistage column comprising a jet breaker The present invention concerns a fluid distributor in a multistage column, each plate P of the column being divided into a certain number of panels Pa, and each panel Pa being equipped with a distributor of the invention, said distributor comprising: a) a solid jet breaker located substantially in the axis of the outlet opening of the collecting baffle of the panel Pa; b) an intermediate perforated plate extending laterally beyond the jet breaker, with a degree of opening in the range 10% to 40%; c) a distribution plate extending over the entire panel Pa, and with a degree of opening in the range 5% to 20%.
US08349178B2	Magnetic field processor for conditioning fluids The invention is a process that utilizes a device or processor that includes an elongated housing comprising a core enclosed by a magnetic component in combination with an electrical return path, which affects the electrons within fluids, thereby separating, for example, metals and organic or inorganic materials from fluids, in order to achieve desired fluid composition and properties.
US08349177B2	Solid-liquid separator A solid-liquid separator that separates raw water containing suspended solids into suspended solids (solid) and treated water (liquid) in easy and a short time is provided. A solid-liquid separator includes a separation tub, an inflow pipe configured to rotate raw water which flowed from the outlet of the inflow pipe in the separation tub, a froth discharge pipe configured to discharge the suspended solids surfaced in the separation tub and a treated water discharge pipe configured to discharge treated water by which the suspended solids were removed from raw water from the separation tub.
US08349176B2	Modular integrated water-purifying device In a kind of modular integrated water purifying device, including reaction tank, sedimentation tank and filter pool, a pump is connected to the top side of the reaction tank through pipes and valves. There are variable grid hole mixing paddles in the reaction tank, forced outlet pipe at the bottom of sedimentation tank and the same-flow ramp board in the middle. The sedimentation water collector is set up below the board, with the purified water outlet tube connected. The traveling sludge sucker sits on the top of filter tank and move back and forth. Blanket-shape filters is vertically fixed in the filteration tank, the mud-suction pump below to the raveling mud-suction machine connects to the mud-suction pipe another side to the blanket-like wedge filters. At the bottom of the filteration tanker lie the water-collecting main pipe and clean water outlet, the effluent weir is fixed inside of the filteration tank.
US08349172B2	Filter and pump unit, filter and pump apparatus having such a unit and also method for filtering out A filter and pump unit is proposed for the filtering out of particles from a fluid, there being a filter housing (2) which bounds a filter space (3) and has an inlet (21) and also an outlet (22) for the fluid to be filtered as well as a filter element (4) provided in the filter space (3), the filter element demarcating an inlet region (31) from an outlet region (32) of the filter space (3), with the inlet region (31) communicating with the inlet (21) and the outlet region (32) communicating with the outlet (22), there also being an impeller (5) which, as part of a rotary pump, can pump the fluid from the inlet region (31) through the filter element (4) into the outlet region (32), characterized in that a flow connection (6) is provided between the outlet region (32) and the impeller (5) so that at least a part of the fluid can flow back from the outlet region (32) to the impeller (5). Furthermore, a method for the filtering out of the particles from a fluid is proposed.
US08349171B2	Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material using a constructed infrastructure and associated systems maintained under positive pressure A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.
US08349170B2	FCC reactor and riser design for short contact-time catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons The present invention is an improved design and operation of a short contact time Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Reactor wherein the upper internal riser and a lower internal riser are in fluid connection with one another and provide an improved disengaging zone for entraining the vapors from the dilute phase area of the FCC reactor. Detailed preferred embodiments include improvements over the prior art to the internal central riser, riser termination apparatus, cyclone separators, and a coke mitigation baffle system, as well as associated improved fluid catalytic cracking processes utilizing the novel reactor design.
US08349167B2	Methods and apparatus for detecting molecular interactions using FET arrays Methods and apparatuses relating to large scale FET arrays for analyte detection and measurement are provided. 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.
US08349166B2	Treatment process for concrete A single anode system used in multiple electrochemical treatments to control steel corrosion in concrete. The anode system comprises a sacrificial metal that is capable of supporting high impressed anode current densities with an impressed current anode connection detail and a porous embedding material containing an electrolyte. Initially current is driven from the sacrificial metal (1) to the steel (10) using a power source (5) for converting oxygen and water (14) into hydroxyl ions (15) on the steel and drawing chloride ions (16) into the porous material (2) around the anode such that corroding sites are moved from the steel to the anode restoring steel passivity and activating the anode. Cathodic prevention is then applied. This is preferably a sacrificial cathodic prevention which is applied by disconnecting the power source and connecting the activated sacrificial node directly to the steel.
US08349165B2	Process for producing an active cathode for electrolysis Soluble nickel and tin contained in a coating layer are eluted into an aqueous solution by bringing a cathode coated with a nickel-tin alloy into contact with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydrogen carbonate such as sodium hydrogen carbonate, thereby reducing the amounts of these metals eluted during electrolysis.
US08349164B2	Conductive diamond electrode structure and method for electrolytic synthesis of fluorine-containing material The present invention provides a conductive diamond electrode structure for use in electrolytic synthesis of a fluorine-containing material with a fluoride ion-containing molten salt electrolytic bath, which comprises: a conductive electrode feeder; and a conductive diamond catalyst carrier comprising a conductive substrate and a conductive diamond film carried on a surface thereof, wherein the conductive diamond catalyst carrier is detachably attached to the conductive electrode feeder at a portion to be immersed in the electrolytic bath. Also disclosed is an electrolytic synthesis of a fluorine-containing material using the conductive diamond electrode structure.
US08349162B2	Electronic osmotic dehydrator of electrophoresis style with a phase control using three-phase current The present invention relates to An electronic osmotic dehydrator of electrophoresis style with a phase control using three-phase current, and more specifically, to An electronic osmotic dehydrator of electrophoresis style with a phase control using three-phase current, which can minimize an unnecessary loss of power consumed in the rotating drum itself by emboding the applying structure of the DC power supplied to the dehydrating domain of the electro-osmotic dehydrator so that a strength of the electric field generated between the rotating drum and the caterpillar may be variably controlled depending upon a sludge volume, and improving a structure of the rotating drum to which the DC power is applied, when forming an electronic osmotic dehydrator comprising a rotating drum in the cylindrical form, a caterpillar running on an endless track at a certain space from the rotating drum and two filter cloth belts for transferring and dehydrating the sludge as wound between the drum and the caterpillar, which is a continued invention of ‘an electro-osmotic dehydrator (K.R. Patent Application No. 10-2004-007759)’, ‘an electro-dehydrator of a phase control type (K.R. Patent Application No. 10-2005-009928)’, and ‘an electro-osmotic dehydrator (K.R. Patent Application No. 10-2007-046494)’ which were already filed by the applicant of the present invention.
US08349161B2	Electrophoresis device and pump Bubbles can be removed regardless of an individual difference of a pump to fill an electrophoresis medium into a capillary. Of flow passages formed between an inner side surface of a container for accommodating the electrophoresis medium and a side surface of a plunger, one of the flow passages causing an electrophoresis medium to be easily stagnant is formed to have the cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the other flow passage on the opposite side. In other words, the flow passage portion causing the electrophoresis medium to be easily stagnant is formed in such a manner as to increase a flow amount of the electrophoresis medium. This can eliminate a region having an extremely small amount of electrophoresis medium flow in the pump.
US08349157B2	Biosensor, thin film electrode forming method, quantification apparatus, and quantification method A biosensor is disclosed comprising a support; a conductive layer composed of an electrical conductive material such as a noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon; slits parallel to and perpendicular to the side of the support; working, counter, and detecting electrodes; a spacer which covers the working, counter, and detecting electrodes on the support; a rectangular cutout in the spacer forming a specimen supply path; an inlet to the specimen supply path; a reagent layer formed by applying a reagent containing an enzyme to the working, counter, and detecting electrodes, which are exposed through the cutout in the spacer; and a cover over the spacer. The biosensor can be formed by a simple method, and provides a uniform reagent layer on the electrodes regardless of the reagent composition.
US08349156B2	Microwave-assisted rotatable PVD Disclosed invention uses a coaxial microwave antenna to enhance ionization in PVD or IPVD. The coaxial microwave antenna increases plasma density homogeneously adjacent to a sputtering cathode or target that is subjected to a power supply. The coaxial microwave source generates electromagnetic waves in a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode. The invention also uses a magnetron proximate the sputtering cathode or target to further enhance the sputtering. Furthermore, for high utilization of expensive target materials, a target can rotate to improve the utilization efficiency. The target comprises dielectric materials, metals, or semiconductors. The target also has a cross section being substantially symmetric about a central axis that the target rotates around. The target may have a substantially circular or annular a cross section.
US08349155B2	Cation exchange membrane, production process thereof and electrolytic cell using the same A cation exchange membrane which shows suppressed deterioration of the strength of the membrane in the upper portion of an electrolytic cell when the membrane is employed in the electrolytic cell and used for a long term, which can perform electrolysis with good production efficiency, and which can be produced simply with low cost; its production process and; such an electrolytic cell; are provided.A cation exchange membrane to be used for an electrolytic cell, which has a laminate structure comprising a first layer containing a fluoropolymer having sulfonic groups and a second layer containing a fluoropolymer having carboxylic groups and adjacent to the first layer, and which has a rectangular shape with a constant thickness; wherein the cation exchange membrane has an attachment region along one (or each) of opposed sides of the cation exchange membrane and a main region other than the attachment region; the value of the ratio (the thickness of the second layer)/(the total thickness of the first and second layers) in the attachment region is larger than the value of the ratio in the main region. Further, its production process and an electrolytic cell to which the cation exchange membrane is attached.
US08349154B2	Surface modified electrodes for ER fluids The invention relates to modified electrodes for ER fluids prepared by adding a rough, wear-resisting, and low conductive modified layer on the surface of metallic electrodes. The material for the modified layer can be at least one from diamond, alumina, titanium dioxide, carborundum, titanium nitride, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, adhesive, and adhesive film. Through the addition of the modified layer, the adhesion of the ER fluid to electrodes is increased so that the shear stress measured near the plates is close to the intrinsic value, which makes the ER fluid applicable, while reducing the leakage current and increasing the breakdown voltage of the ER fluid equipment.
US08349153B2	Method for fabricating a sheet-shaped electrode and a sheet-shaped electrode for an electrostatic coalescing device A method for fabricating a sheet-shaped electrode for an electrostatic coalescing device. A layered material structure including an electrically conductive layer for forming a conductive member of the electrode and two electrically non-conductive insulation layers are arranged in an envelope. The insulation layers include thermoplastic or thermoset material for forming the insulation of the electrode. The conductive layer is arranged between the insulation layers. The envelope is sealed. Gas is evacuated from the envelope. The material structure is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic material or above the curing temperature of the thermoset material so as to consolidate the material structure while keeping the material structure inside the evacuated envelope. The material structure is cooled and removed from the envelope.
US08349151B2	Universal cell frame for high-pressure water electrolyzer and electrolyzer including the same Universal cell frame generic for use as an anode frame and as a cathode frame in a water electrolyzer. According to one embodiment, the universal cell frame includes a unitary annular member having a central opening. Four trios of transverse openings are provided in the annular member, each trio being spaced apart by about 90 degrees. A plurality of internal radial passageways fluidly interconnect the central opening and each of the transverse openings of two diametrically-opposed trios of openings, the other two trios of openings lacking corresponding radial passageways. Sealing ribs are provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the annular member. The present invention is also directed at a water electrolyzer that includes two such cell frames, one being used as the anode frame and the other being used as the cathode frame, the cathode frame being rotated 90 degrees relative to the anode frame.
US08349148B2	Spray formed galvanic anode panel An electrolytic mortar for fabricating galvanic anode panels is strengthened with fibers to improve green strength and resistance to cracking. Elongated reinforcing fibers are introduced into a flowing stream of mortar and deposited in multiple layers upon a platen or mold. A sacrificial zinc anode of open construction is embedded between the multiple layers to allow for electrolytic conduction between the layers and over all surfaces of the zinc anode.
US08349143B2	Shadow masks for patterned deposition on substrates A shadow mask for patterning a substrate during a semiconductor process. In one implementation, a method for performing a Physical vapor deposition (PVD) on a substrate is provided. The method includes placing a substrate on a susceptor disposed below one or more PVD guns and below a plasma shield assembly having an aperture piece comprising a bellows and a shadow mask coupled to a bottom side of the bellows, the aperture piece detachably coupled to the plasma shield assembly, wherein a region defined between sides of the bellows is smaller than a width of the substrate. The method includes lowering the bellows toward the substrate to place the shadow mask in contact with the substrate and depositing a material on an isolated region on the substrate through the shadow mask.
US08349137B2	Device for dewatering a material web This invention relates to a dewatering device for dewatering a material web (5), particularly a tissue web, in a paper machine where the dewatering device is placed after a forming unit (16) and before a thermal drying device (11). The dewatering device consists of a press roll (1) with a press belt (3) running round it. Here, the material web (5) is carried into the dewatering device either on a water-absorbing belt (4) or on a wire (10). The water-absorbing belt (4) is placed in the dewatering device between the material web (5) and the press belt (3). This invention also relates to a dewatering process performed with the dewatering device.
US08349129B2	Method and apparatus for debonding a submounted substrate The present invention provides a debonding apparatus, a system comprising such apparatus, and methods for using such apparatus or system for the removal of flexible substrates (14) post-processing without damage to fabricated devices.
US08349125B2	Cleaning device for transmission electron microscopes An apparatus for cleaning the specimen and interior specimen chamber of Transmission Electron Microscopes, and similar electron- or charged-particle-beam instruments consisting of a plasma cleaning device mounted on a hollow rod that replaces the stage through the air lock of the instrument by being the same shape and size as the stage support rod. The plasma cleaning device is a small hollow cathode that is excited by RF power. Air or other oxygen containing mixtures is admitted to the plasma through the hollow rod at a pressure below 1 Torr. The plasma creates oxygen radicals from the oxygen containing gas. The oxygen radicals oxidize the hydrocarbons contamination and convert them to easily pumped gases. The apparatus can be attached to the electron microscope whenever cleaning is needed, and then is easily removed to return the instrument to its analytical function.
US08349122B2	Fusion welding fittings with weld bead cover A fitting for use in fusion welding mating thermoplastic components includes a weld bead chamber to capture and conceal a bead formed as a result of the fusion weld. The weld bead chamber integrates the bead into the fitting so that the joined parts have a finished look without mechanical polishing or grinding of the completed piece. A stop ledge included in the weld bead chamber prevents over insertion of a pipe or other component into the fitting. A view window in the fitting permits inspection of the finished bead.
US08349111B2	Method for joining ceramic components A method for joining multiple ceramic components together is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including providing multiple ceramic components, each having a mating surface. A slip containing a mixture of alumina powder and a phosphate-containing reagent is applied to one or more of the mating surfaces. The mean particle size of the alumina powder is tailored to provide improved strength to the bond. Once the slip is applied, the ceramic components may be joined together at their mating surfaces. The joint may then be sintered to react the constituents in the mixture and thereby generate a bond between the ceramic components.
US08349110B1	Method to apply texture to a wall surface Defects in walls need to be repaired and need to be repaired so that the wall does not appear to have had a defect in the wall. This is particularly difficult when texture is on the wall. This method will permit texture that appears on the wall to be transferred to the area being repaired with no distinction between the originally damaged area and the original texture of the wall.
US08349107B2	Method for energy-efficient sealing of tubular bags The embodiments of the invention relate to a method for creating a force for a welding jaw of a vertical tubular bag machine. The welding jaw is moved back and forth along a path to strike a second welding jaw moving in the opposite direction. A tubular film is compressed between the second jaw and at least one sealing surface of the welding jaws, to weld the tubular film by ultrasonic vibrations applied thereto via the sealing surface at an applied pressure under a sealing force (Fs) within a sealing time (ts). The sealing force (Fs) is predetermined by a control unit such that the sealing force (Fs) runs along a sealing force curve within the sealing time (ts). The sealing force curve has a first relative sealing force maximum (Fs1) and at least one second relative sealing force maximum (Fs2), wherein (Fs1) is lower than (Fs2).
US08349106B2	Adhesive tape joining method and adhesive tape joining apparatus A joint detector detects a joint in an adhesive tape supplied from a tape supply section, and a computing unit determines a suitable cutting position of the adhesive tape for removing the joint in accordance with the detected results. A controller controls each mechanism to operate so as to satisfy the determined results by the computing unit. Thereafter, the adhesive tape including the joint is cut and removed.
US08349104B2	Method and assembly for validating bond line A method includes positioning a layer of adhesive between a first structural component and a second structural component, positioning a first evaluation film between the first structural component and the layer of adhesive, curing the adhesive at least partially, separating the first structural component and the first evaluation film by a relative movement therebetween, and inspecting bond line quality of the adhesive.
US08349100B2	Method for press-molding embossed steel plate A method for press-molding an embossed steel plate is able to cool even an embossed steel plate under conditions adequate for quenching.After a plate body with convex portions formed thereon is placed between an upper pressing die and a lower pressing die and the dies are closed, first and second circulation pumps are run to circulate cooling water.
US08349098B2	Process for producing a component from a steel product provided with an Al-Si coating and intermediate product of such a process A process for producing a component from a steel product coated with a protective Al—Si coating, and an intermediate product that arises during the course of such a process and that can be used to produce components of the type concerned here. The steel product coated with the Al—Si coating, undergoes a first heating stage in which the temperature and the duration of the heat treatment are set such that the Al—Si coating is only partially pre-alloyed with Fe from the steel product. Then, the steel product, in a second heating stage, is heated to a heating temperature, above the Ac1 temperature, at which the steel product has an at least partially austenitic structure, wherein the temperature and the duration of the second heating stage are set such that the Al—Si coating is fully alloyed with Fe from the steel product. After the steel product is heated to the heating temperature, it is shaped to form the component and the component obtained is cooled in a controlled manner, in order to obtain a martensitic structure.
US08349091B2	Teat cup cleaning device and method related thereto A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber (2), provided with a discharge (3) which is closable by a valve (4), and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device (20) is provided for filling the heating chamber (2) with an amount of cleaning liquid (11), and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber (2) to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve (4) opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line (17) between a liquid supply and the discharge.
US08349089B2	Dishwasher having dedicated sprayer for silverware basket A method and apparatus for providing multiple spray zones to different subportions of a silverware basket within the wash chamber of a dishwasher.
US08349087B2	Semiconductor device manufacturing method, wafer treatment system, and recording medium A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes loading plural dry-etched wafers one by one in a container having a side door so as to be disposed substantially horizontally and in layers vertically therein; and blowing out a purge gas horizontally to those wafers loaded in the container for 30 sec or more after all the subject wafers are loaded in the container while the side door is open.
US08349086B2	Non-stick masking fixtures and methods of preparing same Non-stick fixtures for selectively masking portions of a workpiece during application of a workpiece coating are described herein. These fixtures have predetermined surfaces thereon having an average surface roughness of about 25 Ra or less and a Rockwell hardness of about 65 Rc or more. The controlled average surface roughness ensures that these fixtures are non-stick with respect to the workpiece coating being applied to the workpieces disposed therein. The controlled Rockwell hardness ensures that the desired average surface roughness can be maintained throughout repeated use of the fixture in harsh coating environments. These fixtures reduce the workpiece coating bridging that occurs between the fixture and the workpiece, and also reduce the amount of overspray that occurs on the workpiece, thereby minimizing the amount of handwork and/or rework that is necessary after the workpiece is coated. This improves process cycle times and yields significantly.
US08349082B2	Vacuum processing apparatus Disclosed herein is a vacuum processing apparatus for performing a desired process for a substrate after establishing a vacuum atmosphere therein. More particularly, the vacuum processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, which is divided into a chamber body and an upper cover. The upper cover is configured to be easily opened away from and closed to the chamber body.
US08349080B1	Micro-manipulator machine for harvesting and cryofreezing crystals A micro-manipulator machine for harvesting and cryofreezing crystals for cryogenic storage and subsequent analysis includes a micropositioner mechanism for converting motions manually input to a position control knob to fractionally-scaled motions of a follower mechanism which includes a tool head support arm and tool head that releasably holds a filamentary polymer cryoloop for immersion into a liquid crystal growth media and extraction of a liquid drop containing a selected crystal from the media. A first automatic actuator mechanism orbits the tool head support arm, tool head, cryoloop, liquid drop and harvested crystal from a harvesting location to a retrieval location when the micropositioner input control arm has been moved manually away from the crystal harvesting location by the operator after extracting a crystal drop, and a second automatic actuator mechanism pivots the toll head into a flowing stream of a cryogenic gas to freeze the liquid drop and crystal.
US08349078B2	Method of forming nitride semiconductor epitaxial layer and method of manufacturing nitride semiconductor device The present method of forming a nitride semiconductor epitaxial layer includes the steps of growing at least one layer of nitride semiconductor epitaxial layer on a nitride semiconductor substrate having a dislocation density lower than or equal to 1×107 cm−2 with a chemical decomposition layer interposed therebetween, the chemical decomposition layer being chemically decomposed at least with either a gas or an electrolytic solution, and decomposing the chemical decomposition layer at least with either the gas or the electrolytic solution at least either during or after the step of growing the nitride semiconductor epitaxial layer, thereby separating the nitride semiconductor epitaxial layer from the nitride semiconductor substrate. A high-quality nitride semiconductor epitaxial layer suffering less damage when separated from the nitride semiconductor substrate is thereby formed.
US08349074B2	Method for detecting diameter of single crystal, single-crystal manufacturing method by using the same and single-crystal manufacturing apparatus A method for detecting a diameter of a single crystal at the time of pulling the single crystal from a silicon melt contained in a crucible according to the Czochralski method, the method including at least: using two cameras placed equidistant from each other as a target diameter upon forming a straight-body portion of the single crystal and face both ends of the diameter of the single crystal in a growth point of the single crystal respectively, to separately capture both of the ends of the growth point of the single crystal from an outside of a furnace, the growth point being a contact point between the single crystal and a melt surface; and detecting the diameter of the single crystal on the basis of the captured images. As a result, diameter detection precision is improved.
US08349065B2	Asphalt-mineral compositions The present invention is related to asphalt and asphalt-mineral compositions including at least one cationic organosilicon compound selected from a group consisting of: Y3-aSi(R1a)R2N+R3R4R5X−, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2P+R3R4R5X−, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2ZX−; or mixtures thereof, wherein in each formula Y is independently selected from a group consisting of OR, O(CH2CH2O)nH, (CH3OCH2CH2O), and (CH3CH2OCH2CH2O); a has a value selected from 0, 1 or 2; n is a value from 1 to 10; R is C1-C4 alkyl; R1 is either methyl or ethyl; R2 is C1-C4 alkylene group; R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from a group consisting of C1-C22 alkyl wherein at least one such group has more than 8 C-atoms, —CH2C6H5, —CH2CH2OH, —CH2OH and —(CH2)yNHC(O)R6 wherein y has a value of from 2 to 10 and R6 is a C1-C12 perfluoroalkyl radical; X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate; and Z is pyridinium ring of formula C5H5N+.
US08349062B2	Composition for washing and waxing a motor vehicle The invention is directed to a composition for simultaneously washing and waxing an automotive exterior surface. More particularly, this invention relates to a wash and wax composition that imparts a detergent-resistant wax to the vehicle surface. The composition comprises water, nano-scale particles of a wax, a surfactant, n-octyltriethoxysilane, diethoxyoctylsilyl trimethylsilyl ester of silicic acid, and an amino-functional siloxane or tetra(trimethylsiloxy) silane, wherein the wax particles, n-octyltriethoxysilane, diethoxyoctylsilyl trimethylsilyl ester of silicic acid, and amino-functional siloxane or tetra(trimethylsiloxy) silane form an emulsion or dispersion in the water.
US08349061B2	Combination relief valve and drainage mechanism requiring inserted element to permit drainage in a coalescer system Disclosed are coalescer systems for coalescing a liquid phase dispersed in a gas phase. The disclosed systems include a filter element which, when installed in the system, contacts and moves a valve to an open drainage position to permit flow of liquid through the system. In the disclosed systems, the filter element and valve also are configured such that under excess pressure conditions the valve permits the gas phase to bypass filter media of the filter element. In particular, the disclosed coalescer systems may be utilized in a CV system in order to remove oil mist from gas in the CV system.
US08349060B2	Scrubber with multiple venturis A scrubber removes matter (e.g., particulate, gaseous, or liquid) from a gas stream in order to recover the matter and/or to clean the gas. In particular aspects, the scrubber contains multiple venturis that may provide additional flexibility and increased efficiency. The invention also pertains to related methods.
US08349053B2	High efficiency gas concentrating apparatus and method of controlling high efficiency gas concentrating apparatus A high efficiency gas concentrating apparatus includes an air compressor for supplying high pressure air, first and second adsorption towers that are disposed above the air compressor and communicating with the air compressor to adsorb nitrogen and concentrate oxygen as the high pressure air is alternately supplied thereto, first and second concentrating passages that are disposed above the respective first and second adsorption towers to discharge the concentrated oxygen, and a cleaning tank that is disposed between the first and second concentrating passages to receive a portion of the concentrated oxygen from one of the first and second adsorption towers, temporarily store the received concentrated oxygen therein, and alternately remove adsorbed nitrogen by supplying the temporarily concentrated oxygen to the other of the first and second adsorption towers.
US08349052B2	Electric precipitator and electrode thereof An electric precipitator prevents dielectric breakdown by ensuring the dielectric distance among a plurality of electrodes. The electric precipitator includes a charging section for charging dust particles in air, and a collecting section for collecting the dust particles charged by the charging section. The collecting section includes a high voltage electrode having a conductive layer coated with a dielectric layer, and a low voltage electrode having at least one protrusion that maintains a gap between the high voltage electrode and the low voltage electrode. The conductive layer includes at least one cutting part formed in an area corresponding to the protrusion.
US08349048B2	Filter arrangement The invention relates to a filter arrangement comprising a plate-shaped filter holder (12) provided with at least one stem-type protruberance (13) having an opening (11) said filter holder (12) being used to receive a filter element (14) in a sealed manner for each protuberance on the raw gas side of the filter holder. In order to ensure that the filter is changed easily with sufficient filtering safety, each filter element (14) is provided with an adapter collar (15) comprising at least one limb (15B; 15D) parallel to the protruberances. Said limb can be placed, from the raw gas side, inside or over the protruberance. A sealing arrangement (16) provided comprises sealing elements (16A, 16B) which are parallel to both the plates and to the protruberances and are used for the at least partial join between the protruberance and the adapter collar.
US08349044B2	Filter apparatus with pulse cleaning and methods for pulse cleaning filters A method of pulse cleaning filter media in panel, cylindrical, conical, or V-pack style filter in an opening of a tubesheet is provided. The method includes directing a fluid pulse at the filter media at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the opening of the tubesheet; and (ii) not in line with the general direction of the filtration flow through the filter media. An air cleaner is provided including a housing including a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and an interior. A tubesheet is in the housing interior having a plurality of openings. In the plurality of openings of the tubesheet are mounted filters with filter media. There is a plurality of blow pipes, with each blow pipe being pointed to direct at a fluid pulse a respective one of the filters at an angle that is: (i) not normal to a plane of the opening in the tubesheet; and (ii) not in line with the general direction of filtration flow through the respective filter media.
US08349042B2	Polishing liquid and polishing method The present invention relates to a polishing slurry including: a colloidal silica having an average particle size of 40 nm or more; water; and a ζ potential adjusting component, in which the ζ potential adjusting component includes at least one water-soluble organic polymer selected from a water-soluble polyether polyamine and a water-soluble polyalkylene polyamine and at least one acid selected from hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, nitrous acid and amidosulfuric acid, and the ζ potential adjusting component contains the acid at a ratio of from 0.6 to 1.4 to the water-soluble organic polymer in terms of molar ratio, and the polishing slurry has a pH of 8 or more.
US08349041B2	Backingless abrasive article An abrasive article includes an abrasive layer having an array of protrusions. The abrasive layer has a thickness not greater than about 500 mils. The abrasive article is free of a backing layer.
US08349040B2	Method for making composite abrasive compacts The present invention relates to polycrystalline ultra hard material cutting elements, and more particularly to a method of forming a polycrystalline ultra hard material cutting element with a thicker ultra hard layer than cutting elements formed by prior art methods. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method includes pre-sintering the ultra hard material powder to form an ultra hard material layer that is partially or fully densified prior to HPHT sintering, so that the ultra hard layer is pre-shrunk. This pre-sintering in an exemplary embodiment is achieved by means of a spark plasma process, or in another exemplary embodiment by a microwave sintering process.
US08349039B2	Carbonaceous fines recycle Processes are provided for capturing and recycling carbonaceous fines generated during a gasification process. In particular, the recycled fines are processed into a particulate composition which is useable as a carbonaceous feedstock and is conversion into a gas stream comprising methane.
US08349034B2	Engineered fuel feed stock useful for displacement of coal in coal firing plants Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including co-firing with coal and as substitutes for coal.
US08349032B2	Bio-based oxygenated esters and diesters and method of preparation thereof Fuel oxygenates comprised of fatty acid or fatty acid ester derivatives which have been reacted with ozone; a base; and a lower alkanol (1 to 8 carbon atoms) are described. The oxygenates comprise ester groups at a point of cleavage by the ozone which provide oxygen in the oxygenate.
US08349028B2	Reactive printing dye and its aqueous composition application The present invention relates to a reactive printing dye composition, which includes: (a) at least one reactive dye; (b) an organic buffer; and (c) a mirabilite or a dispersant. The reactive printing dye composition of the present invention is capable for being used in the fabric-dyeing, for example, dyeing of cotton, hemp, silk, rayon, wool, blending, etc. The reactive printing dye composition of the present invention is advantageous in high pH value stability, high storage stability, and reduced degradation in dyeing strength. In addition, the present invention further provides an aqueous reactive printing dye composition.
US08349027B2	Process for producing dyed plastic lens A process which enables a plastic lenses having a refractive index of 1.7 or greater and, in particular, plastic lenses having a refractive index of 1.7 to 1.8 to be dyed uniformly to a great density without unevenness, which is, specifically, a process for producing a dyed plastic lens which comprises conducting following steps (1), (2) and (3) in this order: Step (1): a step comprising coating a substrate at 60° C. or lower with an ink comprising a sublimation dye; Step (2): a step comprising decreasing content of water in the ink comprising sublimation dye coating the substrate to 50% by mass or less of the entire ink; and Step (3): a step comprising, after placing a plastic lens in a manner such that a face for dying of the lens and a face of the substrate coated with the ink comprising a sublimation dye face each other, sublimating the sublimation dye in the ink comprising a sublimation dye coating the substrate by heating the substrate obtained after Step (2) under a degree of vacuum of about 1×104 Pa or smaller to dye the plastic lens.
US08349025B2	Process for oxidative colouring keratin fibres The present invention relates to a process for oxidative coloring keratin fibers especially human hair wherein dyeing compositions are thickened with a selected thickener. The objective of the present invention is a process for oxidative coloring hair wherein compositions A and B are mixed wherein composition A comprises at least one oxidative dye precursor and optionally at least one coupling agent and optionally at least one direct dye in a cosmetically acceptable medium and composition B comprises at least one oxidizing agent in a cosmetically acceptable medium, and applied onto hair and processed for 5 to 45 min at a temperature range of 20 to 45° C. and rinsed off from hair, wherein at least one of the two compositions A and B comprises a thickening polyurethane polymer.
US08349023B2	After treatment for color fixation Cosmetic hair post-treatment agent for improving washing fastness of coloring processes produced on hair and for color fixing, the post-treatment agent containing, in a cosmetic carrier, at least one acetylpyridinium derivative of formula (I) wherein R1 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group, a C2 to C6 alkenyl group, a C2 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, a C1 to C6 alkoxy-C2 to C6 alkyl group, a carboxy-C2 to C6 alkyl group, an aryl-C1 to C6 alkyl group, a heteroaryl-C1 to C6 alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group, and X− is a physiologically acceptable anion.
US08349021B2	Prosthetic locking liner with improved knee flexion A prosthesis comprising an elastomeric locking liner sized and configured to surround a limb of a patient about a knee joint, the liner having an inner surface for facing the limb of the patient and an outer surface defining an anterior region and a posterior region which are demarcated by an imaginary plane extending midway between the front most portion and rear most portion of the limb along the length of the limb, wherein the anterior region has an anterior material secured thereto and the posterior region has a posterior material secured thereto and the anterior and posterior materials having equal transverse elongation, and the anterior material having a longitudinal elongation greater than the longitudinal elongation of said posterior material, whereby when said prosthesis is donned onto a limb of a patient over the knee and the limb is flexed about the knee, buckling of the prosthesis about the knee is substantially reduced or eliminated and wherein the distal end of the liner includes an insert member adapted to receive a connector for locking the liner to a prosthetic socket when worn on a residual limb of an amputee.
US08349020B2	Artificial muscles An artificial muscle (10) comprises a chamber (12) having a flexible wall of plastics material, a device for heating and/or cooling a low-boiling-point fluid contained in, or in communication with, the chamber so that at least some of the fluid changes state between liquid and gaseous so that the force in the chamber on the flexible wall changes and/or the flexible wall moves to change the volume of the chamber, and a tendon (14) which at least partly encircles the chamber over an extent that varies with variations in the chamber volume for transmitting force between the flexible wall and a load. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point enables plastics materials to be used without thermal damage, and the use of plastics materials enables low production costs. The use of a flexible wall to convey an effort to a load avoids the need for sliding parts and can provide advantages such as reduced friction and ease of sealing. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point also enables large changes in pressure to be achieved with relatively small changes in temperature, so that the muscle can operate over a relatively small temperature range. The use of a low-boiling-point fluid operating at around its boiling point also reduces the risk of personal injury. The tendon arrangement provides less of a restriction on the operating range of the muscle than a McKibben type arrangement.
US08349014B2	Expandable device for distracting spinal tissue surfaces An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior endplates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of interlocking expansion members or wafers. The like-configured wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. One of the interlocking features includes a plurality of prongs projecting from an upper surface of the wafers and into a recess defined in the lower surface of an adjacent previously inserted like-configured wafer. The prongs and recesses are configured to prevent retrograde movement of each new wafer in a direction opposite the direction of insertion. Other interlocking features prevent movement in the direction of insertion, transverse to the insertion direction and vertically within the stack.
US08349013B2	Spine distraction implant A method for stabilizing at least one spinal motion segment includes an expandable spacer in a collapsed state into the interspinous space between superior and inferior vertebrae such that the spacer extends through the sagittal plane defined by the spinous processes of the superior and inferior vertebrae. The spacer has a flexible membrane defining an interior cavity. The method includes expanding the spacer to an expanded state by forcing a fill material in a fluid state into the cavity with the spacer disposed in the interspinous space, and thereafter solidifying the fill material to a solid state in the cavity. The method may be performed through a percutaneous penetration in the patient's skin and may cause the first and second vertebrae to be distracted.
US08349012B2	Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods Intervertebral disc treatment devices and methods are provided. An intervertebral disc treatment device includes a fibrous body sized for introduction into a disc cavity of a damaged disc wherein the body incorporates an effective amount of a tissue growth factor. Intervertebral disc treatment apparatuses are also described that include such a disc treatment device in combination with a delivery apparatus for retaining and selectively releasing the device into the disc cavity. Methods for treatment include providing a disc treatment device as described above and inserting the device into an opening in an annulus fibrous and into the disc cavity. The methods further include stimulating tissue growth within the disc cavity of the intervertebral disc.
US08349010B2	Expanding ligament graft fixation system A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceble insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.
US08349009B2	Implant, method for producing the implant, and use of the implant An implant that includes titanium and has one or more surfaces which can be applied in or on a bone growth area. One or more of the surfaces are arranged with a depot for bone-growth-initiating or bone-growth-stimulating substance, in which the depot is formed by a pore arrangement in a relatively thick oxide layer on the titanium. The substance is acted on, for a considerable period of time, by one or more release functions for the substance which permit a controlled or optimized release of substance to the surrounding tissue or bone growth area.
US08349006B2	Glare reducing rough surfaces An intraocular lens for insertion into a capsular bag in order to focus incoming light toward a retina and process for manufacturing thereof along with concomitant reduced glare and improved vision provides for a center lens portion of a lens for focusing incoming light toward the retina and the surrounding lens portion for mounting the lens within the capsular bag. A surface roughness disposed on the surrounding lens portion is provided for reducing the glare due to non-focused light directed toward the retina from the intraocular lens with the roughness having a roughness level of between about Ra 45 and about Ra 350.
US08349000B2	Minimally-invasive heart valves Expandable prosthetic heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, an expandable prosthetic heart valve includes a support stent comprising an expandable tubular base along an inflow end and three upstanding commissure posts along an outflow end. The three commissure posts are spaced at 120 degree intervals with gaps therebetween. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a tubular flexible member having a prosthetic section and a fabric section. The prosthetic section is connected to the three commissure posts and defines three leaflets, preferably formed of pericardial tissue. The fabric section is sutured to the expandable tubular base. The tubular base may be formed with a shape memory material and is sized for deployment with an annulus of a native aortic valve. After deployment, the three commissure posts support the leaflets above the tubular base for replacing the function of the native aortic valve. In one variation, flanges may be provided on the support stent for improving attachment of the support stent to the host tissue.
US08348998B2	Unitary quick connect prosthetic heart valve and deployment system and methods A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable coupling stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the coupling stent attached thereto. The coupling stent may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes a hollow two-piece handle through which a balloon catheter passes. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.
US08348994B2	Vascular prosthesis with alternating helical sections An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.
US08348993B2	Flexible stent design Stents having a plurality of serpentine bands including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion therebetween are herein disclosed. Each of the bands includes peaks and valleys. Serpentine bands of the proximal end portion are connected together in a repeating pattern of connected and unconnected peaks and valleys. Serpentine bands of the distal end portion are connected together in a repeating pattern of connected and unconnected peaks and valleys. The repeating pattern of the proximal end portion is different than the repeating pattern of the distal end portion.
US08348988B2	Endoluminal prosthetic device An endoluminal prosthetic device for placement in a body lumen is formed by stitching stents to a graft. A first or anchoring stent is used for securing a graft made of biocompatible material that forms at least one lumen. There is also a second stent. The first and second stents each include a plurality of struts and apices between the struts. At least two of the apices in each of the first and second stents are secured to the graft by stitches. A running suture links at least one stitch of the first stent and one stitch of the second stent. The running suture linking the first stent and the second stent adds strength to the stitches and better secures the first stent to the device. The endoluminal prosthetic device may be used in an aortic vessel to treat stenoses or aneurysms.
US08348985B2	Stand-alone scanning laser device A stand-alone laser device that provides low level laser therapy using one or more laser sources. The laser sources are attached to one or more arms which can be positioned to cause the laser light to impinge on a desired area of a patient's body. A scanning apparatus is attached to the arms which comprise structures that cooperate to cause an optical element to be able to simultaneously rotate about a central axis and move in a linear motion along that axis to achieve any desired scan pattern. Laser light of different pulse widths, different beam shapes and different scan patterns can be applied externally to a patient's body. In the preferred embodiment, red light having a wavelength of about 635 nm is used to stimulate hair growth on a patient's scalp.
US08348984B2	Method and apparatus for surgical clamping The invention concerns a clamp, especially a surgical clamp, with a left clamp half to receive a left half of a breastbone during a surgical procedure, a right clamp half to receive a right half of the breastbone, as well as a first toothed rod and a detent mechanism engaging in the first toothed rod to secure the left clamp half at a distance from the right clamp half, wherein the detent mechanism engaging in the first toothed rod has a detent region extending at least from the left clamp half to the right clamp half.
US08348977B2	Artificial spinous process for the sacrum and methods of use Devices and methods for attaching a support to the sacrum. One device may include first and second anchors that mount to the sacrum, and first and second lateral extensions coupled to the anchors to secure the device to the sacrum. A bearing face having a width is positioned between the lateral extensions. The face may have a height in an anterior-posterior direction greater than the spinous process of the sacrum. Further, the bearing face may be oriented in a superior direction when the device is mounted to the sacrum. An implant may be supported by the device to space the sacrum and L5 vertebra. The implant may be an interspinous device and positioned between the L5 spinous process and the bearing face. The implant is supported at least in part by the bearing face.
US08348975B2	Method for creating knotless double row construct with medial row closure Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair includes the steps of (i) securing first and second knotless fixation devices in bone, wherein the first fixation device is provided with a first loop and a first set of tails extending therefrom, and wherein the second fixation device is provided with a second loop and a second set of tails extending therefrom; (ii) passing one tail of the first fixation device through the second loop of the second fixation device; (iii) passing one tail of the second fixation device through the first loop of the first fixation device; and (iv) securing the first set of tails with a third fixation device and the second set of tails with a fourth fixation device.
US08348974B2	Spinning solution composition, process for producing regenerated silk fiber using the composition, and regenerated silk fiber produced by the process A spinning solution composition which provides regenerated silk fiber that exhibits a strength and elongation close to those of natural silk fiber, is rapidly degradable in vivo, and can be caused to have ability to gradually release a drug to prevent inflammation; a process for producing such regenerated silk fiber by use of the composition; and regenerated silk fiber obtained through the process.
US08348970B2	Military emergency tourniquet The military emergency tourniquet is a device for rapidly and easily reducing or stopping blood flow to a limb. The tourniquet utilizes a closed loop system and includes a twistable strap, a base including two opposing entry apertures and an exit aperture, a windlass and at least one receiving loop. The twistable strap is slidably positioned through the opposing entry apertures and the exit aperture thereby forming a closed loop. The windlass is positioned outside of the closed loop and is affixed to one end of the strap. The windlass includes an aperture capable of sliding the opposing end of the strap therethrough. The receiving loop receives an end of the windlass and is affixed to the base.
US08348969B2	Device for remodeling the uncinate process A method of remodeling the uncinate process associated with a paranasal sinus includes positioning at least one shim member in the infundibulum, the shim member deforming the uncinate process and widening at least a portion of the infundibulum. The infundibulum space may be dilated with a dilating member. Dilation may occur prior to delivery of the at least one shim. The dilation member may be delivered into the sinus cavity via an access passageway formed in the canine fossa.
US08348968B2	Obturator tips A trocar assembly for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a cannula subassembly and an obturator subassembly. The obturator assembly includes an obturator shaft member defining a longitudinal axis and an obturator tip configured to be removable from the obturator shaft member or, alternatively, constructed with the obturator member as a single unit. Various designs of the obturator tip are contemplated.
US08348964B2	Living tissue ligation device This invention includes a clip having arms which grip living tissue, a press tube serving as a clamping member which is fitted and mounted on the clip to close the arms of the clip, a coupling member which can be inserted into the press tube and engages with the clip, and projections serving as lock portions which hold the arms of the clip in a closed state when the clip engages with the press tube.
US08348961B2	Gastric band introducer A surgical introducer for an implant, such as a gastric band. The introducer has a shaft portion with a longitudinal axis extending through proximal and distal sides. A guide bore extends longitudinally through the shaft portion to extend the shaft to slide over an elongated guide member. A band-pulling member is disposed on the distal side and is configured to retain the implant in a loaded position on the shaft and to pull the implant in this position across an incision, such as across an abdominal wall, through an implantation site.
US08348960B2	Applicator for suture/button construct A technique for joint repair employing a suture/button construct and an applicator designed to securely engage a button of the suture/button construct. The button of the suture/button construct securely engages the shaft of the applicator. The suture from the button may be wrapped around a securing device (for example, a rod or bolt) located on or within the handle. The applicator with the secured button is introduced into the tissue (for example, soft tissue or a bone tunnel) and the button is passed through the tissue.
US08348959B2	Angled surgical driver An angular surgical driver including a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, an angled housing and a plurality of pins. The first rotatable member and second rotatable member are angularly associated with each other. The angled housing is rotatably connected to the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. A plurality of pins drivingly connecting the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member.
US08348958B2	Insertion tool for use with intervertebral spacers An instrument for holding an intervertebral spacer, the instrument comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end forming a handle and the distal end forming a spacer engaging subassembly, the spacer engaging subassembly comprising at least one selectively expanding and contracting enclosure into which at least a portion of the spacer is introduced when the engaging subassembly is expanded and an actuating mechanism, extending from the proximal end to the distal end, by which the spacer member engaging subassembly may be selectively expanded and contracted.
US08348956B2	Apparatus and methods for reinforcing bone Apparatuses and methods for reinforcing weakened or fractured bone are disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a bone reinforcing mixture to a bone includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass through, and a bone fitting portion having an opening for accepting the tube, an insertion portion for insertion into the bone, and at least one relief valve.
US08348952B2	System and method for cooling a spinal correction device comprising a shape memory material for corrective spinal surgery A device and method of correcting a spinal defect in a patient employs the use of shape memory material in a spinal correction device. The shape memory material may be transitioned between a flexible martensitic state to allow shaping of the spinal correction device and a rigid austenitic state to apply corrective forces to the spine. The shape memory material may be transitioned to the flexible martensitic by applying a coolant, such as cold gas, directly or indirectly to the shape memory material to transfer heat away from the material. The cooling device and method may allow for in-vivo shaping of the spinal correction device while inserted in the body and attached to bone anchors by cooling the spinal correction device after insertion.
US08348951B2	Sagittal saw blade with a static bar and a moving drive rod and blade crown, the bar having secondary openings A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar shaped to be coupled to a sagittal saw. At least one drive rod extends through the bar. The drive rod is moveable within the blade bar. A blade crown, located outside the distal end opening of the blade bar is connected to the drive rod. The actuation of the drive rod by the saw results in the oscillation of the blade crown. Proximal to the distal end of the blade bar, the bar is formed with secondary openings. When the drive rod and blade crown are actuated, tissue entrained in the blade bar is discharged from the secondary openings.
US08348950B2	Sacroiliac fusion system An undercutting system for preparing a region between ilium and sacrum for sacroiliac fusion. The undercutting system includes an insertion apparatus and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is operably attached to the insertion apparatus. The cutting assembly is movable with respect to the insertion apparatus between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.
US08348948B2	Vessel sealing system using capacitive RF dielectric heating An electrosurgical system for sealing vessels using capacitive (RF) dielectric heating and a method thereof are provided. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an end effector with parallel plate electrodes that will clamp onto a vessel and maintain a specified gap distance; however, the electrodes will be coated with a non-conductive dielectric material. Such an end effector will ensure that direct conduction between the electrodes does not occur through tissue or fluids and effectively creates a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric, e.g., tissue and coating, in between the plates. The electrosurgical instrument will be activated with an AC signal at a specified RF frequency, e.g., a Debye resonance frequency, via an electrosurgical generator. An effective AC current will flow through the tissue and cause heating due to fictional losses from rotating polar molecules in the tissue.
US08348940B2	Methods and systems for focused bipolar tissue ablation Large tissue regions are treated using pairs of electrode arrays. The electrode arrays may be concave and disposed in tissue so that their concave portions are opposed to each other. Axial conductors may be provided extending from the arrays and toward each other in order to increase the heating of tissues lying along the axis between the deployed electrode arrays. By properly spacing the electrode arrays apart and selecting the diameters of the arrays, desired volumes of tissue may be treated, typically with a bipolar, radiofrequency current.
US08348938B2	Apparatus, systems and methods for treating a human tissue condition Apparatus, systems and methods for providing electrical energy to treat a tissue condition includes a high voltage pulse generator for generating short high voltage pulses of energy and a delivery device for receiving the pulses of energy. The delivery device includes at least a pair of needle electrodes for penetrating into the tissue and delivering the pulses of energy to the tissue.
US08348936B2	Thermal treatment systems with acoustic monitoring, and associated methods A thermal treatment system with acoustic monitoring applies substantially constant electromagnetic energy superposed with pulsed electromagnetic energy to targeted tissue. The pulsed electromagnetic energy reacts with tissue to create an acoustic pressure wave within the tissue. The acoustic pressure wave is sensed by an acoustic sensor, and a sensor signal indicative of the acoustic pressure wave is generated and processed to determine changes in tissue composition.
US08348934B2	Electrosurgical power control A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
US08348933B2	Method and apparatus for processing hard material A method and apparatus are provided for processing a hard material, for example a hard biological material such as dental enamel or bone, with optical radiation. A treatment zone of the material is selectively cleaned of ablation products and other dirt to enhance processing efficiency, and a tip through which the optical radiation is applied to the treatment zone of the hard material is spaced slightly from the treatment zone during at least a portion of the time that hydrating fluid is being applied to the zone and/or while air or another gas is applied to the zone to clean the surface thereof.
US08348926B2	Catheter apparatus A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool.
US08348925B2	Introducer sheath with thin-walled shaft and improved means for attachment to the skin An introducer sheath for placement into the vascular system of a human subject. The introducer sheath has a tubular shaft, a side arm, and a hemostasis valve with an integrated attachment mechanism for attaching and detaching a proximal end of the introducer sheath to and from the skin of the human subject.
US08348923B2	Apparatus and method for controlling insulin infusion with state variable feedback An infusion system, which may be a closed loop, or “semi-closed-loop”, infusion system, uses state variable feedback to control the rate at which fluid is infused into a user's body. The closed loop system includes a sensor system, a controller, and a delivery system. The “semi-closed-loop” system further includes prompts that provide indications to the user prior to fluid delivery. The sensor system includes a sensor for monitoring a condition of the user and produces a sensor signal which is representative of the user's condition. The delivery system infuses a fluid into the user at a rate dictated by the commands from the controller. The system may use three state variables, e.g., subcutaneous insulin concentration, plasma insulin concentration, and insulin effect, and corresponding gains, to calculate an additional amount of fluid to be infused with a bolus and to be removed from the basal delivery of the fluid.
US08348920B2	Disposable absorbent articles having wetness appearing graphics The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a wetness indicator printed onto a surface of said backsheet wherein the wetness indicator comprises a graphic that further comprises at least one responsive color composition and a varnish coating disposed adjacent to said responsive color composition; wherein upon wetting, said graphic becomes visible to the unaided eye.
US08348917B2	Stretched, necked, unitary garment and a method of manufacturing same An absorbent article can utilize a chassis design comprising a unitary inner layer and an expandable absorbent assembly attached to the inner layer, with the inner layer including elasticized portions so that the absorbent article conforms to the body of a person wearing the article. The expandable absorbent assembly can be minimally attached to the garment side of the inner layer and, in some embodiments at an aperture or opening in the inner layer that allows exudates to pass into the absorbent assembly. The article can further comprise an extensible outer layer attached to the garment side of the inner layer so that the outer layer covers the absorbent assembly and elastics, with the outer layer attached at the perimeter of at least portions of the article.
US08348916B2	Individual package and method of manufacturing the same An individual package is provided to allow a tampon with an applicator to be handled easily. An individual package includes: a tampon including an applicator having an external cylinder and an internal cylinder, and an absorbent body housed so as to be pushed out from the applicator; and a flat bag formed by a predetermined sheet member in a elongated shape. The flat bag includes an unsealable portion formed on one side of the flat bag so as to enable the tampon to be removed therefrom; and a lid portion which is openable and closable in a longitudinal direction of the flat bag. The lid portion is disposed so as to cover the unsealable portion.
US08348912B2	Eye dropper alignment apparatus and method for using same The present application discloses a new and novel system and apparatus for improving the accuracy with which a person may apply eye drops to their own eye. The apparatus holds a bottle of eye drops at a fixed and certain distance above the eye, beside the nose, and below the forehead brow such that the user may easily apply eye drops consistently to one particular portion of their own eye. The apparatus sits on the nasion of the nose using a nasal bridge device and also rests on two pillars that are placed on the user's forehead. Used in such a manner, the apparatus facilitates one-handed eye drop application, facilitates both non-visual alignment and oblique alignment, and reduces reflective blinking.
US08348906B2	Aspirator for pneumostoma management A pneumostoma management system includes a pneumostoma management device for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma and a pneumostoma aspirator for pneumostoma care. The pneumostoma aspirator includes a bulb or syringe for applying positive or negative pressure, a tube for entering the pneumostoma and a limiting device for limiting the depth of insertion of the tube into a pneumostoma. The pneumostoma aspirator may also be used to introduce irrigation fluid into the pneumostoma and/or remove irrigation fluid and discharge from the pneumostoma.
US08348904B2	Medical delivery system having container recognition and container for use with the medical delivery system A medical delivery system comprising a container and a dosing assembly where the container is fastenable to the dosing assembly. When the container is secured to the dosing assembly, a recognition feature on the container is adapted to co-operate with a variable resistor disposed in the dosing assembly to thereby facilitate an identification of the specific type of container which is secured to the dosing assembly. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a container and a dosing assembly suitable for use in the medical delivery system according to the present invention.
US08348902B2	Syringe holder and injection device An injection device adapted to the luer lock system and a syringe holder for making it is disclosed. The syringe holder for holding an inserted syringe, with a cap attached to the male luer at the tip, comprises a cylindrical barrel portion having an open distal end and an open proximal end, and a finger rest around the outer surface of the barrel portion at a position relatively closer to the proximal end, wherein a stopper means is provided at the inner surface of the barrel portion at the distal end thereof, the stopper means being designed to abut on the outer edge of the distal end of the syringe, and wherein a female-threaded sleeve extends forwardly from the distal end of the barrel portion, which is designed to surround the tip of the syringe and the cap, and wherein a proximal end cap is provided, at the proximal end of the barrel portion, which is designed to abut on the outer edge of the proximal end of the syringe, and has a bore to pass the piston rod through.
US08348898B2	Automatic needle for drug pump A needle assembly adapted for fluid communication with a vial containing a substance to be delivered to a subject, the needle assembly including a needle held in a needle holder, the needle holder confined to move in a housing, and an activation mechanism for activating delivery of the substance through the needle, the activation mechanism including a safety latch that initially impedes movement of the needle holder, wherein when the safety latch is placed on the subject, the safety latch moves to a position that permits moving the needle holder to cause the needle to protrude outwards of the housing to pierce the subject to allow administration of the substance to the subject, characterized by a biasing device arranged to apply a biasing force on the needle to cause the needle to protrude outwards of the housing to pierce the subject, and needle release apparatus including a needle arrestor that initially blocks movement of the biasing device and which releases the biasing device when the safety latch moves to the position that permits moving the needle holder to cause the needle to protrude outwards of the housing.
US08348891B2	Surgical method and medical device To perform treatment by readily introducing a device causing minimal invasion even where approach from the body surface is difficult, a medical device includes a guide that is inserted into a lumen; a first balloon at a distal end of the guide, connected to a first flow path extending to a proximal end of the guide; a second balloon on the guide, separated from the first balloon on the proximal-end side and connected to a second flow path extending to the proximal end of the guide; a third balloon extending along the guide from a point between the first balloon and the second balloon to the proximal end and having a port for supplying or discharging fluid at the proximal end; and a cleansing flow path having a discharge port between the first balloon and the second balloon and extending to the proximal end of the guide.
US08348881B2	Device for injecting a pharmaceutical active principle The invention concerns a device for injecting a solid medicine (10) comprising a body (2) inside which moves along a general forward moving axis (X-X) a bevelled (34) needle (4) wherein is introduced the medicine (10), said injection device (1) further comprising retaining means for preventing the medicine from falling (10) prior to being injected. The invention is characterized in that the medicine (10) is retained through an elastic deformation imparted to the needle (4) by the retaining means or by an elastic deformation of the retaining means themselves, or still by the combined flexibility of those two means.
US08348880B2	Ultrasonic surgical instrument incorporating fluid management Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical device having a distally/proximally movable fluid management system consisting of single lumen or multiple lumens. The invention provides for the delivery of irrigation fluid or the removal of fluid, debris or vapor from the tissue-effecting portion of the blade while minimizing the loading on the blade. The blades of the surgical device, when excited at a natural blade system frequency, will have modal shapes characterized by longitudinal, transverse and/or torsional motion and will have nodal locations for these motions at positions along the tissue effecting length of the blade. The instrument is designed to allow for the fluid management system to be positioned at one or more motion nodes to facilitate efficient removal of tissue or fluid, which tends to accumulate at such nodes of the ultrasonic surgical blades.
US08348879B2	Surgical system having a cassette with an acoustic air reflector A surgical cassette have a rigid fluid channel formed into a rigid plastic component or housing. The piezoelectric crystals of an ultrasonic flow meter are positioned on one side of the fluid channel. The side wall of the fluid channel opposite the piezoelectric crystals is exposed to fluid in the flow channel on its interior side and is exposed to ambient air on its exterior side. The interface between the wall and the air acts as an acoustic reflector for the operation of the ultrasonic flow meter.
US08348876B2	Strap retainer An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes, according to one embodiment, a first shell body defining first and second surfaces, and a resilient perimeter edge portion surrounding the perimeter of the first shell body. The edge portion has greater flexibility than the first shell body. The perimeter edge portion defines a lip extending over a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces, and the lip is spaced a distance above the first shell body so as to define a clearance between the first shell body and the lip.
US08348873B2	Device for protecting wounds on limbs A device which comprises an enclosure of a plastics material, having an opening at an end thereof with fastening means to enable the opening to be closed around a limb or stump with an affected part contained within the enclosure, and including a fluid-absorbent material within the enclosure. The device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of leg ulcers.
US08348872B2	Apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage with fluid spray control device In an apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage comprising a housing structure having a user support surface and a fluid spray arrangement interiorly within the housing structure for directing a fluid stream at the user support surface for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to the body of a user thereon, a control device is disposed within the housing structure between the fluid spray arrangement and the user support surface for altering directional flow of the fluid stream relative to a selected portion of the user's body.
US08348871B2	Apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user in a seated position An apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user in a seated position includes a housing structure having a user support surface wherein an upper body portion and a lower body portion of a user are supported in relative angular relation, and a fluid spray arrangement interiorly within the housing structure for directing a fluid stream at the user support surface for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to the upper body portion and lower body portion of the user. The fluid spray arrangement is movable for travel along the user support surface in a first path of travel generally along the upper body portion of the user and a second path of travel angularly relative to the first path of travel generally along the lower body portion of the user.
US08348867B2	Method for treating subcutaneous tissues An apparatus and method for treating subcutaneous tissues using acoustic waves in the range of low acoustic pressure ultrasound waves is disclosed. The method includes injections of enhancing agents, wherein disruption of subcutaneous tissues and subcutaneous cavitational bioeffects are produced by ultrasound waves having a power that will not produce tissue cavitation in the absence of the enhancing agents. The apparatus and method of use is useful for treatment of subcutaneous abnormalities including cellulite, lipomas, and tumors.
US08348866B2	Device for treating, in particular massaging, the connective tissue of the skin This device may include two parallel rollers which work the skin and which are mounted in a casing so as to rotate about their respective axis. To reliably and effectively treat skin by aspiration, without using excessive vacuum levels, at least one of the rollers may be hollow and delimit transverse aspiration passages. These passages may have an outer end, which opens out on the periphery of the roller, and an inner end which, when the outer end is directed towards the skin, is connected to a vacuum source via a control means inside the roller. These passages may be distributed about the periphery of the roller such that, for each position of the roller, at least one passage has its outer end directed towards the skin and its inner end in fluidic communication, via the control means, with the inner end of at least one other of the passages.
US08348859B2	Guide wire A guide wire includes a first wire disposed on the distal side of the guide wire and a second wire disposed on the proximal side. The second wire has an elastic modulus larger than the first wire. The first wire is joined to the second wire at a welded portion by welding. A coil is disposed on the distal side of the first wire. A cover layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire member in such a manner as to cover at least the welded portion. The cover layer is made from a material capable of reducing the friction of the cover layer, for example, a fluorocarbon resin or a hydrophilic material, to thereby improve the sliding performance of the guide wire. Such a guide wire is excellent in operationality and kink resistance.
US08348854B2	End-tidal CO2 monitoring tube holder Devices for attaching medical tubing to a nasal cannula are provided. Such devices may comprise a body having a distal end and a proximal end, a connector disposed on the body and adapted to releasably attach the body to the nasal cannula, and one of the following: at least one tube holding member extending along at least one surface of the body and adapted to accept the medical tubing, or at least one body channel extending through the body and having an outlet at the distal end of the body, and a tube connector attached to the proximal end of the body and adapted to fluidly connect the medical tubing the at least one channel.
US08348853B2	System, method and device for aiding in the diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction A system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction is described. More particularly, a system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of one or more pulmonary embolisms is described. The system and method described herein include a plurality of sensors, a thermal control system, and a controller means coupled to the plurality of sensors and the thermal control system for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction.
US08348850B2	Method of monitoring dislodgement of venous needles in dialysis patients A method of detecting a dislodged needle in a hemodialysis procedure includes measuring venous drip pressure of the dialysis machine of a patient undergoing hemodialysis, analyzing the venous drip pressure and deriving intravascular blood pressure at a location of venous needle insertion into the patient, comparing the derived intravascular blood pressure to a standard, repeating the measuring, analyzing and deriving, and comparing steps and, if the intravascular blood pressure is within a specified range of the standard, determining that a needle has been dislodged in the hemodialysis procedure. A method of alerting the patient and medical personnel of a dislodged needle in a hemodialysis procedure includes detecting a drop in intravascular pressure derived from measured venous drip pressure, determining that a needle is dislodged, and alerting medical personnel of the dislodged needle.
US08348848B1	Methods and apparatus for ultrasound imaging Systems and methods are described to determine a region of interest, determine a first beam steering angle of a first ultrasound beam transmitted from an ultrasound transducer array that results in a maximum representative signal value received from the region of interest, determine a second beam steering angle based on the first beam steering angle, the second beam steering angle being closer to perpendicular with the ultrasound transducer array than the first beam steering angle, and acquire an ultrasound image using a beam transmitted from the ultrasound transducer array at the second beam steering angle.
US08348846B2	3D motion detection and correction by object tracking in ultrasound images An arrangement to determine physiologic data, position, orientation and/or geometry of an object of interest includes an ultrasound unit with a multiplicity of ultrasound transducers to monitor physiologic parameters, especially motion and deformation, of an object of interest encapsulated by a body in real-time in three dimensions of space and to generate numerical control or trigger information for other medical devices.
US08348845B2	Ultrasonograph The present invention provides an ultrasonography containing a main body housing having transfer wheels. An operation device having switches, a movable arm to connect the main body housing to the operation device which has an inclined plane inclining rearward from a front face to an upper face; and the movable arm supports the operation device through an elevating function mechanical section to move the operation device.
US08348841B2	Wireless nanotechnology based system for diagnosis of neurological and physiological disorders A wireless system for neurological and physiological monitoring of a patient. The system includes a patient monitoring unit having a headcap and a belt. The headcap includes a wireless communication module, an antenna, and an amplifier. The headcap further includes at least one of a biopotential electrode, a temperature sensor, a rotation sensor, an accelerometer, and an airflow sensor. The belt includes a respiration sensor comprising a carbon nanotube-based strain sensor. The system also includes a base receiver-server unit including a wireless receiving unit, a data storage unit, and a network communications unit. The system also includes a client monitoring unit which includes a processor, a network communications unit operably coupled to the processor, and a storage medium operably coupled to the processor, wherein the storage medium includes program instructions executable by the processor for receiving and processing data from the patient monitoring unit.
US08348835B2	Capsule type endoscope A capsule-type endoscope includes an illumination board which is prepared to mount an illuminating electronic component necessary to illuminate a test region of a test subject with illumination light; an image sensor which has a light-receiving surface including an effective area and an ineffective area, the illumination light reflected from the test region being received to generate an image of the test region in the effective area, the ineffective area not contributing to the image generation; an imaging board which is arranged in parallel with the illumination board, the image sensor being mounted on the imaging board; and a component arrangement unit in which the illuminating electronic component is arranged, the illuminating electronic component being provided in an area on the illumination board, the area on the illumination board being obtained by projecting the ineffective area in the light-receiving surface of the image sensor to a direction orthogonal to the light-receiving surface of the image sensor.
US08348832B2	Intra-subject information acquiring system A viewer 4 as a compact display device displays a body cavity image picked up by a capsule endoscope 3. When a communication-cable connection detector 48 detects a communication cable connection between a receiving apparatus 2 and the viewer 4, a control unit 49 switch controls a changeover switch 44 based on this connection detection, thereby switching a display of an LCD 41 to a display of image data from wire. Next, information necessary for an examination such as image data is taken in from the receiving apparatus 2 via a communication cable 5, and is displayed in an LCD 41. With this arrangement, a display unit is not necessary in the receiving apparatus 2, and a circuit configuration becomes simple. The receiving apparatus can be made compact and light, and power consumption can be decreased.
US08348830B2	In vivo sensing devices and methods of identification thereof An in-vivo sensing device for capturing sensed data of the gastrointestinal tract, or other body lumens or cavities of a patient, and for transmitting the sensed data to a data recorder external to the patient. The in-vivo sensing device has an identifier code associated with it. The sensed data may be transmitted to the data recorder together with the identifier code so that the received sensed data can be correlated with the in-vivo sensing device.
US08348827B2	Specimen removal pouch A method and apparatus for use during a surgical procedure sealingly isolates a resected specimen to prevent contamination of surrounding tissue as the specimen is removed from the surgical site. The pouch is disposed at the distal end of an endoscope or trocar, and can be used to debulk and dimensionally alter the specimen for removal through a working channel.
US08348825B2	Expanding multi-lumen applicator operating within a balloon A brachytherapy apparatus includes a distal support member and a proximal support member movable relative to the distal support member. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongate treatment members having distal first locations coupled to the distal support member, proximal second locations coupled to the proximal support member, and pathways between the proximal second locations and the distal first locations adapted to receive one or more radiation sources. Each of the treatment members is movable between a generally straight configuration and a curvilinear configuration. An expandable member encloses and provides a spatial volume for the plurality of the treatment members and is adjustable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.
US08348820B2	Apparatus and methods relating to corrugated materials, containers, and packaging A machine for transitioning a box cutout from a flat configuration to a collapsed box configuration includes a first drive wheel configured to drive a box cutout towards a plunging area; a plunger configured to apply force to a central portion of a bottom panel of the box cutout so as to fold the box about a lateral bisecting axis and propel at least a portion of the box cutout downward; and opposed second and third drive wheels configured to grab a box cutout propelled downward by the plunger and further draw the box cutout downward into a collapsed box configuration within a collection area. A box cutout transitioned to a collapsed box configuration in this manner may include a bottom panel having plurality of unbroken minor score lines and broken major score lines.
US08348817B2	Inspection model and folder gluer having an inspection module An inspection module for flat, sheet-shaped material made of paper, board or the like, includes an inspection system disposed below a sheet transport plane. The sheets are transported by contacting upper and lower conveying elements of at least one upper and one lower conveying device, at least one of which is connected to a drive. The lower conveying device is divided and is formed of at least two conveying devices with a gap formed therebetween. The inspection system is disposed in the gap. A folder gluer or folding-box gluer having an inspection module is also provided.
US08348816B2	Storable exercise apparatus for professional and home use A storable exercise apparatus for home use. The apparatus includes an upright tower, a base structure, a bench frame, and a bench attached to the bench frame. A set of flexible pull lines coupled to a resilient spring system are carried within the tower structure. The user exercises by pulling the pull lines against the bias of the spring system. The grips for the pull lines are mounted at the top of the tower and generate significant tipping force on the tower when the apparatus is in use. To prevent tipping, the bench frame has pivotal and load-transmitting connections with the tower structure; the tower is stabilized by the weight of the user on the bench. The bench may be placed in either a raised or lowered position, and can be stored by collapsing and pivoting it so that it abuts the tower vertically.
US08348815B2	Interactive boxing training device An interactive boxing training device is made up of an inner tube, an outer tube and a fluid propulsion system for propelling the outer tube outwardly along a generally horizontal axis in a stroke defined between a retracted position and an extended position, upon demand. A retraction system returns the outer tube to the retracted position after each stroke. The inner tube is mounted in a housing at a pivot point which allows 360 degrees of freedom of movement. The housing is itself mounted on an upright rail which allows the housing to have a vertically adjustable height. The retraction system is made up of one or more elastomeric elements which are stretched as the outer tube moves to the extended position and which are relaxed as the outer tube moves back to the retracted position. The housing is also removable from the upright rail so that the device can be pointed at a boxing trainee in order to simulate punches thrown at the boxing trainee.
US08348811B2	Orthopedic therapy system and device and a method of use Provided is a novel physical therapy system and device that can be manually operated by a post-operative patient without the need of professional on site assistance, wherein the degree of movement of the limb or joint of interest is measured and recorded so as to provide a record of the progress of the prescribed post-operative therapy for immediate feedback to the patient as well as for long term data recordation for the therapist or physician.
US08348810B2	Low profile hand-extension/flexion device A movement device for flexing and/or straightening a joint of a user includes a first anchor element adapted to be positioned adjacent a jointed appendage of a user at a first position. A second anchor element is adapted to be positioned about the jointed appendage at a second position, wherein the jointed appendage is located between the first anchor element and the second anchor element. A spring member is positioned between the first and second anchor elements wherein the spring member is fixedly secured to the second anchor element and moveable through the first anchor element to thereby allow the spring member to bend about a joint of the appendage when said appendage is flexed. The spring member is configured to exert bending forces in opposition to working muscles of the user to straighten or flex the joint of the appendage. To minimize discomfort, an intermediary support device is disposed between the first anchor element and the second anchor element which prevents the spring member from contacting the joint of the user.
US08348809B2	System for training optimisation System for training optimisation, the system comprising: at least one sensor for measuring a mechanical load parameter which is indicative for a mechanical load of the training a storage module for storing data which are dispatched by the least one sensor in a log file; a training advice module which is arranged for determining a personal training advice related to a load assessment of the user based on at least the data stored in the log file, the data comprising a cumulative load parameter or a training load history determined on the basis of historical sensor data stored in the log file, the training advice comprising the frequency of next training sessions and/or a type of training to be performed in the next training session; at least one output device such as a display, a sound signal, audio output, voice output or a vibrating element for outputting said training advice to said user.
US08348804B2	Hybrid engine system with transient load assistance A power train is provided having a power source for generating a power output. The power train also has a power storage device for storing and distributing power. The power train further has a controller configured to cause the distribution of power from the power storage device for assisting the power source when the rate of fuel entering the power source is above a threshold fuel rate. The threshold fuel rate is a fuel rate at which, assisting the power source increases the efficiency of the power train.
US08348801B2	Electronic differential lock assembly An electronic differential lock assembly includes a shift collar that is movable in response to an electronic signal from an unlocked position where axle shaft speed differentiation under predetermined conditions is permitted to a locked position where a pair of axle shafts are fixed for rotation together. Speed differentiation is provided by a differential that includes a differential gear assembly supported within a differential case. A coil surrounds the shift collar and is selectively energized to move the shift collar from the unlocked position to the locked position. The shift collar is splined to one of the axle shafts and is selectively splined to the differential case to lock the axle shafts together. The electronic differential lock assembly includes a return spring that automatically disengages the shift collar from the differential case once the coil is no longer energized.
US08348796B2	Method and apparatus for controlling a selectable one-way clutch in an electro-mechanical transmission A transmission is configured to transfer power between an input member, first and second torque machines and an output member and includes a transmission case, a differential gear set, first and second torque transfer clutches, a first torque machine rotatably operatively couplable to a first element of the differential gear set when the second torque transfer clutch is in an applied state, and a second torque machine rotatably operatively coupled to a second element of the differential gear set. The differential gear set is configured to transfer torque between the first torque machine and the output member in a first continuously variable mode when the first torque transfer clutch is in the applied state, and to transfer torque between the first and second torque machines and the output member in a second continuously variable mode when the second torque transfer clutch is in the applied state.
US08348793B2	Chain tensioning device This invention describes a compact, light weight, durable, quiet in operation, economical, chain tensioning device with means for controlling chain slack between two drive sprockets, found in all terrain vehicles or the like. The assembly comprises a chain tensioning device which is spaced between the two drive sprockets. The chain tensioning device is easy to assemble, install and adjust. The device exerts a modest pre-load tension pressure, requires infrequent adjustment and is suitable for reversed loads.
US08348792B2	Traction mechanism drive A traction mechanism drive (1), such as a control drive of an internal combustion engine, having an endless traction mechanism, such as a link chain, connecting a drive gear (2) and at least one driven gear (3) in a form-fitting manner, at least one clamping device (5) actuated by a pressure medium and a guiding rail (6) being arranged on the periphery of the traction mechanism. At least the guiding rail (6) includes a carrier body (7) and a resiliently flexible sliding body (8) connected to the carrier body (7) on the traction mechanism side. A spring element (18) is arranged in a free space (16) between the upper side (14) of the carrier body (7) and a lower side (15) of the sliding body (8). In order to improve the damping of the traction mechanism, the spring element (18) includes at least one flexible spring (19) connected integrally to the carrier body (7) and the sliding body (8).
US08348788B2	Height adjustment mechanism for a basketball system In one example, a basketball system includes a basketball goal, a support structure, a connecting structure connecting the basketball goal and the support structure, and a height adjustment mechanism connected to the support structure and the connecting structure. The height adjustment mechanism includes: a biasing mechanism connected at least indirectly to the connecting structure and including a locking pin movable between a first position where the biasing mechanism is locked and a second position where the biasing mechanism is unlocked; and, a handle including an outer surface configured such that rotation of the handle results in a corresponding linear movement of the locking pin as the outer surface slidingly engages the locking pin. The height adjustment mechanism is configured such that a single movement of the handle is sufficient to effect both unlocking of the biasing mechanism and adjustment of a height of the basketball goal.
US08348787B2	Multipurpose golf divot tool A golf tool having a plastic body with a two prong divot repair tool that protrudes from a first end of the body for repairing golf course divots. Located within the body is an integrated lighting device or, in the alternative, a waterproof empty chamber adapted to receive a lighting device or any item that can fit within the empty chamber.
US08348782B2	Golf club head At least two golf clubs of a set, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may include a strike face and a perimeter weighting element disposed behind the strike face. The perimeter weighting element may include an inner peripheral wall having a sole surface, a top surface, a heel surface, and a toe surface. A cavity, having a base surface, may be delimited by the inner peripheral wall and may include an insert disposed therein. The insert may comprise a primary element passively flexurally associated with one or more secondary elements and may be substantially identical for each head within the set. The primary element may be associated with the base surface and the at least one secondary element may be associated with at least one of the sole surface, the top surface, the toe surface, and the heel surface.
US08348781B2	Putter head Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIxx) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIzz) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIzz is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIxx is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
US08348778B2	Golf ball feeding apparatus The present invention relates to a feed unit 10 mounted at one side of an interior of a body 1 so as to feed a golf ball 40 and an adjustment unit 20 mounted at an other side of the interior of the body 1 so as to adjust a height of a golf tee 30, wherein the feed unit 10 includes: a main body 11, a pulley 14, movable plates 15, and a feed motor 18. The adjustment unit 20includes: an upper plate 21, a lower plate 22, a support rod 23, guide rods 24, an elevating board 25, golf tee 30, gears 26a, 26b, a stepping motor 27, a power gear 28, and a timing belt 29whereby the golf ball 40 dispensed through the outlet port 13 of the feed unit 10 is teed up on the golf tee 30 of the adjustment unit 20.
US08348773B2	Constant velocity joint and method of making A constant velocity joint is disclosed that includes a first rotatable shaft, the first shaft comprising an axle portion having on one end an enlarged pocket end, the pocket end having a plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced ball pockets and a distal end; a corresponding plurality of spherical balls disposed in the pockets; and a second rotatable shaft comprising a joint housing, the joint housing having a central bore with a corresponding plurality of axially extending, circumferentially and radially spaced ball grooves disposed about the second longitudinal axis and a base, the joint housing disposed over the pocket end with the corresponding plurality of balls disposed in the grooves, the joint providing a range of angular and axial movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft, each of the plurality of ball pockets having a recessed lubricant reservoir, the lubricant reservoir having a lubricant disposed therein.
US08348771B2	Cross shaft member and cross shaft joint with the same A cross shaft member has four shaft portions arranged in a generally cross-shape around an outer periphery of a body portion thereof, and a recessed portion is formed in the body portion, and has a depth in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which axes of the four shaft portions lie. Four ridge-like thickened portions are formed in the recessed portion, and are equally spaced from one another, and extend diagonally with respect to the axes of the shaft portions in the plane.
US08348768B2	Game-based incentives for location-based actions Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.
US08348766B2	Game apparatus having input navigation function and online game program Input devices having different key structures are provided so as to selectively connect with a game apparatus. The game apparatus has means for discriminating a kind of the connected input device and storing its result, a memory for storing a key navigation table that sets keys to be operated with respect to action message delivered from a server, corresponding to kinds of the input devices, message display means for displaying the action message delivered from the server, and display means for displaying the key to be operated by the player corresponding to the discriminated input device as a guide icon by referring to the key navigation table when the action message is delivered.
US08348765B1	Online asynchronous game with player-matching mechanic A player-matching mechanic selects users for an online asynchronous game where players specify moves at different times. Values from instances of the game are used to determine characteristics of the users including at least one of gameplay characteristics or chat characteristics. Users can be chosen for instances of the game by comparing values corresponding to these characteristics.
US08348760B2	Systems and methods for determining controller functionality based on position, orientation or motion Methods and systems for providing input to an interactive program are presented. An interactive system includes a display for displaying an interactive program and a controller device. The position and motion of the controller device are determined based on perspective distortion of the display in captured images of the display taken at the controller. In an interactive region, various interactive zones are defined, each of which have an associated specified function for an action of the controller device. When the controller device is determined to be within one of the interactive zones, the functionality of the action of the controller device is set to the specified function associated with that interactive zone.
US08348757B2	Game machine A user operating the game machine and playing the game can easily transfer the intention of a necessary order or the like to a waiter/waitress, a main counter or the like, without leaving the game machine. Further, the user can check the total input amount for the total of games, the total payout amount, the win percentage per each game, the accumulated win percentage in the total of games. Further, the user can play the game while confirming the information provided in the language selected by the user in real-time, relatively at a glance. Consequently, the game machine is capable of increasing the fun of the game and preventing the user from going beyond a predetermined limit of spending money by being excessively emotionally linked to the game.
US08348756B2	Apparatus and method for inputting password using game The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inputting a password using a game. The method includes displaying, on a display unit, a password image corresponding to at least one password information, displaying, on the display unit, at least one obstacle image, displaying, on the display unit, a character image moved based on movement information received from an external input unit, determining whether the character image is in contact with the password image, and controlling a user authentication procedure to be performed based on the at least one password information corresponding to the password image when the character image is in contact with the password image.
US08348754B2	Slot machine having multiple progressive jackpots A progressive jackpot slot machine, or group of slot machines, is described herein. A plurality of progressive jackpots are accumulated as the slot machine is played. In one preferred embodiment, a first progressive jackpot is accumulated at a first rate, and a second progressive jackpot is accumulated at a rate higher than the first rate. Additional jackpots accumulate at higher rates. The betting of additional monetary amounts enables the player to win additional jackpots. This provides added incentive for the player to bet additional monetary amounts.
US08348749B1	Multiple progressive gaming table apparatus A device that incorporates a random number generator that is to industry standards and can be configured and used for card games or electronic slot devices adding extra bonus betting that is electronically set to accept a wager on any hand of Poker, Blackjack, Pontoon, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Stud Poker, Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Spanish 21, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Draw Poker, Community Card Poker. This device is an extra-added bonus payout system coupled to any casino game existing on any casino floor. This device is also used for accumulated giveaways hooked to electronic displays and sports betting by accumulating a percent of the amount wagered and allowing the player's who are in on the jackpot to share in the jackpot with other players. This device is also used for separate betting functions by players to win a major jackpot individually and separately from existing bonus payout games on a casino gaming floor.
US08348748B2	Betting on games using a betting exchange system Users of a betting exchange system are permitted to bet on poker and other games in which the game has a number of rounds. For a Texas Holdem poker game, each round allows users to submit bets backing and laying one or more hands of cards during a betting window between game transitions, which result in the display to the plurality of users of selected hole or community cards, depending on the round. After each transition, the hands are evaluated to determine if there are any winners or losers and further betting on selected hands may be permitted, or the game may proceed to settlement.
US08348745B2	Gaming system and a method of gaming including adding or deleting predetermined symbol from the second symbol store Certain example embodiments relate to a gaming system which includes a symbol selector which is arranged to select a plurality of symbols from an available set of symbols. The set of symbols may include one or more predetermined symbols. The predetermined symbols form a predetermined symbol arrangement, such as a pattern or word. When a predetermined symbol is selected it is placed in a symbol store. When the predetermined symbol arrangement is completed, by selection of all of the predetermined symbols, then a prize may be won.
US08348744B2	Participation-game system including an end-of-game evaluation means The invention consists in a method of playing a participation game involving comparison of players' objects (a.k.a. game cards) with a common object (a.k.a. draw result) remaining the same until the end of the game. The method involves players placing requests. Upon reception of requests, the system provides the requesting player with a game card and the active draw result. The system evaluates if a comparison between the game card and draw result fulfills an end-of-game criterion. When such criterion is fulfilled, the game card is declared a winning card and the system prevents the distribution of new cards. Otherwise, the system continues providing cards until the criterion is fulfilled. Accordingly, a suitable system is also described for the play of said participation game.
US08348742B2	System and method for operating governmental lottery games with television-based user terminals A method for facilitating governmental lottery play over television includes receiving a lottery ticket purchase request from a player terminal including a television over a television service provider communication network. Personal information pertaining to a player is retrieved from a subscriber database of the television service provider. It is then verified that the player satisfies predetermined criteria based on the retrieved personal information. The purchase of a lottery ticket is processed based on the received lottery ticket purchase request when it is verified that the player satisfies the predetermined criteria.
US08348740B2	Electronic gaming device and method Among other things, a gaming system device comprises a memory for storing an executable program and a processor for executing the executable program, causing the electronic gaming system to: provide electronic card values to a participant of the electronic gaming system representing a participant player hand and a participant bank hand, while also providing opposing player and bank hands to a house entity. In accordance with the rules of Baccarat, the processor determines whether any of the electronic hands receives an additional electronic card value. The processor further determines a final result of the participant player hand vs. the house entity bank hand and a final result between the house entity player hand the participant bank hand, in accordance with the rules of Baccarat.
US08348737B2	Method for conducting an online contest A method for conducting an online contest involving “fantasy” type sporting games through the use of bracketing rules such that a player can employ decision-making via strategic moves as well as by mathematical equation. The method integrates hundreds of thousands of fantasy players into a unitary online contest where each fantasy player seeks to advance through various brackets in order to win prizes derived from the mass amount of entry fees.
US08348735B2	Game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium Provided is a game machine allowing a game player to give an instruction to perform predetermined game processing to the game machine and an instruction of the condition of when the predetermined game processing is started. The game machine performs game processing at given time intervals, updates one or more game-related parameters, and causes the update to be reflected on a game screen. A storage unit (50) stores a parameter condition representing the condition of parameters in correspondence with each of a plurality of items of operation information indicating details of an operation for making the game machine execute given game processing. A judging unit (56) judges whether or not the one or more parameters satisfy the parameter condition corresponding to operation information indicating details of a game player's operation. A game processing executing unit (58) starts executing the given game processing in accordance with a judgment made by the judging unit (56).
US08348734B2	Game system and storage medium for storing game program A game system moves a player character in a virtual game space in accordance with an operation by a player. Further, the player character's moving amount per predetermined unit time is detected at each predetermined time interval. A predetermined parameter (gage amount) value is calculated at each predetermined time interval based on the moving amount detected at each predetermined time interval. Also, the game system adds the predetermined parameter value calculated at each predetermined time interval for accumulation. In response to a predetermined operation performed by the player, the game system causes the player character to perform a predetermined motion (e.g., special shot) on a condition such that a value obtained as a result of the addition reaches a predetermined value.
US08348726B2	Dust reducing sanding system A dust reducing sanding system for collecting dust created during the sanding of gypsum board includes a shroud including a top wall and a peripheral wall coupled to the top wall to define an interior space. A distal edge of the peripheral wall opposite the top wall defines an open end to allow the dust to enter the interior space. A handle is mounted to the shroud and is graspable to facilitate manipulation of the shroud. A collection pipe is coupled to the peripheral wall of the shroud and is in fluid communication with the interior space. The collection pipe is engaged by a vacuum to allow the dust to be vacuumed out of the shroud. A base plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough is positioned over the open end of the shroud. An exterior surface of the base plate is abrasive.
US08348722B2	Mower blade sharpening device A mower blade sharpening device comprising a guide body having a sharpening rod guide, a sharpening rod having a sharpener end, and an operator end. The sharpening rod is disposed in the sharpening rod guide. A sharpener is disposed on the sharpener end of the sharpening rod. Also disclosed is a method for sharpening a mower blade using the sharpening device.
US08348718B2	Servo stroking method and system for producing special shapes A servo stroking method and system for honing wherein the cam stroking motion is controlled via combined acceleration and deceleration cam profiles to produce a finite jerk profile, a precision positioning capability for the honing element or elements, and accurate position feedback. The stroking motion is synchronized with one or more other parameters of the honing operation, such as the feed or rotational position of the honing tool, for generating non-cylindrical and special honed shapes such as tapered, barrel, and helical shapes. The cam profile can be selected for example from a simple harmonic profile, a cycloidal profile, a modified trapezoidal profile, a polynomial profile, and a modified sine profile, or a mix of cam profiles. The servo controlled stroker mechanism can include for instance a ball screw mechanism, a linear motor, a fluid cylinder, a chain drive or a belt drive.
US08348715B2	Transformable toy A transformable toy which is transformed without any direct touching by a user, displays visual information that is invisible before the form of the toy is changed, and has a game element in addition to the form change is provided. A transformable toy reversibly transformed between a first form and a second form includes a toy main body which changes its form to form the first form and the second form, a restricting mechanism which restricts the form change of the toy main body, and a transformation activating body for detecting physical stimulation from outside and releasing the restriction by the restricting mechanism. The toy main body includes a display body having visual information thereon, and the display body is disposed at such a position that the visual information of the display body is invisible to a user in the first form while the visual information of the display body is visible to the user in the second form.
US08348711B2	Furnace and method for producing a discharge lamp The invention relates to a furnace (1) for producing a discharge lamp, comprising an outer furnace wall. It is characterized by a hollow body (2) that surrounds the outer furnace wall and is provided to receive discharge vessel parts (4, 5) and joints of the same to a discharge vessel (8) for the discharge lamp. The hollow body (2) further comprises a discharge gas supply (9) for flooding with a discharge gas such that a discharge vessel (8) provided in the hollow body (2) is filled with the same. The invention further relates to a production method for discharge lamps comprising such a furnace (1).
US08348707B2	Terminal fitting A terminal fitting (10) has a rectangular tubular box (11) with an open rear end. A tab (12) extends forward from the box (11) and a crimping portion (14) is behind the box (11) for connection to a wire (30). The box (11) includes a base plate (15), two side plates (16) extending from opposite left and right sides of the base plate (15), and a supporting plate (17) extending from the side plates (16) substantially parallel to the base plate (15). The rear end of the supporting plate (17) defines a locking portion (18) to engage a locking lance (49). Only one restricting plate (22) extends from an extending end edge of a supporting plate (17) toward the base plate (15) substantially parallel to the side plates (16). A rear end (22R) of the restricting plate (22) is in the box (11) forward of the locking portion (18).
US08348706B2	Power contact and power connector having the same A power contact includes a base, a mating conductor including a mating portion electrically mating with a mating power contact and an opposite mounting portion, and a fixing member for fixing the mating conductor and the base together. The base defines a mounting hole extending along a first direction and a fixing hole in communication with the mounting hole and extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The mounting portion is inserted into the mounting hole, and defines an opening hole extending along the second direction. The fixing member is inserted into the opening hole and the fixing hole to fix the mating conductor and the base together.
US08348704B2	Reduced size multi-pin female receptacle connector Receptacle connectors and male plug connectors having a reduced size in at least one direction can be provided. One example reduces height by not including a center contact tab or tongue, but instead places contacts on an insulator that is adjacent to a bottom portion of the receptacle. Another example may reduce width by reducing contact pitch, and may use a particular shape of contact to achieve good signal quality. Receptacle connectors and male plug connectors can also provide support for one or more new high-speed communication standards, such as USB 3.0 and DisplayPort. Methods can provide one or more standardized connector components to speed connector design and manufacture of new electronic devices such as media players, thus reducing their time to market.
US08348703B2	Electrical connector The present invention pertains to a connector, having a rear side and a mating side and including a housing having at least one contact receiving space and at least one non-contact receiving space, the spaces extending in a direction from the mating side towards the rear side. The non-contact receiving space is adapted for receiving a portion of a mating connector housing and has a substantially rounded cross sectional shape substantially perpendicular to the direction from the mating side towards the rear side.
US08348697B2	Coaxial cable connector having slotted post member A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body and a post member disposed within the connector body. A coupling nut is threadingly attached to the post member wherein a flanged portion of the post member provides an axial biasing force with regard to an attached interface port. In one version, the flanged portion is slotted.
US08348694B2	Electronic device with card connector Provided is an electronic device into which a card having a connection terminal is inserted. The electronic device includes a circuit board; a card connector which is mounted at a circumference of the circuit board and includes a signal terminal; and a card guiding unit which guides the card during insertion of the card to couple the connection terminal and the signal terminal.
US08348692B2	Securable multi-conductor cable connection pair having threaded insert A multi-conductor cable connector comprising a connector engagement portion including: a rotatable outer housing, a threaded insert radially disposed within the outer housing, wherein the threaded insert has a slot therethrough, a key feature integral with the rotatable outer housing, the key feature configured to fit within the slot of the threaded insert, and a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein rotational movement of the rotatable housing is translated to axial movement of the threaded insert to securably engage a matingly corresponding multi-conductor cable connector. A multi-conductor cable connection pair is also provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08348689B2	Connector and connector assembly A recess (67) is formed in a connection surface of a housing. A nut (52) is inserted into the recess (67) and fixed to the housing in a state exposed on the connection surface. A sealing material is introduced into the recess (67), and the outer peripheral surface of the nut (52) is coated with the sealing material. The recess (67) of the housing includes a first surface (71) arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the nut (52) while forming an introduction space (74) for the sealing material between itself and the outer peripheral surface of the nut (52), a second surface (72) arranged to project radially outwardly from the opening edge of the first surface (71) and a third surface (73) arranged from the outer end of the second surface (72) to the connection surface in a direction crossing a projecting direction of the second surface (72).
US08348688B2	Waterproof connector Provided is a waterproof connector, including an inner insulating housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, an inner metal shell, a sealing plate, an outer insulating housing, an outer metal shell and a waterproof rubber ring. The inner metal shell is pressed to form a plurality of holding blocks and two holes. The sealing plate includes a connecting plate and two closing plates for covering the corresponding hole. The outer insulating housing is integrally formed with the inner insulating housing, the electrical contacts, the inner metal shell and the sealing plate by insert molding. The waterproof rubber ring encompasses a front end of the inner metal shell. The outer insulating housing can seal off the gaps between the sealing plate and the inner metal shell, and between the inner insulating housing and the inner metal shell. The present waterproof connector can satisfy the waterproof demand by the waterproof rubber ring.
US08348684B2	Portable electronic device having a concealed jack socket The present disclosure provides a portable electronic device having a concealed jack socket. In accordance with one example embodiment, the portable electronic device comprises: a housing including a main body and a hatch movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position; a jack socket received within the housing, the jack socket defining a cavity for receiving a jack plug; wherein the hatch is pivotably connected to the main body to move from the fully closed position to the fully open position in response to insertion of the jack plug, wherein the jack socket is hidden in the fully closed position and exposed in the fully open position.
US08348678B2	Magnetic cable connector systems Cable assemblies and connector systems that include magnetic elements are disclosed. The cable assemblies may include first and second cables. A first plurality of magnetic elements may be arranged around the first cable proximate a first end, while a second plurality of magnetic elements may be arranged around the second cable proximate a second end. Magnetic forces between respective ones of the first and second pluralities of magnetic elements may tend to retain the respective first and second ends of the first and second cables proximate one another. The connector systems may include mating retainers, each of which may include a plurality of magnetic elements. Magnetic forces between respective ones of the pluralities of magnetic elements may tend to retain the mating retainers proximate one another. In some examples, the mating retainers may include guiding elements, which may be configured to orient the mating retainers.
US08348675B2	Apparatus and method for delivery of instructional information An instructional information delivery system and method based on the storing and retrieving information via an eye-ear-body system optimizes learning. Courses are prepared and presented with help from multimedia tools that present different aspects of the instructional materials. The system and the method complement instructor-led lessons by emphasis on information delivery according to the process of attention to and retention of information by the brain. The information delivery system and method provides for multiple display screens and speakers receiving instructional information based on data that is manipulated according to a set of rules in a multimedia environment. The system allows real time feedback by instructor's input, control and override so that the lesson is flexible and responsive to the classroom if changes in the learning environment occur.
US08348674B2	Test discrimination and test construction for cognitive diagnosis A method, system and computer-readable carrier for using a discrimination index to select test items from an item bank for a test are disclosed. At least one parameter may be identified for each of a plurality of test items in an item bank. A first test item may be selected from the item bank based on at least the parameter for the test item. Each unselected test item may be evaluated to determine whether one or more constraints would be satisfied if the test item were selected. A next test item may be selected from the unselected test items that satisfy the one or more first constraints based on at least the parameter for each test item. The Evaluation and test item selection processes may be repeated until one or more second constraints are satisfied.
US08348669B1	Surgical template and method for positioning dental casts and dental implants A method is set forth for making a computer model of patient's jaws, face, teeth and removable dentures on the basis of digital information. Three dimensional digital data about the soft tissues, artificial teeth, supporting bone and position of nerves is combined in a virtual computer model to create an aesthetic and functional plan for the creation of surgical drill guides and the creation of new dentures and teeth. A key component of this method, the accurate positioning of dental casts in a physical articulator, is simplified using three dimensional virtual and physical measurements and movements. Surgical guides used to position dental implants are manufactured using computer milling, layered manufacturing or conventional laboratory techniques with the aid of mechanical tools that reproduce the position of the dental cast or digitally produced replica in the same orientation to the virtual implant position. This method eliminates the need to create radiographic templates of proposed restorations or damaging a patient's removable prosthesis to use it for imaging.
US08348668B2	Dental implant, and superstructure therefore This invention pertains to a superstructure (300) for a dental implant. The superstructure comprises a fastening portion (30) with a joint socket in form of a spherically shaped cavity with a fastening surface (32), and a main portion (31). This superstructure (300) is intended to be joined to an osseointegrated dental implant via the fastening portion (30). The main portion (31) comprises a lead-through (110) for receiving a sleeve (111) or a screw hole (55), wherein part of said lead-through (110) or part of said screw hole (55) forms an opening in the fastening surface (32), such that there is a perpendicularly distance between the center of the spherical cavity and the central axis of the lead-through (110) or of the screw hole (55).
US08348665B2	Activatable dental appliance An activatable dental appliance. A concave trough conforms to a plurality of teeth when placed over the plurality of teeth. A first force applying region is configured to apply a first force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth for repositioning the tooth. A second force applying region is configured to be selectively activated, wherein when selectively activated the second force applying region applies a force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth.
US08348664B2	Orthodontic device and method for treating malocclusions A dental apparatus for use with a connecting member coupled to a jaw in a patient's mouth. The apparatus includes an orthodontic device and a connecting device carried by the orthodontic device. The connecting device includes a receptacle adapted to partially receive the connecting member and a blocking member. The blocking member is moveable relative to the receptacle between an opened position in which the connecting member may be disengaged from the receptacle and a closed position in which the connecting member is captured within the receptacle for pivotally engaging the orthodontic device with the connecting member. The orthodontic device may further include a biasing member selectively activated to provide a spring-biased force to the jaw. A method of using the dental apparatus includes moving the blocking member to capture/release the connecting member in the receptacle and activating/deactivating the biasing member to operate the apparatus in a different mode.
US08348662B2	Candle having a planar wick and method of and equipment for making same A candle having a body of a meltable fuel and a planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body configurations. The body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating. The wick preferably is formed of wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance and improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional cotton wick candles.
US08348660B2	Stamping tooling for thermoplastic parts and method A tooling for manufacturing by stamping parts made of thermoplastic material from a blank of the material. A hollow die is delimited by a bottom, side walls and an opening opposite the bottom, and a raised punch designed to cooperate with the die via the opening. The tooling includes at least one mobile element to cooperate with at least one recess placed in the bottom and/or side walls of the die, the recess allowing the passage of one part of the blank that is to be bent using the mobile element.
US08348659B2	Apparatus and method for forming skin on a ceramic body by extrusion A honeycomb extrusion apparatus comprises a die body and a flow control device. The die body comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a central axis, a first set of feedholes, a second set of feedholes, a set of central slots, and a set of outermost peripheral slots. The first set of feedholes extends from the inlet end to an interior interface portion of the die body. The second set of feedholes extends through the die body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The set of central slots extends from the outlet end to the interior interface portion of the die body. The set of outermost peripheral slots is disposed radially outwardly of the central slots. The interior interface portion of the die body is configured to allow flow of the batch material from the first set of feedholes to the central slots and to the outermost peripheral slots.
US08348657B2	Tonnage regulating structure and a mold incorporating same Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tonnage regulating structure and a mold incorporating same. For example, a tonnage regulating structure (302, 1002, 1202) for use in a mold (502) of a molding machine, the mold (502) being associated with an opening clearance (520) between mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration, is provided. The tonnage regulating structure (302) comprises a body (304, 1040, 1240) having a first height (306) in a resting configuration, the first height (306) selected to be larger than the opening clearance (520) between the mold faces in a mold closed and clamped configuration; the body (304, 1040, 1240) including a compensating structure (308), the compensating structure (308) for regulating, in use under applied clamp tonnage, the body (304, 1040, 1240) to a second height (320), the second height (320) being smaller than the first height (306).
US08348655B2	Optical molding apparatus, optical molding method, and optically molded product An optical molding apparatus molds an optically molded product by stacking cured layers. Each cured layer is formed by emitting light according to cross-sectional-shape data of the optically molded product onto a surface of photo-curable resin. The optical molding apparatus includes an exposing unit and an exposure control unit. The exposing unit performs exposure on the photo-curable resin for each of small work areas that are defined by dividing an overall work area, which is where an optical molding operation is performed, into a plurality of areas. The exposure control unit controls an exposure condition of the exposing unit for each of the small work areas and allows the exposure to be performed collectively on multiple layers' worth of the photo-curable resin in a predetermined one of the small work areas.
US08348650B2	Root pump A housing of a Roots pump is configured by joining a lower housing member and an upper housing member that are separable from each other. With the upper and lower housing members joined together, an upper accommodating portion and a lower accommodating portion form a front bearing accommodating portion and a rear bearing accommodating portion, which accommodate whole bearings, respectively. The Roots pump further includes bearing holders attached to the bearings and fixed to the lower housing member so that the bearings are received in the lower accommodating portion in a positioned state.
US08348644B2	High pressure fuel injector supply pump A pump includes a cylinder and a plunger. The cylinder defines an outlet-side passage therein. The plunger is reciprocably received within the cylinder. An inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and an end surface of the plunger define a pump chamber. The outlet-side passage is communicated with the pump chamber. When the plunger reciprocates within the cylinder, fluid inside the pump chamber is pressurized such that fluid is discharged to an exterior through the outlet-side passage. The inner peripheral surface includes a spherical surface part that surrounds the pump chamber. The spherical surface part is defined by a curved surface having a predetermined curvature such that the pump chamber defines a spherical space. The spherical surface part is provided with an opening of the outlet-side passage, which has a circular shape when observed from a spherical center of the pump chamber.
US08348641B2	Piston compressor A piston compressor with at least one compression cylinder having a piston, and with one suction port and one pressure port is described. The suction port and the pressure port are arranged at one end face of the compression cylinder.
US08348639B2	Sealing device A high performance sealing device having an excellent pressure resistance and realizing a prevention of damage. The sealing device usable at a working pressure of 0 to 2 MPa, and not damaged even if the pressure of high-pressure fuel of 5 MPa or higher is applied thereto, wherein high pressure fuel on the high pressure side is sealed by a first seal part, oil from a cam side on a low pressure side is sealed by a second seal part, and the fuel slightly leaked due to failure of scraping at the first seal part is sealed by the second seal part to form a dual seal structure. A resin ring coming into slidable sealing contact with a shaft is used in the first seal part, whereby abnormal abrasion does not occur even when fuel having less lubricity is used, and the durability of the seal is increased.
US08348636B2	Wave energy converter A wave energy converter for compressing air from the movement of waves of a body of water is provided. The wave energy converter includes a middle cylinder upon which an upper cylinder slides thereon and in which a lower cylinder slides therewithin. An upper and lower compression chamber disposed within the upper and lower cylinders allows air to be drawn therewithin and compressed when the upper and lower cylinders are moved relative to the middle cylinder as waves progress through their wavelength from crest to trough and vice versa.
US08348635B2	Variable displacement gear pump The variable displacement gear pump for a loading system in an industrial vehicle has main and sub gear pump portions, suction, discharge and bypass passages, and check and opening valves. The main gear pump portion has main drive and driven gears, and has suction and discharge side spaces. The sub gear pump portion has sub drive and driven gears, and has suction and discharge side spaces. The bypass passage returns hydraulic fluid in the discharge-side space of the sub gear pump portion to the suction passage. The check valve prevents hydraulic fluid in the discharge-side space of the main gear pump portion from flowing to that of the sub gear pump portion. The opening valve is used for opening and closing the bypass passage, and closes the bypass passage due to a pressure in a discharge conduit of the loading system increased by the load applied to the loading system.
US08348628B2	System and method for monitoring a reciprocating compressor A system and method enable monitoring of a mechanical condition of a reciprocating compressor. The compressor includes a compressor frame, a pressure chamber, and a pressure head. A plurality of tie bolts are secured between the compressor frame and the pressure chamber head. A sensor assembly is secured to one of the plurality of tie bolts. The sensor assembly includes an elongation member positioned to extend in concert with extension of one of the tie bolts. A sensor measures extension of the elongation member to thereby monitor cylinder pressure.
US08348624B2	Efficiency optimized air flow apparatus and method A method for controlling the motor of an air handling system to provide a desired output of flowing air therefrom while minimizing the power used by the motor, including operationally connecting a switched reluctance electric motor to a blower, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the switched reluctance electric motor, operationally connecting at least one sensor to the electronic controller, measuring at least one environmental parameter with the at least one sensor, inputting the desired air flow into the electronic controller, calculating the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow, and sending a control signal from the electronic controller to the motor to control the motor to the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow.
US08348623B2	Apparatus and a method for regulation of the energy potential in a fluid column located within a pipeline The present invention describes an apparatus (1) and a method for use in regulation of the energy potential in a fluid column located within a pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) including two impellers (2), either one including a rotatable shaft (6) which is provided with a plurality of vanes or plate-shaped blades (8), the impellers (2) being disposed in a housing (4) which constitutes a portion of the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) communicating with a load (19, 21) and/or an energy source, so that the impellers (2) of the apparatus (1) are arranged to influence the movement of the fluid column within the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) being arranged to receive the fluid column between the shafts (6) of the impellers (2), the centre axis of said shafts (6) being substantially in the same plane as wall portions of the housing (4) upstream and downstream of the vanes, whereby the rate of the fluid column through the apparatus substantially corresponds to the rate of the fluid column immediately upstream and/or downstream of the impellers (2) of the apparatus (1).
US08348622B2	Wind turbine blades made of two separate sections, and method of assembly The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising at least two wind turbine blade sections that include one or more strengthening structures, the ends of the strengthening structures being connected in a connection joint. The ends include corresponding connection surfaces, the one or more relevant dimensions of the surfaces being larger than the dimensions of the transverse surfaces of the strengthening structures at the ends. The one or more relevant dimensions of the connection joint are larger than that of the adjacent strengthening structure. The invention also relates to a wind turbine blade in which the at least two wind turbine blade sections include a number of substantially oblong carbon fiber strips and strips of one or further materials such as wood or glass fiber. The invention further relates to a wind turbine blade section, an assembly plant for assembling wind turbine blade sections and to a method and use of such wind turbine blades.
US08348621B2	Vane for aircraft turbine engine receiver, provided with two hollow cores lodged in one another The invention relates to a vane (200) for an aircraft turbine engine receiver. The vane is a blade (14) having an aerodynamic shell (24) enveloping a principal hollow structure core (34) extending in the direction of wingspan of the blade. The vane further has a secondary structural assembly (34′) enveloped by the hollow core (34) and extending also in the direction of wingspan, as well as a first coating made of shock-absorbing material (50) arranged between a longeron (44) of the core (34) and the assembly (34′), and a second coating made of shocking-absorbing material (52) arranged between another longeron (38) of the core (34) and this same assembly (34′).
US08348617B2	Method for the emergency braking of a wind power plant and a wind power plant with a rotor blade pitch control for emergency braking Method for the emergency braking of a wind power plant, in which at least one rotor blade of the wind power plant is adjusted into its feathering position, wherein a first phase, in which the at least one rotor blade is adjusted with a first speed, and a second phase, in which the at least one rotor blade is adjusted as of a predetermined first blade pitch angle with a second speed, which is increased until a maximum speed is reached and/or until a second determined blade pitch angle is reached.
US08348616B2	Trapped spring balance weight and rotor assembly A balance weight for a turbine rotor includes: (a) a block-like centerbody; (b) a pair of resilient spring arms extending laterally from opposite sides of the centerbody, the centerbody and the spring arms collectively defining an arcuate shape; and (c) at least one locating structure extending from a radially outer surface of the balance weight.
US08348611B2	Wind turbine having a sensor system for detecting deformation in a wind turbine rotor blade and corresponding method The invention relates to a sensor system and method for detecting deformation in a wind turbine rotor blade, and particularly to a temperature compensated system and method. A first optic fiber 22b is attached to the rotor blade such that deformation of the component acts on the first optical fiber and causes the optical path length of the fiber to change. A second optic fiber 27 is mounted loosely in the wind turbine component in such a way that it is not subject to deformation. A light source 10, a light detector 11, and a controller 12 input light into the two optical fibers and receive signals from them. Based on the detected light, the controller can determine the optical path length based on the light signals. In different embodiments, the light source varies the input wavelength over a range of wavelengths, provides a multi wavelength light signal, such as a white light source, or inputs a pulsed light signal. In further embodiments, the second optical fiber may be omitted if temperature effects are not significant.
US08348610B1	Ceiling fan blade covering system A ceiling fan blade covering system includes a ceiling fan that includes a plurality of fan blades. A plurality of coverings is provided. Each of the blades has one of the coverings positioned thereon. The coverings include a sleeve that has an open end, a closed end and a perimeter wall. An associated one of the blades is extended into the open end. The sleeve is comprised of a cloth material that is statically charged.
US08348608B2	Turbomachine rotor cooling A rotor of a turbomachine includes a rotor drum located at a central axis and a plurality of buckets secured to the rotor drum. A rotor shell extends between axially adjacent buckets of the plurality of buckets and is secured to and supported by the plurality of buckets defining a cooling passage between the rotor drum and the rotor shell. A low pressure sink is located at an upstream end of the rotor receptive of a coolant flow through the cooling passage. A method of cooling a rotor of a steam turbine includes locating a rotor shell radially outboard of a rotor drum defining a cooling passage therebetween. A flow of steam is urged from a downstream portion of the steam turbine through the cooling passage toward a low pressure sink located at an upstream end of the steam turbine thereby cooling the rotor.
US08348606B2	Washer pump An enhanced pump assembly includes an impeller and volute casing designed to provide high operating pressures (“P”) and flow rates (“Q”) with low energy usage. The impeller has a central shaft carrying radially projecting curved primary vanes, and each primary vane also has a twist in the radial direction. Secondary impeller vanes define triangular connecting fillet-like wall segments connecting each primary vane to the impeller shaft. The casing of the pump has a slight spiral deviation so that the pump chamber's radial sidewall flares away from the swept area of the impeller's vanes to define a fluid outlet that contributes to higher P-Q performance, especially when pumping colder fluids.
US08348603B2	Gas turbine inner flowpath coverpiece A gas turbine inner flow path cover piece for a gas turbine a first turbine wheel and a second turbine wheel is provided is provided. The gas turbine inner flow path cover piece can include a main body having an first surface and a second surface, side pieces disposed on the first surface of the main body and mating pairs disposed on the second surface of the main body.
US08348601B2	Variable nozzle mechanism When changing a nozzle blade angle by rotating a drive ring, a contact load generated between an inner circumferential surface of the drive ring and an outer circumferential surface of a mount can be reduced, allowing the drive ring to rotate smoothly and reducing the amount of wear and a driving force. It is also possible to reduce an impact force, such as engine vibrations, generated at the drive ring when an external force acts, reducing the risk of damage. A plurality of notches (19) are provided at an inner rim of the drive ring (14), and, among inner circumferential surfaces (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, and 14h) located between the notches (19), when a driving force for rotating the drive ring (14) is applied, the inner diameters of the inner circumferential surfaces (14e, 14f, 14g, and 14h) where the contact load with the outer circumferential surface of a mount becomes large are made larger than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface.
US08348599B2	Turbine rotor wheel A rotor wheel is provided and includes a body having first and second opposing faces and portions recessed from a plane of the first face to define therein an annular groove and a plurality of tributary grooves, the annular groove being receptive of fluid from an external source and formed to direct the fluid to flow along an annular flow path, and the plurality of tributary grooves being receptive of the fluid from the annular groove and respectively formed to direct the fluid to flow sequentially along radial and axial tributary flow paths while preventing inter-tributary groove fluid communication.
US08348598B2	Wind turbine generator and rolling bearing for wind turbine generator In order to provide a rolling bearing for a wind turbine and a wind turbine which can prevent the deterioration of the lubrication condition even when the rolling bearing receives high load while the inner ring and the outer ring are kept still relative to each other, the wind turbine generator of the present invention for supporting a first member and a second member which rotates relative to the first member, comprises an inner ring to which the first member is fixed; an outer ring to which the second member is fixed; a center ring which is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring and can rotate independently of the inner ring and the outer ring; rolling elements which are provided between the bearing rings in such a manner that the rolling elements can freely roll; and a center ring drive unit for rotating the center ring.
US08348596B2	Fan assembly A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. The fan assembly has a center of gravity located so that when the base is located on a substantially horizontal support surface, the projection of the center of gravity on the support surface is within the footprint of the base when the body is in a fully tilted position.
US08348595B2	Sealing system between bearing and compressor housing A turbocharger oil discharge assembly (301, 501, 701, 901) can have a thrust collar (324, 524, 724, 924) with a first radially outwardly extending wall and a second radially outwardly extending wall to define a first annular channel. The first radially outwardly extending wall can have an annular flange that at least in part defines a second annular channel. The assembly can also have a thrust bearing (340, 540, 740, 940) having a radially inner end received in the first annular channel, and an insert (400, 600, 800, 1000). An oil collection chamber (440, 640, 840, 1040) can be defined at least in part by a drainage channel of the insert (400, 600, 800, 1000), the annular flange of the thrust collar (324, 524, 724, 924) and the thrust bearing (340, 540, 740, 940). Pressurized oil discharged from an oil release interface can be directed towards a radially outer region of the oil collection chamber (440, 640, 840, 1040) and can be collected in the oil collection chamber (440, 640, 840, 1040) for subsequent exhaust.
US08348592B2	Instability mitigation system using rotor plasma actuators An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a rotor having a row of blades arranged around a centerline axis, and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on a blade that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor, and a control system for controlling the operation of the mitigation system. An instability mitigation system further comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor and a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system are disclosed.
US08348589B2	Universal folding boom trailer A Universal Folding Boom Trailer for transporting multiple vehicles provides a safe and legal manner for towing. The trailer includes a winch for loading and unloading the towed vehicles and can act alone as a crane if desired. Further, this trailer arrangement backs up like a conventional trailer. The Universal Folding Boom Trailer provides a means for a driver to haul multiple vehicles in both directions. The driver is able to attach the trailer to a personal fifth wheel and tow any type of unit: a fifth wheel trailer, a ball hitch trailer, or a gooseneck, among others—instead of dead-heading.
US08348588B2	Article transport facility An article transport facility includes an article transporting mobile body configured to move along a path and having an article holder; an article support for storing an article, the article support is configured to be moved between an article transfer position and an article storage position; a lock device provided on the article support to be switchable between a locking state for locking the article support in the article storage position, and an unlocking position for releasing the locking state; and an operating device provided on the mobile body for moving the article support and switching the lock device.
US08348587B2	Vehicle storage/loading system for sheets A motor vehicle having an assembly for loading sheet material includes a cargo area having a loading opening and a bulkhead located at an opposite end of the cargo area from the loading opening. Also included is a passenger compartment located at a forward region of the vehicle. Further included is at least one fixed end stop located proximate a rear area of the cargo area. Yet further included is at least one load assist strip, where a first end of the strip is mounted to the bulkhead, wherein the strip extends rearward to a second end of the strip that is mounted to the end stop.
US08348581B2	Integral tensioning member for variable sheetmetal thickness carrier attachment A carrier for engaging a panel and a method of making a carrier for engaging a panel are disclosed. The carrier generally includes a base portion, an attachment member disposed on the base portion which is operable to engage a panel, and a springbar disposed on the base portion. The method generally includes forming a base portion, forming an attachment member, and forming a springbar on the base portion. The attachment member cooperates with the base portion to define a maximum panel thickness, and the springbar engages panels having a thickness less than or equal to the maximum panel thickness to provide tension between the base portion and a panel.
US08348579B2	Pushpin retaining device and method of retaining without object puncture In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a pushpin retaining device is disclosed. An exemplary pushpin retaining device can include a resilient, elongated pin that can have a first end portion for puncturing and a second end portion. A grip foot can be operatively associated with the second end portion of the pin. Alternatively, a cut edge can be on the second end portion of the pin. A method of retaining objects without object puncture can include providing a pushpin retaining device. The method can also include puncturing a support surface with an end of the pin of the pushpin device and pressing a portion of an object against the support surface with the grip foot or cut edge, respectively.
US08348576B1	Fastener and fastener assembly with discontinuous threadform The disclosure provides in one embodiment for a fastener comprising a cylindrical shaft, a head attached to the shaft, and two or more external longitudinal threadforms, where each threadform comprises a plurality of spaced protrusions forming a separate helical path around the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into a corresponding mating receptacle, a combination of the shaft and the mating receptacle provides two or more pitches. The disclosure further provides for a fastener assembly.
US08348571B2	Screw A screw has a screw head and a shank. The screw head has a square cavity, a hexagonal cavity or a hexagonal boss to be wedged by a screw driver for wrenching. The shank has a first asymmetrical thread at the taper to facilitate drilling holes, asymmetrical saw-type threads behind the first asymmetrical thread, and a second asymmetrical thread behind the asymmetrical saw-type threads. The shank further has a carved V-shaped tail between the first asymmetrical thread and the asymmetrical saw-type threads to facilitate cutting and debris dispelling. The screw thus formed can rapidly perform thread tapping and debris dispelling, and reduce friction and expand drilling holes and achieve fast fastening.
US08348565B2	Rivet The invention relates to a rivet (2) for connecting workpieces (11, 12), in particular a blind rivet, having a sleeve (1) with a shank (5) and a widened preformed head (13) adjoining thereto, and optionally a rivet mandrel (8) with a head (9), wherein an end of the shank (5) lying opposite the preformed head (13) if necessary can be deformed to form a driven head by drawing the rivet mandrel (8) into the sleeve (1). In order that during the placement of a rivet (2) a gap (10) between the rivet (2) and workpieces (11, 12) to be connected can be closed and a highly loadable connection can be achieved, at least one indentation (3) running axially and/or at least one slot running axially are provided in the shank (5), which indentation (3) or which slot (4) during the placement of the rivet (2) causes a radial expansion of the shank (5) of the sleeve (1) towards the workpieces (11, 12).
US08348564B2	Container coupling device According to a container coupling device 1 of an embodiment, when a container has been lifted with an upper fitting (4) and a lower fitting (5) being engaged with corner fittings (F) of an upper container and a lower container, respectively, via a spring mechanism, a container weight acts on a lower half portion (42) of the upper fitting (4) that crosses an engaging hole (Fa) of the corner fitting (F) of the upper container and on an upper half portion (51) of the lower fitting (5) that crosses an engaging hole (Fa) of the corner fitting (F) of the lower container. The upper fitting (4) and the lower fitting (5) are forcibly rotated against a biasing force of the spring mechanism in a direction in which the upper fitting and the lower fitting overlap an upper fitted portion (22) and a lower fitted portion (23), respectively. As a result, the lower fitting (5) rotates to a position at which the lower fitting overlaps the lower fitted portion (23) while the upper fitting (4) is engaged with the bottom corner fitting (F) of the upper container, and is thus released from the corner fitting (F).
US08348560B1	Tool head for a machine tool A tool head suitable for use in a machine tool for shaping the edge of a plastic sheet, which holds and shapes the edge of plastic sheet while a vacuum on the machine tool holds the center of the plastic sheet. Having such a desired edge renders the plastic sheet suitable for further manufacturing treatment.
US08348558B2	Cutting insert and milling cutter The invention relates to a cutting insert having an essentially parallelepiped-shaped basic body with two larger spaced-apart longitudinal surfaces (10,11) which are connected to one another by two smaller transverse surfaces (12, 13) and two smaller longitudinal surfaces (14) designed as rake faces, wherein the smaller longitudinal surfaces (14) form with the adjacent surfaces a respective, encircling, closed cutting line which forms the cutting edges and rounded-off cutting corners, and the larger longitudinal surface (10, 11) merges on both sides via respective rounded-off edges into the smaller transverse surface (12, 13), and one of the rounded-off cutting corners is designed so as to project relative to a basic shape which is determined by the cutting lines, on both sides, of the larger longitudinal surfaces (10, 11) with the smaller longitudinal surfaces (14).
US08348556B2	Solids distributor for injection plants, blast furnaces and the like A solids distributor for injection plants includes a collecting chamber having a plurality of lance lines leading away from the chamber. The chamber has a supply connection for a solid to be distributed and is surrounded by a common wall in which a plurality of ports is formed. The lance lines are connected to the ports, and an annular gap is formed in front of the ports and along the common wall. A pressure vessel is arranged geodetically above the collecting chamber, the lower part of the pressure vessel being designed as a bunker, having an outlet providing a direct and continuous junction to the supply connection and an upper part designed as a gas space. The collecting chamber may include a central displacement body which forms the annular gap with the common wall and which may be an upwardly tapering cone which projects out of the collecting chamber.
US08348555B2	Formwork element for bounding a trench wall section, formwork part and method for producing a trench wall in the ground The present invention relates to a shuttering element for limiting a section of a trench wall. The shuttering element is characterized by a plurality of shuttering parts which have a plate-shaped base body, consisting of concrete in particular, and are connected to one another at their adjoining horizontal front faces. Furthermore, the invention relates to a shuttering part as well as a method for producing a trench wall in the ground.
US08348549B2	Method and apparatus for absorptive boom Method and apparatus for a low floating boom curtain constructed of absorptive material made for use in waters polluted by oil, fuel, diesel fuel, chemicals such as dispersants or other petroleum based contaminants or the like wherein the boom curtain is comprised of an upper and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is the buoyant portion and the lower portion is a skirt portion, wherein the skirt portion has a weighted portion on the bottom of the skirt portion so that together they form an absorptive boom curtain for removing oil from oil containing waters. The upper portion, which provides the main flotation for the device, has an internal float/foam member which provides sufficient flotation and which foam member is wrapped in a single or double layer of absorptive material and wherein the entire device is made of and or covered by absorptive material. The boom curtain has a strap running longitudinally along it for interconnecting the individual curtain units wherein the strap may also have attachment rings and interconnecting rings for connecting individual units of the device so as to form a longer string of boom. The weighted portion may be weighted by any suitable material, however, it is believed that sand will be the weight of choice since it is also readily available.
US08348547B2	Waterproof roadbed construction A process for hardening and rendering a roadbed water resistant by measuring and ensuring the clay content of the roadbed soil is a minimum of 12%, amending the soil to bring the clay content within this range. Treating the top six inches of the roadbed soil with an enzyme formulation and removing and setting aside the treated roadbed soil. Applying two mixtures of organo-silane solution to soil remaining in the roadbed in two separate steps, allowing the treated soil to cure between applications. Adding the enzyme treated soil back onto the roadbed, compacting and crowning the soil, then spraying the surface of the treated roadbed and its associated shoulders with the organo-silane mixture. Once again, the organo-silane mixture is applied in a two step process with two different dilutions of the organo-silane formulation to form a hardened and water resistant envelope of soil within the roadbed.
US08348545B1	Traffic control marker with protective cover and stiffening elements A clear protective cover on a roadway marker for protecting reflective sheeting located on the marker. The protective cover prevents the reflective sheeting from being displaced from the marker when impacted, for example, by vehicle. The protective cover can be formed from a clear, high-impact strength, polycarbonate material. A stiffening element located within the roadway marker increases the stiffness and resiliency of the roadway marker. The stiffening element provides more spring to return the roadway marker back to a substantially erect position after being deflected, for example, by a vehicle. The stiffening element can be a formed from a hard material such as PVC and can have the shape of a ball, cylinder, puck, oblong, or other suitable shape.
US08348541B2	Joint arrangement for a vehicle Joint arrangement for a vehicle, with a joint (7), which has a joint housing (8) and a pivot pin (9) mounted movably in relation thereto; a rod (4), which has a cavity (6) and which is connected to the joint (7); a ring element arranged between the joint and the rod; a sealing bellows (10), which defines the interior space (11) and in which the joint (7) is arranged at least partially; and a gas-permeable connection (13), which connects the cavity (6) of the rod (4) to the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10), wherein at least part of the gas-permeable connection (13) is formed by at least one groove, which is formed on the ring element and opens into the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10).
US08348536B2	Rotary-type retractable writing implement with an anti-drying device A rotary-type retractable writing implement with an anti-drying device is provided. An upper shaft and a lower shaft are coupled together such that the two shafts are rotatable in opposite directions, and a cartridge accommodated in an intermediate connection member is movable, and an open/shut module for covering a nib opens/shuts by the movement of the cartridge so as to provide a nib-advancing path.
US08348535B2	Stick-shaped material propelling container In a stick-shaped material propelling container capable of propelling and retracting a stick-shaped material, the influence of variation of the dimension of the stick-shaped material can be made small. An inner barrel is slidably inserted in an outer barrel, an elastic body which urges the inner barrel rearward is provided between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, a chuck piece which holds a stick-shaped material is provided at a tip end portion of the inner barrel, and a chuck ring is inserted between the chuck piece and the outer barrel. A cross section of the stick-shaped material forms a triangular shape, the frictional force applying part which is in contact with the stick-shaped material to apply a frictional force is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer barrel, and the frictional force applying part abuts on a side in the vicinity of a vertex of the stick-shaped material in a cross section of the stick-shaped material.
US08348531B2	Media treatment web flow path Various embodiments and methods relating to moving a printed upon web along bowed segments of a web path through at least three consecutive turns in a same direction are disclosed.
US08348525B2	Modular connector system having electrical and optical links An opto-electronic module connector system is mountable on a system substrate, such as a printed circuit board, in a variety of configurations or orientations and includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI)-shielding enclosure, a connector assembly, and a socket. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a connector printed circuit board, a substantially planar contact holder, electrical contact fingers mounted on the contact holder, and an opto-electronic module. When the EMI-shielding enclosure and socket are mounted on the system substrate, a user can readily insert the connector assembly into the EMI-shielding enclosure and plug it into the socket. A user can likewise readily remove the connector assembly from the EMI-shielding enclosure and socket for maintenance, cleaning, repair or other purposes.
US08348524B2	Plug and connecting structure for endoscope A plug in which the base end portions of an image guide comprise an image guide fiber and an image guide rod. A light guide comprising a light guide fiber and a light guide rod are fixed to a plug main body in a parallel state. The plug and a socket can be connected. The diameter of a position-aligning hole portion into which the base end of the image guide rod is inserted is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the image guide rod, while the diameter of a position-aligning hole portion into which the base end of the light guide rod is inserted is set to be greater than the outer diameter of the light guide rod.
US08348518B2	Optical connector An optical connector in which a seal member is difficult to be damaged during assembly. A seal member-accommodating portion that accommodates the seal member in a compressed state is formed as an intermediate portion of a through hole of a housing. When an insertion member is inserted into the through hole, an insertion portion of the insertion member presses the seal member into the seal member-accommodating portion.
US08348509B2	Flexible container with fitment and handle A flexible container includes a panel structure of flexible web material. The panel structure defines a pouch that has a top opening. A rigid fitment, in the top opening, has a surface section adjoining the pouch. The panel structure defines a handle. The pouch is configured to be carried by the handle in an upright orientation in which the handle projects upward from the pouch at a juncture that is not above the bottom of the pouch-adjoining surface section of the fitment.
US08348508B2	Wave ramp test method and apparatus Method and apparatus are provided for use with a tomographic imaging device. A test object comprising a plurality of angled ramps may be provided to facilitate evaluating performance of the tomographic imaging device. A method for evaluating performance of a tomographic imaging device includes scanning the test object to produce a tomographic slice image and performing analysis on a waveform profile extracted from the image, to determine spatial performance of the tomographic imaging device. A tomographic imaging device may be provided comprising a scanning device and a data processing unit for performing a method of evaluating performance of the tomographic imaging device.
US08348506B2	Extremity imaging apparatus for cone beam computed tomography An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.
US08348504B2	Wireless temperature measurement system and methods of making and using same A temperature measurement system capable of operating in harsh environments including a temperature sensor having an antenna, diode, and dielectric layer disposed on the object of interest is provided, wherein the antenna includes a buried portion that extends through and is electrically coupled to the object of interest, and an exposed portion disposed upon an outer surface of the dielectric layer and the diode is coupled between the object of interest and the exposed portion of the antenna. The antenna is configured to receive interrogating signals from a transmitter, and to transmit response signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the temperature sensor and its harmonics, which are indicative of the measured temperature of the object of interest. A receiver detects the response signals and correlates the frequency to a known temperature response of the dielectric material. Methods of making and using the temperature measurement system are also provided.
US08348496B2	Mainspring Mainspring for a mechanism driven by a motor spring, especially for a timepiece, formed from a ribbon of metallic glass material. This ribbon is monolithic and has a thickness of greater than 50 μm.
US08348495B2	Timepiece A timepiece includes a striking member and a struck member that is driven when struck by the striking member, at least one of the striking member and the struck member being made from a metallic glass alloy.
US08348493B2	Electronic manager for bread dough mixers and operating method The invention relates to an electronic manager for bread dough mixers and to an operating method. The invention consists of an integral module (15) comprising a PLC (2) which, by means of relays (3, 4 and 5), controls a low-speed contact (8), a high-speed contact (9) and an electrovalve (10, 10′) in order to operate a mixer (14). In addition, the PLC (2) controls a temperature sensor (6), a flowmeter (7, 7′) and a visual and audible indicator (13). The corresponding method comprises a parameter definition step, a start confirmation step, an oxygenation step, a liquid metering step, a mixing step and a return-to-rest step.
US08348492B2	Movable LED track luminaire A magnetic track and lighting system is described. The present magnetic luminaire attaches to a track through magnetic connectors and provides easy mobility of the luminaires on the track without necessary mechanical attachment mechanisms. The magnetic luminaire incorporates the utilization of LED sources and provides in its design cooling and heat dissipation by the interface between the magnetic luminaire and the track.
US08348491B2	Light guide plates and backlight module A light guide plate includes a body having a bottom surface and a light output surface opposite to the bottom surface. A scattering structure is formed on the bottom surface. The scattering structure includes a number of scattering dots located in the form of a number of concentric shapes around the center. The scattering dots adjacent to the center are arranged in a plurality of concentric circles. The scattering dots adjacent to the edge are arranged in a number of concentric quadrilaterals having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of the light guide plate. A backlight module using the light guide plate is also provided.
US08348490B2	Planar light source device and method of manufacturing divided prism mold A planar light source device capable of increasing light use efficiency and preventing color breakup without using any reflection polarizing plate nor performing multiple reflection. The planar light source device includes a planar light guide plate, light sources arranged as to be opposed to end surfaces of the light guide plate on its both sides, and a divided prism formed in a back surface inside the light guide plate and that reflects light incident upon the light guide plate from the light sources toward a front surface side of the light guide plate. The divided prism includes a prism portion and a dividing portion both of which have a width equal to or less than the wavelength of light from the light sources and is formed with the prism portion and the dividing portion alternately repeated along a direction parallel to the end surfaces of the light guide plate which are opposed to the light sources.
US08348488B2	Elongated solid luminaire with light-emitting portion with first and second extraction regions spatially divided along the longitudinal axis thereof Lighted refrigerated display case with remote light source comprises a closed container with an interior of the container refrigerated to a temperature below 7 C. The container is thermally insulated from ambient, having internal and external walls. A solid fiber optic luminaire is at least partially mounted within the container, having an elongated side-light emitting portion for emitting light from the side of the luminaire onto contents in an interior of the display case. The side-light emitting portion comprises an extractor of light arranged to preferentially extract light from the luminaire and direct the light in at least one radial direction along the length of the side-light emitting portion to at least one target area of said contents along a longitudinal axis of the side-light emitting portion. A light-delivery system provides light to the fiber optic luminaire, having a light source mounted remotely from the interior of the container.
US08348486B2	Vehicular lamp unit and vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp unit includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a vehicular longitudinal direction; a light source disposed rearward of a rear side focal point of the projection lens; a reflector reflecting direct light from the light source forward towards the optical axis; a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source such that the shade blocks a part of reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source to form a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern; a first reflective surface formed on a tip portion of the reflector such that the first reflective surface reflects a part of the direct light from the light source downward to the front of the shade; and a second reflective surface formed on the front of the shade and below the rear side focal point of the projection lens such that the second reflective surface reflects reflected light from the first reflective surface towards the projection lens. The first reflective surface is formed in a shape of an ellipsoidal reflective surface having a vertical cross-section that is generally ellipsoidal in shape, and the second reflective surface is formed in a generally flat shape having a linear vertical cross-section.
US08348480B2	Adjustable structure for lamp stand An adjustable structure for lamp stand, in which a swivel mount is fitted to the upper portion of a base, thereby enabling ends of a first bar support and a telescopic link to be pin connected to the swivel mount, while the other ends are pin connected to a second bar support. A lamp swivel component is disposed on the end of the second bar support. Accordingly, relative positions between the first bar support, the second bar support and the telescopic link can be freely adjusted, while still providing stable support to the structure.
US08348478B2	Light module A light module includes a light engine that has an LED package having power terminals. A base ring assembly holds the light engine. The base ring assembly has a base ring configured to be mounted to a supporting structure. The base ring has a securing feature. The base ring assembly has a contact holder that holds power contacts. The power contacts are spring biased against the power terminals to create a separable power connection with the power terminals. A top cover assembly is coupled to the base ring. The top cover assembly has a collar surrounding the base ring. The top cover assembly has a securing feature that engages the securing feature of the base ring to couple the collar to the base ring. The collar has a cavity and the optical component is received in the cavity. The optical component is positioned to receive light from the LED package and the optical component is configured to emit the light generated by the LED package.
US08348477B2	Light emitting diode recessed light fixture A recessed light fixture includes an LED module, which includes a single LED package that is configured to generate all light emitted by the recessed light fixture. For example, the LED package can include multiple LEDs mounted to a common substrate. The LED package can be coupled to a heat sink for dissipating heat from the LEDs. The heat sink can include a core member from which fins extend. Each fin can include one or more straight and/or curved portions. A reflector housing may be coupled to the heat sink and configured to receive a reflector. The reflector can have any geometry, such as a bell-shaped geometry including two radii of curvature that join together at an inflection point. An optic coupler can be coupled to the reflector housing and configured to cover electrical connections at the substrate and to guide light emitted by the LED package.
US08348476B2	Method and apparatus for a lighting module A light source module that includes a light source and a housing, the housing having a top portion for receiving the light source and an upper portion extending from the top portion to form a recess. A first sealing material provided inside the recess to form a seal that at least partially encapsulates the light source.
US08348473B2	Illumination optical system An illumination optical system includes a prism disposed on an incident optical axis and a lens that is disposed between the light source and an incident surface of the prism or between an emitting surface of the prism and an illuminated object, at least one of the reflection surfaces being a transmission/reflection surface. Additionally, an illumination optical system includes a prism having a surface that is disposed so as to obliquely intersect with an incident optical system, that transmits a part of the entering light to be emitted therefrom, and that deflects at least part of the rest of the light in a direction that intersects with the incident optical axis to be emitted therefrom. Furthermore, an illumination optical system has a rod lens that is disposed so that a longitudinal direction thereof is inclined with respect to an incident optical axis is provided.
US08348471B2	LED lamp assembly A LED lamp assembly is disclosed. The LED lamp assembly includes a heat radiator, a base body and a cover body. The base body is located on one end of the heat radiator and the cover body is located on the other end of the heat radiator. The base body has a plurality of first engaging parts, each of which is associated with a first engaging portion. The cover body has a plurality of second engaging parts, each of which is associated with a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is configured to correspond to and engage with the second engaging portion so as to sandwich the heat radiator between the base body and the cover body.
US08348470B2	LED illuminating device An LED illuminating device includes a boiling room, an optical module, a heat insulating member and a heat exchanging member communicating with the boiling room. The boiling room defines a horizontal room and an annular, vertical room having a bottom end surrounding the horizontal room. A wick structure is received in the boiling room. Working fluid is received in the boiling room and saturated in a bottom portion of the wick structure. The optical module includes a plurality of LEDs attached to a heat absorbing member connecting with the bottom portion of the wick structure. The heat insulating member is received in the boiling room and attached to a middle portion of the wick structure for thermally insulating the middle portion of the wick structure from vaporized working fluid in the horizontal room of the boiling room.
US08348469B2	Flexible high-power LED lighting system A string light engine includes a flexible power cord, a heat sink, an IDC terminal, a PCB, and an LED. The flexible power cord includes an electrical wire and an insulating material for the wire. The heat sink attaches to the power cord. The IDC terminal is inserted through the insulating material and electrically communicates with the wire. The PCB is at least partially received in the heat sink. The PCB includes a first surface having circuitry and a second surface opposite the first surface. The circuitry is in electrical communication with the IDC terminal. The second surface is abutted against a surface of the heat sink so that heat is transferred from the LED into the heat sink. The LED mounts to the first surface of the PCB and is in electrical communication with the circuitry.
US08348468B2	Light emitting device An embodiment of the invention provides a light emitting device in which a semiconductor laser diode is used as a light source to emit visible light in a wide range. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor laser diode that emits a laser beam; and a luminescent component that is provided while separated from the semiconductor laser diode and absorbs the laser beam to emit the visible light. In the light emitting device, the luminescent component includes an optical path through which the laser beam is incident to a center portion of the luminescent component.
US08348466B2	Lighted moving ball display system A lighted moving ball display system configured to provide a visual display, including a plurality of lighted balls; wherein the lighted balls include a light emitting device; a ball power module and a housing. The system includes a medium having a plurality of clear plastic tubes, spirals, tracks, or spouts; wherein the lighted balls moves therethrough. The system also includes a lifting mechanism configured to lift the lighted balls to a top portion of the medium; and a loading mechanism in communication with the collection chamber and configured to load the lighted balls into the lifting mechanism. The system includes a power module configured to provide power to the modules and components of the system. The system further includes a circulation mechanism configured to circulate the lighted balls through the medium; wherein the circulation mechanism includes a pressurized air system configured to project air through the medium during operation.
US08348462B2	Lighting system and assembling method of the same Optic group for a lighting system including a plurality of solid state light sources, includes a plurality of optics each positionable in proximity of at least a correspondent solid state light source, a planar housing matrix of the plurality of optics for facilitating assembly of the lighting system. The assembling method includes sequentially: a) rotating at least a first asymmetric optic with respect to a third axis, parallel to a longitudinal axis of at least a correspondent solid state light source, at a first predetermined angle measured with respect to an axis orthogonal to the third axis, so as to lead the first asymmetric optic in a first configuration which is rotated with respect to the third axis and centered over the correspondent housing; b) coupling the first asymmetric optic to a correspondent housing of the planar housing matrix, and maintaining the same in the first rotated configuration.
US08348458B2	White light-emitting device A light-emitting device comprises a light source adapted to emit light of a first wavelength range; a reflective body comprising a reflective layer; a wavelength converting layer comprising a wavelength converting material adapted to absorb light of said first wavelength range and to emit light of a second wavelength range, said wavelength converting layer and said light source being arranged mutually spaced apart; and light-scattering elements adapted to scatter light of at least said first wavelength range; wherein at least part of said light-scattering elements are arranged in the path of light from said light source to said wavelength converting layer. The light-emitting device according to the invention provides improved uniformity in color and also improved brightness uniformity.
US08348456B2	Illuminating device An illuminating device has a solid light-emitting element module and a phosphor module joined to the solid light-emitting element module. The solid light-emitting element module has a plurality of the solid light-emitting elements. The phosphor module has a plurality of phosphor-containing parts corresponding to the individual solid light-emitting elements. Thus, a light-emitting part is provided, which has more than one kind of luminescence sources having the solid light-emitting element and the phosphor-containing part. An illumination intensity of a composite light is 150 lux or more at a distance of 30 cm perpendicularly from the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting part.
US08348455B2	Overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat An overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat, in particular in an aircraft cabin, includes a first plurality of light sources, each of which emits light along a center line. The lamp also includes, a holding device which immovably secures the first plurality of light sources so as to be disposed in a first row in such a way that the center lines of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources lie in one plane and are inclined relative to one another. The lamp further includes an, and an activation device, which is connected to the first plurality of light sources and devised to selectively activate in each case one of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources.
US08348452B2	Solar LED lamp A solar LED lamp includes a housing, a light emitting module, a solar panel, and a light collective member. A circumference of the housing defines a plurality of windows. A light emitting module is received in the housing. Light rays emitted by the emitting module travel out of the housing via the plurality of windows. The solar panel absorbs solar energy and transfers the solar energy into electrical energy for the light emitting module. The light collective member is located over the solar panel and directs sunlight toward the solar panel.
US08348447B2	Plastic canopy lock A sign-type lighting fixture assembly is provided herein. The assembly includes an illuminating lighting fixture, a canopy, and a canopy lock. The lighting fixture has a housing with a perimetrical wall. The perimetrical wall includes a fixture opening therein. The canopy secures the lighting fixture to the canopy. The canopy has a canopy opening for passage of electrical wires. The canopy further includes a pair of inwardly deflectable fingers for insertion into the fixture opening for resilient securement to the perimetrical wall of the lighting fixture. The canopy lock is configured to be inserted into the canopy opening. The canopy lock is disposed between the pair of deflectable fingers of the canopy to prevent inward deflection of the fingers of the canopy to prevent removal from the lighting fixture.
US08348446B2	Area light source device and display device An area light source device according to the present invention includes a plate-shaped light guide plate that has one surface that serves as a transmissive surface and another surface that is on the opposite side from the transmissive surface and in which a plurality of recessed portions are provided. The area light source device also includes at least two light-emitting diodes that are accommodated in each of the recessed portions, that emit light in a direction in which the light guide plate extends, and that are disposed such that they emit light in different directions. In this configuration, directing a light-emitting face of any one of the light-emitting diodes such that it faces a given light-emitting area makes it possible to cause light to be emitted uniformly within the light-emitting area and also makes it possible to cause light to be emitted only within the specific light-emitting area.
US08348443B2	Document camera and its light box A document camera and its light box are provided in the disclosure. The light box includes a base, a light guiding plate embedded in the base, and a light source device movably disposed on the base. The light guiding plate has a light input face and a light output face which are both light transmissive from the base. When the light source device is moved to face the light input face, the light source device provides lights outwards the light guiding plate via the light input face, otherwise, when the light source device is moved away from the light input face, the light source device provides light to the light output face down wards.
US08348442B2	Lighting apparatus and system A flash apparatus and related systems and methods of use are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a housing having a generally concave reflector, and a light source disposed within the reflector. A handle can be engaged with the housing and/or the light source to facilitate manual positioning and repositioning of the light source relative to a photographic apparatus remote from the housing and/or an object to be photographed. A synchronization device is in communication with the light source and the photographic apparatus for causing the light source to emit a flash of light when the photographic device is actuated. A modifier can also be engaged with the reflector for modifying the emitted flash of light. In a portable system, various interchangeable reflectors, modifiers, and light sources can be provided. Power sources for the light sources and a stand engageable with the handle can also be included.
US08348439B2	Projection display system An enclosure of a dichroic mirror system that synthesizes a plurality of monochromatic laser beams emitted from a laser light source to output synthesized light is a structure having a dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a dichroic mirror system upper enclosure joined to each other, and includes a light-leakage protecting structure that is formed by a convex portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a concave portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system upper enclosure engaged with each other at a joint therebetween.
US08348436B2	Light source device, image display device, and light amount correction method A light source device includes: a light source; a driving signal generating unit that supplies a driving signal to the light source; a light amount measuring unit that measures the amount of light of the light source; and a light amount correcting unit that calculates as a light amount error a difference between a target light amount corresponding to a gray-scale value indicated by gray-scale data input from the outside and the amount of light measured by the light amount measuring unit, corrects a differential efficiency by an integrated value of a product of the light amount error and the gray-scale value, corrects a threshold value of the driving signal, and outputs to the driving signal generating unit a command signal for generating a driving signal having a differential efficiency and a threshold value after the correction.
US08348433B2	Liquid-cooling device including liquid pumping unit and liquid storage unit and projector including liquid-cooling device A projector includes a liquid-cooling device configured to cool down an optical element, an optical element holding member that is constructed to allow cooling liquid to flow in and out and holds the optical element; a liquid pumping unit that circulate cooling liquid; a liquid storage unit that is constructed to allow cooling liquid to flow in and out and temporarily stores cooling liquid therein; and a plurality of liquid circulation members that connect the optical element holding member, the liquid pumping unit, and the liquid storage unit and define a flow channel of the cooling liquid, and the liquid pumping unit, the liquid storage unit, and the optical element holding member are arranged along a circulation direction of the cooling liquid along the flow path in order of the liquid pumping unit, the liquid storage unit, and the optical element holding member.
US08348432B2	Light source unit that includes a luminescent material, a primary light source that emits light to excite the luminescent material, and a secondary light source, and projector To provide a light source unit which can increase luminance and a projector including this light source unit. This light source unit includes a luminous wheel having a segment area on which a luminescent material layer is formed which emits light of a predetermined wavelength band by receiving light, and a segment area which is made into a transmission portion which transmits light, a primary light source which shines light of a visible wavelength band on to the luminous wheel, a secondary light source which emits light of a wavelength band which is different from light from the luminescent material layer and light from the primary light source, a collective optical system which collects light from the luminous wheel and the secondary light source to cause them to converge to the same optical path, and a light source control device which controls the emission of light from the light sources.
US08348429B2	Optical coherence tomography device, method, and system In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography instrument comprises an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user is provided; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's eye; an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's eye; an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and electronics coupled to the detector. The electronics can be configured to perform a risk assessment analysis based on optical coherence tomography measurements obtained using the interferometer. An output device can be electrically coupled to the electronics, and may be configured to output the risk assessment to the user through the output device. The optical coherence tomography instrument can be self-administered, and the eyepiece can be a monocular system or a binocular system.
US08348427B2	Systems for extended depth fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) and related methods Systems for extended depth frequency domain optical coherence tomography are provided including a detection system configured to sample spectral elements at substantially equal frequency intervals, wherein a spectral width associated with the sampled spectral elements is not greater than one-half of the frequency interval. Related methods are also provided herein.
US08348422B2	Apparatus and method for activation of components of an energized ophthalmic lens This present invention provides apparatus and methods for the activation of an energized ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for activation and deactivation of one or more components via wireless communication with an activation unit external to the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an energized ophthalmic lens contains components which detect external signals, process the detected signal and activate components that change optical characteristics via the control of electrical energy.
US08348420B2	Eyeglass with a soft sleeving element The present invention provides an eyeglass frame/one-piece lens with a soft sleeving element. The soft sleeving element is provided with an elongated groove disposed inner the upper portion, and at least an inlaid flange is disposed in the elongated groove so as to form at least two spaced sections. At least a through hole and at least a curved slot are disposed in each side of the soft sleeving element, and a distal end is disposed at the bottom of each curved slot. The eyeglass frame/one-piece lens is provided with at least a pair of protrudent extensions at each side, at least a lower catching hollow is disposed at the bottom of each lower protrudent extension, and a catching concavity is formed on the upper rim of the eyeglass frame/one-piece lens. Each pair of protrudent extensions are inserted through the through hole and the curved slot, each distal end is caught and firmly secured in each lower catching hollow, and the inlaid flange is caught in the catching concavity.
US08348414B2	Ink jet recording apparatus equipped with cutting head and ultraviolet light irradiation device A printing apparatus capable of performing printing and cutting operations is presented. The printing apparatus including a supporting member for supporting a medium, an ink head comprising a nozzle for discharging ultraviolet light curable ink onto the medium and coupled to the guide rail in a freely moveable manner for moving the ink head in the second direction, a cutting head comprising a cutter for cutting the medium and coupled to the guide rail in a freely moveable manner for moving the cutting head in the second direction, and an ultraviolet light irradiation device coupled to the ink head for irradiating ultraviolet light onto the ultraviolet light curable ink discharged on the medium during the printing operation, wherein at least a portion of the medium is irradiated by the ultraviolet light after a region of the recording medium is cut by the cutter.
US08348412B2	Reactive dyes, their preparation and their use Reactive dyes of formula wherein R1 is hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted C1-C4alkyl, (R2)s denotes s identical or different substituents from the group halogen, nitro, unsubstituted or halo-substituted C1-C4alkyl, C2-C4alkanoylamino, C1-C4alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl and sulfo, Me is chromium, cobalt or iron, E is a bivalent radical of formula wherein X denotes chlorine or fluorine, T is a fiber-reactive radical of formula —NH—(CH2)2-3—SO2—Z (2a), —NH—(CH2)2-3—O—(CH2)2-3—SO2—Z (2b), (R3)0-2 denotes from 0 to 2 identical or different substituents from the group halogen, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy and sulfo, Z is vinyl or a —CH2—CH2—U radical and U is a group that is removable under alkaline conditions, Q is a —CH(Hal)-CH2-Hal or —C(Hal)=CH2 group, s is the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, q is the number 0 or 1, A denotes a bivalent radical of formula wherein R1, R2, X, T, m, n, q and s are as defined above, R4 and R7 denote hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl, R5 and R6 represent, each independently of the other, identical or different substituents from the group hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, unsubstituted or halo-substituted C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C2-C4alkanoylamino, C1-C4alkylsulfonyl, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl and sulfo, and t and u are each independently of the other the number 0, 1, 2 or 3, are especially suitable for dyeing synthetic polyamide fiber materials and yield dyeings or prints having good wet-fastness properties.
US08348405B2	System and method for transporting solid ink pellets A molten ink supply for a solid ink printing machine includes a container for storing solid ink pellets and a withdrawal tube having an inlet end disposed within the container. A vacuum generator is disposed at the outlet end of the withdrawal tube operable to draw a vacuum within the tube. A feed conduit is connected to the outlet end for receiving solid ink pellets drawn therein by said vacuum generator and conveying the pellets to a melting station operable to melt the solid ink pellets. An assist tube is provided within the container with a discharge nozzle disposed within the withdrawal tube at the inlet end and operable to provide a flow of air into the withdrawal tube to agitate solid ink pellets and facilitate withdrawal of the pellets by the vacuum generator.
US08348404B2	Method and system for melter tank airflow management An airflow system for a solid-ink melter tank is disclosed, which prevents clogging of drop tube supplying solid ink to the solid-ink melter tank. An inlet may provide airflow as well as solid ink to the melter tank and an outlet maintained at a temperature higher than temperature of the inlet, promotes a convective air current. The inlet may be coaxial with the drop tube or is present as a separate opening in the solid-ink melter tank. The outlet can be taller, externally insulated, and fabricated with a thermally conductive material as compared to the inlet. The heated outlet promotes expulsion of hot air from the solid-ink melter tank and prevents heating of drop tube, which leads to drop tube clogging by partially melting the solid ink.
US08348400B2	Device for feeding liquid to inkjet heads and device for wiping inkjet heads When liquid materials are fed to inkjet heads, fluid pressures are equalized so that a gas does not remain in liquid feed pipe lines. Separate liquid feed pipe lines (3) for feeding the liquid material, each of which communicates with each of a plurality of inkjet heads (4), are each connected to a common liquid feed pipe line (2) which stores one kind of the liquid material and communicates with an ink tank (1). Separate gas flow pipe lines (19), each of which is capable of feeding a gas and communicates with a connection portion between the common liquid feed pipe line (2) and each of the separate liquid feed pipe lines (3), with each of the inkjet heads (4), or with both the connection portion and each of the inkjet heads (4), are each connected to a bypass pipe line (18a).
US08348399B2	White ink delivery A method for white ink delivery includes circulating white ink through a white ink delivery system between successive print jobs; and in response to a time interval between two of the successive print jobs being greater than a threshold time interval, draining the white ink from the white ink delivery system.
US08348397B2	Fluid height backpressure device in a system for supplying fluid to a printhead A fluid height backpressure system includes a printhead, a fluid supply tank, a backpressure device, and an air removal device. The backpressure device responsible for supplying system backpressure includes at least one tower disposed in an upright position and having a plurality of walls defining first and second chambers for respectively communicating with the ink supply tank and a fluid supply reservoir of the printhead. The air removal device provides additional back pressure in the second chamber, allows backpressure in the system to be maintained even with an empty fluid supply tank, and also supply of ink to the fluid supply reservoir of the printhead substantially without air bubbles being introduced therein. Also, ink sensors are utilized for sensing out-of-ink/ink-low conditions and also to help establish and continue the operation of the backpressure device.
US08348396B2	Fluid ejection device A fluid ejection device includes a flexible membrane and an adhesive layer on the flexible membrane. The adhesive layer includes a first region and a second region extending from the first region. The fluid ejection device includes a piezoelectric material layer including an edge region and a central region. A surface of the edge region of the piezoelectric material layer is substantially coplanar with a surface of the second region of the adhesive layer. The surface of the edge region and the surface of the second region are substantially parallel with the flexible membrane.
US08348395B2	Piezoelectric element, liquid ejection head, and liquid ejecting apparatus A piezoelectric element, comprising electrodes and a piezoelectric body formed between the electrodes. The piezoelectric body consists of a perovskite oxide including bismuth, lantern, iron and manganese. The molar ratio of the sum of the bismuth and the lantern to the sum of the iron and the manganese is 0.87 or more and 0.94 or less. The molor ratio of the bismuth to the lantern is 3.57 or more and 4.82 or less.
US08348394B2	Liquid ejecting head A discrete element electrode terminal and a driving IC are formed between piezoelectric element rows. A circuit substrate is placed at a side opposite to a flow path substrate side of the driving IC. An input pad is formed on an elastic film at a position corresponding to an inter terminal of the driving IC. An output terminal of the driving IC is electrically bonded to the discrete element electrode terminal, the input terminal of the driving IC is electrically bonded to the input pad, and the input pad is electrically bonded to a substrate terminal of the circuit substrate.
US08348391B2	Valve and actuator employing capillary electrowetting phenomenon A valve 25 includes: a passage 33 having a first passage 31 which communicates an atmosphere-communicating passage 24 and outside of a cartridge body 10, and a second passage 32 which branches from the first passage; an electrode 35 provided on a wall surface forming the second passage 32; an electrode 37 provided on a wall surface of a bottom wall 11d forming the first passage 31; a driver IC 44 which applies a predetermined voltage selectively to one of these two kinds of electrodes 35, 37; an insulating film 36 provided on a surface of the electrode 35; and an insulating film 38 provided on a surface of the electrode 37. Accordingly, there is provided a valve which is capable of opening and closing a passage communicating two spaces separated from each other, which has no movable part, and which has a simple construction.
US08348388B2	Printhead integrated circuit with printable zone longer than nozzle row A printhead integrated circuit (IC) for a stationary pagewidth printhead, includes nozzle rows extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A length of a printable zone corresponding to the nozzle row is longer than a length of the nozzle row.
US08348383B2	Printing device and method A printing device includes a carriage control part that reciprocates a carriage, a print control part that confirms an origin point of the carriage by a position detecting part, a carriage moving time calculation part that calculates a first moving time (B) and a second moving time (C), and a line feed time calculation part that calculates a third time (A). The first moving time is a period during which the carriage moves from a carriage position to the position detection part after print completion, and the second moving time is a period during which the carriage moves from the position detection part to a next print starting position. The third time (A) is a period during which the recording medium is carried from the print completion to the next print position. The position control part executes an origin point confirmation operation of the carriage when (B+C
US08348382B2	Inkjet recording apparatus In a cap mode where a cap member covers a nozzle surface, a controller controls a second movement mechanism so that the cap member is disposed opposite to the nozzle surface. In an ejection recovery mode where ink is ejected from a plurality of nozzles and the ink adhered to the nozzle surface is wiped off by a wiping member, the controller controls a first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism so that the nozzle surface, a wiping tray and the cap member are arranged downward in this order.
US08348370B2	Assay system and method An array of electro-actuated fluid dispensers (200, 465, 500, 670) for metering out liquid reagents includes a support member (230); and a plurality of discrete electro-actuated fluid-dispensing die (220, 460) disposed on the support member (230), each of the die (220, 460) being configured to receive a supply of fluid (130, 300, 447, 454, 456, 665) being deposited thereon and dispense the fluid (130, 300, 447, 454, 456, 665) as needed for assay testing.
US08348369B2	Image forming method and image forming apparatus An image forming method includes discharging a droplet of a recording fluid via nozzles of a recording head onto a print medium; performing a main scan in which the print medium is scanned in a main scan direction; performing a sub-scan in which the print medium is scanned in a sub-scan direction; determining an overlap region in an image region that is formed by a single main scan; and performing an overlap control by forming an image in the overlap region through a plurality of main scans while the print medium is moved in the sub-scan direction by a feed amount L, wherein L=(n−x)d−md, where n is a number of the nozzles in the recording head; x is a number of the nozzles in the overlap region; d is a nozzle pitch; and m is a feed correcting coefficient (0
US08348368B2	Method for arraying head assemblies of inkjet printer and apparatus for performing the same A method for arraying head assemblies of an inkjet printer and an apparatus used for the method that can reduce a period of time taken to array the head assemblies after the head assemblies are mounted in the inkjet printer by adjusting height and rotation center of each of the head assemblies before the head assemblies are mounted in the inkjet printer, and can improve array precision of the head assemblies by adjusting a position in the X direction and a rotation angle of each of the head assemblies having already adjusted height and rotation center after the head assemblies are mounted in the inkjet printer, by adjusting a position in the Y direction of each of the head assemblies and can control an ink spray time. The method includes setting a reference height and a reference rotation center; adjusting a height and a rotation center of a head coupled to a head assembly using the reference height and the reference rotation center; mounting the head assembly in the inkjet printer; and adjusting a position of the head assembly and a rotation angle of the head assembly.
US08348367B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and method for controlling liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects liquid and a pressure chamber in communication with the nozzle. A pressure generator causes pressure fluctuation in the liquid retained in the pressure chamber. The liquid ejecting head is capable of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle as a result of operation of the pressure generator. A driving signal generating section generates a driving signal having an ejection pulse for driving the pressure generator to eject the liquid from the nozzle. The ejection pulse is a voltage waveform four waveform portions having, respectively, voltage levels V1, V2, V3 and V4 that satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B). 0≦V3≦0.4×V2 (A) 0.2×V2≦V4≦V2 (B)
US08348366B2	Wiring board An FPC connected to a piezoelectric actuator has a board and two driver ICs mounted on the board. The board is provided with two wires for transmitting two kinds of mode selection signals respectively corresponding to two kinds of driving modes and with a selection pad selecting one from the two kinds of mode selection signals transmitted through the two wires and then outputting the selected signal to each driver IC.
US08348360B2	Elementary support for object display comprising a hinge polyhedral compartment A support can provide information and display objects. The compartment of the support is hinged to switch between a flat folded condition and an unfolded and open functional condition to receive an object. It comprises a retractable wall (115) for holding the compartment in its unfolded and open condition and an elastic element (127) for biasing the holding wall in an unretracted holding position. The flattening of the compartment is done by retracting the holding wall against the action of an elastic element. The pivoting holding retracting wall (115) is a shoring wall between a floor face (105) and a ceiling face (103) with which they form a force descending rod.
US08348354B2	Vehicle braking system A vehicle braking system including an input piston and a pressure piston that are moveably supported within a cylinder. The input piston is allowed to depress the pressure piston and is connected to the a brake pedal. Pressure chambers to the front and to the rear of the input piston are communicated through a communication passage such that the control hydraulic pressure in accordance with the operation amount to the brake pedal is applied to the second pressure chamber via first and second linear valves. The control hydraulic pressure in accordance with the operation amount to the brake pedal that has been transmitted to the pressure piston through the input piston is regulated by a pressure regulating valve so as to be applied to the second pressure chamber. The braking hydraulic pressure may be output from the pressure chambers, respectively.
US08348353B2	Brake control device for vehicle A brake control device that controls braking forces applied to wheels to stabilize the behavior of a vehicle turning a corner, and includes a turning condition detection unit detecting a turning condition of the vehicle; a braking amount setting unit setting braking amounts for the respective wheels based on the turning condition detected by the turning condition detection unit; a brake control unit applying braking forces to the wheels according to the braking amounts set by the braking amount setting unit; and a road surface friction coefficient estimation unit estimating a road surface friction coefficient of the road on which the vehicle is running. The braking amount setting unit changes upper limits of the braking amounts for the respective wheels according to the road surface friction coefficient when the vehicle is in a center differential lock mode or a direct four-wheel drive mode.
US08348349B2	Mining methods and systems using mobile conveyors A conveyor system for an open pit mine may include one or more conveyor lines. The conveyor lines are used to transport material from one location in the mine to another location. The material transported may be a waste material, such as overburden material, or coal. The conveyor lines may move from a first end of the pit to a distal second end. When the conveyor lines reach the second end, they may reverse direction and return towards the first end. During this reversal in direction of travel, equipment may be selectively swapped between the conveyor lines. The conveyor lines may include at least one mobile bridge conveyor. Each mobile bridge conveyor may support one or more conveyors that transport the material.
US08348348B2	Headrest for a vehicle seat A headrest for a vehicle. A supporting body is mounted on a backrest of the seat, and a head support is adjustable and arrestable relative to the supporting body along a horizontal axis. The headrest includes a first arresting mechanism and second arresting mechanism that is disposed parallel to the horizontal axis and is provided with arresting stages. For an arresting of the head support on the supporting body, the first arresting mechanism is configured to engage into the second arresting mechanism under the effect of a biasing force. The first arresting mechanism is further configured such that it can travel over an angle of rotation about the horizontal axis counter to the biasing force.
US08348339B2	Seat that detects pelvis and chest displacement A seat for reducing looseness of a seated posture in the entirety of the body. In connection with a load peak position of the pelvis of a seated occupant as detected by a pelvis displacement sensor disposed in the seat cushion of a seat, a control device compares an initial peak position and a peak position after displacement. At the same time, the control device detects a shoulder blade position from load distribution of the chest of the seated occupant, detected by a chest displacement detecting sensor disposed in the upper portion of a seat back, and compares an initial position detected in advance and an after-displacement position. Next, the control device moves the seating position of a seat cushion in a direction to eliminate dislocation between the initial peak position and the after-displacement peak position, and moves the upper portion of the seat back in a direction to eliminate dislocation between the initial position and the after-displacement position of the shoulder blade of the seated occupant.
US08348337B2	Child safety seat with energy absorbing apparatus A child safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a base and a seat that includes a bottom, whereby the seat is connected to the base along an axis. The base and the seat together define a cavity that is disposed therebetween and the seat bottom is configured to rotate about the axis that connects the seat to the base during a frontal impact such that the seat bottom advances into the cavity. The safety seat may include energy absorbing member disposed within the cavity wherein the energy absorbing member is configured to be deformed as the seat bottom advances into the cavity during frontal impact. The energy absorbing member may be deformed by substantially vertical movement of the seat bottom into the cavity.
US08348331B2	Cargo management system for pick-up trucks A structural attachment system for a cargo management system is fully integrated into the cargo bed side walls of a pick-up truck so that the only feature that is different than a standard pick-up is an array of holes along the top of the cargo bed side walls. The cargo management system also includes a wide range of different pick-up truck cargo bed mounted accessories that incorporate structural hooks that are adapted to be retained and released by the structural attachment system. Additionally, the structural attachment system provides a single point, simple method of retention and release via an actuation handle at the rear most point of the pick-up truck cargo bed. The configuration of the structural attachment system allows significant structural retention forces to be transferred from the accessories into the pick-up truck cargo bed side walls via the structural hooks.
US08348326B2	Seat slide apparatus for vehicle A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a plurality of lower rails adapted to be fixed at a floor of the vehicle in an inclining manner relative to the floor of the vehicle; a plurality of upper rails adapted to be slidably supported by the lower rails, respectively, and to support a seat for the vehicle; a motor generating a driving force for moving the upper rails in a manner where the upper rails slide relative to the corresponding lower rails; a transmitting mechanism transmitting the driving force of the motor to the upper rails; and at least one slide-resistance applying portion provided in the transmitting mechanism and applying an increased slide resistance to the transmitting mechanism when the upper rails move to slide downwardly on the inclination while applying a decreased slide resistance to the transmitting mechanism when the upper rails move to slide upwardly on the inclination.
US08348325B2	Vehicle tailgate having pivoting secondary tailgate therein A pickup truck tailgate assembly is provided that includes a primary tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a pickup cargo box and has an opening formed in the central portion thereof. The assembly also includes a secondary tailgate pivotally attached to the primary tailgate in the central opening. The assembly further includes a pivoting connection connecting the secondary tailgate to the primary tailgate so that a secondary tailgate may pivot downward relative to the primary tailgate. The secondary tailgate may further be deployed to form a step for access to the cargo box and may provide a gate for retaining items within the cargo box.
US08348322B2	Vehicle having utility bed and seat A utility bed includes a bed frame, bed floor, pair of carrier arms, end wall, seat bottom, and seat back. The bed floor includes first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between cargo support and seating positions. Each carrier arm includes first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled with the bed frame such that the carrier arms are pivotable about an axis. The end wall is coupled with the second end of each carrier arm. The seat bottom and seat back are respectively coupled with the first floor portion and the end wall. The carrier arms facilitate movement of the end wall between cargo hauling and seating positions. When the first floor portion and the end wall are in their respective seating positions, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a rear seat.
US08348321B2	Vehicle body structure for fitting pillar garnish and fender panel A vehicle body structure for fitting a pillar garnish and a fender panel is provided which surely prevents a space formed in the surface of a vehicle body from being viewed as black. The vehicle body structure includes a resin-made pillar garnish on a front surface side of a pillar of a vehicle body, a steel-made fender panel having an end on an end of the pillar garnish, and a seal member sealing a space between respective ends of the pillar garnish and the fender panel. The pillar garnish has an extending portion which extends in a direction from the end of the pillar garnish to the end of the fender panel. The fender panel has a flange which extends in a direction from the end of the fender panel to the end of the pillar garnish. The seal member is mounted on the extending portion and the flange.
US08348316B2	Angular cooking tongs for manipulating delicate food items Cooking tongs comprise a flat slice portion (1) and a dished portion (2) mounted on elongate arms (3, 4) with a spring hinge (5) therebetween biasing the portions to a spaced apart position. The dished portion comprises a forward edge which is substantially straight, when viewed in plan, a concave part (9) adapted to accommodate the yolk portion of a frying egg, and a periphery (8) around said concave part lying in a single plane. The portions are mounted on the respective arms in such a manner as to permit the flat surface to engage the flat slice portion uniformly when the portions are pressed together, whereby to engage the white of said egg around the yolk, in use.
US08348315B2	Cat litter scoop A cat litter scoop has a handle part and a scoop part. The handle part includes a releasable locking mechanism and a button for releasing the locking mechanism. The scoop part is connected to the handle part via the releasable locking mechanism. When the scoop part is soiled, such as after scooping cat litter, a user presses the button to release the locking mechanism and jettison the scoop part and the user has no contact with the cat litter and no contact with the soiled scoop part. Preferably, the scoop part is biodegradable and may include paper pulp.
US08348313B2	Energy absorber for vehicle bumper An energy absorber for a vehicle includes an elongate member having one or more corrugated sections, the corrugated sections including a plurality of channels wherein the channels include a generally planar front wall and a pair of spaced apart vertically extending side walls, and one or two at least partial end walls. The elongate member further includes a base section extending between channels and one or more flanges that may extend from the base. The energy absorber may be tuned for a desired impact and be located between a bumper beam and a fascia at the front or rear end of a vehicle to provide low speed impact protection.
US08348306B2	Vehicle restraint system An automotive passenger restraint system of the lapbelt/diagonal shoulder belt type wherein a sensor and lookup table are used to detect the onset of a collision and provide a programmed (a) relocation of the inboard seatbelt anchor point to increase pelvic area restraint and (b) asymmetric airbag deployment.
US08348305B2	Airbag An airbag includes a body cloth made of polyamide woven fabric and constituting a circumferential wall of the airbag. The body cloth includes on the inner surface a bond area having a coating layer of polyamide elastomer and to which a supplementary cloth made of polyamide woven fabric is bonded, an extended area having a same coating layer of polyamide elastomer as on the bond area, and an uncoated area that has no coating layer. The coating layer on the bond area is used as heat sealable adhesive that adheres the supplementary cloth to the body cloth whereas that on the extend area is arranged in such a manner as to be exposed to inflation gas upon airbag inflation so as to act as a protective membrane for preventing gas leakage.
US08348304B2	Airbag jacket activating system An airbag jacket activating system includes radio communications transceivers configured to make RF communications and LF communications, respectively. An acceleration sensor configured to detect acceleration of a motorcycle. An update unit configured to update an LF communications ID, to code the updated LF communications ID together with an RF communications ID, and to transmit the coded updated LF communications ID and the coded RF communications ID to an airbag jacket through RF communications. An update unit configured to store the updated LF communications ID in a case where the LF communications ID is received together with the RF communication ID. A control unit configured to cause the coded RF communications ID and an ignition signal to be transmitted through the RF communications, and to cause the LF communications ID and the ignition signal to be transmitted through the LF communications when the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value.
US08348303B1	Airbag cover hinge with force-absorbing system An airbag cover hinge has load-absorption capabilities that provide a controlled release of the airbag cover during airbag deployment. The hinge has a textile base structure formed of longitudinal and cross threads. High strength, load-bearing stop threads are integrated into the textile base structure. When the airbag deploys, the longitudinal threads eventually tear, while the stop threads extend in length and function as a hinge that holds the torn parts of the textile base structure together.
US08348300B2	Snowboard and skis The tips are upwardly curved and the board's/ski's underside (the sole) is provided with first and second surfaces, straight in cross section, extending in the board's/ski's longitudinal direction, which are arranged at an angle to each other and usually interconnected via a third surface. The sole's first and second sole surfaces (2) at the lateral edge, which normally consists of a steel edge, have a varying height over a third sole surface (1), where this height typically both increases and decreases as one advances from the middle of the snowboard/ski towards the transition to the tip (A-A). At the same time the first and second sole surfaces (2) at the lateral edge substantially have a greater height over the third surface (1) in a 10 cm long area from the transition (A-A) and backwards than in the area forming the central half of the snowboard/ski.
US08348298B2	Slider with hydraulic cylinder A slider for a fifth wheel is arranged on a towing vehicle, comprising a substructure with at least two guide rails aligned in the direction of travel, a displaceable slide carrying the fifth wheel and acting upon the guide rails, and a motor-driven drive unit. A slider is provided which allows the gap width between the towing vehicle and the trailer being adapted to the respective driving situation during travel. For this purpose, the slider is characterized in that the motor-driven drive unit is configured from a hydraulic cylinder connected to a hydraulic circuit.
US08348297B2	Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same An automatically adjustable fifth wheel assembly for a vehicle and trailer combination that adjusts the position of the trailer relative to the vehicle is disclosed.
US08348296B2	Accessory connection member for bicycles A bicycle accessory connection member includes a base having a planar contact surface and a recessed and curved match surface. Two elongate fastening members extend two sides of the contact surface and toward the match surface. The body and the fastening members are made by resilient material. A space is defined through the base so that the part with the accessory rack or bag is inserted into the space and connected to the base. An S-shaped hook has two recesses defined in two ends thereof and the two fastening members are engaged with the two recesses respectively so as to firmly connect the body to the bicycle frame.
US08348293B1	Wheelchair with easily changeable wheel sets A wheelchair that has the ability to change quickly and easily the front casters of the wheelchair to another set of front casters intended for a different usage. This usage includes: an ‘everyday’ chair set up that uses narrower rear tires and smaller front casters; a snow chair set up with wide rear tires and larger front casters (or skis in place of casters); a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame; a hiking set up with mountain bike rear tires and over sized youth mountain bike front casters set); or a beach set up with extremely wide rear tires and balloon front casters placed forward of the front of the frame. A user may also mix and match front casters and rear wheels to form a different combination not listed above.
US08348290B2	Structural component for rear frame structure of a motor vehicle A structural component for a rear frame structure of a motor vehicle is provided with a mounting zone suitably designed for the mounting of a rear axle, more preferably of the twist-beam axle type, a first support zone suitably designed for supporting a suspension spring of the rear axle, a second support zone suitably designed for supporting a shock absorber of the rear axle, and at least one fastening zone suitably designed for fastening the structural component to the rear frame structure. In addition, it extends to an assembly consisting of a rear axle with structural components fastened thereto, a rear frame structure of a motor vehicle with such structural components, and a motor vehicle equipped accordingly.
US08348288B1	Knee scooter A knee scooter having pivotable handle bars, a U-shaped frame with a wide rear axle and an adjustable knee support for use by injured or disabled users. The wide rear axle of the U-shaped frame can be laterally moved to accommodate either an injury to a right or left leg. The scooter is steered by turning a pair of front wheels and hand brakes are positioned on the handle bars to manually stop the scooter as needed. The steering or turning of the front wheels is limited to about 60° rotation for safety purposes. The method of use includes securing the handle bars in an upright position, adjusting the steering column height, adjusting the knee support height and moving the rear axle laterally to accommodate supporting either a right or left leg as needed as the other leg is used to propel the scooter.
US08348287B1	Slab cart A slab cart for sheet material which comprises a dolly component. A shelf component receives the sheet material. A mechanism is for coupling the shelf component to the dolly component in a pivotable manner, so that the shelf component will go from a horizontal position to a vertical position. When the shelf component is in the horizontal position the sheet material will be manually slid off of the shelf component onto a support table and be manually slid from the support table onto the shelf component. When the shelf component with the sheet material is in the vertical position, the sheet material will be held on edge to the shelf component and be transported by the dolly component through the confines of narrow places.
US08348283B2	Suspension control apparatus and vehicle control apparatus A suspension control apparatus selectively performs at least one of: compression-stroke control performed when a wheel load is increased, for setting a damping-force characteristic of at least one of damping-force variable dampers, which is provided on a side of at least one wheel whose wheel load is to be increased among a plurality of wheels, to a hard side in an early stage of a compression stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to a soft side in a latter stage of the compression stroke; extension-stroke control performed when the wheel load is increased, for setting the damping-force characteristic to the soft side in an early stage of an extension stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in a latter stage of the extension stroke; compression-stroke control performed when the wheel load is reduced, for setting the damping-force characteristic of at least one of the damping-force variable dampers, which is provided on a side of at least one wheel whose wheel load is to be reduced, to the soft side in the early stage of the compression stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in the latter stage of the compression stroke; and extension-stroke control performed when the wheel load is reduced, for setting the damping-force characteristic to the hard side in the early stage of the extension stroke and switching the damping-force characteristic to the soft side in the latter stage of the extension stroke.
US08348281B2	Seal ring and stern tube sealing device A stern tube sealing assembly and a seal ring thereof has a key part having an inverted V-shape, a front step part on the front side, and a back step part on the back side thereof. The seal ring width in a propulsion-shaft axis direction becomes thinner in the transition area from the key part toward a heel part. The inner diameter of the key part at the back step part is greater than that of the key part at the front step part. The ring has a lip part having a V-shaped lip tip protruding inwardly in the radial direction and a spring groove having a semicircular cross-section. The center of the spring groove is nearer to the inboard side than the lip tip, by an offset in the axis direction, the offset being within approximately 10% of the orthogonal projection length of the width of the lip back.
US08348277B2	Roulette game system and method of play A conventional roulette wheel modified to include a set of roulette numbers depicted on an inner rotatable unit which like another set of roulette numbers depicted on an outer rotatable ring serve to identify a ball compartment such that a ball compartment into which the roulette ball ultimately lands is identified by two roulette numbers increasing the number of wager options for players including a high-paying bonus wager. Various systems for ensuring alignment of the outer and/or inner sets of roulette numbers with the ball compartments are disclosed.
US08348271B2	Printer with sheet sending mechanism A supply roller for sending a piece of sheet from pieces of sheets stacked within a cassette towards a sheet guide and a pair of feed-in rollers for sending the piece of sheet supplied from the sheet guide towards a printing region are provided within a printer. The pair of feed-in rollers has a feed-in drive roller driven by a motor and a feed-in driven roller driven by the feed-in drive roller. A sending speed of the pair of feed-in rollers is faster than a sending speed of the supply roller, and a sending force of the pair of feed-in rollers is stronger than a sending force of the supply roller. A controller of the printer controls the rotation of the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers according to a procedure that does not rely on a position of the sheet sent by the supply roller and the pair of feed-in rollers during the continuous feeding mode.
US08348269B2	Image scanning device and document transporting method An image scanning device includes a scanning specifying unit, at least two document detecting units, a supply timing adjusting unit, and a document supplying unit. The scanning specifying unit specifies one of at least two scanning methods each having a different transportation interval between documents. The document detecting units are at least two in number and arranged to detect a document at different positions on a transportation route. The supply timing adjusting unit is arranged to measure a transportation distance of the document after detection by the document detecting units and to generate a supply signal. The document supplying unit is arranged to supply a document from a paper feed tray based on the supply signal. The supply timing adjusting unit is arranged to generate the supply signal based on a result of detection by the document detecting unit that corresponds to the specified scanning method.
US08348268B2	Apparatus for transitioning media sheets in a printer A new media path includes a flexible member that cooperates with a control point for smooth transitions of media sheets along the path. The media path includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the elongated member having a longitudinal axis and a cross-member axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the elongated member having a first surface that is non-linear in at least one of the longitudinal and cross-member axes, and a bevel on a second surface of the elongated member, the bevel being proximate to the first end of the elongated member at a predetermined distance from the first end.
US08348260B2	Document processing apparatus, assembly and sub-assembly and method for operating the same A sub-assembly of a document processor that routes at least one document from an input hopper, along a document path and to an output bin is disclosed. The document processor includes a flag movably-arranged within the input hopper to/from a closed orientation and an open orientation; a rod fixed to and extending from the flag, wherein the rod includes an outer surface; a cam member including a camming surface, wherein the camming surface is communicatively-coupled to the outer surface of the rod; a driven shaft connected to the cam member, wherein the cam member further includes a one-way clutch, wherein the driven shaft extends through the one-way clutch; and a feed motor connected to the driven shaft. A method for operating the sub-assembly is also disclosed.
US08348259B2	Sensors and variable positioned lift plates for laminated stocks in paper trays with a top vacuum feeder An apparatus, method and system for a feeding a sheet in a document reproduction machine. A feedbox is contained within a document reproduction machine. Within the feedbox, an elevator moves at least one sheet to the upper portion of the feedbox, to a stack height finger, for feeding the sheet into a feed device. At least one sensor, located at the upper portion of the feedbox, detects the location of the sheet. The location information is sent from the sensor to a data processing device. The data processing device sends information to an actuating device. The actuating device may cause one or more plungers to move through apertures in the elevator. The plungers will result in a substantially flat sheet. The sheet is then fed into the feed device.
US08348255B2	Disk holding apparatus and defect/foreign material detecting apparatus A disc holding apparatus including a plurality of movable holding claws, which have a holding section abutting to the outer circumference of a wafer having a notch and are arranged in the circumference direction of the wafer. The wafer is held by having each holding section on the inner edge side of each movable holding claw abut to the outer circumference of the wafer, thereby, at the time of detecting the notch by a sensor including a light source and a light receiving section, even when one of the holding sections abuts to the outer circumference of the wafer at a part where the notch exists, light from the light source is permitted to enter the light receiving section through the notch without being blocked by the holding section. Even when the wafer is held at the part where the notch exists, the wafer is not required to be correctly held again and throughput is improved with a shortened process time.
US08348254B2	Carpet pad separator This invention concerns a carpet stand for lifting carpet, containing a rigid lift tip body along its long axis, further containing a support rod and a lifting tip. The lifting tip itself lies tangent to the exterior of the rigid lift tip's body, and perpendicular to its long axis, and is shaped such that it may grip or hold onto, into the backing of a carpet. The support rod itself is sized so that it may pass through the backing of a carpet. The support rod is then inserted down through the carpet such that the lift tip will grip and raise the carpet a distance sufficient to separate a carpet from its supporting surface.
US08348253B2	Modified boiler wall tube tool A boiler wall tube tool comprises a pair of opposed clamp members, each one of the clamp members having a nose intermediately disposed between a recess and a planar or inclined wall, and an aperture formed centrally through the clamp member. The clamp members oriented so that the recess of one of the clamp members is substantially aligned with the planar wall of the remaining clamp member for engaging a boiler wall tube therebetween. The aperture of one clamp member is substantially aligned with the aperture of the remaining clamp member. Means for moving the clamp members toward each other for secure clamping engagement of the tubes for maintaining the clamp members in alignment while connecting the ends of the tubes by welding is also provided.
US08348252B2	Method and apparatus for aligning and/or leveling a test head One embodiment of the present invention is a method for aligning a first workpiece to a second work piece that includes: (a) placing the first workpiece on an alignment apparatus including: (i) two or more fluid chambers disposed in fixed relation to each other, the chambers having a movable wall and one or more apertures for admitting or releasing fluid; (ii) fluid channels coupled to the one or more apertures that enable fluid to flow between at least two of the fluid chambers; and (iii) one or more valves disposed to enable or to stop the flow of fluid through one or more of the one or more fluid channels; (b) pumping incompressible fluid into the fluid chambers; (c) opening the one or more valves; (d) bringing the first and second workpieces into contact; (e) waiting a predetermined time for fluid flow in the fluid channels; (f) determining whether the first and second workpieces are aligned; (g) if they are aligned, shutting the valves; and (h) if they are not aligned, moving the second workpiece a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, and returning to waiting.
US08348251B2	Sewing clip A sewing clip is provided. In one embodiment, the sewing clip securely clamps fabrics of various thicknesses, sizes, elasticity, and textures in assistance of a sewing operation. The sewing clip includes two rigid members and an elastic assembly. The two rigid members each have a first surface with a clamping and handling end and a hinge extension coupled to the first surface. When employed in a sewing operation, the clamping end of each rigid member has a tapering-width adapted to slide in a direction away from a stitching point. An elastic assembly couples the hinge extensions of each rigid member and biases the two rigid members so as to secure overlapping fabric between the clamping ends while avoiding unnecessary alteration or damage to the fabric. A recessed divot is also provided in the clamping end that allows for retention of surplus fabric.
US08348249B2	Reaction device for forming equipment An apparatus may have a cylinder including a piston rod and a chamber in which a working fluid is received to resist movement of the piston rod into the chamber, and an accumulator having a first chamber in communication with the cylinder chamber to receive fluid from the cylinder chamber upon movement of the piston rod into the cylinder chamber. The apparatus may also have a pressure controller having a fluid chamber where some of the working fluid may be received and an actuator operable to increase the volume of the fluid chamber when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder chamber to increase the total volume in which the working fluid may be received, wherein the increased volume of the fluid chamber may accommodate fluid movement in the assembly not caused by movement of the piston rod.
US08348248B2	Bubbling supply system for stable precursor supply Embodiments of the invention generally provide apparatus and methods for vaporizing liquid precursors. In one embodiment, a bubbling system for supplying a vapor of liquid precursor is provided including a gas flow conduit having a first end and a second end, a nozzle structure connected to the second end of the gas flow conduit, and comprising one or more perforated conduits fluidly coupled with the second end of the gas flow conduit, and a plate disposed around the gas flow conduit and in a spaced relationship from the nozzle structure, wherein both the one or more perforated conduits and the plate extend radially from an axis of the gas flow conduit.
US08348238B2	Moving device A support unit for moving an object may include an elongated member, at least one suction device coupled to the elongated member for attaching to an object, a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the elongated member and an attached object, and a rotating member for moving the support unit and the attached object from a departure location to a destination location.
US08348236B2	Butterfly valve with a rigid seal A valve is disclosed and can include a valve body having a central bore for passage of fluid there through and a longitudinal axis. The valve can also include a seal installed within the valve body along the central bore. The seal can include a first seal member having an annular ring portion and a hub portion extending from the annular ring portion. The seal can also include a second seal member including an annular ring configured to engage a distal end of the hub portion and create a sealing engagement between the hub portion and the annular ring when a compressive force is applied to the first and the second seal members.
US08348231B2	Pressure balance of automotive air bypass valve A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38) and a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field. An armature structure (14, 16) can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position, defining a working gap area (62) between the coil and a portion of the armature structure, to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. Under certain operating conditions of the device, pressure is balanced between the working gap area and an area defined adjacent to 1) the sealing edge, and 2) a distal end of the armature structure.
US08348223B2	Flexible mold for a smoking device A flexible mold for a smoking device having a cup-shaped outer wall, a cup-shaped inner wall, and a third cup-shaped wall. The outer wall has a continuous sidewall connected to a bottom wall containing a central opening. The sidewall of the outer wall extends from the bottom wall of the outer wall to an open end and contains an opening in the sidewall spaced between the bottom end and the open end. The inner wall has a continuous sidewall, a cover closing one end. The sidewall of the inner wall is attached to the bottom wall of the outer wall surrounding the central opening. The third wall has a continuous sidewall and a closed end. The sidewall of the third wall is connected to the sidewall of the outer wall surrounding the opening in the outer wall. The closed end abuts a surface of the inner wall.
US08348219B2	Integrally formed motor holder A machine with a holder for mounting a motor to the device, which may be a printer, includes a support structure, a motor including a drive shaft with a drive shaft axis aligned with an opening in the support structure, and a holder including a base portion positioned adjacent to the motor, a first spring tab integrally formed with the base portion and operably contacting the motor to bias the motor toward the support structure, and a first latch arm integrally formed with the base portion and coupled with the support structure, the first latch arm resiliently deformed by the support structure in a direction away from the drive shaft axis.
US08348209B2	Universal retaining device, particularly for fastening panel elements and/or accessory parts in aircraft A universal bracket for fastening different panel elements and/or additional devices in aircraft, comprises a base plate for fastening to a substructure, a support plate connected to the base plate and a plurality of spring clips received in the support plate to provide a releasable and vibration-damping connection to the panel elements. The base plate has at least one bore screen for fastening at least one device carrier for fastening at least one additional device, in particular emergency lighting, an emergency exit sign or the like, in different positions, wherein the fastening of the device carriers is provided with a fastening device such as fastening rivets, screws or the like.
US08348206B2	Electronic device An electronic device includes a frame having a protrusion, a support, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly rotatably connects the frame and the support. The hinge assembly includes an elastic member providing a force pulling the frame and the support to move towards each other. The protrusion of the frame and the support cooperatively support the electronic device on a surface.
US08348205B2	Expandable armrest of wheel chair An expandable armrest of a wheel chair includes a fixed part having a first pivotal portion which includes a first pivotal hole. A movable part is pivotably connected to the first pivotal portion of the fixed part by its second pivotal portion. A first transverse hole and a second transverse hole are defined in the second pivotal portion. A slide member is slidably inserted into the slots of the second pivotal portion and has an inclined hole in which an engaging member is engaged. The engaging member has a first end and a second end. A trace that the engaging member moves in the inclined hole constantly intersects a trace that the first end moves in the first transverse hole and a trace that the second end moves in the second transverse hole, such that the movable part is positioned by controlling the movement of the slide member.
US08348202B2	Railroad switch machine A switch machine that includes a first relay having first normally open contacts and first normally closed contacts provided in the normal motor connection path and a second relay having second normally open contacts and second normally closed contacts provided in the reverse motor connection path. The normally open and closed contacts of each relay are associated in pairs and the first relays are structured such that each normally closed contact and the corresponding normally open contact cannot be simultaneously closed. Also, a method of protecting a motor of a switch machine that includes integrating a current being drawn by the motor and opening a motor circuit that includes the motor if the integrated current exceeds a threshold.
US08348201B2	Actuator device based on a shape memory alloy, and a wing flap assembly fitted with such an actuator device A wing-flap assembly includes a flap made up of a plurality of flap sections, in which each flap section is connected to the preceding one in a rotatable manner, and one or more actuator devices adapted to control the rotation of the flap sections. Each actuator device includes an extended element made of shape memory alloy and an arch-shaped framework made of elastic material, to which the extended element is fixedly connected under tension. Each end of the extended element is fixed to a respective end of the arch-shaped framework. At least one of the actuator devices is connected at one end to the first of the flap sections, and on the other side it is adapted to be connected to a wing structure.
US08348198B2	Sail wing with high span efficiency and controlled pitching moment An aircraft comprising a fuselage, a sail wing appended to the fuselage, the sail wing having a sail wing root chord length, and wherein the sail wing includes a sail wing leading edge spar, a sail wing membrane attached to the sail wing leading edge spar, and a sail wing trailing edge wire located at a trailing edge of the sail wing membrane, the aircraft further comprising a wing surface extension, located aft and at an inboard area of the sail wing trailing edge wire, the wing surface extension having a wing surface extension root chord length, and wherein the wing surface extension includes a wing surface extension membrane attached to the sail wing trailing edge wire, and a wing surface extension trailing edge, and wherein the wing surface extension trailing edge is reflexed such that the wing surface extension trailing edge is positioned upwards at a first angle with respect to a plane formed along a centerline of the aircraft and along the lower surfaces of the sail wing. The wing surface extension is further configured to affect a reduced nose-up pitching moment, and to produce a more even coefficient of lift along the wing of the aircraft.
US08348192B2	Crash attenuation system for aircraft A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the first gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, any number of intermediate states, in which the vent is partially open, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag.
US08348188B2	Internal cutter on submersed mixer A mixing system for a fluid tank is described, the system having a drive motor, an impeller, a shroud enclosing the impeller and a cutter mounted on the shroud to cut solids. The shroud is open at inlet and discharge ends for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. The cutter is detachable from the recess to allow replacement. In use, homogeneity is maintained in a slurry contained within the tank by submerging the impeller such that the cutter cooperates with the impeller to cut solids within the slurry, drawing tank contents into the impeller at the inlet, cutting material between the cutter and blade, and then discharging the material.
US08348175B2	Apparatus for preventing and removing fog at runway using sprinklers There is provided an apparatus for preventing and removing fog at an airport runway. The apparatus includes: a water tank 10 buried in a ground around a runway; a water tank temperature sensor 20 for sensing a water temperature in the water tank; a heater 30 provided inside the water tank, for heating water contained in the water tank; a cooling device 40 provided inside the water tank, for cooling water contained in the water tank; the sprinklers 50 installed at opposite sides along the runway and over the ground around the runway, and supplied with the water from the water tank to spray water towards the atmosphere over and around the runway; and a controller 60 controlling, on the basis of the water temperature of the water tank measured using the temperature sensor, operation of the sprinklers, the heater, and the cooling device, according to an externally inputted operational signal.
US08348174B2	Advanced water and energy conserving shower and cleaning systems and methods Systems and methods for energy-saving and water-saving devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a head assembly is coupled to receive a liquid flow from a liquid supply and a gas flow from a gas supply, wherein the head assembly defines a mixing region configured to receive the liquid flow and the gas flow, and a dispensing portion configured to receive a combined flow from the mixing region. In some implementations, a spray nozzle may sprayably introduce the liquid flow into the mixing region. In other implementations, a plurality of curtain flows may be drawn through apertures into the dispensing portion by the combined flow. In still other implementations, a portion of the combined flow dispensed by the head assembly may be recaptured into the gas flow.
US08348171B2	Smartcard interconnect A smart card inlay and method for assembling the same are provided. The method includes attaching a first trace to a substrate, attaching a second trace to the substrate, attaching an antenna wire to the substrate, coupling a first end of the antenna wire to a first area of the first trace, and coupling a second end of the antenna wire to a first area of the second trace. A second area of the first trace and a second area of the second trace are configured to be coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) or IC module, and the first area of the first trace is located away from the second area of the first trace and the first area of the second trace is located away from the second area of the second trace.
US08348170B2	Method for producing an antenna on a substrate A simple and universal technique for fabricating different antenna structures, in particular a multilayer antenna structure, on a substrate is disclosed. Before the antenna is actually fabricated or placed on the substrate, connecting surfaces for connecting an antenna conductor and/or a chip or a chip module as well as through-platings extending through the antenna substrate are prepared between the connecting surfaces.
US08348168B2	Focus adjustment with liquid crystal device in imaging scanner A method and apparatus for using in an imaging scanner. The apparatus includes an illumination source, a solid-state imager, a liquid crystal device, a lens system, and a decoding circuitry. The liquid crystal device has a liquid crystal material sandwiched between two parallel plate structures. The lens system is operative to focus light reflected from the target object onto the array of photosensitive elements in the solid-state imager through the liquid crystal device. The decoding circuitry is operative to decode a barcode on the target object from the image captured by the solid-state imager.
US08348166B2	System and method for surveying with a barcode target System and method for surveying. In one embodiment, a process is provided including detecting a barcode associated with a position of interest. The barcode may be decoded to extract data associated with the position of interest. Additionally, decoded data associated with the position of interest can be presented to an operator of a surveying tool.
US08348163B2	Antenna device and RFID tag reader having the same An antenna device includes a first conductive plate, a second conductive plate, arranged in parallel with the first conductive plate, which has at least one slot formed thereon, a power feeding element located between the first and second conductive plates to feed power to the first conductive plate, and a shutter configured to be movable to close/open the slot of the second conductive plate.
US08348161B2	Three-dimensional spectacles and a management system therefore An improved structure of three-dimensional (3D) spectacles is provided, including a spectacle frame on which an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip is mounted. The 3D spectacles are specifically for use in a 3D auditorium or 3D theater and are composed of a frame, lenses, and temples. The RFID chip is combined with the spectacle frame by being embedded in the frame or attached to a surface of the frame. With the RFID chip so mounted, a theater worker may use a reader to identify if a specific pair of 3D spectacles has already been sanitized. Also, the 3D spectacles can help in entrance and exit management, ticketing management, distribution of souvenirs, and toilet guiding service. In file-out, a reader may be used to confirm the returning of 3D spectacles. In this way, the theater service quality can be significantly improved.
US08348158B2	Anonymous transaction card A system and method for substantially immediate issuance of transaction cards includes at least one unassigned transaction card including a storage medium having a card number encoded thereupon. The system also includes a computing system configured to receive application information from an applicant that has been provided said unassigned transaction card, and to activate the unassigned transaction card so that access to monetary funds is extended to the applicant through said unassigned transaction card, upon an evaluation of said application information indicating that the applicant has been approved for access to the monetary funds. The unassigned transaction card bears no visible marking presenting information concerning the applicant and encodes no information concerning said applicant upon the storage medium of said unassigned transaction card.
US08348151B1	Cash dispensing automated banking machine with GPS Automated banking machines include a Global Positioning System (GPS). The machines can transmit their GPS location reading to a service center. The service center can receive through a customer's cell phone, a customer request for directions to the nearest cash dispensing machine that does not have a transaction fee. The customer request can include account data and GPS location of the cell phone. The service center can determine from the account data which financial networks would not cause the customer to be assessed a transaction fee for a cash withdrawal. The service center can then determine from the GPS locations of the machines in these financial networks, which machine is geographically closest to the cell phone's GPS location. Directions to this nearest automated banking machine are then sent to the cell phone.
US08348150B1	In wall rotating device for exchanging items between service provider and drive-through lane customer A system operated responsive to data included on data bearing cards enables carrying out transactions between a service provider and a customer. Customers may be located within a vehicle in a drive-through lane adjacent to a building which houses a service provider station. Financial accounts may be assessed charges for items based on data read from cards. The customer and service provider may exchange items through a pneumatic tube conveyor system. Alternatively items may be exchanged through a rotating device which provides for selectively positioning items at delivery stations at different vertical heights. The service provider positions items at a suitable level for exchange with the customer based on the height associated with the user in their vehicle.

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