最新美国发明专利第2013-03-19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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US08399541B2	Active energy ray-curable ink composition and printed matter Disclosed is an active energy ray-curable ink composition comprising a coloring agent, a binder resin, and a radically polymerizable varnish and/or a radically polymerizable monomer as main components. The coloring agent is a modified pigment wherein the surface of a pigment (A) is provided with a polymer (P) which is obtained by polymerizing a polymer (B), which is soluble in nonaqueous solvents, with at least one polymerizable unsaturated monomer (C), which is originally soluble in nonaqueous solvents but becomes insoluble or poorly soluble after polymerization. Also disclosed is a printed matter which has a coating film obtained by curing and drying the active energy ray-curable ink composition.
US08399538B2	Contact lenses The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.
US08399536B2	Irradiated polyolefin composition comprising a non-phenolic stabilizer The present subject matter relates generally to polymer compositions, and more particularly to irradiated polymer compositions comprising at least one non-phenolic stabilizer. The present polymer compositions comprise an unexpected balance of properties after being subjected to irradiation treatments, including an unexpected combination of a lower melt flow rate ratio (MFRr) and high melt tension after being irradiated, while minimizing negative yellowing effects.
US08399535B2	Polymer [[s]] compositions including an antioxidant Certain embodiments described herein are directed to polymer compositions including a protected antioxidant. In some examples, the compositions can also include a deprotected antioxidant, an unprotected antioxidant or both. Methods of producing compositions including a protected antioxidant and articles including a protected antioxidant are also described.
US08399531B2	Foamable composition A foamable composition comprises at least about 50 wt % of a copolymer of ethylene and alkyl (meth)acrylate having a broad chemical composition distribution (CCD), and having a melt index between about 7 and about 30; about 2 to about 40 wt % of a polyolefin having a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride functionality; about 1 to about 10 wt % of one or more foaming agents; and about 1 to about 5 wt % of one or more crosslinking agents. This foamable composition combines ease of processing with good foaming characteristics while avoiding unwanted characteristics, such as fogging.
US08399530B2	Polymer foams A process for producing polymer foams by precise control of their morphology through use of microfluidic processes, foams produced in this way and use thereof.
US08399524B2	Acyl acidic amino acid ester Provided is a novel oily material that spreads smoothly upon application and is free from stickiness, and also gives ungreasy and moisturized feeling after application, but does not give friction feeling peculiar to silicone. The invention was completed upon finding that a specific acyl acidic amino acid monosilicone monosterol ester can solve the foregoing problems.
US08399520B2	Selective estrogen receptor modulator The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (I); [wherein T represents a single bond, a C1-C4 alkylene group which may have a substituent and the like; formula (I-1) represents a single bond or a double bond; A represents a single bond, a bivalent 5- to 14-membered heterocyclic group which may have a substituent and the like; Y represents a single bond and the like; Z represents a methylene group and the like; ring G represents a phenylene group and the like which may condense with a 5- to 6-membered ring and may have a heteroatom; Ra and Rb are the same as or different from each other and represent a hydrogen atom and the like; W represents a single bond and the like; R′ represents 1 to 4 independent hydrogen atoms and the like; and R″ represents 1 to 4 independent hydrogen atoms and the like] or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof.
US08399515B2	Five and fifteen carbon fatty acids for treating metabolic disorders and as nutritional supplements According to the present invention, acquired metabolic derangements or fatty acid disorders in humans that are manifested by a deficiency in at least one enzyme involved in fatty acid metabolism are treated with a five carbon or a fifteen carbon fatty acid source. Rapid nutritional supplementation can also be provided to a mammalian cell by providing either a five carbon or fifteen carbon fatty acid source. Dietary formulations suitable for human consumption comprising either a five carbon fatty acid, a fifteen carbon fatty acid or triglycerides thereof is also disclosed.
US08399506B2	Combinations of 4 bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile and oxidizing agents The present invention relates to the use of combinations of 4-bromo-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile and an oxidizing agent, for eradicating, eliminating or reducing aquatic organisms in ballast water or bilge water whereby 4-bromo-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile and the oxidizing agent are in respective proportions to provide a synergistic effect against fouling organisms. Suitable oxidizing agents are e.g. bromine, chlorine, ozone, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, potassium ferrate, peroxydisulfates such as ammonium peroxydisulfate, sodium peroxydisulfate, and potassium peroxydisulfate; peroxymonocarbonates such as calcium peroxycarbonate and sodium peroxycarbonate; peroxydicarbonates such as sodium peroxydicarbonate and potassium peroxydicarbonate; superoxides such as potassium superoxide and sodium superoxide; peroxides such as potassium peroxide, and sodium peroxide; and Fremy's salts such as potassium nitrosodisulfonate, sodium nitrosodisulfonate, and disodium nitrosodisulfonate.
US08399504B2	Carbamate and urea inhibitors of 11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formula (I) pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in mammals. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds of the Formula (I) and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to cortisol in a cell.
US08399498B2	Animal ectoparasite-controlling agent The present invention provides an animal ectoparasite-controlling agent containing as an active ingredient a hydrazide compound represented by the formula (1) wherein R3 represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group or a hydrogen atom, R5 and R6 are the same or different each other and each represents a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, R4 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group substituted by a C1-C6 alkoxy group, which shows excellent controlling effects on animal ectoparasites.
US08399495B2	Talarazole metabolites Novel metabolites of talarazole of formula (I) have been isolated and characterized, wherein R═H, OH, OSO3H or O-gly; R1, ═H, OH, OSO3H, O-gly or =0; and gly=a glucuronate, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are targeted for the treatment of various skin-, hair- and nail-associated disorders.
US08399494B2	2,5-disubstituted phenyl carboxamide orexin receptor antagonists The present invention is directed to 2,5-disubstituted phenyl carboxamide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08399486B2	Benzenesulfonyl compounds and the use thereof The invention relates to pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, and hexahydroazepinyl compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, or solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, Z and m are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention is also directed to the use compounds of Formula I to treat a disorder responsive to the blockade of calcium channels, and particularly N-type calcium channels. Compounds of the present invention are especially useful for treating pain.
US08399485B2	Acyl bipiperidinyl compounds useful as GPR 119 agonists Bipiperidyl compounds of the formula: (I) are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes and similar conditions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates are included as well. The compounds are useful as agonists of the g-protein coupled receptor GPR-119.
US08399484B2	Combination therapy for treating HCV infection The present invention relates to therapeutic combinations comprising (a) Compound (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as herein described, (b) an interferon alfa and (c) ribavirin. Compound (1) is a selective and potent inhibitor of the HCV NS3 serine protease. The present invention also relates to methods of using such therapeutic combinations for treating HCV infection or alleviating one or more symptoms thereof in a patient.
US08399482B2	6-substituted isoquinolines and isoquinolinones The invention relates to 6-substituted isoquinoline and isoquinolinone derivatives of the formula (I) useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with Rho-kinase and/or Rho-kinase mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase, and compositions containing such compounds.
US08399481B2	Compounds A compound of formula (I) Or its salts or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof wherein; A represents a chemical moiety with the general formula (II): X is selected from a group consisting of CH2, C(═O), CH(R5), C(R5)(R6) or C(R5)(R6)CH2; R1 is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted arylalkyl, and optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl or NR7R8; R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 and R8 are as defined herein; and n=1 or 2 is provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds are also provided. The compounds are useful in treating various conditions including arrhythmia.
US08399480B2	Hydroxymethyl pyrrolidines as beta 3 adrenergic receptor agonists The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and method of using the same in the treatment or prevention of diseases mediated by the activation of β3-adrenoceptor.
US08399479B2	Modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08399476B2	Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and their use as pharmaceuticals The present invention relates to derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines of formula I, in which R, R1 to R4 and n have the meanings indicated in the claims, which modulate the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and are valuable pharmacologically active compounds. Specifically, the compounds of formula I upregulate the expression of the enzyme endothelial NO synthase and can be applied in conditions in which an increased expression of said enzyme or an increased NO level or the normalization of a decreased NO level is desired. The invention further relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of formula I, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to the use of compounds of formula I for the stimulation of the expression of endothelial NO synthase or for the treatment of various diseases including cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, for example.
US08399475B2	Crystalline and amorphous forms of naltrexone hydrochloride The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of naltrexone hydrochloride including hydrated and solvated forms and a novel amorphous form. The invention also describes methods of preparing the various crystalline forms. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing crystalline and amorphous forms of naltrexone hydrochloride, as well as methods of treating addictive behavior by administering the pharmaceutical compositions.
US08399471B2	Aryl-or heteroaryl-substituted pyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidines and pharmaceutical compositions of the same The present application relates to novel aryl- or heteroaryl-substitued pyrido[2,3-d] pyrimidines of formula (I), pharmaceuitical compositions of the same, and a process for their preparation. Formula(I) is: wherein Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl substituent, and R1, R2, R3, Ar, D, and E are as defined in the specification. Compounds and compositions of the present invention can be used in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of various disorders in humans and animals, including aldosteronism, high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, the sequelae of a myocardial infarction, cirrhosis of the liver, renal failure, and stroke.
US08399466B2	Composition for regenerative treatment of cartilage disease A composition for regenerative treatment of cartilage disease, which comprises a PDE4 inhibitor as an active ingredient, specifically a composition comprising a PDE4 inhibitor and a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer is provided, which composition, when formulated into a form suited to administer locally to affected cartilage region, such as microsphere preparation, can provide a pharmaceutical composition showing an excellent effect in regenerative treatment of cartilage.
US08399465B2	Compounds with two fused bicyclic heteroaryl moieties as modulators of leukotriene A4 hydrolase Compounds with two fused bicyclic heteroaryl moieties and their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using them as leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) modulators and for the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions mediated by LTA4H.
US08399464B2	HSP90 inhibitor Disclosed is a triazole derivative(s) represented by the general formula (1) below or a pharmacologically acceptable salt(s) thereof. Also disclosed are a prodrug(s) of such a triazole derivative(s) and an HSP90 inhibitor(s) containing any one of them as an active constituent. (1) (In the formula, X represents a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkynyl group or the like; Y represents a mercapto group, a hydroxyl group, an optionally substituted sulfonyl group, an optionally substituted amino group or the like; and R represents an optionally substituted aryl or alkyl group or the like.)
US08399463B2	Imidazole derivatives The invention relates to imidazole derivatives which have a good affinity to the trace amine associated receptors (TAARs), especially for TAAR1.The invention also relates to a pharmaceutically-suitable acid-addition salt of the above compound.The invention further relates to a composition comprising an imidazole derivative as described above, or a pharmaceutically-suitable acid-addition salt thereof, and to processes for preparing such compounds.
US08399462B2	JNK modulators Compounds of formula I modulate JNK: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08399457B2	Pharmaceutical compounds Nonane and decane diazabicyclic derivatives having homopiperazine as main ring, having affinity for the opioidergic μ and/or δ and/or k receptors and/or for all their receptorial subclasses, with central and/or peripheral activity, having formula (I), the isomeric forms and their mixtures included, wherein one or more atoms are in the corresponding isotopic forms: wherein: n is an integer equal to 1 or 2; one of the substituents R and R1 of the nitrogen atoms of the diazabicyclic ring is a —C(O)—RB group, wherein RB is a C1-C10 alkyl group, linear or branched when possible, the other remained substituent of R and R1 has the meanings reported in the description.
US08399453B2	Organic compounds The invention relates to organic compounds which have interesting pharmaceutical properties. In particular, the compounds are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of infections such as those caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Trypanosoma cruzi and parasites of the Leishmania genus such as, for example. Leishmania donovani. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, as well as processes for their preparation.
US08399450B2	Compounds and compositions as protein kinase inhibitors The invention provides novel pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for using such compounds. For example, the pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives of the invention may be used to treat, ameliorate or prevent a condition which responds to inhibition of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) activity, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1R), or a combination thereof.
US08399449B2	Fused heterocyclic derivative and use thereof The present invention provides a compound having a superior Smo inhibitory activity and lower toxicity, which is sufficiently satisfactory as a pharmaceutical product. The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein ring A is 5- to 7-membered ring optionally having substituent(s), where substituents are optionally bonded to each other to form a ring; X is O, S or NR1 (R1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group optionally having substituent(s)); R2 is carbamoyl optionally having substituent(s); and R3 is hydroxy optionally having substituent(s), or a salt thereof.
US08399446B2	Methods of treating hypertriglyceridemia In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing cardiovascular-related disease and, in particular, a method of blood lipid therapy comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising eicosapentaenoic acid or a derivative thereof.
US08399442B2	Pharmaceutical compounds A method for the treatment of: A. a disease state or condition mediated by a kinase wh ich is BCR-abl, VEGFR, PDGFR, EGFR, FLT3, JAK, C-abl, PDK1, Chk, FGFR, Ret, Eph, or Src; or B. a cancer in which the cancer cells thereof contain a drug resistant kinase mutation which is: (a) a threonine gatekeeper mutation; or (b) a drug-resistant gatekeeper mutation; or (c) an imatinib resistant mutation; or (d) a nilotinib resistant mutation; or (e) a dasatinib resistant mutation; or (f) a T670l mutation in KIT; or (g) a T674l mutation in PDGFR; or (h) T790M mutation in EGFR; or (i) a T315l mutation in abl; or C. a cancer which expresses a mutated molecular target which is a mutated form of BCRabl, c-kit, PDGF, EGF receptor or ErbB2; which method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula (l or l′): or a salt, solvate, tautomer or N-oxide thereof.
US08399441B2	Nuclear sulfated oxysterol, potent regulator of lipid homeostasis, for therapy of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglycerides, fatty liver diseases, and atherosclerosis The sulfated oxysterol 5-cholesten-3β, 25-diol 3-sulphate, a nuclear cholesterol metabolite that decreases lipid biosynthesis and increases cholesterol secretion and degradation, is provided as an agent to lower intracellular and serum cholesterol and/or triglycerides, and to prevent or treat lipid accumulation-associated inflammation and conditions associated with such inflammation. Methods which involve the use of this sulfated oxysterol to treat conditions associated with high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides and/or inflammation (e.g. hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, atherosclerosis, etc.) are also provided.
US08399439B2	2-methylene-19,26-dinor-(20S,22E,25R)-vitamin D analogs This invention discloses 2-methylene-19,26-dinor-(20S,22E,25R)-vitamin D analogs, and specifically 2-methylene-19,26-dinor-(20S,22E,25R)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits transcription activity as well as pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also shows no activity in vivo on bone calcium mobilization and relatively low intestinal calcium transport activity compared to the native hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and therefore may be used to treat autoimmune disorders or inflammatory diseases in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy. This compound may also be used for the treatment or prevention of obesity.
US08399434B2	Method of activation of oxazaphosphorines The present invention provides a method of hydroxylating or oxidizing a compound of interest in a subject (e.g., a cytotoxic oxazaphosphorine prodrug), by administering the compound of interest to the subject; and concurrently administering the subject a metalloporphyrin in an amount effective to hydroxylate or oxidize the compound of interest in the subject.
US08399432B2	Compositions and methods of treatment for alleviating premenstrual syndrome symptoms The present invention discloses pharmaceutical/nutritional compositions for alleviating symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and methods of treatment for PMS using such pharmaceutical/nutritional composition including: at least 2% (w/w) phosphatidyl-L-serine, or salts thereof, out of a total composition, as an effective ingredient, wherein: the phosphatidyl-L-serine has a structural fatty-acid chain derived from at least one raw material lecithin. Preferably, the phosphatidyl-L-serine is produced by enzymatic reaction of at least one raw material lecithin with phospholipase-D; at least one raw material lecithin is selected from the group consisting of: a vegetal lecithin and a non-vegetal lecithin; and the phospholipase-D is selected from the group consisting of: vegetal phospholipase-D, bacterial-originated enzyme phospholipase-D, and a combination of vegetal phospholipase-D and bacterial-originated enzyme phospholipase-D. Preferably, the structural fatty-acid chain is a saturated, hydrogenated fatty-acid chain. Preferably, the phosphatidyl-L-serine is derived from a dairy lecithin.
US08399429B2	Uracyl cyclopropyl nucleotides Compounds of the formula I: including any possible stereoisomers thereof, wherein: R1 is hydrogen or halo; R4 is a monophosphate, diphosphate or triphosphate ester; or R4 is a group of formula R7 is optionally substituted phenyl; naphthyl; indolyl or N—C1-C6alkyloxycarbonyl-indolyl; R8 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, benzyl; R8′ is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, benzyl; or R8 and R8′ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form C3-C7cycloalkyl; R9 is C1-C10alkyl, benzyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. pharmaceutical formulations and the use of compounds I as HCV inhibitors.
US08399422B2	Compositions for transfection of oligonucleotides active for gene silencing and their biological and therapeutical applications The invention relates to compositions of transfection comprising an oligonucleotide and an amphiphilic cationic molecule of formula (I) wherein, —X is N—R1, S or O, R1 being a C1-C4 alkyl radical or an hydroxylated C3-C6 alkyl radical, R2 and R3, identical or different, represent H or a C1-C4 alkyl radical, or R2 and R3 are linked together to form a saturated or unsaturated cycle or a heterocycle having 5 or 6 elements, E is a C1-C5 alkyl spacer, R4 and R5, identical or different, represent saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C10-C36 hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chains, optionally comprising C3-C6 cycloalkyl, A− is a biocompatible anion. The invention relates to compositions active for oligonucleotides delivery into eukaryotic cells in culture, ex vivo or in vivo. The invention relates to compositions of transfection comprising an oligonucleotide active for RNA interference. Such compositions can be used as tools for biological studies or as drugs for therapies.
US08399416B2	Method of using heparin binding motif for treating asthma The present invention is for an isolated peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 and using the peptide for treating asthma by reducing cytotoxicity of eosinophil derived toxins in bronchial epithelial cells of the subject suffers from asthma. The method comprises preparing a pharmaceutical composition having the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 9 and administering an effective amount of the composition to the subject.
US08399406B2	Reconstituted surfactant composition containing analogs of surfactant protein B (SP-B) and surfactant protein C (SP-C) Reconstituted pulmonary surfactants comprising a lipid carrier, a combination of polypeptide analog of the native surfactant protein SP-C with a particular polypeptide analog of the native surfactant protein SP-B may be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of RDS and other respiratory disorders.
US08399405B2	Peptidomimetic macrocycles Biologically active crosslinked polypeptides with improved properties relative to their corresponding precursor polypeptides; and methods of making and identifying such improved polypeptides.
US08399395B2	Solid fragrance-emitting composition Herein a solid, scent-imparting composition is disclosed that comprises a water-soluble support, a water-soluble polymer, a malodor-absorbing compound, and a perfume. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble support is provided as a particulate that is coated with an envelope consisting of the water-soluble polymer, the malodor-absorbing compound, and the perfume. A detergent compound may be included that is at least partly in and/or on the envelope. Washing or cleaning agents comprising the scent-imparting compositions are also described.
US08399393B2	Combination of soluble lithium salt and soluble aluminum or silicate salt as a glass etching inhibitor A warewashing detergent composition is provided including an alkalinity source, a corrosion inhibitor and optionally, a cleaning agent. The glass corrosion inhibitor includes at least a soluble lithium salt and optionally includes a soluble aluminum salt and/or a soluble silicate salt. The warewashing detergent composition has a pH of at least about 8.
US08399388B2	Low temperature performance lubricating oil detergents and method of making the same The present invention is directed to a method for preparing an unsulfurized, carboxylate-containing additive for lubricating oils and the product produced by said method, wherein said method comprises a) neutralization of a mixture of at least two alkyl phenols using an alkaline earth base in the presence of a promoter, to produce a mixture of alkyl phenates, wherein the mixture of at least two alkyl phenols comprises at least a first alkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group is derived from an isomerized alpha olefin and a second alkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group is derived from a branched chain olefin; (b) carboxylation of the mixture of alkyl phenates obtained in step (a) using carbon dioxide under carboxylation conditions sufficient to convert at least 20 mole % of the starting alkyl phenols to alkyl salicylate; and (c) removal of at least about 10% of the starting mixture of at least two alkyl phenols from the product produced in step (b) to produce said additive.
US08399387B2	Settable compositions comprising cement kiln dust and rice husk ash and methods of use Embodiments disclose method and compositions that comprise cement kiln dust and rice husk ash. An embodiment comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a subterranean formation, the settable composition comprising cement kiln dust, rice husk ash, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Another embodiment discloses a settable composition comprising cement kiln dust, rice husk ash, and water.
US08399384B2	Focused libraries of genetic packages Focused libraries of vectors or genetic packages that display, display and express, or comprise a member of a diverse family of antibody peptides, polypeptides or proteins and collectively display, display and express, or comprise at least a portion of the focused diversity of the family. The libraries have length and sequence diversities that mimic that found in native human antibodies.
US08399379B2	Synergy of aqueous formulation of asulam and trifloxysulfuron herbicides This invention relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition comprising Component A comprised of i) 25 to 40% asulam, or its sodium salt; ii) 10 to 20% of a surfactant; iii) 0 to 1% of an antifoam; iv) 0 to 5% adjuvants and auxiliaries; and v) 40 to 65% water; and Component B comprised of trifloxysulfuron, or its herbicidally effective salts; wherein the ratio of Component A to Component B is in range of 80:1 to 380:1 based on active ingredient. The invention furthermore relates to a method of controlling weeds in crops of useful plants, especially in postemergence sugarcane, and to the use of this novel composition for this purpose.
US08399378B2	Use of neonicotinoids in pest control There is now described a method of controlling pests with nitroimino- or nitroguanidino-compounds; more specificallya method of controlling pests in and on transgenic crops of useful plants, such as, for example, in crops of maize, cereals, soya beans, tomatoes, cotton, potatoes, rice and mustard, with a nitroimino- or nitroguanidino-compound, especially with thiamethoxam, characterized in that a pesticidal composition comprising a nitroimino- or nitroguanidino-compound in free form or in agrochemically useful salt form and at least one auxiliary is applied to the pests or their environment, in particular to the crop plant itself.
US08399374B2	Catalyst particles The present invention relates to novel and unique catalyst particles, a method for preparing same, the use of the catalyst particles for polymerization reactions and methods of controlling the catalyst particle morphology.
US08399372B2	Stabilized ceramic composition, apparatus and methods of using the same In one aspect, the invention includes a refractory material, said material comprising: (i) at least 20 wt. % of a first grain mode stabilized zirconia based upon the total weight of said material, said first grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 5 to 2000 μm, said stabilized zirconia including a matrix oxide stabilizer; (ii) at least 1 wt. % of a second grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 0.01 μm up to not greater than one-fourth the D50 grain size of said first grain mode zirconia, based upon the total weight of said material; and (iii) at least 1 wt. % of a preservative component within at least one of said first grain mode stabilized zirconia, said second grain mode stabilized zirconia, and an optional another grain mode; wherein after sintering, said material has porosity at 20° C. in the range of from 5 to 45 vol %.
US08399368B2	Nonwoven web material containing a crosslinked elastic component formed from a linear block copolymer A nonwoven web material that contains an elastic component is provided. The elastic component contains a crosslinked network formed from a linear block copolymer having a monoalkenyl aromatic midblock positioned between conjugated diene endblocks (e.g., butadiene-styrene-butadiene (“B-S-B”) triblock copolymer). Prior to crosslinking, such linear block copolymers have a relatively low viscosity and thus may be readily formed into a precursor elastic component that is subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties. Crosslinking is typically achieved through the formation of free radicals (unpaired electrons) that link together to form a plurality of carbon-carbon covalent bonds at the conjugated diene endblocks.
US08399367B2	Process for high-pressure nitrogen annealing of metal nitrides The disclosure provides a process to anneal group III-V metal nitride crystals, wafers, epitaxial layers, and epitaxial films to reduce nitrogen vacancies. In particular, the disclosure provides a process to perform slow annealing of the group III-V metal nitrides in a high temperature and high pressure environment.
US08399365B2	Methods of forming titanium silicon oxide A dielectric containing a titanium silicon oxide film and a method of fabricating such a dielectric provide a dielectric for use in a variety of electronic devices. Embodiments may include a dielectric containing a titanium silicon oxide film arranged as one or more monolayers. Embodiments may include structures for capacitors, transistors, memory devices, and electronic systems with dielectrics containing a titanium silicon oxide film, and methods for forming such structures.
US08399364B2	Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices including multilayer dielectric layers Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices including multilayer dielectric layers are disclosed. The methods include forming a multilayer dielectric layer including metal atoms and silicon atoms on a semiconductor substrate. The multilayer dielectric layer includes at least two crystalline metal silicate layers having different silicon concentrations. The multilayer dielectric layer may be used, for example, as a dielectric layer for a capacitor, or as a blocking layer for a nonvolatile memory device.
US08399363B1	Methods of forming oxide-filled trenches in substrates using multiple-temperature oxide deposition techniques Methods of forming integrated circuit substrates include forming first and second trenches having unequal widths in a semiconductor substrate and then depositing a first oxide layer at a first temperature into the first and second trenches. The first oxide layer has a thickness sufficient to completely fill the first trench but only partially fill the second trench, which is wider than the first trench. A step is also performed to selectively remove a portion of the first oxide layer from a bottom of the second trench. A second oxide layer is then deposited at a second temperature onto the bottom of the second trench. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. For example, the first temperature may be in a range from about 300° C. to about 460° C. and the second temperature may be in a range from about 500° C. to about 600° C.
US08399360B1	Process for post contact-etch clean A method is provided for cleaning a semiconductor topography having one or more contact openings etched through a dielectric layer formed on a substrate. The method substantially eliminates unfilled contacts and reduces contact defects. Generally, the method involves: (i) heating the substrate in a processing chamber to a predetermined temperature; (ii) generating a plasma upstream of the process chamber using a microwave generator and a process gas comprising nitrogen and hydrogen or argon and helium; and (iii) introducing the plasma into the process chamber to clean the semiconductor topography. As the clean is accomplished substantially without the use of an organic solvent, galvanic corrosion of contacts subsequently formed in the contact openings is substantially eliminated. Other embodiments are also described.
US08399358B2	Establishing a hydrophobic surface of sensitive low-k dielectrics of microstructure devices by in situ plasma treatment Silicon oxide based low-k dielectric materials may receive superior hydrophobic surface characteristics on the basis of a plasma treatment using hydrogen and carbon containing radicals. For this purpose, the surface of the low-k dielectric material may be exposed to these radicals, at least in one in situ process in combination with another reactive plasma ambient, for instance used for patterning the low-k dielectric material. Consequently, superior surface characteristics may be established or re-established without significantly contributing to product cycle time.
US08399351B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes a process for filling holes in a dielectric film with tungsten. The process deposits tungsten in the holes, partially etches the deposited tungsten, and then deposits additional tungsten in the holes. Voids that may be left by the first tungsten deposition step are made accessible by openings formed in the etching step, and are then filled in by the second tungsten deposition step. Tungsten hexafluoride may be used as both a deposition source gas and an etching gas, providing a simple and inexpensive process that is suitable for high-volume production.
US08399350B2	Formation of air gap with protection of metal lines Method for fabricating a microelectronic element having an air gap in a dielectric layer thereof. A dielectric cap layer can be formed which has a first portion overlying surfaces of metal lines, the first portion extending a first height above a height of a surface of the dielectric layer, and a second portion overlying the dielectric layer surface and extending a second height above the height of the surface of the dielectric layer, the second height being greater than the first height. After forming the cap layer, a mask can be formed over the cap layer. The mask exposes a surface of only the second portion of the cap layer which has the greater height. Subsequently, an etchant can be directed towards the first and second portions of the cap layer. Material can be removed from the dielectric layer where exposed to the etchant.
US08399346B2	Scratch-resistant coatings for protecting front-side circuitry during backside processing Scratch-resistant coatings for protecting front-side microelectromechanical and semiconductor device features during backside processing are provided, along with methods of using the same. The coatings are non-photosensitive, removable, and tolerate high processing temperatures. These coatings also eliminate the need for a separate etch stop layer in the device design. The coatings are formed from a composition comprising a component dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. The component is selected from the group consisting of styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers and aromatic sulfone polymers.
US08399345B2	Semiconductor device having nickel silicide layer A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming an isolation region for defining a plurality of active regions in a silicon substrate; doping p-type impurities in at least one of the plurality of active regions to form a p-type well; forming an NMOS gate electrode traversing the p-type well via a gate insulating film; implanting n-type impurity ions into the p-type well on both sides of the NMOS gate electrode to form n-type extension regions; forming an NMOS gate side wall spacer on side walls of the NMOS gate electrode; implanting n-type impurity ions into the p-type well outside the NMOS gate side wall spacers to form n-type source/drain regions; forming a nickel silicide layer in surface regions of the n-type source/drain regions; and implanting Al ions the said n-type source/drain regions to dope Al in the nickel silicide layer surface regions.
US08399342B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device with buried bit lines A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of bodies isolated by trenches by etching a substrate, forming a buried bit line gap-filling a portion of each trench, forming an etch stop layer on an upper surface of the buried bit line; and forming a word line extended in a direction crossing the buried bit line over the etch stop layer.
US08399341B2	Method for heat treating a silicon wafer The invention is to provide a method for heat treating a silicon wafer reducing grown-in defects while suppressing generation of slip during RTP and improving surface roughness of the wafer. The method performing a first heat treatment while introducing a rare gas, the first heat treatment comprising the steps of rapidly heating the wafer to T1 of 1300° C. or higher and the melting point of silicon or lower, keeping the wafer at T1, rapidly cooling the wafer to T2 of 400-800° C. and keeping the wafer at T2; and performing a second heat treatment while introducing an oxygen gas in an amount of 20-100 vol. %, the second heat treatment comprising the steps of keeping the wafer at T2, rapidly heating the wafer from T2 to T3 of 1250° C. or higher and the melting point of silicon or lower, keeping the wafer at T3 and rapidly cooling the wafer.
US08399337B2	Method for manufacturing SOI substrate and method for manufacturing semiconductor device A highly reliable semiconductor device capable of high speed operation is manufactured over a flexible substrate at a high yield. A separation layer is formed over an insulating substrate by a sputtering method; the separation layer is flattened by a reverse sputtering method; an insulating film is formed over the flattened separation layer; a damaged area is formed by introducing hydrogen or the like into a semiconductor substrate; an insulating film is formed over the semiconductor substrate in which the damaged area is formed; the insulating film formed over the insulating substrate is bonded to the insulating film formed over the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate is separated at the damaged area so that a semiconductor layer is formed over the insulating substrate; the semiconductor layer is flattened so as to form an SOI substrate; and the semiconductor device is formed over the SOI substrate.
US08399336B2	Method for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit device having lower-cost active circuitry layers stacked before higher-cost active circuitry layer A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer remains. Another wafer that includes active circuitry is provided, and the other wafer is bonded to the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer. The first active circuitry layer wafer is lower-cost than the other wafer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure.
US08399328B2	Transistor and method for forming the same The present invention relates to a transistor and the method for forming the same. The transistor of the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a gate formed on the gate dielectric layer; and a source region and a drain region located in the semiconductor substrate and on respective sides of the gate, wherein only the source region comprises at least one dislocation. The method for forming a transistor according to the present invention comprises forming a mask layer on a semiconductor substrate on which a gate has been formed so that the mask layer covers the gate and the semiconductor substrate; patterning the mask layer to only expose at least a portion of a source region; performing a first ion implantation to the exposed portion of the source region; and annealing the semiconductor substrate so as to form a dislocation in the exposed portion of the source region.
US08399326B2	Method of manufacturing memory devices Disclosed is a memory device and method of operation thereof. The memory device may include a source region and a drain region of a first dopant type, the source and drain regions contain a first semiconductor material; a body region of a second dopant type, the body region being sandwiched between the source and drain regions, the body comprising a second semiconductor material; a gate dielectric layer over at least the body region; and a gate comprising a conductive material over the gate dielectric layer. Specifically, one of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material is lattice matched with the other of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material and has an energy gap smaller than the energy gap of the other of the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material.
US08399325B2	Method for producing an electrode structure A method for producing a semiconductor device with an electrode structure includes providing a semiconductor body with a first surface, and with a first sacrificial layer extending in a vertical direction of the semiconductor body from the first surface, and forming a first trench extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body. The first trench is formed at least by removing the sacrificial layer in a section adjacent to the first surface. The method further includes forming a second trench by isotropically etching the semiconductor body in the first trench, forming a dielectric layer which covers sidewalls of the second trench, and forming an electrode on the dielectric layer in the second trench, the electrode and the dielectric layer in the second trench forming the electrode structure.
US08399324B2	Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device on a substrate having thereon a conductive layer, the conductive layer is patterned to form a plurality of opened regions. A gate insulation layer is formed on a sidewall of each of the opened regions. A pillar pattern is formed in each opened region. On each pillar pattern, a gate electrode, which encloses the pillar pattern, is formed by removing the conductive layer between the pillar patterns.
US08399322B2	Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells, each including a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a floating gate formed on the semiconductor substrate with the inclusion of the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the floating gate, and a control gate formed on the floating gate with the inclusion of the second insulating film; an element isolation insulating film formed in the semiconductor substrate and extending in a gate-length direction to isolate between memory cells adjoining in a gate-width direction; and an air gap formed on the element isolation insulating film and between floating gates adjoining in the gate-width direction.
US08399321B2	Method for manufacturing memory device The method for manufacturing a memory device is provided. The method includes: implanting a first impurity into the substrate adjacent to the gate conductor structure to form a source region on a first side of the gate conductor structure and a drain region on a second side of the gate conductor structure; implanting a second impurity into the substrate to form a halo implantation region disposed adjacent to the source region, wherein the halo implantation region has a doping concentration which does not degrade a data retention time of the memory device; and performing an annealing process to the drain region, forming a diffusion region under the drain region, wherein the process temperature of the annealing process is controlled to ensure that the diffusion region has a doping concentration substantially equal to a threshold concentration which maintains an electrical connection between the drain and the deep trench capacitor.
US08399319B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a plurality of unit cells vertically arranged on the substrate.
US08399318B2	Method of forming an electrical fuse and a metal gate transistor and the related electrical fuse The present invention provides a method of integrating an electrical fuse process into a high-k/metal gate process. The method simultaneously forms a dummy gate stack of a transistor and a dummy gate stack of an e-fuse; and simultaneously removes the polysilicon of the dummy gate stack in the transistor region and the polysilicon of the dummy gate stack in the e-fuse region. Thereafter, the work function metal layer disposed in the opening of the e-fuse region is removed; and the opening in the transistor region and the opening in the e-fuse region with metal conductive structures are filled to form an e-fuse and a metal gate of a transistor.
US08399310B2	Non-volatile memory and logic circuit process integration A method of making a logic transistor in a logic region of a substrate and a non-volatile memory cell in an NVM region of the substrate includes forming a gate dielectric layer on the substrate. A first polysilicon layer is formed on the gate dielectric. The first polysilicon layer is formed over the NVM region and removing the first polysilicon layer over the logic region. A dielectric layer is formed over the NVM region including the first polysilicon layer and over the logic region. A protective layer is formed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and the protective layer are removed from the logic region to leave a remaining portion of the dielectric layer and a remaining portion of the protective layer over the NVM region. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the logic region and the remaining portion of the protective layer. A first metal layer is formed over the high K dielectric layer. The first metal layer, the high K dielectric, and the remaining portion of the protective layer are removed over the NVM region to leave a remaining portion of the first metal layer and a remaining portion of the high K dielectric layer over the logic region. A conductive layer is deposited over the remaining portion of the dielectric layer and over the first metal layer. The NVM cell and the logic transistor are formed and this includes patterning the conductive layer.
US08399307B2	Interconnects for stacked non-volatile memory device and method A method of forming a memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface region, defining a cell region and first and second peripheral regions, sequentially forming a first dielectric material, a first wiring structure for a first array of devices, and a second dielectric material over the surface region, forming an opening region in the first peripheral region, the opening region extending in a portion of at least the first and second dielectric materials to expose portions of the first wiring structure and the substrate, forming a second wiring material that is overlying the second dielectric material and fills the opening region to form a vertical interconnect structure in the first peripheral region, and forming a second wiring structure from the second wiring material for a second array of devices, the first and second wiring structures being separated from each other and electrically connected by the vertical interconnect structure.
US08399305B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming dam material with openings around semiconductor die for mold underfill using dispenser and vacuum assist A semiconductor wafer contains a plurality of semiconductor die separated by saw streets. A dam material is formed over the saw streets around each of the semiconductor die. A plurality of openings is formed in the dam material. The openings in the dam material can be formed on each side or corners of the first semiconductor die. The semiconductor wafer is singulated through the dam material to separate the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is mounted to a substrate. A mold underfill is deposited through a first opening in the dam material. A vacuum is drawn on a second opening in the dam material to cause the underfill material to cover an area between the first semiconductor die and substrate without voids. The number of second openings can be greater than the number of first openings. The first opening can be larger than the second opening.
US08399304B2	Thin film capacitor and method of fabrication thereof Methods for fabricating a capacitor are provided. In the methods, a dielectric may be formed on a metal (e.g. nickel) substrate, and a copper electrode is formed thereon, followed by the thinning of the metal substrate from its non-coated face, and subsequently forming a copper electrode on the thinned, non-coated face of the substrate.
US08399303B1	Method for manufacturing modularized integrated circuit The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a modularized integrated circuit (IC). The method includes the following steps: providing a base; and coupling an input/output module with the base. The base includes a lead-frame and a first package. The first package covers the lead-frame but exposes first contact points. The input/output module includes a first substrate, a plurality of first conducting columns, and a plurality of third contact points. A portion of each of the third contact points is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first contact points. The method enhances the flexibility of IC design, and reduces the time and costs of developing new process techniques.
US08399300B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming adjacent channel and DAM material around die attach area of substrate to control outward flow of underfill material A semiconductor device has a flipchip or PoP semiconductor die mounted to a die attach area interior to a substrate. The substrate has a contact pad area around the die attach area and flow control area between the die attach area and contact pad area. A first channel is formed in a surface of the substrate within the flow control area. The first channel extends around a periphery of the die attach area. A first dam material is formed adjacent to the first channel within the flow control area. An underfill material is deposited between the die and substrate. The first channel and first dam material control outward flow of the underfill material to prevent excess underfill material from covering the contact pad area. A second channel can be formed adjacent to the first dam material. A second dam material can be formed adjacent to the first channel.
US08399295B2	Semiconductor device and its manufacture method A support substrate includes a first surface and a second surface located above the level of the first surface. Chips are mounted on the first surface. A first insulating film is disposed over each chip. First conductive plugs are connected to the chip extending through each first insulating film. Filler material made of resin filling a space between chips. Wirings are disposed over the first insulating film and the filler material for interconnecting different chips. The second surface, an upper surface of the first insulating film and an upper surface of the filler material are located at the same level.
US08399293B2	Method for packaging electronic devices and integrated circuits The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices and their associated driver and/or controller integrated circuits and in particular to the mechanical packaging of electronic devices and to the packaging of electronic devices and their associated driver and/or controller integrated circuits.
US08399292B2	Fabricating a semiconductor chip with backside optical vias Fabricating a semiconductor chip with backside optical vias is provided. A silicon wafer is received for processing. The silicon wafer includes an optically transparent oxide layer on a frontside of the silicon wafer. A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor layer is formed on top of the optically transparent oxide layer. A backside of the silicon wafer is etched to form optical vias in a silicon substrate using the optically transparent oxide layer as an etch-stop.
US08399287B1	Method of manufacturing solar cell A solar cell that is readily manufactured using processing techniques which are less expensive than microelectronic circuit processing. In preferred embodiments, printing techniques are utilized in selectively forming masks for use in etching of silicon oxide and diffusing dopants and in forming metal contacts to diffused regions. In a preferred embodiment, p-doped regions and n-doped regions are alternately formed in a surface of the wafer through use of masking and etching techniques. Metal contacts are made to the p-regions and n-regions by first forming a seed layer stack that comprises a first layer such as aluminum that contacts silicon and functions as an infrared reflector, second layer such titanium tungsten that acts as diffusion barrier, and a third layer functions as a plating base. A thick conductive layer such as copper is then plated over the seed layer, and the seed layer between plated lines is removed. A front surface of the wafer is preferably textured by etching or mechanical abrasion with an IR reflection layer provided over the textured surface. A field layer can be provided in the textured surface with the combined effect being a very low surface recombination velocity.
US08399285B2	Phase change memory device having a bent heater and method for manufacturing the same A phase change memory device includes heaters which are formed in their respective memory cells and vertically positioned stack patterns having phase change layers and top electrodes which are formed to come into contact with the heaters. The heaters have horizontal cross-sectional bent shapes which can have any number of shapes such as a shape similar to that of a boomerang. The horizontal cross-sectional bent shapes of the to heaters are for minimizing the contact area between the heaters and the phase change layer so that programming currents can be reduced or minimized.
US08399279B2	Fabrication method of carbon nanotube film and sensor based on carbon nanotube film A method for fabricating a carbon nanotube film floating on a bottom is provided. The fabrication method of a carbon nanotube film comprises: forming electrodes on a substrate; arranging a suspension comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes on the electrodes; and arranging the carbon nanotubes on the electrodes by applying a voltage to the electrodes.
US08399278B2	Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer and manufacturing method The integrated circuit/transducer device of the preferred embodiment includes a substrate, a complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuit that is fabricated on the substrate, and a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) element that is also fabricated on the substrate. The CMOS circuit and cMUT element are fabricated during the same foundry process and are connected. The cMUT includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, a membrane structure that support the upper electrode, and a cavity between the upper electrode and lower electrode.
US08399275B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device is disclosed. The method can include forming a first interconnect layer, a second interconnect layer, a first metal pillar, a second metal pillar, a second insulating layer, a transparent material and a phosphor layer. The transparent material is formed on the first major surface of a semiconductor layer selected from the plurality of semiconductor layers on the basis of an emission spectrum of a light obtained from the first major surface side. The transparent material transmits the light. The phosphor layer is formed on the transparent material and the first major surface of the plurality of the semiconductor layers.
US08399273B2	Light-emitting diode with current-spreading region A light-emitting diode (LED) device is provided. The LED device has a lower LED layer and an upper LED layer with a light-emitting layer interposed therebetween. A current blocking layer is formed in the upper LED layer such that current passing between an electrode contacting the upper LED layer flows around the current blocking layer. When the current blocking layer is positioned between the electrode and the light-emitting layer, the light emitted by the light-emitting layer is not blocked by the electrode and the light efficiency is increased. The current blocking layer may be formed by converting a portion of the upper LED layer into a resistive region. In an embodiment, ions such as magnesium, carbon, or silicon are implanted into the upper LED layer to form the current blocking layer.
US08399269B2	LED flip-chip package structure with dummy bumps A light-emitting device (LED) package component includes an LED chip having a first active bond pad and a second active bond pad. A carrier chip is bonded onto the LED chip through flip-chip bonding. The carrier chip includes a first active through-substrate via (TSV) and a second active TSV connected to the first and the second active bond pads, respectively. The carrier chip further includes a dummy TSV therein, which is electrically coupled to the first active bond pad, and is configured not to conduct any current when a current flows through the LED chip.
US08399267B2	Methods for packaging light emitting devices and related microelectronic devices A method for forming a light emitting device includes providing a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light of a first color and providing a plurality of semi-spherical lenses made of a silicone material that contains no phosphor material. Each of the lenses has a layer of phosphor material attached thereto. The method also includes testing the plurality of lenses to select a subset of lenses that converts light of the first color to light of a second color. The method further includes forming the light emitting device using the LED, one of the selected subset of lenses, and a heat conductive substrate. In an embodiment, after the testing of the plurality of lenses, one of the selected subset of lenses is disposed overlying the LED. In another embodiment, the testing of the plurality of lenses is conducted with a light source other than the LED.
US08399266B2	Test structure for detection of gap in conductive layer of multilayer gate stack A semiconductor structure including a test structure for detection of a gap in a conductive layer of the semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; the test structure, the test structure being located on the semiconductor substrate, the test structure comprising a multilayer gate stack, wherein the multilayer gate stack includes a single conductive layer region including: a gate dielectric located on the semiconductor substrate; the conductive layer located on the gate dielectric; and an undoped amorphous silicon layer located on the conductive layer; and wherein the test structure is configured to detect the presence of the gap in the conductive layer.
US08399262B2	Biosensor Disclosed herein are biosensors for the detection of airborne biomolecules. The biosensors include a housing, a sensing component, and optionally a sample capture component. The biosensors may utilize a gel-based detection platform.
US08399260B2	Method for concentration of low-molecular-weight proteins and peptides in body fluid sample A method for extracting low-molecular-weight proteins/peptides contained in a body fluid sample, particularly, in serum or plasma. The method includes the steps of (a) to (e): (a) adding reagent 1 containing urea and thiourea and reagent 2 containing a reducing agent to the body fluid sample, mixing them, subsequently dropping the mixture into reagent 3 containing 90% or more of an organic solvent, and mixing them; (b) stirring at a low temperature the mixed solution obtained in step (a); (c) centrifuging at a low temperature the stirred solution obtained in step (b) and removing the supernatant; (d) adding reagent 4 containing an organic solvent and an acid to the precipitate obtained in step (c) and mixing them; (e) stirring at a low temperature the mixed solution obtained in step (d); and (f) centrifuging at a low temperature the stirred solution obtained in step (e) and recovering the supernatant.
US08399256B2	Method for introducing gene into cell, and composition for use in the method The present invention provides a method for transferring a gene into cells, which is practically useful and can achieve high transfer efficiency, and also a composition for use in the method. By bringing a mixture of a composition comprising a diallylamine sulfur dioxide copolymer having a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) or a salt thereof and a gene into contact with a cell, a gene such as DNA and RNA can be transferred into a target cell safely and conveniently, and into a cell at a specific site with high gene transfer efficiency.
US08399255B2	In vitro flowering/seed set leading to partial or complete male sterility in grasses The present invention relates to a method of manipulating plant development that allows for partial or complete male sterility in grasses.
US08399254B2	Targeted integration of DNA through recombination Host cells comprise a site for targeted integration and iterative stacking of DNA through recombination. The site comprises a target sequence comprising (a) a truncated functional sequence effective for restoration of a functional sequence when operably linked through a recombination event with a sequence that completes the truncated functional sequence; (b) a first recombinase recognition site derived through site-specific recombination-mediated excision of nucleotide sequences flanked by recombinase recognition sequences; and (c) a host homology sequence located between the truncated functional sequence and the first recombinase recognition site derived through site-specific recombination-mediated excision of nucleotide sequences flanked by recombinase recognition sequences.
US08399248B2	Methods of using MIR34 as a biomarker for TP53 functional status In one aspect, the invention generally relates to use of miR-34 as a biomarker to estimate TP53 function in a cell. In another aspect, the invention generally relates to multiple uses of miR-34 and siRNAs functionally and structurally related to miR-34 for the treatment of cancer.
US08399240B2	Method and gene for providing or enhancing nonspecific adhesive property and/or autoagglutinating property for microorganisms A method for providing or enhancing a nonspecific adhesive property, an autoagglutinating property, or both properties in a microorganism is provided. The method comprises introducing a nucleic acid encoding autotransporter adhesin from a microorganism having a nonspecific adhesion property into a target microorganism.
US08399233B2	Histone deacetylases, and uses related thereto The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of genes, termed here HDx-related genes, which are involved in the control of chromatin structure and, thus in transcription and translation. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to control cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo.
US08399230B2	Heat-stable enzyme compositions The thermal stability of enzymes is improved by incorporating the enzyme in a matrix of a non-reducing sugar, such as trehalose. Heat-stable compositions of enzymes and sugar are formed by adding the enzymes to a sugar syrup and drying the mixture either by spreading it on a carrier or by spray drying. The enzyme compositions retain higher levels of activity after being subjected to heat in product-forming processes, such as steam pelleting of animal feed supplemented with the enzyme compositions.
US08399229B2	Mobile magnetic traps and platforms for micro/nano particle manipulation Magnetic array platforms such as nano or micro-wire networks that produce trapping, manipulation, and transport of micro- or nano-scale particles such as non-biological entities such as magnetic particles and cells, viruses, DNA, proteins, and other biological entities having magnetic particles labeled or tethered thereto are provided. Methods of manipulating, transporting, and sorting micro- or nano-scale particles are described.
US08399228B2	Method for recovering energy from the organic fraction of solid urban waste and associated facility The invention relates to a method for recovering energy from the organic fraction of urban solid waste comprising the following steps: a) the organic fraction is pre treated with mineral acids, preferably sulfuric acid, during which the fraction is heated by an outer thermal jacket with no steam injection or steam explosion, thereby producing a first slurry containing an insoluble solid susceptible to enzymatic attack by cellulases; b) a step comprising enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulases and simultaneous fermentation, using an ethanologenic microorganism, of the first slurry in order to obtain a second slurry containing diluted ethanol; and c) distillation of the second slurry such as to obtain wet ethanol, a recyclable liquid effluent and a solid.
US08399225B2	Process for preparing urethane-containing (meth)acrylic esters The invention relates to a process for preparing urethane-containing acrylic- and (meth)acrylic esters by reacting a urethane-containing alcohol with a reactant acrylic- or (meth)acrylic ester of a saturated alcohol in the presence of at least one polymerization inhibitor and an enzyme as a catalyst within a reactor, wherein the saturated alcohol released in the process and optionally an entraining agent form an azeotrope with an excess of the reactant (meth)acrylic ester, such that the azeotrope is removed by distillation under reduced pressure and at least one substream from the bottom of the reactor is circulated through the top of the distillation column. Using this process, urethane-containing acrylic- and (meth)acrylic esters are prepared in high yields and high purities under mild conditions from economically obtainable reactants with no significant polymer formation.
US08399219B2	Protease activatable interferon alpha proprotein The present disclosure provides for proprotein and activatable proprotein compositions. A proprotein contains a functional protein (i.e. a full length protein or functional fragment thereof) which is coupled to a peptide mask that inhibits the binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. An activatable proprotein contains a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask, and further coupled to an activatable linker, wherein in an non-activated state, the peptide mask inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner and in an activated state the peptide mask does not inhibit binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. Proproteins can provide for reduced toxicity and adverse side effects that could otherwise result from binding of a functional protein at non-treatment sites if it were not inhibited from binding its binding partner. Proproteins can further provide improved biodistribution characteristics. Proproteins containing a peptide mask can display a longer in vivo or serum half-life than the corresponding functional protein not containing a peptide mask. The disclosure further provides methods of screening for, making, and using these proproteins.
US08399216B1	Conversion system for biomass The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g., fixed production facility.
US08399213B2	Method for monitoring intracellular tyrosine phosphatase activity The invention relates in general to tyrosine dephosphorylation. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring intracellular tyrosine dephosphorylation at the single cell level. The invention further relates to techniques that can be used as aid in the development of novel therapeutics, and monitor regulation of intracellular tyrosine phosphatase activity at the single cell level.
US08399212B2	Bioluminescent assays utilising secreted luciferases Disclosed herein are methods for determining the amount or activity of one or more luciferases and methods for measuring the luminescent signal generated by one or more luciferases in a sample, the methods comprising incubating the sample with a reactive substrate(s) of the luciferase(s) to be analysed and a reducing agent to inactivate a first luciferase, wherein the first luciferase, in its native form, is a secreted luciferase.
US08399210B2	Autoantigenes for improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of inflammatory neurological diseases According to the invention, autoantibodies, the appearance of which is characteristic of neurological autoimmune diseases, especially multiple sclerosis, are detected and the respective autoantigens identified. It can further be shown that many of these autoantigens are expressed specifically in the brain. The identification of the autoantigens and autoantibodies is useful for diagnosis and treatment. A brain-specific expression of the autoantigens further emphasizes an important role of the antigens and antibodies in the origin and development of neurological autoimmune diseases.
US08399207B2	Monoclonal antibodies against osteopontin The present invention relates to reagents and methods for the detection of osteopontin fragments and distinguishing them from each other and from the full-length osteopontin protein. The present invention also relates to assays for the determination of the presence of osteopontin fragments in samples obtained from subjects and, further, the correlation of osteopontin fragment levels fragment levels with disease detection, progression and prognosis.
US08399205B2	Device and method for separation, concentration, and/or purification of cells The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for cell separation. In particular, the invention relates to separation of a particular cell type from a mixture of different cell types based on the differential rolling property of the particular cell type on a substrate coated with molecules that exhibits adhesive property with the particular cell type. The molecules can be directly coated on the surface or coated on nanoparticles that are adhered to the surface. This technology is adaptable for use in implantable shunts and devices for cell trafficking or tumor neutralization.
US08399202B2	Peptides for development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents and methods of using same Novel immuno-interactive fragments of the αC portion of a mammalian inhibin α subunit, together with their variants and derivatives, produce antigen-binding molecules that are interactive with the αC portion, and which are chemically well defined and which can be produced in commercially significant quantities. The antigen-binding molecules of the invention can be used for the detection of a mammalian inhibin and for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions associated with aberrant levels of a mammalian inhibin.
US08399200B2	Isolation of allergen-specific immunoglobulin genes from human B-cells from atopy sufferers A process is disclosed which enables the establishing of comprehensive immunoglobulin-specific reaction profiles of subjects with disorders of the immune function by the individual V gene repertoire of Ig-expressing B cells. The process comprises the isolation of B cells from body fluids, the isolation of individual B cells and their genetic material, the amplification of nucleic acids coding the variable regions of an antibody expressed by a B cell, the recombinant preparation of antibodies by expressing the amplificates, and the determination of the binding capability of the recombinant antibody to antigens.
US08399199B2	Use of stem-loop oligonucleotides in the preparation of nucleic acid molecules The present invention concerns preparation of DNA molecules, such as a library, using a stem-loop oligonucleotide. In particular embodiments, the invention employs a single reaction mixture and conditions. In particular, at least part of the inverted palindrome is removed during the preparation of the molecules to facilitate amplification of the molecules. Thus, in specific embodiments, the DNA molecules are suitable for amplification and are not hindered by the presence of the palindrome.
US08399195B2	Detecting genetic abnormalities The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for detecting genetic abnormalities. The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for comparing alleles in a sample containing both maternal and fetal nucleic acids in order to identify genetic abnormalities.
US08399191B2	Forensic identification The invention provides allelic ladder mixtures and individual alleles suitable for use in such mixtures. The allelic ladder mixtures give improved identification and distinguishing capabilities, particularly suitable in forensic investigations.
US08399181B2	Methods of fabricating photomasks for improving damascene wire uniformity without reducing performance A method of improving damascene wire uniformity without reducing performance. The method includes simultaneously forming a multiplicity of damascene wires and a multiplicity of metal dummy shapes in a dielectric layer of a wiring level of an integrated circuit chip, the metal dummy shapes being dispersed between damascene wires of the multiplicity of damascene wires; and removing or modifying those metal dummy shapes of the multiplicity of metal dummy shapes within exclusion regions around selected damascene wires of the multiplicity of damascene wires. Also a method of fabricating a photomask and a photomask for use in improving damascene wire uniformity without reducing performance.
US08399180B2	Three dimensional integration with through silicon vias having multiple diameters A method is disclosed which includes patterning a photoresist layer on a substrate of a structure, removing a first portion of the photoresist layer to expose a first area of the substrate, etching the first area to form a cavity having a first depth, removing a second portion of the photoresist to expose an additional area of the substrate, and etching the cavity to expose a first conductor in the structure and the additional area to expose a second conductor in the structure.
US08399172B2	Negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor and method of lithographic printing using same A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed that can be developed on the press without going through a development processing step, and a method of lithographic printing is also disclosed that uses this negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor. Also disclosed are a negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor that can be developed by a water-soluble resin-containing aqueous solution and a method of lithographic printing that uses this negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor. A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor is provided that exhibits an excellent fine line reproducibility in nonimage areas even when printing is performed using ultraviolet-curing ink (UV ink). Also provided is a negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor that exhibits an excellent combination of fine line reproducibility and printing durability and that resists the production of scum during on-press development. The negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor has a support and has thereon a photopolymerizable layer that contains a polymer compound that has the urea bond in the main chain and a hydrophilic group and a carboxylic acid content less than 0.05 meq/g. The method of lithographic printing uses this negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor.
US08399171B2	Method of manufacturing resin-layer coated carrier, resin-layer coated carrier, developer, developing device, and image forming apparatus A manufacturing apparatus provided with a rotary stirring section and a powder passage is used to manufacture the resin-layer coated carrier. At a fine resin particle adhering step, a magnetic base particle and a fine resin particle are inputted into the powder passage with the rotary stirring section rotating and the fine resin particle is adhered onto the surface of the magnetic base particle. At a spraying step, at least a liquid that plasticizes the fine resin particles is sprayed with spray gas from a spraying section on the magnetic base particle and the fine resin particle which are in a fluidized state in the powder passage. At a film-forming step, rotation by the rotary stirring section is continued to fluidize the magnetic base particles and the fine resin particles until the fine resin particles adhered to the magnetic base particles are softened to form a film.
US08399167B2	Toner composition, developer comprising the toner composition, and method in connection with the production of a volume body The present invention relates to a toner composition for forming a masking pattern for use e.g. in connection with a method of building up a three-dimensional body from a large number of mutually connected layers of powder particles that are bonded to each other using radiant heat. The toner composition consists of powder particles that arc able to withstand a temperature of at least 200° C. without sticking together. It also relates to a developer that comprises the toner composition and carrier particles and a method in connection with the production of a volume body by using a toner composition or a developer according to the invention.
US08399165B2	Coating fluid for forming undercoat layer and electrophotographic photoreceptor having undercoat layer formed by Applying said coating fluid To provide a coating fluid for forming an undercoat layer having high stability, a high quality and long-life electrophotographic photoreceptor capable of forming a high quality image in various environments, with which image defects such as black spots or color spots hardly occur, an image forming apparatus using such a photoreceptor, and an electrophotographic cartridge using such a photoreceptor.A coating fluid for forming un undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor containing titanium oxide particles and a binder resin, characterized in that titanium oxide agglomerated secondary particles in the coating fluid have a volume average particle size of at most 0.1 μm and a cumulative 90% particle size of at most 0.3 μm.
US08399164B2	Dendritic polyester polyol photoconductors A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, an undercoat layer thereover wherein the undercoat layer contains a metal oxide a phenolic resin and a dendritic polyester polyol; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US08399162B2	Method of forming exposure patterns The present invention discloses a method of forming exposure patterns. These steps of the present method comprise: a substrate is provided; a photoresist layer is formed over the substrate; subsequently, a photo mask with a pattern is placed and aligned to a corresponding location over the photoresist layer for at least double exposure processes, and the photo mask with a pattern is moved and aligned to another corresponding location over the photoresist layer during at least one exposure process; successively, at least one filter is provided to perform at least one exposure process, and the filter is placed above or below the photo mask; and the patterns with different dimensions are consequently formed on the substrate after partial photoresist is removed during a later developing process.
US08399155B1	Production of high efficiency diffractive and refractive optical elements in multicomponent glass by nonlinear photo-ionization followed by thermal development Apparatus, methods and systems for production of high efficiency refractive and diffractive elements by providing a photo-sensitizer free multicomponent glass, exposing the multi component glass to pulsed laser radiation to produce refractive indexed modulation, and heating the exposed multicomponent silicate glass to produce the high efficiency refractive and diffractive elements. The pulsed laser radiation is infrared femtosecond pulses to ultraviolet nanosecond pulses which provide ionization of glass matrix. The multicomponent glass is a photosensitive glass with high transparency in ultraviolet spectral region, e.g. silicate glass which includes silver, fluorine and bromine and does not contain photosensitizers such as cerium and antimony, PTR glass, cerium free PTR glass and cerium+antimony free PTR glass.
US08399154B2	Method for producing an anion-exchange membrane for a solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell An anion-exchange membrane having quaternary ammonium groups or quaternary phosphonium groups wherein halogen ions serve as the counter ions is obtained. Rather than being subjected to ion exchange with an OH-type membrane using a toxic substance such as sodium hydroxide, the halogen-type anion exchange membrane is brought into contact with a carbonate solution and/or bicarbonate solution to directly obtain an anion exchange membrane where at least some of the counterions of the quaternary ammonium groups or quaternary phosphonium groups are CO32− and/or HCO3−.
US08399149B2	Composition with enhanced proton conductivity A composition showing enhanced proton conductivity comprising at least a polymer with an ionizable group (A) containing a proton and carbon nanostructures functionalized with ionizable group (B) containing a proton is disclosed where A and B are same or different.
US08399148B2	Varnish for a solid polymer fuel cell Provided is a varnish which contains a solvent and an electrode electrolyte for a solid polymer fuel cell electrolyte, which contains a polymer with a structure having a main chain including a polyphenylene, a side chain including a sulfonic acid group and a repeating structural unit as a side chain including a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.
US08399146B2	Free-standing membrane electrolyte electrode assembly A free-standing membrane electrolyte electrode assembly (ESC) comprises an electrolyte, an anode electrode formed at one end face of the electrolyte, and a cathode electrode formed at the other. The electrolyte is a single crystal having a surface along with oxide ions move or a direction in which the ions move or a polycrystal oriented along a surface along which oxide ions move or in a direction in which the ions move. The surface or the direction is parallel to the thickness direction. The thickness of the electrolyte is 50 to 800 μm and the quotient of the division of the total thickness of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode by the thickness of the electrolyte is 0.1 or less,. The thickness of the ESC is 1 mm or less.
US08399144B2	Membrane-electrode assembly for direct oxidation fuel cell and direct oxidation fuel cell A membrane-electrode assembly for a direct oxidation fuel cell includes an electrolyte membrane, and an anode and a cathode sandwiching said electrolyte membrane. The cathode includes a catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte membrane and a diffusion layer formed on the catalyst layer, and the catalyst layer contains 2 to 20% by volume of pores. A direct oxidation fuel cell including this membrane-electrode assembly has excellent power generating performance and durability.
US08399143B2	Planar SOFC stack A solid oxide fuel cell (“SOFC”) stack device is disclosed. The SOFC stack includes SOFC units that can easily be stacked and electrically connected to one another. Furthermore, each of the SOFC units can easily be removed from the others and replaced with a new one. The fuel cell stack includes a supporting mechanism and two conducting and pressing units. The supporting mechanism includes three parts. Each part of the supporting mechanism includes slots defined therein for receiving the SOFC units. Each of the conducting and pressing units is located between two adjacent ones of the parts of the supporting mechanism.
US08399140B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a normally-closed first shut-off valve provided upstream from the fuel cell and opening and closing pipes c1 and allowing air supplied from an air pump to pass therethrough; a normally-closed second shut-off valve opening and closing a pipe allowing cathode off-gas, discharged from the fuel cell, to pass therethrough; a valve-driving section for opening and closing discs of the shut-off valves; and valve lock units maintaining discs of the shut-off valves in open state when the cathode is released by opening the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve during electro-chemical reaction progressing in the fuel cell. This structure provides a simple and small-size fuel cell system capable of maintaining opening state of shut-off valves stably and reliably.
US08399135B2	Battery grid A battery grid is provided having a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a plurality of linear vertical wire members which extend from the top element toward the bottom element, first side element, or second side element. At least one of the linear vertical wire members includes a discontinuity terminating the linear vertical wire member before reaching the bottom element, first side element, or second side element, the discontinuity being defined by parallel horizontal wire members defining an open space.
US08399133B2	Electrode assembly and secondary battery having the same An electrode assembly of a secondary battery includes a cathode including a cathode active material layer, an anode including an anode active material layer, and a ceramic coating layer formed on at least one of surfaces of the cathode and anode that face each other. The ceramic coating layer includes a ceramic powder and a binder. The specific surface area of the ceramic powder is more than 1.5 m2/g and less than 15.0 m2/g, and, in the particle size distribution of the ceramic powder, the D10 value is more than 0.05 μm and the D90 value is less than 3.0 μm.
US08399130B2	Mixed phosphate-diphosphate electrode materials and methods of manufacturing same This invention relates generally to electrode materials, electrochemical cells employing such materials, and methods of synthesizing such materials. The electrode materials have a crystal structure with a high ratio of Li to metal M, which is found to improve capacity by enabling the transfer of a greater amount of lithium per metal, and which is also found to improve stability by retaining a sufficient amount of lithium after charging. Furthermore, synthesis techniques are presented which result in improved charge and discharge capacities and reduced particle sizes of the electrode materials.
US08399123B2	Packing material for battery case and battery case A battery case material includes a biaxially stretched polyamide film layer as an outer layer, a thermoplastic resin unstretched film layer as an inner layer, and an aluminum foil layer interposed between the two film layers. As the biaxially stretched polyamide film, a biaxially stretched polyamide film having a density of 1,130 to 1,160 kg/m3 is used. In the battery case material, excellent formability can be secured without coating a lubrication giving component, and sufficient volume capacity ratio can be obtained.
US08399121B2	Battery structure This invention relates to a battery structure with improved safety. The battery structure includes: at least two batteries disposed axially parallel to each other, positive terminals thereof facing opposite directions, negative terminals thereof facing opposite directions; an insulating material covering each of the batteries; and a connecting member provided at an end of the at least two batteries for connecting the positive terminal of one of the batteries with the negative terminal of the other battery. The connecting member includes: a negative terminal connector attached to the other battery so as to come into contact with the negative terminal of the other battery; and a bus bar connected at one end portion thereof to the positive terminal of the one battery. The negative terminal connector has a socket into which the other end portion of the bus bar is to be inserted. The tip of the other end portion of the bus bar in the direction of insertion into the socket is chamfered so that it does not impair the insulating material.
US08399120B2	Battery module A battery module includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries, each rechargeable battery including a case having an opening at one side and an electrode assembly inserted inside the case; and a sealing layer disposed between an opening of at least one case and a case of a neighboring rechargeable battery, wherein the opening of the at least case is covered by the case of the neighboring rechargeable battery.
US08399109B2	Organic electronic devices using phthalimide compounds Organic electronic devices comprising a phthalimide compound. The phthalimide compounds disclosed herein are electron transporters with large HOMO-LUMO gaps, high triplet energies, large reduction potentials, and/or thermal and chemical stability. As such, these phthalimide compounds are suitable for use in any of various organic electronic devices, such as OLEDs and solar cells. In an OLED, the phthalimide compounds may serve various functions, such as a host in the emissive layer, as a hole blocking material, or as an electron transport material. In a solar cell, the phthalimide compounds may serve various functions, such as an exciton blocking material. Various examples of phthalimide compounds which may be suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed.
US08399101B2	Toughened poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) compositions Disclosed is a toughened poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) resin composition comprising poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) and an impact modifier comprising a core/shell polymer that does not comprise a vinyl aromatic comonomer, having a refractive index not greater than 1.5; wherein the core comprises elastomer and the shell comprises non-elastomeric polymer. Also disclosed are packaging materials and packaged products comprising the composition.
US08399095B2	Solar cells modules comprising low haze encapsulants A solar cell module comprises a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet. The ionomer sheet comprises a first ionomer that is the neutralized product of a first precursor acid copolymer, which, in turn, comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized acrylic or methacrylic acid. The first precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the first precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer sheet may further comprise a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer.
US08399094B2	Multilayer laminated articles including polyurethane and/or poly(ureaurethane) layers and methods of making the same The present invention provides laminates including: (a) at least one layer of at least one polyurethane including a reaction product of components including: (i) at least one polyisocyanate; (ii) at least one branched polyol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups; and (iii) at least one diol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms wherein the reaction components are maintained at a temperature of at least about 100° C. for at least about 10 minutes; and (b) at least one layer of a substrate selected from the group consisting of paper, glass, ceramic, wood, masonry, textile, metal or organic polymeric material and combinations thereof; and methods of making the same.
US08399090B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, process for producing the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and optical member with pressure-sensitive adhesive This invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that exhibits excellent pressure-sensitive adhesive properties after crosslinking treatment, does not cause lifting or lifting upon heat treatment or treatment under high-humidity conditions particularly even in the case of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a reduced layer thickness, and has excellent durability. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed using the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and a process for producing the same are also provided. Further, an optical member with pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an image display using the same are provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is characterized by comprising 100 parts by weight of an (meth)acrylic polymer and 0.02 to 2 parts by weight of a peroxide, and 0.02 to 2 parts by weight of an isocyanate crosslinking agent, the (meth)acrylic polymer comprising as monomer units 50 to 98% by weight of an (meth)acrylic monomer represented by general formula CH2═C(R1)COOR2, wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group and R2 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 14 carbon atoms, and 0.1 to 35% by weight of a nitrogen-containing monomer.
US08399077B1	Polyglycolic acid-based film A film is provided, and in particular, a film having at least one gas barrier layer that comprises a noise-dampening polymer resin and of a polyglycolic acid resin. The polyglycolic-based films provide excellent gas barrier properties while maintaining a desirable level of softness and low noise making them ideal for a variety of medical applications.
US08399072B2	Process for improved chemcial vapor deposition of polysilicon A process for producing silicon rods including providing a reactor vessel containing at least one reaction chamber surrounded by a jacket, wherein a pre-heating fluid is circulated in the jacket; one or more electrode assemblies extending into the reaction chamber wherein each electrode assembly comprises a gas inlet, one or more heat transfer fluid inlets/outlets, at least one pair of silicon filaments, the filaments connected to each other at their upper ends with a silicon bridge to form a filament/slim rod assembly, each filament/slim rod assembly enclosed in an isolation jacket; a source of a silicon-bearing gas connected to the interior of the vessel for supplying the gas into the reaction chamber to produce a reaction and to deposit polycrystalline silicon on the filament by chemical vapor deposition thereby producing a rod of polycrystalline silicon; a heat transfer system that is connected to the jacketed reaction chamber that supplies heat transfer fluid to preheat the reaction chamber; and a power supply wherein the power supply supplies less than about 26,000 volts; wherein the apparatus does not include a heating finger is provided.
US08399069B2	Method of producing magnesium fluoride coating, antireflection coating, and optical element A method of producing a magnesium fluoride coating includes a step of forming a coating by applying a solution containing a fluorine-containing organic magnesium compound represented by the following formula to a base and a step of heat-treating the coating while the coating is being irradiated with a beam of light with a wavelength of 246 nm or less: Mg(CF3—X—COO)2 (1) wherein X represents a single bond or one of —(CF2)n—, —(CH2)m—, and —CH2CF2— that may have a substituent, where n and m each represent an integer of 1 to 4. The temperature of the heat-treating step can be 250° C. or lower. The coating can be irradiated with a beam of light with a wavelength of 185 nm or less.
US08399068B2	Liquid crystal aligning agent, method of producing a liquid crystal alignment film and liquid crystal display device The present invention relates to a liquid crystal aligning agent which contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane having a structure represented by the following formula (S-0) and synthesized through the step of hydrolyzing or hydrolyzing/condensing a silane compound in the presence of an alkali metal compound or an organic base, a hydrolysate thereof and a condensate of the hydrolysate: (in the above formula (S-0), R is a group having an alkyl group with 4 to 20 carbon atoms, a fluoroalkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, or a group having 17 to 51 carbon atoms and a steroid skeleton, and YI is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms).
US08399067B2	Method for applying a coating to a substrate The invention relates to an apparatus for coating a substrate (60), in particular a printed circuit board (61), with a device (16) for applying a coating material (material applying device) and a device (14) for supplying a gaseous medium (gas supplying device), the material applying device having an inner tubular element (16). The apparatus is distinguished by the fact that the gas supplying device has an outer tubular element (14) which is arranged coaxially in relation to the inner tubular element (16) and encloses the latter, so that a gas supply channel (19) is formed between the outer tubular element (14) and the inner tubular element (16), the supply channel (19) being designed in such a way that the gaseous medium flows out parallel to the coating material, in order to displace the coating material when it impinges on the substrate (60) and in this way distribute it over the surface area. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for coating a substrate.
US08399063B2	Anticurl backing layer dispersion An anticurl backing layer dispersion, including: a volatile carrier liquid, solid organic or inorganic particles, and a surfactant, wherein the dispersion does not include a binder. An anitcurl backing layer composition including the above-described dispersion, a binder solution comprising a binder and a volatile carrier liquid, and optionally a resin, is also disclosed.
US08399062B2	Elastomeric foam product A surface is insulated by applying an elastomeric foam material. In one embodiment, the elastomeric foam material comprises a polyurethane foam that is formed on-site by reacting an isocyanate with a polyol. In one embodiment, the polyol may include a polyol chain extender and/or a plasticizer. In one embodiment, the elastomeric foam material forms an air barrier against a surface. After the elastomeric foam material is installed, a fibrous insulation material may be then placed over the foam layer.
US08399061B2	Anti-corrosion agent forming a coating film with good adhesion and method for nongalvanic application thereof The invention relates to an aqueous coating material for metallic substrates, comprising a water-dispersible and/or water-soluble polymer P with a gradient in the concentration of covalently bonded hydrophilic groups along the main polymer chain, the polymer P having covalently bonded ligands A, which form chelates with the metal ions released during the corrosion of the substrate and/or with the substrate surface, and having crosslinking functional groups B, which with themselves, with further complementary functional groups B′ of the polymer P and/or with further functional groups B and/or B′ are able to form covalent bonds to crosslinkers V.
US08399060B2	Method for fabricating environmentally friendly shakes A shake fabricating process for producing roofing shakes from a lumber drop block having a natural grain and having an upper surface and an opposed lower surface is provided. In accordance with the process, the drop block is scanned for unacceptable grain structure. The drop block is cut across said natural grain into blanks having a length generally equivalent to the length of a roofing shake and including a first end section and a second end section. The blank is cut on a diagonal plane relative to the first and second end sections, the plane extending from the first end to said second end so as to divide the board into a pair of shakes, each shake having a first and second end portion and defining a decreasing thickness from the first end portion to the second end portion. The shakes are placed in a pressure treating chamber for treatment with a chemical preservative.
US08399052B2	Methods of applying metal coatings to objects A method of coating an object includes applying a heterogeneous mixture of polymeric powder and metal powder to a surface of an object and heating the surface for a period of time sufficient to cause the polymeric powder to cure and form a coating on the surface. The cured polymeric coating may then be subjected to one or more finishing operations. The resulting coating contains a substantially equal distribution of metal powder throughout a thickness thereof. The powder mixture may adhere to adhesive material applied to one or more surfaces of an object. The powder mixture may adhere to one or more heated surfaces of an object.
US08399050B2	Method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium that includes a nonmagnetic underlayer, a magnetic layer, a protective layer, and a lubricant layer sequentially laminated on a nonmagnetic substrate. The method includes applying a lubricant onto the protective layer to form the lubricant layer, which includes ejecting shots of a heated lubricant liquid onto the protective layer from a nozzle. The heated lubricant liquid contains a perfluoropolyether lubricant, and each shot is of a quantity in a range of 0.1 to 10 pico liters.
US08399041B2	Plastic fat composition Provided is a plastic fat composition prepared using only fats and/or oils which are essentially free from trans acid residues as a raw material fat and/or oil, in which coarsening of the fat crystals during storage is suppressed. The fat composition is prepared by blending the fats and/or oils that are essentially free from trans acid residues as a raw material fat and/or oil with a specific mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. The mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids have a palmitic acid content of 10% or more, and a palmitic acid and stearic acid content of 90% or more, based on 100% of the fatty acid constituting the mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids and are essentially free from trans acids; and have a diester content of 50% by mass or more and monoester content of 5% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids.
US08399040B2	Dairy product compositions using highly refined cellulosic fiber ingredients A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in making dairy-containing products, especially cheeses, cheese spreads, cheese sauces, ice cream, ice milk, yogurt, sherbet, milk shakes, and the like. The product can replace shortenings and fats and oils, and can be used in these dairy products. A highly refined cellulosic materials (e.g., cellulose, modified celluloses, derivatized celluloses, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.) product can be prepared by generally moderate treatment and still provide properties that are equivalent to or improved upon the properties of the best highly refined cellulose products produced from more intense and environmentally unfriendly processes. Fruit or vegetable cells with an exclusively parenchymal cell wall structure can be treated with a generally mild process to form highly absorbent microfibers.
US08399039B2	Shelf stable liquid whitener and process of making thereof A shelf-stable, liquid whitening composition having a whitening agent and a stabilizing system are disclosed. The stabilizing system includes a gum component, preferably of a mixture of two different gum, present in an amount sufficient to suspend the whitening agent in the liquid whitening composition and in an aqueous media to which the liquid whitening composition is added, an emulsifier in an amount sufficient to maintain emulsion stability in the liquid whitening composition and in the aqueous media, and a cellulose component, preferably of a blend of a microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose blend, in an amount sufficient to help maintain suspension and emulsion stability of the liquid whitening composition alone and in the aqueous media. The stabilizing system maintains the liquid whitener in a homogeneous state for at least about 9 months at ambient temperatures, and further maintains the whitening composition in suspension when added to the aqueous media.
US08399038B2	Method for producing dried microbial cells An inexpensive heat treatment method for producing dried microbial cells is provided, wherein the method does not result in lowering the quality of the microbial cells or causing pulverization. The method includes a step of heating microbial cells to between 200 to 450° C. for 1 to 30 seconds.
US08399028B2	Antimicrobial silver solutions A method for preparing a concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions, including providing an amount of trisilver citrate, providing an amount of citric acid, wherein the amount of the citric acid is at least 19 times the amount of the trisilver citrate by weight, and mixing the trisilver citrate and the citric acid in an amount of water to produce the concentrated solution, wherein the amount of water is selected so that the concentrated solution has a citrate ion concentration which is at least 300 grams per liter. A concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions, wherein the concentrated solution has a silver ion concentration which is at least 10 grams per liter. A diluted solution prepared by adding water to a concentrated solution containing water, citrate ions and silver ions.
US08399027B2	Silver coatings and methods of manufacture A silver composition comprising silver sulfate and a method of coating the composition on a substrate is disclosed.
US08399023B2	Crystallization method and bioavailability Preparation, in-vitro and in vivo characterization of novel forms of (1-hydroxy-2-imidazol-1-yl-1-phosphono-ethyl)phosphonic acid, suitable for pharmaceutical compositions in drug delivery systems for humans.
US08399010B2	Highly-mineralized osteogenic sponge compositions and uses thereof Osteogenic sponge compositions having enhanced osteoinductive properties for use in bone repair are described. The compositions include a quickly resorbable porous carrier, a more slowly resorbed mineral scaffold and an osteogenic factor, preferably a bone morphogenetic protein. The compositions enable increased osteoinductive activity while retaining a reliable scaffold for the formation of new bone at an implant site. Methods for therapeutic use of the compositions are also described.
US08399007B2	Method for formulating a controlled-release pharmaceutical formulation Methods for making formulations of drugs and crystalline side chain polymers which formulations provide controlled and/or sustained release drug formulations.
US08398997B2	Compositions and methods for topical application and transdermal delivery of botulinum toxins A composition for topical application of a botulinum toxin (including botulinum toxin derivatives) comprises a botulinum toxin and a carrier comprising a polymeric backbone comprising a long-chain polypeptide or nonpeptidyl polymer having attached positively charged branching or “efficiency” groups. The invention also relates to methods for reducing muscle paralysis and other conditions that may be treated with a botulinum toxin, particularly paralysis of subcutaneous, and most particularly, facial, muscles, by topically applying an effective amount of the botulinum toxin and carrier, in conjunction, to the subject's skin or epithelium. Kits for administration are also described.
US08398992B2	Methods and compositions for polytopic vaccination The present invention relates to therapeutic and prophylactic methods for treating or preventing an infectious disease in a subject by stimulating or enhancing an immune response against an infectious agent causing the disease. The methods comprise administering to the subject a plurality of compositions, each composition being administered to a different site of the subject, wherein each site is, or substantially drains to, an anatomically distinct lymph node, a group of lymph nodes, a nonencapsulated cluster of lymphoid tissue, or the spleen. Each composition comprises at least one antigenic molecule having one or more epitopes of the same infectious agent or a strain thereof. The antigenic molecules of each composition comprise in aggregate a set of epitopes distinct from that of any other composition that is administered to the subject.
US08398991B2	Modified ESAT-6 molecules and improved vaccine strains of Mycobacterium bovis BCG A genetically modified strain of M. tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis BCG is provided, wherein the genetically modified strain comprises at least one modified sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, or both, having at least one mutation at T2, Q4, F8, A14, L28, L29, W43, G45, Y51, Q55, Q56, N66, M83, V90, M93, or F94 in SEQ ID NO:1; or at least one mutation at Q3, F7 A13, L27, W42, G44, Y50, Q54, N65, N67, M82, V89, M92, or F93 in SEQ ID NO:2, or a deletion at the terminal end of less than 20 amino acids. In a preferred embodiment, the mutation is at least one of T2H, Q4L, F8I, AI4R, L28A, L29S, W43R, G45T, Q55I, Q56A, N66I, N67A, M83I, V90R, M93T, or F94Q in SEQ ID NO:1, and Q3L, F7I, A13R, L27A, L28S, W42R, Q44T, Q54I, N65I, M82I, V89R, M92T, and F93Q in SEQ ID NO:2. Similarly, the genetically modified strain may also secrete ESAT-6 with a hexa-histidine tag, tetra-cysteine tag, or FLAG-tag, a GFP-fusion, or a short truncation at the C-terminal end of less than 20 amino acids.
US08398990B2	Glucan-based vaccines Anti-glucan antibodies have been found to be protective against systemic fungal infection with C. albicans, but the protective efficacy can be inhibited by blocking antibodies. The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising a glucan and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, characterized in that, when administered to a mammalian recipient, the composition elicits protective anti-glucan antibodies but does not elicit antibodies which inhibit the protective efficacy of the anti-glucan antibodies. The glucan may be presented on the surface of a protease-treated microbial cell or may be presented as a protein-glucan conjugate. The glucan may be substituted by a glucan mimotope, a peptidomimetic of a glucan mimotope, or nucleic acid encoding a mimotope. Anti-glucan-antibodies show broad spectrum microbicidal activity. β-glucans are preferred, particularly those containing one or more β-1,6 linkages.
US08398985B2	Antigenic polysaccharides and process for their preparation A robust and industrial scale process to afford highly pure antigenic polysaccharides is claimed.
US08398982B2	Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same. TAT113 polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 are disclosed. Antibodies that bind TAT113 polypeptides, including monoclonal, chimeric, humanized, single chain, and other antibodies, and fragments thereof, are disclosed. Methods of identifying antibodies that bind epitopes bound by such antibodies, including the antibodies produced by hybridoma cell lines disclosed in the application, are provided, wherein the ability of one antibody to block the binding of another antibody to a TAT113 polypeptide indicates that one antibody binds to an epitope bound by the other antibody. Methods of diagnosing the presence of a tumor in a mammal using such antibodies are disclosed, wherein detection of the formation of a complex between an antibody and a protein in a test sample is indicative of the presence of a tumor in said mammal. Methods of inhibiting the growth of a cancer cell that expresses a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, are disclosed, where the binding of the antibody to the protein inhibits the growth of the cell. Methods of inhibiting the growth of a cancer cell include methods wherein the antibody binds to the epitope bound by an antibody produced by a disclosed hybridoma cell line.
US08398981B2	Therapeutic agents for alzheimer's disease and cancer To provide a therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease and/or a cancer. The therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease and/or a cancer contains an anti-nicastrin antibody, a derivative of the antibody, or a fragment of the antibody or the derivative.
US08398980B2	Subtypes of humanized antibody against interleuken-6 receptor As a subtype of humanized PM-1 antibody against interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), there is provided antibody sub-type (1) whose one heavy chain C terminus consists of Pro-NH2 (447). As another subtype of humanized PM-1 antibody against interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), there is provided antibody subtype (2) whose both heavy chain C termini consist of Pro-NH2 (447). Furthermore, there are provided pharmaceutical compositions comprising these.
US08398975B2	Antibodies directed to αVβ6 and uses thereof Targeted binding agents, such antibodies directed to the antigen αVβ6 and uses of such agents are described. In particular, fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to the antigen αVβ6 are disclosed. Nucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR's), specifically from FR1 through FR4 or CDR1 through CDR3 are disclosed. Hybridomas or other cell lines expressing such immunoglobulin molecules and monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.
US08398974B2	c-Met antibodies Provided are monoclonal antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, and combinations of the foregoing, that bind to, and inhibit the activity of, c-Met, and that are effective in treating cancers and other diseases, disorders, or conditions where pathogenesis is mediated by c-Met.
US08398970B2	Method of preventing early Lawsonia intracellularis infections The present invention relates inter alia to the use of a combination of a vaccine against Lawsonia intracellularis and an anti-Lawsonia antibiotic for the prevention or reduction of early, preferably fulminant Lawsonia intracellularis infections. The present invention relates particularly to the use of a live Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in conjunction with an antibiotic that is effective against Lawsonia intracellularis, for the avoidance or reduction of early Lawsonia intracellularis infections in animals.
US08398969B2	Compositions and methods for the treatment of viral hepatitis The present invention discloses a novel apathogenic viral strain useful in the treatment of viral hepatitis infections. The preferred viral strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) is specifically characterized in terms of structure and biological activities. The invention also provides recombinant IBDV viral vectors for the inclusion of exogenous nucleic acid sequences enhancing the viral replication inhibitory effect of the virus of the invention. Preferably, the viral vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cytokine. A method of treating viral hepatitis in a host comprising administering an anti-hepatitis effective amount of the IBDV strain of the present invention also provided.
US08398968B2	Adenoviral expression vectors The present invention provides a recombinant adenovirus vector characterized by the partial or total deletion of adenoviral E2B function and having an expression cassette containing a heterologous sequence encoding a protein of interest inserted into the E1 region. Such vectors are designed to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of replication competent adenovirus contamination. Additionally, the expression cassette of the vector may contain one or more regulatory elements capable of increasing the expression of the heterologous sequence and/or reducing the expression of viral proteins. Such a reduction in expression of viral proteins reduces the cytotoxicty and immunogenicity of the adenovirus vectors when administered in vivo. Transformed production host cells and a method of producing recombinant proteins and gene therapy also are included within the scope of this invention.
US08398965B2	Scented soil for hunting and trapping The present invention is directed toward a wax and scent impregnated soil for use in hunting and trapping. The soil is dried and mixed with wax and a scent such as the urine of a target species. The wax makes the soil water resistant and prevents it from freezing. In addition, the wax increases the ability of the soil to retain the impregnated scent over a period of time. The soil is used to attract various animals to traps or target hunting areas. Alternatively, the soil can be spread around to disguise the scent of a hunter or trapper such that they are not detected by the animals they are pursuing. A repellant version can be made by using a repellant scent.
US08398962B2	Liquid sealant and methods of use The invention provides a composition useful for forming odor suppressing seals in waterless urinals. Methods of using the composition to form liquid seals as well as waterless urinals employing such liquid seals are further provided.
US08398961B2	Powdery styling agents and the dispenser systems thereof The present invention relates to agents for the setting and styling of keratin fibers, in particular human hair, from a suitable dispenser system in the form of a fine powder, which is optionally freshly ground, shaved or rasped only directly prior to use, and to the use of this preparation for the treatment of keratin fibers, in particular human hair.
US08398960B2	Styling agents giving a high degree of hold in humid conditions The invention relates to agents for temporarily shaping keratin fibers, said agents giving a very high degree of hold without impairing its flexibility and humidity resistance. The agents according to the invention contain, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, a) at least one copolymer A which contains at least one structural entity of formula (I)— wherein R is a C1-C30 alkyl group, a C1-C4 aralkyl group, a C2-C6 alkenyl group or a C2-C6 hydroxyalkyl group and X− is a physiologically acceptable anion, and which contains at least one further structural entity of formula (II)— wherein n is 1, 2 or 3 as the number of methylene entities; b) and at least one acrylate polymer B, which is different from copolymer A, selected from b1) polyacrylic acid and/or b2) copolymers of methacrylic acid with acrylamidopropane sulfonic acid and/or b3) copolymers of acrylic acid with methacrylic acid and acrylic esters and/or b4) copolymers of acrylic acid with methacrylic acid with acrylic esters and methacrylic esters and/or b5) copolymers of acrylic esters with methacrylic acid.
US08398946B2	Polycrystalline silicon and method for the production thereof Brittle polysilicon rods having a rod cross-section of 80-99% available for electrical conduction and a flexural strength of 0.1 to 80 N/mm2 are produced by a process wherein the temperature of the bridge of polysilicon rods in the Siemens process is held at a high temperature and the flow rate of chlorosilanes is increased to the maximum within a short time. The rods are easily fragmented with low force, resulting in polysilicon with a low level of metallic impurities.
US08398944B2	Air pollution control system and air pollution control method An air pollution control system 10A according to the present invention includes: a boiler 11 that burns fuel; NOx removal equipment 12 that decomposes nitrogen oxides in flue gas 25 discharged from the boiler 11; a desulfurizer 15 that causes sulfur oxides in the flue gas 25 having passed through the NOx removal equipment 12 to be absorbed by an absorbent, thereby reducing sulfur oxides in the flue gas 25, a waste-water treatment device 16 including a solid-liquid separating unit 31 that separates desulfurized waste water 28 discharged from the desulfurizer 15 into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, and a mercury removing unit 32 that removes mercury in the desulfurized waste water 28; and a treated waste-water returning unit (a makeup water line) 17 that returns at least a part of treated waste water 40 treated by the waste-water treatment device 16 to the desulfurizer 15.
US08398939B2	Microfluidic test module with low-volume hybridization chambers for electrochemiluminescent detection of target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid A microfluidic test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing configured for hand-held portability, the outer casing having an inlet for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, a hybridization chamber mounted in the casing, the hybridization chamber containing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for detecting the target nucleic acid sequences, each of the ECL probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, and electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, wherein, the hybridization chamber has a volume less than 900,000 cubic microns.
US08398938B2	Microfluidic thermal bend actuated pressure pulse valve A microfluidic thermal bend actuated pressure pulse valve having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid, an outlet for outputting the flow of liquid, a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, a movable member for contacting the liquid, and, a thermal expansion actuator for displacing the movable member to generate a pulse in the liquid to dislodge the meniscus such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.
US08398935B2	Sheath flow device and method A sheath flow system having a channel with at least one fluid transporting structure located in the top and bottom surfaces situated so as to transport the sheath fluid laterally across the channel to provide sheath fluid fully surrounding the core solution. At the point of introduction into the channel, the sheath fluid and core solutions flow side by side within the channel or the core solution may be bounded on either side by the sheath fluid. The system is functional over a broad channel size range and with liquids of high or low viscosity. A wide variety of shapes of fibers and other materials can be produced from this system through the use of polymerizable material.
US08398934B2	Coupling system for use with fluid displacement apparatus A magnetic coupling system may be used in a fluid displacement apparatus to magnetically couple a drive shaft to a piston. The magnetic coupling system may include first and second magnetic couplers at the ends of the drive shaft and piston, respectively. The first magnetic coupler and second magnetic coupler may be configured to exert an attractive force. A bearing between the magnetic couplers reduces friction and side loading.
US08398933B2	Device for preventing corrosion on a gas inlet nozzle during nitric acid condensation By a method and a device for preventing corrosion on and in the region of a gas inlet nozzle during nitric acid condensation, contact of the condensing gas with the nozzle and with the surroundings of the nozzle are supposed to be minimized. This is achieved in that the gas inlet nozzle has a sleeve on the inside in the transition region to the interior of the condenser, by which sleeve a gas inlet orifice in the form of an annular gap is formed, whereby the annular space is provided with at least one feed opening for secondary air, so that an enveloping flow of secondary air is produced around the entering NO gas.
US08398930B2	System for externally holding a catalyst bed in radial-flow reactor The invention relates to a system for externally holding a catalyst bed in a radial flow catalytic reactor, comprising a plurality of hollow longitudinal duct elements (2) regularly distributed in a peripheral ring around a central space (3) containing the catalyst bed and having a front filtering wall (5) facing the catalyst for the radial intake of a fluid to be treated in the catalyst bed (3). Each of the duct elements (2) is laterally defined by two lateral walls (6) radially oriented in the reactor (1) and comprising an assembling means for assembly with the respectively adjacent elements (2′) of the male member in female member (7, 8) type.
US08398927B2	Carbon nanotube manufacturing apparatus, carbon nanotube manufacturing method, and radical producing apparatus A carbon nanotube manufacturing apparatus includes a plasma generating unit that generates plasma including ions, radicals, and electrons, from gas; a carbon nanotube manufacturing unit that manufactures carbon nanotubes from the radicals; a shielding electrode unit that is provided between the plasma generating unit and the carbon nanotube manufacturing unit and prevents the ions and the electrons from entering the carbon nanotube manufacturing unit; and a bias applying unit that applies a voltage to the shielding electrode unit, wherein the shielding electrode unit includes at least two first shielding electrodes that are arranged one above another, each of the first shielding electrodes having at least one opening.
US08398924B2	SCR system with compensation element and motor vehicle having an SCR system An SCR system includes at least one reducing agent tank, a filter, a feed device and a reducing agent line for feeding and conducting a reducing agent. At least one compensation element has a volume through which the reducing agent flows and is suitable for varying the volume as a function of a reducing agent pressure. A motor vehicle having an SCR system is also provided.
US08398920B2	Drinking vessels and related systems and methods Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to determine an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of the alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, drinking vessels configured to measure alcohol content or other property of an alcohol-containing liquid held therein, other related components such as mat devices that facilitate determining the amount, and related methods. The systems, drinking vessels, and methods disclosed herein facilitate determination of an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, which may be indicative of an amount of alcohol consumed by a drinker.
US08398915B2	Method for making a fibrous article The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for a making a formed fibrous article and more specifically to method and apparatus for making a formed fibrous article useful as an absorbent core structure in a disposable sanitary article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, diaper or the like. The present invention also relates to a disposable sanitary article including a formed fibrous article according to the present invention as a core structure thereof.
US08398914B2	Systems and methods for deforming an outer wall of pipe A method of deforming an outer wall of polymer pipe is provided. The method includes: forming dual-wall pipe having a smooth wall and a corrugated wall; extruding an outer wall of pipe onto the corrugated wall of the dual-wall pipe; penetrating the outer wall of pipe with a vacuum punch; and drawing a vacuum between the corrugated wall and the outer wall via the vacuum punch; wherein the vacuum drawn between the corrugated wall and the outer wall causes the outer wall to deform in a direction towards the corrugated wall. An apparatus for forming an outer wall of pipe and a mold configured to form a coupling preform in a segment of continuously-extruded and molded polymer pipe are also provided.
US08398912B2	Apparatus and method for removing molded articles from their molds The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a plurality of molded articles from respective molds each having an external molding surface oriented according to a mold axis (X), said molds (12) being arranged with their axis (X) parallel. The apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of jaws (4,6), each corresponding to a respective mold (12) and including a first jaw (4) and an opposed second jaw (6) which are moveable with respect to the respective mold (12) according to a first relative motion, between an open position wherein the jaws (4, 6) are spaced apart from the mold (;12) and a closed position wherein the jaws (4, 6) engage the mold (12), and a substantially axial second relative motion, wherein the pair of jaws (4,6) is slidably displaced along the mold axis (X) so as to remove it from the mold (12). The jaws (4, 6), for the first relative motion, are linearly moveable in parallel directions which are radial to the respective mold axis (X).
US08398908B2	Plastics pipe A method for the production of a plastics pipe (9) comprising an inner core and an outer removable skin bonded thereto, which method comprises co-extruding molten polymeric materials forming the inner core and the outer removable skin layer from one or more extruder dies, bringing the polymeric materials together and allowing them to solidify, and conditioning the solidified polymeric materials at a temperature and for a time sufficient to influence the adhesion of the outer skin layer to the inner core, such that on cooling the adhesion of the outer skin layer to the inner core is sufficient to prevent substantial undesired relative movement between the skin layer and the core during installation of the pipe (9), but insufficient to prevent the outer skin layer from being clearly removed by peeling, at least at the ends of the pipe (9), and insufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the impact strength of the inner core.
US08398907B2	Process of making water-dispersible multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.
US08398899B2	Method for manufacturing optical waveguide A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: step A of forming a first resin layer 23 by allowing a first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended in a manner so as to bury and enclose cores 22; step B of forming a second resin layer 25 by allowing a second liquid-state resin having a viscosity higher than that of the first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended on the first resin layer 23, after or while the first resin layer 23 is heated; and step C of forming an over-cladding layer 26 by curing the first resin layer 23 and the second resin layer 25.
US08398896B2	Aluminum pastes and use thereof in the production of silicon solar cells Described are aluminum pastes comprising spherical-shaped and nodular-shaped particulate aluminum and an organic vehicle and their use in forming p-type aluminum back electrodes of silicon solar cells.
US08398892B2	Phosphor, method for producing the same and light-emitting device using the same The invention is a phosphor which includes a phosphor material having a composition represented by a general formula: M(0)aM(1)bM(2)x−(vm+n)M(3)(vm+n)−yOnNz−n, wherein M(0) is one or more elements selected from Li, Na, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, La, Gd and Lu; M(1) is one or more activators selected from Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; M(2) is one or more elements selected from Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Hf and Zr; M(3) is one or more elements selected from Be, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl and Zn; O is oxygen; N is nitrogen; and an atomic ratio of M(0), M(1), M(2), M(3), O and N is adjusted to satisfy the following: x, y and z satisfy 33≦x≦51, 8≦y≦12 and 36≦z≦56; a and b satisfy 3≦a+b≦7 and 0.001≦b≦1.2; m and n satisfy 0.8·me≦m≦1.2·me and 0≦n≦7 in which me=a+b; and v satisfies v={a·v(0)+b·v(1)}/(a+b) (wherein v(0) is a valence of M(0) ion and v(1) is a valence of M(1) ion). The invention also relates to a method for producing the phosphor and a light-emitting device using the phosphor.
US08398887B2	Liquid crystal compounds of butylenes A nematic phase liquid crystal compound with negative dielectric constant has a structure represented by wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or linear alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or linear alkenyl having 1-8 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy or alykenoxy formed by substituting one or nonadjacent two CH2 in the linear alkyl or alkenyl with oxygen atom, wherein 0 to 4 hydrogen atoms of R1 group can be substituted with fluorine; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or linear alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or R2 represents a linear fluoroalkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, in which group 1 to 4 hydrogens can be substituted with fluorine atoms; A represents a benzene ring or 1,4-cyclohexane ring, if A is a benzene ring 0 to 4 hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring may be substituted with fluorine; n=1 to 2, and m=0 to 2.
US08398882B2	Processes for the production of fluoropropanes and halopropenes and azeotropic compositions of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene with HF and of 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane with HF A process is disclosed for making CF3CF2CH3, CF3CF═CH2 and/or CF3CCl═CH2. The process involves reacting at least one starting material selected from the group consisting of halopropanes of the formula CX3CHClCH2X, halopropenes of the formula CClX2CCl═CH2 and halopropenes of the formula CX2═CClCH2X, wherein each X is independently F or Cl, with HF in a reaction zone to produce a product mixture comprising HF, HCl, CF3CF2CH3, CF3CF═CH2 and CF3CCl═CH2; and recovering the CF3CF2CH3, CF3CF═CH2 and/or CF3CCl═CH2 from the product mixture.
US08398878B2	Methods for producing and processing semiconductor wafers Semiconductor wafers are polished by a material-removing polishing process A, on both sides of the wafer, using an abrasive-free polishing pad, and a polishing agent which contains abrasive; and a material-removing polishing process B, on at least one side of the wafer, using a polishing pad with a microstructured surface containing no materials which contact the wafer which are harder than the semiconductor material, and a polishing agent is added which has a pH≧ to 10 and contains no substances with abrasive action. Preferred is a method for producing a semiconductor wafer, comprising the following ordered steps: separating a semiconductor single crystal into wafers; simultaneously processing both sides of the wafer by chip-removing processing; polishing the wafer, comprising a polishing process A and a polishing process B; and CMP of one side of the wafer, removing <1 μm.
US08398877B2	Method of forming openings in selected material A method is provided for forming an opening in a layer of a selected material. The method comprises, forming a polymer resist layer over said selected material and plasticising areas of the resist where openings are to be formed. The plasticising is performed by depositing a first solution onto the surface of said polymer resist layer, where the first solution is a plasticiser selected to increase permeability of the polymer resist layer to a second solution, in an area which has absorbed the first solution. The second solution is selected to be an etchant or solvent for the selected material. After the resist layer has been selectively plasticised, it is contacted with the second solution, which permeates the polymer resist layer in the area of increased permeability and forms an opening in the selected material.
US08398876B2	Method for chemical modification of a graphene edge, graphene with a chemically modified edge and devices including the graphene A method for chemical modification of graphene includes dry etching graphene to provide an etched graphene; and introducing a functional group at an edge of the etched graphene. Also disclosed is graphene, including an etched edge portion, the etched portion including a functional group.
US08398874B2	Methods of manufacturing semiconductors using dummy patterns A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. A pattern layer is formed on a substrate defined to include a main pattern region and a dummy pattern region. A preliminary main pattern and a preliminary dummy pattern may be formed by patterning the pattern layer so that an upper surface area of the preliminary dummy pattern facing away from a surface of the substrate is less than an entire area of the dummy pattern region that is be subjected to subsequent planarization. The preliminary main pattern and the preliminary dummy pattern are partially etched to form a main pattern and a dummy pattern.
US08398868B2	Directed self-assembly of block copolymers using segmented prepatterns An opening in a substrate is formed, e.g., using optical lithography, with the opening having sidewalls whose cross section is given by segments that are contoured and convex. The cross section of the opening may be given by overlapping circular regions, for example. The sidewalls adjoin at various points, where they define protrusions. A layer of polymer including a block copolymer is applied over the opening and the substrate, and allowed to self-assemble. Discrete, segregated domains form in the opening, which are removed to form holes, which can be transferred into the underlying substrate. The positions of these domains and their corresponding holes are directed to predetermined positions by the sidewalls and their associated protrusions. The distances separating these holes may be greater or less than what they would be if the block copolymer (and any additives) were to self-assemble in the absence of any sidewalls.
US08398866B2	Microchip for forming emulsion and method for manufacturing the same A microchip for forming an emulsion has a first glass substrate, a second glass substrate and a silicon substrate. The silicon substrate has formed therein a first fluid flow path through which a first fluid flows and a second fluid flow path through which a second fluid that is not mixed with the first fluid flows. The first fluid flow path has a plurality of branched flow paths that join at a joint portion. The second fluid flow path communicates with the joint portion. The silicon substrate has formed therein an emulsion formation flow path that faces an edge portion of the second fluid flow path at the joint portion. An emulsion composed of the first fluid and the second fluid that is surrounded by the first fluid is formed in the emulsion formation flow path.
US08398863B2	Water-purifying apparatus generating anions and processing method thereof Water-purifying apparatus which generates anions and processing method thereof, which activates water through generating anions to obtain good quality purified water corresponding to pure life-giving water. Raw water introduced into the water-purifying apparatus is introduced into an inflow pipe formed in a zigzag shape and rotating units are rotated by flow rate of the introduced raw water, to raise a vortex phenomenon to generate bubbles. Accordingly, anion content and dissolved oxygen amount increases. Moreover, filter members filter poisonous impurities in the raw water to provide good quality purified water. Generation of bubbles and anions activates water to obtain good quality purified water healthy and appropriate for humans, and provide effects such as promoting environment improvement of water quality purification in the water quality purification field, promoting health improvement of treating and preventing diseases in the medical field, and promoting growth of animals and plants in the life science field.
US08398853B2	Filter assembly, valve assembly, and water purifying system having the same A water purifying system having a bypass path supplies raw water to an outlet when a filter assembly is separated from a valve assembly. The water purifying system includes a valve assembly having a valve cover with an inlet and an outlet, and a head member moved up and down within the valve cover to form an inflow path and an outflow path, and a filter assembly removably connected to the valve assembly and mounted with a filter. When the filter assembly is connected to the valve assembly through a linear motion, the filter assembly advances the head member so that a fluid flown in through the inlet is guided to the outlet passing through the filter. When the filter assembly is separated from the valve assembly, the head member is retreated so that the fluid flown through the inlet is guided to the outlet bypassing the filter.
US08398848B2	Desulfurization of heavy hydrocarbons and conversion of resulting hydrosulfides utilizing copper metal The present invention is a process for desulfurizing hydrocarbon feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and regenerating the alkali metal compounds via the use of a copper metal reagent. The present invention employs the use of a copper metal reagent to convert spent alkali metal hydrosulfides in the regeneration of the alkali hydroxide compounds for reutilization in the desulfurization process for the hydrocarbon feedstreams. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of the processes disclosed herein, carbonates which may be detrimental to the overall desulfurization process and related equipment are removed from the regenerated alkali metal stream.
US08398845B2	Analysis device with replaceable test field support A measuring device for analyzing a sample liquid having at least one analyte is provided. A test field support housed in the device includes a number of individual test fields in communication with electrochemical measuring cells of the test field support. Reagents can be assigned to the electrochemical measuring cells which can react with a sample liquid. The reaction can lead to a measurable change of at least one quantity characteristic of the presence or concentration of an analyte in the sample. The measuring device includes evaluation electronics. The individual test fields on the test field support are accessible to the user after the measuring device has been opened.
US08398844B2	Method for diagnosing a NOx readings recorder Method for diagnosing a NOx readings recorder which acquires a NOx concentration in an exhaust gas tract of an internal combustion engine and comprises two measuring chambers (110, 120), wherein the exhaust gas to be measured is supplied to the first measuring chamber (110) and an oxygen concentration is set by means of a first oxygen ion pump current (IP1), wherein the second measuring chamber (120) is connected to said first measuring chamber (110) and wherein both measuring chambers are disposed in a solid electrolyte, the oxygen content in the second measuring chamber (120) is determined; the oxygen content is additionally determined by a separate device; the two values characterizing the oxygen concentration are compared and a defective sensor is then suggested if the oxygen concentration value determined in the second measuring chamber (120) deviates from the oxygen concentration value determined by the separate sensor device by a predeterminable magnitude.
US08398842B2	Electrochemical process for the preparation of nitrogen fertilizers The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the preparation of nitrogen fertilizers including ammonium nitrate, urea, urea-ammonium nitrate, and/or ammonia utilizing a source of carbon, a source of nitrogen, and/or a source of hydrogen. Implementing an electrolyte serving as ionic charge carrier, (1) ammonium nitrate is produced via the reduction of a nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a nitrogen source at the anode; (2) urea or its isomers are produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source; (3) ammonia is produced via the reduction of nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a hydrogen source at the anode; and (4) urea-ammonium nitrate is produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source, and anodic oxidation of a nitrogen source. The electrolyte can be solid.
US08398841B2	Dual anodization surface treatment A metal surface treated to have two anodized layers or regions may be used in electronic devices. The surface treatment may include performing a first anodization process to create a first anodized layer, removing the first anodized layer at select locations, and performing a second anodization process to create a second anodized layer at the select locations. The first and second anodized regions may have different decorative properties, such as color, and different structural properties, such as degree of abrasion resistance. One of the anodization processes may be hard anodization and the other may be standard anodization.
US08398839B1	System for particle concentration and detection A new microfluidic system comprising an automated prototype insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) triggering microfluidic device for pathogen monitoring that can eventually be run outside the laboratory in a real world environment has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of automated trapping and detection of particles. The system broadly comprised an aerosol collector for collecting air-borne particles, an iDEP chip within which to temporarily trap the collected particles and a laser and fluorescence detector with which to induce a fluorescence signal and detect a change in that signal as particles are trapped within the iDEP chip.
US08398838B2	Technical measure for gel electrophoresis shaping A technical measure for gel electrophoresis shaping that can make the gel electrophoresis generate no bubbles including in the gel, and can make a gradient gel being more accurate and more stable in quality. When liquid gel enters a collecting trough under continuous driving of a roller in the collecting trough to be injected into a carrier sheet set from a gel output port and a narrow seam, former injected liquid gel can be pushed upwards by latter injected liquid gel, and an accomplished product of gel can be obtained. If the collecting trough is input with two liquid basic materials, the liquid gel continuously output into the carrier sheet set can have a gradient.
US08398834B2	Target utilization improvement for rotatable magnetrons Rotatable magnetron sputtering apparatuses are described for depositing material from a target while reducing premature burn through issues. The rotatable magnetron sputtering apparatus includes electric coils wound on pole pieces to modulate the magnetic fields at the ends of the magnetron magnetic assembly. Changing the direction of electric current moves the sputtering region alternately around its normal central position to decrease the rate of erosion depth at the ends of the target material.
US08398830B2	Method and system for anodizing metals Disclosed therein are a method and a system for anodizing metals. The anodizing system includes: an electrolytic bath storing electrolyte of a predetermined amount therein; an anode line mounted on an upper portion of the electrolytic bath, the anode line having insulation blocks for dividing the anode line into several sections; a cathode line disposed outside the anode line, the cathode line having insulation blocks mounted correspondingly to the insulation blocks of the anode line for dividing the cathode line into several sections; a chain connected to a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket inside the anode line, the chain having a plurality of transfer blocks; and hangers electrically connected to the anode line and adapted to fixe and support objects to be plated, which are deposited in the electrolyte.
US08398828B1	Apparatus and method for treating aqueous solutions and contaminants therein The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising spaced-apart electrode structural support members extending from a first sidewall to a second sidewall, the spaced-apart electrode structural support members each having at least one photoelectrode and counterelectrode coupled to respective terminals adapted to be electrically coupled to a power supply, and at least one ultraviolet light source between the spaced-apart electrode support members.
US08398825B2	Remotely-operated mode shifting apparatus for a combination fluid jet decoking tool, and a tool incorporating same A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool, a decoking tool and method of operating same. The apparatus includes features to make it rotatably and translationally responsive to changes in pressure of a decoking fluid such that the apparatus is cooperative with the tool and the decoking fluid in a first operating condition to establish a drilling mode with one or more of the tool's drilling nozzles, and in a second operating condition to establish a cutting mode with one or more of the tool's cutting nozzles. In one form, the apparatus includes one or more sets of tandem seals disposed along a component interface within the apparatus or between the apparatus and the tool to help redundantly isolate seizure-sensitive components within the apparatus from the pressurized decoking fluid. In another form, the apparatus includes a gas spring to counteract the forces imposed by the pressurized decoking fluid. In another form, the apparatus includes a manual override connection.
US08398822B2	Thermally insulated Yankee cylinder The Yankee cylinder (1) for drying webs of cellulose material comprises a cylindrical shell (3) with a substantially cylindrical outer surface, whereto end heads (5) are fixed by welding; the shell and the heads define a hollow inside volume of the cylinder and the heads have respective support journals (7). An insulation (17) of the end heads is further provided.
US08398817B2	Chemical-liquid processing apparatus and chemical-liquid processing method Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus to improve the etching uniformity when a back surface of a substrate is etched with a high-temperature chemical liquid. The chemical-liquid processing apparatus removes a film formed on a substrate by etching with a high-temperature chemical liquid. The apparatus includes a substrate holding mechanism to hold the substrate horizontally in a state where a back surface of the substrate faces downward, a rotating mechanism to rotate the substrate holding mechanism by a hollow rotating shaft extending vertically, a chemical-liquid discharge nozzle to supply the high-temperature chemical liquid to the back surface of the substrate by discharging the high-temperature chemical liquid upwardly, and a chemical-liquid supply mechanism to supply the chemical liquid to the chemical-liquid discharge nozzle. The chemical-liquid discharge nozzle includes a plurality of outlets discharging the high-temperature chemical liquid to a plurality of contacting places on the back surface of the substrate in different distances from the center of the back surface of the substrate, other than the center of the back surface of the substrate.
US08398815B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a first radio frequency power supply for outputting a first radio frequency power, the first radio frequency power supply being electrically connected to a first electrode arranged in the processing chamber, a heater power supply for supplying electric power to a heating element provided in the first electrode, first and second power supply lines for electrically interconnecting the heating element and the heater power supply, and a filter circuit provided in the first and second power supply lines for attenuating radio frequency noises coming from the heating element. The filter circuit includes a first and a second air-core coil respectively provided on the first and the second power supply line at an initial stage of the filter circuit when viewed from the heating element, the air-core coils being in a coaxial relationship with each other and having substantially the same winding length.
US08398812B2	Apparatus and method for treating substrates A substrate treating apparatus for stripping photoresist on a substrate includes a support part for supporting the substrate, a dry-type treating part for stripping the photoresist on the substrate, and a wet-type treating part for stripping the photoresist on the substrate. While the substrate is supported by the support part, the photoresist on the substrate is primarily stripped by means of the dry-type treating part and secondarily stripped by means of the wet-type treating part. The dry-type treating part includes a plasma supply unit configured to supply plasma onto the substrate and a moving unit configured to vary a relative position of the plasma supply unit and the substrate.
US08398806B2	Method for manufacturing joined sheet material, joined sheet material and method for manufacturing optical display unit The invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a joined sheet product. The method comprising a first joining step including opposing a transverse end face of a first sheet product(1) to a transverse end face of a second sheet product(2) and joining release films of the first and second sheet products with a first joining member(30); a removing step including removing a portion of an intended member including at least a surface protecting member so as to leave at least the release film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive provided on the release film among the constituent members of both or any one of the first and second sheet products(1, 2), wherein the portion has a predetermined length from the transverse end face of the intended member; and a second joining step including providing a second joining member(40) on at least an exposed portion(40b) resulting from the removal of the intended member to join the surface protecting member sides of the first and second sheet products(1, 2).
US08398804B2	Pressure sensitive textile adhesive A method of wash-durably bonding integrated textile emblems such as patches, emblems, labels and cut textile parts to another textile article by laminating a pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive to the back surface of the textile emblem. The acrylic polymer adhesive has a storage modulus that is greater than a loss modulus throughout a frequency range of from 0.1885 Hz to 628 Hz where bonding and debonding are expected to occur, and is devoid of any cross linking additives or reagents. The integrated textile emblem with laminated pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive has improved adhesion to low-to-high energy surfaces, is not water soluble and is of adequate thickness to provide a wash-durable textile-to-textile bond capable of seaming or permanently attaching items such as textile panels, appliqué bearing text, numbers, logos and other indicia for the apparel, accessory and other industries.
US08398797B2	Production method of cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb filter A method for producing a cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb filter comprising the steps of introducing a plugging material of a cordierite-forming material into predetermined flow paths of a sintered, cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb having an outer diameter of 150 mm or more, and drying and sintering the resultant plugs, the sintering step comprising a temperature-elevating process, a temperature-keeping process and a temperature-lowering process, and the temperature-elevating process having a temperature-elevating speed of 70-500° C./hr from 800° C. to the highest keeping temperature.
US08398795B2	Method for producing a fiber connection component In a process of producing a composite fiber component, fiber-containing layers pre-impregnated with resin and dry fiber-containing layers are alternately deposited on one another. The pre-impregnated fiber-containing layers have an excess of resin. The fiber composite component is integrated by causing the excess resin of the pre-impregnated layers to infiltrate the adjacent dry fiber-containing layers.
US08398794B2	Method for manufacturing polishing pad A method for manufacturing a polishing pad, which may be laminated, with a small number of manufacturing steps, high productivity and no peeling between a polishing layer and a cushion layer includes preparing a cell-dispersed urethane composition by a mechanical foaming method; continuously discharging the cell-dispersed urethane composition onto a face material, while feeding the face material; laminating another face material on the cell-dispersed urethane composition; curing the cell-dispersed urethane composition, while controlling its thickness to be uniform, so that a polishing layer including a polyurethane foam is formed; cutting the polishing layer parallel to the face into two pieces so that two long polishing layers each including the polishing layer and the face material are simultaneously formed; and cutting the long polishing layers to produce the polishing pad.
US08398793B2	Apparatus and method for minimizing waste and improving quality and production in web processing operations Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.
US08398786B2	Precipitation hardening cold rolled steel sheet having excellent yield ratios, and the method for manufacturing the same Disclosed herein is a precipitation hardening cold-rolled steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same, which can be used for structural components such as seat rails and the like of a vehicle body. The steel sheet comprises, by weight %, C: 0.07˜0.1%, Mn: 1.4˜1.7%, P: 0.05˜0.07%, S: 0.005% or less, acid-soluble Al: 0.1˜0.15%, Nb: 0.06˜0.09%, B: 0.0008˜0.0012%, Sb: 0.02˜0.06%, and the balance of Fe and other unavoidable impurities. The steel sheet has a yield strength of 750 MPa or more and a yield ratio of 85% or more, and is free from surface defects due to a very low degree of oxide enrichment on the surface thereof.
US08398784B2	Dishwasher A dishwasher includes a washing container, devices for washing dishes by means of rinsing liquor, and a sorption drying device which is connected in an air-conducting manner to the washing container via an outlet of the washing container and an inlet of the washing container. The sorption drying device is provided with a sorption column encompassing reversibly dehydratable material and is disposed between a wall of the washing container and an exterior housing wall of the dishwasher.
US08398778B2	Control of bevel etch film profile using plasma exclusion zone rings larger than the wafer diameter A method of cleaning a bevel edge of a semiconductor substrate is provided. A semiconductor substrate is placed on a substrate support in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing apparatus. The substrate has a dielectric layer overlying a top surface and a bevel edge of the substrate, the layer extending above and below an apex of the bevel edge. A process gas is introduced into the reaction chamber and energized into a plasma. The bevel edge is cleaned with the plasma so as to remove the layer below the apex without removing all of the layer above the apex.
US08398775B2	Electrode and arrangement with movable shield The present invention comprises an electrode arrangement for a coating device with a stationary first electrode (3) and a second movable electrode (18), whose principle surfaces are opposing each other during coating, wherein the second electrode (18) may be moved along a plane parallel to the opposing principle surfaces, wherein at least one end face of an electrode running transversely to the principal surface an electrical shield (12, 19, 13) is provided, which extends at least partially parallel to the end face of one electrode, wherein at least one part (14) of the shield is formed so as to be movable.
US08398773B2	Thermal processing furnace and liner for the same A thermal processing furnace, comprising: a generally bell jar-shaped outer reaction tube having a central axis; and an open-ended inner reaction tube for accommodating a wafer boat holding a plurality of substrates, which inner reaction tube is substantially coaxially disposed within the outer reaction tube, thereby defining a gas passage between an outer wall of the inner reaction tube and an inner wall of the outer reaction tube, wherein at least one of the outer wall of the inner reaction tube and the inner wall of the outer reaction tube is provided with a flow deflector that protrudes radially from the respective wall into the gas passage.
US08398768B2	Methods of making an article of semiconducting material on a mold comprising semiconducting material The invention relates to methods of making articles of semiconducting material on a mold comprising semiconducting material and semiconducting material articles formed thereby, such as articles of semiconducting material that may be useful in making photovoltaic cells.
US08398767B2	Bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride and its application Bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride, grown on the seed at least in the direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of the seed growth, essentially without propagation of crystalline defects as present in the seed, having the dislocation density not exceeding 104/cm2 and considerably lower compared to the dislocation density of the seed, and having a large curvature radius of the crystalline lattice, preferably longer than 15 m, more preferably longer than 30 m, and most preferably of about 70 m, considerably longer than the curvature radius of the crystalline lattice of the seed.
US08398765B2	Controlling a melt-solid interface shape of a growing silicon crystal using an unbalanced magnetic field and iso-rotation A system for growing silicon crystals that facilitates controlling a shape of a melt-solid interface is described. The crystal growing system includes a heated crucible including a semiconductor melt from which a monocrystalline ingot is grown according to a Czochralski process. The ingot is grown on a seed crystal pulled from the melt. The method includes applying an unbalanced cusped magnetic field to the melt, and rotating the ingot and the crucible in the same direction while the ingot is being pulled from the melt.
US08398759B2	Environmental friendly anti-microbial adhesion agents for anti-fouling paints and anti-fouling paints containing them An ecologically compatible anti-microbial-adhesion agent is described, which is particularly suitable for use in anti-fouling paints, preferably for boats, characterized in that it comprises a compound selected from eugenol, vanillin, benzaldehyde substituted with one or two substituents selected from the groups —OH (hydroxy) and —OCH3 (methoxy), or any combination thereof. An anti-fouling paint is also described, particularly for boats, comprising the anti-microbial-adhesion agent mentioned above and other components selected from conventional biocides, solvents, resins, pigments, charges and fillings, and combinations thereof.
US08398755B2	Integrated membrane module for gas dehydration and gas separation An integrated fiber membrane module for air dehydration and air separation includes dehydration and separation units disposed concentrically in a generally cylindrical module. Air flows through the outer dehydration unit, becomes dried, and is then directed, in an opposite direction, through the separation unit. The permeate gas from the separation unit serves as a sweep gas for the dehydration unit. A portion of dried gas produced by the dehydration unit may be used as a sweep gas for the separation unit, and also for the dehydration unit. The module makes it feasible to dry and separate air using a device which occupies relatively little space, and which is therefore especially suited for use in aircraft and in other cramped environments.
US08398752B2	High efficiency low pressure drop synthetic fiber based air filter made completely from post consumer waste materials A non-woven textile based filter media is produced from polyester fiber generated using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles, and that non-woven textile based filter media is used to make an air filter. By controlling the diameters and lengths of the PET derived polyester fibers, a non-woven textile based filter media that exhibits a natural Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of about 8 (without requiring electrostatic treatment) and a pressure drop of 2.9 PSI or less can be achieved. A related exemplary embodiment is an air filter fabricated entirely from recycled materials, including a recycled cardboard frame, the non-woven textile based filter media made from recycled PET derived polyester fibers, and a support structure made of recycled plastic or metal wire.
US08398751B2	Direct stripping cyclone Systems and methods for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension are provided. An apparatus for the separation of a particulate-fluid suspension can include an enclosed vessel having two or more sections disposed coaxially along a common longitudinal centerline, wherein a first section has a first cross sectional area and a second section has a second cross sectional area. A plurality of apertures can be disposed about the second section. The apparatus can have a cylindrical surface, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the apparatus, disposed within the first section. A fluid distribution channel having a plurality of apertures can be disposed either about an exterior surface or an interior of the apparatus. A plurality of fluid conduits can provide fluid communication between the fluid distribution channel and the plurality of apertures distributed about the second section.
US08398748B2	Configurations and methods for acid gas absorption and solvent regeneration Contemplated configurations and methods include a solvent regenerator (58) that has an upper (93) and a lower stripping section (94). Cooled rich solve is used as reflux while heated rich solvent (11) is used as a source of stripping agent in the upper section (91). A reboiler (62) in the lower section provides further stripping agent, hi especially preferred configurations, a portion of lean solved from the regenerator (58) is further stripped in a separate or integrated regenerator (62) to form an ultra-lean solvent. Both lean and ultra-lean solvents are preferably used in a two-stage absorber (52) to thereby from the rich solvent and an offgas that is very low in acid gas.
US08398744B2	Method and apparatus for air pollution control A method, apparatus and system for minimizing a quantity of particulate matter entrained within a gas stream is provided. A coarse filter removes at least a portion of particulate matter having a relatively-large particle size from the gas stream. An agglomerator agglomerates particulate matter having a relatively-small particle size remaining in the gas stream into particulate clusters after the portion of the particulate matter having the relatively-large particle size has been removed by the coarse filter. An injector introduces an agglomerating material into the gas stream before the gas stream enters the agglomerator. The agglomerating material promotes agglomeration of the particulate matter having the relatively-small particle size into the particulate clusters. And a second filter receives the gas stream and removes at least a portion of the particulate clusters entrained within the gas stream exiting the agglomerator.
US08398743B2	Methods and systems for reducing carbon dioxide in combustion flue gases A method for processing flue-gas, in an exemplary embodiment, includes providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor, channeling a combustion flue gas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, and channeling an ammonia-based liquid reagent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor. The method also includes partially separating the ammonia-based liquid from the flue gas such that the ammonia-based liquid and the flue gas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by a plurality of pores of the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 within the ammonia-based liquid to produce a CO2-rich ammonia-based liquid.
US08398740B2	Method for the production of metal powder The invention relates to a method for leaching a material containing a valuable metal and precipitating the valuable metal as a fine-grained powder by changing the electrochemical potential of an intermediary metal in the solution. In the leaching stage the intermediary metal or substance of the electrolyte solution is at a high degree of oxidation and in the precipitation stage another electrolyte solution is routed into the solution, in which the intermediary metal or substance is at a low degree of oxidation. After the precipitation stage the solution containing the intermediary is routed to electrolytic regeneration, in which part of the intermediary is oxidised in the anode space back to a high potential value and part is reduced in the cathode space to its low value.
US08398738B2	Biochar production method and composition therefrom The invention is directed to a method for producing an oxygenated biochar material possessing a cation-exchanging property, wherein a biochar source is reacted with one or more oxygenating compounds in such a manner that the biochar source homogeneously acquires oxygen-containing cation-exchanging groups in an incomplete combustion process. The invention is also directed to oxygenated biochar compositions and soil formulations containing the oxygenated biochar material.
US08398737B2	Mat member and exhaust gas processing apparatus A mat member includes an inorganic fiber, an organic binder, and a material which expands at a temperature of approximately 130° C. to approximately 200° C.
US08398736B2	Cement for particle filter Jointing cement intended in particular for fastening together a plurality of filter blocks of a filtering body of an exhaust gas particle filter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a silicon carbide (SiC) content of between 30% and 90%. The cement according to the invention includes at least 0.05% and less than 5% of a thermosetting resin, the percentages being percentages by weight relative to the total weight of the thermosetting resin and the mineral material, apart from the possible water.
US08398734B2	Cyclonic separator with a volute outlet duct The invention relates to a cyclonic separator comprising a throat portion (4) arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section, to generate a swirling fluid flow in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet (7) for condensables depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet for condensables enriched fluid components (6). The cyclonic separator comprises a volute diffuser (9, 9′) connected to one of the outlets (6, 7), which comprises a volute outlet duct (90, 90′) defined by a volute axis (I1), forming a spiral shape around the central axis (I). The outlet duct (90, 90′) comprises a vortex chamber 95. The vortex chamber is provided to transform axial momentum of the swirling fluid flow with respect to the central axis (I) into tangential momentum with respect to the volute axis (I1).
US08398731B2	Fuel treatment device with gas supply and diffusion regions A fuel treatment device includes: a reforming section that produces a hydrogen-rich gas containing carbon monoxide and water; a converting section that produces a hydrogen-rich gas containing a lower concentration of carbon monoxide by reacting the carbon monoxide and the water in the hydrogen-rich gas; a mixing channel that produces a mixed gas by mixing the hydrogen-rich gas containing the lower concentration of the carbon monoxide with air containing oxygen; an air supplying section that is connected to an upstream end of the mixing channel and supplies the air to the mixing channel; and a selective oxidizing section that is connected to a downstream end of the mixing channel and converts the mixed gas into a fuel gas by reacting the carbon monoxide and the oxygen in the mixed gas, wherein the mixing channel includes a gas supply region at the upstream side and a gas diffusion region at the downstream side, and has two or more gas supply ports connecting the gas supply region with the converting section, and a length of the gas diffusion region is 0.5 to 2 times a length of the gas supply region.
US08398723B2	Emulsion dyeing composition containing at least one quaternary amine, at least one nonionic surfactant and at least one phosphate ester, and method of using same The present invention is drawn to a composition and method for dyeing keratinous substrates containing: (a) at least one fatty monoamine compound; (b) at least one nonionic surfactant; (c) at least one anionic silicone; (d) at least one dye chosen from oxidation dye precursors and direct dyes. The compositions of the present invention may optionally contain at least one thickening agent, at least one alkaline agent, at least one fatty substance other than a fatty acid, at least one salt, and at least one oxidizing agent.
US08398718B2	Acetabular cup with rotatable bearing member A prosthetic hip implant system includes a prosthetic femoral component having a stem portion, a neck portion coupled to the stem portion and a part-spherical head coupled to the neck portion. An acetabular component is provided which has a housing, the housing having a part-spherical inner surface having an open end with a circumferential rim portion. The rim portion has a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange. A bearing element is mounted within the housing and has a part-spherical first outer surface region engaging the part-spherical inner surface of the housing. The part-spherical first outer surface region extends at a first radius from a center. The bearing element has a second part-spherical outer surface region extending a distance from the center less than the first radius to form a stop surface for contacting the rim.
US08398717B2	Partial or complete prosthetic replacement arthroplasty of the distal radioulnar joint System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for replacement of at least one surface region of a distal radioulnar joint using at least one prosthesis. In some embodiments, the system may provide restoration of normal, unconstrained biomechanics of the joint, which may preserve rotation and translation and ensure durability of the joint.
US08398714B2	Dental bone implant, methods for implanting the dental bone implant and methods and systems for manufacturing dental bone implants A dental bone implant that comprises a first fitted bone graft sized and shaped to fit tightly to a buccal surface of a periodontal alveolar bone around at least one tooth and to reconstruct at least a portion of one or more periodontal bone defect and a second fitted bone graft sized and shaped to fit tightly to a lingual/palatal surface of a periodontal alveolar bone around at least one tooth and to reconstruct at least an additional portion of at least one periodontal bone defect. The portion and the other portion complementary cover the one or more periodontal bone defects.
US08398711B2	Speech valve A speech valve comprises a generally cylindrical body and a closure member which is slidably movable within the body between a closed position and an open position. The valve body and the closure member are formed of a rigid, smooth material which is resistant to the growth of biofilm such as a ceramic. A particular suitable ceramic is partially stabilised zirconia. The valve body is provided with an outer sleeve which is provided with radially outward extending annular flanges, which are used to retain the speech valve in a fistula between the oesophagus and the trachea.
US08398710B2	Breast implant system A breast implant system is provided comprising a plurality of chambers including one or more first fluid chambers (1) and one or more second fluid chambers (2). The first fluid chamber (1) forms part of a breast implant (10), whereas the second fluid chamber (2) may also form part of the breast implant or may be implanted remote from the breast implant. The first and second fluid chambers are interconnected so as to allow exchange of fluid between the first and second chambers, thereby causing the shape and, depending upon the specific embodiment, also the volume to change accordingly.
US08398707B2	Heart valve holder for use in valve implantation procedures The invention features a valve holder for a prosthetic valve having a stent with a stent base and multiple commissure posts projecting from the stent base. The valve holder includes (i) a central base portion, (ii) a plurality of legs radially extending from the central base portion, and (iii) a handle extending from the central base portion. At least one of the legs of the holder has a first prong portion separated from a second prong portion by a gap. The leg also has a of commissure post engaging member that is slideably engaged with the leg.
US08398706B2	Drug delivery after biodegradation of the stent scaffolding Disclosed herein is a stent comprising: a bioabsorbable polymeric scaffolding; and a coating comprising a bioabsorbable material on at least a portion of the scaffolding, wherein the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable polymer of the scaffolding is faster than the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable material of the coating.
US08398704B2	Stent for the positioning and anchoring of a valvular prosthesis in an implantation site in the heart of a patient The present invention relates to a stent for the positioning and anchoring of a valvular prosthesis in an implantation site in the heart of a patient. Specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable stent for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a narrowing of a cardiac valve and/or a cardiac valve insufficiency. So as to ensure that no longitudinal displacement of a valvular prosthesis fastened to a stent will occur relative the stent in the implanted state of the stent, even given the peristaltic motion of the heart, the stent according to the invention comprises at least one fastening portion via which the valvular prosthesis is connectable to the stent. The stent further comprises positioning arches and retaining arches, whereby at least one positioning arch is connected to at least one retaining arch.
US08398701B2	Flexible vascular occluding device A vascular occluding device for modifying blood flow in a vessel, while maintaining blood flow to the surrounding tissue. The occluding device includes a flexible, easily compressible and bendable occluding device that is particularly suited for treating aneurysms in the brain. The neurovascular occluding device can be deployed using a micro-catheter. The occluding device can be formed by braiding wires in a helical fashion and can have varying lattice densities along the length of the occluding device. The occluding device could also have different lattice densities for surfaces on the same radial plane.
US08398699B2	Drawstring for removal of stent A stent system includes a stent and a drawstring for removal of the stent.The drawstring includes an end string, a longitudinal string and a circumferential string. The end string is formed in an end of the stent body in an annular shape in such a way that the end string passes, in a zigzag manner, through mesh arranged in a circumferential direction of the stent body. A hook loop is formed by tying opposite ends of the end string to each other. The longitudinal string extends at a first end thereof from the end string in the longitudinal direction of the stent body. The circumferential string extends from a second end of the longitudinal string and is formed in an annular shape in such a way that the circumferential string passes, in a zigzag manner, through mesh arranged in the circumferential direction of the stent body.
US08398697B2	Bifurcation catheter assembly with distally mounted side balloon and methods A catheter assembly and related methods directed to a main balloon and a side balloon, wherein the side balloon is coupled in fluid communication with the main balloon at a location distal of the side balloon. In one example, a side inflation member couples the side balloon in fluid communication to the main balloon at a distal end portion of the main balloon. A side catheter branch of the catheter assembly, which defines a side guidewire lumen, can be operatively mounted to the side balloon at a side balloon connection point to help maintain alignment of the side catheter branch relative to the side balloon.
US08398692B2	System for optical stimulation of target cells Various systems and methods are implemented for controlling stimulus of a cell. One such method is implemented for optical stimulation of a cell expressing an NpHR ion pump. The method includes the step of providing a sequence of stimuli to the cell. Each stimulus increases the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell. Light is provided to the cell to activate the expressed NpHR ion pump, thereby decreasing the probability of depolarization events occurring in the cell.
US08398691B2	Surgical device for treating flat feet, and a corresponding surgical kit A surgical device for treating the pathology of flat feet, the device comprising an outer casing; and an expansion member suitable for moving inside said outer casing in a compression direction, for causing said outer casing to expand radially; the surgical device being provided with non-return check means shaped to allow the expansion member to move in the compression direction towards an operating position inside the outer casing and to oppose movement of the expansion member in the reverse direction once said operating position is reached, so as to prevent the expansion member from being expelled.
US08398690B2	Rotationally asymmetric bone screw Embodiments of the present invention provide rotationally asymmetric bone screws. Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms that reduce the bending stiffness of conventional shaft bone screws in order to yield a less-rigid fixation construct. Such a less-rigid construct enables a controlled amount of motion at a fracture site which in turn promotes bone healing. As a means to reduce the bending stiffness of positive-locking bone screws, embodiments of the present invention provide a bone screw having a non-circular cross-section over parts of the screw length and/or longitudinal slots along at least a portion of the bone screw.
US08398687B2	Volar plate fixation device Disclosed embodiments describe a volar plate generally for use treating distal volar fractures. The volar plate is designed in accordance with anatomical features and is generally Y-shaped, having a wider distal head portion that tapers to a narrower proximal body portion. A plurality of holes in the distal head of the volar plate allow for fixation means to fix the position of bone fragments with respect to the volar plate. The plurality of holes in the distal head basically form two substantially non-linear rows, with the distal row generally curving inward proximally and the proximal row generally curving outward distally such that the fixation means inserted through the holes generally converge. A central cavity may be located in the proximal body of the volar plate to promote bone growth, and mounting screws may border the central cavity on either side to provide secure support. Additionally, K-wire holes may be included which are visually linked to corresponding holes in the distal head.
US08398684B2	Bone anchoring member A threaded rod or pedicle screw for insertion into the pedicle portion of a vertebra and having at its exposed end a second threaded rod rigidly connected in a generally parallel orientation to the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw. The second rod being offset from the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw and having a locking pin or arm and retaining nut for affixing a rod to the pedicle screw substantially over and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw.
US08398679B2	Modular suture Sutures are provided having a first elongate body and a separate, second elongate body. The first elongate body includes a first connection structure and the second elongate body may include a second connection structure.
US08398678B2	Hallux valgus repairs using suture-button construct A technique and associated instrumentation for correcting large intermetatarsal angles that result from hallux valgus. The system includes a button and a suture loop attached to the button. A suture strand is threaded through holes in the button to attach the button to the suture. The suture ends are then brought together (by being swaged, spliced or cinched together, for example) to form the suture loop comprising a continuous, uninterrupted suture loop with a single strand of swaged-together ends. The swaged-together ends may be attached to a suture passing instrument such as a K-wire (Kirschner wire) that may be further used to drill a hole through the first and second metatarsals. The swaged-together ends of the suture are then passed through the drill holes in the first and second metatarsals; and the ends of the suture are pulled until the button abuts the second metatarsal. The swaged together portion of the suture loop is then cut, and the free suture ends are passed through holes in another (second) button. The suture ends are pulled to adjust the first metatarsal to a correct intermetatarsal angle, and the first metatarsal is secured in place by tying the ends of the suture together against the second button.
US08398674B2	Medical instrument with multi-joint arm A medical instrument includes a hollow shank and an instrument section arranged pivotable to the hollow shank proximate the distal end of this hollow shank. An instrument part is mounted in an axially movable manner in the pivotable instrument section. This instrument part, which may be a part acting in a direct manner on organs, tissue or the like, or preferably serves for movement coupling to such a part in the pivotable instrument section, is coupled in movement via a forcibly guided multi joint arm to an actuator, which is axially movably guided in the hollow shank
US08398670B2	Multi-layer braided structures for occluding vascular defects and for occluding fluid flow through portions of the vasculature of the body A collapsible medical device and associated methods of occluding an abnormal opening in, for example, a body organ, wherein the medical device is shaped from plural layers of a heat-treatable metal fabric. Each of the fabric layers is formed from a plurality of metal strands and the assembly is heat-treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired shape of the device. By incorporating plural layers in the thus-formed medical device, the ability of the device to rapidly occlude an abnormal opening in a body organ is significantly improved.
US08398667B2	Surgical device having indicia for cutting to size A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity. The apparatus may include a seal anchor member including a compressible material. The seal anchor member may be adapted to transition between a first condition for insertion of at least a portion of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and a second condition to facilitate a securing of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining a tissue tract. The seal anchor member may have proximal and distal ends and may define at least one port extending between the proximal and distal ends, the at least one port being adapted for the reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial scaled relation with the object. The seal anchor member may include indicia that indicates to a user a location at which the member may be cut so as to reduce the size of the member.
US08398662B2	Scoring catheter and method for treating diseased heart valves The present invention provides a valvuloplasty catheter which has a scoring element at its distal part to score stenotic, calcified heart valves in radial direction and to make the single valve flaps/leaflets work again. In addition to this, the device could comprise an attached balloon to post-dilate the valve after the scoring procedure. To reduce a future recalcification, the scoring element and/or the balloon have a pharmacologic coating on their outer surface.
US08398661B2	Suture guide and ruptured tissue repair A suture guide may include a base, a first tissue guard extending from the base, and two flanking posts affixed to the base on opposite sides of the tissue guard. The posts may extend from the base, and each of the posts may define a plurality of channels passing through its width. The channels may be so oriented that, for each post (a) the channels define suture needle guide paths in one or more planes, and (b) at least one channel passes through the first flanking post in a direction that is not parallel to a width axis W passing through the width of the first flanking post, so that it defines an oblique suture needle guide path. The first tissue guard may be connected to the base by a connector so adjustable as to control spacing between the posts and the first tissue guard.
US08398658B2	Device and procedure for minimally invasive closure of atrial septal defect without cardiopulmonary bypass A surgical device for closure Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) with minimally invasive approach includes a head portion which is movable and includes a distal jaw that is distal relative to a person holding the surgical device, a guide rod which drives the distal jaw, and a plurality of first suture-guide channels attached to the distal jaw, and a body portion which is stationary and includes a cylindrical base, a proximal jaw attached to the cylindrical base, and a plurality of second suture-guide channels attached to the proximal jaw, in which the guide rod drives the distal jaw to pass a pericardium patch through a patient's ASD while the proximal end remains extracorporeal, and the first suture-guide channels and the second suture-guide channels guide a suture thread to suture the pericardium patch onto an ASD rim.
US08398656B2	Clip applier and methods of use An apparatus for delivering a closure element can include a splittable carrier tube and a splitter to split the tube. The carrier tube can have an outer surface retaining a closure element in a tubular configuration and can be split into radially-expandable flaps. A closure element can have a shape-memory body having a relaxed configuration with a planar-annular body defining a lumen with tines directed inwardly from the body. The clip can be held in a retaining configuration having a substantially asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile and a proximal end having the tines being longitudinally directed with a first tine being more distally oriented compared to a substantially opposite second tine being more proximal, and retracting to a deploying configuration having a tubular shape with a rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional profile with the first tine being even with the second tine when being delivered.
US08398654B2	Implantable access port device and attachment system A system for attaching an access port to bodily tissue includes an access port assembly and including an access port having a generally central axis. The access port assembly further includes an attachment mechanism structured to enable the access port to be attached, for example, to an abdominal muscle of a patient. The delivery tool includes a handle having a generally longitudinal axis and a delivery head structured to engage the access port assembly, and an activation mechanism for enabling deployment of the attachment mechanism when the delivery head is so engaged with the access port assembly. The delivery tool is configured such that the longitudinal axis of the handle is spaced apart from the generally central axis of the access port when the delivery head is so engaged with the access port assembly.
US08398653B2	Surgical method utilizing a soft-tipped anvil A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure.
US08398652B2	Ear tag installation tool and method An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing. The piercing needle is automatically captured by the tool after installation to prevent contamination of the tissue sample by release of the needle onto the ground.
US08398650B1	Offset cup impactor with an expandable dome for double mobility implants An orthopaedic prosthetic inserter used for the implantation of double mobility implants is described. The inserter consists of a drive train, a C-shaped housing, and a prosthetic cup grabbing subassembly. The subassembly comprises a frustro-conical nose and an expandable dome. When activated by the drive train, the dome expands into the cup of the prosthetic to manipulate the prosthetic during implantation.
US08398647B2	Surgical instrument An instrument is provided for controlling the distribution of bone cement on a surface of a prepared bone so as to prepare the bone to receive a resurfacing prosthesis. The instrument includes a shaft having a shaft axis configured to at least partially disposed within the bore of the bone, and at least one arm coupled to the shaft. The at least one arm is configured to rotate about the shaft axis and shaped so as to contact the cement on the bone when the at least one arm is rotated about the shaft axis.
US08398646B2	Patient-specific knee alignment guide and associated method An orthopedic device for preparing a knee joint for a prosthesis in a patient includes a femoral alignment guide. The femoral alignment guide has a patient-specific three-dimensional curved inner surface preoperatively configured from medical image scans of the knee joint of the patient to nestingly conform and mate and match only in one position to a corresponding three-dimensional femoral surface of a joint surface of the patient. The femoral alignment guide has a first guiding aperture corresponding to a distal portion of the femoral surface and a second guiding aperture corresponding to an anterior portion of the femoral surface.
US08398635B2	Method and apparatus for minimally invasive treatment of unstable pelvic ring injuries The instant invention is a novel method for construct for temporary or definitive pelvic stabilization. The method uses the already established principles of anterior external fixation combined with internal hardware placed in a minimally invasive fashion. Fixation means are affixed to the ilia in the supra-acetabular position and a rigid, subcutaneous anteriorly bowed elongated plate is connected between the fixation means.
US08398634B2	Wristed robotic surgical tool for pluggable end-effectors In one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge is provided to couple to a mechanical wrist of a surgical instrument for a robotic surgical system. The replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge includes two pluggable end effectors and a pair of spring latches. The two end effectors are moveable end effectors having a jaw portion, an off-center portion, and a base portion in one embodiment. The replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge may further include a fastener to rotatably couple the end effectors together.
US08398631B2	System and method of treating abnormal tissue in the human esophagus An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.
US08398619B2	Flexible wrist-type element and methods of manufacture and use thereof A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.
US08398612B2	Catheter for vascular access and method for manufacturing the same Catheter (1) for vascular access comprising a cannula (2) having at least one first lumen (21), at least one first connection tube (3), and a connection molded simultaneously on an end of the cannula (2) and on at least one part of the first connection tube (3) and manufacturing process comprising the following stages: taking a cannula (2) having at least one first lumen (21), taking one first connection tube (3), placing in a mould one end of the cannula (2) and one end of the first connection tube (3), injecting into the mould a molding material to obtain the connection (4) between the end of the first connection tube (3) and the end of the cannula placing the first lumen (21) and at least the first tube (3) in fluid communication and device for implementing the manufacturing process.
US08398611B2	Compositions and methods for treating joints Compositions and methods are provided for treating joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and/or the pain associated therewith. The compositions and methods utilize a first component, namely hyaluraonic acid (“HA”), in combination with a lyophilized second component that is effective to at least temporarily reduce the viscosity of the HA. In an exemplary embodiment, the second component is one or more glycosaminoglycans (“GAG”), such as chondroitin sulfate (“CS”), including CS4 and/or CS6, dermatan sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate. The composition can optionally include other joint supplements, such as glucosamine (“GlcN”).
US08398609B2	Diastolic coronary perfusion detection for timed delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents During diastolic coronary perfusion, blood perfuses through the heart via the coronary arteries. Delivery of a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent to the heart during diastolic coronary perfusion allows the therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent to efficiently perfuse through the heart. A medical device according to the invention detects closure of the aortic valve of a heart, and initiates delivery of a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent upon detection of aortic valve closure. The medical device detects aortic valve closure by processing a signal. Exemplary signals used by the medical device to detect aortic valve closure include left or right ventricular accelerometer signals, left or right ventricular flow signals, left or right ventricular pressure signals, aortic pressure signals, pulse pressure signals, systemic arterial pressure signals, electrogram signals, and phonocardiogram signals.
US08398608B2	Syringe guard with selected needle configurations A device for expelling a fluid through a needle mounted on a hub includes an elongated luer member that has a distal portion dimensioned to engage the needle hub to provide fluid communication between the luer member and the needle. An adapter anchors the luer member within the device. Slidingly mounted on the adapter is a cylindrical-shaped inverted plunger that is movable thereon between an advanced position and a withdrawn position. A needle guard is biased by a biasing member to extend distally from the luer member when the plunger is in the advanced position. The guard is selectively engageable with the plunger to be retracted to expose the distal portion of the luer member for fluid engagement with the needle hub when the plunger is moved to the withdrawn position.
US08398604B2	Methods and devices for applying closed incision negative pressure wound therapy Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for treating an incision. The device includes a generally planar tension relief module, comprising a central structure in fluid communication with the incision, wherein at least a portion of the central structure is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the incision; and opposing adhesive structures coupled to the central structure and a flexible sealant structure comprising a lower adhesive surface and sized to seal over the tension relief module forming a sealed flow pathway. The opposing adhesive structures are adapted to be stretched from a relaxed configuration to a first tensile configuration and to return towards the relaxed configuration from the first tensile configuration into a second tensile configuration and impart a contracting force in a direction that is towards the opposing adhesive structure.
US08398598B2	Flashback chamber visual enhancement Featured is a medical infusion device for vascular access with enhanced flashback visualization that includes a hub assembly having a flashback chamber. The hub assembly includes a proximal portion, a distal portion and a substantially transparent window section intermediate the proximal portion and distal portion. A needle is coupled to the flashback chamber so that fluid flows through the lumen of the needle into the flashback chamber after the needle is inserted into a blood vessel. A contrasting member is disposed on at least a portion of the hub assembly, so that when blood enters the flashback chamber, the contrasting member provides a high-contrast background when viewed through the window section.
US08398597B2	Needle shield and interlock A needle shield system may include a needle, an inner tube, a clip within the inner tube, an outer tube, and/or a housing. A method of shielding a needle may include housing a portion of a needle within a clip, housing the clip within an inner tube, housing the inner tube within an outer tube, housing the outer tube within a housing, interlocking the outer tube and the housing, withdrawing the needle from the clip, trapping a tip of the needle between the clip and the inner tube, partially withdrawing the inner tube from the outer tube, and/or releasing the outer tube and the housing from each other.
US08398596B2	Needle assemblies and methods A needle assembly comprises a metal needle (1) with a hub (13) and a marker in the form of a bubble-filled plastics rod (2) inserted within the needle. The rod (2) makes the assembly more visible under ultrasound observation when confirming correct placement of the needle (1) and is subsequently removed when correct placement has been confirmed.
US08398595B2	Infusion pump An apparatus for delivering fluid at a substantially constant flow rate includes a pair of substantially rigid surface elements for defining a volume that is variable according to constrained separation of the pair of surface elements. The apparatus further includes a support member disposed within the volume defined by the pair of surface elements; and a holding reservoir disposed within the volume defined by the pair of surface elements. The holding reservoir is attachably fastened at a first end to the support member and attachably coupled at a second end to the pair of surface elements.
US08398588B1	System and method for inflation syringe with improved display and modularized component assembly An inflation syringe having an improved display and modularized component assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing both numeric and non-numeric indications of an inflation pressurization associated with an inflation syringe. A modularized component assembly for an inflation syringe allowing independent components to be tested independent of the other components of the inflation syringe.
US08398587B2	Steerable tube A steerable tube (100), comprising a hollow elongate tubular member (1) having a proximal end (2), distal end (3), a wall surface disposed between said proximal (2) and distal end (4), a bend-resistive zone (6) flanked by a proximal bendable zone (4) that forms a controller and a distal bendable zone (5) that forms an effector that moves responsive to movements of the controller, whereby the wall of the tubular member (1) in the bend-resistive zone (6) comprises a structure that is a plurality of longitudinal slits (7), forming a plurality of longitudinal strips (8, 8′), the wall of the tubular member (1) in the proximal bendable zone (4) and the distal bendable zone (5) comprises a structure that is a plurality of longitudinal wires (9, 9′, 10, 10′), at least one strip (8) is in connection with a wire (9) in the proximal bendable zone (4) and a wire (10) in the distal bendable zone (5), such that translation by said wire (9) in the controller is transmitted via the strip (8) to said wire (10) in the effector, a proximal annular region (11) of the tubular member (1), proximal to the proximal bendable zone (4) to which the proximal wires (9) are anchored, a distal annular region (12) of the tubular member (1) distal to the distal bendable zone (5) to which the distal wires (10) are anchored.
US08398586B2	Low profile, pivotal connection infusion assembly This invention relates to therapeutic infusion assemblies, more specifically a device for the subcutaneous delivery of a fluid from a remote source. Applicant provides a base assembly which has a fluid channel therein and a cannula extending vertically downward from a flat bottom. A fluid connector member which receives a fluid bearing line from the remote fluid source and the fluid connector member pivotably and removably connects to the base member. The manner of connection is “hinged” allowing the fluid connector to move from a non-use position by rotation downward to a used position. In the use position a fluid channel in the fluid connector will connect with a fluid channel in the base to provide fluid to the cannula and to the patient.
US08398584B2	Breast pump and method of use A breast pump convertible between a single breast pump mode and a double breast pump mode. The breast pump includes a pump and a conduit assembly coupled to the pump and at least one breast shield. The breast pump is operable to convert between the single breast pump mode and the double breast pump mode while maintaining substantially the same vacuum level applied to one of the breasts.
US08398583B2	Method and apparatus for extraction of a sample from a sample source The present invention relate to a method and corresponding apparatus for extraction of a sample from a sample source. A fluid is injected into the sample source and the sample source is vibrated. A sample is withdrawn from the vibrated sample source and the sample source is evaluated by measuring one or more identifying parameters in the withdrawn sample.
US08398577B2	Implantable fluid management device for the removal of excess fluid A device for removing fluid from a first bodily cavity and for directing that fluid into a second bodily cavity while avoiding risks of infection and, in one embodiment, excessive dehydration of the first bodily cavity. The device includes an uptake tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the first bodily cavity and a distal end in fluid communication with a pump, and an outflow tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with the pump and a distal end in fluid communication with the second bodily cavity. The distal end of the uptake tube may be coupled to a reservoir configured to expand upon ingression of fluid into the reservoir and to contract upon removal of fluid due to a negative pressure provided by the pump.
US08398575B1	Early warning and shutdown system for hemodialysis An early warning and shutdown system that connects to a fluid loss detection device for dressings at pre-existing port sites, catheter sites, operative sites, ostomy sites, drain sites, line sites such as those utilized in hemodialysis, wound sites, or other areas for which monitoring of fluid or blood loss is medically indicated. The early warning and shutdown system sounds an alarm when the fluid loss detection device senses a loss of fluid, and then compresses a return tube carrying such fluid to stop further fluid loss if the fluid loss continues.
US08398570B2	Wide band vibrational stimulus device An eccentric mass (EM) motor in a vibrotactile transducer provides a wide band vibrational stimulus to a mechanical load in response to an electrical input. The eccentric mass and motor may form part of the transducer actuator moving mass, which is in contact with a load, i.e, the skin of a user. The moving mass and the actuator housing may be in simultaneous contact with the load. The moving mass may be guided by a spring between the actuator housing and the moving mass. The load, moving mass, spring compliance, and housing mass make up a moving mass resonant system. The spring compliance and system component masses may be configured to maximize the actuator displacement and/or tailor the transducer response to a desired level. This configuration may be implemented as a low-mass wearable wide-band vibrotactile transducer.
US08398569B1	Apparatus for generating a vibrational stimulus using a rotating mass motor The present invention provides a novel implementation of a low cost eccentric mass motor vibrotactile transducer providing a point-like vibrational stimulus to the body of a user in response to an electrical input. Preferably the eccentric mass and motor form part of the transducer actuator moving mass. The actuator moving mass is constrained into vertical motion by a spring between the actuator housing and moving mass. The actuator moving mass is in contact with a skin (body) load. The actuator housing is in simultaneous contact with the body load. The body load, actuator moving mass, spring compliance and housing mass make up a moving mass resonant system. The spring compliance and system component masses can be chosen to maximize the actuator displacement and/or tailor the transducer response to a desired level. The mass of the motor/contactor assembly, mass and area of the housing, and the compliance of the spring are chosen so that the electromechanical resonance of the motional masses, when loaded by the typical mechanical impedance of the skin, are in a frequency band where the human body is most sensitive to vibrational stimuli 150-300 Hz. This configuration can be implemented as a low mass wearable vibrotactile transducer or as a transducer that is mounted within a soft material such as a seat. A particular advantage of this configuration is that the moving mass motion can be made almost independent of force loading on the transducer housing.
US08398567B2	Method and apparatus for measuring an analyte in a body fluid An apparatus and method for analyzing an analyte in a body fluid sample using a lancing device (10) having a hollow lancet are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the acts of lancing the skin of a test subject with the hollow lancet (18) having an interior of the hollow lancet (18) that forms a capillary channel, collecting a body fluid sample from the lanced skin in the capillary channel of the hollow lancet (18), and analyzing the body fluid sample for determining the analyte concentration in the body fluid sample while the collected body fluid sample remains in the lancet (18).
US08398565B2	Guide block for biopsy or surgical devices One embodiment having features of the invention is directed to a guide block for an MRI device which has a block body with a proximal face, a distal face, and four parallel passageways extending between the two faces. The first passageway is centrally disposed, the second passageway is disposed vertical or horizontal to the first, the third passageway is located diagonal to the first and has a longitudinal opening in fluid communication with the first passageway, and the fourth passageway is diagonal to the first and in an opposite side of the body from the third passageway. In an alternative embodiment the guide block has at least one passageway that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis.
US08398564B2	Method for determining relationships between different pressure-related signals derivable from a human or animal body or body cavity This invention describes a method for processing pressure signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. A major aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining relationships between different pressure-related signals with the purpose of obtaining signals predicting pressures inside a body or body cavity from pressure signals outside said body or body cavity. According to the invented method different formula-based relationships for specific types of signals and locations and sensor types are determined, which provides for a reference that can be applied on new and individual non-invasive pressure measurements. Thereby continuous pressure-related signals from a non-invasive source may be processed in a way that makes the continuous non-invasive pressure signals highly predictable of the pressures inside the body or body cavity.
US08398563B2	Method and apparatus for hair cell stimulation using acoustic signals A method for hair cell stimulation includes determining a frequency band corresponding to damaged hair cell region in accordance with a preset algorithm, determining the frequency band corresponding to the damaged hair cell region as a target frequency band, and outputting an acoustic signal with given intensity to the target frequency band so as to stimulate the damaged hair cell region. The method treats hearing loss by acoustic signal.
US08398561B2	Motivational spirometry system and method A method is disclosed for motivating a user of a spirometry system having a display screen, an air-tube, a flow measurement sensor operatively associated with the air-tube, a display screen, and an associated processor. A motivational animation is displayed on the display screen having a first aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined peak flow rate to a goal value therefor and having a second aspect that reflects a relative evaluation of a determined total flow volume to a goal value therefor. The processor repeatedly updates the motivational animation during the period of use of the spirometer to reflect the degree of achievement of both of the goal values by the user.
US08398559B2	Methods and apparatus for improving time domain relationships between signals obtained from respiration Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.
US08398557B2	Spread-spectrum method for determining physiological parameters An apparatus including a receiver and an extractor is provided for determining a physiological parameter of a living being. The receiver is adapted to receive iterating optical signals, the optical signal including sequences, and a sequence including at least two bright periods during which a transmit light source adopts an on state and at least one dark period during which no transmit light source adopts an on state, and the at least two bright periods being irregularly arranged within a sequence. In addition, the apparatus includes an extractor. The extractor extracts information on the physiological parameter from a receive signal, the extractor being adapted to extract, on the basis of the information on the arrangement of the bright periods within the sequence, a value of a magnitude indicating a vital parameter.
US08398554B2	Harmonic cMUT devices and fabrication methods Harmonic capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a harmonic cMUT device generally comprises a membrane having a non-uniform mass distribution. A mass load positioned along the membrane can be utilized to alter the mass distribution of the membrane. The mass load can be a part of the membrane and formed of the same material or a different material as the membrane. The mass load can be positioned to correspond with a vibration mode of the membrane, and also to adjust or shift a vibration mode of the membrane. The mass load can also be positioned at predetermined locations along the membrane to control the harmonic vibrations of the membrane. A cMUT can also comprise a cavity defined by the membrane, a first electrode proximate the membrane, and a second electrode proximate a substrate. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08398552B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for performing serial transfer between an ultrasonic probe and an apparatus main body, stable image formation can be performed even when transfer quality is poor while realizing downsizing of the ultrasonic probe. The apparatus includes: (i) an ultrasonic probe including a reception signal processing unit for generating parallel sample data based on reception signals outputted from plural ultrasonic transducers, a parallel/serial conversion unit for converting the parallel sample data into serial sample data, and a communication unit for transmitting the sample data; and (ii) an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body including a storage unit for storing the sample data of at least one frame transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and an image forming unit for generating an image signal by performing reception focusing processing on the sample data with respect to every one frame read out from the storage unit.
US08398551B2	Capacitive ultrasonic transducer, production method thereof, and capacitive ultrasonic probe It becomes possible to obtain high sound pressure in a high frequency domain by a capacitive ultrasonic transducer which comprises a membrane on which one electrode is formed, a cavity constructed in its backface, and a substrate on which these are mounted and supported and on whose surface an electrode is provided, on a surface in an ultrasonic transmission and reception side, characterized in that the membrane comprises tow or more layers, and at least one layer of them comprises a high dielectric constant film.
US08398545B2	Laryngoscope with a movable image-capturing unit A laryngoscope a handgrip, a blade, and an image-capturing unit for capturing an image. The blade is connected to the handgrip, and the image-capturing unit is movably secured on the blade. In use, users may adjust the view of the laryngoscope by moving the image-capturing unit.
US08398542B2	Living body observation system and method of driving living body observation system A living body observation system of the invention includes a living body information acquiring apparatus including: a living body information acquiring section; a wireless transmission section; a power source section for supplying driving power for driving the living body information acquiring section and the wireless transmission section; a magnetic field detecting section for outputting a detection result of a magnetic field from outside as an electric signal; and a power supply control section for controlling a supplying state of the driving power based on the electric signal, a magnetic field generating coil, a driving circuit for outputting a drive signal to the magnetic field generating coil, a switch for switching a generation state of a magnetic field, and a timer for outputting a signal for stopping output of the drive signal when a predetermined period has passed following switching from off to on of the switch.
US08398538B2	Sleep management method and system for improving sleep behaviour of a human or animal in the care of a carer A sleep management method and system for use by a carer to improve the sleep behavior of a child in their care by monitoring one or more objective parameters relevant to sleep quality and providing one or more recommendations for behavioral programs and/or actions to the carer via a portable user interaction device such as a mobile phone. Such a system can also be adapted for use in looking after adults and animals such as domestic pets.
US08398537B2	Peripheral seal for a ventricular partitioning device A partitioning device for separating a patient's heart chamber into a productive portion and a non-productive portion which is suitable for treating patients with heart disease, particularly congestive heart failure. The partitioning device has a reinforced membrane with outwardly biased members to help seal the periphery of the membrane against the wall of the patient's heart chamber. In one embodiment, the outwardly biased member is an expansive strand that extends between adjacent ribs of an expandable frame which reinforces the membrane. In another embodiment, the outwardly biased member is a hydrophilic body such as foam which swells upon contact with body fluid such as blood in the heart chamber. The reinforced membrane has a central hub with a distally extending support stem with a plurality of feet which extend radially from a centerline axis and preferably have ends that are aligned in a common plane. The ends of the pods which extend radially away from the centerline axis may be interconnected by flexible struts and/or webs.
US08398536B2	Implantable two-chamber system for supporting the left ventricle of the heart An implantable two-chamber system is for supporting the left ventricle of the heart. Each of the two pumping chambers (1, 1′) of the two-chamber system is ventricular shaped including an inlet (11) and an outlet (12). A pressure plate (2) is rotatably mounted externally in two arms (5) which are movably retained on the output shaft (9) of a drive unit (15) such that the center of motion (8) of the arms (5), which lies on the output shaft (9), is located on the side of the pumping chamber (1, 1′) facing away from adapters (4, 4′), and thus outside the pumping chambers (1, 1′). Each of the ventricular pumping chambers (1, 1′) is provided with a bulge (13) in order to reduce the resistance to fluid flow, this bulge (13) having a length ranging from 10 to 15 percent of the length of the pumping chamber.
US08398535B2	Catheter assembly for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity A catheter assembly for delivering a radiation source into a body cavity includes a catheter shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. An inflatable balloon is coupled to the catheter shaft between the distal end and the proximal end. A dose delivery lumen extends along the catheter shaft between the proximal end and the distal end. The dose delivery lumen is configured to receive the radiation source. A radioabsorptive portion is surrounded by the inflatable balloon.
US08398534B2	Expandable brachytherapy device A brachytherapy device including an elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes a movable surface portion surrounding at least the distal portion of the elongate member and a plurality of source lumen tubes defining respective source lumens, the source lumen tubes being located around the elongate member, distal ends of the source lumen tubes coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, the source lumen tubes extending a sufficient distance in a proximal direction such that the source lumen tubes extend outside a body when distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy. The device also has structure coupled to the distal ends of the source lumen tubes for positioning the distal portions of the source lumen tubes at different distances from the elongate member for brachytherapy by exerting a force in a proximal direction on the distal ends of the source lumen tubes, the structure including an actuator for actuating the structure, at least a portion of the actuator being located outside the body when the distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy. The device also includes a ring, tube or manifold securing a portion of the source lumen tubes proximal to the distal portion around the elongate member and a source of radiation suitable for insertion into the source lumens.
US08398532B2	Developer rolls having a tuned resistivity Developer roll having a conductive or semi-conductive soft rubber core and a coating deposited in the soft rubber core wherein the coating has a conductive agent. The outer surface of the soft rubber core is modified before the coating is deposited onto the outer surface of the soft rubber core. Methods for making the same.
US08398524B2	Multi-speed transmission with eight torque-transmitting mechanisms A transmission includes an input member, an output member, an intermediate shaft, and a simple planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. The transmission has five sets of intermeshing gears, some of which are arranged to transfer torque from the input member to the layshafts, and others of which are arranged to transfer torque from the layshafts to the intermediate member or the simple planetary gear set. The transmission has eight torque-transmitting mechanisms, including one torque-transmitting mechanism that is selectively engagable to connect the input member for common rotation with the intermediate member. The other seven torque-transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engagable to connect a different respective gear of the sets of intermeshing gears to a respective one of the layshafts or to a stationary member.
US08398518B2	Continuously variable transmission Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle (112) is adapted to receive a carrier assembly (101, 400, 600, 800) to facilitate the support of components in a CVT (100). In another embodiment, a carrier includes a stator support member (206, 304, 402, 502, 602, 802) and a stator interfacial member (208, 504). In some embodiments, the stator interfacial member is configured to interact with planet subassemblies of a CVT. Various inventive planet subassemblies (108, 406, 806) and idler assemblies (109, 700) can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the planet subassemblies include legs (244, 2444, 424, 810) configured to have a sliding interface with a carrier assembly. Embodiments of a hub shell (102), a hub cover (104) are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
US08398517B2	Journal bearing with single unit jumper tube and filter A journal bearing includes a central body having first passageway and a filter module. The central body extends axially and is adapted to be supported at each outer end. The first passageway extends generally axially through a portion of the central body. The filter module is disposed in the first passageway and is configured to trap debris from a lubricant fluid flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter module is adapted to be inserted and removed from the first passageway as a single unit, thereby allowing the filter module to be connected and disconnected from fluid communication with a lubricant manifold positioned adjacent the journal bearing.
US08398511B2	Inflatable latex neoprene bladders The present invention relates to inflatable neoprene bladders and method of manufacturing inflatable neoprene bladders. The invention also relates to inflatable articles having an inflatable neoprene bladder wherein the article has an idealized shape and superior resiliency and air retention. Finally, the invention relates to sportsballs and gameballs having an inflatable neoprene bladder.
US08398507B2	Golf ball with single layer core having specific regions of varying hardness A golf ball comprising a single layer core formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, and a cover layer disposed thereabout. The single layer core has an inner core region disposed about the geometric center and an outer core region that is disposed about the inner core region and is adjacent the outer surface, the outer core region having a thickness of about 15 mm or less. The inner core region has a hardness that increases radially from the geometric center toward the outer core region in a plurality of increments of about 5 Shore C. The inner core region has a first hardness (IC1h) and the outer core region has a second hardness (OC2h) such that (OC2h)>(IC1h) and a hardness of the outer surface (OSh) is greater than a hardness of the geometric center (GCh), represented by the relationship (OSh)>(GCh).
US08398503B2	Golf club A golf club comprises a shaft, a club head, and a connection assembly that allows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the club head. In particular embodiments, the connection assembly includes a removable hosel sleeve that allows a shaft to be supported a desired predetermined orientation relative to the club head. In this manner, the shaft loft and/or lie angle of the club can be adjusted without resorting to traditional bending of the shaft. In another embodiment, the club head has an adjustable sole that can be adjusted upwardly and downwardly relative to the strike face of the club head, which is effective to adjust the face angle of the club head.
US08398502B2	Hitting position detecting device, hitting position detecting method, and method of manufacturing hitting position detecting device A hitting position detecting device includes: a golf club which includes a shaft having a grip portion and a head portion having a face portion with a hitting surface and a rear surface and attached to the front end of the shaft; vibration wave sensors which is arranged on the side of the rear surface of the face portion and is fixed to the head portion so as to output electrical signals in accordance with a vibration wave generated upon hitting of the face portion; a calculation unit which detects arrival times in the vibration wave sensors of the vibration wave generated in the face portion upon hitting of a ball on the basis of the electrical signals, calculates a hitting position of the ball in the face portion on the basis of a difference in the plurality of arrival times, and then outputs the result as a hitting position signal; a display unit which displays the hitting position in the face portion on the basis of the hitting position signal output from the calculation unit; and a power source which supplies power to the vibration wave sensors, the calculation unit, and the display unit.
US08398494B2	Constant velocity universal joint A constant velocity universal joint has a boot with enhanced durability and compactness, which are achieved by suppressing abrasion of the boot. The constant velocity universal joint includes an outer joint member, an inner joint member, a torque transmitting member, a shaft, and a boot. The surface roughness of an outer peripheral surface of the shaft satisfies Rsk<0, Rpk<2 μm, and Ra<4 μm.
US08398493B2	Torque transmission device A torque transmission device includes a shaft, particularly a drive shaft for a drive train of a vehicle, and at least one coupling element which is connected with an end of the shaft. The shaft and the at least one coupling element each consists completely or at least partly of a fiber-reinforced plastic material.
US08398491B2	Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a first plate member, a second plate member rotatable relative to the first plate member, and a first friction member disposed between the first plate member and the second plate member and pressed against the first plate member in a slidable manner. The second plate member includes a first retaining surface that makes contact with the first friction member. The first friction member includes a plurality of grooves at a surface facing the first retaining surface of the second plate member, the grooves extending in a radial direction of the first friction member.
US08398490B1	Career management system A career management system facilitates career management an online environment. The career management system introduces gaming elements to career management in order to make career-related tasks more enjoyable to participants. In one embodiment, a computer-based career management system generates a virtual career path customized based on a particular player's current career position and career goals. The virtual career path includes one or more challenges for the player to complete. The career management system tracks completion of the one or more challenges in the online environment and provides rewards and incentives as the player progresses.
US08398489B2	Sorting games of chance In various embodiments a display may allow a secondary player to select a game of an appropriate primary player.
US08398488B2	Virtual input system For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.
US08398485B2	Game ticket selection apparatus and method A method and system for a player to select numbers for a game ticket for play of a random draw game by displaying available game tokens on a display screen of a mobile computer device, selecting a pre-determined number of the available game tokens, and communicating the selected game ticket to a controller for the random draw game.
US08398480B2	Gaming system and method of gaming A gaming system is provided including a game controller arranged to control play of a game, and a display arranged to display a representation of play of the game. The game controller is arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for play of the game, and to control the display to display a plurality of the selected symbols. The game controller is arranged to control the appearance of at least one of the symbols of the set of symbols so that the appearance of the at least one of the symbols is indicative of a probability of winning a prize based on the at least one of the symbols.
US08398479B2	System and method for conducting a game of chance Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.
US08398477B1	Method and apparatus for a wagering game with indicia developed paylines In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.
US08398475B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method providing a first game and a plurality second wagering games each associated with a separate activatable component of the first game A gaming system having a first skill, partial skill, or pseudo skill based game having a plurality of individually activatable designated components and a plurality of second chance based games each respectively associated with a different one of the individually activatable components of the skill based game. When each designated component of the first game is activated through one or player inputs, a corresponding chance based game associated with that designated component is activated. Each chance based game randomly determines whether the player wins an award. In one embodiment, the likelihood of activating each designated component is different and the chance based game associated with each different designated component is different.
US08398474B2	Method and apparatus for selectively indicating win probability Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game.
US08398473B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a card game with payouts based on odds of achieving certain events A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wager after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning.
US08398469B2	Agricultural work machine having an unloading system for unloading an agricultural product An agricultural work machine for performing harvesting operations. The agricultural work machine includes a support structure. An unloading system is coupled to the support structure and is configured to transport an agricultural product received from a hopper to an off-machine location. The unloading system includes a transfer assembly having a discharge chute. A positioning system is configured to adjust at least one of an elevation, a length and a rotational position of the transfer assembly to position the discharge chute. A control system is configured to automatically locate the discharge chute from a stowed position to a desired unload position of a plurality of preset unload positions upon receiving an operator input via an operator input device.
US08398466B2	CMP pad conditioners with mosaic abrasive segments and associated methods A CMP pad conditioner comprises a plurality of abrasive segments. Each abrasive segment includes a segment blank and an abrasive layer attached to the segment blank, the abrasive layer including a superhard abrasive material. A pad conditioner substrate is also provided. Each of the plurality of abrasive segments is permanently affixed to the pad conditioner substrate in an orientation that enables removal of material from a CMP pad by the abrasive layer as the pad conditioner and the CMP pad are moved relative to one another.
US08398464B2	Grinding wheel truing tool and manufacturing method thereof, and truing apparatus, method for manufacturing grinding wheel and wafer edge grinding apparatus using the same The present invention relates to a grinding wheel truing tool, its manufacturing method, and a truing apparatus, a method for manufacturing a grinding wheel and a wafer edge grinding apparatus using the same. The grinding wheel truing tool of the present invention compensates a groove of a fine-grinding wheel for fine-grinding a wafer edge, and includes a truer having an edge of the same angle as a slanted surface of the groove of the fine-grinding wheel and a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the groove. The present invention uses the truing tool to easily process the groove of the grinding wheel for fine-grinding the wafer edge.
US08398458B2	Modular base-plate semiconductor polisher architecture The present invention generally relates to a polishing system. Particularly, the present invention relates a polishing apparatus having one or more modular polishing stations, and a plurality of polishing heads movably connected to a transferring system.
US08398457B2	Multi-sander A tool for moving an abrasive media can include a tool body and a drive system housed in the tool body. The drive system can include an output member. A retaining member can be disposed on the tool body. A first platen having a first attachment hub can be selectively coupled with the retaining member in an installed position. The first platen can have a first rotatable member that selectively attaches to the output member in a first mode of operation. A second platen having a second attachment hub can selectively couple with the retaining member in an installed position. The second platen can have a second rotatable member that selectively attaches to the output member in a second mode of operation.
US08398456B2	Polishing method, polishing apparatus and method of monitoring a substrate A method of polishing a substrate includes rotating a polishing table having a polishing surface, holding the substrate by a top ring, bringing the substrate into contact with the polishing surface while swinging and rotating the top ring to polish the substrate, and monitoring a surface condition of the substrate by a monitoring sensor. A rotational speed of the polishing table and conditions of swing motion of the top ring are determined such that a position of the monitoring sensor, a position of a center of rotation of the top ring, and a direction of the swing motion of the top ring at a point of time when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after polishing of the substrate is started approximately coincide with their previous values at a point of time before the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
US08398452B2	Single reed turkey gobble call A single reed turkey gobble call includes a barrel through which a user blows air. A reed assembly is positioned in the barrel. The reed assembly includes a tone board and a reed positioned against the tone board. A wedge engages the reed, and the reed is partially clamped between the wedge and the tone board such that a distal end of the reed is free to vibrate against the tone board. A vertex is defined on the tone board at the location where the reed separates from the tone board. The wedge is axially offset from the vertex in the axial direction away from the distal reed end by a wedge offset distance to produce a gobble sound.
US08398450B2	Connection means for construction elements, and associated set of building blocks A connecting means for construction elements, e.g. (toy) building blocks, comprises a strip-shaped member having a thickened portion and a component of a detachable connecting mechanism. The strip-shaped member is insertable into a groove in the side faces of the construction elements. To that component of the detachable connection, e.g. to a nut, further construction elements can be attached in a simple but stable manner. The detachable mechanism is preferably the one that is provided in the construction element for connections without using the connecting means. The connecting means thus allows an extension of the assembly possibilities in a stable manner in other directions than those provided by the construction elements themselves.
US08398449B2	Method and apparatus for body-worn entertainment devices A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.
US08398446B2	Motorized watercraft system with interchangeable motor module A personal watercraft body comprises a recess configured to receive similarly shaped cassettes. A first cassette may be motorized to propel the body relative to a body of water. A second cassette may be non-motorized and may include a storage space therein for storing personal items. An insert may be disposed between the cassettes and the recess to orient and fit the cassettes within the body.
US08398444B2	Nautical engine for boats with jet propulsion by combustion gases A nautical engine comprising at least one combustion chamber provided with a first opening for feeding an air and fuel mixture, at least one spark plug for igniting the mixture, at least one second opening for exhausting the exhaust gas derived from the ignition of the mixture, a device adapted to feed at least one combustion chamber by the at least one first opening, a control device adapted to control the feeding device for feeding the mixture into the combustion chamber and for igniting the spark plug for igniting the mixture. The feeding device comprises a nozzle adapted to spray the mixture at a pressure to open the first valve of the chamber, and, after having closed the first opening of the first valve, the second valve, for exhausting the gas, can be opened by the gas produced by the ignition of the mixture in the combustion chamber.
US08398443B2	Biological testing system and connector therefor A connector for establishing electrical connection between a testing device and a test strip with a biological fluid thereon includes a contact pad on the test strip, and one or more contact wires in the testing device. When the strip is inserted into the testing device, part of the strip's end engages a contact portion of a contact wire and deflects it in a direction normal to the direction of insertion. In certain embodiments the radius of curvature (in the direction of insertion) of the contact portion is controlled to reduce abrasion of the strip by the wire. In other embodiments the radius of curvature (perpendicular to the direction of insertion) is controlled to reduce the abrasion of the strip by the wire. Sometimes the contact portion and/or contact pad is plated with a sacrificial material to reduce the coefficient of friction. In other embodiments various numbers of contacts receive the end of the strip substantially simultaneously, or are staggered in rows to distribute the resistance presented.
US08398442B2	Terminal fitting and a method for assembling the same A male terminal comprises an electrical contact portion and an insulating member made of insulating material. The electrical contact portion is inserted into and connected to a female terminal. The insulating member includes a to-be-received portion accommodated in the electrical contact portion and a to-be-exposed portion. The electrical contact portion includes a bottom wall upon which the to-be-received portion is disposed, and a top wall. The to-be-received portion is positioned between the bottom wall and the top wall having a securing engagement portion brought into engagement with the to-be-received portion. The male terminal is made by placing the to-be-received portion upon the bottom wall while the bottom wall, the top wall, and the securing engagement portion are flush with each other, bending them such that the to-be-received portion resides between the top wall and the bottom wall, and bringing the securing engagement portion into engagement with the to-be-received portion.
US08398438B2	Electrical connector The present invention discloses an electrical connector having an insulator body, a shield, and an upper and a lower rows of terminals. The shield is constructed to enclose the insulator body. The upper and a lower rows of terminals are held in the insulator body, wherein one of the two rows of terminals is a row of low speed circuit terminals and the other is a row of high speed circuit terminals having two pairs of high speed differential signal terminals and a first ground terminal. At least a portion of the first ground terminal has a width larger than a corresponding portion of each of high speed differential signal terminals. The ground terminal of the high speed circuit is widened compared with high speed differential signal terminals, and it can effectively reduce the inductive coupling crosstalk between the high speed differential signal terminals.
US08398435B2	Receptacle connector between controller and lighting fixture An electrical receptacle comprises a body comprising an opening and main terminal channels that are spaced apart from each other and from the opening. Electrically conductive main connectors are disposed in the body and spaced apart from each other. The main connectors are disposed in or in alignment with the main terminal channels. A connector is disposed in the body and includes an arcuate shape in or near the opening.
US08398430B1	Multi-orientation plug An electrical adapter assembly includes a housing defining a cutout, the housing including first electrical contacts and second electrical contacts disposed within the cutout. The electrical adapter assembly includes (i) a plug including a body having a first portion extending from an edge of a second portion, the first portion extending generally orthogonal to the second portion, (ii) electrical prongs extending from the first portion, and (iii) electrical contacts coupled to the electrical prongs. The body of the plug is receivable in the cutout in at least two orientations, and in each of the at least two orientations, one or more of the electrical contacts of the plug engage at least one of the first electrical contacts or at least one of the second electrical contacts.
US08398424B1	Power cord retainer A device includes an elongated strap, a latch structure connected to the strap and configured to receive and secure a portion of the strap within the latch structure when an end of the strap is inserted through an opening of the latch, and a clamping structure secured to the strap. The clamping structure includes a flexible ring member with two free ends that are separable from each other to define a gap between the two free ends and are further configured to be drawn toward each other such that one free end overlaps the other free end, and a locking mechanism that is operable by a user to selectively compress the ring member so as to secure a portion of at least one power cord within the ring member.
US08398422B2	Card edge connector A card edge connector includes an elongated housing having an upper face, a lower face and a mating groove defined therebetween and extending along a longitudinal direction. A plurality of terminal grooves are respectively defined between the upper face and lower face and in communication with the mating groove. A plurality of contacts are respectively received in the terminal grooves. Each contact includes a body portion, at least one retaining portion, a contacting portion and a soldering portion. The at least one retaining portion forms at least one barb thereon and is inserted into the terminal groove with the at least one barb interfering with an inner wall of the terminal groove until the at least one barb falls into a through hole defined on the inner wall of the terminal groove.
US08398421B2	Connector having a dielectric seal and method of use thereof A coaxial cable connector having a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a port coupling element attached to the post, and a seal member disposed proximate the dielectric to create a seal around the dielectric to prevent entry of environmental elements is provided. Additionally, a connector having a post with an internally tapered surface proximate a first end, the internally tapered surface tapering radially inward toward the first end to compress the dielectric to form a seal around the dielectric is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08398415B1	Connector assembly for assembling/disassembling four connectors using a staged-release member An assembly may include a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, a fourth connector, and a staged-release member. The second connector may be configured to matingly engage the first connector. The fourth connector may be configured to matingly engage the third connector. The staged-release member may include first and second portions. The first portion may be secured relative to the first and third connectors. The second portion may be movable relative to the first portion between a first position restricting axial separation of the second connector from the first connector and a second position allowing axial separation of the second connector from the first connector. The fourth connector may restrict movement of the second portion from the first position to the second position while the fourth connector is matingly engaged with the third connector.
US08398414B2	Locking mechanisms and locking caps for connectors According to various embodiments, an exemplary locking mechanism for a connector comprises a hook, a bracket at least partially inserted within the hook to form a first assembly, a holder enclosing at least a portion of the first assembly to form a second assembly, and a button enclosing at least a portion of the second assembly to form the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include a cap enclosing at least a portion of the button to form a locking cap.
US08398412B2	Housing, electrical coupling including said housing, and vehicle including such a coupling The invention relates to a housing, including: electronic components (42); walls (44) mechanically insulating said electronic components from the outside; at least one electric connection pad (18, 20, 22, 24) arranged on an outer surface of one of said walls so as to be electrically coupled to a cable outside the housing, said connection pad being electrically coupled to the electronic components (42) inside the housing, characterized in that the connection pad includes: a printed circuit board (50) defining a portion of the housing wall (44) and having a surface exposed to the outside of the housing; and an electric connection outer plane (60, 62) engraved on said surface for directly contacting the outer cable, said plane being electrically coupled to the electronic components.
US08398408B1	Charging station for cordless ultrasound cart The present invention is directed to a system and method which establishes physically fixed charger stations that work in conjunction with a medical cart, such as an ultrasound cart. The medial cart contains a power supply, such as a large battery, with the capacity to keep the system going for a full day's use. Each docking station provides a fixed location for one or more carts and allows each cart to plug directly into a source of premises power. The docking stations allow the plugged-in cart to recharge while the cart is not in use. In one embodiment, a large Class C battery capable of powering not only the medical device but its associated peripherals as well. Thus, when the cart is removed from the docking station and taken to a patient's location, the equipment on the cart can be operated without the need for plugging the cart into a wall outlet thereby eliminating the need for a long power cord. The fixed locations of the docking station also eliminates the need for hunting “misplaced” carts.
US08398405B2	System, method, and computer software code for instructing an operator to control a powered system having an autonomous controller A method for training an operator to control a powered system is disclosed including operating the powered system with an autonomous controller, and informing an operator of a change in operation of the powered system as the change in operation occurs. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for training the operator to control the powered system.
US08398402B2	Method for maufacturing dental implant and dental implant A dental implant capable of reliably preventing elution of metal when the dental implant is applied within an oral cavity and capable of reliably preventing occurrence of mismatching (bumpy occlusion or the like) when the dental implant is fixed in place. The abutment is manufactured by molding a ceramic molded body composition to obtain a ceramic molded body, assembling a titanium member and the ceramic molded body together to obtain an assembled body, degreasing the assembled body so that the ceramic molded body is transformed into a ceramic degreased body, and sintering the assembled body to transform the ceramic degreased body into a ceramic member so that the ceramic member is firmly fixed to the titanium member.
US08398398B1	Foam pad used with tubular member to vacuum fluids from an oral cavity A dental suction apparatus 2 includes a tubular vacuum member 10, such as a tubular vacuum tip or aspirator, and a protective foam pad 20. The pad is mounted on a distal end 12 of the tubular vacuum member through a first opening 32 and partially through a second opening 34. In a folded operative position, the foam member 20 not only protects the patient's mouth, but creates a larger surface through which fluids and debris particles can be drawn though the influence of a vacuum.
US08398397B2	Dental intraligamentary injection needles and related methods of manufacture Injection needle devices for administering a local anesthetic into tough, dense ligamentary tissue surrounding a tooth. The injection needle is a two-part needle that includes a proximal needle portion formed of metal, ceramic or rigid plastic and a distal needle portion formed of ceramic or hardened metal. The distal penetrating needle portion has an exposed length not more than about 8 mm, and an maximum outside diameter of about 25 gauge. At the transition between the proximal needle portion and the distal needle portion there can be an abrupt stop surface for limiting penetration through tissue. Alternatively, the proximal needle portion can have a tapered surface that permits penetration of the tapered surface into tissue. The injection needle device is designed to minimize pain and prevent buckling of the distal needle portion.
US08398395B2	Accessory for a dental model articulator An accessory for use with a dental articulator, the accessory including a dental model holder, adapted and configured to hold a dental model, and a mounting assembly for removably affixing said dental model holder to a conventional dental model articulator. In some embodiments, the dental model holder includes a model support, a rear stop member perpendicular to the model support, and a model engaging member mounted in the model support and arranged to engage a dental model and urge it towards the stop member.
US08398393B2	Gas fired catalytic heater A gas fired catalytic heater is provided that foregoes the need for an electrical heating element to provide the activation energy for the hydrocarbon catalyst pad. An alcohol self-igniting catalyst pad is used to provide the activation energy to the hydrocarbon catalyst pad thereby removing dependence of the heater on an outside electrical energy source to initiate start-up of the heater. The catalyst pad includes a flexible wash coat; a noble metal dispersed on the wash coat; an anti-sintering element saturating the wash coat; and a catalyst promoter saturating the wash coat.
US08398391B2	Dry-cast concrete block molding machine A dry-cast concrete block molding machine for molding concrete blocks. The machine includes a weigh hopper system which senses when the proper amount of concrete, as determined by the weight thereof, has been placed in the weigh hopper to dump the weigh hopper. The machine also includes end plates in the mold box thereof which may be interchanged so that the configuration of the concrete block may be easily changed. The machine also includes a conveyor system which not only conveys mold trays into the mold box of the machine but which also is used to push the molded block outwardly from the compaction chamber of the mold box when the block has been molded.
US08398387B2	Fluid machine and refrigeration cycle apparatus A fluid machine (101) includes a first compressor (107) and a second compressor (108). The first compressor (107) has a first closed casing (111), a first compression mechanism (102a), an expansion mechanism (104), and a shaft (113). A first oil reservoir (112) is formed in the first closed casing (111). The second compressor (108) has a second closed casing (125) and a second compression mechanism (102b). A second oil reservoir (126) is formed at a bottom portion in the second closed casing (125). The first closed casing (111) and the second closed casing (125) are connected to each other by an oil passage (109) so that a lubricating oil can flow between the first oil reservoir (112) and the second oil reservoir (126). An opening (109a) of the oil passage (109) on a side of the first closed casing (111) is located above the expansion mechanism (104) with respect to the vertical direction. This configuration prevents the low temperature lubricating oil in a surrounding space of the expansion mechanism (104) and the high temperature lubricating oil in the second compressor (108) from flowing. Thereby, the heat transfer between the first compressor (107) and the second compressor (108) is suppressed.
US08398386B2	2 stage rotary compressor A 2 stage rotary compressor is provided that includes a hermetic container that defines an outward appearance of the compressor; a 2 stage compression assembly provided in the hermetic container, wherein a low pressure cylinder, a middle plate, and a high pressure cylinder are successively stacked from any one of upper and lower portions; and first discharge port that discharges refrigerant compressed in the low pressure cylinder, and having an inner volume equivalent to 0.5% to 2.5% of an inner volume of the low pressure cylinder. A valve is installed on or under the discharge port. When the valve is opened, compressed refrigerant is discharged through the discharge port. When the valve is closed, refrigerant remains in the discharge port as much as the volume of the discharge port. Accordingly, refrigerant remaining in the discharge port is re-expanded in the cylinder, to thereby cause a compression loss. Moreover, in a case in which the volume of the discharge port is excessively small, a resistance occurs in a refrigerant passage. As a result, the volume of the discharge port should he appropriately restricted.
US08398384B2	Low-noise rotary pump having a press-fit stator using split-core ribs and housing ribs A rotary pump with a plastic pump housing, that can be processed by injection molding, with a first housing part defining a pump space, which is connected to a second intermediate housing part accommodating an electric motor with a wound core stator. The rotary pump includes a plastic split core, the wound claw pole stator being mounted on the split core and a permanent magnetic rotor being mounted to rotate within the split core. A plastic motor housing part defines a motor space, wherein at least three axial and parallel split core ribs are provided between the split core and the claw pole stator, the ribs being distributed about the periphery of the split core at predetermined angles relative to each other. A return ring has first and second end sections, the return ring being connected to the wound claw pole stator, so that the first and second end sections are welded to each other. The stator is press-fit onto the split core via the ribs. At least three axial-parallel housing ribs protrude radially inward and are formed with the motor housing part, the axial-parallel housing ribs being distributed on the inside periphery of the motor housing part. Finally, the stator is press-fit into the motor housing part via the housing ribs.
US08398382B2	Turbo type blood pump An impeller 22 includes a rotating shaft 7 supported rotatably by an upper bearing 9 and a lower bearing 20 at upper and lower ends, a plurality of vanes 6, an arm 18 coupling an inner circumferential side of the vanes to the rotating shaft, an annular coupling portion 8 coupled to an outer circumferential side of each vane, and a driven magnet portion 12 placed in a lower portion of the annular coupling portion. A drive magnet portion 16 provided at a rotor 13 and a driven magnet portion 12 are opposed to each other with a bottom wall of the housing interposed therebetween, and rotation of the rotor is transmitted to the impeller through magnetic coupling. A blockade member 23 is placed below the vanes and blocks a space in a region spreading between the rotating shaft and the annular coupling portion while leaving an opening 14 at least around the rotating shaft. In a configuration in which the rotating shaft of the impeller is supported by the upper and lower bearings and a lower portion of each outer circumferential edge of the vanes is coupled to the annular coupling portion, the formation of a blood clot in the vicinity of the lower bearing can be suppressed.
US08398374B2	Method and apparatus for a segmented turbine bucket assembly A turbine bucket that includes a platform and an airfoil extending radially outward from the platform. The airfoil includes a root segment and a tip segment. The root segment includes a first end and a second end. The root first end extends from a radially outer surface of the platform. The root segment extends from the root first end to the root second end. The tip segment includes a tip first end and a tip second end. The tip first end is removably coupled to the root second end. The tip segment extends outward from the root second end to the tip second end.
US08398372B2	Method for reducing the vibration levels of a propeller of a turbine engine A method for reducing the vibration levels capable of occurring, in a turbine engine including at least one propeller and one coupling structure of the turbine engine, because of the turbulence of aerodynamic origin generated by the coupling structure on the propeller. The method includes: defining an initial configuration of the aerodynamic profiles, calculating the synchronous forced response on the propeller as a function of the force of harmonic excitation generated by the coupling structure expressed in the form of a linear function of the generalized aerodynamic force for the mode in question, and determining a tangential geometric offset value θ of the individual aerodynamic profiles for stacked sections of one of the propeller or of the coupling structure in order to reduce the term corresponding to the generalized aerodynamic force. The combination of the sections with the tangential offsets therefore defines a new configuration of the aerodynamic profiles.
US08398369B2	Method and system for operating a wind turbine The present invention relates to a method and a system for operating a Wind Turbine (WTG), which WTG comprises a rotor comprising at least two blades, which blades are pitch regulated, where the rotor is connected to a shaft, which shaft is supported by bearings, and which shaft drives at least one generator, where the WTG uses a load regulation system for regulating the individual pitch of at least two blades. The object of the invention is to compensate for asymmetric load on the rotor in a wind turbine, a second object is to reduce wearing at shaft bearings in the wind turbine, and a third object is to increase the power production of a wind turbine. This can be achieved if the load regulation system measures the actual rotor load by at least one displacement sensor, which displacement sensor is measuring the bending of the main shaft, where the load regulation system based on the shaft bending regulates the individual pitch of the blades for compensating asymmetric load at the rotor.
US08398363B2	Device for sealing a bearing housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger A device for sealing a bearing housing, which holds lubricating oil, from which a rotor supported inside the housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is guided into a compressor housing, loadable by a mass flow of a charger. The device includes a fixed partition with a wall extension, a sealing disk fastened on a shaft of the rotor, a separating gap arranged between the sealing disk and the wall extension, and a drip device connected to an oil-collecting channel and directs lubricating oil collected in the oil-collecting channel into an oil drain by gravity. The drip device includes a drain-off surface for lubricating oil, which has a large axial distance from a rotating sealing disk which delimits the separating gap. Lubricating oil which can penetrate into the separating gap is guided into an oil drain of the bearing housing without interacting with the sealing disk.
US08398360B2	Method and device for resisting wear from particle containing water on an impeller A method and a device for counteracting wear from particle bearing drive water in a runner (4) in a water turbine (1), the runner (4) comprising a runner hub (16) and a vane (18), or a runner hub (16), a vane (18) and a runner band (20), the vane (18) being attached to the runner hub (16) in a first attachment area (22) and to the runner band (20) in a second attachment area (24), and where the method comprises: —routing a supply channel (40) for water cleaner than the drive water to at least the first attachment area (22) or the second attachment area (24) and—leading water cleaner than the drive water to flow over at least a portion of the vane (18) surface.
US08398359B2	Exhaust diffuser An exhaust diffuser including an outer flow guide surface and an inner flow guide surface defining an inlet, a first collection chute having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the first collection chute operative to diffuse a flow of a fluid, a second collection chute having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the second collection chute operative to diffuse the flow of the fluid, and the outer flow guide surface and the inner flow guide surface are operative to guide and direct the flow of the fluid to the first collection chute and the second collection chute.
US08398357B2	Parcel delivery truck with lift or hoist unit A method of and system for delivering parcels or packages utilizing a parcel delivery truck. The method allows both lighter and heavier packages to be delivered by a single driver or operator. The method includes positioning a specially designed lift or hoist unit within a rear compartment of a parcel delivery truck. The left and right portions of the lift unit are mounted to left and right side walls of the rear compartment to provide maximum lifting efficiency and maximum space for heavier parcels carried in the rear compartment.
US08398356B2	Automotive wheelchair mobility system A wheelchair lift and restraining device for an automotive vehicle includes a base pivotally mounted beneath the main floor of a vehicle. First and second support arm portions extend outwardly from the base and are configured for engagement with a wheelchair frame, preferably a wheel axle. A rotating assembly selectively moves the support arm through approximately 90° of rotation and the system is raised and lowered relative to the vehicle to transport the wheelchair from outside the vehicle to the interior of the vehicle, and also position the wheelchair at a desired height in the vehicle interior. Translation movement of the support arms also positions the wheelchair occupant at a desired location. A headrest extends from the system to provide desired neck and head support.
US08398350B2	Bolt A bolt has a bolt body including a screw part, a head part formed at an upper end of the screw part, and a flange part formed at a lower end of the head part; and an unconductive ring-shaped resinous member covering a peripheral portion of the flange part. The flange part has a disk-shaped flange body portion; and a seat surface-forming portion having a seat surface which is pressed against a portion where the bolt is to be mounted. The ring-shaped member has an edge part which is located at a position nearer to a lower end of the screw part than the seat surface and outward from the flange body portion and an annular skirt part whose diameter gradually increases to the edge part. The annular skirt part is so formed that it deforms when the bolt is mounted on the portion where the bolt is to be mounted and forms an annular liquid-tight sealing portion for the portion where the bolt is to be mounted.
US08398346B2	Drop-in anchor A drop-in anchor includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and an expandable second end, the sleeve having one or more raised surfaces at the first end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands and an installation tool interacts with the one or more raised surfaces to provide a visual indication of engagement of the drop-in anchor to a workpiece.
US08398343B1	Rail cargo restraint system The present invention is a cargo restraint system for protecting a barrel-contained cargo in a cargo vehicle space during transportation. In one example, the cargo vehicle may contain two sets of stacked barrels with each set having three vertical levels of barrels. In a first embodiment of the invention, the cargo restraint system includes at least one crush cushion placed at either a front end or a back end of the barrel-contained cargo. The crush cushion provides at least five contact points against each barrel and the contact points are arranged along three levels of crush zones. An end-wall system is placed adjacent to the crush cushion. At least one angle member with a plurality of strap separation slots is coupled to the end-wall system. Each strap is threaded through the strap separation slots and is anchored to the cargo vehicle to securely hold the barrel-contained cargo to the crush cushion and the end wall system.
US08398340B2	Method of extracting contents from the inside of a reactor kept at high temperature and high pressure, and synthesis reaction system of hydrocarbon compound A method of extracting the contents from the inside of a reactor kept at high temperature and high pressure includes the steps of introducing the contents of the reactor into a pipe having an internal space which communicates with the reactor, closing the pipe to enclose the contents in the internal space, removing unnecessary gas from the internal space, and supplying an inert gas to the internal space, thereby replacing the contents enclosed in the internal space with the inert gas. The contents are discharged from the internal space by replacing the contents enclosed in the internal space with the inert gas.
US08398339B2	Self-tensioning tendon for tension leg platform application A self-tensioning tendon for pulling a tension leg platform (TLP) down to a desired draft position. The self-tensioning tendon can be utilized with either a co-installation process or a pre-installation process and connects to an assembled tendon joint. The self-tensioning tendon comprises a hydraulically controlled Length Adjustment Joint (LAJ) that further comprises an integral cylinder with external threads and a piston rod. The self-tensioning apparatus has features that advantageously reduce the time required to ballast the hull of the TLP. A hydraulic source actuates the integral cylinder to pull the TLP down to the target draft position, significantly reducing the time needed to ballast the hull of the TLP with millions of gallons of water. A Top Tendon Connector (TTC) ratchets down along the cylinder to lock the TLP at the final draft position.
US08398338B2	Method for installing a topside module on an offshore support structure Method for installing a topside module on an offshore support structure that in use comprises at least one support leg that extends a height above the water level. The method comprises the steps of supporting said topside module on a barge in a position adjacent to said at least one support leg and de-ballasting the barge to lift the topside module a height above water level.
US08398337B2	Continuous weave quick harness backplate system A system to permit a diver to quickly adjust a one-piece continuous piece of webbing by simply pushing or pulling the webbing in the desired direction. The system includes accessory plate which is fixed to an existing diving backplate, which allows the webbing to slide on through the attached accessories without affecting the location of the accessories with respect to the diver's body. An improved adjustable crotch strap is also secured to the backplate. An ergonomic backplate frame is also disclosed.
US08398336B2	Pipe structure and methods of laying and use of a pipeline including such a pipe structure A pipe structure suitable for being laid in the sea comprises an inner pipe (2) for conveying fluid to be transported along the pipe structure and an outer pipe (3) around the inner pipe and supporting the inner pipe with space between the inner and outer pipes, the outer pipe having openings to allow water first to flow into the space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe and then to flow out of the space.
US08398335B2	Method for extracting landfill gas An apparatus and method to internally provide apertures inside polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), or any polymeric pie, plastic pipe-riser (blank casing) in existing landfill gas recovery wells (extraction wells) that have been installed at Municipal Solid Waste Facilities are described. By creating additional apertures in landfill gas recovery well risers, landfill gas derived from the decomposition of waste is allowed to enter the existing riser and extraction/recovery system. This process saves time and cost associated with drilling additional wells to capture landfill gas from subsequent layers of the waste body. The process assists in maintaining regulatory compliance by capturing landfill gas and preventing it from being emitted into the atmosphere.
US08398325B2	Oral care implement with liquid delivery system An oral care implement (1) includes a head (12), a handle (10), a neck portion (11) connecting the head and the handle, and a reservoir (15) which contains at least one active agent. The implement has an activator (22) for activating a delivery device which delivers the active agent to one or more outlets (50). A powered delivery device (18) disposed in the head to deliver a liquid from the reservoir via the outlet. A wide variety of types of active agents may be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefit.
US08398321B2	Method and apparatus for operating a printer A system and apparatus for printing configured to estimate a value of a required feed length for an intended printing operation. The printing operation is performed as a function of a comparison between the sum of an actual value of a previously consumed feed length of the print media unit and the estimated value of the required feed length for the intended printing operation at a predefined maximum feed length of the print media unit. In the event the printing operation is executed, the previously consumed feed length us updated as a function of the estimated value of the required feed length.
US08398312B2	Roller bearing with crowning A roller bearing includes: an inner ring having an inner ring raceway; an outer ring having an outer ring raceway; and a plurality of rollers interposed between the inner ring raceway and an outer ring raceway, wherein a crowning is formed on at least one of the inner ring raceway, the outer ring raceway, and a roller rolling contact surface, wherein an optimal value of a drop amount of the crowning at an end of an effective length is determined, from a diameter of a roller and an effective length of the roller, and wherein drop amounts of the crowning at a plurality of positions in a bus-line direction of the crowning are within an allowable range set forth in a specific table.
US08398311B2	Bearing arrangement A bearing assembly comprises at least two adjacently-disposed bearings. Each bearing includes a bearing outer ring having a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. A bearing support retains the at least two bearings such that respective rotational axes of the at least two bearings extend in parallel. A spacer has at least two cylindrical openings configured to receive the respective cylindrical outer circumferential surfaces of the bearing outer rings such that a circumferential inner surface of each opening covers at least a portion of a width of the bearing outer ring received therein and surrounds an entire circumference of the bearing outer ring received therein. The bearing support is not fixedly connected to the spacer.
US08398309B2	Flanged bushing A flanged bushing comprising a slide bearing (1), which has at least one half-ring-shaped or ring-shaped axial bearing (2) affixed to the side (6) of the bearing, this side being formed by its thickness, where recesses are provided with geometry cooperating with those of the locking elements, resilient fixation protrusions (3), arranged on the axial bearing (2), angularly distributed along its perimeter, like protrusions (3), which are radially of the inner diameter of the axial bearing (2).
US08398304B2	Multiple sensor thermal management for electronic devices A device includes a current source circuit to separately provide a first current and a second current and a thermal detection device coupleable to the output of the current source circuit. The device further includes a voltage detection circuit to provide a first indicator of a first voltage representative of a voltage at the thermal detection device in response to the second current and a second indicator of a second voltage representative of a voltage difference between the voltage at the thermal detection device in response to the second current and a voltage at the voltage detection device in response to the first current. The device further includes a temperature detection circuit to provide an over-temperature indicator based on the first indicator and the second indicator, wherein an operation of a circuit component of the device can be adjusted based on the over-temperature indicator.
US08398302B2	Temperature sensor for exhaust systems A protruding length L1 that is a distance between an inner circumference of a flow path through which fluid flows on an axis of a temperature sensor disposed in the flow path and the center of said temperature sensitive device is 50 mm or more. A protruding location that is a distance between an inner circumferential surface of the flow path and the center of said temperature sensitive device on a cross section extending perpendicular to the axis of said flow path through the center of said temperature sensitive device is defined as L1′. A flow path width that is a distance between intersections of the axis of the temperature sensor with the inner circumferential surface of said flow path when the temperature sensor is projected onto said cross section is defined as D1. A relation of L1′/D1 is specified as a function of the value of D1, thereby reducing heat transfer in an exhaust temperature sensor and enabling the temperature to be measured accurately.
US08398301B2	Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures are described. An example apparatus for measuring a temperature of a downhole fluid includes a sensing element for measuring a physical or chemical property of the downhole fluid, and a plurality of electrical connections to enable the sensing element to measure the chemical or physical property and provide an output signal representative of the chemical or physical property, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is configured to function as a thermocouple to sense a temperature of the downhole fluid.
US08398299B2	Display mechanism for a timepiece enabling the current time to be displayed or not displayed A display mechanism for a clock movement for controlling the movements of a member for displaying at least one indication related to the time or to the operation of a timepiece, includes a cam having a periphery with a predetermined shape and driven by a base wheel, a lever pivotally mounted relative to a frame member of the movement, between an abutment position associated with an indication position of the display member, and a standby position associated with a predetermined alternative position of the display member. The lever bears a feeler intended for interaction with the periphery of the cam so as to define the abutment position, and the lever further bears a rake engaged with a pinion for driving the display member. An elastic element applies a force onto the lever for positioning it in the abutment position. The mechanism includes a mobile control member having at least a stable standby and a stable indication position.
US08398298B2	Automatic pot stirrer An automatic pot stirrer is provided that has a mount assembly. The mount assembly is mounted on a pot plate having slider clamps. The slider clamps engage the rim of the pot and are designed to accommodate differently dimensioned pots. The mount assembly supports a shaft that is operatively coupled to a motor at one end and threaded to a block at the other end. The block has opposed first and second block end walls and opposed first and second block paddle walls to which are connected paddles. The first and second block paddle walls may be disposed at about a forty-five degree angle to a second block end wall. The paddles are disposed at about a forty-five degree angle to the second block end wall such that the paddles lift food product from the bottom of the pot during operation of the automatic pot stirrer.
US08398297B2	Electromagnetic stirring apparatus The stirring apparatus is an electronic design that generates rotating magnetic fields to drive magnetic stir bars within vials placed above the cover of the stirring apparatus. Below the cover is a magnetics board containing multiple vial groups of four air core coils arranged in rectangular patterns. Each vial group has with two pairs of diagonal coils. The coils in each pair are wired in series and have opposite winding directions. Each pair is driven by a different phase of a stepper motor driver. The vial groups are spaced appropriately for placing one vial above each group. The adjacent coils of adjacent vial groups are driven by the same phase and have the same magnetic direction. The cover contains an array of pole standoffs that matches the coil pattern. The hollow center of each air core coil contains at least a portion of one pole standoff.
US08398295B2	Magnetic fluid manipulators and methods for their use Device and methods for use of these devices to manipulate substantially non-magnetic particles dispersed inside a magnetic fluid by employing a changeable pattern of local magnetic field maxima and minima are provided.
US08398294B2	Device for dispersing a solid, liquid or gaseous substance in a liquid The disclosed device disperses a substance in a liquid. The device has at least one dispersing chamber, which has at least one liquid inlet, at least one substance inlet, and at least one outlet. At least one driving means is placed inside the dispersing chamber while serving to set the liquid inside the dispersing chamber in motion so that at least one cavity with varying volume forms in the liquid for drawing in the substance through the substance inlet and forcing the substance made wet with liquid through the outlet.
US08398292B2	Optical unit and light guide plate and ink thereof The present invention relates to an optical unit and light guide plate and ink thereof. The ink includes a base resin and a plurality of fine particles. The base resin has a first refractive index. The fine particles have a second refractive index and are dispersed in the base resin. The fine particles are made of organic polymer. The difference between the first refractive index and second refractive index is less than 0.15. The use of the ink will lower the color difference and the variation of color temperature of the light guide plate or the optical unit.
US08398290B2	Light guide module of scanning apparatus A light guide module of a scanning apparatus includes plural side-emitting light emitting diodes and a light-guiding post, which are disposed on a circuit board. The light-guiding post has plural reflective structures corresponding to respective side-emitting light emitting diodes for receiving light beams from respective side-emitting light emitting diodes. A spacing interval between two of the side-emitting light emitting diodes at a middle portion of the circuit board is greater than a spacing interval between two of the side-emitting light emitting diodes at a side of the circuit board.
US08398289B2	Structure for eliminating bright line of tiled backlight module A structure for eliminating bright lines of a tiled backlight module is provided. The structure includes a light guide plate, and a plurality of light sources. The light guide plate includes a plurality of rows of optical elements. The rows of optical elements extend in parallel. The light sources are provided at least one side of the light guide plate for projecting a light into the light guide plate and generating a regular but non-uniform light outputting performance of the light guide plate. Therefore, a brightness of areas where the optical elements are located is higher than the rest areas, so that the light guide plate achieves a regular but non-uniform light emitting performance. Accordingly, the bright lines occurred at joints between two light guide plates are enshrouded by the high brightness areas, and become hard to identify or even undistinguishable, thus “eliminated”.
US08398282B2	Vehicle front lighting assembly and systems having a variable tint electrowetting element A vehicle front lighting assembly, or headlight assembly, that includes one or more variable tint electrowetting elements overlying a portion of the assembly lens surface. The variable tint electrowetting element is configured to operate to a transparent state whereby the hue of light passing therethrough is not changed, and a tinted state where the hue of light passing therethrough is changed. Alternatively, the variable tint electrowetting element is configured to operate to the tinted state and an opaque state where light is blocked from passing through the electrowetting element. The assembly may use light emitting diodes (LED) as an alternative to more conventional light sources.
US08398279B2	Headlamp apparatus for vehicle The present disclosure relates to a headlamp apparatus for vehicles. The headlamp apparatus includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source located at a first focal point and emitting light, a reflecting member surrounding the LED light source and reflecting light emitted from the LED light source, a lens unit disposed in front of the LED light source and allowing light to pass therethrough, a cooler disposed under the LED light source to cool the LED light source and having a leading end located behind a second focal point, a shielding part rotatably disposed at the second focal point between the LED light source and the lens unit within a lamp housing, and a drive unit connected to the shielding part to rotate the shielding part.
US08398275B2	Lamp head assembly and lighting lamp tube A lamp head assembly includes an outer head unit, an inner head unit, and an elastic pressing unit. The outer head unit includes at least two conductive pins. The inner head unit is disposed rotatably in the outer head unit. The elastic pressing unit is disposed movably in the outer head unit for selectively positioning the position of the inner head unit relative to the outer head unit or the position of the outer head unit relative to the inner head unit, wherein the elastic pressing unit includes a pressing element selectively exposed from the outer head unit.
US08398272B2	Lamp having outer shell to radiate heat of light source A lamp includes an outer shell having heat conductivity, a base provided in the outer shell, and a cover provided in the outer shell. The outer shell has a light source support, and a heat radiating surface exposed to the outside of the outer shell. The light source support is formed integral with the heat radiating surface. A light source is supported on the light source support. The light source is heated during lighting, and thermally connected to the light source support. The light source is covered with the cover.
US08398271B2	Heat dissipating light reflecting device A LED lamp with adjustable beam direction includes a housing, a lamp base attached to one end of the housing for insertion into a lamp socket, a heatsink shaft mounted within the housing, a LED attached to one end of the heatsink shaft, a parabolic or elliptical or multi-facet reflector having a light output front opening and an asymmetric elliptical shaped rear opening, a first actuator for rotating the reflector about the LED, and a second actuator for tilting the reflector about the LED.
US08398267B2	Illumination device with semiconductor light-emitting elements An illumination device includes a base board, an insulator, a conductor, a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements and a light-transmissive sealing member. The base board includes a surface and projection portions. The projection portion is formed to become gradually thicker from its end toward the surface of the base board. The insulator is formed on the surface. The conductor is formed on the insulator. The semiconductor light-emitting elements are mounted on the projection portions. The semiconductor light-emitting elements are electrically connected to the conductor via connection members. The sealing member covers the insulator, the projection portions, the semiconductor light-emitting elements and the connection members.
US08398266B2	Laminated heat-dissipating and non-disposable LED lamp A laminated heat-dissipating and non-disposable LED lamp includes a lamp holder, an LED luminous module, a lampshade and a heat dissipation unit. The lamp holder is provided with a hollow shell, the LED luminous module is assembled on the lamp holder and the lampshade is mounted on the LED luminous module. The heat dissipation unit is covered around the circumferential side of the lamp holder, instituted of a multi-ply heat-dissipating layer. By so designing, heat energy produced by the LED lamp can be transmitted to the heat dissipation unit, and the heat-dissipating layer can function to increase a heat dissipation area and a heat dissipation distance of contact of the LED lamp with open air, able to prolong service life and enhance luminous efficiency of the LED lamp and also reduce electronic waste.
US08398263B2	Filter wheel An improved filter wheel is disclosed, through embodiments, that comprises a plurality of reflector support structures formed as a unitized structure with a circular base member. In some embodiments, the filter wheel further comprises a plurality of light sources mounted on the filter wheel.
US08398261B2	Lighting strips with improved manufacturability In a lighting strip (8, 80, 380), a flexible electrically insulated cable (10, 110, 410) includes spaced apart parallel electrical conductors (12, 14, 112, 114, 118, 412, 414, 4181, 4182, 4183, 4184) bound together by electrical insulation (16, 116, 416) as a cable. The electrical conductors include power conductors (12, 14, 112, 114, 412, 414). A plurality of lighting units (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) secured to and spaced apart along the flexible electrically insulated cable each include: (i) one or more light emitting devices (24, 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d, 224b1, 224b2, 224b3, 224c1, 224c2, 224c3, 224d1, 224d2, 224d3, 4241, 4242, 4243, 4244); (ii) power regulating electrical circuitry (40, 140, 240, 340, 440); and (iii) insulation displacing conductors (28, 30, 128a, 128b, 128c, 128d, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 391, 392, 393, 500, 550, 600) connecting the lighting unit with at least the power conductors. The insulation displacing conductors (500, 550, 600) may be interchangeable.
US08398260B2	Heat-dissipation structure of LED lamp A heat-dissipation structure of an LED lamp is disclosed. The LED lamp includes a metal profile, a lampshade attached to the metal profile from bottom, a lamp head mounted around the combined lampshade and metal profile, a printed circuit board set in receiving recesses bilaterally formed below the metal profile, and LEDs provided on a surface of the printed circuit board facing the lampshade. The heat-dissipation structure is characterized in a downward-bending accurate profile of the metal profile being formed between the receiving recesses, and two pads being each positioned between the flanges and the printed circuit board, the two pads serving to prop two lateral sides of the printed circuit board upward such that the printed circuit board fits the accurate profile and closely contacts the metal profile with increased contacting area. Thereby, the printed circuit board can have heat accumulated in operation rapidly dissipated from the metal profile.
US08398259B2	Lighting device A lighting device comprises a housing; a coupling member coupled to the housing; a reflector coupled between the housing and the coupling member; and a light source unit coupled to the coupling member to emit light toward the reflector, wherein the light source unit includes a first body, a second body and a spring provided between the first body and the second body, and wherein the spring provides an elastic force between the first body and the second body.
US08398258B1	Cylindrical light fixture A light fixture built around a cylindrical, light-weight core. Mounted within the core are a battery, an LED driver, a DMX512 receiver, and an antenna. An LED ribbon is wound spirally around the core and is electrically connected to the LED driver. Circular bottom and top caps are mounted to the bottom and top of the core. A seamless, cylindrical lens coaxially aligned with the core is positioned between the caps. The top cap has several controls including a power switch, a battery charger port, and an LCD display that indicates various settings and conditions. Optionally, the top cap includes a mechanism for hanging the fixture.
US08398255B2	Wrist flex flashlight The present invention relates to a wrist flashlight. The flashlight of the present invention sits partly on the wrist and partly on the hand and flexes at the wrist joint such that the beam of light is always pointing in the same direction as the hand.
US08398252B2	Flexible self-supporting reflector for a parabolic trough The invention relates to a self-supporting reflector for a parabolic trough, the parabolic trough itself, a process for preparing the reflector, a process for preparing the parabolic trough, and the use of the reflector.
US08398251B2	Method and apparatus for fabricating a precision optical surface A method involves forming a first surface on a substrate, applying to the first surface a layer of a material having a thickness less than approximately 10 microns, and precision polishing the layer of material to form a precision optical second surface on a side of the layer opposite from the substrate. A different aspect involves an apparatus that includes a substrate having a first surface, and a layer provided on the surface and having a thickness less than approximately 10 microns, the layer having on a side thereof opposite from the substrate a polished second surface with an RMS surface roughness less than approximately 10 Angstroms.
US08398250B2	Projection display device A projection display device includes a light source; an optical system which modulates light from the light source, and emits the modulated light; a projecting portion which enlarges and projects the light emitted from the optical system; a cabinet which houses the light source, the optical system, and the projecting portion; an opening which is formed in one surface of the cabinet to allow mounting or dismounting of an optical component constituting the optical system, or the light source; a cover which covers the opening; and a holding portion which holds the cover in such a manner that the cover is allowed to slide in a direction along the one surface.
US08398249B2	Projector for projecting an image and corresponding method A projector for projecting an image includes: a light source for generating a light bundle; a pivotable deflection unit for deflecting the light bundle generated by the light source onto a projection surface; and an imaging device for imaging an aperture of the deflection unit onto the projection surface. The imaging device includes a mirror objective having at least two mirror elements. A method for projecting an image is also provided.
US08398247B2	Light source device having first light source, second light source, and control section to control drive timing of first light source and second light source such that drive pattern of second light source is inversion of drive pattern of second light source, and projection apparatus and projection method which utilize said light source device A light source device includes a first light source configured to emit light within a first wavelength band, a light-source light production section configured to sequentially produce light-source light of a plurality of colors at predetermined frequency by using light emitted by the first light source, a second light source configured to emit light within a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band, and a light source control section configured to control drive timing for each of the first and second light sources such that a light emission period for light-source light using light emitted by the second light source is positioned between light emission periods for the light-source light of the plurality of colors produced by the light-source light production section and that the light-source light using light emitted by the second light source has a frequency higher than that of the light-source light production section.
US08398236B2	Image-guided docking for ophthalmic surgical systems A docking method for an ophthalmic system may include the steps of aligning a docking unit of the ophthalmic system and an eye; generating an image of an internal structure of the eye by an imaging system; improving an alignment of the docking unit with the internal structure of the eye in relation to the generated image; and docking the docking unit to the eye. The generating the image step may include computing scanning data by a processor corresponding to a scanning pattern; storing the scanning data in a data buffer; transferring the scanning data by the data buffer to an output module; outputting scanning signals by the output module to one or more scanners based on the scanning data; and scanning an imaging beam with the one or more scanners according to the scanning signals.
US08398229B2	Curing A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.
US08398227B2	Pattern drawing method and pattern drawing apparatus Disclosed herein is a fine and thick wiring drawn at high speed in such a manner that a region on the substrate, on which region the liquid droplet is scheduled to impact, is heated beforehand, and that immediately after the impact of the liquid droplet on the substrate, the liquid droplet is promptly solidified so as thereby to suppress the spread of the liquid droplet due to the wettability of the liquid droplet to the substrate, and also to suppress the clogging of the nozzle due to the heating of the substrate. Thereby, even in the case where a liquid droplet having a larger volume than before is used, high-speed drawing of a thick and fine wiring having a line width approximately equal to the liquid droplet size is realized independently of the substrate material.
US08398226B2	Inkjet printing system An inkjet printing system comprising a plurality of static inkjet printing units each comprising at least one inkjet printing head; an ink-receiving element comprising a poorly-absorbing or impermeable substrate; an aqueous inkjet composition which comprises a polymeric compound comprising discrete particles responsive to an external stimulus, and a functional material, which may be incorporated as part of the polymeric particles, the composition having a first rheological state and a different second rheological state in response to a stimulated change in conditions, the first state being associated with a first lower viscosity of the composition, wherein the particles have a first lower volume, and the second state being associated with a second higher viscosity of the composition, wherein the particles have a second higher volume, and of drying the aqueous ink composition only positioned downstream of the plurality of the printing units.
US08398225B2	Image forming apparatus, and apparatus and method for applying foamed liquid A foamed liquid coating apparatus prevents curling or warping of a sheet caused by coating irregularities when coated with a preprocessing solution using a coating roller or a liquid discharge head. The foamed liquid coating apparatus includes a container holding a liquid that can be foamed. A first foamed liquid producing/transporting unit produces a foamed liquid having a foam size greater than a required foam size from the liquid supplied from the container. A second foamed liquid producing/transporting unit produces a foamed liquid having the required foam size from the foamed liquid produced by the first foamed liquid producing/transporting unit. The foamed liquid produced by the second foamed liquid producing/transporting unit is applied onto a first coating roller. The foamed liquid is further supplied from the first coating roller to a second coating roller that coats a sheet with the foamed liquid.
US08398222B2	Printing using liquid film solid catcher surface A method of printing includes providing liquid drops travelling along a first path using a jetting module. A catcher including a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source is also provided. A liquid film provided by the liquid source is caused to exit the liquid outlet of the catcher and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. Selected liquid drops are caused to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path using a deflection mechanism such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film.
US08398221B2	Printing using liquid film porous catcher surface A method of printing provides liquid drops travelling along a first path using a jetting module. A catcher including a stationary porous surface is also provided. A liquid film is caused to flow over the stationary porous surface of the catcher using a liquid source. Selected liquid drops are caused to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path using a deflection mechanism. The liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film.
US08398214B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and actuator device There is provided a liquid ejecting head including a channel forming member in which a pressure generating chamber is provided, a piezoelectric element that is provided at one surface side of the channel forming member, a terminal portion electrically connected to the piezoelectric element; the terminal portion being provided at the one surface side of the channel forming member, a wiring substrate which has a wiring layer, and an adhesive layer for electrically connecting the wiring layer and the terminal portion and for combing the wiring substrate and the channel forming member, the adhesive layer being formed by an anisotropic conductive material. A gap layer that is electrically discontinuous with the terminal portion and the wiring layer is provided on at least one surface of the channel forming member and the wiring substrate in an area in which the adhesive layer is provided.
US08398210B2	Continuous ejection system including compliant membrane transducer A continuous liquid ejection system includes a substrate defining a liquid chamber. An orifice plate, affixed to the substrate, includes a MEMS transducing member. The MEMS transducing member includes a first portion anchored to the substrate and a second portion extending over and free to move relative to the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane, positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member, includes an orifice and a first portion covering the MEMS transducing member and a second portion anchored to the substrate. A liquid supply provides a liquid to the liquid chamber under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane. The MEMS transducing member is selectively actuated to cause a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber to cause a drop of liquid to break off from the liquid jet.
US08398208B2	Ceramic printed circuit board (PCB) and inkjet printhead assembly using the same A ceramic printed circuit board (PCB) and an inkjet printhead assembly using the ceramic PCB. A ceramic PCB in which a plurality of layers are stacked includes a plurality of terminals to receive an electric signal from an external source, a plurality of circuit patterns connected to the plurality of terminals to transmit the electric signal, and a termination resistor having a predetermined thickness disposed between the plurality of circuit patterns, wherein the termination resistor is mounted between the plurality of stacked layers.
US08398206B2	Recovery processing method for print head, and inkjet printing apparatus using the same Wet wiping processing is performed on an ink ejection opening forming surface of a print head by use of a wiper. Then, as bubble removal processing, the print head is heated by use of either an electrothermal conversion element or a heat generating element located inside the print head, and then a control unit causes the print head to perform preliminary ejection K1 and preliminary ejection K2.
US08398205B2	Wiping device for inkjet printers A wiping device for an inkjet printer includes a wiper mount moveable between a wiping position and a non-wiping position. A slider coupled to the wiper mount, translates between a retracted position and a deployed position. A first translation of the slider to the deployed position causes the wiper mount to move into the wiping position. A trigger, operable between a cocked position and an un-cocked position is coupled to the slider. In the cocked position, the trigger locks the wiper mount in the wiping position. When actuated, the trigger moves to the un-cocked position and the wiper mount moves to the non-wiping position. The wiping device includes logic to control the actuation and non-actuation of trigger.
US08398203B2	Fluid ejecting apparatus and maintenance method of fluid ejecting apparatus A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a fluid ejecting head in which nozzles are formed on a nozzle forming surface and corresponding maintenance devices. A supporting member supports each of the maintenance devices in a disposition state that corresponds to the fluid ejecting head. A simultaneous transfer mechanism moves the supporting member between a maintenance position, which is a position state where each of the maintenance devices approaches the corresponding fluid ejecting head, and a retracted position, which is a position state where each of the maintenance devices is separated from the corresponding fluid ejecting head. An individual transfer mechanism individually moves each of the maintenance devices on the supporting member, for each of a plurality of maintenance device groups including at least one maintenance device, along approaching and separating directions with respect to the fluid ejecting head that corresponds to the maintenance device included in the maintenance device group.
US08398201B2	Recording apparatus and humidification device A humidification unit has a structure in which a first humidification chamber and a second humidification chamber are connected in series. Humidified gas produced in the humidification unit and having a high humidity is supplied to a space where nozzles of a recording head are exposed and produces a flow current.
US08398192B2	Ink-saving ink supply of printing machines An ink delivery device (30) for the ink supply of an inking system (20) of a printing machine (10) with ink, includes an ink reservoir (31), a drive that is connected to the ink reservoir (31) and configured such that the ink reservoir (31) can be pressurized by the drive, and a control device for controlling the drive of the ink delivery device (30), in which the drive and the control device are configured and connected with each other such that the ink delivery device (30) can be operated based on a method, in which the method includes the following steps: initiating an ink delivery process, increasing the pressure in the ink reservoir to a target operating pressure, adjusting the pressure in the ink reservoir to an adjusted operating pressure, and terminating the ink delivery process.
US08398189B2	Liquid discharge apparatus A liquid discharge apparatus is provided, including a cartridge attaching section to which a first liquid cartridge and a second liquid cartridge smaller than the first liquid cartridge are selectively attached, a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of driving sections individually corresponding to the nozzles, a purge mechanism which performs a purge operation, and a purge control unit which allows the purge mechanism to perform the purge operation so that a forcible ink discharge amount in a period of time in a case in which the first liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching section is smaller than a forcible ink discharge amount in a period of time in a case in which the second liquid cartridge is attached.
US08398188B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes an electrolytic capacitor for stabilizing the head power source voltage, a transistor for charging the electrolytic capacitor, a transistor for discharging the electrolytic capacitor, a push-pull circuit, a resistor for controlling the charging/discharging current to the electrolytic capacitor, and a resistor for dividing the head power source voltage. The power supply to the head is turned on with the head power source voltage increased by the capacitor.
US08398185B2	Opening device for refrigerator A side-by-side refrigerator having a door opening device which includes a cabinet and a door to open and close a front surface of the cabinet, the door opening device comprising: a handle which is mounted on a front surface of the door to perform a seesaw motion; and a push kit which is mounted on a side surface of the door to interwork with the handle, wherein a portion on which the handle and the push kit are mounted is formed to be recessed in the door.
US08398184B1	Thermal barrier and constraining apparatus to retain cold air and constrain containers on a shelf fixture within a compartment A thermal barrier and retaining apparatus including a flexible sheet for deployment in blocking relationship over the front edge of a horizontal shelf fixture in a compartment, in which said sheet with downward opening and resealable panels for access into compartment while in place is attached to mounting devices mounted to the inside wall surfaces of a refrigerator, cabinet or shelving fixture to retain cold air and containers from escaping therefrom.
US08398183B2	Hanging hook and modular storage furniture system A hanging hook for attaching a generally vertical object to a vertical side wall of a piece of storage furniture, comprises: a central portion extending laterally for at least the distance of the width of said object; a first attachment portion at one end of said central portion, the first attachment portion including a leg section extending downward for securing said leg portion through an aperture in a top surface of said piece of storage furniture; and a second attachment portions at the opposite end of said central portion, the second attachment portion including a leg section extending downward and an arm section extending inward from a distal end of the first section toward the center of said hanging hook for securing said arm section through an aperture in an outer side surface of said object.
US08398181B2	Endless elastomeric track This invention generally relates to the configuration of the inner surface of a traction band which increases the protection of the embedded reinforcing elements without reducing the flexibility of the band or increasing the generation of heat. The outer surface of the band generally comprises a plurality traction lugs while the inner surface generally comprises a plurality of drive and/or guide lugs. According to the present invention, each group of traction lugs, drive lugs and guide lugs, which are generally laterally aligned, defines generally non-flexible lug areas and each of these lug areas are separated by flexible and generally lug-less hinge areas. The lug areas, on the inner surface thereof, further comprise projections located between the drive lugs and the guide lugs and along the wheel paths defined therebetween.
US08398180B2	Method of braking a vehicle A method of braking a vehicle which includes ground engaging wheels, and a braking system with ABS capability and including an operator actuated brake control, the ABS becoming operative in response to the operator actuating the brake control, and upon the braking system sensing the slippage or impending slippage of at least one of the ground wheels relative to the ground, to vary the braking force applied to the at least one of the wheels between, in alternative periods, an applied state in which the braking force is applied, and a released state in which the braking force is released, and characterised in that the method includes applying torque to assist acceleration of the wheel at least during periods in which the braking force is released by the ABS.
US08398179B2	Extendible axle member for the rear of an agricultural harvester An extendible axle member (146, 148) is provided for an agricultural harvester (100), the axle (142, 144) having an elongate telescopic portion (400) with bearing surfaces (254, 256, 334, 336) for being slidably received in an outer axle member (142, 144).
US08398176B2	Asphalt milling attachment with depth control and bit access A milling attachment device has a rotating hood and provides both cutting depth control and bit access by rotating the rotating hood. The rotating hood is rotated by an actuating mechanism such as an extending cylinder, a slew drive, or drive rings. The rotating hood may also have a skid foot and/or a wheel to assist in the depth control. The milling attachment device may be connected to a host vehicle so that it can be maneuvered into position for milling or maintenance.
US08398175B2	Use of post-blast markers in the mining of mineral deposits A method of mining a mineral deposit includes setting a plurality of explosive charges at spaced pre-blast locations in the deposit, wherein at least selected pre-blast locations also carry respective markers that are such that the post-blast location of at least a useful proportion will be detectable after explosion of the charges. After the charges are exploded to fragment the deposit, the post-blast locations of certain of the markers are detected to obtain an indication of the relative positions of selected components of the mineral deposit after the fragmentation of the deposit by the exploding of the charges. Also disclosed is a method utilizing a plurality of markers arranged to emit a detectable signal after blast fragmentation, and detecting the post-blast locations by triangulation techniques employing a plurality of receiver detectors. A further aspect proposes the use of secondary explosive charges as post-blast markers.
US08398174B2	Seat cushion with foamed-in fastening element A seat cushion has a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements, in particular for utilization in vehicle seats, wherein the fastening element is formed by a flat retainer element having a fastening web connected thereto and serving as a counter-retainer. The retainer element is foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, wherein the counter-retainer is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion. A stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can thus be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner.
US08398173B2	Vehicular seat headrest and method The invention relates to a headrest for a vehicle, a method for producing a headrest, and a vehicle seat comprising a headrest. The headrest is provided with a body (2) and a holding element (3). A filling material (23) is provided between a connection part (22), used to connect the holding element (3) to the headrest body (2), and a cover (21). The connection part (22) and the cover (21) define an essentially tight space in relation to the filling material (23) when the filling material (23) is in the essentially liquid processing state thereof.
US08398172B2	Spiral jaw locking mechanism for adjustment system in chairs A locking chair adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of a chair component. The mechanism comprises a central shaft, a spiral jaw clutch comprising two interconnecting spiral jaw interfaces and a slotted element wherein the slot is sized to slideably receive the central shaft for displacement of the slotted element when the mechanism is in an unlocked position. A locking pad locks the mechanism against the slotted element. A rotatable adjustment handle allows the mechanism to toggle from a locked position, to an unlocked position, by displacement of the spring mechanism caused by the rotation of the spiral jaw interface fixedly mounted on the adjustment handle, therefore releasing pressure on the locking pad. A spring mechanism is activated when the claimed mechanism goes from a locked position to an unlocked position, pulling the claimed mechanism back to a locked position. The claimed mechanism provides a low cost solution offering better locking capabilities than traditional braking mechanisms.
US08398171B2	Lift chair A lift chair includes a seat portion formed therein with an accommodating room that is closed atop by a plane; a cushion deposited on the plane; a lifter mechanism deposited in the accommodating room and having an upper end connected to a bottom of the cushion; and a power source serving to drive the lifter mechanism to operate, thereby lifting or lowering the cushion, horizontally moving the cushion, or tilting the cushion, and in turn assisting a user to stand up or sit down.
US08398169B2	Furniture member having powered gliding motion A furniture member having a powered gliding motion includes a frame having a plurality of upright posts. Individual ones of a plurality of links are individually rotatably connected to individual ones of the upright posts. An actuation mechanism is suspended from the upright posts at rotatably connected free ends of each of the links to permit forward and rearward gliding motions of the actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a leg rest assembly movable between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A powered glider drive assembly selectively connected to both the frame and the actuation mechanism successively moves the actuation mechanism in the forward gliding motion and the rearward gliding motion independent of the position of the leg rest assembly.
US08398168B2	Powered glider recliner linkage mechanism A glider-recliner-style seating unit (glider recliner) that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the glider recliner between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The glider recliner is powered by a linear actuator that facilitates automated adjustment of the linkage mechanism. This adjustment of the linear actuator is sequenced into a first phase and a second phase. A stroke of the linear actuator in the first phase acts to adjust the linkage mechanism between the closed and extended positions by extending or retracting ottoman(s) attached to a footrest assembly. A stroke in the second phase acts to adjust the linkage mechanism between the extended and reclined positions by translating a seat-mounting plate forward or rearward at a consistent inclination angle while, concurrently, tilting a back-mounting link. Accordingly, the phase sequencing ensures that the linkage mechanism commences adjustment within the second phase only once the first-phase adjustment is substantially complete.
US08398167B2	Reactive head restraint having attachment points forward of seat back frame A reactive head restraint system for an occupant of an automotive vehicle seat includes a seat back frame and a reactive head restraint mechanism attached to the seat back frame. A head restraint is attached to the reactive head restraint mechanism. The seat back frame includes a left side member, a right side member, and an upper cross member. The cross member connects the left and right side members of the frame. The reactive head restraint mechanism includes a hinge for attachment to the upper cross member, a pair of spaced apart steel tubes attached to the front leaf of a hinge, a pair of plastic guide sleeves, and a push plate. The guide sleeves are inserted into the upper ends of the steel tubes. The posts of the head restraint are inserted into the guide sleeves. The rear leaf of the hinge is attached to either the underside of the cross member or is attached to the front of the cross member. The push plate is attached to the lower ends of the spaced apart steel tubes. Because of the hinged attachment of the steel tubes to the cross member, the push plate moves toward the rear of the vehicle and the head restraint simultaneously moves toward a front of the vehicle in response to occupant movement toward the rear of the seat back during vehicle impact.
US08398159B1	Frame members with tab and slot connections In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle frame comprises a plurality of frame members including at least two side plate members interlocked with a bottom plate member and a vertically loaded plate member. The bottom plate member and the vertically loaded plate member are non-parallel. The side plate members support the bottom plate member and the vertically loaded plate member through a plurality of tab and slot connections.
US08398158B2	Floor structure of a motor vehicle body A floor structure of a motor vehicle body is provided that has two side member arrangements substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction, which are interconnected by way of at least one front cross member and one rear cross member, and with a floor panel arranged above the cross members, which is provided with a reinforcing element substantially extending in vehicle longitudinal direction and arranged above the floor panel, which is structurally connected to at least one front cross member and to one rear cross member.
US08398157B2	Pillar reduction by outer panel cut A vehicle body construction, namely a front or A-pillar, extends between a windshield and a door opening. The construction includes an inner body panel with first and second flanges along opposite edges of a central portion, an outer body panel with first and second flanges along opposite edges of a central portion, and a stiffener received between the inner and outer body panels. The stiffener has first and second flanges disposed along opposite edges of a central portion. Each of the inner body panel, outer body panel, and stiffener second-edges are joined together while the first edges of the inner body panel and stiffener are joined together adjacent the windshield and the first edge of the outer body panel is joined to the central portion of the stiffener. This structural arrangement improves visibility from the interior, provides greater visible body color from the exterior, improves both the aerodynamic and styling flexibility, and improves the sectional inertia or overall stiffness of the A-pillar with lighter weight materials.
US08398150B2	Side skirt system for a trailer A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer along a length of the trailer. A mounting bracket assembly of the system is coupled to the side skirt wall and is configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. The mounting bracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.
US08398149B2	Door of a motor vehicle The invention relates to a door of a motor vehicle having an outer panel (1), an inner panel (2), a plate-shaped member (6), which is arranged on the door inside, for various add-on and mounting units, and reinforcement regions (14 to 17) for door functional elements and an installed stiffening member (3, 4) as a side-impact protector. In order to optimize the ratio of stiffness to side-impact protection of the door and to optimize the production expenditure of the door, the inner panel (2) and the stiffening member (3, 4) are formed as an integral frame-shaped component (5) which includes the reinforcement regions (14 to 17) from high-strength to superhigh strength steel sheet, and that are hot-worked. In order to be able to install the add-on and mounting units with sufficient mounting length, the plate-shaped member (6) is fastened to the inner panel (2) by means of a holding frame (7) which provides the desired mounting depth.
US08398146B2	Method of joining a backlight cover and headliner clip for a convertible top A convertible top has a convertible top cover, a backlight, and a headliner. A connector system includes a molded ring of material affixed to the backlight and the top cover. The connector system includes a clip attached to the headliner. The molded ring may have a slot formed on an interior surface between the backlight and the cover. The clip may be inserted into the slot to secure the headliner insider the top cover. A method of securing a headliner to a convertible top is also provided.
US08398142B2	Vehicle seat Provided is a vehicle seat which is positionable between a use and not-it-use position convenient for increased storage space and access to rearward areas of the vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seat part and a backrest. The seat part is pivotably coupled to the vehicle floor at one end so that that the seat part may be moved frontward with respect to the vehicle. A transmission link is provided, coupled to the backrest and the seat part so that the backrest pivots into the not-in-use position as the seat part is moved into its not-in-use position.
US08398141B2	Vehicle seating arrangement for a vehicle seat including a cantilevered section A vehicle seating arrangement includes a first slide rail mounted to a vehicle floor, a second slide rail mounted to the floor, a multi-passenger seat mounted to the first slide rail and to the second slide rail, a restraining device on the multi-passenger seat, and a restraining rail connected with the floor. The multi-passenger seat moves in a fore and aft longitudinal direction and includes a cantilevered section extending from the second slide rail away from the first slide rail. The restraining device is located adjacent a lateral edge of the cantilevered section. The restraining rail connects with the floor spaced laterally from the second slide rail on an opposite side of the second slide rail as the first slide rail and cooperates with the restraining rail to limit at least one of lateral movement and upward vertical movement of the lateral edge of the cantilevered section.
US08398136B2	Apparatus for storage and retrieval This invention provides for an apparatus for storing one or more items. The apparatus comprises a first part adapted to be mounted to a surface or a wall and a second part mounted by a linkage arrangement to a sliding mechanism that can slidably move relative to the first part. The second part is adapted to store or hold one or more items. The second part is movable relative to the first part such that the second part can be moved from a storage position to a first access position at which the second part is at one level. The linkage arrangement is operative to move the second part from the first access position to a second access position, the second access position being located at a level spaced from that of the first access position.
US08398135B2	Pole safety assembly A safety assembly that provides a lifeline for utility poles and other tall structures is provided. The safety assembly includes a tubular member and a positioning member. The tubular member has first and second openings to a passage. The passage is configured to receive a rope. The positioning member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the positioning member is configured to be received in at least one of the first and second openings of the tubular member. The second end of the positioning member is configured to be coupled to a reaching member. With the use of the positioning member and the reaching member, the tubular member is positioned to engage the tall structure and the rope passing through the internal passage is used as a lifeline.
US08398131B2	Radiator grill arrangement A radiator grill arrangement for a motor vehicle front end of a motor vehicle with a number of air passage openings, which can be closed at least substantially by at least one flap element is provided. The at least one flap element is supported so as to be able to swivel about an associated flap axis. In driving states of the motor vehicle in which little cooling air is needed for the engine or engine compartment, the entire flap arrangement or a part of the flaps can thus be closed in order to improve the drag coefficient cw of the motor vehicle and to save fuel. Also in the parked state of the motor vehicle with the engine switched off, it is possible to close the flap arrangement in order to ensure a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the motor vehicle.
US08398130B2	Tray anti-opening apparatus An anti-opening apparatus locks a tray so as to prevent the tray from opening when impact such as head impact is applied to a crash pad. In the tray anti-opening apparatus, the tray is mounted so as to be pulled into or out of a housing fixedly coupled to a crash pad. A rotary bar is hinged to the housing at an intermediate portion thereof, extends toward the tray on one side thereof, extends in a direction which crosses the extension direction of one side thereof on the other side thereof, and is rotated such that one side thereof approaches one surface of the tray when impact is applied to the crash pad. A pin is coupled on one side of the rotary bar, and a free end of the pin is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the tray when the rotary bar is rotated.
US08398125B2	Vehicle pop-up hood apparatus A vehicle pop-up hood apparatus is provided that includes: an arm member, whose proximal end portion is connected to a body of a vehicle so as to be pivotable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction; a first connection section by which a hood of the vehicle is connected to a tip portion of the arm member, and that allows the hood to pivot relative to the arm member about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction; a second connection section that connects the hood to the arm member to prevent the hood from pivoting relative to the arm member about the first connection section; and an actuator that generates a lifting force that lifts the hood relative to the body and acts in a direction such that the connection between the hood and the arm member by means of the second connection section is broken.
US08398119B2	Electrofusion fitting An electrofusion fitting includes a tubular length of thermoplastic material, of an outer diameter commensurate with the inner diameter of the ends of a compatible thermoplastic material lining of adjacent lengths of metal pipe, there being at each end of the fitting at least two heater coils on or in close proximity to the outer surface of the fitting, electrical leads from the heater coils extending through the fitting to emerge at the inner surface of the tubular length, for connection to a source of electrical power.
US08398116B2	Vehicle airbag and method of manufacturing the same An airbag for a vehicle, the airbag formed as a bag body by sewing together a base cloth, wherein the bag body is configured so that a direction in which the bag body unfolds expands from a base end side of the bag body to a tip end side, and, the bag body includes a tensional force providing mechanism generating a tensional force pulling an upper rim of the bag body toward an outer side by forming a tension line extending so as to cross with the direction in which the bag body unfolds, along a side surface of the bag body.
US08398105B2	Methods and apparatus for suspension damping with reduced cavitation and effects A method and apparatus for reducing cavitation and its effects in a damper. The damper includes a flow dividing structure. In one embodiment, the structure is disposed in a valve including an annular flow path constructed and arranged to separate fluid into substantially separate streams as the fluid passes through the annular path.
US08398103B2	Auxiliary frame An auxiliary frame is adapted to be mounted on a rear end of a bicycle. The auxiliary frame includes two horizontally spaced apart lateral propping members, a plank member, and a supporting frame. The plank member extends between the lateral propping members and is disposed at an end of each of the lateral propping members. The supporting frame is connected to and disposed behind the plank member.
US08398101B2	Axle tubes including protrusion and vehicle including same A vehicle includes a frame, a swing member, an axle tube, a cushion bracket, a protrusion, an axle, and a cushion member. The swing member is pivotable about a first axis. The axle tube is coupled with the swing member, the cushion bracket, and the protrusion. The axle is rotatable about a second axis. The cushion member includes lower and upper ends. The lower end is pivotally coupled with the cushion bracket and is pivotable about a third axis. The second and third axes reside in a first plane. The protrusion is located above the first plane and is spaced from the cushion member by a first distance having a minimum value. The lower end of the cushion member is spaced from the axle tube by a second distance having a minimum value. The minimum value of the first distance is less than the minimum value of the second distance.
US08398099B2	Wheeled sport apparatus, as for training and recreation A wheeled sport apparatus may comprise a platform and first and second sets of wheels disposed on the platform. Each set of wheels may include a center wheel between two outboard wheels and the outboard wheels may be toed outward for defining a turning radius. One or more carrier wheels may be provided between the first and second sets of wheels.
US08398098B2	Stroller connectable with a car seat A stroller is connectable with a car seat, and includes a frame, and a stroller seat disposed on the frame. The stroller further includes a pair of opposing connecting rods mounted on the frame for supporting the stroller seat. The stroller seat is convertible between an upright position whereat the stroller seat is substantially vertical and connectable with the car seat, and a horizontal position whereat the stroller seat is substantially horizontal and adapted to be seated. The stroller seat includes a support frame operable to extend beyond and rise above the stroller seat to engage the car seat in the upright position, and operable to be moved to be lower than the stroller seat in the horizontal position.
US08398093B2	Frame for an in-line roller skate having a movable wheel-receiving element An in-line roller skate having a shoe and a wheel supporting frame extending therefrom for supporting aligned wheels. The frame includes a main frame body mounted to the shoe and at least one auxiliary frame body for supporting a wheel and being pivotally mounted to the main frame body. A resilient and deformable member is interposed between the auxiliary frame body and the shoe. The auxiliary frame body is so pivotable as to provide for moving the wheel towards and away the shoe for a distance determined by the extension and compression of the resilient and deformable member.
US08398088B2	Sealing ring A sealing ring has a sealing element with at least one fastening part and at least one sealing part provided with a sealing edge. The sealing element is essentially of rotational symmetry. The sealing edge, at least over a portion of a circumference thereof, is positioned in a slanted position relative to a sealing ring axis at an angle different from a 90 degree angle, viewed in a projection onto an axial plane of the sealing ring. A support part is provided and the sealing edge is arranged on an inner side of the support part.
US08398080B2	Apparatus useful as a toy, puzzle or as an educational device An apparatus useful as an educational device, puzzle or toy of a kind having magnetic interactions between an elongate support and pieces held, or to be held, with or without contact, about said support, wherein a plurality of said pieces collectively form, or can form, a first band of pieces about said support, and another plurality of said pieces form, or can form, a second band of pieces about the support, and wherein at least one piece of each said band has an indicia, said indicia of a piece in one band being able to be indexed to an indicia of a piece of the other band, and wherein at least one of the bands of pieces is able, or will be able, to be rotated about the elongate axis of the support.
US08398076B2	Low-noise mailpiece storage device A storage device for a mail-handling machine, said storage device comprising a mailpiece-receiving deck along a longitudinal edge of which a referencing wall extends, and through which a conveyor belt passes for the purpose of conveying mailpieces along said referencing wall, and a shock-absorber ramp that is mounted against the referencing wall and that is hit by the mailpieces after they are ejected from said mail-handling machine, and before they fall back down onto the conveyor belt so as to be conveyed towards the sloping surface.
US08398074B2	Sheet guide and image recording apparatus A sheet guide includes a base on which a sheet is placed; a pinion which is rotatably provided on the base; a pair of racks which are extended in a sliding direction, which sandwich the pinion therebetween, which are engaged with the pinion to move opposite to each other in the sliding direction; a pair of positioning members which are provided at one end portions of the pair of racks respectively, and which come closer and move away from each other by movement of the pair of racks to position the sheet in the sliding direction; a sliding guide which is formed in the base and which guides the pair of racks in the sliding direction; and a pressing member which is provided on the base and which presses a portion of at least one rack of the racks to urge the at least one rack against the pinion.
US08398072B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding apparatus in that a leading edge regulation member, which is provided on an end on a downstream in a sheet feeding direction of a manual feed tray tilted in such a manner that a portion of the manual feed tray on the downstream in the sheet feeding direction is lowered, regulates a position of an edge on the downstream in the sheet feeding direction of a sheet bundle supported by the manual feed tray. Further, an upper end portion of the leading edge regulation member is provided with a stepped portion, to thereby cause sheets in a surface layer portion of the sheet bundle, which are supported by the manual feed tray, to deviate downstream in the sheet feeding direction when the sheet bundle is placed in the manual feed tray.
US08398066B2	Image forming apparatus with stapling function An image forming apparatus with a stapling function is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a printing device and a stapling device. The printing device is used for printing images on plural papers. The printed papers are transmitted to the stapling device and stapled by the stapling device. The printing device has a printing device casing. The stapling device includes a minor casing and a main casing, which are respectively connected with a first surface and a second surface of the printing device casing. Since the stapling device is connected with two difference surfaces of the printing device casing, the overall height of the image forming apparatus is reduced.
US08398065B2	Sheet punching device and image forming apparatus having sheet punching device A sheet punching device includes a first blade, a first die into which the first blade is fitted from a first surface of a sheet to form a punch hole in the sheet, a second blade, and a second die into which the second blade is fitted. The second blade is inserted into the punch hole formed by the first blade from a second surface of the sheet and fitted into the second die.
US08398064B2	Apparatus for, and method of, inserting flat objects into a folded printed product A device and a method for inserting flat objects into a folded printed product, wherein the products are held by grippers of a gripper conveyor which opens only briefly for inserting the flat object. In order to also stabilize the product in the open state of the gripper, a support element is provided, which moves between the two product parts before the gripper opens and rests on one of the product parts. If the orientations of the support elements and the grippers are selected in a suitable fashion, this will suffice in order to position the product and keep it open such that the flat object can be inserted and the gripper can then be closed again, while clamping the product with the flat object into position. Optionally, further support elements are present, which additionally support the product from the outside, such as the folded edge.
US08398063B2	Ribbon transport apparatus and method A ribbon transport apparatus for a printing press is provided. The ribbon transport apparatus includes a vacuum conveyor belt transporting a ribbon and a manifold supporting the vacuum conveyor belt. The vacuum conveyor belt and the manifold are arranged to draw the ribbon towards the vacuum conveyor belt via a suction. A method of transporting a ribbon in a printing press is also provided.
US08398060B2	Vibration absorber for a vehicle suspension spring A dynamic vibration absorber for a vehicle suspension system includes a spring elastically supporting a vehicle body on a vehicle frame, the spring including multiple coils, an isolator secured to at least one of the coils, at least a portion of the isolator being elastically displaceable in response to movement of one of the coils, and a mass formed as unit with the isolator portion, and supported on the isolator for elastic movement.
US08398059B2	Gas liquid contactor and method thereof The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to individually fed nozzle banks including an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets shaped to minimize disruption from a gas. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a gas liquid contactor having a plurality of modules including a liquid inlet and outlet and a gas inlet and outlet. An array of nozzles is in communication with the liquid inlet and the gas inlet. The array of nozzles is configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets shaped to minimize disruption from a gas flow and maximize gas flow and liquid flow interactions while rapidly replenishing the liquid.
US08398054B2	Device for throttling the free cross-section of a steam pipe A device for manually regulating the flow quantity of steam pipes, with a throttle housing having an inlet and an outlet. In order to create a particularly compact device with simple construction and low maintenance, which furthermore has a modular structure, the device has a piston arranged eccentrically inside the throttle housing and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which piston can be activated by at least one carrier element from outside the throttle housing and is provided with an eccentric longitudinal bore, and wherein the pipe cross-section, after rotation through a specified angle, is reduced to a desired cross-section.
US08398049B2	Multi-functional infant care and organizer system and associated methods A multi-functional infant care and organizer system includes a base member and an elongate main body member detachably connected to and extending upwardly from the base member. The system also includes unit carrying member that is moveably connected to the main body member and unit member slidably and rotatably connected to the main body member and supported by the unit carrying member when slidably connected to the main body member. The unit member can be a storage unit, a changing station, a table, a light, a hanger, a bath pod, entertainment unit, an infant hammock, an infant mobile, a music box, or a drawing surface. Any combination of unit members may be connected to the main body member.
US08398042B2	Ceiling-mounted docking device The present invention provides a docking device for connecting to equipment. The docking device includes a first housing section having a plurality of leg sections extending from a surface thereof. A second housing section is attachable to the leg sections of the first housing section. The first housing section and the second housing section define an internal cavity of the docking device. The internal cavity is dimensioned to receive an electrical cable. The leg sections and the second housing section define an opening therebetween. The opening communicates with the internal cavity of the docking device. A panel is dimensioned to be received into the opening defined by the leg sections and the second housing section. The panel has a connector extending therethrough.
US08398041B2	Mounting bracket and wall mountable material dispensing system Generally, a mounting bracket for mounting a mountable object is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes a baseplate has a substantially flat mounting surface and an opposite outward-facing surface. A ledge extends a first distance from the outward-facing surface to support the mountable object. A mounting bracket locking component adapted to frictionally engage a mountable object locks the mountable object in place. Additionally, a stabilizing member extending a second distance from the outward-facing surface contacts the mountable object to help limit movement of the object during use. The mounting bracket may be used with a material dispenser in a wall mountable material dispensing system. The wall mountable material dispensing system may be packaged as a kit wherein the mounting bracket is packaged within the material dispenser.
US08398040B2	Fastening apparatus for a pressurized-gas vessel A fastening apparatus for pressurized-gas vessels is provided on a carrier. The fastening apparatus makes it possible to fasten a pressurized-gas vessel as well as to adapt the fastening apparatus to differently sized pressurized-gas vessels with one manipulative step. The fastening apparatus includes a carrier, a belt, a locking device, fastening points and redirection points for the belt.
US08398038B2	Wheel support A wheel support assembly is mounted to a pivotable system spanning an opening, with the pivotable system mounted to one side of the opening at a pivotable connection and to another side of the opening at a removable connection. The support assembly is disposed proximate the removable connection and spaced apart from the pivotable connection, and has a wheel positioned and oriented to support the pivotable system weight that would otherwise be cantilevered as the pivotable system rotates about the pivotable support. The wheel support assembly may include a vertically adjustable wheel that may be adjusted to remain just out of contact with the support surface when the pivotable assembly is connected to both the pivotable and the removable connections.

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