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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US08399500B2	Method of synthesizing ergothioneine and analogs The present disclosure relates to a method for synthesizing ergothioneine or one of the derivatives thereof of following formula (I): or a physiologically acceptable salt, a tautomer, a stereoisomer or a mixture of stereoisomers in all proportions thereof, from a compound of betaine type of following formula (II): or a physiologically acceptable salt, a tautomer, a stereoisomer or a mixture of stereoisomers in all proportions thereof, by cleavage reaction in the presence of a thiol, at a temperature above or equal to 60° C. The present disclosure also relates to compounds of formula (II) and the method of synthesis thereof.
US08399493B2	Pyridinone derivatives and their use as positive allosteric modulators of mGluR2-receptors The present invention relates to methods for treating or controlling schizophrenia in a mammal using compounds having the Formula (I), wherein M1 and M2 are defined in the application.
US08399492B2	Pyridine derivatives as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators The present invention relates to novel pyridine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08399491B2	Derivatives of indole-2-carboxamides and of azaindole-2-carboxamides substituted with a silanyl group, preparation thereof and therapeutic use thereof This disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein G1, G2, G3, G4, n, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 are as defined in the disclosure, or a salt thereof, or a hydrate or solvate thereof, and to processes for the preparation of these compounds and the therapeutic use thereof.
US08399489B2	Antibacterial piperdine derivatives Compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described. Processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, their use as medicaments and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections are also described.
US08399488B2	Biphenyl compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, m, s, t, W, Z, Ar, R1, R2, R3, R6, and R7 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders.
US08399483B2	Quinoxaline and quinoline derivatives as kinase inhibitors A series of heteroaryl-substituted quinoxaline and quinoline derivatives, being selective inhibitors of PI3 kinase enzymes, are accordingly of benefit in medicine, for example in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, oncological, nociceptive or ophthalmic conditions, said substituted derivatives having the general formula
US08399477B2	(Aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, pharmaceutical composition comprising it, intermediate compounds and preparation process therefor An (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1, G2, G3, R1, W, and R2 have the meanings given in the description, a pharmaceutical composition comprising it, and also intermediate compounds and a preparation process therefor.
US08399473B2	Macrocyclic spiropiperidine beta-secretase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) which are inhibitors of the beta-secretase enzyme and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the treatment of such diseases in which the beta-secretase enzyme is involved.
US08399472B2	Compositions and methods for inhibition of the JAK pathway The invention encompasses compounds having formula I-V and the compositions and methods using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases, particularly JAK3, may be therapeutically useful.
US08399467B2	Substituted triazolo-pyridazine derivatives This invention relates to novel substituted triazolo-pyridazines, their derivatives, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an α1-GABA-A receptor antagonist and/or a α2, α3 and α5 GABA-A receptor agonist.
US08399459B2	1,4 oxazines as BACE1 and/or BACE2 inhibitors The present invention provides 1,4 Oxazines of formula I having BACE1 and/or BACE2 inhibitory activity, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as therapeutically active substances. The active compounds of the present invention are useful in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of e.g. Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.
US08399458B2	Compounds useful as protein kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08399455B2	Compounds useful as chemokine receptor antagonists The present invention relates to compounds useful as Chemokine Receptor antagonists. Compounds of general formula I are provided: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compounds and compositions for the inhibition of Chemokine Receptors and also for the treatment of various diseases, conditions, or disorders, including acute or chronic inflammatory disease, cancer, and osteolytic bone disorders.
US08399452B2	Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepin-11-yl-N-hydroxybenzamides as HDAC inhibitors This invention relates to compounds for the inhibition of histone deacetylase. More particularly, the invention provides for compounds of formula (I) wherein Q, J, L and Z are as defined in the specification.
US08399451B2	Heterocyclic compounds Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I) or a stereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A is Q is a substituted 5-membered monocyclic heteroaryl group; W is CH2, O, or NH; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m, n, t, and x are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease.
US08399448B2	6-amino-pyrimidine-4-carboxamide derivatives and related compounds which bind to the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor for the treatment of multiple sclerosis The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein X, W, Q, R, R1 and R2 have the meanings given in claim 1. The compounds are useful, for example, in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
US08399447B2	Metal triangulo compound and methods of using the same The present invention relates to metal triangulo compounds. Provided herein are also methods of inducing apoptosis in a cell that comprise administering a metal triangulo compound and methods of preventing carcinogenesis in a cell that comprise administering a metal triangulo compound.
US08399445B2	Acetylcysteine composition and uses thereof This invention relates to novel acetylcysteine compositions in solution, comprising acetylcysteine and which are substantially free of metal chelating agents, such as EDTA. Further, this invention relates to methods of making and using the acetylcysteine compositions. The present compositions and methods are designed to improve patient tolerance and compliance, while at the same time maintaining the stability of the pharmaceutical formulation. The compositions and methods of this invention are useful in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose, acute liver failure, various cancers, methacrylonitrile poisoning, reperfusion injury during cardio bypass surgery, and radiocontrast-induced nephropathy, and can also be used as a mucolytic agent.
US08399444B2	Bicyclic imidazole as DP1 receptor antagonists The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and their use in the treatment of allergic disorders, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
US08399440B2	Disease modifying anti-arthritic activity of 2-methoxyestradiol The present invention relates a composition for treating rheumatic diseases. The composition comprises a compound having the formula wherein Ra is selected from —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CCCH3, —CHCH—CH3, or CH2—CHCH2; and one or more anti-rheumatic agents. A method of using the composition for treating rheumatic diseases in humans and animals is also disclosed.
US08399438B2	2α-methyl-19-nor-1α-hydroxy-homopregnacalciferol and its uses This invention discloses 2α-methyl-19-nor-vitamin D analogs, and specifically 2α-methyl-19-nor-1α-hydroxy-homopregnacalciferol and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits 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 has little, if any, calcemic activity 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.
US08399435B2	Compounds for the treatment of proliferative disorders The invention relates to compounds of structural formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, and prodrug thereof, wherein Ra, Rb, and R2 are defined herein. These compounds inhibit tubulin polymerization and/or target vasculature and are useful for treating proliferative disorders, such as cancer.
US08399433B2	Amino pyrimidine anticancer compounds Compounds of Formula 1, as shown below and defined herein: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, synthesis, intermediates, formulations, and methods of disease treatment therewith, including cancers mediated at least in part by FAK.
US08399426B2	Method for treating breast cancer using adenine nucleotide translocator 2 (ANT2) siRNA or ANT2 shRNA The present invention relates to adenine nucleotide translocator 2 (ANT2) siRNA (small interfering RNA) or ANT2 shRNA (short hairpin RNA) suppressing the expression of ANT2 gene expression and anticancer agent containing the same. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for treating breast cancers or stem cells of a breast cancer by treating the same with ANT2 siRNA or ANT2 shRNA. In addition, the invention provides a method for inhibiting metastasis of breast cancer cells with ANT2 siRNA or ANT2 shRNA.
US08399418B2	Monosebacate of pyrazole derivative The present invention provides a novel form of 3-(3-{4-[3-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl]-3-methylphenoxy}propylamino)-2,2-dimethylpropionamide with improved storage stability. Since bis[3-(3-{4-[3-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl]-3-methylphenoxy}propylamino)-2,2-dimethylpropionamide]monosebacate has extremely excellent storage stability, it is useful as a drug substance. Furthermore, it shows an extremely good crystalline property and can be purified by a convenient method, and therefore is suitable for the industrial preparation.
US08399417B2	Food A low-fat food containing an amino acid or a peptide which is able to activate a calcium receptor, examples of which include γ-Glu-X-Gly, γ-Glu-Val-Y, γ-Glu-Ala, γ-Glu-Gly, γ-Glu-Cys, γ-Glu-Met, γ-Glu-Thr, γ-Glu-Val, γ-Glu-Orn, Asp-Gly, Cys-Gly, Cys-Met, Glu-Cys, Gly-Cys, Leu-Asp, D-Cys, γ-Glu-Met(O), γ-Glu-γ-Glu-Val, γ-Glu-Val-NH2, γ-Glu-Val-ol, γ-Glu-Ser, γ-Glu-Tau, γ-Glu-Cys(S-Me)(O), γ-Glu-Leu, γ-Glu-Ile, γ-Glu-t-Leu, γ-Glu-Cys(S-Me), etc, wherein X and Y are an amino acid or an amino acid derivative.
US08399415B2	Oligopeptides and cosmetic compositions containing the oligopeptides Oligopeptides according to formula (I) and/or (II), R1-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2 (I, SEQ ID NO:1); R1-Tyr-Pro-PhePhe-NH2 (II, SEQ ID NO:2), wherein R1 is linked to the NH2-group of the amino-terminal part of Tyr and is selected from the group consisting of —H; a linear saturated or unsaturated or branched saturated or unsaturated acyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, which may be functionalized by a —OH, —SH, —COOH or —CONH+ group; a sterol or a sphingolipid group which is linked to the amino terminal part of Tyr via a bifunctional linker are disclosed. Cosmetic compositions containing the oligopeptides are also disclosed.
US08399412B2	Method of treating or preventing tissue deterioration, injury or damage due to periodontal disease or disease of oral mucosa, and/or downregulating NF-kappabeta or supressing NF-kappabeta-mediated actions A method of treatment for treating, at least partly preventing, inhibiting or reducing tissue deterioration, injury or damage due to a periodontal disease or disease of oral mucosa, or for restoring tissue adversely affected by the disease, in a subject, and/or for downregulating NF-kappaB or suppressing NF-kappaB mediated action in a body, organ, tissue or cell, includes administering to a subject, body, organ, tissue or cell an effective amount of a composition including a peptide agent including at least one of Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), an isoform of Tβ4, an N-terminal fragment of Tβ4, a C-terminal fragment of Tβ4, Tβ4 sulfoxide, an LKKTET peptide or conservative variant thereof, an LKKTNT peptide or conservative variant thereof, a KLKKTET peptide or conservative variant thereof, an LKKTETQ peptide or conservative variant thereof, Tβ4ala, Tβ9, Tβ10, Tβ11, Tβ12, Tβ13, Tβ14, Tβ15, gelsolin, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), profilin, cofilin, depactin, DnaseI, vilin, fragmin, severin, capping protein, β-actinin, acumentin, an actin-sequestering peptide, an actin binding peptide, an actin-mobilizing peptide, an actin polymerization-modulating peptide, or a stimulating agent that stimulates production of an effective amount of the peptide agent in the subject, body, organ, tissue or cell.
US08399409B2	Compositions and methods for arthrodetic procedures The present invention provides compositions and methods for facilitating fusion of bones in a joint. The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting fusion of bones in arthrodetic procedures. In one embodiment, a method of performing an arthrodetic procedure comprises providing a composition comprising PDGF disposed in a biocompatible matrix and applying the composition to a site of desired bone fusion in a joint.
US08399408B2	Method for treating diabetes using neurturin The present invention relates generally to methods for preventing and/or treating pancreatic disorders, particularly those related to diabetes, by administering a neurturin protein product.
US08399407B2	Non-standard insulin analogues An insulin analogue comprises a B-chain polypeptide containing at least one alteration selected from a methylated phenylalanine substitution at position B24 and an addition of two amino acids to the carboxyl end of the B-chain polypeptide. A first amino acid at position B31 is selected from glutamate and aspartate, and a second amino acid at position B32 is selected from glutamate, alanine and aspartate. The methylated phenylalanine may be ortho-monofluoro-phenylalanine, meta-monobromo-phenylalanine or para-monochloro-phenylalanine. The analogue may be an analogue of a mammalian insulin, such as human insulin. A nucleic acid encoding such an insulin analogue is also provided. A method of treating a patient comprises administering a physiologically effective amount of the insulin analogue or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof to a patient.
US08399404B2	Methods and uses for inhibiting platelet coagulation The present disclosure provides methods and uses of Slit proteins and nucleic acids for inhibiting platelet coagulation and related disorders. Further provided is a vascular device coated with Slit protein or a cell expressing a Slit protein.
US08399402B2	Polypeptide as standard for proteome analysis The present invention provides a polypeptide as standard for peptide analysis by mass spectrometry comprising at least 16 peptides selected from the group consisting of the peptides of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 22 or variants thereof, together with an artificial protein comprising the polypeptide, a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, a kit for proteome analysis, a selection of peptides for calibration an devaluation of mass spectrometers and chromatographs for proteome analysis and uses thereof.
US08399400B2	Fusion proteins A single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a nociceptive sensory afferent; a dynorphin Targeting Moiety that is capable of binding to a Binding Site on the nociceptive sensory afferent, which Binding Site is capable of undergoing endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent; a protease cleavage site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by a protease, wherein the protease cleavage site is located between the non-cytotoxic protease or fragment thereof and the dynorphin Targeting Moiety; and a translocation domain that is capable of translocating the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide fusion proteins, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described.
US08399397B2	Articles and compositions for enhancing sports scores Methods and compositions for enhancing the score of an individual in a sport activity are disclosed.
US08399394B2	Systems and methods for processing glycerol Systems and methods for processing glycerol into one or more useful products are provided. The method can include decreasing a pH of a mixture comprising glycerol and fatty acids to produce an emulsion comprising a glycerol-rich portion and a fatty acids-rich portion. At least a portion of the glycerol-rich portion can be reacted with at least one of an oxidant and a catalyst at conditions sufficient to produce a reacted product comprising glyceric acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, formic acid, or any combination thereof.
US08399390B2	HVI-PAO in industrial lubricant and grease compositions The invention relates to industrial lubricant and grease compositions containing high viscosity index polyalphaolefins (HVI-PAO). The use of HVI-PAOs in industrial oils and greases application provides advantages in improved shear stability, wear property, foam property, energy efficiency and improved overall performance.
US08399383B2	Protein chips for high throughput screening of protein activity The present invention relates to protein chips useful for the large-scale study of protein function where the chip contains densely packed reaction wells. The invention also relates to methods of using protein chips to assay simultaneously the presence, amount, and/or function of proteins present in a protein sample or on one protein chip, or to assay the presence, relative specificity, and binding affinity of each probe in a mixture of probes for each of the proteins on the chip. The invention also relates to methods of using the protein chips for high density and small volume chemical reactions. Also, the invention relates to polymers useful as protein chip substrates and methods of making protein chips. The invention further relates to compounds useful for the derivatization of protein chip substrates.
US08399381B2	Condensed heterocyclic sulfonyl urea compound, a herbicide containing the same, and a method for weed control using the same The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula: wherein Q represents a fused heterocyclic group, X and Y are the same or different and each represent an optionally halogenated lower alkyl group, an optionally halogenated lower alkoxy group, etc., or a salt thereof, as well as a herbicide comprising the compound or a salt thereof, which exhibits a significant effect for control of sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant weeds in paddy fields and can reduce the number of active ingredients in a combined preparation and a method of controlling sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant weeds which comprises using the same.
US08399377B2	Thermal transfer image-receiving sheet and method for producing same A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet having, on a support, at least one heat-insulating layer and at least one receiving layer on the heat-insulating layer, wherein the heat-insulating layer contains hollow polymer particles, gelatin and a latex having a glass transition temperature of from 30 to 85° C., and the molecular chain of the polymer constituting the latex has a styrene recurring unit and a butadiene recurring unit.
US08399376B2	Particle blend for synthesizing a porous structure of the aluminum titanate type The invention relates to a particle blend comprising mainly or consisting of an oxide phase of the pseudo-brookite type comprising at least titanium and aluminum, said blend being obtained from at least two particle size fractions, namely a coarse particle size fraction, the median diameter d50 of which is greater than 12 microns, and a fine particle size fraction, the median diameter d50 of which is between 0.5 and 3 microns, the mass ratio of said coarse fraction to said fine fraction being between 1.5 and 20, limits inclusive, and the ratio of the median diameter of the coarse fraction to that of the fine fraction being greater than 12.
US08399375B2	Supported metallocene catalyst composition and a process for the preparation of polyolefin using the same The invention relates to a supported metallocene catalyst composition and a process for the preparation of polyolefin using the same. A supported metallocene catalyst composition according to the invention is prepared by bringing a compound of a group IV transition metal into contact with an inorganic or organic porous carrier treated with an ionic compound. Advantages of a supported metallocene catalyst composition of the invention include an increase in the catalyst activity during polymerization of slurry and an olefin compound in the vapor phase even at a low content of metallocene metal components within the carrier, and an improvement in solving process problems such as fouling, sheeting, plugging or the like.
US08399366B1	Method of depositing highly conformal amorphous carbon films over raised features A method is provided for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate on a substrate holder in a process chamber, where the substrate contains a raised feature having a top surface and a sidewall surface, and flowing a process gas into the process chamber, where the process gas contains a hydrocarbon gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and optionally argon or helium. The method further includes maintaining a process gas pressure of at least 1 Torr in the process chamber, forming a plasma from the process gas using a microwave plasma source, and exposing the substrate to the plasma to deposit a conformal amorphous carbon film over the surfaces of the raised feature.
US08399361B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a compound semiconductor layer formed over the substrate, and a protective insulating film composed of silicon nitride, which is formed over a surface of the compound semiconductor layer and whose film density in an intermediate portion is lower than that in a lower portion.
US08399354B2	Through-silicon via with low-K dielectric liner A semiconductor substrate having a through-silicon via with an air gap interposed between the through-silicon via and the semiconductor substrate is provided. An opening is formed partially through the semiconductor substrate. The opening is first lined with a first liner and then the opening is filled with a conductive material. A backside of the semiconductor substrate is thinned to expose the first liner, which is subsequently removed and a second liner formed with a low-k or extra low-k dielectric is formed in its place.
US08399353B2	Methods of forming copper wiring and copper film, and film forming system A method of forming a Cu wiring in a trench or hole formed in a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a barrier film on the surface of the trench or hole, forming a Ru film on the barrier film, and embedding copper in the trench or hole by forming a Cu film on the Ru film using PVD while heating the substrate such that migration of copper into the trench or hole occurs.
US08399349B2	Materials and methods of forming controlled void The present invention is a process for forming an air gap within a substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate; depositing a sacrificial material by deposition of at least one sacrificial material precursor; depositing a composite layer; removale of the porogen material in the composite layer to form a porous layer and contacting the layered substrate with a removal media to substantially remove the sacrificial material and provide the air gaps within the substrate; wherein the at least one sacrificial material precursor is selected from the group consisting of: an organic porogen; silicon, and a polar solvent soluble metal oxide and mixtures thereof.
US08399344B2	Method for adjusting the threshold voltage of a gate stack of a PMOS device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising a gate stack of a gate dielectric and a gate electrode, the method including forming a gate dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate the gate dielectric layer being a metal oxide or semimetal oxide having a first electronegativity; forming a dielectric VT adjustment layer, the dielectric VT adjustment layer being a metal oxide or semimetal oxide having a second electronegativity; and forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer and the VT adjustment layer; wherein the Effective Work Function of said gate stack is tuned to a desired value by tuning the thickness and composition of the dielectric VT adjustment layer and wherein the second electronegativity value is higher than both the first electronegativity value and the electronegativity of Al2O3.
US08399340B2	Method of manufacturing super-junction semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a super-junction semiconductor device facilitates increasing the epitaxial growth rate without increasing the manufacturing steps greatly. In substitution for the formation of alignment mark in the surfaces of the second and subsequent non-doped epitaxial layers, patterning for forming a new alignment mark is conducted simultaneously with the resist pattering for selective ion-implantation into the second and subsequent non-doped epitaxial layers in order to form the new alignment mark at a position different from the position, at which the initial alignment mark is formed, and to form the new alignment mark in every one or more repeated epitaxial layer growth cycles.
US08399339B2	Nanosensors Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized Nanodetector devices are described.
US08399335B2	Sophisticated metallization systems in semiconductors formed by removing damaged dielectric layers after forming the metal features In sophisticated semiconductor devices, densely packed metal line layers may be formed on the basis of an ultra low-k dielectric material, wherein corresponding modified portions of increased dielectric constant may be removed in the presence of the metal lines, for instance, by means of a selective wet chemical etch process. Consequently, the metal lines may be provided with desired critical dimensions without having to take into consideration a change of the critical dimensions upon removing the modified material portion, as is the case in conventional strategies.
US08399333B2	Insulator layer based MEMS devices The present invention relates to using an insulator layer between two metal layers of a semiconductor die to provide a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, such as an ohmic MEMS switch or a capacitive MEMS switch. In an ohmic MEMS switch, the insulator layer may be used to reduce metal undercutting during fabrication, to prevent electrical shorting of a MEMS actuator to a MEMS cantilever, or both. In a capacitive MEMS switch, the insulator layer may be used as a capacitive dielectric between capacitive plates, which are provided by the two metal layers. A fixed capacitive element may be provided by the insulator layer between the two metal layers. In one embodiment of the present invention, an ohmic MEMS switch, a capacitive MEMS switch, a fixed capacitive element, or any combination thereof may be integrated into a single semiconductor die.
US08399332B2	Lanthanide dielectric with controlled interfaces Methods and devices for a dielectric are provided. One method embodiment includes forming a passivation layer on a substrate, wherein the passivation layer contains a composition of silicon, oxygen, and nitrogen. The method also includes forming a lanthanide dielectric film on the passivation layer, and forming an encapsulation layer on the lanthanide dielectric film.
US08399330B2	Nano-wire field effect transistor, method for manufacturing the transistor, and integrated circuit including the transistor A manufacturing method of the nano-wire field effect transistor, comprising steps of preparing an SOI substrate having a (100) surface orientation; processing a silicon crystal layer comprising the SOI substrate into a standing plate-shaped member having a rectangular cross-section; processing the silicon crystal layer by orientation dependent wet etching and thermal oxidation into a shape where two triangular columnar members are arranged one above the other with a spacing from each other so as to face along the ridge lines of the triangular columnar members; and processing the two triangular columnar members into a circular columnar member configuring a nano-wire by hydrogen annealing or thermal oxidation.
US08399323B2	Method for fabricating vertical channel type nonvolatile memory device A method for fabricating a vertical channel type nonvolatile memory device includes: stacking a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and a plurality of gate electrode conductive layers alternately over a substrate; etching the interlayer insulating layers and the gate electrode conductive layers to form a channel trench exposing the substrate; forming an undoped first channel layer over the resulting structure including the channel trench; doping the first channel layer with impurities through a plasma doping process; and filling the channel trench with a second channel layer.
US08399320B2	Electronic apparatus containing lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include a lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide dielectric film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The lanthanide yttrium aluminum oxide film may be formed by a monolayer or partial monolayer sequencing process such as using atomic layer deposition.
US08399316B2	Method for making asymmetric double-gate transistors A method for making a microelectronic device with one or plural double-gate transistors, including: a) forming one or plural structures on a substrate including at least one first block configured to form a first gate of a double-gate transistor, and at least a second block configured to form the second gate of the double-gate, the first block and the second block being located on opposite sides of at least one semiconducting zone and separated from the semiconducting zone by a first gate dielectric zone and a second gate dielectric zone respectively; and b) doping at least one or plural semiconducting zones in the second block of at least one given structure among the structures, using at least a first implantation selective relative to the first block, the implantation being done on a first side of the given structure, the part of the structure on the other side of the normal to the principal plane of the substrate passing through the semiconducting zone not being implanted.
US08399315B2	Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same The present application discloses a semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor structure comprises a semiconductor substrate; an epitaxial semiconductor layer formed on two side portions of the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack formed at a central position on the semiconductor substrate and abutting the epitaxial semiconductor layer, the gate comprising a gate conductor layer and a gate dielectric layer which is sandwiched between the gate conductor layer and the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the lateral surfaces of the gate conductor layer; and a sidewall spacer formed on the epitaxial semiconductor layer and surrounding the gate. The method for manufacturing the above semiconductor structure comprises forming raised source/drain regions in the epitaxial semiconductor layer utilizing the sacrificial gate. The semiconductor structure and the method for manufacturing the same can simplify the fabrication process for an ultra-thin SOI transistor and reduce the ON-state resistance and power consumption of the transistor.
US08399313B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device having first conductive layer including aluminum A gate electrode is formed by forming a first conductive layer containing aluminum as its main component over a substrate, forming a second conductive layer made from a material different from that used for forming the first conductive layer over the first conductive layer; and patterning the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. Further, the first conductive layer includes one or more selected from carbon, chromium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, silicon, and nickel. And the second conductive layer includes one or more selected from chromium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, titanium, silicon, and nickel, or nitride of these materials.
US08399308B2	Method for forming semiconductor device having metallization comprising select lines, bit lines and word lines A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region having a cell region and a second region having a peripheral circuit region, first transistors on the semiconductor substrate, a first protective layer covering the first transistors, a first insulation layer on the first protective layer, a semiconductor pattern on the first insulation layer in the first region, second transistors on the semiconductor pattern, a second protective layer covering the second transistors, the second protective layer having a thickness greater than that of the first protective layer, and a second insulation layer on the second protective layer and the first insulation layer of the second region.
US08399302B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device The occurrence of a resin seal failure is suppressed. A molding step is carried out using a lead frame in which there are formed multiple air vent portions for discharging gas in each cavity formed in the upper die of a molding die to outside the cavity. The air vent portions are formed at positions overlapping with the other corner portions, arranged inside a gate portion of the cavity. Each of the air vent portions is led out from the other corner portions of the cavity to outside a clamp area and is extended along sides of the cavity, respectively, in the clamp area.
US08399298B2	Rule-based semiconductor die stacking and bonding within a multi-die package A rule-based method of optimizing wire bonding jumps is disclosed which minimizes the amount of wire used for wire bonds and/or minimizes a number of power and ground pads on a substrate to support all wired connections.
US08399297B2	Methods of forming and assembling pre-encapsulated assemblies and of forming associated semiconductor device packages Methods of forming pre-encapsulated frames comprise flowing a dielectric encapsulation material around at least one conductive trace. A cavity configured to receive at least one semiconductor device at least partially in the cavity is formed in the encapsulation material. A first connection area of the at least one trace is exposed within the cavity. At least another connection area of the at least one trace is exposed laterally adjacent to the cavity. The dielectric encapsulation material is hardened to form a pre-encapsulated frame.
US08399291B2	Underfill device and method An underfill device and method have been are provided. Advantages of devices and methods shown include dissipation of stresses at an interface between components such as a chip package and an adjacent circuit board. Another advantage includes faster manufacturing time and ease of manufacture using underfill devices and methods shown. An underfill assembly can be pre made with conductive structures included within the underfill assembly. Steps such as flowing epoxy and curing can be eliminated or performed concurrently with other manufacturing steps.
US08399288B2	Semiconductor device, method of manufacturing the same, and method of forming multilayer semiconductor thin film A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, source/drain electrodes, and a channel-forming region that are disposed on a base is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a thin film by application of a mixed solution including a polymeric insulating material and a dioxaanthanthrene compound represented by structural formula (1) below; and subsequently drying the thin film to induce phase separation of the polymeric insulating material and the dioxaanthanthrene compound, thereby forming the gate insulating layer from the polymeric insulating material and the channel-forming region from the dioxaanthanthrene compound: wherein at least one of R3 and R9 represents a substituent other than hydrogen.
US08399281B1	Two beam backside laser dicing of semiconductor films A method and system for dicing semiconductor devices from a semiconductor film. A semiconductor film, backed by a metal layer, is bonded by an adhesive layer to a flexible translucent substrate. Reference features on the film are used to describe a cutting path like a scribe line. An infrared laser beam is aligned to the scribe lines from the back surface of the flexible substrate. The infrared laser beam cuts through the flexible substrate and the majority of the thickness of the adhesive layer, cutting a first trough of a backside street along a scribe line defined by the reference features. An ultraviolet laser beam is aligned to the backside street, or to the scribe line as mapped to the back surface of the flexible substrate. The ultraviolet laser cuts through the metal layer and the semiconductor film, cutting a second trough along the scribe line. The second trough extends from the bottom of and deepens the first trough, cutting through the semiconductor film.
US08399276B2	Electro-optic device and method for manufacturing the same Provided are an electro-optic device and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes forming a bottom electrode on a substrate, forming a first insulation film to cross over the bottom electrode forming an organic film on the substrate where the bottom electrode and the first insulation film are formed, forming a top electrode film on the organic film, and forming a top electrode to cross the bottom electrode by removing a portion of the top electrode film through a laser-scribing process. Herein, in the forming of the top electrode through the laser-scribing process, an edge region of a bottom surface of the top electrode may be positioned corresponding to an upper side of the first insulation film. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of processing apparatuses and steps required for separately forming the plurality of top electrodes, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes and saving manufacturing cost. Furthermore, since an insulation film is formed under an edge region of a top electrode, it is possible to prevent the generation of leakage current and the malfunction of a device caused by the deformation of the top electrode even though the edge region of the top electrode is damaged during a laser-scribing process. Thus, the reliability of electro-optic devices can be improved.
US08399274B2	Organic light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same An organic light emitting display is disclosed. The display has a pixel which includes a transistor and a capacitor. The active layer of the transistor and at least one of the electrodes of the capacitor comprise a semiconductor oxide.
US08399271B2	Display apparatus with storage electrodes having concavo-convex features A display apparatus includes a substrate; a first insulating layer formed on the substrate and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features; a first storage electrode overlaying the upper surface and a side surface of the first insulating layer and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features, each concave feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective concave feature of the first insulating layer, each convex feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective convex feature of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed on the first storage electrode; and a second storage electrode formed on the second insulating layer which separates the second storage electrode from the underlying first storage electrode.
US08399270B2	Method of manufacturing organic light emitting device with water vapor absorption material containing transparent sealant layer Disclosed is an organic light emitting device which includes a substrate; a encapsulation substrate, an organic light emitting unit interposed between the substrate and the encapsulation substrate. A water vapor absorption material-containing transparent sealant layer covers the organic light emitting unit. The sealant layer includes a transparent sealant having a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of about 20 g/m2·day or less and a water vapor absorption material having an average particle size of about 100 nm or less.
US08399268B1	Deposition of phosphor on die top using dry film photoresist A method for depositing a layer of phosphor-containing material on a plurality of LED dies includes disposing a template with a plurality of openings on an adhesive tape and disposing each of a plurality of LED dies in one of the plurality of openings of the template. The method also includes forming a patterned dry film photoresist layer over the template and the plurality of LED dies. The photoresist layer has a plurality of openings configured to expose a top surface of each of the LED dies. Next, a phosphor-containing material is disposed on the exposed top surface of each the LED dies. The method further includes removing the photoresist layer and the template.
US08399263B2	Method for measuring expansion/contraction, method for processing substrate, method for producing device, apparatus for measuring expansion/contraction, and apparatus for processing substrate An expansion/contraction measuring apparatus includes a transport section which transports a flexible substrate along a surface of the substrate; a detecting section detecting first and second marks which are formed on the substrate while being separated from each other by a predetermined spacing distance in a transport direction of the substrate and which are moved, in accordance with the transport of the substrate, to first and second detection areas disposed on a transport route for the substrate respectively; a substrate length setting section which sets a length of the substrate along the transport route between the first and second detection areas to a reference length; and a deriving section which derives information about expansion/contraction of the substrate in relation to the transport direction based on a detection result of the first and second marks. Accordingly, the expansion/contraction state of an expandable/contractible substrate is measured highly accurately.
US08399261B2	Lateral flow assay system and methods for its use A lateral flow test system together with methods for its use in the detection of one or more analytes, or components, of interest within a sample, such as a biological sample, is provided. The system comprises a liquid formulation of a gold conjugate and a lateral flow assay device that does not include a conjugate pad having conjugate dried thereon.
US08399252B2	Methods and kits for cell release Methods and kits of releasing cells are provided. The method comprises the steps of providing cultured cells on a cell culture support comprising a multi layer polyelectrolyte coating immobilized on a substrate, and releasing the cultured cells from the cell culture support by a releasing solution comprising DMSO. The kit comprises a cell culture support and a releasing solution. The releasing solution comprises DMSO.
US08399243B2	Method of manufacturing a tissue-engineered prosthesis Developing heart valves are exposed to dynamic strains by applying a dynamic pressure difference over the leaflets. The flow is kept to a minimum, serving only as a perfusion system, supplying the developing tissue with fresh nutrients. Standard heart valves were engineered based on B trileaflet scaffolds seeded with cells isolated from the human saphenous vein. Tissue compaction is constrained by the stent, inducing increasing pre-strain in the tissue. The dynamic strains the tissues are exposed to via the dynamic pressure difference, are estimated using finite element methods based on the mechanical properties of the neo-tissue, in order to get inside into the strain distribution over the leaflet.
US08399242B2	Production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in oleaginous yeasts The present invention relates to methods for the production of ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acids in oleaginous yeast. Thus, desaturases and elongases able to catalyze the conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to γ-linolenic acid (GLA); α-linoleic acid (ALA) to stearidonic acid (STA); GLA to dihomo-γ-linoleic acid (DGLA); STA to eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA); DGLA to arachidonic acid (ARA); ETA to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); DGLA to ETA; EPA to docosapentaenoic acid (DPA); and ARA to EPA have been introduced into the genome of Yarrowia for synthesis of ARA and EPA.
US08399239B2	Compositions and methods for continuous harvesting of suspension growth cultures Embodiments herein concern compositions, methods and uses for harvesting suspension cultures or decontaminating waters. In certain embodiments, suspension microorganism cultures can comprise algal cultures. In some embodiments, harvesting suspension cultures may include using a composition capable of interacting with the culture in order to separate the culture from a liquid or media.
US08399238B2	Shelf-stable product with living micro-organisms The present invention relates to shelf-stable liquid products, for example diary products, comprising micro-organisms, especially probiotics. The micro-organisms are able to survive for several months at room temperature basically due to their inability to metabolise nutrients contained in the liquid product. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the liquid product according to the invention.
US08399235B2	Methods and materials for reducing biofilms This document provides methods and materials related to reducing biofilms. For example, enzymes (e.g., glycosyl hydrolases), nucleic acid molecules encoding enzymes, host cells containing nucleic acid encoding enzymes, and methods for using enzymes to reduce biofilms and infections associated with biofilms are provided.
US08399232B2	Enzyme associated with equol synthesis An object of the present invention is to provide enzymes associated with equol synthesis, genes coding such enzymes, and a process for producing equol and its intermediates using the enzymes and genes.The present invention provides a dihydrodaidzein synthesizing enzyme, tetrahydrodaidzein synthesizing enzyme, equol synthesizing enzyme, and genes coding these enzymes. The present invention also provides a process for synthesizing dihydrodaidzein, tetrahydrodaidzein, and/or equol using these enzymes.
US08399227B2	Methods and compositions for the recombinant biosynthesis of fatty acids and esters The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying photoautotrophic organisms, such that the organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into compounds such as esters and fatty acids. In certain embodiments, the compounds produced are secreted into the medium used to culture the organisms.
US08399226B2	High eicosapentaenoic acid oils from improved optimized strains of Yarrowia lipolytica Described are engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing an oil comprising greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, measured as a weight percent of total fatty acids [“% TFAs”] and having a ratio of at least 3.1 of EPA % TFAs, to linoleic acid, measured as % TFAs. These strains over-express at least one Δ9 elongase/Δ8 desaturase multizyme, in addition to other heterologous Δ9 elongases, Δ8 desaturases, Δ5 desaturases, Δ17 desaturases, Δ12 desaturases, C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases, malonyl CoA synthetases and/or acyl-CoA lysophospholipid acyltransferases. The strains possess at least one peroxisome biogenesis factor protein knockout. Methods for producing EPA within said host cells, oils obtained from the cells, and products therefrom are claimed.
US08399217B2	High density growth of T7 expression strains with auto-induction option A method for promoting and suppressing auto-induction of transcription of a cloned gene 1 of bacteriophage T7 in cultures of bacterial cells grown batchwise is disclosed. The transcription is under the control of a promoter whose activity can be induced by an exogenous inducer whose ability to induce said promoter is dependent on the metabolic state of said bacterial cells.
US08399214B2	Use of dimethyl disulfide for methionine production in microoraganisms The present invention features improved processes and organisms for the production of methionine. The invention demonstrates that a ΔmetF organism or a ΔmetE AmetH organism, for example, mutants of C. glutamicum or E. coli, can use a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), as a source of both sulfur and a methyl group, bypassing the need for MetH/MetE and MetF activity and the need to reduce sulfate, for the synthesis of methionine. Also described in this patent are data implicating MetY (also called MetZ) as an enzyme that incorporates a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS, into methionine. A ΔmetF ΔmetB strain of C. glutamicum can use a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS, as a source of both sulfide and a methyl group. Furthermore, methionine production by engineered prototrophic organisms that overproduce O-acetyl-homoserine was improved by the addition of a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS.
US08399211B2	Copolymer 1 related polypeptides for use as molecular weight markers and for therapeutic use The present invention provides processes for determining the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolymers. The present invention further provides a plurality of molecular weight markers for determining the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolypmers which display linear relationships between molar ellipticity and molecular weight, and between retention time and the log of the molecular weight. The molecular weight markers also optimally demonstrate biological activity similar to glatiramer acetate or corresponding copolymers and can be used for treating or preventing various immune diseases. In addition, the subject invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of immune diseases comprising a polypeptide having an identified molecular weight and an amino acid composition corresponding to glatiramer acetate or a terpolymer.
US08399209B2	Homogeneous detection method The invention relates to methods for the quantitative or qualitative detection of an analyte in an assay and adequate reagents therefor, particularly a homogeneous binding test. According to the invention, an analyte-specific binding partner R1 comprises more than one specific binding point for a specific binding partner X that is associated with a component of a signal-forming system while a second analyte-specific binding partner R2 comprises more than one specific binding point for a specific binding partner Y which is also associated with a component of a signal-forming system.
US08399204B2	Method for screening of substance which alter GPR120-mediated cell-stimulating activities The present invention provides a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR120 mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR120, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to a screening method of the present invention, the method can screen substances such as CCK and GLP-1 which are involved in the secretion of hormones in gastrointestinal tracts.
US08399203B2	Analysis of chemically crosslinked cellular samples A method of analyzing cellular samples that include a chemically crosslinked analyte is provided. The analysis typically involves the use of mass spectrometry.
US08399197B2	Methods for amplifying polymeric nucleic acids The invention provides compositions and methods for amplifying nucleic acid polymer sequences in a high complexity nucleic acid sample. The unique compositions of the invention include a primer set composed of a mixture of two types of primers for DNA synthesis. For extension in one direction, the primers all contain modifications that destroy their ability to serve as templates that can be copied by DNA polymerases. For extension in the opposite direction the set includes at least one primer that can serve as a template and be replicated by DNA polymerases throughout its length. The method can be carried out by mixing the nucleic acid polymer sequence of interest with the set of DNA synthesis primers in an amplification reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is then subjected to temperature cycling analogous to the temperature cycling in PCR reactions. At least one primer in the primer set hybridizes to the nucleic acid polymer. It is preferred that the non-replicable primer hybridizes to the nucleic acid polymer and is extended to produce an extension product that contains sequence from the nucleic acid polymer to which the replicable primer then hybridizes. Of course, if the nucleic acid polymer is double stranded, both the replicable and nonreplicable primers will hybridize and be extended by DNA polymerase.
US08399190B2	Magnetic lysis method and device A method for lysing cells is disclosed. The method includes stirring cells with a magnetic stir element in the presence of a plurality of cell lysis beads at a speed sufficient to lyse the cells. Also disclosed is a device for lysing cells. The device includes a container having a magnetic stir element and a plurality of cell lysis beads disposed therein. The container is dimensioned to allow rotation of the magnetic stir element inside the container.
US08399188B2	Compositions and methods for nucleotide sequencing The invention provides nucleoside and nucleotide molecules containing cleavable linkers linking a label such as a dye. The invention also provides nucleosides and nucleotide molecules containing a blocking group, either removable or non-removable. The invention additionally provides methods of using the nucleoside and nucleotide molecules containing a cleavable linker and/or a blocking group.
US08399187B2	Identifying virally infected and vaccinated organisms This document provides methods and materials related to assessing organisms for the presence or absence of anti-virus antibodies. For example, this document provides methods and materials that can be used to determine whether or not an organism (e.g., a member of a swine species such as a pig) contains anti-PRRS virus antibodies. In other embodiments, this document provides methods and materials that can be used to determine if a particular organism received a vaccine version of a virus, was infected with a naturally-occurring version of the virus, or is naïve with respect to the virus.
US08399185B2	Regulators of NFAT Disclosed are methods of identifying an agent that modulates an NFAT regulator protein. One such method comprises contacting at least one test agent with a recombinant cell comprising at least one NFAT regulator protein or fragment or derivative thereof, assessing the effect of the test agent on an activity, interaction, expression, or binding to the NFAT regulator protein or fragment or derivative thereof, and identifying the test agent that has an effect on an activity, interaction, expression, or binding to the NFAT regulator protein or fragment or derivative thereof, whereby the identified test agent is characterized as an agent that modulates an NFAT regulator protein. Methods of identifying an agent that modulates intracellular calcium, methods to screen for an agent that modulates NFAT regulator function, methods to diagnose unexplained immunodeficiency in a subject, and methods for identifying an agent for treating or preventing a disease or disorder associated with a NFAT regulator protein or calcium signaling are also disclosed.
US08399183B2	Patterning a single integrated circuit layer using automatically-generated masks and multiple masking layers A multiple mask and a multiple masking layer technique can be used to pattern an IC layer. A RET can be used to define one or more fine-line patterns in a first masking layer. Portions of the fine-line features are then removed or designated for removal using a mask. This removal/designation can include accessing a desired layout (with at least one layout feature including a fine-line feature and a coarse feature) and expanding layout features only in directions along critical dimensions of those layout features. Another mask can then be used to define coarse features in a second masking layer formed over the patterned first masking layer. Coarse feature(s) can be derived from the desired layout using a shrink/grow operation performed only in directions orthogonal to a critical dimension of the fine-line features. The IC layer can be patterned using the composite mask formed by the patterned first and second masking layers.
US08399178B2	Method of producing a relief image arrangement usable in particular in the field of flexography and arrangement produced according to this method The invention relates to a method of producing a relief image arrangement, usable especially in the fields of flexography, embossing and heliogravure, and comprising a base layer and a layer of photosensitive material fixed on the base layer. The method is of the type according to which an image is produced on the photosensitive layer by causing selective curing by irradiating the zones that are to be in relief with light of a predetermined wavelength. The method is characterized in that the image is produced in the form of a set of points to which a substantially pyramidal shape is given, widening out in the direction of the base layer (5). The invention is usable for producing relief images, in the field of flexography.
US08399175B2	Photopolymer resins for photo replication of information layers Photopolymer resins are disclosed which includes metal and/or ceramic surface chelating agents to provide strong bonding of the photopolymer resin to the inorganic surface of the first information layer of an optical disc. The resins also include a fast surface cure and glass transition temperature controlling monomers that provides easy stamper separation The disclosed photopolymer resins also include short wavelength (<405 nm) surface cure initiators. The resins may also optionally include shrinkage control oligomers and/or polymer fillers or a combination of both Use of the disclosed resins eliminates two steps from the manufacture of a multiple information layer optical disc as the formation of spacer layers and the curing of spacer layers is no longer necessary.
US08399174B2	Method of forming fine patterns using a block copolymer A method of patterning a substrate includes processing first regions of the substrate to form a first pattern, the first regions defining a second region between adjacent first regions, arranging a block copolymer on the first and second regions, the block copolymer including a first component and a second component, the first component of the block copolymer being aligned on the first regions, and selectively removing one of the first component and the second component of the block copolymer to form a second pattern having a pitch that is less than a pitch of a first region and an adjacent second region.
US08399169B2	Electrophotographic toner and method of preparing the same An electrophotographic toner which includes a latex, a colorant, and a releasing agent, wherein characteristics of the electrophotographic toner measured by using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in an attenuated total reflection mode (FT-IR-ATR), in which an incidence angle is changeable, satisfy Inequalities 1 through 3 presented herein.
US08399168B2	Method for producing toner, two-component developer, developing device and image forming apparatus A method for producing a toner, that can produce a low temperature fixable toner in a stable manner, a toner produced by the production method, a two-component developer using the toner, a developing device and an image forming apparatus are provided. The toner is produced using an aqueous dispersion obtained by dispersing a crystalline self-dispersion polyester resin having at least one carboxyl group and containing a compound represented by the following chemical formula (1) as an alcohol component in an aqueous medium. The aqueous dispersion, a colorant particle aqueous dispersion and a wax particle aqueous dispersion are mixed to aggregate, and a non-crystalline self-dispersion polyester resin particle aqueous dispersion is further added to perform aggregation. The liquid mixture containing the aggregates is heated and washed, thereby obtaining a toner: HO—CH2CH2CH2CH2nOH (1) wherein n is an integer of from 2 to 50.
US08399161B2	Transparent colourants and colourant compositions, and their use A colorant composition comprising in a weight ratio of from 99:1 to 10:90, a pigment of average particle size from 10 to 200 nm and a compound of the formula
US08399160B2	Multilayer reflective film coated substrate, reflective mask blank, and method of manufacturing a reflective mask Provided is a reflective mask blank, wherein even if inspection light for defect inspection is irradiated onto an uppermost surface of a multilayer reflective film or of an absorber film formed over a reference point mark, sufficient contrast is obtained between a position of the reference point mark and its peripheral portion so that the position of the reference point mark can be identified with high accuracy. By forming a reference point mark (11) in the form of a recess having a depth of 10 μm or more and a width of 80 μm or more on a main surface of a substrate (12), even if a multilayer reflective film (13), an absorber film (15), and so on are formed over the reference point mark (11), sufficient contrast for the inspection light is obtained so that the position of the reference point mark (11) can be identified with high accuracy.
US08399157B2	Lithography mask having sub-resolution phased assist features Techniques are disclosed for using sub-resolution phased assist features (SPAF) in a lithography mask to improve through process pattern fidelity and/or mitigate inverted aerial image problems. The technique also may be used to improve image contrast in non-inverted weak image sites. The use of SPAF in accordance with some such embodiments requires no adjustment to existing design rules, although adjustments can be made to enable compliance with mask inspection constraints. The use of SPAF also does not require changing existing fab or manufacturing processes, especially if such processes already comprehend phased shift mask capabilities. The SPAFs can be used to enhance aerial image contrast, without the SPAFs themselves printing.
US08399139B2	Corrosion resistant membrane condenser for recovery of fuel cell electrolyte A system and method for recovering and separating water vapor and electrolyte vapor from an exhaust stream (22) of a fuel cell uses a membrane tube (72) comprising membrane (74) having an outer wall (76) and an inner wall (78), wherein exhaust stream (22) is directed to contact outer wall (76), electrolyte vapor is condensed on outer wall (76), and water vapor is condensed inside the membrane (74), the condensed water drawn from the membrane (74) to inner wall (78), leaving behind condensed electrolyte (88) on outer wall (76).
US08399134B2	Lead acid battery including a two-layer carbon foam current collector A lead acid battery includes a housing and at least one cell disposed within the housing. Each cell includes at least one positive plate and at least one negative plate and an electrolyte disposed in a volume between the positive and negative plates. The at least one negative plate includes a current collector, consisting essentially of a layer of carbon foam disposed on a substrate, and a chemically active material disposed on the current collector.
US08399131B2	Composite negative electrode active material and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery Disclosed is a composite negative electrode active material including a graphitizable carbon material containing a layered structure formed of stacked carbon layers partially having a three-dimensional regularity, and a low crystalline carbon material. A negative electrode including the composite negative electrode active material is used to produce a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery thus produced has a high energy density and demonstrates a high output/input performance for a long period of time in various environments of high to low temperatures.
US08399128B2	Bus bar holder A bus bar holder for connecting electrode terminals of a plurality of batteries arranged in a lengthwise direction, the bus bar holder including a bus bar holder plate having an opening in a lengthwise direction thereof and configured such that at least some electrode terminals of the plurality of batteries are extendable through the opening and slidable along the opening; and a bus bar for electrically connecting at least two electrode terminals of adjacent batteries, wherein the bus bar holder plate includes a settling groove in which the bus bar is settled, and the bus bar attached to the electrode terminals is slidable when the electrode terminal slides along the opening.
US08399127B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a positive electrode having a positive-electrode active material layer reversibly inserting and extracting lithium ions on a positive-electrode current collector, a negative electrode having a negative-electrode active material layer reversibly inserting and extracting lithium ions on a negative-electrode current collector, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution, wherein at least one of the positive and negative electrodes has a film on the surface and at least one of the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains a nitrogen-containing cyclic compound. Such a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is superior in high-temperature storage stability allowing preservation of favorable discharge rate even after high-temperature storage.
US08399124B2	Vapor transmission resistant seal members for nonaqueous electrochemical cells A seal member having a thermoplastic body for an electrochemical cell containing a nonaqueous organic solvent electrolyte. In particular, the seal member is preferably one or more of (a) a seal located between a cell container wall and a cell cover and (b) a seal of a vent assembly, more particularly a ball vent assembly. The seal member has a composite construction including one or more vapor transmission barrier layers disposed on a portion of the thermoplastic body.
US08399122B2	Sealed battery having a through-hole or hollow in a collector or collector receiving part A sealed battery including an electrode assembly 11 having multiple positive electrode substrates exposed at one end and negative electrode substrates exposed at the other end; and collectors 18 and collector receiving parts 19 that are resistance-welded on both sides of the multiple positive or the multiple negative electrode substrates or both, a through-hole 30 being formed in at least one of the collectors 18 and the collector receiving parts 19, and the resistance welding being performed at the rim of the through-hole 30. With such sealed battery, the spattered particles 26 generated during the resistance welding are captured in the through-hole 30, and will rarely enter the interior of the electrode assembly 11 or splash out to the exterior.
US08399117B2	Apparatus and methods for battery installation Apparatus and methods for placement of battery packs in portable information handling systems such as notebook and netbook computers. A first set of pivot features may be provided on opposing sidewalls of a battery well that interface with a corresponding set of mating pivot features provided on exterior end surfaces of a battery pack such that the battery pack may be pivoted into and out from the battery well to install or release it from the system, e.g., pivoted from the bottom of the portable information handling system in a manner that does not interfere with, or require modification to, the lid and display of the portable information handling system. A latch mechanism and battery release feature may be further provided that acts to transfer horizontal manipulation (e.g., horizontal sliding motion) of the battery release feature to a vertical latching action that acts to lift the battery pack out from the portable information handling system chassis when releasing the battery pack from the chassis.
US08399110B2	Adhesive, hermetic oxide films for metal fluoride optics and method of making same The invention is directed to single crystal alkaline earth metal fluoride optical elements having an adhesive, hermetic coating thereon, the coating being chemically bonded to the surface of the metal fluoride optical element with a bonding energy ≧4 eV and not merely bonded by van der Walls forces. The materials that can be used for coating the optical elements are selected from the group consisting of SiO2, F—SiO2, Al2O3, F—Al2O3, SiON, HfO2, Si3N4, TiO2 and ZrO2, and mixtures (of any composition) of the foregoing, for example, SiO2; HfO2 and F—SiO2/ZrO2. The preferred alkali earth metal fluoride used for the optical elements is CaF2. Preferred coatings are SiO2, F—SiO2, SiO2/ZrO2 and F—SiO2/ZrO2.
US08399108B2	Material for organic electro-optical device having fluorene derivative compound and organic electro-optical device including the same The present invention relates to a material for an organic electro-optical device and an organic electro-optical device including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a material having thermal stability of a glass transition temperature of 120° C. or more and a thermal decomposition temperature of 450° C. or more, and being capable of providing an organic electro-optical device having high efficiency and a long life-span due to less crystallization and improved amorphous properties in a material for an organic electro-optical device. The material for an organic electro-optical device can be used singularly or as a host material in combination with a dopant, and includes an asymmetric fluorene derivative compound. An organic electro-optical device including the material for an organic electro-optical device is also provided.
US08399106B2	Composition and method for treating wood According to the invention, wood material is treated with a composition comprising at least one C1-C7 monocarboxylic acid or a salt, or mixtures thereof, and at least one chelating agent. These compounds are dissolved in a liquid aqueous vehicle. In this manner, the treated wood is endowed with excellent resistance against detrimental environmental effects.
US08399103B2	Coated cemented carbide cutting tools and method for pre-treating an coating to produce cemented carbide cutting tools A method of a pre-treatment process for coating notably improves both the surface roughness of a coating layer of a cemented carbide cutting tool and the bonding force of the coating layer to the substrate. According to the method, a sintered surface layer within a range of 0.5-5 μm, which corresponds to the tungsten carbide particle size of a substrate, is properly removed from the substrate surface of a cemented carbide cutting tool. Thus, a porous sintered surface layer having a non-uniform structure is removed and a substrate surface having high structure density and evenness is provided compared to blasting pre-treatment. In order to obtain a sufficient bonding force between a coating layer and the substrate, the surface ratio of open pores, which exist around tungsten carbide particles appearing by removal of the porous sintered surface, is equal to or more than 5%.
US08399102B2	Moisture-hardening compositions containing silane-functional polymers and aminosilane adducts The current invention relates to a moisture-hardening composition that contains, in addition to a silane-functional polymer with end groups of formula (I), a reaction product that can be manufactured from an amino silane with primary amino groups and an alkene that is free of silane groups. The compositions are characterized by improved expandability with concurrent high reactivity, good adhesion characteristics, and high tear strength and are suited especially for use as elastic bonding substance or sealant.
US08399099B1	Coating compositions The present invention relates to cationically and radically curable coating compositions for coating a surface. The coating compositions consist essentially of a radically or cationically curable monomer, and a metal salt. The metal salt is chosen so that it is reduced at the surface to be coated, and where the standard reduction potential of the metal salt is greater than the standard reduction potential of the surface, and where when the composition is placed in contact with the surface, the metal salt of the composition is reduced at the surface, thereby initiating cure of the curable component in the compositions. Redox mediated cure of the coating compositions results in a coating or film on the surface. The invention also provides for functionalization of surfaces. Cross-linking of the coating occurs directly on the surface.
US08399097B2	High clarity laminated articles comprising an ionomer interlayer A safety laminate comprises an interlayer that comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first α-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; and has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 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 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 composition may further comprise a second ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 g/10 min or less.
US08399091B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet An adhesive sheet is provided in which properties that cause corrosion of a non-contacting metal are inhibited. The adhesive sheet is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed from an aqueous dispersion type adhesive composition. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains an aqueous dispersion type acrylic polymer synthesized using a chain transfer agent that does not have sulfur as a composite element thereof. The amount of sulfur-containing gas (as SO42−) released from the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in the case of heating for 1 hour at 85° C. is 0.043 μg/1 cm2 or less, adhesive strength on an ABS sheet is 10 N/20 mm or more, and holding time as determined in an 80° C. cohesive strength test is 1 hour or more.
US08399089B1	Highly flame retardant foam concrete A nanomaterial based admixture improves the fire retardancy of foam-based GFRC material to a minimum of 3 hours, creating Nano GFRC. A dispersion of nanoclay in water is prepared by heating water to 80-90 ° C., adding the desired amount of nanoclay and stirring with a magnetic stirrer for 30-45 minutes, producing a stable and uniform dispersion. Concrete is made by mixing sand, acryl, water, nanoclay solution, and cement in a bucket, adding enough water reducer to thin the mixture enough to stir, adding fibers, and mixing the composite using a rotor for about 10 minutes. Polystyrene foam is sandwiched with the prepared mixture on all sides to make the concrete. This resulting concrete is lightweight and strong, reduces CO and CO2 emissions by a factor of three compared to standard GFRC, and shows dramatic improvement in fire retardant properties.
US08399088B2	Self-adhering flashing system having high extensibility and low retraction A flexible, self-adhering stretchable material with improved stretch and recovery properties is provided as a flashing for use in building openings such as windows. The material includes a microcreped topsheet and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The material extends to the desired length at a low applied force and recovers a low to moderate amount, making it particularly suited for use in the lower corners of window openings.
US08399086B2	Hooking member for in-mold molding A mold-in fastening member which is composed of a strip of substrate, engaging elements formed on one surface of the substrate, and an elastomer layer completely surrounding the engaging elements, the substrate having slits or notches which extend from a widthwise central portion of the substrate to a widthwise end portion of the substrate. The mold-in fastening member bends in conformity with a two- or three-dimensionally complicated shape of a molded article. The mold-in fastening member prevents the surface having the engaging elements from being covered with a foamable liquid molding resin during a mold-in process, thereby preventing the engaging elements from losing the engaging function.
US08399085B2	Energy-absorbing pads An energy-absorbing pad structure includes an energy-absorbing pad that is encapsulated by a polymeric film. The polymeric film is sufficiently air-permeable to permit air to escape during rapid compression of the pad structure, such as from a high-speed dynamic impact, but nonetheless is water resistant under ordinary conditions. It is desirable that the polymeric film is made from an elastic polymer. The air-permeability can be provided from a series of perforations such that the film's elastic quality tends to contract the perforations thereby impeding the progress of water through them under normal conditions. The energy-absorbing pad can be a semi-rigid viscoelastic foam.
US08399082B2	High-clarity blended ionomer compositions and articles comprising the same An ionomer blend composition comprises a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The first ionomer is derived from a first precursor acid copolymer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min and that comprises copolymerized units of an α-olefin and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Moreover, the first precursor acid can be neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% to form a sodium ionomer that has a MFR of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is less than about 3.0 j/g or that is not detectable, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A variety of articles may comprise or be produced from the ionomer blend composition, for example by injection molding.
US08399081B2	Solar cell modules comprising encapsulant sheets with low haze and high moisture resistance A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet comprising a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an α-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg; and wherein when about 40% to about 90% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor acid copolymer are neutralized to carboxylate groups to comprise carboxylate groups and counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, the resulting sodium ionomer has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry in accordance with ASTM D3418.
US08399080B2	Lighter than air balloon made from a biaxially oriented polyester film A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 μm to 12 μm. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.
US08399078B2	Foil A container consisting of at least two layers, the inner layer consisting of a PE or PP film and the PCTFE layer consisting of a PCTFE film, and the thickness of the PCTFE layer being about 40-100 μm, which container is equipped with a device where the liquid can be lead out through when desired and which container is transparent, shows superior properties for storing liquid pharmaceutical compositions, especially insulin compositions containing preservatives.
US08399075B2	Spalted wood veneers and spalted engineered wood flooring A spalted wood product having a first ply cut from a wood and a second ply cut from the wood wherein the first ply and the second ply are spalted. The spalted first ply or spalted second ply is positioned on a base, where the base includes engineered wood, and the wood products include wood flooring.
US08399070B2	Method of defining electrodes using laser-ablation and dielectric material A method of forming an electrochemical test sensor includes providing a base. Electrochemically-active material is placed on the base. Dielectric material is applied over the electrochemically-active material. A first selected area of the dielectric material is laser-ablated to expose the electrochemically-active material. A second selected area of the dielectric material and the electrochemically-active material are laser-ablated to expose the base. The first selected area is different from the second selected area. A second layer is applied to assist in forming a channel in the test sensor. The channel assists in allowing a fluid sample to contact a reagent located therein. The dielectric material is located between the base and the second layer.
US08399066B2	Nanofiber manufacturing system and nanofiber manufacturing method A nanofiber manufacturing system in which nanofiber is formed from a raw material liquid by electrostatic explosions in a nanofiber forming space and the formed nanofiber is collected and deposited on a main surface of a base sheet. The system includes: a first dielectric belt having dielectric property; sheet conveying devices for conveying the base sheet in the nanofiber forming space; a sheet contacting device for putting a back surface of the base sheet and a first surface of the first dielectric belt into contact with each other; a dielectric belt driving device for running the first dielectric belt in a conveyance direction of the base sheet within the nanofiber forming space while the first surface is kept in contact with the back surface of the base sheet; and a voltage applying device for applying a voltage to the second surface of the first dielectric belt so that dielectric polarization occurs to the first dielectric belt.
US08399065B2	In-situ deposition of battery active lithium materials by thermal spraying A method and apparatus for forming an electrochemical layer of a thin film battery is provided. A precursor mixture comprising electrochemically active precursor particles dispersed in a carrying medium is provided to a processing chamber and thermally treated using a combustible gas mixture also provided to the chamber. The precursor is converted to nanocrystals by the thermal energy, and the nanocrystals are deposited on a substrate. A second precursor may be blended with the nanocrystals as they deposit on the surface to enhance adhesion and conductivity.
US08399057B2	Ordered vertically oriented porous inorganic films produced through solution processing Porous films with straight pores oriented normal to the plane of the films are produced through solution processing techniques. The production takes advantage of inorganic-surfactant or inorganic-polymer co-assembly and a patterned substrate. The patterned substrate, which is also produced via solution phase self-assembly, forces vertical orientation in a hexagonal cylinder system with no practical limits in substrate size or type. This provides a route to vertically oriented inorganic pores with a pitch ranging from 3 nm to over 15 nm and pore sizes ranging from 2 nm to over 12 nm. The size is tuned by choice the choice of organic templating agents and the deposition conditions. The pores can be produced with or without a capping layer which can be used to seal the nanopores.
US08399056B2	Method of forming high-k dielectric films based on novel titanium, zirconium, and hafnium precursors and their use for semiconductor manufacturing A method of forming on at least one support at least one metal containing dielectric films having the formula (M11-a M2a) Ob Nc, wherein: 0≦a<1, 01 and M2 being metals Hf, Zr or Ti using precursors with pentadienyl ligands and/or cyclopentadienyl ligands.
US08399054B2	Growing metal nanowires A method is disclosed for growing metal (including semiconductor metal) nanowires from a film deposited on a substrate. In an illustrative embodiment tin and silicon are co-deposited, such as by sputtering, on a silicon substrate at, for example, ambient temperature. The deposited tin and silicon do not mix and the film has a tin phase dispersed in a higher melting, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, silicon phase. Upon heating, the tin expands against the silicon and expels small tin wires from the upper surface of the film. Other metal or metal alloy wires may be formed in a like manner using a matrix material and substrate in film deposition that don't mix with the metal composition and, when heated, force the expanding metal to extrude from the film surface as small diameter wires.
US08399049B2	Process for preparing and crosslinking a cable comprising a polymer composition and a crosslinked cable The application relates to a process for preparing a crosslinked cable, including:—applying one or more layers including a polymer composition on a conductor, wherein at least one layer includes one or more free radical generating agents,—crosslinking by radical reaction said at least one layer comprising said free radical generating agent(s),—cooling the obtained crosslinked cable in pressurized conditions.
US08399048B2	Method for forming a catalyst pattern using nano imprint lithography Provided is a method of patterning a catalyst using nano imprint lithography. The method includes slurrying a catalyst, preparing a stamp for forming a catalyst pattern, forming the catalyst pattern by coating a substrate with the catalyst slurry, imprinting the stamp on the catalyst slurry and performing patterning simultaneously with calcination through nano imprint lithography, and drying the patterned catalyst. As the catalyst pattern is formed through the nano imprint lithography, a surface area of the catalyst increases and it is easy to pattern the catalyst according to the shape of the stamp.
US08399047B2	Multifunctional CVD coatings Multifunctional reactive polymers created by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and methods of making such polymeric systems are provided. Such polymers provide multifunctional surfaces which can present two or more different molecules (e.g. biological ligands) in controlled ratios. Polymers may include compositional gradients allowing attached ligands to be presented as continuous gradients across a surface. The polymer compositions are modularly designable and applicable to a wider range of applications, including biomedical devices and diagnostic systems.
US08399046B2	Preparation method of metal oxide doped monolith carbon aerogel for capacitance capacitor Provided is a preparation method of a metal oxide doped monolith carbon aerogel for a high capacitance capacitor, the including: preparing a monolith carbon aerogel by performing a thermal decomposition of a moist gel dried in condition of a atmospheric pressure and a room temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere; impregnating the monolith carbon aerogel into alcohol where a metal precursor is dissolved; and calcinating the monolith carbon aerogel where the metal precursor is impregnated in an atmospheric atmosphere. By impregnating the metal oxide into the monolith carbon aerogel, a limit of capacitance may be enhanced using a pseudo capacitance effect by an interfacial oxidation reduction reaction.
US08399045B2	Film formation method and film formation apparatus A film formation method according to the present invention includes the step of forming a film of material powders 7 by introducing a carrier gas 5 to a first chamber 8 accommodating the material powders 7 intermittently and mixing the material powders 7 and the carrier gas 5 to generate a first aerosol, introducing the first aerosol to a second chamber 9 to generate a second aerosol, and jetting the second aerosol to a third chamber 13 to form a film of the material powders 7.
US08399044B2	Method for coating medication on medical article A method for coating medication for a medical product is disclosed. A technique for coating gel in a viscous semisolid state is provided to facilitate coating of medication. Coating of medication on an article can be facilitated using gel, and coating of medication on an article such as an article made of silk and an article made of polypropylene can be further facilitated.
US08399043B2	Whey protein micelles The present invention relates to whey protein micelles, particularly to whey protein micelle concentrates or powders thereof and to a method for producing them. The present invention also pertains to the use of these micelles concentrates or powders thereof in nutrition and/or cosmetics and/or pharmaceutics.
US08399037B2	Grain or legume having increased content of functional component and a manufacturing method thereof Grain or legume having an increased content of a functional component (γ-aminobutyric acid) is obtained by humidifying grain (such as rice, wheat or corn) or legume (such as soybean and adzuki bean) by forcing the grain into an air having a temperature of 50° C. or more and a relative humidity of 90% or more such that a moisture content thereof rises within the range of 16.0% to 18.5%, and thereafter, drying the grain or legume.
US08399034B2	Miso The present invention provides miso containing a flavonoid substance having a flavanone, flavone, or flavonol skeleton in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by mass (weight).
US08399032B2	Bruise amelioration composition and method of use A bruise amelioration composition that can be applied for one hour to an affected site, such as a bruise, contusion or blister, in the form of a gel, liquid or adhesive bandage. The composition includes at least 40% by weight of glycerin and at least 2% by weight of primrose oil. Preferably, the composition includes a fragrance, such as peach oil and marjoram and 1% to 10% by weight of vitamins A, C, D, E and K.
US08399029B2	Influenza prevention and treatment composition A composition for influenza prevention and treatment includes bio-transformed soy and St. John's wort.
US08399021B2	Preparation of poly(ethylene oxide)-coated nanoparticles of maghemite The invention relates to a material consisting of an aqueous dispersion of PEG-coated nanoparticles of maghemite. The process for preparing said material consists in polymerizing ethylene oxide in the presence of nanoparticles of maghemite in an aqueous dispersion. The polymerization is initiated using reactive groups which are capable of initiating the polymerization of ethylene oxide without the addition of a catalyst, and which are attached to the nanoparticles of maghemite by means of a coupling agent comprising an alkoxysilyl group and one or more of said reactive groups. Applications: contrast agent for MRI.
US08399019B2	Oral delivery vehicle and material Compositions for an oral delivery vehicle are described as well as methods for their manufacture and administration. The oral delivery vehicles can be made in any size or shape and can further comprise a medicament or other substance or object to be orally delivered. The vehicle can, for example, take the form of a pouch or capsule. Alternatively, a medicament or other substance to be orally delivered can be coated with the composition. In another alternative, the medicament or other substance to be orally delivered can be dispersed within a matrix of the composition. The compositions for the oral delivery vehicle are also suitable for use as an animal food or treat or use as a hunting bait or lure.
US08399015B2	Solid pharmaceutical dosage form A solid pharmaceutical dosage form providing improved oral bioavailability is disclosed for inhibitors of HIV protease. In particular, the dosage form comprises a solid dispersion of at least one HIV protease inhibitor and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, said pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer having a Tg of at least about 50° C. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant has an HLB value of from about 4 to about 10.
US08399009B2	Bioceramic and biopolymer composite The invention provides a high performance porous bioceramic composite that has a high compression strength resulting from the ability to compression form a bioceramic precursor material and a pore forming agent under a high pressure load prior to sintering and/or removing the pore forming agent. Methods of making and using the same are also provided. Optionally, a biopolymer and/or therapeutic agent may be infused into the pores thereby forming the bioceramic composite.
US08399008B2	System and method for attaching soft tissue to annodized metal implant One embodiment of the present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing attachment of soft tissues to a metal prosthetic device. In one embodiment a construct is provided comprising a metal implant having a porous metal region, wherein said porous region exhibits a nano-textured surface, and a biocompatible polymer matrix coating the nano-textured surface. The polymer matrix coating comprises a naturally occurring extracellular matrix with biocompatible inorganic materials distributed within the matrix, or a biocompatible polymer and an osteoinductive agent.
US08399002B2	Topical scar treatment composition An anhydrous topical scar treatment product having a water activity of less than 0.50, the product being comprised of (i) a silicone elastomer, (ii) a non-volatile, anhydrous carrier vehicle, (iii) L-ascorbic acid in the form of fine powder, at a concentration of concentration of from 7.5% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the anhydrous topical scar treatment product, and (iv) an oil-soluble Vitamin C derivative at a concentration of from 5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the anhydrous topical scar treatment product.
US08399000B2	Haemophilus influenzae type IV pili The invention described herein relates to a Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) regulon encoding type IV pili. In particular, the invention relates to type pili from nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) and from H. influenzae strains a, b, c, e and f. The invention provides isolated H. influenzae pilus polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides as well as polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides involved in the assembly/disassembly of the structure. The invention also relates to uses of these polynucleotides and/or polypeptides including methods for eliciting an immune response to H. influenzae and methods of treating and preventing H. influenzae related pathological conditions.
US08398999B2	Chimeric, hybrid and tandem polypeptides of meningococcal NMB1870 NMB1870 is a protein in Neisseria meningitidis. Three families of NMB1870 are known. To increase the ability of a NMB1870 protein to elicit antibodies that are cross-reactive between the families, NMB1870 is engineered. Sequences can be substituted from one NMB1870 family into the corresponding position in another family. Proteins of NMB1870 sequences from different families can be joined to each other.
US08398998B2	Therapeutic composition comprising a botulinum neurotoxin A pharmaceutical preparation comprising one of the botulinum neurotoxins from Clostridium botulinum of types A, B, C, D, E, F or G or a mixture of two or more of these neurotoxins, wherein the neurotoxin or the mixture of neurotoxins is free of the complexing proteins which naturally form the botulinum neurotoxin complexes together with the neurotoxins.
US08398996B2	Staphylococcus aureus proteins and nucleic acids The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus including amino acid sequences and the corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies and also as targets for antibiotics.
US08398995B2	Method of inducing immune tolerance to type I diabetes A method for inducing immune tolerance to type I diabetes in a mammal by mucosal delivery of an antigen involved in the induction of type I diabetes such as pro-insulin or insulin is disclosed. The antigen involved in the induction of type I diabetes is delivered together with an IL-10 secreting micro-organism such as Lactococcus lactis and a anti-CD3 antibody.
US08398994B2	Lawsonia vaccine and methods of use thereof The present invention provides improved vaccination methods for increased protection against ileitis. The methods provide for the vaccination of young animals, preferably piglets, between 10 and 26 days of age, vaccination of pregnant sows during the second or third stages of gestation, and a combination of these methods. Vaccination of the pregnant sows can occur using repeated and/or high doses of Lawsonia antigen prior to farrowing.
US08398993B2	Immunogenic formulation The present invention describes an immunogenic formulation to be used in mammals against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), consisting in the Calmette-Guérin bacillus (BCG) strain or other attenuated Mycobacterium strain that expresses heterologously at least one protein or immunogenic fragment of the RSV subtype A or RSV subtype B strains, originated from proteins NS1, NS2, N, P, M, SH, M2 (ORF1), M2 (ORF2), L, F or G. The genetic material that encodes for these proteins or immunogenic fragments is inserted into the BCG genome or extrachromosomally in one or several copies, which expression is regulated by endogenous or exogenous BCG promoters, either constitutive or inducible. The viral proteins or immunogenic fragments can be expressed by BCG as cytoplasmic-soluble, extracellularly-secreted or cell membrane-bound proteins. The preparation can further contain combinations of previously described formulations. The formulation can be stabilized by freeze-drying (conservation range from 4° C. and 25° C.) or through low temperatures (−80° C.) in a buffered saline solution to be conserved prior to its use.
US08398989B2	Human cystathionine β-synthase variants and methods of production thereof Human cystathionine β-synthase variants are disclosed, as well as a method to produce recombinant human cystathionine β-synthase and variants thereof. More particularly, the role of both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of human CBS has been studied, and a variety of truncation mutants and modified CBS homologues are described. In addition, a method to express and purify recombinant human cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and variants thereof which have only one or two additional amino acid residues at the N-terminus are described.
US08398983B2	Immunogenic composition The present application discloses an immunogenic composition comprising a Hib saccharide conjugate, at least one additional bacterial, for example N. meningitidis, saccharide conjugate(s), and a further antigen selected from the group consisting of whole cell pertussis and hepatitis B surface antigen, wherein the saccharide dose of the Hib saccharide conjugate is less than 5 ug.
US08398977B2	Rage fusion proteins The present invention provides novel therapeutics and methods of treatment for diseases associated with activation of the advanced glycation endproducts receptor (RAGE).
US08398976B2	Antibodies to EGFL7 and methods for their use The invention provides anti-EGFL7 antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies.
US08398973B2	Methods and compositions for preventing adhesion This invention provides methods and compositions for preventing post-surgical adhesion formation based on use of an interleukin-16 (IL-16) antagonist, including an IL-16 antagonist peptide and/or an IL-16 antagonist antibody.
US08398972B2	Methods of treating dementia using a GM-CSF antagonist The invention is based on the discovery that GM-CSF antagonists can be used for the treatment of a patient that has Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia, or is at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, the invention provides methods of administering a GM-CSF antagonist, e.g., a GM-CSF antibody and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antagonists.
US08398966B2	IL-1 binding proteins The present invention describes IL-1β binding proteins, including chimeric, CDR-grafted, and humanized antibodies that bind IL-1β. Binding proteins of the invention have high affinity for IL-1β and neutralize IL-1β activity. A binding protein of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an IL-1β-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the binding proteins of the invention are also described. The IL-1β binding proteins of the invention are useful for detecting IL-1β and for inhibiting IL-1β activity, including in a human subject suffering from a disease or disorder in which IL-1β activity is detrimental.
US08398956B2	In vivo copper-free click chemistry for delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use involving click chemistry reactions for in vivo or in vitro formation of therapeutic and/or diagnostic complexes. Preferably, the diagnostic complex is of use for 18F imaging, while the therapeutic complex is of use for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs or toxins. More preferably, a chelating moiety or targetable construct may be conjugated to a targeting molecule, such as an antibody or antibody fragment, using a click chemistry reaction involving cyclooctyne, nitrone or azide reactive moieties. In most preferred embodiments, the click chemistry reaction occurs in vivo. In vivo click chemistry is not limited to 18F labeling but can be used for delivering a variety of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.
US08398955B2	Method of preparing a molecular sieve composition This disclosure provides a method of preparing a crystalline molecular sieve comprising: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element Y, at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide, water, optionally at least one seed crystal, and optionally at least one source of ions of trivalent element X, the reaction mixture having the following molar composition: Y:X2=2 to infinity, preferably from about 2 to about 1000, OH−:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1, M+:Y=0.001 to 2, preferably from 0.01 to 2 wherein M is an alkali metal and the amount of water is at least sufficient to permit extrusion of the reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture is substantially free of crystalline molecular sieve; (b) extruding the reaction mixture to form a pre-formed extrudate; and (c) crystallizing the pre-formed extrudate in a liquid medium comprising water under liquid phase crystallization conditions to form a crystallized extrudate having the crystalline molecular sieve.
US08398952B2	Method of manufacturing alkali metal titanate and hollow body particle thereof, product thereof, and friction material containing the product The present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a potassium titanate adapted for a friction material of a friction slide member. The present invention includes the steps of uniformly mixing an aggregate or a granulation of a titanium compound and a potassium compound with a vibration rod mill to form a mixture and sintering the mixture for reaction one another in order to manufacture a desired potassium titanate with ease and low cost.
US08398950B2	Condensation polymers having covalently bound carbon nanotubes The present disclosure describes carbon nanotube materials and condensation polymers having at least one bridge between carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube materials comprise a plurality of functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes linked to at least one other single-wall carbon nanotube by at least one bridge. The at least one bridge comprises at least one amine functionality bonded to the functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes. The amine functionality may be alkyl or aryl. Carbon nanotube condensation polymers having at least one bridge between single-wall carbon nanotubes are also disclosed. The bridges in the condensation polymers comprise an amine functionality and a condensation agent.
US08398948B2	Method of preparing carbon nanotube from liquid phased-carbon source This invention relates to a method to induce growth of carbon nanotubes using a liquid phased-hydrocarbon based material under a critical range of equilibrating between liquid and gas phases, thereby easily manipulating a required carbon source. This invention also relates to a method to facilitate easy generation of a carbon backbone of the carbon nanotube because the reaction is performed in the presence of a metal nanoparticle or a metal compound capable of spontaneously generating a seed catalyst which stimulates the growth of carbon nanotubes as well as secures safety enough for the industrial application by using a mild reaction condition within the critical range. Accordingly, this invention can produce the carbon nanotube with high transition efficiency under a mild condition with a relatively lower temperature and pressure than those in conventional gas phased-methods without using a costly equipment, thereby cost-effectively producing the carbon nanotube in large quantities.
US08398942B2	Self-sustainable mobile biodiesel production plant and method The “MOBILE PLANT FOR SELF-SUSTAINABLE BIODIESEL PRODUCTION AND MOBILE PROCESS FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION” characterized by a compact equipment arrangement for the biodiesel production in a way intended to reduce waste generation and, additionally, allow reuse/application of some of them; it is organized and arranged over a chassis with axle and wheels that can be attached and taken to various locations, presents a self-sustainable format to use its own fuel to generate electricity to supply the entire plant, if necessary.
US08398937B2	Microchannel and analyzing device A microchannel 4 for transporting a specimen S using capillary phenomenon includes an analysis chamber 6 having a cross-sectional area larger than those of portions located in front of and behind the analysis chamber 6 in the direction of flow, an inflow opening 5 through which the specimen S flows into the analysis chamber 6, and a discharge portion 7 through which the specimen S is discharged from the analysis chamber 6. The discharge portion 7 includes a pair of discharge openings 71a and 71b located opposite to each other with respect to the inflow opening 5. With this structure, impairment of transport of the specimen S due to the presence of a residual air bubble is avoided.
US08398936B2	Capillary pump unit and flow cell In a capillary pump unit, a capillary pump including a plurality of through portions making a first point and a second point of an approximately flat-plate-shaped base communicable with each other are formed in the base, and a sample liquid is transferred from the first point to the second point by capillary force by the through portions.
US08398931B2	Recirculating reactor The invention provides a recirculating reactor for converting a substrate to a product. The reactor comprises a reaction chamber and a recirculation system, said recirculation system comprising a separator. The reaction chamber contains a catalyst, and comprises a chamber body, a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet. The recirculation system is adapted for recirculating liquid from the chamber outlet to the chamber inlet, and the separator is used for separating a by-product from the liquid.
US08398929B2	Device and method for producing a tubular refractory metal compound structure The disclosure provides a device and method used to produce a tubular structure made of a refractory metal compound. In particular, the disclosure provides a device and method used to produce a tubular structure made of a refractory metal compound by reacting a green tubular structure made of a refractory metal with at least one reactive gas.
US08398928B2	Fume treatment method and apparatus using ultraviolet light to degrade contaminants An ultraviolet treatment chamber for treating exhaust streams, particularly those containing organic particulates, utilizes ultraviolet light energy very efficiently. This is done by setting up a circulating flow in a treatment plenum so that all of the effluent experiences a substantially uniform residence time without the need for baffles or other flow controllers that would block the ultraviolet light.
US08398926B2	Exhaust gas purifying apparatus A plurality of catalytic units (42) and (43) are disposed in series with each other in a direction conforming to the direction (X) of flow of the exhaust gases (G) and include respective honeycomb carrier structure each having a catalyst deposited thereon. Of the plural catalytic units, at least two catalytic units (42) and (43), which are positioned downstream and upstream relative to each other with respect to the direction (X) of flow of the exhaust gases (G), respectively, are such that the downstream catalytic unit (42) has a higher cell density, a smaller capacity of the honeycomb carrier structure and a larger amount of an element, due to become a major catalyst, carried thereby per unitary capacity than those in the upstream catalytic unit (43).
US08398921B2	Chemical sensor using metal nano-particles and method for manufacturing chemical sensor using metal nano-particles A chemical sensor using metal nano-particles and a method for manufacturing a chemical sensor using metal nano-particles are provided. The chemical sensor includes: metal nano-particles; single-ligand organic molecules (or a single molecule) that binds to the metal nano-particles by using a metal bonding functional group; a substrate bonding functional group formed at the metal nano-particles and the single-ligand organic molecules as bound to each other; a substrate; electrodes formed on the substrate and having an interdigitate (IDT) structure; and a substrate functional group formed on the substrate and positioned between the electrodes, wherein the substrate bonding functional group and the substrate functional group are covalently bonded.
US08398918B2	System and method for chemical and biological agent decontamination A system and method for decontamination of chemical and biological agents over terrain in an outdoor environment is provided that utilizes ultraviolet radiation to break up hydrogen peroxide into radical species that interact with chemical and biological agents to render them harmless. In a preferred embodiment, peroxide is dispersed in a contaminated area and the peroxide is then exposed to ultraviolet radiation that causes the peroxide to dissociate into radical species. The interaction of the radical species formed by the peroxide dissociation with the chemical and biological agents renders them useless.
US08398917B2	Method and apparatus for treating biologically contaminated air A method for reducing biological contamination of indoor air, which method includes providing a concentrated salt solution, which is either (i) a brine capable of responding to aeration thereof by a rapid increase of its Redox potential, wherein the rate of said increase is greater than the rate of increase observed for a 45% (w/w) calcium chloride solution subjected to identical aeration conditions; or (ii) a brine which is passed through an electrolytic cell in order to raise its Redox potential; circulating said concentrated salt solution through a treatment zone; causing a stream of biologically contaminated air to flow through said treatment zone, such that said contaminated air is contacted with said salt solution in said treatment zone; and withdrawing purified air from said treatment zone.
US08398913B2	Solid state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric materials Solid-state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymers such as UHMWPE, for example by extrusion below the melt transition, produces materials with a combination of high tensile strength and high oxidative stability. The materials are especially suitable for use as bearing components in artificial hip and other implants. Treated bulk materials are anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted crosslinked UHMWPE.
US08398911B2	Golf ball layer having reduced surface hardness and method of making same A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing an untreated golf ball core comprising a thermoset rubber composition, the untreated golf ball core comprising an untreated outer surface having a hardness; treating the untreated outer surface of the untreated golf ball core with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid or fatty acid salt composition to form a golf ball core comprising a treated outer surface having a hardness less than the hardness of the untreated outer surface; and forming at least one cover layer about the core to form the golf ball. Also, the untreated core may comprise a geometric center and an untreated outer surface, each having a hardness such that the hardness of the treated outer surface is less than both the hardness of the untreated geometric center and the hardness of the untreated outer surface.
US08398909B1	Dry adhesives and methods of making dry adhesives Dry adhesives and methods of making dry adhesives including a method of making a dry adhesive including applying a liquid polymer to the second end of a stem, contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with a tip shaping surface, bending the stem relative to the backing layer while contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with the tip shaping surface, curing the liquid polymer to form a tip on the second end of the stem while bending the stem relative to the backing layer and while contacting the liquid polymer on the stem with the tip shaping surface, andremoving the tip from the tip shaping surface after the liquid polymer cures.
US08398906B2	Particles comprising composite of para-aramid and additive material The invention pertains to a method for making a polymer-additive composite particle from a dope by jet spinning the dope to obtain a pulp, fibril or fibrid, wherein the solvent of the dope is selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N′-dimethylformamide, N,N′-dimethylacetamide, tetramethylurea, and 4 to 75 wt % of a composition consisting of 2 to 95 wt % of a para-aramid polymer and 5-98 wt % of a solid additive material, to a total of 100 wt %, and wherein the aramid polymer is dissolved in the solvent; or coagulating the dope by means of a rotor-stator apparatus in which the polymer solution is applied through the stator on the rotor so that the precipitating polymer-additive composite particle is subjected to shear forces while they are in a plastic deformable stage.
US08398905B2	Particle board The present invention relates to a particle board comprising a lower and an upper surface layer (9, 11) having a finer fraction of particles (4), and between these surface layers (9, 11) an intermediate layer (13) having a coarser fraction of particles (5). The intermediate layer (13) has a varying density.
US08398904B2	Microcellular foam of thermoplastic resin prepared with die having improved cooling property and method for preparing the same The present invention relates to a microcellular foam of a thermoplastic resin and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly to a microcellular foam comprising a skin layer having a porosity of below 5% and a core layer having a porosity of at least 5%, wherein the thickness of the skin layer accounts for 5 to 50% of the entire foam, and a method for preparing the same. The microcellular foam of the present invention is advantageous in that it has a thicker skin layer and smaller and uniform micropores in the core layer, compared with conventional microcellular foams, while having mechanical properties comparable to those of conventional non-foamed sheets.
US08398903B2	Process for the production of contact lenses using plastic castings molds The invention is concerned with the problem that with known plastic casting molds, especially those of polypropylene, the lenses produced with these molds have a slippery surface. The invention solves this problem through the use of polymers which are notable for their very low oxygen permeability.
US08398898B2	Soluble metal salts for use as conductivity promoters The present invention provides conductivity promoters, and in particular soluble conductivity promoters that contain a hydrocarbon moiety or a siloxane moiety and a metal. The present invention also provides methods of making soluble conductivity promoters and adhesive compositions containing the conductivity promoters of the invention.
US08398897B2	Thermoelectric material with low electrical resistivity and manufacture thereof Thermoelectric material has attracted more attentions as a promising energy material in recent years. Research nowadays are devoted to improvement of figure-of-merit (zT=S2T/ρκ). Motivated by p-type AgSbTe2 compound, ternary Ag—Sb—Te has been reported as an important thermoelectric system. Although ternary AgSbTe2 compound has been considered as a candidate for thermoelectric materials with the advantages of low thermal conductivity (κp=0.6 WK−1 m−1), the relatively high electrical resistivity (ρ=7.510−3 Ωcm) has limited its applications. This invention disclosed brand-new Ag—Sb—Te bulk materials with very fine microstructures that nanoscale Ag2Te phase precipitate uniformly in the multi-phase matrix through class I reaction, liquid=Ag2Te+AgSbTe2+δ. Moreover, the electrical resistivity (ρ) measured by four-probe method is as low as 8.410−4 (Ωcm) at room temperature, which guarantees the promise of those ternary bulk materials.
US08398890B2	Phosphor and production method thereof, phosphor-containing composition, light emitting device, illuminating device, display, and nitrogen-containing compound To provide a new phosphor of which fluorescence contains much red light component and has a large full width at half maximum, the crystal phase represented by the formula [I] is included in the phosphor. R3−x−y−z+w2MzA1.5x+y−w2Si6−w1−w2AlW1+w2Oy+w1N11−y−w1 [I] (R represents La, Gd, Lu, Y and/or Sc, M represents Ce, Eu, Mn, Yb, Pr and/or Tb, A represents Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg and/or Zn, and x, y, z, w1 and w2 are the numeric values in the following ranges: ( 1/7)≦(3−x−y−z+w2)/6<(½), 0<(1.5x+y−w2)/6<(9/2), 0
US08398889B2	Electroluminescent adhesive masses The invention relates to adhesive masses containing at least one electroluminescent additive, single and double-sided adhesive strips which are provided with adhesive masses of said type, and to the use of said adhesive masses for sticking together electronic components.
US08398888B2	Size dependent marker codes A security marker material comprising emissive particles selected from at least two groups with different size distributions and the size distributions satisfy the formula: [(x−z)2/(Sx2+Sz2)]1/2>1 wherein x and z are the volume-weighted mean equivalent-spherical diameters of the two particle distributions and Sx and Sz are the standard deviations of the same two distributions.
US08398884B2	Method for producing electrode material for fuel cell, electrode material for fuel cell, and fuel cell using the electrode material for fuel cell Disclosed is a method for producing an electrode material for fuel cells, which electrode material has excellent electrochemical catalytic activity and uses a non-carbon conductive oxide carrier having high durability. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing an electrode material for fuel cells, which comprises the following steps. (1) A step wherein carriers mainly composed of tin oxide are dispersed in a solution containing a noble metal colloid, and the noble metal colloid is reduced so that the carriers are loaded with noble metal particles (2) A step wherein the carriers loaded with the noble metal particles are separated from the liquid and dried (3) A step wherein the dried carriers loaded with the noble metal particles are subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of not less than 80° C. but not more than 250° C. in the presence of a reducing gas.
US08398883B2	Electrochemical composition and associated technology A composition including a first material and a metal or a metal oxide component for use in an electrochemical redox reaction is described. The first material is represented by a general formula M1xM2yXO4, wherein M1 represents an alkali metal element; M2 represents an transition metal element; X represents phosphorus; O represents oxygen; x is from 0.6 to 1.4; and y is from 0.6 to 1.4. Further, the metal or the metal oxide component includes at least two materials selected from the group consisting of transition metal elements, semimetal elements, group IIA elements, group IIIA elements, group IVA elements, alloys thereof and oxides of the above metal elements and alloys, wherein the two materials include different metal elements. Moreover, the first material and the metal or the metal oxide component are co-crystallized or physically combined, and the metal or the metal oxide component takes less than about 30% of the composition.
US08398879B2	Soft magnetic powdered core and method for producing same A powder mixture, which contains a soft magnetic powder and an insulating powder lubricant in an amount of 0.1% by mass or more relative to the soft magnetic powder, is formed by compacting at a compacting pressure of 800 MPa or less, thereby obtaining a powder compact that has a space factor of the soft magnetic powder of 93% or more. The powder compact can be used as a soft magnetic powdered core. The soft magnetic powdered core has a specific resistance or 10,000 μΩcm or more. A powder of a metal soap such as barium stearate or lithium stearate is used as the insulating powder lubricant.
US08398875B2	Method of orienting an upper electrode relative to a lower electrode for bevel edge processing Methods for orienting an upper electrode relative to a lower electrode are provided. The lower electrode is configured to have a desired existing orientation in a process chamber to define active and inactive process zones in the process chamber for processing a wafer. The method includes configuring each electrode with a reference surface, where a lower electrode reference surface is in the desired existing orientation and an upper electrode reference surface to be oriented parallel to the lower electrode reference surface. Then, temporarily holding the upper electrode reference surface oriented parallel to the lower electrode reference surface, and securing the upper electrode to a drive to mount the upper electrode reference surface parallel to the lower electrode reference surface. Other method configurations are also disclosed and illustrated.
US08398870B2	Method for manufacturing perpendicular magnetic recording medium There is provided a method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium that includes a step for forming a smooth substrate surface without generating abnormal protrusions or the like when forming a magnetic film or the like on the surface of the substrate, the method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium characterized by including a polishing step in which the surface of a non-magnetic substrate is smoothed before forming the laminated structure on top of the non-magnetic substrate, wherein a polishing liquid used in the polishing step contains diamond particles within a range from 0.001 to 0.05% by mass and also contains a polishing accelerator within a range from 10 to 100 times the amount of diamond particles, and the polishing accelerator is an organic polymer material containing a sulfonic group or a carboxylic group and having an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 10,000.
US08398869B2	Transfer film and method for fabricating a circuit A method of fabricating a circuit includes bonding an electrically conductive layer to a carrier film using an adhesive selected from acrylic polymer and silicone polymer, removing selected portions of the electrically conductive layer from the carrier film to provide a circuit arrangement, and transferring the circuit arrangement from the carrier film to a substrate.
US08398867B2	Video rate-enabling probes for atomic force microscopy Method for producing a probe for atomic force microscopy with a silicon nitride cantilever and an integrated single crystal silicon tetrahedral tip with high resonant frequencies and low spring constants intended for high speed AFM imaging.
US08398865B2	Method of manufacturing a micromechanical part A method of manufacturing a mechanical part includes the steps of providing a micro-machinable substrate; etching a pattern which includes the part through the entire substrate using photolithography; mounting the etched substrate on a support so as to leave the top and bottom surfaces of said substrate accessible for coating; depositing a tribological quality improving coating of on the outer surface of the part; and releasing the part from the substrate.
US08398864B2	Screened decanter assembly for a settling tank A driven decanter assembly for a wastewater primary treatment system, comprising a longitudinal decanter disposable in the wastewater and having a longitudinal trough and a horizontal entrance weir, a polygonal or arcuate screen attached to the decanter and having at least two screen surfaces disposable below the surface of the wastewater outside of the trough, and a floating baffle pivotably mounted to the decanter and disposable in the wastewater outside of the screen. The driven decanter assembly can directly replace a prior art driven decanter in any waste water primary treatment system.
US08398860B2	Method of purifying a surfactant by ultrafiltration A method of purifying a surfactant for use in a pharmaceutical formulation, which comprises mixing the surfactant with a solvent and bringing said mixture into contact with a semi-permeable membrane so as to allow impurities present in the surfactant and having a molecular weight lower than the molecular weight cut-off of the membrane to pass through the membrane, whilst retaining the purified surfactant.
US08398859B2	Haemodialfiltration method and apparatus Device for haemodiafiltration, which comprises a first circuit for a dialysis solution and a second circuit for blood, so that the toxic substances from the blood flow pass into the dialysis liquid within a haemofilter (11), a liquid pump (20) located upstream of the haemofilter (11) in the first dialysis liquid circuit, is adapted for injecting replacement liquid into the dialysis solution flow after a blood pump (15) finishes pumping blood to the interior of the haemofilter (11).
US08398858B2	Device for transferring mass and/or exchanging energy A device is provided for transferring mass and/or exchanging energy between two media, particularly between blood and a gas/gas mixture. The device includes a chamber (2), through which the first medium flows and inside which at least one mass-permeable and/or energy-permeable hollow fiber (5), preferably a plurality of mass-permeable and/or energy-permeable hollow fibers (5), is/ are arranged. The second medium can flow through the at least one hollow fiber (5), while the first medium can flow therearound. At least one pumping element (5), which allows the first medium to be displaced from the chamber (2) and/or to be sucked into the chamber (2), is disposed in the chamber (2) of the device.
US08398856B2	Self-sustained microbial detoxification of soluble sulfate from environmental effluent Systems and methods for the bioremediation of soluble sulfates from an environmental effluent, include a first chamber including lactic acid bacteria immobilized on a first matrix and a second chamber including sulfate-reducing bacteria immobilized on a second matrix. The methods include providing the lactic acid bacteria a suitable medium for the production of lactic acid, which is directed to the culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria for use as a substrate/electron donor for the reduction of sulfates present in the environmental effluent.
US08398843B2	Microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid therein using semiconductor doped with impurity and method of regulating the pH of a fluid in a microfluidic device using the same Provided is a microfluidic device for electrochemically regulating the pH of a fluid comprising: a cathode substrate; an anode substrate facing the cathode substrate and forming a reaction chamber with the cathode substrate; and a nonconductor which forms a boundary between the portions of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate that are capable of contacting one another, wherein at least one of the cathode substrate and the anode substrate is a semiconductor doped with impurities and the other is a metal electrode.
US08398840B2	Capacitive de-ionization electrode An electrode “cell” for use in a capacitive deionization (CDI) reactor consists of the electrode support structure, a non-reactive conductive material, the electrode accompaniment or substrate and a flow through screen/separator. These “layers” are repeated and the electrodes are sealed together with gaskets between two end plates to create stacked sets of alternating anode and cathode electrodes in the CDI reactor.
US08398837B2	Sensor A sensor (1) including a plate-shaped sensor element (21) extending in a front-rear direction and having at least 3 electrode terminals (25) provided on at least one side surface (24) of the sensor element at intervals in a lateral direction; a plurality of metallic terminal members (51a, 51b) connected to the electrode terminals (25) of the sensor element (21); and a separator (71) surrounding and insulating the plurality of metallic terminal members (51a, 51b). The metallic terminal members (51a, 51b) each has a crimp portion (57a, 57b) formed at a rear end thereof and a lead wire (61) is crimp-connected to the crimp portion (57a, 57b). The crimp portions (57a) located at opposite sides with respect to the lateral direction face the side surface (24) of the sensor element (21), whereas the crimp portion (57b) faces away from the side surface (24) of the sensor element (21).
US08398835B2	Unitary ionic probe A unitary ionic probe is provided. The unitary ionic probe includes a substantially elongate body including a central axis (AA), a proximal end, and a distal end. The unitary ionic probe further includes an active ion sensitive region that is located on and bonded into an exterior of the elongate body in a region of the proximal end and an active electrode in ionic communication with the active ion sensitive region. The unitary ionic probe further includes a reference ion sensitive region that is located on and bonded into the exterior of the elongate body and is spaced-apart from the active ion sensitive region and a reference electrode in ionic communication with the reference ion sensitive region.
US08398833B2	Use of DC magnetron sputtering systems Field-enhanced sputtering targets are disclosed that include: a core material; and a surface material, wherein at least one of the core material or the surface material has a field strength design profile and wherein the sputtering target comprises a substantially uniform erosion profile. Target assembly systems are also disclosed that include a field-enhanced sputtering target; and an anodic shield. Additionally, methods of producing a substantially uniform erosion on a sputtering target are described that include: providing an anodic shield; providing a cathodic field-enhanced target; and initiating a plasma ignition arc, whereby the arc is located at the point of least resistance between the anodic shield and the cathodic field-enhanced target.
US08398832B2	Coils for generating a plasma and for sputtering A sputtering coil for a plasma chamber in a semiconductor fabrication system is provided. The sputtering coil couples energy into a plasma and also provides a source of sputtering material to be sputtered onto a workpiece from the coil to supplement material being sputtered from a target onto the workpiece. Alternatively a plurality of coils may be provided, one primarily for coupling energy into the plasma and the other primarily for providing a supplemental source of sputtering material to be sputtered on the workpiece.
US08398831B2	Rapidly cleanable electroplating cup seal Embodiments of a closed-contact electroplating cup assembly that may be rapidly cleaned while an electroplating system is on-line are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises a cup assembly and a cone assembly, wherein the cup assembly comprises a cup bottom comprising an opening, a seal surrounding the opening, an electrical contact structure comprising a plurality of electrical contacts disposed around the opening, and an interior cup side that is tapered inwardly in along an axial direction of the cup from a cup top toward the cup bottom.
US08398829B1	System for electrocoagulation fluid treatment A system for electrocoagulation fluid treatment having a tubular member with a plurality of electrocoagulation assemblies disposed therein. The assemblies having a first and second conductive plate that are angularly oriented in relation to one another. A non-conductive block is positioned between the plates to stabilize and orient them within the tubular member. The conductive plates may be provided with alternating negative and positive charges to combat corrosion.
US08398827B2	Power feeding method, continuous electrolytic plating apparatus for web and method for manufacturing plastic film with plated coating film Two rotating members placed to face each other and nipping a web such that only an end of the web provided with conductivity is pressed are provided, at least one of the rotating members serves as a feeding electrode, and these rotating members are rotated about the same velocity to a transportation velocity of the web.
US08398820B2	Method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber, applying the nascent web having the apparently random fiber distribution to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, belt-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure of at least 20 pounds per linear inch in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt is traveling at a belt speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface. The web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt.
US08398819B2	Method of moist creping absorbent paper base sheet A method of moist creping absorbent paper base sheet includes forming a nascent web including at least a major portion of flattened ribbonlike cellulosic fibers of recycled fiber. A creping adhesive coating including an admixture of polyvinyl alcohol and a polyamide crosslinked with epichlorohydrin is applied to a Yankee dryer. The nascent web is passed through a nip, defined between a suction pressure roll and the Yankee dryer, having a controlled loading. The nascent web is adhered to the Yankee dryer and dried on the Yankee dryer to a moisture content corresponding to a sheet temperature, immediately prior to the creping blade, of from about 110° C. to about 121° C. The nascent web is creped at a sheet temperature of from about 110° C. to about 121° C. from the Yankee dryer with an undulatory creping blade bearing against the Yankee dryer to form a moist biaxially undulatory web, which is dried.
US08398818B2	Fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight includes a patterned papermaking-fiber reticulum provided with (a) a plurality of generally machine direction (MD) oriented elongated densified regions of compressed paper-making fibers having a relatively low local basis weight as well as leading and trailing edges, the densified regions being arranged in a repeating pattern of a plurality of generally parallel linear arrays that are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other such that a plurality of intervening linear arrays are disposed between a pair of cross machine (CD) direction aligned densified regions, and (b) a plurality of fiber-enriched, pileated regions having a relatively high local basis weight interspersed between and connected with the densified regions, the pileated regions having crests extending generally in the cross-machine direction of the sheet.
US08398807B2	Concrete cure blanket having reflective bubble layer and method of manufacturing A method of manufacturing a lightweight multilayer heat reflective concrete cure blanket having a moisture-impervious top outer layer, a moisture-impervious bottom outer layer, and the top and bottom layers sealingly connected to each other at the boundaries of the layers to form a moisture-impervious chamber between the first and second layers. The chamber includes at least one bubble type insulative layer therein, and the bottom surface of the blanket comprises a heat reflective material to reflect heat emanating from the concrete when the blanket is placed over the concrete. In a further embodiment, heat reflective material is applied to at least one inner bubble type layer to reflect additional heat which radiates from the concrete through the insulative layer and back towards the concrete.
US08398803B2	Method for providing an insulated electric high voltage DC cable or a high voltage DC termination or joint A method for providing an insulated electric high voltage DC cable or a high voltage DC termination or joint. A polymer based insulation system including a compounded polymer composition is provided. The polymer based insulation system is subsequently exposed to a heat treatment procedure while the outer surface of the polymer based insulation system is covered by a cover impermeable to a substance present in the polymer based insulation system in a non-homogenous distribution, thereby equalizing the concentration of the substance in the polymer based insulation system.
US08398801B2	Method of making a molded composite mandrel A composite mandrel includes a filament-wound composite tube, and composite material molded over the filament-wound composite tube. For example, the composite material includes chopped fibers and a matrix of thermoset resin. The chopped fibers are arranged in layers upon the filament-wound composite tube, and the chopped fibers in each of the layers are randomly oriented along first and second orthogonal directions in each of the layers. The composite material includes at least one sheet of the composite material wound over the filament-wound tube, and at least one strip of the composite material wound over the sheet of the composite material and forming a head on the composite mandrel. An internal cavity of the filament-wound composite tube may provide a lumen for the composite mandrel. The internal cavity may be threaded to receive a removable bridge plug.
US08398800B2	Method and system for manufacturing optical display device Provided are a method and system for manufacturing optical display device that can make a previous category of an optical film remain less in the device at the exchange time of categories of optical films. The system comprises an optical display unit supply device, an optical film supply device for supplying an optical film after the optical film is cut from a roll, a sticking device for sticking the optical film on the front surface of the optical display unit, a control device for controlling the operation or stop of each device, and a counting unit for counting the supply of the optical display unit, wherein the control device stores the number (N) of the optical display units to be stuck together substantially in accordance with the optical film existing from a connecting position of the optical film to a sticking position of the optical film and stops each device when the number (X) of the optical units that remains before a previous category of the optical display unit is stuck at the exchange time of categories is substantially equal to the number (N) of the optical display units in accordance with information from the counting unit.
US08398790B2	Proximally self-locking long bone prosthesis A femoral stem hip implant for insertion into a surgically created aperture in a femur includes a monolithic femoral stem made of shape memory material. The stem is configured to be inserted into the aperture, has a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis. The shape memory material within the proximal portion has a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the shape memory material within the proximal portion is in a compressed state by application of a plurality of compressive forces at a temperature below an austenitic finish temperature of the shape memory material so that the cross-section expands through shape memory effect via the formation of austenite in response to a temperature increase after insertion into the aperture thereby causing a locking-force to be exerted against an inner surface of the aperture, the locking force being sufficient to stabilize the implant in the aperture.
US08398787B2	High-strength steel sheet excellent in resistance to stress-relief annealing and low temperature joint toughness A high-strength steel sheet is provided which, even when subjected to long-term stress-relief annealing after welding, decreases little in strength and which has satisfactory low-temperature HAZ toughness. The high-strength steel sheet has a chemical composition adequately regulated and has a CP value defined by the following equation (1) of 5.40% or higher and a carbon equivalent (Ceq) defined by the following equation (2) of 0.45% or lower. CP value=125[Ti]+111[Nb]+60[V]+15[Mo] (1) ([Ti], [Nb], [V], and [Mo] indicate the contents (mass %) of Ti, Nb, V, and Mo, respectively.) Ceq=[C]+[Mn]/6+([Cr]+[Mo]+[V])/5+([Cu]+[Ni])/15 (2) ([C], [Mn], [Cr], [Mo], [V], [Cu], and [Ni] indicate the contents (mass %) of C, Mn, Cr, Mo, V, Cu, and Ni, respectively.
US08398785B2	Rigid lance cleaning system and method therefor A rigid lance cleaning system includes rigid tubular lances that are movable between retracted and extended positions for delivering a cleaning fluid. Flexible hoses are connected to respective rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid. A hose reel is configured to dispense the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances extend and collect the flexible hoses when the rigid tubular lances retract. A frame movably supports the rigid tubular lances and a drive system is configured to selectively extend and retract the rigid tubular lenses.
US08398781B2	Methods for cleaning industrial equipment with pre-treatment A method of cleaning equipment such as heat exchangers, evaporators, tanks and other industrial equipment using clean-in-place procedures and a pre-treatment solution prior to the conventional CIP cleaning process. The pre-treatment step improves the degree of softening of the soil, and thus facilitates its removal. The pre-treatment solution can be a strong acidic solution, a strong alkaline solution, or comprise a penetrant. A preferred strong acidic solution is an acid peroxide solution. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment may include no strong alkali or acid ingredient; rather, the penetrant provides acceptable levels of pre-treatment.
US08398780B2	Method for the pretreatment of polymer surfaces to be painted A method and device for the pretreatment of polymer surfaces of components to be painted. At least one polymer surface of at least one component is preheated to a temperature that minimizes condensation on the component when the component is subsequently cleaned inside a pretreatment cell and then treated with an oxidizing flame. The cleaning of the polymer surface as well as the treatment of the polymer surface with an oxidizing flame are performed inside the same pretreatment cell.
US08398777B2	System and method for pedestal adjustment A pedestal positioning assembly system for use in a substrate processing system includes a pedestal rigidly attached to a pedestal shaft, a reference rigidly attached to the substrate processing system, a lateral adjustment assembly to adjust a lateral location of the pedestal relative to the reference, and a vertical adjustment assembly to adjust a tilt of the pedestal relative to the reference. The lateral adjustment assembly and the vertical adjustment assembly are external to a processing chamber and are coupled to the pedestal disposed within the processing chamber through the pedestal shaft. The reference can be a ring and the lateral adjustment assembly substantially centers the pedestal within the ring. A method of adjusting a pedestal includes leveling the pedestal, translating the pedestal, calibrating the pedestal height to a preheat ring level, and checking the level and location of the pedestal while rotating the pedestal.
US08398774B2	Method of manufacturing organic light emitting device and vapor deposition system Provided is a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device including the step of forming an electron injection layer. The step of forming the electron injection layer includes the steps of: vaporizing in a container a dopant material as a raw material of a dopant; causing the vaporized dopant material to pass a heated medium between the container and the substrate; and forming the organic compound into the electron injection layer. According to the method the organic light emitting device which has high electron injection efficiency and can be driven at a low voltage can be obtained.
US08398772B1	Method and structure for processing thin film PV cells with improved temperature uniformity An apparatus for reactive thermal treatment of thin film photovoltaic devices includes a furnace tube including an inner wall extended from a first end to a second end. The apparatus further includes a gas supply device coupled to the second end and configured to fill one or more working gases into the furnace tube. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cover configured to seal the furnace tube at the first end and serve as a heat sink for the one or more working gases. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a fixture mechanically attached to the cover. The fixture is configured to load an array of substrates into the furnace tube as the cover seals the furnace tube. Moreover, the apparatus includes a crescent shaped baffle member disposed seamlessly at a lower portion of the inner wall for blocking a convection current of the one or more working gases cooled by the cover.
US08398770B2	Deposition system for thin film formation A process for depositing a thin film material on a substrate is disclosed, comprising simultaneously directing a series of gas flows from the output face of a delivery head of a thin film deposition system toward the surface of a substrate, and wherein the series of gas flows comprises at least a first reactive gaseous material, an inert purge gas, and a second reactive gaseous material, wherein the first reactive gaseous material is capable of reacting with a substrate surface treated with the second reactive gaseous material, wherein one or more of the gas flows provides a pressure that at least contributes to the separation of the surface of the substrate from the face of the delivery head. A system capable of carrying out such a process is also disclosed.
US08398769B2	Chemical vapor deposition apparatus A chemical vapor deposition apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of improving the yield by an extension of a cleaning cycle, the chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprising a chamber with a substrate-supporting member for supporting a substrate; a chamber lid with plural first source supplying holes, the chamber lid installed over the chamber; plural source supplying pipes for supplying a process source to the plural first source supplying holes; a spraying-pipe supporting member with plural second source supplying holes corresponding to the plural first source supplying holes, the spraying-pipe supporting member detachably installed in the chamber lid; and plural source spraying pipes with plural third source supplying holes and plural source spraying holes, the plural source spraying pipes supported by the spraying-pipe supporting member, wherein the plural third source supplying holes are supplied with the process source through the plural second source supplying holes, and the plural source spraying holes are provided to spray the process source onto the substrate.
US08398763B1	Mixture and method for increasing traction Embodiments include a method, mixture, and system for increasing a friction coefficient of a surface or increasing or maintaining traction of an object on the surface. In one embodiment, the mixture comprises pulverized lime, fine sand, granite fines, gypsum, and expanded perlite. The mixture may optionally further comprise dye. In an embodiment, the method comprises mixing pulverized lime, fine sand, granite fines, and gypsum with one another to form a first mixture; and mixing expanded perlite with the first mixture to provide a product mixture for increasing the friction coefficient of the surface or increasing or maintaining traction of an object on the surface. In some embodiments, the expanded perlite may be mixed with dye prior to mixing the expanded perlite with the first mixture.
US08398761B2	Ink composition, ink set and image recording method The present invention provides an ink composition for use in inkjet recording, the ink composition including one of water-soluble dye and water in an amount of from 20% to 40% by mass, which is capable of recording an image that is suppressed in the variation of image density immediately after printing.
US08398758B2	CO2 recovery system and CO2 recovery method A CO2 recovery system includes an absorber 2 and a regenerator 3. The absorber 2 includes a CO2 absorbing section 21 and a water-washing section 22. The CO2 absorbing section 21 allows flue gas i01 to come into contact with a basic amine compound absorbent 103 so that the basic amine compound absorbent 103 absorbs CO2 in the flue gas 101. The water-washing section 22 allows the decarbonated flue gas 101A in which the amount of CO2 has been reduced in the CO2 absorbing section 21 to come into contact with circulating wash water 104 and to be washed with the wash water 104 so that the amounts of the basic amine compounds entrained in the decarbonated flue gas 101A are reduced. The regenerator 3 releases CO2 from the basic amine compound absorbent 103 the CO2 absorbed therein.
US08398757B2	CO2 recovering apparatus A CO2 recovering apparatus includes a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 and O2 into contact with CO2 absorbing liquid to reduce CO2 in the flue gas; and a regenerator that reduces CO2 in CO2 absorbing liquid (rich solvent) that absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the CO2 absorbing liquid, so that the regenerated CO2 absorbing liquid (lean solvent) having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber. A lower liquid reservoir is located at the bottom of the CO2 absorber, and an air-bubble gathering member is arranged therein to gather air bubbles included in the absorbing liquid.
US08398756B2	Separator with liquid carry-over reduction assembly A separator which includes a vessel with a horizontal section defining a horizontal chamber and a vertical section defining a vertical chamber. The vertical section extends upwardly from the horizontal section. A tubular member is positioned in the vertical section in such a way that the tubular member provides a fluid passage between the horizontal chamber and the vertical chamber and cooperates with the vertical section and the horizontal section to define a liquid receiving space. A deflector plate is spaced from the upper end of the tubular member in such a way that fluid passing up through the tubular member is deflected into the liquid receiving space and returned to the horizontal chamber.
US08398754B2	Proton conducting membrane and method for producing proton conducting membrane A proton conducting membrane comprising, as a main component, a ceramic structure in which an oxygen atom of a metal oxide is bonded through the oxygen atom with at least one group derived an oxygen acid selected from —B(O)3—, —S(═O)2(O)2—, —P(═O)(O)3—, —C(═O)(O)2—, and —N(O)3—, wherein the metal oxide and said at least one group derived from the oxygen acid share the oxygen atom, the proton conducting membrane being made by a sol-gel reaction of the oxygen acid or its precursor and a precursor of the metal oxide in order to obtain a sol-gel reaction product, followed by heating of the sol-gel reaction product at a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 600° C., the oxygen acid or its precursor being selected from a boric acid, a sulfuric acid, a phosphoric acid, a carbonic acid, a nitric acid, and precursors thereof. Thus, a novel proton conducting membrane is provided.
US08398745B2	Substrate processing apparatus and exhaust method therefor A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber for accommodating therein a processing target substrate; a gas exhaust path through which a gas inside the processing chamber is exhausted; one or more exhaust pumps provided in the gas exhaust path; and a scrubber for collecting harmful components from an exhaust gas. The apparatus further includes an ionized gas supply unit for supplying to the gas exhaust path an ionized gas for neutralizing charged particles included in the exhaust gas flowing therethrough.
US08398733B2	Apparatus and method for a split type water extractor and water dispenser A split type potable water extractor from ambient air and water dispenser is invented, comprising separate water generating block located outside a water use area and water dispensing block located inside a water use area. The water generator block cycles refrigerant through a condenser and an evaporator to create condensation by heat exchange with ambient air circulated by an intake airflow system. The condensate water is collected and purified in a cascade of bactericidal loop to remove impurities. The purified water is pumped to a dispensing apparatus that can be installed in the home or other area of water use separate from the water generating block. If any one of the functional parts or units of water generator is disabled the water generator immediately stops operating to deliver water to the tank of the dispensing apparatus.
US08398732B2	Process gas filtration The present invention relates to a spray drying system provided with a gas filtering system, which system is intended for use in the pharmaceutical industry for aseptic production of sterile pharmaceutical products or in other industries e.g. production of food, where an intake of sterile air for the drying process is necessary. The spray drying system for providing a particulate material comprises a spray drying chamber (3), after treatment equipment (4, 5) placed downstream of the spray drying chamber and a process gas heater (2) placed upstream in relation to the spray drying chamber (3), wherein an inlet filter (1) capable of removing microorganisms at a temperature below 140° C., is placed upstream of the process gas heater (2) and that the process gas heater (2) is a non-flaking heater.
US08398726B2	Battery pack and method for manufacturing the same A method including the steps of assembling a battery pack core; holding the core in a mold that forms a molded resin region; closing a cavity of the mold; injecting synthetic resin into the closed cavity; and ejecting the battery pack from the cavity to configure the battery pack with the battery pack core insert-molded in the molded resin region. A projection that protrudes towards an inner surface of the mold cavity is provided on the surface of the insulating cover fixed on the battery. In the resin injection step, the projection on the insulating cover is pressed directly or indirectly by the mold in a direction to put the insulating cover tightly in contact with the surface of the battery; and synthetic resin is injected into the cavity of the mold in this pressed configuration.
US08398725B2	Light exposure apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device using the same When annealing of a semiconductor film is conducted using a plurality of lasers, each of the distances between laser irradiation regions is different. When a lithography step is conducted in accordance with a marker which is formed over a substrate in advance after the step, light-exposure is not correctly conducted to a portion crystallized by laser. By using a laser irradiation region obtained on a laser irradiation step as a marker, light-exposure is conducted by making a light-exposure position of a stepper coincide with a large grain size region in the laser irradiation region. A large grain size region and a poorly crystalline region are detected by utilizing a thing that scattering intensity of light is different between the large grain size region and the poorly crystalline region, thereby determining a light-exposure position.
US08398720B2	Craniofacial implant A composite surgical implant that is made of a planar sheet of a thermoplastic resin that includes a top surface (400), a bottom surface (410), and a surgical grade metal mesh (405) contained therein. The implant may be bent by hand, wherein upon the displacement of the implant, the implant will generally maintain the shape to which it has been displaced.
US08398715B2	High performance knee prostheses with converging anterior and posterior portions Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08398713B2	Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.
US08398712B2	Intervertebral prosthetic disc with shock absorption A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates and a core having upper and lower curved surfaces disposed between the plates. At least one of the plates and/or the core includes a resilient material for absorbing shock or other forces applied by vertebrae. Optionally, resilient support members may be disposed within the resilient material to connect two portions of a plate or the core. Such support members may be springs, cylinders, wires or other resilient structures. The resilient material is held within the core or plate(s) via a surrounding retaining structure, such as a membrane. The resilient material disposed in one or more components of the prosthetic disc provides for shock absorption.
US08398709B2	Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) capsules having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The AIOL capsules include an anterior capsule plate, a posterior capsule plate, and a capsule ring for bounding a hermetic cavity filled with a capsule filling. The anterior capsule plate is intended to anteriorly bulge along the human eye's visual axis on application of an axial compression force against the posterior capsule plate from a posterior direction.
US08398708B2	Retaining mechanisms for prosthetic valves Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support member is positioned to at least partially surround the native leaflets of a valve. A locking member is used to couple both ends of the support member, forming a support band. An expandable prosthetic heart valve is delivered into the native heart valve and expanded while the expandable prosthetic valve is at least partially within the support band, thereby causing one or more of the native leaflets of the native heart valve to be frictionally secured between the support band and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.
US08398703B2	Devices and methods for magnetic tissue support Devices and methods are disclosed for providing tissue support within the body. A metallic component and a magnetic component are used and allowed to interact through the body of the tissue such that the attractive forces between these components provides the external support needed by that tissue to properly function within its position. Such a technique is described with respect to the particular example of correction of aneurysms.
US08398702B2	Molybdenum endoprostheses An endoprosthesis can have a member that includes molybdenum and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, rhenium, yttrium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, tungsten, tantalum, iridium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, chromium, and combinations thereof. The member can have a microstructure characterized by: (a) a molybdenum-rich base region comprising at least 50 weight percent molybdenum, (b) a surface region comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, rhenium, yttrium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, tungsten, tantalum, iridium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, chromium, and combinations thereof, and (c) an inter-diffusion region in which the concentration of molybdenum decreases in the thickness direction from the molybdenum-rich base region to the surface region of the member.
US08398700B2	Intravascular flow modifier and reinforcement device and deployment system for same A stent includes a cylindrical frame consisting of a series of helical winds containing a pattern of alternating zigzag bends. The frame may be made of resilient wire or from a piece of laser cut hypo tubing by placing the stent over a notched portion of a pusher catheter member, and retained on the pusher catheter member by a release wire threaded through the pusher catheter member and over the stent. The stent may also be deployed by placing the stent over a pusher catheter member having opposing notched portions, and retaining the stent and pusher catheter member in a delivery catheter, which can be withdrawn when stent reaches the site to be treated to release the stent.
US08398698B2	Bifurcated stent delivery system The present invention is drawn to a system and/or device for deploying a stent at a bifurcation. In one embodiment, the system and/or device for deploying a stent at a bifurcation may include a dual balloon catheter may include an elongate catheter body. Some dual balloon catheters may have a first proximal balloon and a second balloon bonded to at least a portion of the elongate catheter body. In some cases, a guide wire port may be positioned between the first and second balloons.
US08398696B2	Microcatheter introducer sheath The present invention includes an introducer sheath. The sheath may comprise a first proximal elongated section having a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, and a main body elongated section having a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is larger than the first outer diameter. The sheath may further include a distal section having an outer wall that tapers from the second outer diameter of the main body elongated section to a smaller distal outer diameter.
US08398686B2	Method and apparatus for minimally invasive subcutaneous treatment of long bone fractures The instant invention is a novel method and construct for temporary or definitive minimally invasive treatment of broken long bones such as a femur or humerus. The method includes the steps of tunneling an elongated plate subcutaneously in the subcutaneous fat layer parallel to the fractured long bone; and attaching the ends of the elongated plate to the fractured long bone. The elongated plate remains disposed in the subcutaneous fat layer and away from, but parallel to the long bone once attached to the long bone.
US08398685B2	Transbuccal plate holding cannula The present invention relates to a transbuccal plate holding cannula used in osteofixation procedures. The transbuccal plate holding cannula of the present invention can be releasably secured to a bone plate such that tools and fasteners may be passed through the plate holding cannula in order to secure the bone plate to a bone.
US08398683B2	Rod coupling assembly and methods for bone fixation A coupling device for securing an elongate member to the spine is provided. The coupling device comprises a compressible inner member that secures an anchor member therein when the inner member is axially shifted within an outer member. Structures are provided to prevent disassembly of the anchor and coupling device prior to locking of the elongate member.
US08398682B2	Polyaxial bone screw assembly A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper head portion with a mating segment and a first partial spherical surface, a retainer structure being mateable with the mating segment of the upper head portion, the retainer structure having a second partial spherical surface such that when mated, the first and second partial spherical surfaces form a spherical ball member, a receiver defining an open channel and having a base with a seating surface partially defining a cavity, the open channel communicating with the cavity, the cavity communicating with an exterior of the base through an opening sized and shaped to receive the shank upper head portion therethrough, and a bushing sized and shaped to fit within open channel and cavity, the bushing having a lower rounded surface engageable with a top surface of the spherical ball member formed by the shank and retainer structure.
US08398672B2	Method for anchoring a medical device A method and an apparatus for anchoring a medical implant device within a blood vessel or other body passageway are described herein. An anchor delivery system houses one or more expandable anchors connected to the medical implant device. The anchors remain housed in a non-expanded configuration until the medical implant device has been placed in a desired position within the body, and then the anchors are propelled through a body wall where each anchor expands outwardly from an anchor shaft. In one configuration, each anchor is formed as a compressible closed loop which extends outwardly from an anchor shaft and loops back to cross over and extend beyond the anchor shaft. To propel the anchors, a drive shaft is connected to a triggering unit which, when activated, causes the drive shaft to drive the anchor shafts in a direction such that the anchors are propelled through the body wall.
US08398666B2	Penetrating tip for trocar assembly A tissue penetrating instrument of the type used in the medical field and which may or may not be embodied in the form of an obturator associated with a trocar assembly, wherein the instrument includes an elongated shaft having a penetrating tip mounted on one end thereof. The penetrating tip includes a base secured to the one end of the shaft and a distal extremity spaced longitudinally outward from the base and formed into an apex which may be defined by a point or other configuration specifically structured to facilitate penetration or puncturing of bodily tissue. The apex may be substantially aligned with a linear extension of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft or alternatively, may be spaced laterally outward or off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. The penetrating tip further includes an exterior surface extending continuously between the apex and the base and configured to facilitate puncturing of the tissue and an enlargement of an access opening formed in the tissue, in a manner which facilitates separation of the tissue and minimizes cutting, severing or otherwise damaging the contiguous bodily tissue surrounding the access opening.
US08398663B2	Valvulotome device and method Valvulotome devices and methods are provided. Valvulotome devices include one or more valvulotome arms that have a u-shaped curved body with opposing arms and a base portion that extends between the arms. The valvulotome arm defines a notch open at one end on one of the arms and extending into the base portion of the u-shaped curved body. The notch defines an angled surface that provides a cutting edge. Methods of making valvulotome devices are also described.
US08398660B2	Suturing instrument The suturing instrument includes an elongate member having an articulating distal portion biased offset from the elongate member, and a sheath slideably disposed about the elongate member. The user positions the sheath in contact with the articulating distal portion to actuate the distal portion relative to the elongate member. The articulating distal portion is pivotally coupled to the elongate member for improved maneuverability within the body of a patient during surgical procedures.
US08398659B2	Method of intracorporeally suturing tissue A method of intracorporeally suturing a patient includes engaging tissue with a suturing head retaining a needle, forming an opening in the tissue with the needle, and pushing the needle into a through-bore formed in a capsule that is attached to a leading end of a suture and pulling the capsule and the leading end of a suture through the opening. The method additionally includes securing a clasp attached to a trailing end of the suture to an implantable support, and pulling on the suture and implanting the support inside the patient.
US08398651B2	Viscoelastic applicator for IOL insertion apparatus A system for preparing an intraocular lens (IOL) injector for receipt of an IOL. A manifold mates with an injector cartridge and easily distributes a lubricating agent to a load chamber of the cartridge. The IOL is then transferred into the load chamber. The cartridge may be rotatably coupled to the handpiece, and then converted from a preparation and load position to a delivery position. The manifold may remain external to the load chamber or fit within the load chamber and include a handle that remains outside. One or more internal channels in the manifold lead from one or more inlet ports to surfaces in the load chamber than contact the IOL.
US08398649B2	Articulating transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion inserter device and associated method of use The present invention provides an articulating TLIF inserter device operable for placing, positioning, and inserting a spinal implant into an intervertebral space with minimum tissue disruption and maximum inline impaction forces, including: an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis; an ergonomic handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongate shaft; an articulating joint mechanism disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft; and an inserter piece coupled to the articulating joint mechanism, wherein the inserter piece is operable for selectively retaining the spinal implant, and wherein the articulating joint mechanism is operable for selectively actuating the inserter piece between one or more substantially off-axis configurations and a substantially on-axis configuration with respect to the elongate shaft. The articulating TLIF inserter device also includes a release mechanism disposed one of at and near the ergonomic handle, wherein the release mechanism is coupled to and operable for selectively actuating the articulating joint mechanism.
US08398639B2	Minimally invasive surgical driver A surgical driver including an open frame and a plurality of drive shafts rotatably routed in said open frame.
US08398636B2	Hip fracture device with barrel and end cap for load control A hip fracture device providing distance limited dynamization, load controlled dynamization and combinations of both dynamization methods by varying components. The hip fracture device includes a plate having a head portion and a shaft portion. A barrel projects from the head portion of the plate and a screw is inserted in the barrel. A friction pin is slidably connected with the screw, and an end cap is fixed to the head portion of the plate. The friction pin is fixedly connected with the end cap. The screw slides over the friction pin and toward the end cap when a load is applied on the fracture device. The load required for further sliding of the screw over the friction pin increases incrementally as the screw slides towards the end cap.
US08398633B2	Jaw roll joint A surgical instrument includes a handle, and an elongated shaft extending from the handle. An end effector extending from the elongated shaft is in communication with a source of electrosurgical energy and defines an end effector axis. A roll joint couples the end effector to the elongated shaft and includes a first tubular structure extending distally from the elongated shaft and a second tubular structure rotatably coupled to the first tubular structure. The second tubular structure supports the end effector such that the end effector is rotatable about the end effector axis. A cable wrap volume may be disposed within one of the first and second tubular structures, and a conductor for supplying the end effector with electrosurgical energy is coiled about the end effector axis within the cable wrap volume such that rotation of the end effector about the end effector axis in a first direction unwinds the conductor.
US08398629B2	Low-profile, expanding single needle ablation probe Tissue ablation probes, systems, and methods are provided for treating tissue (e.g., a tumor). The probe comprises an inner probe shaft, and an outer probe shaft disposed around the inner probe shaft. The outer probe shaft has a distal portion fixably mounted to the inner probe shaft, and a proximal portion rotatably mounted to the inner probe shaft. The probe further comprises a coiled ablation electrode disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The electrode is configured for unwinding when the proximal portion rotates about the inner probe shaft in one direction, thereby placing the electrode in a radially expanded geometry, and configured for winding when the proximal portion rotates about the inner probe shaft in another opposite direction, thereby placing the electrode in a radially collapsed geometry.
US08398627B2	Electrosurgical generator and system An electrosurgical system has an electrosurgical generator with a multiple-phase RF output stage coupled to a multiple-electrode electrosurgical instrument. The instrument has three treatment electrodes each of which is coupled to a respective generator output driven from, for instance, a three-phase output transformer. Continuous RF output voltage waveforms are simultaneously delivered to respective generator outputs at the operating frequency, each waveform being phase-displaced with respect to the other waveforms. The magnitude of the RF output voltage waveform delivered to at least one of the generator outputs is sufficient to cause tissue vaporisation at the respective treatment electrodes when the system is used for tissue treatment. Also disclosed is an electrosurgical generator in combination with an instrument having both bipolar coagulation electrodes and a remote return pad, the generator including means for varying the RF voltage outputs to vary the relative preponderance of bipolar and monopolar coagulation.
US08398626B2	Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes A system for heat ablation of tissue, the system comprising a radiofrequency source configured to supply RF energy to at least two electrodes for treating tissue, at least one return electrode configured to return the RF energy to the radiofrequency source, a controller configured to sequentially apply the RF energy to each of the at least two electrodes for a pre-determinable period of time and circuitry configured to switch the RF energy to an internal load. The RF energy is applied simultaneously to the internal load and at least one of the at least two electrodes. The controller is configured to apply the RF energy to the next electrode in the sequence when the amount of time the applied RF energy is off is greater than a predetermined minimum off time.
US08398622B2	Portable optical ablation system The present invention includes an apparatus and method of surgical ablative material removal “in-vivo” or from an outside surface with a short optical pulse that is amplified and compressed using either an optically-pumped-amplifier and air-path between gratings compressor combination or a SOA and chirped fiber compressor combination, wherein the generating, amplifying and compressing are done within a portable system.
US08398621B2	Device for treating the skin A device for treating the skin, for instance for removing body hair. The device includes a working head, which includes an irradiating device for irradiating the skin surface to be treated, preferably by means of light; a contact surface surrounding the irradiating device for supporting the working head on the skin surface; and a safety device for controlling the irradiation and/or for providing a safety signal. The safety device includes a recording device for recording the support of the working head on the skin surface. The contact surface defines a bell-like pressure and/or sound chamber and the recording device encompasses an impermeability sensor device for determining the over-pressure and/or sound impermeability of the pressure and/or sound chamber.
US08398617B2	Tools and methods for programming an implantable valve Integrated tools for noninvasively reading and adjusting an implantable, magnetically adjustable valve, and methods of use are disclosed. The tools include magnetic or electronic reading of the valve, and magnetic or electromagnetic adjustment of the valve. In use, the tools are positioned above or in contact with the patient's skin, in proximity to the valve.
US08398616B2	Safety layer for integrated insulin delivery system An integrated diabetes management (IDM) system includes a safety layer which, in one configuration has two components, one located between a glucose sensor and a controller and a second component located between a controller and a pump, to monitor various aspects of signals and modify those signals for compatibility and safety purposes. In one application, the safety layer receives output control signals from a controller and modifies those control signals as a function of an actual amount of insulin delivered to the user. The safety layer allows for an increased level of safety in the IDM system and permits development of separate hardware and software upgrades with the safety layer assuring that compatibility between components will continue.
US08398615B2	Packaging for a medical article and a catheter in such a packaging The invention provides a packaging for a medical article e.g. for a urinary catheter. The medical article is stored in a compartment and can be accessed by detaching a first element from a second element thereby forming an opening into the compartment. The first element comprises a suction cup or another fastening element by which the packaging is attachable to a surface. Due to the structure of the packaging, it can be supported in an orientation in which the opening is remote from the surface, and risk of contamination of the medical article can therefore be reduced during removal of the article from the packaging.
US08398603B2	Leak sensor The present invention relates to a method and dressing for detecting detachment of the dressing, which is applied to a surface of an at least partly electrically conductive object. The dressing comprises an adhesive for attaching the dressing to the electrically conductive object and at least two electrodes arranged in a distance from the electrically conductive object. A voltage is applied to the first and second electrode establishing an electrical circuit comprising a first capacitor between the first electrode and the electrically conductive object and a second capacitor between the second electrode and the electrically conductive object. Changes of the capacitance between at least one of the first and the second electrode and the electrically conductive object are detected, and an alarm is activated when the changes of the capacitance reach a predetermined value. This advantageously provides a method whereby a leak can be detected quickly. Furthermore, this advantageously provides a leak sensor with no direct physical or mechanical contact between the electrically conductive object, e.g. the skin, and the electrodes. This provides for a dressing comprising a leak sensor without compromising the comfort of the user.
US08398601B2	Puncturable membrane for safety syringe A safety syringe may define a variable fluid chamber and detached needle assembly. The variable fluid chamber may be hermetically sealed off from the environment or ambient air until the needle assembly is attached to a syringe body of the safety syringe. A proximal end of the variable fluid chamber is sealed off from the environment via a seal between a piston and syringe body. The distal end of the variable fluid chamber may be sealed off from the environment via a barrier covering the distal end of the syringe body. The barrier may be punctured to allow fluid to through therethrough at or about the same time when the needle assembly is attached to the distal end portion of the syringe body.
US08398600B2	Prefilled syringe Provided is a prefilled syringe comprising, as a resin constituting at least a barrel and a joint, a polyester resin that contains a diol unit having a cyclic acetal skeleton in an amount of from 1 to 30% by mol based on diol units and a dicarboxylic acid unit having a naphthalene skeleton in an amount of 70% by mol or more based on dicarboxylic acid units, and satisfies the following parameters: (i) a glass transition temperature of 110° C. or more measured with a differential scanning calorimeter, (ii) a moisture permeation coefficient of 1 g·mm/m2/day or less, and (iii) an oxygen permeation coefficient of 10 cc·mm/m2/day/atm or less.
US08398592B2	Medication data transfer system and method for patient infusions A system and method are provided to associate a medication name with an infusion pump and to communicate that association to a patient data management system (“PDMS”) for display and monitoring. In the case where the infusion pump does not contain a library of selectable medical fluid names that includes the name of the medical fluid to be infused, a separate computer will display a list of medical fluid names for the infusion pump and the operator may select the name of the medical fluid for that infusion pump. The computer will then continually associate that medical fluid name with that infusion pump and communicate the association to the PDMS. In the case where the infusion pump is capable of accepting an upload of new medical fluid names, the computer will upload an abbreviated list of fluid names so as not to overburden the computer with the transfer of large amounts of data.
US08398582B2	Fluid pressure sensing chamber A pressure sensing chamber having a tubing extension with a reduced diameter portion extending through the chamber. The tubing contains a plurality of ports so as to allow the purging of air from the chamber, but the ports are sized so that bubbles entering the tubing cannot easily flow into the chamber. The reduced diameter portion creates a pressure differential between the holes. This differential pressure creates flow through the chamber under high liquid flow and turbulent liquid flow events.
US08398578B1	Capsule friendly tips for phacoemulsification and for irrigation/aspiration A surgical tool whose shaft terminates into a tip having a smooth, rounded edge and that has pores on its top or side, but none one the underside of its base. There may be a flattened base indicative of the shape of a bubble, basket, funnel, circular disc, oblong shape, Maltese cross or mulberry. The pores may be directed backward. A spring spiral may be provided within the shaft to exert a spring bias. The globe may be in the form of a sleeve fitted over a conventional phacoemulsification tip and needs to be positioned to keep the phacoemulsification tip from contacting the sleeve during operation. Alternatively, the globe may be part of a tip itself.
US08398576B2	Removal of contrast agents from blood The invention provides a system and a method for removal of contrast from blood. In one aspect, the invention provides a catheter for removal of contrast from the veins that drain the cerebral circulation. In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for removing contrast from blood by contacting the blood with a sorbent.
US08398568B2	Methods and instruments for assessing bone fracture risk Methods and instruments for assessing bone, for example fracture risk, in a subject in which a test probe is inserted through the skin of the subject so that the test probe contacts the subject's bone and the resistance of the test bone to microscopic fracture by the test probe is determined. Macroscopic bone fracture risk is assessed by measuring the resistance of the bone to microscopic fractures caused by the test probe. The microscopic fractures are so small that they pose negligible health risks. The instrument may also be useful in characterizing other materials, especially if it is necessary to penetrate a layer to get to the material to be characterized.
US08398562B2	Ear canal pressurization device An ear canal pressurization device optimized for aural acoustic immittance testing is disclosed. Changes in volume of a first flexible chamber, due to motor movement, produce changes in ear canal pressure based on Boyle's law. A vent may be opened to allow ear canal pressure to gently equalize to ambient air pressure or to generate ear canal pressure sweeps free of pressure baseline offset. The vent may be closed to set a static ear canal pressure or to generate ear canal pressure sweeps with an incidental baseline offset. The vent may be controlled to generate ear canal pressure sweeps with an intended baseline offset. The device produces ear canal pressure proportional to drive voltage, so any desired pressure versus time function can be generated by applying a coil driving voltage with the appropriate amplitude versus time function.
US08398556B2	Systems and methods for non-invasive continuous blood pressure determination According to some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for non-invasive continuous blood pressure determination. In some embodiments, a PPG signal is received and locations of pulses within the PPG signal are identified. An area within a particular pulse is measured. The area may be of just the upstroke, downstroke or the entire pulse. The area may be measured relative to a time-domain axis or a baseline of the pulse. The pulse may be split into multiple sections and the area of each section may be measured. The area of one portion of the pulse may correspond to systolic blood pressure while the area of another portion may correspond to diastolic blood pressure. Empirical data may be used to determine blood pressure from the measured area by applying calibration data measured by a suitable device.
US08398555B2	System and method for detecting ventilatory instability Embodiments described herein may include systems and methods for detecting events that may be associated with sleep apnea. Some embodiments are directed to a system and/or method for automated detection of reduction in airflow events using polysomnograph signals, wherein the reduction in airflow events may relate to sleep apnea. The PSG signals may be limited to four signals, including data from an airflow channel, a blood oxygen saturation channel, a chest movement channel, and an abdomen movement channel. Using information from these channels, some embodiments may automatically identify reduction in airflow events.
US08398550B2	Techniques to evaluate mechanical properties of a biologic material A system includes an acoustic radiation force source that is structured to generate an acoustic radiation force at one or more frequencies. A shear wave transmission device is embedded in a mass including a biologic material. The shear wave transmission device is responsive to the acoustic radiation force source to transmit shear waves through the biologic material. A Doppler ultrasonic device detects the shear waves and generates data representative of the shear waves. A processing device determines one or more mechanical properties of the biologic material from the data.
US08398548B2	Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and ultrasound diagnostic method In an ultrasound diagnosis, the inventor has found a characteristic that coincidence of RF data after matching addition or amplitude image data at the small opening are different between those of an isolated point (minute structure), a continuous surface, and a speckle. On the basis of the characteristic, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method which can distinguish and extract the isolated point, the continuous surface, and the speckle and determine a tissue property are provided.
US08398543B2	Capsule endoscope activation system A capsule endoscope that includes a capsule-shaped casing and a detecting unit that is provided inside the casing to detect a magnetic field orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the casing, the endoscope being activated when the detecting unit detects a magnetic field of a threshold or more; a capsule container that houses the endoscope; a route portion in which a route is formed on which the container moves on a planar face; an activation magnetic field generating unit that is arranged at an interval along the route, and includes magnets for generating magnetic fields in a direction vertical to a direction in which the container moves on the route, the magnets being arranged such that respective magnetization directions are different; and a response unit that has a magnetization direction orthogonal respectively to a center axis direction of the longitudinal direction and a direction of the detected magnetic field.
US08398533B2	Paper folding apparatus and postprocessing apparatus using the same A paper folding apparatus includes a ruling unit that rules a line on each of sheets, a pushing unit that pushes the sheets on which the lines are ruled by the ruling unit, and a pair of folding rollers that comes into contact under pressure with the sheets pushed by the pushing unit and discharges the sheets. The ruling unit includes a plurality of pressing blades for ruling a line on each of the sheets, a swinging unit that swings the pressing blades from a pressing position where the pressing blade presses the sheets to a retracted position where the pressing blades are retracted from the sheets, and a moving unit that moves the pressing blades and the swinging unit along the sheets.
US08398531B2	Apparatus for global corporal mobilization and use thereof An apparatus for overall bodily mobilization of a human subject may include a frame for resting fixed on the ground, a platform for supporting the subject that can be moved relative to the frame, and motorized operating means for operating the platform relative to the frame. The operating means may be configured to both (1) throw the platform offcenter relative to a fixed axis substantially vertical and (2) rotate the platform about the fixed axis when the platform is offcenter. The platform may be provided with movable peripheral bearing means on corresponding supporting means that are secured to the frame. The bearing means may enable the platform to rest on the frame while tilting it in an adjustable manner relative to the horizontal in a plane passing through the fixed axis and a central zone of the platform when the operating means throw the platform offcenter relative to this axis.
US08398530B1	Exercise device An exercise device has a bar with attached two arms which press by their free ends with sharp elements against and dig into the ground on the left and right sides of person's body when person is laying on his back and together with rope block and rope with stirrups create support and leverage to lift person's legs and in some cases almost whole body above the ground in the air. Positioning the free ends of the arms in different places along a person's body gives possibility to redistribute tension between person's arms, legs and stomach muscles and creates different intensity of exercises. The numerous stretching and straining exercises can be accomplished by interaction between exercise device and person's legs and hands using body weight. The exercise device has freedom of movement and its arms' ends are not permanently connected to the ground or to anything else. The mobility of the device gives possibility to exercise while laying in bed for partially paralyzed persons to rehabilitate their condition without assistance. A few versions of this device can have capabilities of quick adjustment and to fold the device to a compact size.
US08398528B2	Spinal correction device A spinal correction device that corrects the spinal column of a user comprising a lower limb exercising part that swings the lumber region to impart a symmetrical motion to positions symmetrical with respect to the spinal column of a user facing forward with his or her trunk erect, a pair of gripping parts provided in a position in front of the lower limb exercising part and gripped by both hands of the user, and a control unit that relatively moves the gripping parts with respect to the lower limb exercising part between the position in front of the lower limb exercising part and a lateral position, with the lower limb exercising part in a driven state.
US08398527B2	Method for controlling a dual-clutch transmission A method of controlling a dual-clutch transmission in a motor vehicle, including two partial drivetrains, each having a plurality of gears, which each can be connected to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine by a friction clutch, the method having the following steps: the first friction clutch transmits a torque to the first partial drivetrain assigned to it; the second friction clutch transmits at most a negligible torque to the second partial drivetrain; and the two partial drivetrains have a common differential, where when there are changes in torque and the amount of torque to be transmitted is low, and there is downshifting into a gear with a high transmission ratio in the first partial drivetrain, downshifting occurs into a gear with a low transmission ratio in the second partial drivetrain, and preliminary torque is applied to the differential by this gear.
US08398526B2	Vehicle launch using a transmission clutch A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes determining a desired clutch torque, a desired engine torque, a desired vehicle acceleration and a desired engine speed, determining a change in clutch torque and a change in engine torque with reference to the first and second errors and current operating conditions, applying to the clutch an updated clutch torque capacity whose magnitude is the sum of the desired clutch torque and the change in engine torque, and producing an updated engine torque whose magnitude is the sum of the desired engine torque and the change in engine torque.
US08398525B2	Planetary gear reduction system A planetary gear reduction system has a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. The planet carrier has a first plate supporting one ends of planet shafts supporting the planet gears, a second plate supporting the other ends of the planet shafts, and a cylindrical drum connecting the first and second plates. The first plate has first portions supporting the one ends of the planet shafts; second portions connecting the first plate to the drum, the first and second portions being provided alternately in a circumferential direction; first cutouts each defined between the neighboring first and second portions, the first cutouts each extending radially inwardly from a circumferential edge thereof to a position adjacent a circle passing centers of the planet shafts; and second cutouts each defined radially inward of the second portion and between the neighboring two first portions, the second cutouts each extending radially inwardly from a first region outside the circle and a second region inside the circle.
US08398523B2	Drivetrain for an all-wheel-drive vehicle, and method for controlling the same A drivetrain for an all-wheel-drive vehicle which has a first driven axle and a second driven axle. A drive unit is connected to a multi-stage transmission which has a multiplicity of gear stages for generating different transmission ratios. A transmission output shaft of the multi-stage transmission is connected to the first driven axle. The drive unit is also connected to an activating arrangement, the output element of which is connected to the second driven axle. Thus drive power can be supplied to the first axle permanently via the multi-stage transmission and drive power can be supplied to the second axle on demand via the activating arrangement.The activating arrangement has a first activating friction clutch and a second activating friction clutch which are designed to supply drive power to the second axle via a first and a second transmission ratio stage, respectively. The first transmission ratio stage is assigned to at least one lower gear stage of the multi-stage transmission. The second transmission ratio stage is assigned to at least one higher gear stage of the multi-stage transmission.
US08398522B2	Multi-stage gearbox A multi-stage transmission comprising planetary gearsets (P1, P2, P3, P4), shafts, and shift elements. Gearsets (P1, P2) form a front -mounted gear gearset and gearsets (P3, P4) form a main gearset. The carriers of gearsets (P1, P2) are coupled via shaft (4) which couples a main gearset element. The ring gear of gearset (P1) couples the sun gear of gearset (P2) via shaft (8) that couples drive shaft (1) via clutch (18). The sun gear of gearset (P1) couples housing (G) by shaft (3) via brake (03), and shaft (1) via clutch (13). The ring gear of gearset (P2) couples housing (G) by shaft (5) via brake (05). Shaft (7) couples main gearset element, and, via brake (07), housing (G). Shaft (6) couples another main gearset element and, via clutch (16), shaft (1). The output shaft couples a further main gearset element.
US08398521B2	Mechanical torque converter The invention discloses a mechanical torque converter (100) having a casing (6), an input shaft (2) entering casing (6) and rotatable within the casing (6). An output shaft (5) exits casing (6) and is rotatable within casing (6). A gearbox (1) is located within casing (6) and coupled to input shaft (2). An escapement device (3) is within casing (6) and coupled to gearbox (1) to brake gearbox (1) under low speed and a clutch (4) co-operates with output shaft (5) and gearbox (1).
US08398520B1	Drive axle assembly and disengagement system A drive axle assembly that may include an input shaft, an output shaft, a lock collar, and a pinion. The actuator unit may move the lock collar between a first position in which the torque is transmitted from the input shaft to the pinion and a second position in which torque is not transmitted to the pinion.
US08398512B2	Toothed belt pulley The invention describes a belt pulley (1) for a wet belt application, with a pulley body (2) comprising toothing (5) incorporating teeth (6) on an end face (4) for a toothed belt, and a tooth gap (7) with a tooth gap base (12) is disposed between every two teeth (6), and optionally with at least one flange (3), which is disposed—in the axial direction—on the side of the pulley body (2) and extends beyond the toothing (5) in the radial direction. Grooves (9) are provided in the region of the tooth gap base (12) and/or on an inner surface (8) of the flange (3) facing the toothing (5) for feeding away a lubricant.
US08398509B2	Basketball backboard and rim mounting system Certain embodiments of the present system deal with a basketball goal assembly which adjustably supports a backboard assembly and a rim assembly to enable players to play the game of basketball. In certain preferred aspects, the rim assembly is connected directly to the support arrangement so that force applied to the rim assembly is transmitted directly to the support assembly and is not transferred to the backboard assembly.
US08398508B2	Method for predicting a golfer's ball striking performance A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer obtained from a CMOS imaging system, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
US08398505B2	Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features A golf club head includes a body member having a ball striking face, a crown, a toe, a heel, a sole, and a skirt extending between the crown and the sole and between the toe and the heel. The club head includes a drag-reducing structure that may include one or both of a continuous groove extending from a front portion to a rear edge of the toe, and along an entire length of the skirt, and a substantially V-shaped recess formed in the sole and having a vertex positioned proximate the ball striking face and the heel and away from the skirt and the toe, and a pair of legs extending to a point proximate the toe and away from the ball striking face, and curving toward the skirt and away from the ball striking face.
US08398500B1	Golf game system The present invention features a golf game system 100 comprising a mat 210 for placing on a ground surface; a post 110 disposed at a first position on the mat, wherein the post 110 functioning as a target, wherein disposed on a first end of the pole 110 is a scoreboard system 220; and a first camera 310 extending from the first end of the pole 110 in a first direction, and a second camera 320 extending from the first end of the pole 110 in a second direction, wherein the cameras function to localize the ball and calculate its position.
US08398499B2	Rotary game table A rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table includes one type of game on one side and another type of game on the other side. The at least one cross member is terminated on each end by a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by one side support member on each end thereof. A locking device is used to pivotally constrain rotation of the combination game table. At least one table cross member is used to internally brace the combination game table with at least one air passage formed therethrough. In another embodiment, a substantially U-shaped side member is attached to one cross member and one end of the two side support members. In another embodiment, a collapsible support is used to increase rigidity of the side support members.
US08398498B2	Suspension swing device A suspension swing device includes a supporting beam (3) of a supporting bracket (1), a suspended joint (4) fixed on the supporting beam (3) via bearings, a suspended swing stems (41), a gear motor (5), a torque output plate (55), a swing pushing member (54), a swing direction monitor (6) and a microcomputer controller (7). The suspended swing stem (41) is mechanically connected with the suspended joint (4). The gear motor (5) is mechanically connected with the supporting beam (3). The torque output plate (55) and the swing pushing member (54) are connected to the output shaft of the gear motor (5). The microcomputer controller (7) is connected with the swing direction monitor (6) and the gear motor (5). The on-off operation of the gear motor (5) is controlled by the microcomputer controller (7).
US08398496B2	Ball coupling device with hinged connection for two sliding shafts The invention relates to a device for coupling an inner shaft and an outer shaft sliding in the direction of a common axis thereof, with balls provided between the two shafts. The balls are arranged in axial grooves of the inner shaft and in axial grooves of the outer shaft. Each row of balls is maintained by a double elastic member that bears in the groove of the inner shaft and urges the balls along two rolling tracks so that they come into contact with the groove of the outer shaft, wherein each of the two rolling tracks is hinged through a pivot surface and a bearing surface of the corresponding shaft, and the difference between the radii defines two bearing areas defining a hinge axis parallel to the common axis.
US08398495B2	Coupling device for rotationally coupling drive shaft and driven shaft A coupling device comprises a drive portion formed on a drive shaft and having a drive wall surface extending in the direction of a rotation axis; a driven portion formed on a driven shaft and having a driven wall surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis; a convex curved portion formed on one of the drive wall surface and the driven wall surface and extending along the rotation axis at a position spaced from the rotation axis as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis; and a concave curved portion having a smaller curvature than that of the convex curved portion and formed on the other of the drive wall surface and the driven wall surface to contact the convex curved portion and extending along the rotation axis at a position spaced from the rotation axis as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis.
US08398487B2	Game device, method of controlling game device, program, and information storage medium Provided is a game device which allows a reduction in processing load relating to the control of player characters belonging to one team, in a case where any one of player characters belonging to another team is in possession of a moving object. A selecting section (52a) selects one or more player characters from among player characters belonging to the team which is not in possession of a moving object. A player character control section (52) controls such that the player character selected by the selecting section (52a) approaches the moving object. In a case where the moving object or the player character in possession of the moving object is located within a restriction region, a restricting section (56) imposes a restriction on the control to be executed by the player character control section (52). A restriction region control section (54a) changes the size of the restriction region based on game situation information.
US08398486B2	Creating a tunnel between virtual universes Embodiments of this invention create a mechanism for visual and other communication between two or more separate/distinct 3-dimensional virtual universes (VUs) akin to a “wormhole” or “tunnel”. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention allow a mechanism for a player to walk through such a tunnel, logging out from a first VU and logging into a second VU. Embodiments of the present invention utilize streaming video abilities in both virtual universes and the capability to capture output in a useable format and convert to a d streaming video standard.
US08398481B2	Secondary game In various embodiments, a secondary player may bet on the resolution of an event within the game of a primary player.
US08398478B2	Gaming machine capable of awarding payout based on the number of games played and playing method thereof The gaming machine: counts the number of base games having been run; causes shifting to a second state which is more advantageous for a player than the base game, when a first predetermined number of base games is counted without shifting to the first state which is more advantageous for the player than the base game; runs a skill-requiring game after the second state, which game outputs a result according to an operation from outside, and increases or decreases a second predetermined number according to a result of the skill-requiring game; runs the base game after the skill-requiring game; and causes shifting to a third state which is more advantageous for the player than the base game, when the increased or decreased second predetermined number of base games having run are counted after the skill-requiring game.
US08398476B1	Electronic game, such as a computer game involving removing pegs Peggle is a game that balances skill and luck. The Peggle board is made up of different types of pegs, some of which the player must clear. The player begins a turn by aiming a ball at the pegs. When the player releases the ball, the ball travels through the pegs, contacting some and eventually falling to the bottom of the board. The ball may bounce off many pegs, and those pegs that the ball contacts are removed. A score is calculated based on the number and types of pegs hit during a turn.
US08398460B2	Apparatus and method for dispensing abrasive particulate material into a stream of gas Apparatus for dispensing abrasive particulate material into a stream of gas, the apparatus comprising: a. a pressurized hopper for receiving particulate abrasive material; and b. a pressurized conveyor coupled to the hopper comprising a housing having an inlet for receiving particulate material from the hopper, an outlet for delivery of particulate material from the housing, and a screw located within the housing for transporting particulate material from the inlet to the outlet. Also provided is a method of dispensing particulate abrasive using said apparatus and a pipe cleaning system including said apparatus.
US08398459B2	Polishing method, polishing device, glass substrate for magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording medium There are disclosed a polishing method and a polishing device in which cleaning of a glass substrate surface can be achieved to a high level. A glass substrate (MD substrate 1) in the shape of a circular disc having a circular hole in a center portion is polished with an abrasive liquid 50 containing free abrasive grains being supplied, and an inner peripheral end surface of the glass substrate is polished using the abrasive liquid containing the free abrasive grains by rotating a rotary brush 4 or a polishing pad in contact with the inner peripheral end surface.
US08398455B2	Method of and apparatus for grinding cams of a camshaft The invention relates to a method and a device for grinding cams of a camshaft (7) in a clamp with two grinding spindles (10, 11), wherein the cams or cam pairs are each arranged in a mirror image relative to the workpiece rotation axis (16), wherein the camshaft (7) is tensioned and rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof. In the device for carrying out the method, the camshaft (7) can be inserted into the workpiece receiver (6) from the side lying opposite the at least one back stay (15) by means of the loading device.
US08398453B2	Tubular seamless knitted brassiere and method of making same A seamless knitted brassiere includes a body encircling portion and at least one shoulder strap knit therein. The shoulder strap has a length and a first welt along the length. The shoulder strap also has a second welt along the length and adjacent the first double welt. The shoulder strap also has a novel run guard adjacent either of the two welts.
US08398451B2	Tactile input interaction Interactive devices for detecting, characterizing, and acting upon tactile inputs are disclosed. An example embodiment may include a doll configured to produce audible outputs, visible outputs, and/or movement based at least in part upon its characterization of a tactile input. For example, the doll may characterize a tactile input as a slap, a tickle, a rub, a pinch, etc., and the doll may cry, smile, giggle, or move based upon its characterization of the tactile input.
US08398448B2	Assembling lighting elements onto a substrate The present application relates to assembling a lighting element (20) onto a substrate (28). To enable exact positioning of the lighting element (20) and further optical components (30), there is provided aligning the lighting element (20) with a support element (22) within one mounting plane P using an auxiliary carrier (24), surface mounting the lighting element (20) together with the support element (22) onto a substrate (28) within one step e.g. by reflow soldering, and mounting a further component (30) onto the support element (22) such that no mechanical stress is applied to the lighting element (20).
US08398434B2	Connector assembly A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a dielectric frame and contacts held by the dielectric frame. The contacts are arranged along a contact plane within the frame. The dielectric frame includes frame members connected by connecting segments. The frame has windows between the frame members located between adjacent contacts. Holders support corresponding contact modules. The holders are electrically grounded. The holders each have a support wall and tabs that extend outward from the support wall. The contact modules are coupled to the holders such that the tabs are received in the windows to provide shielding within the contact modules. The holders are coupled together such that the contact modules are stacked together with the tabs of at least some of the holders that extend into the contact module held by the adjacent holder and across the contact plane defined by the contact module of the adjacent holder.
US08398433B1	Connector structure A connector structure includes an enclosure; a plurality of ground units arranged in the enclosure and respectively including a carrier plate and a plurality of ground terminals electrically connected to one another and associated with the carrier plate; a plurality of signal units arranged in the enclosure side by side to locate between any two adjacent ones of the ground units, and the signal units respectively including a carrier plate and a plurality of signal terminals associated with the carrier plate; and a ground connecting member connected to the carrier plates of the ground units and the signal units. With these arrangements, the connector has simple structure and can be easily assembled for use, and the ground units are connected to the ground connecting member to thereby effectively prevent electromagnetic interference during signal transmission and ensure increased transmission rate.
US08398432B1	Grounding structures for header and receptacle assemblies A receptacle assembly includes a contact module having a conductive holder has a first side and an opposite second side. The conductive holder has a chamber between the first and second sides. A frame assembly is received in the chamber of the conductive holder. The frame assembly includes a plurality of contacts and a dielectric frame supporting the contacts. The contacts extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination. A ground lead frame is received in the chamber between the frame assembly and the conductive holder. The ground leadframe has grounding members that extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination to header shields of the header assembly.
US08398431B1	Receptacle assembly A receptacle assembly includes a front housing configured for mating with a header assembly and a contact module coupled to the front housing. The contact module includes a conductive holder having a first side wall and an opposite second side wall and a front coupled to the front housing. The conductive holder holds a frame assembly having a plurality of contacts and a dielectric frame supporting the contacts. The dielectric frame is received in the conductive holder and the contacts extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination. A ground shield is coupled to the first side wall. The ground shield is electrically connected to the conductive holder. The ground shield has grounding beams extending therefrom that extend forward of the front of the conductive holder for electrical connection to an interior surface of a corresponding header shield of the header assembly. The ground shield has grounding fingers extending therefrom forward of the front of the conductive holder for electrical connection to an interior surface of the corresponding header shield of the header assembly.
US08398429B2	Cable assembly for a connector system A connector system includes a chassis that has a framework of panels that defines a plurality of cells extending between first ends and second ends. A clip is coupled to the framework within a corresponding cell. A cable assembly is received in a corresponding cell. The cable assembly includes a first header connector coupled to the framework at the first end of the corresponding cell using the clip and a second header connector is coupled to the framework at the second end of the corresponding cell using the clip. The first header connector has a housing that holds a plurality of contacts. The housing of the first header connector has a first mating interface. The second header connector has a housing that holds a plurality of contacts. The housing of the second header connector has a second mating interface that faces in an opposite direction from the first mating interface. A cable bundle has a plurality of cables that extends between the first and second header connectors. The cables are connected between corresponding contacts of the first header connector and the contacts of the second header connector.
US08398427B2	USB plug cable assembly A cable assembly (100), comprises: a plurality of first contacts (2), an insulative housing (1) molding outside the first contacts (2), a plurality of second contacts (3) received in the housing (1), a flat cable (4) connecting with the first contacts (2) and the second contacts (3), and the cable (4) comprising a plurality of inner conductors (40) arranged on upper and lower row, the upper row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the second contacts (3) and the lower row of the inner conductors (40) soldered to the first contacts (2), a metallic shell (5) shielding outside the insulative housing (1).
US08398426B2	Lighting connector devices and uses thereof A multi-way connector connects a plurality of lighting apparatuses together, wherein connector comprises a plurality of lighting connectors, each lighting connector comprising an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and a lower housing which has a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions, the lower housing being connectable with the upper housing to form each lighting connector by coupling at least one of the interlocking grooves with at least one of the interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes; a multi-way connecting portion configured to permit power and/or signals to pass between and among the plurality of lighting connectors; and plural flexible connectors electrically connecting each lower housing with the multi-way connecting portion.
US08398425B2	Board-to-board connector having sloped guide surfaces with a common edge A board-to-board connector comprising a first connector and a second connector is disclosed. The first connector has a first housing mounted on first terminals. The second connector is configured to be engaged, by fitting, with the first connector. The second connector has a second housing mounted on second terminals, which are configured to make contact with the first terminals. At least a part of an entrance end portion a concave guide portion is provided with a sloped guide surface formed therein. Due to the insertion of a second fitting guide portion into a concave guide portion, in such a manner that portions of the second fitting guide portion are brought into abutting contact with the sloped guide surface, the first and second terminals are spaced apart from each other in a state where fitting faces of the first and second housings are even with each other.
US08398418B2	Electronic connector having a clamping member urging a flow cell toward an electrical circuitry with an electrically conductive membrane disposed in between A leak resistant electrical connector configured as a fluidic barrier between a fluidics device, which may comprise a chemFET sensor, and other electrical circuitry wherein the fluidics device further comprises one or more electrical contacts conductively coupled to one or more electrical contacts associated with the electrical circuitry through the connector.
US08398417B2	Electrical connector having a shell member with a holding portion and a release portion connected by a connecting portion An electrical connector comprising a housing provided on one of opposite end portions thereof with an opening through which a flat circuit device is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing for contacting with connecting terminals on the flat circuit device in the housing, and a shell member mounted on the housing and provided therein with a holding portion operative to hold the flat circuit device in the housing. A releasing portion extends from the shell member toward the outside thereof, and a connecting portion extends from the releasing portion in a direction perpendicular to a conductive contact arrangement and the holding portion extends from the connecting portion, so that a folded-back protrusion is constituted in a body in the shell member with the releasing, connecting and holding portions.
US08398416B2	Socket connector having detecting switch A socket connector comprises a housing, a shield covering the housing and a detecting switch mounted in the housing. The housing includes a base and a pinboard having a first board surface and a second board surface. An eSATA terminal set having seven terminals side by side is mounted on the first board surface. An USB terminal set having nine terminals is mounted on the second board surface and five terminals are connected to the five middle terminals of the eSATA terminal set to form a shared terminal structure. The shield has a shared inserting room which includes a first inserting room for connecting an eSATA plug connector and a second inserting room for connecting an USB plug connector, the second inserting room having a nonoverlapping space relative to the first inserting room. The detecting switch includes a first detecting terminal that extends into the nonoverlapping space.
US08398413B2	Carbon fiber electrical contacts formed of composite material including plural carbon fiber elements bonded together in low-resistance synthetic resin An electrical contact device, configured for electrical signals to be transmitted therethrough and for movable contact with an electrically conductive track, includes a composite carbon fiber material including plural carbon fiber elements aligned in substantially the same direction. At least a portion of the plural carbon fiber elements is bonded together in a semi-conductive (low-resistance) synthetic resin compound.
US08398411B2	Socket assembly incorporated with rotationally mounted pressing member A socket assembly, comprising a socket, a package received in the socket, a pressing member arranged upon the package and downwardly pressing the package and two heat pipes attached to the pressing member. The pressing member is formed with four arch grooves along a peripheral thereof, and the arch grooves allow linking members to pass therethrough and rotatablely retain the pressing member on a printed circuit board. Therefore, the pressing member can rotate in a certain range, by sliding the arch groove with respect to the linking member, to provide a flexible arrangement for heat pipes.
US08398410B2	Socket connector having carbon nanotube contacts for signal transmission and metallic contacts for power transmission A socket connector includes a housing having a base and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the base. The base and the sidewalls define a receiving cavity for receiving an electronic package. A plurality of carbon nanotube contacts for signal transmission and a plurality of metallic contacts for power transmission are mounted within the housing respectively.
US08398409B2	Apparatus for producing a connection An apparatus for producing a connection between an electric or electronic appliance and a cable is described and which includes magnetic elements which produce both a holding force, and at the same time, provide approximate guidance, and exact centering so as to reliably avoid electric shorts and insure correct contact-making, between the electric or electronic appliance and the cable.
US08398407B2	Learning method and system in a window environment One embodiment is on a computer-implemented learning method and system in a window environment at a display that can help get the attention of a user. In another embodiment, a computer-aided-educational method and system consider a student's concentration level when teaching the student. The system monitors automatically more than once the student's concentration-sensitive behavior while the student is working on the study materials. Through monitoring the student's volitional or involuntary behavior, the system provides an indication on the student's concentration level. Based on the indication, the system could react accordingly. Reactions include, for example, providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation; or changing the study materials. The system can also react by asking the student a question to stimulate the student or to assess the student's understanding level. Based on the student's response, the system may change to more appropriate study materials, or presentation style.
US08398406B2	Systems and methods for auditing auditable instruments Methods and associated systems for automated auditing of agreements. Questions relevant to qualitative and quantitative measures of an agreement relative to selected criteria are retrieved from an audit template along with associated answer options. The questions and answer options are presented to a user and user input received to provide answers to the questions. An audit score is generated to measure a degree of compliance of the agreement with the selected criteria. Scores may be presented for individual questions, or may be aggregated for groups or categories of questions. Scores may be compared to desired threshold values and suggestions to improve the score may be provided. Summary presentations of questions and answers or categories of questions and answers may be presented to monitor compliance over a number of such audits.
US08398403B2	Tooth root canal anchorage assembly The tooth root channel anchorage assembly comprises a core member to be fixed within the tooth root channel and a post to be inserted into the core member having a thoroughgoing bore. The core member comprises a crown part and an anchorage part to be fixed within the root canal, the surface of the anchorage part having a substantially hyperbolic form. Preferably the crown part of the core member as well as a part of the surface of the post have also a substantially hyperbolic form. The hyperbolic form allows a better anchoring and distributing of the load, thus reducing the danger of breaking of the post and root canal, still allowing the access to the root canal before the post is inserted.
US08398401B2	Method for manufacturing dental implant and dental implant A dental implant is provided that is capable of reliably preventing elution of metal when the dental implant is applied within an oral cavity and capable of reliably preventing the occurrence of mismatching (bumpy occlusion or the like) when the dental implant is fixed in place. The dental implant includes an abutment comprising a titanium member composed of a body made from titanium or titanium alloy and having a recess, and a ceramic member composed of oxide-based ceramic and having a protrusion fitted within the recess. In a pre-sintered state, the recess has a first surface shape providing a clearance between the recess and the protrusion inserted therein. In a post-sintered state, the recess has a second surface shape corresponding to a surface shape of the protrusion so that the protrusion is in close contact with and fitted to the recess.
US08398396B2	Surgical drill templates and methods of manufacturing the same The present invention concerns a drill template, comprising: a base body made by casting or rapid prototyping; at least one reinforced portion made by casting or rapid prototyping; and at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion made by drilling or milling. furthermore, the present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a drill template, comprising the steps of: forming a base body by casting or rapid prototyping; forming at least one reinforced portion by casting or rapid prototyping; and forming at least one guiding hole within the at least one reinforced portion by drilling or milling.
US08398390B2	Die for forming honeycomb structure A die for forming the honeycomb structure includes: a plate-like die main body including an introducing portion provided on the side of one surface thereof and having a plurality of back holes and a forming portion provided on the side of the other surface thereof and having slits; and a back plate detachably attached to the surface of the introducing portion and having a plurality of through holes connected to the back holes of the introducing portion. Through hole opening portions of the through holes formed in the back plate in the one surface of the die main body have such an enlarging shape as to enlarge toward the one surface of the die main body. The die for forming the honeycomb structure can decrease the resistance of a forming material during extrusion.
US08398383B2	Foil shield for a vacuum pump with a high-speed rotor A foil shield for covering at least one opening of a suction flange of a vacuum pump includes at least one member formed of a material having a relative permeability μr greater than 1,000.
US08398381B1	Low friction, high flow pump One embodiment of the pump system includes a cover housing and a main body affixed to one another for operation. A drive and idler gear may be mounted within a gear chamber in the main body for rotation there about, and inlet fluid may be provided on both the axial and radial surfaces of the drive and idler gear. The cover housing may be outfitted with one pressure relief channel or with two pressure relief channels of different geometric sizes and with different actuation pressures. The drive and/or idler gear may have dimples fashioned on an axial surface thereof, and lubricant troughs may be fashioned at various locations in the main body and/or the cover housing to reduce wear within the pump.
US08398378B2	Tangential drive module assembly and method of assembly for airflow induction A fan module assembly includes at least one a rotatable fan (38) having blades (39) with tips of blades being joined by an annular fan band (42). An electrically conductive squirrel cage (46) is associated with the fan band to rotate therewith. Flux receiving structure (48) is associated with the fan band. A shroud (40) has a shaft (54) with the fan being associated with the shaft so as to rotate about the shaft and with respect to the shroud. Control structure (52) is mounted stationary with respect to the shroud generally adjacent to a portion of the fan band. The control structure is constructed and arranged to generate a changing magnetic field, generally at the radius of the fan band, which interacts with the flux receiving structure and the squirrel cage to cause the fan to be driven by tangential force.
US08398375B2	Impeller To provide a can manufacturing pump impeller in which a stress of a base portion of a blade is prevented from increasing while improving the strength of a joint portion of a hub and a boss. In order to reinforce a joint portion of a hub and a boss, a plate is jointed to the inside of an impeller. In order not to overlap a base portion of a blade and the plate with each other on the hub, an opening portion is provided in the plate around the base portion of the blade on the hub. As a shape of the opening portion, a semicircular shape, a semielliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or a trapezoidal shape can be selected. Further, as a plate shape, a flat plate structure, a shell structure, or a curved structure can be selected.
US08398373B2	Wind turbine blade pitch-control system, and wind turbine rotor and wind turbine generator provided with the same A pitch-control system according to the present invention includes a cylinder support portion provided on a rotor hub, a support point thereof being located away from a front end face (unsupported end) of the rotor hub on the opposite side of the rotor hub; a decentered coupling point provided at a decentered location on a root-side end face of the wind turbine blade; and a cylinder that is installed so as to pass through the unsupported end of the rotor hub, a coupling portion that is provided on a portion that protrudes to the outer side from the unsupported end being coupled in a freely rotatable manner to the support point via a spherical joint, and a coupling portion that is on the inner side of the unsupported end being coupled in a freely rotatable manner to the decentered coupling point via a spherical joint.
US08398365B2	Modular fan units with sound attenuation layers for an air handling system A modular fan array is provided that is configured for use in an air-handling system and configured to deliver air to a ventilation system for at least a portion of a building. The modular fan array comprises a plurality of modular units configured to be stacked adjacent to one another in at least one row or column to form an array. The modular units each include at least an interior surface, a front end and a back end that define a chamber. The modular fan array includes motors and fans positioned in the chambers of the modular units. The fans are located proximate to the front ends of the corresponding chambers. The fans direct air to discharge from the back ends of the chambers. Sound attenuation layers extend along at least a portion of the interior surface of the chambers. The sound attenuation layers are positioned between at least some of the adjacent chambers.
US08398364B1	Turbine stator vane with endwall cooling A turbine stator vane with an airfoil extending from an endwall, a vortex flow retaining chamber formed within the endwall and wrapping around a leading edge region and opening onto a surface of the endwall in front of the leading edge region of the airfoil. A vortex flow tube is formed within the endwall and extends from one side to the opposite side of the endwall and passes through the vortex flow retaining chamber. Cooling air supply holes open into the vortex flow tube to produce a vortex flow in a direction opposite to a vortex flow of the hot secondary gas that flows into the vortex flow retaining chamber. A row of exit cooling holes are connected to the vortex flow tube and open onto the endwall surface to discharge the hot secondary flow that flows into the chamber and is mixed with the cooling air supplied through the supply holes.
US08398362B2	Turbomolecular pump A turbomolecular pump includes a plurality of alternatively axially arranged one behind another, rotor and stator discs (8,9) provided with blades (10), with the blades (10) located in vicinity of the high vacuum side having a blade angle (α) that is steeper than blade angle (α) of the blades (10) located in vicinity of the vacuum side, and with the blade angle (α) of the blades (10) located in the vicinity of the vacuum side (3) amounting to less than 8°.
US08398355B2	Linearly distributed semiconductor workpiece processing tool A substrate processing apparatus includes a transport chamber capable of holding an isolated atmosphere therein and communicably connected to a charging station for loading and unloading a substrate into the apparatus, a transport system inside the transport chamber for transporting the substrate and an array of processing chamber modules distributed alongside the transport chamber and communicably connected to the transport chamber to allow the substrate to be transferred therebetween.
US08398349B2	Locking system and method of using same The present invention is a system and method for fastening a second object to a first object that resists unfastening, for example due to vibration or disturbance, until unlocked. The locking system essentially comprises: a girder having one end anchored to the first object, and another end having an externally threaded terminus also defining an internally counter-threaded axial bore; a cap having an essentially planar outer face, an internally threaded transplanar bore for rotational engagement with the terminus of the girder, and a pair of domed arches on opposite sides of the transplanar bore extending from the circumference of the transplanar bore toward the periphery of the cap; and a counter-threaded bolt having a diameter smaller than the transplanar bore, a length sufficient to rotationally engage the axial bore of the girder while inserted through the transplanar bore, and a head having a pin-aperture; a pin inserted through the pin-aperture cooperating with the domed arches to prevent substantial rotation of the cap engaged with the girder terminus and the bolt engaged with the girder axial bore. The system also includes a tightening tool for tightening the cap.
US08398342B2	Workpiece vibration reduction Techniques and apparatuses to provide vibration reduction of a workpiece when performing machining operations are disclosed. In various embodiments, a machine tool includes a shank having at least one end configured for engagement with a machine operable to rotate the shank. A cutting portion has a diameter defined by features used to remove material from a workpiece. The cutting portion is coupled to the shank. A vibration reduction dampener may be located between the shank and the workpiece.
US08398334B1	Self-positioning subsea oil spill containment system A containment system for retaining spills in a body of water. The containment system remains in a submerged position for continuous monitoring and is deployed at the surface when activated for containment purposes. System aspects include a vertically retractable barrier configured to encircle at-risk infrastructure; a ballast system coupled to the barrier, the ballast system adapted to both submerge to a target depth upon receiving submerging signals and surface upon receiving surfacing signals; and a deployment control system in operative communication with the ballast system, the deployment control system configured to send submerging signals to employ the ballast system to submerge to a standby depth for extended periods of nominal operating conditions, and send surfacing signals to employ the ballast system to surface upon spill conditions; and may also include a self-propulsion system for containment system position management and an access gate for emergency vessel passage.
US08398327B2	Shaft-hub connection with toothing A method for producing a shaft-hub connection, in particular between a helically toothed pinion (2) and a hub (6), a partial section (3) of the helically toothed running toothing (4) of the pinion is used, during the connection to the hub, as a type of chip-removing cutting tool, by virtue of the partial section cutting with the profiles of its teeth into the hub in an axially aligned fashion.
US08398326B2	Fluid dispensing oral care implement A fluid dispensing oral care implement with fluid delivery system. The implement includes a storage member containing a fluid. A channel formed of one or more wicking or capillary members extends through at least a portion of the oral care implement to deliver fluid(s) through one or more fluid outlets via capillary action. In one embodiment, the fluid outlet is comprised of a wicking or capillary material and is disposed in the head of the implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a valve and a specially configured storage cap. A variety of fluids can be administered for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefits, such as fresh breath, tooth whitening, tooth sensitivity, plaque and/or tartar control, or producing sensations of heat, cool, or tingling.
US08398324B2	Vial for delivering contents onto a substrate Dispenser for dispensing a substance onto a substrate, such as a tooth treatment compound onto teeth, includes a vial including a pair of thin members forming a cavity therebetween in which the substance is arranged and a conduit defining an internal dispensing channel communicating with the cavity, an applicator tip arranged in connection with the conduit and including projections adapted to contact the substrate, and a cap including a cavity. The cap removably attaches to the vial and when attached, covers the applicator tip and seals the internal channel. When the cap is detached from the vial and the thin members are squeezed toward one another, the substance in the cavity is urged out of the cavity into and through the internal channel in the conduit and onto the projections to enable it to be brought into contact with the substrate.
US08398323B2	Dental appliance The dental appliance includes a pouch for an index finger with a dentifrice carrying pad. The pouch covers the index finger to at least a midsection region. The dentifrice pad is atop the user's finger pad surface. The pouch has an elongated tail which extends proximally to at least beyond the thumb of the user. The tail has one or many thumb holes, located at a proximal region, and the user, upon insertion of his or her finger in the pouch, pulls the tail and insert his or her thumb in the thumb hole. Therefore, the thumb hole is adapted to encircle the thumb of the user when the pouch is mounted on the user's index finger. The tail may be elastic. The dentifrice pad (with dry powder) sometimes includes bumps or ridges. Alternatively, the tail may be long to wrap around the wrist of the user.
US08398320B2	Non-transitory storage medium for rinsing or developing sequence A non-transitory storage medium stores software for performing a rinsing process on a substrate, after a developing process is performed on a light-exposed pattern disposed thereon. The sequence includes throwing off a developing solution from the substrate after development; supplying a water-based cleaning liquid onto the substrate; supplying a surfactant-containing rinsing liquid onto the substrate to replace liquid remaining on the substrate with the surfactant-containing rinsing liquid; and rotating the substrate to expand and throw off the surfactant-containing rinsing liquid on the substrate.
US08398319B2	Developing apparatus, developing method, and storage medium A developing apparatus including a substrate holder that holds a substrate horizontally; means for atomizing a surface treatment liquid used to improve wettability of the substrate with a developer; a first spray nozzle that sprays the atomized surface treatment liquid onto the substrate; and a developer supply nozzle that supplies a developer onto the substrate to which the substrate treatment liquid has been sprayed. The surface tension of the atomized surface treatment liquid with respect to the substrate is lower than the surface tension of the surface treatment liquid with respect to the substrate. The atomization suppresses the fact that the surface treatment liquid gathers on a certain portion of the surface of the substrate. The surface treatment liquid can be easily supplied onto the entire surface of the substrate, and improve wettability of the substrate with the developer.
US08398317B2	Method of controlling imaging apparatus and imaging apparatus using the same A method of controlling an imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus using the same are provided, wherein the method controls the imaging apparatus including an image sensor that performs an electronic shutter function by calculating a moving characteristic of a mechanical shutter based on an amount of electric charge accumulated in a first area and an amount of electric charge accumulated in a second area, and controlling the electronic shutter function of the image sensor based on the calculated moving characteristic of the mechanical shutter. Accordingly, the performance of the imaging apparatus using a focal plane shutter can be improved.
US08398315B2	Quick-release apparatus An assembly for selectively lockable attachment between photographic accessories.
US08398314B2	Optical universal serial bus (USB) Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optical USB (OUSB) to enhance the data rate of USB by adding super-high data rate (e.g. 10 Gbps) optical communication on top of its current specification so that backward compatibility is achievable. Mechanical tolerances may be achieved by using embedded lenses to expand a beam emerging from the connector prior to entering its mating connector and using an identical lens in the mating connector to collimate the beam back onto a fiber.
US08398313B2	Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head is provided. The liquid injecting head includes two reservoirs. The reservoirs include expansion chambers arranged in parallel in a direction in which pressure chambers are arranged. Each reservoir includes multiple expansion chambers formed so that an inner wall surface of one of the reservoirs protrudes toward the other reservoir. Each expansion chamber having a liquid introduction opening. Constriction portions are formed so that the inner wall surface of one reservoir protrudes at locations that oppose the expansion chambers of the other reservoir. The constriction portions narrow the flow channel width in the direction intersecting with the direction in which the pressure chambers are arranged. The liquid introduction openings provided in the expansion chambers disposed on either side of the constriction portion are formed in locations that are at different distances from the constriction portion and have different cross-sectional areas.
US08398310B2	Self aligning bearing and seal assembly A self aligning bearing and seal assembly including a bearing housing operable to mount to a surface, a bearing unit seated within the bearing housing and having an outer race, an inner race, and at least one ball intermediate the outer and inner race. The self aligning bearing and seal assembly also includes a pivot assembly having a shaft sleeve operable for receiving and maintaining a rotatable shaft and being disposed in the bearing housing and in operational contact with the inner race of the bearing unit. The pivot assembly allows for a degree of angular misalignment between the surface and the shaft greater than three degrees.
US08398308B2	Disk drive device provided with fluid dynamic bearing unit A bearing unit for a disk drive device is formed by a sleeve concave portion and a shaft concave portion, and is provided with a capillary seal portion in which the gap between the sleeve concave portion and the shaft concave portion is increased in diameter toward the hub side of the sleeve. Assuming that: the outer circumferential diameter at the tilt starting end on the base member side of the shaft concave portion is D0; the inner circumferential diameter at the tilt starting end on the hub side of the sleeve concave portion is D1; the facing outer circumferential diameter of the shaft concave portion, which faces, in the radial direction, the inner circumference at the tilt starting end of the sleeve concave portion, is D2; and the diameter of the most concave inner circumference of the sleeve concave portion is D3, D2 is smaller than D0, D3 is larger than D1, and the difference between D3 and D0 is larger than that between D0 and D2.
US08398305B2	Thermometer having an exchangeable measurement insert, and method for replacing the latter The disclosure relates to a thermometer having an exchangeable measurement insert for measuring process temperatures of liquid or gaseous media in vessels of process installations, and to a method for replacing the measurement insert. On the basis of a thermometer in which the measurement insert is accommodated, such that it can be changed, in a protective tube which is closed at one end and has a process flange, the closed end of the protective tube being immersed, as far as the process flange, in a container in which the medium whose temperature is to be determined is situated, and the open end of the protective tube being guided at least indirectly to a connection housing in which at least connection terminals for connecting the measurement insert to a remote measured value processing system are arranged, provision is made for the transition from the open end of the protective tube to the connection housing to have a clearance fit with a cylindrical fitting surface between the measurement insert and a fitting sleeve which at least partially surrounds the latter.
US08398300B2	Wearable article A watch (100, 200, 300) is disclosed as including a case and a rotation module (106, 206, 306) with a longitudinal axis (L-L, N-N, P-P), in which the rotation module (106, 206, 306) is contained within the case and freely rotatable relative to the case about the longitudinal axis (L-L, N-N, P-P), the rotation module (106, 206, 306) including a number of movement parts (134, 234, 334), and, upon rotation of the rotation module (106, 206, 306) relative to the case, the movement parts (134, 234, 334) are each movable relative to the rotation module (106, 206, 306) and to-and-fro along a respective path (Lm1-Lm1, Lm2-Lm2, Lm3-Lm3, Lm4-Lm4, Nm1-Nm1, Nm2-Nm2, Nm3-Nm3, Nm4-Nm4, Pm1-Pm1, Pm2-Pm2, Pm3-Pm3, Pm4-Pm4).
US08398296B2	Magnetically coupled system for mixing The invention provides a mixing system comprising a magnetically coupled drive system and a foil for cultivating algae, or cyanobacteria, in an open or enclosed vessel. The invention provides effective mixing, low energy usage, low capital expenditure, and ease of drive system component maintenance while maintaining the integrity of a sealed mixing vessel.
US08398293B2	Apparatus having sweeping impeller for mixing viscous material An apparatus for mixing viscous material includes a chamber having a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom and receiving viscous material to be mixed; a cylindrical draft tube fixed at an inside center of the chamber to be spaced from the bottom and the sidewall and forming a space between the draft tube and the sidewall to allow passage of the viscous material, and including a heat medium passage therein; a carrying impeller installed in the draft tube and driven by a motor to transfer the viscous material above or below the draft tube and suck the viscous material in the space into the draft tube; and a sweeping impeller installed in the space and rotated in a circumferential direction by a motor to apply a pressure to the viscous material so that the viscous material in the space is not adhered to the draft tube and the sidewall.
US08398288B1	LED display frame structure An LED display frame structure includes a light guide plate and a heat dissipation frame. The heat dissipation frame is mounted around the periphery of the light guide plate. At least one side of the light guide plate is provided with an LED strip and a 7-like heat dissipation plate. The back of the LED strip is provided with a two-sided adhesive strip to be attached to a groove of the 7-like heat dissipation plate. The 7-like heat dissipation plate has a cover plate next to the groove. The cover plate is attached to an adhesive strip of the light guide plate. The present invention can be assembled conveniently and quickly.
US08398286B2	Backlight module for liquid crystal display A backlight module for a liquid crystal display according to the present invention is provided. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source, a first reflection sheet and a second reflection sheet. The light guide plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing first and second side surfaces. The light source is disposed on the first side surface of the light guide plate and comprises a plurality of point light sources. The first reflection sheet is disposed on the light source and the upper surface of the light guide plate to reflect light beams emitting from the light source to the light guide plate. The first reflection sheet includes a plurality of first portions, a plurality of second portions and a plurality of protrusion portions, wherein the first portions are positioned corresponding to the light source and arranged alternately with the second portions. The protrusion portions extend from the second portions toward the second side surface of the light guide plate. The second reflection sheet is disposed under the lower surface of the light guide plate.
US08398285B2	Lighting device The present invention describes a lighting device. The lighting device includes a first light guiding pillar, at least one first point-form light source, a second light guiding pillar and at least one second point-form light source. The first point-form light source is disposed near at least one end of the first light guiding pillar. The first and the second light guiding pillars are parallel with each other and integrally formed in one piece. The second point-form light source is disposed near at least one end of the second light guiding pillar. The first and the second light guiding pillars are integrated into a connection body having two opposite surfaces respectively forming two straight grooves on an intersection of the first and the second light guiding pillars, wherein two bottoms of the straight grooves are spaced by a predetermined distance.
US08398284B1	Sequential automotive lamp apparatus and methods of making and using the same The present invention relates to a sequential automotive lamp apparatus. Specifically, the present invention relates to one or more apparatuses that illuminate one or more directional light sources sequentially to create a sweeping illumination. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that illuminates two or more directional light sources sequentially within a single lamp housing. The apparatuses may be implemented in automobile lamp housings to show, preferably, a turn signal, although any other illuminated signal may be displayed by the apparatuses of the present invention, including parking lights, hazard lights, and/or brake lights.
US08398283B2	Automotive signal light employing multi-focal length light pipes An automotive signal light is taught which employs multi-focal length light pipes to collect, collimate and direct, as needed, light emitted from one or more semiconductor light sources. Each multi-focal length light pipe includes at least one light transmission structure, each of which has a light receiving port to receive light emitted from a semiconductor light source spaced from the light receiving port by an air gap. The light transmission structure includes at least two superimposed parabolic reflecting surfaces, each having a common focal point at the light receiving port but having different focal lengths, and the superimposed parabolic reflectors operate to receive, collimate, spread and transmit the light from the semiconductor light source to a light emitting surface of the light pipe which is located adjacent to a lens of the signal light. The aesthetic arrangement of the light pipes is not particularly limited and a wide range of signal light functionalities can be provided.
US08398280B2	Lighting system A lighting system includes a first lighting apparatus, an annular second lighting apparatus, and an annular stay. The first lighting apparatus includes a light source covered with a housing. The annular second lighting apparatus is disposed around the housing and includes a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed annularly so as to be radially spaced apart from an outer periphery of the first lighting apparatus. The annular stay is supported by the housing to support the second lighting apparatus.
US08398278B2	Lighting devices, particularly with light-emitting diodes, able to generate an adaptative light beam A lighting device comprising a support for optical modules able to make a rotation movement, comprising a first optical module able to generate a light beam exhibiting a cutoff of the dipped beam type; a second optical module able to generate a light beam exhibiting a substantially L-shaped cutoff; the first optical module and the second optical module of the first lighting device being disposed on the optical module support able to make a rotation movement.
US08398277B2	Vehicle lighting system An illumination controller comprise at least one sensor configured to sense position and motion of an operator of a banking vehicle, an illumination adjustment actuator, and a controller configured to determine angular velocity and/or linear acceleration, and banking angle of the vehicle from the sensed position and motion signals. The controller controls the illumination adjustment actuator to direct the illumination in anticipation of and during a turn.
US08398276B2	Wall mounted aisle, step and corridor light system A wall light system including a single piece wall mount extrusion having a vertical rear mounting surface and a horizontally extending light shield. The interior of the vertical rear mounting surface has first and second projections extending therefrom defining a first slot, while the interior of the light shield has a downwardly extending vertical projection and a horizontal projection formed thereon, which together define a second slot. A lampholder has lower and upper tongues positioned to snap fit into the first and second slots, respectively, and mounts a circuit board which carries one or more LEDs.
US08398274B2	Light redirecting films including intersecting optical elements with flat and curved surfaces Light redirecting film including a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well-defined shape on at least one surface that are quite small relative to the length and width of the surface. At least some of the optical elements have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface, and intersecting each other over an intersection volume of the intersecting optical elements.
US08398270B2	Ornament with display hidden when inactive An ornament of the present invention includes a display that is hidden behind a panel. An ornament body includes at least one panel which includes a two-way mirror and a display in the interior of the body. The ornament includes a light disposed in the ornament body which, when active, reveals the display which is otherwise hidden behind the two-way mirror. The light may be activated by a sensor that recognizes physical motion, and may also include a speaker to play music and a moving display element driven by a motor.
US08398265B2	High-power LED lamp A high-power LED lamp set is provided in the present invention. The high-power LED lamp set comprises: a power converting module; a power supply casing (2) for housing the power converting module; a light source casing (4), connected with the power supply casing; electrode rods (1), arranged at a rear end of the power supply casing (2) and connected with the power converting module; and LED lamps (7), mounted on a bottom surface of the light source casing (4); the light source casing (4) is provided with a lens board (5) at its opening end, wherein the lens board (5) is perforated with through holes at the positions corresponding to the LED lamps, and a high transmittance lens (8) is embedded in each of the through holes.
US08398264B2	Lighting device A lighting device with at least one first-element that emits visible light at a wavelength and irradiance sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species, and at least one second element that emits light of one or more longer wave-lengths to that of the first-element. The at least one second element has a higher illuminance than that of the at least one inactivating element or component.
US08398256B2	Magnetic accessory mounts Apparatus for mounting accessories to guns. Some embodiments provide gun mounts each including a body and a magnet to magnetically couple the mount to the gun. The bodies are shaped and dimensioned to mechanically retain the accessories (which can be flash lights). The magnets are mechanically coupled to the bodies (and can be an integral portion thereof) and cause magnetic fields. Given the shapes and dimensions of the bodies, the positions of the magnets relative to the bodies and relative to the barrels of the guns when the bodies abut the barrels, the magnetic field strengths are within a range sufficient to releasably and magnetically couple the magnets and the barrels. In some embodiments the magnetic field strengths are sufficient to limit the ranges of motion of the mounts relative to the guns during the shock created by firing the gun.
US08398253B2	Data cable powered light fixture A light fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. The LED lights in the light fixture are sufficiently bright to be used for illumination and are powered by a voltage derived from power delivered via the data cable. The light fixture may be used in conjunction with a building automation system. The light provided by the LED lights may be modified based on control signals received via the data cable. Modifications may include changes to the perceived brightness and/or color of the light.
US08398248B2	Projector that operates in a brightness priority mode and in a contrast priority mode A projector includes: an illuminating device including a light source device, a first lens array that comprises first regions located at four corners in the first lens array when viewed along a system optical axis and second regions located between the two first regions, and a second lens array; a light modulating device; a projection optical system; a light control device; and a mode selection device. The light control device blocks part of the plural partial light beams by causing first and second light shields to integrally operate, when the brightness priority mode is selected. The light control device always blocks part of the partial light beams with the first light shields and blocks part of the partial light beams by causing the second light shields to operate independently from the first light shields.
US08398244B2	Projector A projector includes: a light source that emits light; a first lens array that divides the light emitted from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams; a second lens array that focuses the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the first lens array; condenser lenses that superimpose the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the second lens array on target illumination regions; and liquid crystal panels that modulate the light beams passing through the condenser lenses according to image information, wherein each of the condenser lenses is a single lens that achieves telecentric illumination when superimposing the partial light beams, and only the condenser lenses are arranged as lenses between the second lens array and the liquid crystal panels.
US08398242B2	Display apparatus A display apparatus that displays an image on a retina of a user, the display apparatus comprising: an image output unit (100) which includes a light source (101, 110), a wavefront shape change unit (102, 109), and a scan unit (103, 108) and is configured to output display light for displaying the image; and a deflection unit (104, 107) configured to deflect, toward an eye of the user, the display light outputted by the image output unit (100). The deflection unit (104, 107) has a deflection characteristic of suppressing image distortion caused by a change in relative position of the deflection unit (104, 107) with respect to a pupil of the user.
US08398241B2	Half-wave plate, optical pickup device, polarization conversion element, and projection display device A half-wave plate includes a single crystal plate made of an inorganic material having a birefringent property and rotatory power, wherein a polarization plane of linearly polarized light entering from an entrance surface of the crystal plate is rotated and then output from an exit surface of the crystal plate.
US08398239B2	Wearable eye tracking system An eye tracking system includes a transparent lens, at least one light source, and a plurality of light detectors. The transparent lens is adapted for disposal adjacent an eye. The at least one light source is disposed within the transparent lens and is configured to emit light toward the eye. The at least one light source is transparent to visible light. The plurality of light detectors is disposed within the transparent lens and is configured to receive light that is emitted from the at least one light source and is reflected off of the eye. Each of the light detectors is transparent to visible light and is configured, upon receipt of light that is reflected off of the eye, to supply an output signal.
US08398238B1	Imaging-based guidance system for ophthalmic docking using a location-orientation analysis An imaging-guided docking system can separate the tilt and location of an imaged ophthalmic target and present them in an intuitive manner for an ophthalmic surgeon. The docking system can include an ophthalmic imaging system to image a portion of an eye of a patient, an image processor to determine a location and an orientation of the imaged portion of the eye, and a guidance system, coupled to the ophthalmic imaging system, to guide an ophthalmic docking based on the determined location and orientation. In some implementations, the imaging system images an internal eye-structure to determine its orientation and a video-imaging system video-images a frontal eye-structure to determine a location of the frontal eye-structure. The determined orientation and location can be displayed for the surgeon. The alignment of ophthalmic procedures can also be assisted with this imaging capability, e.g. the placement and centration of IOLs into the lens capsule.
US08398234B2	Electro-thermal antifog optical devices Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.
US08398232B2	Consumable product accommodating device, liquid ejection device, and method for controlling consumable product accommodating device A consumable product accommodating device includes an accommodating body, a cushioning member, a weight detecting unit and a control unit. The accommodating body accommodates a consumable product whose weight decreases due to being fed to a consumption side, and is consumed with the accommodating body being configured and arranged to move between a first position and a second position. The cushioning member applies a cushioning force to the accommodating body when the accommodating body moves between the first position and the second position with the cushioning force resisting a movement of the accommodating body. The weight detecting unit is configured and arranged to detect the weight of the consumable product accommodated in the accommodating body. A control unit is configured to control magnitude of the cushioning force applied by the cushioning member according to the detected weight of the consumable product.
US08398230B2	Drying apparatus, recording apparatus, and drying method A drying apparatus includes a fluid supply mechanism configured to supply a fluid as a heat medium for controlling a target to a desired temperature. The fluid supply mechanism supplies the fluid to a space region disposed on one surface side of the target, to increase the pressure in the target from the one surface side.
US08398224B2	Heat activated printing process Reactive inks and methods of generating an image on a substrate using both reactive and heat activated inks are presented. An image is printed on a substrate, without reacting the reagents in the ink. Subsequently, the reagents are reacted to fix the image to a substrate, with substantial permanency and fastness. Sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are printed are also printed on the substrate. The sublimation or similar heat activated dyes are activated, and have an affinity for polymer that is applied to the substrate.
US08398223B2	Inkjet printing process A process for printing an image includes printing a substrate with an aqueous inkjet ink and drying the printed image with a near-infrared drying system, wherein the inkjet ink is a yellow or magenta inkjet ink and comprises a yellow or magenta colorant and a distinct near-infrared absorbing compound. Inkjet ink sets for use with an inkjet printing system employing a near-infrared drying system in the process include at least a black ink and a yellow ink, wherein the yellow ink comprises a yellow colorant and dispersed nanoparticulate colloidal silica at a concentration of from 0.1 to about 10 wt %, and the black ink comprises a black colorant and dispersed nanoparticulate colloidal silica at a concentration of from 0 wt. % to at most ½ of the wt. % of the dispersed nanoparticulate colloidal silica in the yellow ink. Various embodiments provide a process for inkjet printing and drying inks with improved absorption in the near-IR region of the spectrum for improved drying performance of aqueous, hypsochromic inks, and an inkjet ink set with improved balanced near-IR drying of black and yellow inkjet inks.
US08398220B2	Liquid container and image forming apparatus A disclosed liquid container containing liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharge head includes a container main body defining a liquid containing section and including an opening section formed in one surface of the container main body, the opening section including an opening; and a film-like flexible member sealing the opening section of the container main body. Further, the film-like flexible member is joined with a joint section formed on the opening section of the container main body in a state where the film-like flexible member is bent, and a concave-convex structure is formed in the circumferential direction of the joint section.
US08398217B2	Inkjet printing device Drop-on-demand inkjet printing device (10) comprising a through-flow print head (20) having nozzles (22) and a fluid circulation system comprising a main reservoir (30), a supply buffer tank (38), a return manifold (64), wherein the main reservoir (30) is connected to the supply buffer tank (38) wherein the supply buffer tank (38) is in fluid communication with the nozzles (22) print head (20) the nozzles (22) being in fluid communication with the return manifold (38) wherein the return manifold (64) is connected to the main reservoir (30) and both are arranged in height with respect to the nozzles (22), wherein the supply buffer tank (38) is provided with a lockable conduit (56) connecting the supply buffer tank (38) to the main reservoir (30).
US08398215B2	Liquid ejecting head with a common liquid chamber An intermediate liquid chamber is formed between an ink conducting path to which ink is supplied from an ink supply source such as an ink cartridge and a common liquid chamber to which ink to be provided to a plurality of pressure chambers is supplied. The intermediate liquid chamber communicates with both the ink conducting path and the common liquid chamber. The intermediate liquid chamber includes a conducting opening which communicates with the ink conducting path and a discharge opening which is opened to the common liquid chamber. The discharge opening is formed from one edge portion to the other edge portion of the common liquid chamber along a pressure chamber arrangement direction.
US08398213B2	Liquid ejecting head unit A liquid ejecting head unit includes a flow path unit including a flow path communicating with a plurality of nozzles, a head case in which a common liquid flow path for supplying liquid to the flow path of the flow path unit is formed and to which the flow path unit is bonded, a flow path member which is bonded to the head case at the side opposite to the side to which the flow path unit is bonded and includes an upstream-side flow path for supplying liquid to the common liquid flow path, a heater which is mounted on a side face of the head case and is capable of generating heat, and a metal plate a portion of which is bonded to the heater and other portions of which are opposed to a portion of the flow path member.
US08398212B2	Ink jet head and method of manufacturing the same An ink jet head includes a Si substrate with a surface having a {100} orientation; a passage holding ink on the Si substrate; an ink discharge port which is communicatively connected to the passage and through which ink is ejected; and a supply port which extends through the Si substrate, which is communicatively connected to the passage, and which supplies ink to the passage. The supply port has walls having two {111} planes facing each other.
US08398211B2	Liquid-ejecting recording head having an element that generates energy and method of producing the same A method of producing a recording head including a substrate provided with an element that generates energy utilized for ejecting a liquid, a wiring member that is connected to the substrate, and a supporting member that supports the substrate and the wiring member includes applying a sealant to a region existing between a side surface of the substrate and the supporting member through a communicating path that connects the region to an outer peripheral area of the supporting member.
US08398204B2	Liquid jetting apparatus and head cartridge A liquid jetting apparatus includes a first liquid jetting head which has a plurality of first nozzles, a head holder to which a first liquid jetting head is fixed, a liquid cartridge which is detachably mounted on the head holder, and which supplies the first liquid jetting head with a liquid which is to be jetted from the first nozzles, and a head cartridge which has a second liquid jetting head having a plurality of second nozzles, and a liquid tank which supplies the second liquid jetting head with a liquid which is to be jetted from the second nozzles. The second liquid jetting head and the liquid tank are integrated to form the head cartridge, and the head cartridge is detachably mounted on the head holder.
US08398202B2	Inkjet printer with maintenance station having non-contact film An inkjet printer has a carrier frame supporting an ink supply manifold; a pagewidth printhead with an ink ejection surface; an encapsulant defining a film guide and a maintenance station. The maintenance station includes: a chassis; a plurality of rollers mounted on the chassis; a film wound in a loop around the rollers; and a drive motor operatively connected to one of the rollers such that actuation of the drive motor rotates the film around said rollers. The chassis is moveable between a printing position in which the film is remote from the printhead and a cleaning position in which the film engages the film guide so that a cavity is defined by the film, the encapsulant and the ink ejection surface.
US08398200B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes a supporting member on which a plurality of suction holes for sucking a recording medium are formed on a supporting face for supporting the recording medium, a transportation device which transports the recording medium along the supporting face, a recording head which ejects fluid on the recording medium supported by the supporting face so as to perform printing, and a control device which makes the recording head execute the printing when a front end of the recording medium in the transportation direction reaches to a position at which the front end of the recording medium covers the suction holes formed at downstream-most positions in the transportation direction on the supporting face.
US08398199B2	White inkjet ink improved for dispersion stability An inkjet printing method includes the steps of a) providing a white inkjet ink and at least one color inkjet ink to an inkjet printer; and b) jetting the white inkjet ink at a higher temperature than the color inkjet ink onto an ink-receiver. The difference in jetting temperature between the white inkjet ink and the color inkjet ink is at least 5° C. Inkjet ink sets and inkjet printers are also disclosed.
US08398198B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus including: a head having openings; a sheet-moving mechanism; a drive-data storage portion storing drive data; a converting section which converts the drive data such that an image position adjustment is changed; a first extracting section which extracts at least one opening whose number of ejections during the recording on at least one sheet of a first number based on unconverted drive data is smaller than a second number; a second extracting section which extracts at least one opening whose number of ejections during the recording on at least one sheet of a third number based on converted drive data is smaller than a fourth number; and a controller which controls the ejection such that a preliminary ejection from at least one opening extracted by the first and second extracting sections is performed upon recordings based on the unconverted drive data and the converted drive data.
US08398197B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits on a recording medium a treatment liquid having a function to aggregate inks or increase viscosity of inks; an ink deposition device which includes a plurality of ink heads for ejecting the inks of at least two types in such a manner that the inks are deposited on the recording medium on which the treatment liquid has been deposited; and a heating-pressuring device which fixes the inks that have been deposited on the recording medium, wherein the ink deposition device ejects the inks from the plurality of ink heads in such a manner that following Relationships (A) and (B) are satisfied where Mx represents in-plane average deposition volume of one of the inks that is priorly deposited on the recording medium, My represents in-plane average deposition volume of another one of the inks that is subsequently deposited on the recording medium, and N represents number of the types of the inks (1≦x
US08398194B2	Power amplifier and liquid jet printing apparatus A power amplifier includes: a modulator pulse-modulating a drive waveform signal serving as a reference of a drive signal applied to an actuator and outputting a plurality of modulated signals; a digital power amplifier having a plurality of digital power amplifier stages each including a pair of push-pull switching elements, amplifying the power of the plurality of modulated signals, and outputting multi-value amplified digital signals; and a low pass filter smoothing the amplified digital signals and outputting the drive signal, wherein the modulator includes a control section switching one of a state where the same modulated signal is connected to two or more of the digital power amplifier stages and a state where different modulated signals are connected to different digital power amplifier stages to the other.
US08398193B2	Inkjet recording apparatus [Problem to be Solved] To provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of adjusting a gap with high accuracy and easily.[Solution] The present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus 100 including line heads 20 to 23 capable of recording on a recording medium 1, a head box 11 that houses the line heads 20 to 23, and gap adjustment cams 30 to 32 that abut on a lower surface of a bottom 11b in the head box 11, in which the head box 11 is slightly movable in an up-and-down direction by rotating the gap adjustment cams 30 to 32.
US08398191B2	Continuous inkjet printer aquous ink composition A continuous ink jet printer aqueous ink composition including pigment particles dispersed with a dispersant or self dispersing pigment particles without the need for a dispersant, and a polymer additive distinct from any dispersant used to disperse the pigment particles, wherein the polymer additive comprises a styrene-acrylic copolymer that does not substantially displace any dispersant used to disperse the pigment, present in an amount effective to stabilize the ink composition against shear induced agglomeration caused by pumping the ink composition through a continuous ink jet printing fluid system. A method of continuous ink jet printing includes A) providing a main fluid supply of a continuous inkjet printer with an aqueous ink composition of the invention; B) pumping the ink composition from the main fluid supply to a print head and ejecting a continuous stream of the ink composition from the print head which continuous stream is broken into spaced droplets; and C) in response to electrical signals received from a control mechanism, controlling the spaced droplets to select between printing droplets for marking a substrate and nonprinting droplets that are collected and returned to the main fluid supply.
US08398190B2	Fluid ejection device and fluid stirring method for the same, and fluid storage device and fluid stirring method for the same A fluid storage device for storing a fluid, and a fluid ejection head for ejecting the fluid fed from the fluid storage device are provided. The fluid storage device is provided with a storage tank, and a spherical body formed of a magnetic material and provided inside the storage tank. Also provided are three or more attraction devices for attracting the spherical body; and a switching device for switching between attraction and non-attraction by the attraction devices according to a movement path selected from a plurality of movement paths based on a predetermined selection condition, and moving the spherical body inside the storage tank in the selected movement path.
US08398187B2	Refrigerator comprising an extractably guided receptacle for chilled goods The invention relates to a refrigerator. A refrigerator includes a heat-insulated housing having an interior space in which a pair of chilled-goods containers are disposed adjacent to one another at a spacing from the floor. Each chilled-goods container is mounted on extending elements that guide chilled-goods container into and out of the interior space. A longitudinal beam extends between the chilled-goods containers and each of the extractable elements is supported on sidewalls of the housing via at least one crossbeam.
US08398186B2	Refrigerator The refrigerator includes the following parts. A heat-insulating main body has openings in a front side. A divider divides inside of the heat-insulating main body into side by side so as to form a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment having a width smaller than a width of the first storage compartment. The first door turns to open and close at the first storage compartment, and has a vertical axis that extends in an anterior portion of a side wall of the heat-insulating main body. The second door turns to open and close at the second storage compartment, and has a vertical axis that extends in an anterior portion of a side wall of the heat-insulating main body. A concavity part is vertically provided at a front side of an free end of the first door.
US08398182B2	Lightweight wear ring A segmented wear ring 40 for a tracked vehicle 10 road wheel 22 that cooperates with a track guide 32. The segmented wear ring 40 has at least two wear ring segments 42, and each of the wear ring segments 42 have a wear surface 50. The wear ring segments 42 are attached to a tracked vehicle wheel 22 such that the wear surfaces of each of the wear ring segments 42 form a substantially uninterrupted wear surface 50 designed to cooperate with a track guide 32.
US08398178B2	Vehicle wheel disk The technology provides vehicle wheel disks where a spoke portion can have a spoke bottom wall and a spoke side portion. The spoke side portion can include a spoke side wall rising from the spoke bottom wall in an axial direction of the wheel and a spoke reinforcing wall connected from an axially end portion of the spoke side wall and curved from the axial direction of the wheel toward a circumferential direction of the wheel and extending in the circumferential direction of the wheel. A pair of spoke side portions can be located on opposite sides of the vent window in the circumferential direction of the wheel have radially inner end portions which are connected to each other via a connecting wall. The connecting wall can be flat or substantially flat in the circumferential direction of the wheel.
US08398165B2	Powered rocker recliner linkage mechanism A rocker-recliner-style seating unit (rocker recliner) that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the rocker recliner between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The rocker 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.
US08398164B2	Seat flap for a vehicle seat A fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion having an underside that forms a floor surface when the seat cushion is rotated to a stowed position, and a seat flap attached to the seat cushion for bridging a gap formed between the seat cushion and an adjacent vehicle floor surface when the seat cushion is in the stowed position. The seat flap has an outer sleeve formed of a first material and an insert received in the sleeve formed of a second material.
US08398163B2	Roof apparatus A roof apparatus includes a guide rail extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, a drive shoe, a functional bracket, a front link member relatively rotatably connected at a front portion of the functional bracket and including a connecting portion, an engagement portion and a supporting portion, and a lifting mechanism connected at a rear portion of the functional bracket, wherein the guide rail includes a first guide portion guiding the supporting portion in response to an opening and closing operation of a movable panel and being closely located upwardly and downwardly of the supporting portion while the movable panel is in a fully-closed state, and the drive shoe includes a second guide portion guiding the engagement portion in response to the opening and closing operation of the movable panel and being closely located upwardly and downwardly of the engagement portion during the fully-closed state of the movable panel.
US08398162B2	Roof apparatus for vehicle A roof apparatus for a vehicle, which includes a driving shoe provided along a guide rail, a support member, a pair of first wall portions, a second wall portion provided being arranged between the first wall portions, the second wall portion including a movable member, the movable panel being tilted-up from a closed state by pushing one of guide grooves provided at the driving shoe and the movable member by the other one of the guide grooves and the movable member to move the support member upwardly relative to the driving shoe in response to a movement of the driving shoe in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a pair of restriction portions provided at the first wall portions and contacting end surfaces of the movable member in the vehicle width direction during the tilted-up state of the movable panel with pressure.
US08398153B1	Impact deflector for vehicle frame An impact receiving structure in a motor vehicle includes a vehicle frame having left and right frame rails extending longitudinally and cross frame rails extending transversely between the left and right frame rails. A vehicle body is mounted on the vehicle frame and has a transverse bulkhead and left and right A-pillars connected to the bulkhead. Left and right upper rails extend longitudinally above the front wheels and outboard of the left and right frame rails and are connected respectively to the left and right frame rails by left and right braces. Left and right deflector devices are mounted on the left and right frame rails forwardly of the front wheels and extend outwardly from the left and right frame rails to receive an impact force and transmit the impact force into the frame that would otherwise transmit through the left and right upper rail structures.
US08398151B2	Dumper body Dumper body (1) comprising a front bottom part (2) and a rear bottom part (14), the front bottom part (2) and the rear bottom part (14) being connected to each other at a bottom angle less than 180°, the rear bottom part (14) ending in an opening (16) and accordingly leaning in relation to the front bottom part (2), as well as that a front end portion (21) in addition is connected to the front edge of the front bottom part (2) in order to limit the loading space of the dumper body in the forward direction, an intermediate part (19) being placed internally in the dumper body (1) between and on top of the front bottom part (2) and the rear bottom part (14) at a deviating bottom angle in relation to both the front bottom part (2) and the rear bottom part (14) in such a way that a hollow space (H2) is formed between the front bottom part (2), the rear bottom part (14) and the intermediate part (19).
US08398148B2	Method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.
US08398144B2	Longitudinal adjustment device The invention relates to a longitudinal adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat, comprising a stationary bottom rail connectable to a motor vehicle and a seat rail connectable to the vehicle seat and longitudinally displaceably supported on the bottom rail between a front and a rear end position. In order to provide a longitudinal adjustment device which protects the seat rail against a crash-induced displacement with respect to the bottom rail in the area of its rear end position, it is provided that the detachment lock in effective connection with the bottom rail and the seat rail in the area of their rear end position is formed in such a manner that it blocks a crash-induced separation of the seat rail from the bottom rail.
US08398138B2	Body part for a motor vehicle A body part of a front frame of a motor vehicle has a structural component of plastic arranged in a frame part. The structural component is connected with a cage nut through material connection. Via the cage nut a front axle is screwed to the body part. A carrying part for holding the cage nut is welded to the frame part for this purpose and connected to the structural component via over molding.
US08398134B1	Universal carabiner holder A universal safety and rescue carabiner holder is disclosed for securing a carabiner with its gate in the open position while extending the user's reach several feet in any direction, which is also capable of supporting a long and heavy segment of attached safety rope. The carabiner holder is mounted to the end of an extension pole and includes an axial stem, gripping means supported by the axial stem for releasably capturing the spine of the carabiner and for holding the carabiner's gate arm in an open position, and supporting means supported by the axial stem opposite the gripping means for restraining the base of the carabiner. An axial gap defined by the gripping means and the supporting means is variable to accommodate a broad selection of carabiners have a wide variety of sizes, shapes and gate arm configurations.
US08398128B2	Vehicle door latch system A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position. The door latch system also includes an activation mechanism for moving the block out mechanism to the blocking position when the activation mechanism is activated for a predetermined time period to overcome the biasing member and after the predetermined time period, the block out mechanism moves to the unblocking position by the biasing member.
US08398127B2	Opening and closing device for lids The present invention relates to an opening and closing device of push-push type for lids, with particular reference to the lids of fuel tanks in cars and motorcycles, which uses a mechanism comprising a heart-shaped cam (6) and a roto-translating pin (3), in which the cam (6) is positioned in detached and parallel position with respect to the roto-translating pin (3) and in which the heart-shaped cam (6) and the pin (3) are connected by means of a rocker (8).
US08398126B2	Multipoint lock mechanism A multipoint lock for sliding doors. The multipoint lock mounted to a sliding door generally includes an active locking device having an active latch, and two passive locking devices, each having a passive latch. The latches are independently depth adjustable relative to an edge of the sliding door. The active locking device further includes sets of fastener apertures for receiving and securing a handle assembly thereto in at least two different positions. A lever having an actuator pin of the handling assembly can be positioned at various locations on the handle assembly such that fastener apertures of the handle assembly align with a different set of handle apertures of the active locking device depending on the position of the lever, Actuation of the active locking device by movement of the lever shifts the active latch and the passive latches simultaneously between locked and unlocked positions.
US08398123B1	Duct coupling system A duct coupling system has a first duct with and end having a threads thereon, a second duct having an end with threads thereon, and a coupler having a first end threadedly engaged with the threads of the first duct and a second end threadedly engaged with the threads of the second duct. The ducts and the coupler are each integrally formed of a polymeric material. A plurality of tendons extend through the interior passageways of the ducts of the coupler.
US08398111B2	Pushchair frame An improved pushchair frame (10) of a type that can be collapsed for ease of transport or storage etc. The frame comprising a push/pull handle (12), a front wheel frame (14) on which at least one front wheel (16) is rotatably mounted and a rear wheel frame (18) on which at least one rear wheel (20) is rotatably mounted. The frame comprising a seat mounting yoke (22) to which the front and rear wheel frames are coupled, at least one of the front and rear wheel frames being pivotably coupled to the yoke, the frames having an operating position in which they are spaced from one another and a stowed position in which they are generally adjacent one another. The seat mounting yoke is rotatable, relative to at least one of the front and rear wheel frames, between an operating position and a stowed position in which the yoke is located generally adjacent one of the front and rear wheel frames. A retaining means maintains the yoke and the front and rear wheel frames in their operating position. When the retaining means are released, the yoke and the front and rear wheel frames may be moved to their stowed positions, thereby folding the pushchair frame.
US08398108B2	Transfer chair A transfer chair and a method of using the same. The transfer chair includes a base frame, a seat frame, and a seat having a front edge and a back edge and that is supported by the seat frame. A vertical lift mechanism couples the base frame to the seat frame and is configured to translate the seat from a first height to a second height. A seatback extends upwardly from the back edge of the seat in a first configuration and extends downwardly from the back edge of the seat in a second configuration. When the seatback is in the second configuration, a patient may slide over the back edge of the seat. A transition mechanism moves the seatback between the first and second configurations.
US08398106B2	Master device for a closed hydraulic system of handlebar-steered vehicles A master device for a closed hydraulic system of handlebar-steered vehicles includes a basic body and a pressure chamber in which, in the event of actuation of the master device in order to actuate a slave device, hydraulic fluid is placed under pressure. The master device includes a hydraulic line connecting element having a connecting piece for connecting a hydraulic line and a thread section for screwing into the basic body. An air bleed opening bleeds the hydraulic system. The hydraulic line connecting element and the basic body form a valve that closes the connection between the pressure chamber and the air bleed opening when the hydraulic line connecting element is fully screwed in to the basic body.
US08398104B2	Bicycle seat adjustable device A bicycle seat adjustable device includes an outer tube with an inner tube movably inserted therein and a piston is connected to the inner tube. A valve control device includes an outer path tube in the inner tube, and a lower end of the outer path tube is connected to the piston and a top end of the outer path tube extends toward the inner tube. A movable piston is movably mounted to the outer path tube. An outer oil room and an inner air room are defined between the inner tube and the outer path tube. A valve unit is connected to the inner path tube to form an inner oil room and a path which communicates with the outer oil room and the inner oil room, and controlled by the valve unit. The inner tube and the inner path tube increases the travel distance of the hydraulic oil.
US08398102B2	Suspension arm for a motor vehicle wheel suspension and method for manufacturing same A swing arm for a suspension of a vehicle comprises a substantially transversely outer arm portion having a free end for mounting of a support for supporting a wheel of the vehicle and a substantially transversely inner arm portion with a first branch and second branch. The first branch is substantially aligned with the outer arm portion and has a free end for mounting of a first connector for connection to a body of the vehicle, and the second branch extends along an arched path towards a rear part of the vehicle and has a free end for mounting of a second connector for connection to the vehicle body. A single-sheet metal piece includes a main portion having an open section and at least one secondary portion arranged in an edge zone of the swing arm, having a closed section, and formed by at least one strip of the metal piece folded onto the main portion and firmly secured with a free edge of the strip to the main portion. A method for manufacturing the swing arm comprises steps of obtaining the main portion by stamping of the metal piece, folding the strip of the metal piece so as to obtain the secondary portion, and firmly securing the free edge of the strip to the main portion.
US08398097B2	Hinged beam retainer A retainer extends across first and second overlapping hinged beams to retain the hinged beams against pivotal movement.
US08398094B1	Skibob and method for riding a chairlift Skibobs are disclosed having features for conveying the skibob with rider on a moving chairlift while the rider remains mounted on the seat of the skibob. The frame and suspension are configured for elevating the underside of the skibob seat above the level of the chairlift bench during loading, so that the chairlift bench, while moving forward from behind the rider, can pick up the skibob, rider and all, and carry the mounted rider up the ski slope without falling. As the undercarriage of the skibob is lifted off the snow, the rider is deposited on the chairlift bench so that the seat of the skibob is secured in place by the weight of the rider on the seat. During offloading, the skibob is nonetheless readily disengaged from the chairlift bench with an active boost from the suspension and optional spring-loaded seat as the undercarriage contacts the offloading platform, permitting the rider to ski away from the chairlift without dismounting the skibob, thus improving ease of use for riders with limits in physical capacity. These and other features of the invention are a benefit to disabled persons in gaining access to the ski slopes.
US08398092B2	Active roll control system for vehicle A roll control system improves stability in turning by actively controlling roll stiffness in accordance with traveling conditions of a vehicle. The active roll control system for a vehicle suspension includes a stabilizer bar of which the middle straight portion is fixed to a sub-frame by a mount bush and both ends are connected with a lower control arm by a stabilizer link to suppress roll of the vehicle body, in which a roll control mechanism is disposed between a lower end connecting portion of the stabilizer link and the lower control arm to increase roll stiffness by increasing a lever ratio of the stabilizer bar, if needed.
US08398090B2	Spring loaded seal assembly for turbines A spring loaded seal assembly is disclosed for sealing a gap between adjacent turbine components. The seal assembly may generally include a turbine seal and a spring member. The turbine seal may extend between the adjacent turbine components and may be configured to seal the gap defined between the turbine components. The spring member may be configured to engage the turbine seal so as to maintain the seal in sealing engagement with the adjacent turbine components.
US08398086B2	Sealing element and sealing method including fusing the element A sealer (5) for sealing a sealed portion (3) is a sheet member formed into a shape that matches a three-dimensional shape of the sealed portion (3). The sealed portion (3) is sealed by placing the sealer (5) over the sealed portion (3) and heating the sealer (5).
US08398085B2	Card trade system and methods thereof A Bingo card trade feature is disclosed. This feature can offer players the option to trade one set of Bingo cards for another set of different Bingo cards. This exchange can cost nothing or an additional preset cost. These trades can be established through the entity hosting the game. The traded cards can be available for further trades for the same Bingo game based on the business rule set by the entity. The players can be able to trade cards up until a specified time before the start of the actual game. The players can also be able to trade a card as many times as they wish depending on their budget. In one specific example, a “Bonanza Trade” can offer the player the ability to take a daubed Bonanza card that was purchased, add a dollar and get two new Bonanza cards in exchange.
US08398083B2	Card game A card game is disclosed in which participants arrange six poker cards into three hands, including a one-card hand, a two-card hand, and a three-card hand. Wagers are placed on each of the participant's hands. The participants compete their hands against at least one other participant's hands to determine who has the highest ranked hands. For each hand, the participant having the highest ranked hand is determined to be the winner. Payoffs are made to the winners.
US08398081B1	Combination dice and board game and associated method A combination dice and board game includes a substantially square-shaped arena. Such an arena includes a planar base member and a plurality of vertical walls monolithically formed with such a base member. The game further includes a mechanism for scoring points. Such a point scoring mechanism is employed within an interior area of the arena and includes a plurality of pretty dice. The point scoring mechanism further includes a plurality of fancy dice coextensively shaped with the plurality of pretty dice, a third plurality of traditional dice, and a dice cup. The game apparatus further includes a mechanism for calculating the points, a mechanism for recording the points, and a mechanism for determining how to score the points. Such a score determining mechanism includes a manual of rules. Such a manual describes steps necessary to score points during operating conditions.
US08398075B2	Auto document feeder and a document reader with the auto document feeder An auto document feeder includes a lead path, a first reverse path, a second reverse path, and a both surfaces eject path. The lead path guides a document from a left side to a right side of a read position. The first reverse path and the second reverse path are connected to the lead path, and reverse the document to guide the document from the right side to the left side of the read position. A both surfaces eject path is connected to the first reverse path and the second reverse path and guides the document whose image information of a second surface has been read so as to eject further to the right side than the read position. Further, the lead path includes a lead curve path which protrudes to the left side and is arranged more to the left side than the read position. A shared curve path shared by the lead path and the both surfaces eject path includes a portion between the read position and a portion in which the lead curve path protrudes the most.
US08398073B2	Automatic document feeder An automatic document feeder includes a sheet pick-up module and a floating shock-absorbing structure. The floating shock-absorbing structure is arranged at a feeding entrance. The sheet pick-up module includes a sheet pick-up roller and a sheet separation roller. When the sheet pick-up module is rotated to a sheet feeding position, the sheet pick-up roller is contacted with the floating shock-absorbing structure to feed the sheet into the internal portion of the automatic document feeder. By the floating shock-absorbing structure, the possibility of causing excessive shock and noise when the sheet pick-up arm strikes the feeding entrance will be minimized or eliminated.
US08398071B2	Air sheet feeding device and image forming system having image forming apparatus to which the air sheet feeding device is connected A sheet feeding device includes: a leading edge contacting section having a leading edge contacting surface with which a leading edge side in a sheet conveyance direction of sheets stored in a sheet storage section, comes in contact; a blowing section having an air outlet which blows air to float the sheets from a side surface perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the sheets stored; a sucking and conveying section provided at an upward position over the sheet storing section, which sucks the sheet floated by the air from the blowing section, and conveys the sheet over an upper end of the leading edge contacting section; and a rise prevention member provided on a side of the sucking and conveying section, which comes in contact with the sheet floated by the air from the blowing section and prevents a contacting portion of the floated sheet from being risen.
US08398069B2	Paper feeder with first and second paper loaders A paper feeder, a control method thereof, and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The paper feeder includes a moving member to push paper loaded on one paper loader to another empty paper loader. With regard to operation of the moving member, the stop time of the moving member may be variable based on a paper size input by a user, which enables a stop position of the moving member to be automatically adjusted based on the paper size, resulting in enhanced user convenience.
US08398067B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet processing apparatus includes pairs of rollers being sheet conveying units that convey recording sheets that are sheet media, a binding tray in which a plurality of recording sheets conveyed by the pairs of rollers are stacked and the recording sheets are retained as a paper bundle, and a stapler being a binding unit that performs a binding process on the paper bundle retained in the binding tray. Target positions on the paper bundle are adjusted by moving both of two jogger fences in an R direction to move the paper bundle in the sheet width direction so as to displace the paper bundle with respect to the stapler.
US08398057B2	Stringing block for aerial electric conductor A stringing block for aerial electric conductor or other aerial cable, intended for hanging to electric line structures, insulators etc., suitable for both manual and helicopter pilot line or conductor stringing, is disclosed. The block comprises one or more ring-shaped sheaves, each one running over one or two small wheels, installed on a small size frame and rotating around their axes. The block is light enough for to prevent conductor/pilot line escaping the shave groove and friction on the shave flange.
US08398053B2	Double piston trunnion mounted ball valves and methods of use Disclosed are a method and a ball valve structure which provide for an improved seal in a trunnion mounted, double piston ball valve, which is especially useful in applications requiring a seal against high pressures, such as in the oil, gas and chemical process industries. Higher pressures on an inlet side of the valve are used, while the valve moves toward and is maintained in a valve closed position, to create movement of a ball element of the valve so as to bias the ball element against both piston seat elements (or rings) used to create the seals. This movement of the ball element thereby effectively uses such upstream pressure to create and enhance a seal between the ball element and both piston seat elements while in the valve closed position.
US08398050B2	Hold open configuration for safety valve and method An actuator and counterbalance system including a nonmobile carrier; a mobile carrier, mobile relative to the non mobile carrier; and a counterbalance system in operable communication with the mobile carrier and configured to counterbalance less than 100 percent of a return force of a tool actuated by the actuator and method.
US08398048B2	Structure for mounting an object on a vertical surface and method of making same A picture hanger has a base portion having a hole for an elongated fastener (nail or screw). The base portion carries a member enclosing a front face or the entire base portion. The member has a through hole aligned with and on one or both sides of the fastener hole. The elongated fastener is held in place in the holes so that the fastener need not be manually held during driving thereof into a picture frame or wall. The member is injection molded on the base portion, and consists essentially of nylon-6,6 having a Shore A hardness in the range of 80-90.
US08398046B2	Clamp device for portable porous pavement system A clamping device for a portable porous pavement system includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes a U-shaped section extending between first and second wings; a first slot defined by the first wing; and a second slot defined by the second wing. The second bracket includes a C-shaped member having first and second arms with a base member joining the first and second arms; a first twistable section defined by the first arm; and a second twistable section defined by the second arm. The first arm is sized to fit through the first slot of the first wing such that the first twistable section and the base member are on opposite sides of the first wing; and the second arm is sized to fit through the second slot of the second wing such that the second twistable section and the base member being on opposite sides of the second wing.
US08398036B2	Post holder A post holder for holding a safety post on a horizontal structure of a building is provided. The post holder has an elongate post reception portion an elongate central support portion, protruding from the post reception portion and perpendicular to the post reception portion, and first and second elongate side support portions protruding from the post reception portion laterally of the central support portion and in opposite directions. The central support portion comprises a fastening seat, which is arranged to receive a fastening member for fastening of the post holder to a base. Each one of said support portions comprises a support protrusion, which constitutes a fraction of the support portion at a bottom side thereof and protrudes at a bottom side thereof, thereby forming a lower most support surface of the support portion. The lower most support surfaces of the support portions are triangularly positioned.
US08398035B2	Modular clamping system Disclosed are modular clamping systems and methods for use. A modular clamping system may be configured to mount a variety of accessories to a portion of tubing. The modular clamping system may utilize multiple strap clamp portions having different clamping diameters in order to mount an accessory to tubing of various diameters.
US08398029B2	On-board device for measuring the mass and the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft The present invention relates to an on-board device for measuring the mass and the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of landing gears (T1, T2), each landing gear (T1, T2) being provided with at least one contact member (2) having a deformable element (3) that is deformable under the action of the weight of the aircraft when the aircraft is standing on a surface, and is remarkable in that the formable element (3) is provided with a bar (4) having an eddy current sensor (6) at its free end.
US08398027B2	Method and apparatus for reinforcing composite structures A computer implemented method and apparatus for creating a structural joint for an aircraft. A first composite component and a second composite component are co-joined to form the structural joint for the aircraft. A hole through the first composite component and the second composite component is created. A composite shear pin is placed through the hole. A composite collar is bonded to the composite shear pin with an adhesive.
US08398024B2	Wing cover panel assembly and wing cover panel for an aircraft wing and a method of forming thereof A wing cover panel assembly, wing cover and method of forming thereof are disclosed in which an attachment surface of the wing cover panel is provided with a locating channel into which a wing structural element such as a stringer or spar is captured so as to fix the wing structural element to the wing cover panel.
US08398022B2	Wide body aircraft architecture A large-capacity airplane principally includes a fuselage which has no region of constant width between the front and the rear and a wing fixed to the fuselage. As a preference, the engines are fixed at the rear under a horizontal tail held above the fuselage by vertical stabilizers and maintenance wells are formed in the fuselage in vertical alignment with each engine to allow the engines to be fitted and removed. The width of the fuselage is determined, on the one hand, so that the airplane landing gear is fixed to the fuselage and in the up position is included within the interior volume of the fuselage and, on the other hand, so that the rear engines are above the fuselage in order to make use of the beneficial effects of this position.
US08398015B2	Aircraft that can fly horizontally and vertically An aircraft that has a set of wings which spin about respective axes that are laterally spaced apart in a horizontal plane of the aircraft, parallel to each other, and positioned adjacent respective frame portions, each of said frame portions defining a continuous surface, having a semi-circular cross-section means being provided to drive the sets of wings so that, as they spin, each wing of said sets of wings moves sequentially upwards inside its respective frame portion, and downwards outside its respective frame portion so as to provide lift to the aircraft.
US08398014B2	Solid roll provided with at least one adapter and adapter for a solid roll A solid roll (1) of flexible web-shaped material, such as paper or nonwoven material, being provided with at least one adapter (6). The adapter (6) includes first attachment element (7) for attachment to the solid roll (1) and second attachment element (8) for attachment to a dispenser. The first attachment element (7) comprises at least one elongated attachment member (9), which is adapted to be arranged extending in or near the center line (5) of the solid roll (1). Furthermore, the at least one elongated attachment member (9) is arranged to fixate the adapter (6) to the flexible web-shaped material of the solid roll (1) through frictional engagement.
US08398010B2	Polyester monofilament package A polyester monofilament package is formed by reeling a polyester monofilament comprising polyethylene terephthalate and satisfies all of the following requirements (a) to (d): (a) the coefficient of dynamic friction between yarns of the polyester monofilament being 0.13 μd or less; (b) the package end being in a tapered shape with a taper angle (0) of 75° or less; (c) the variation gradient in unreeling tension (AT) being 0.02 cN/dtex-m or less; and (d) in a part of a reeling thickness of 1 mm in the inner layer of the package, the variation in contraction stress of the polyester monofilament being 3.0 cN/dtex or less.
US08398005B2	Electrostatic atomizing device The electrostatic atomizing device includes a discharge electrode, an opposed electrode, and a voltage application device. The voltage application device is configured to apply a voltage between the discharge electrode and the opposed electrode so as to atomizing a liquid supplied to the discharge electrode. The electrostatic atomizing device further includes a reduced water provision device configured to supply reduced water as the above liquid to the discharge electrode.
US08398000B2	Connection element for running rails and running-rail system The invention relates to a connection element for running rails of a suspended track for receiving the running rails (2, 2′) and a securing device for securing the running rails (2, 2′) against being pulled out of the cavity (H, H′) and a running rail system having multiple running rails (2, 2′), which can be connected by connection elements (1; 11). The invention solves the problem of allowing simple and rapid tool-free mounting with a simultaneous secure connection of running rails of the running rail system in that the securing device of the connection element has at least one spring-elastic first connection claw (8; 12; 15), which projects diagonally in an insertion direction (E) of a first running rail (2) into the cavity (H) in the relaxed state, and/or by a running rail system having connection elements (1; 11) implemented in this way.
US08397998B1	Data storage device, apparatus and method for using same A data storage device for use as a portable card, magnetically encodeable card, magnetic credit card or the like is shown. The data storage device includes a substrate having at least one surface. A high density, magnetically coercive material layer is disposed on or is deposited on the substrate for storing magnetic signals. The magnetically coercive material may have an axis of magnetization that is oriented in a predetermined direction relative to the at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of non-magnetically material is disposed on the substrate for defining an exchange break layer. A relatively hard, abradeable protective coating is formed on said magnetic material layer and is selected to have a thickness between a maximum thickness which would materially attenuate magnetic signals passing between the magnetic material layer and a transducer and a minimum thickness enabling said protective coating to be abraded by usage in an ambient natural atmosphere operating environment for removing therefrom a known quantity of the protective coating. The protective coating may comprise one, two or more layers of materials.
US08397994B2	Wireless tag A wireless tag includes: a wireless communication circuit that includes first and second terminals coupled to a loop antenna and performs wireless communication using the loop antenna; a first conductor that forms a first curved surface and includes a third terminal disposed at a first end of the first curved surface and coupled to the first terminal, and includes a first area including a second end of the first curved surface; and a second conductor that forms a second curved surface, includes a fourth terminal disposed at a third end of the second curved surface and coupled to the second terminal, and includes a second area including a fourth end of the second curved surface, the second area being parallel to the first area and overlapping with the first area, the first and second curved surfaces forming the loop antenna.
US08397993B2	Printing control method and printing control apparatus for line light source detection A printing control method for line light source detection, for controlling at least one printing parameter of a printing apparatus. The printing control method includes: utilizing a line light source to scan a barcode to derive a barcode profile corresponding to the barcode; deriving a grading information corresponding to the barcode according to the barcode profile and a threshold, and deriving a modified barcode profile according to the grading information and the barcode profile; and adjusting the at least one printing parameter of the printing apparatus according to the modified barcode profile.
US08397992B2	Optical reader having image sensor for reading decodable indicia An optical reader for reading decodable indicia is provided. In one embodiment, the optical reader can include an image sensor. In one aspect, the optical reader can be configured to read bar codes such as 1D bar codes. Particular methods and apparatus for reading decodable indicia are described.
US08397991B2	Protective device and method for preventing skimming on a card reader A protective device (26, 28) is proposed that contains a protective generator (26) and an inductor (28) to generate an electromagnetic protective field (29) that is suitable for compromising the function of the spying device (SM), wherein the protective device (26, 28) generates an electromagnetic protective field (29) with a protective signal that simulates the type of signal that occurs when magnetic stripe cards are read. Through the protective field a special protective signal is induced in the potentially present skimming module to imitate the reading of the magnetic stripe card. The skimming card reader reads a pseudo magnetic stripe card, or is at least confused when spying on the genuine magnetic stripe card. In particular, the protective signal can contain pseudo data that are mixed with the actual card data at demodulation or suppress said data completely (capture effect) so that the third party ultimately obtains unusable data.
US08397988B1	Method and system for securing a transaction using a card generator, a RFID generator, and a challenge response protocol A system for securing a transaction comprises an authentication unit capable of processing an input and generating a dynamic card transaction code/virtual card code which is valid for a single transaction upon authentication; and a RFID generator capable of generating at least a dynamic RFID key for a predefined limited time period by using the dynamic card transaction code for the single transaction. The authentication of the input is performed locally with the authentication unit through an encrypted and unique RFID communication between the authentication unit and a third party by using a challenge response protocol. The authentication unit is capable of working alone and as a plug-in with at least any one of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held remote control, a cellular telephone, a fax machine, and a printer is used for securing the transaction.
US08397985B2	Systems and methods for providing access to wireless gaming devices Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users.
US08397973B1	Wide handle for true multi-fire surgical stapler A surgical apparatus may include at least one feeder belt; a plurality of staples frangibly affixed to each feeder belt, where each staple includes two ends, a first end frangibly connected to a corresponding feeder belt and a second, free end; and a handle within which at least part of at least one feeder belt is received, where that feeder belt extends along a path within that handle that is at least partially nonlinear. A method for operating a surgical apparatus, including providing a surgical stapler including an end effector, a shaft, a handle and at least one feeder belt, where staples are frangibly affixed to each feeder belt; deploying a plurality of staples from the end effector; and advancing at least one feeder belt along a nonlinear path after deploying the staples, whereby fresh staples are moved into the end effector into position for deployment.
US08397971B2	Sterilizable surgical instrument A surgical instrument including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion can be sterilized separately from the first portion. The first portion can comprise an anvil, a staple cartridge channel and/or staple cartridge, and a movable cutting member. The second portion can comprise electronic components configured to control the surgical instrument and/or record data collected during the use of the surgical instrument. The first portion can be sterilized using a gamma radiation sterilization process while the second portion can be sterilized using a different sterilization process, such as steam, ethylene oxide, ozone, and/or hydrogen peroxide sterilization processes, for example. As a result, the first and second portions can be sterilized separately and delivered in two separate containers. The second portion can be stored within a sealed bag and can include an electrical terminal which can penetrate the bag and communicate with the first portion.
US08397969B2	Apparatus for installing explosively driven fasteners and fasteners for use therewith An improved tool for installing an explosively driven fastener as well as an improved explosively driven fastener for use therewith are disclosed. The fastener includes a nail having a head with an explosive load attached thereto in a plastic cap that includes a buffer. The tool has a plurality of concentric cylinders and springs including a muzzle for receiving the fastener head and explosive load. A spring actuated firing pin ignites the load causing it to explode and drive the nail out of the tool. The explosion also automatically resets the tool. The tool and the fastener provide many advantages over existing explosively driven fasteners and the tools used to install them.
US08397967B2	Process for determining usage data for a portable hand-activated apparatus and the device for implementing the process An apparatus and method for determining usage data includes driving a drive piston, damping the drive piston, and determining usage data indicating if the drive piston is being over-powered or under-powered.
US08397965B2	Backpack with incorporated gun scabbard A backpack and a method of forming a backpack with an integral gun scabbard has been devised whereby the user has a convenient place for the storage and carriage of a rifle, shotgun, or other long gun type of firearm, and simultaneously can store and carry a variety of other sundry cargo while moving about. The backpack is devised in such a way as to permit easy and rapid access to and retrieval of said firearm from the storage. It is equipped with dual padded shoulder straps. In an ideal embodiment, a waist belt is included to facilitate the stabilization of the scabbard when the firearm is being withdrawn, as well as to contribute to the load bearing functions of the backpack.
US08397963B2	Automobile caddy The auto caddy of the present invention may include a main housing having one or more receptacles for holding drinks or other items, and may include one or more attachment members having one or more sets of openings through which a vehicle headrest seat post may extend on installation with two points of contact, which may increase the stability of the auto caddy, especially during sudden movement of a vehicle. The auto caddy may include optional components for subdividing receptacles, one or more hooks from which a tray may be suspended, a strap for securing the tray, and slots for suspending a trash receptacle such as a plastic grocery bag. The auto caddy may also include offset sides for manufacturing cost efficiency, in which case offset washers (which may be hook-shaped) may be used at installation to maximize vertical and horizontal alignment and stability of the auto caddy.
US08397955B2	Liquid material discharge device with debubbling mechanism A liquid material discharge device which can remove bubbles in a liquid material supplied to the device, can ensure a stable discharge amount of the liquid material, and can reduce the weight of a plunger section. The liquid material discharge device comprises a liquid material supply section for supplying the liquid material to be discharged, a measuring section having a measuring hole and a plunger sliding on an inner wall surface of the measuring hole to suck the liquid material into the measuring hole and to discharge the liquid material, a discharge section having a discharge port for discharging the liquid material, a valve section for changing over communication between the liquid material supply section and the measuring section and communication between the measuring section and the discharge section, and a debubbling mechanism provided in a flow path running from the liquid material supply section to the measuring section. The debubbling mechanism includes a first flow path (4) communicating with the liquid material supply section side, a second flow path (5) communicating with the measuring section side, and a body (3) for making the first flow path and the second flow path communicate with each other, the body having a greater width than the first flow path. A discharge port (6) of the first flow path is located above a suction port (7) of the second flow path.
US08397954B2	Device for metering bulk material A device for metering bulk material includes a drive unit as well as a metering unit encompassing a metering module, a receptacle, and a stirring apparatus. A gear can be provided between the metering module and a wheel. The metering module is provided with an outlet. A quick coupling element is disposed on an axis in order for the metering unit to be designed as a replaceable unit. The metering unit can be swiveled about the axis when the quick coupling element is engaged such that the wheel can be non-positively contacted with driving means. A plate is used as a cover.
US08397951B2	Device for containing fluid substances under airtight conditions and for dispensing them A device for containing fluid substances under airtight conditions and dispensing them, comprising a rigid container (5) in which a bag (9) made of thermoplastic material is inserted having a flange (3, 3A) and a hole for housing the body of a (P), the body of the pump (P) being pressed to form a seal on said flange (3, 3A) of the bag (9) by a first ring cap (N), a second ring cap (G) being screwed onto the container neck (6) and secured to the bag (9), the first ring cap (N) being locked to the second ring cap (G), engagement means (13, 14) being provided between said first and second ring cap to make said first and second ring cap torsionally rigid with each other such that a rotation imposed on the first ring cap (N) of the pump results in a corresponding rotation of the second ring cap (G), hence facilitating extraction of the bag from the container consequent on the removal of the pump (P) from the container (5).
US08397948B2	Dispensing device for edible goods and/or novelties A dispensing device may include a main body including a wall having a dispensing mouth defined in the wall; a storage portion, wherein the storage portion is retained by the main body; and a conveyance path providing communication between the storage portion and the dispensing mouth. In addition, the dispensing device may include a conveyor disposed in the conveyance path; a drive motor mechanically coupled to the conveyor; and a sensor, wherein the sensor is directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the drive motor and the sensor is in optical communication with the environment proximate to the dispensing mouth.
US08397945B2	Dispensing container A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover portion defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. A sealing member is engaged with one of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray, and is configured to interact with the other of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray to form a seal about an outer peripheral portion of the dispensing tray when the outer casing body is in a closed and locked position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.
US08397942B2	Storage container An improved flexible storage container [1000] is sized and shaped to hold and store a specific item, such as a handbag. It employs a front wall [1100], a rear wall [1130], and side walls [1150] which are made of a breathable material. Moisture is allowed to pass in or out of the container to keep moisture equilibrium. Pockets [1113, 1153] inside of the walls [1100, 1130] may be used to hold front and side supports [1115, 1155] to make the storage container [1000] more rigid. A hypoallergenic barrier [1200] which acts as a liner inside of container [1000] employs material having a tight weave with pores 10 microns or smaller to keep out dust, dust mites or other allergenic materials. The storage container [1000] is capable of storing items for long periods of time with little or no change to the item. It also minimizes allergic reactions to those using the items after storage.
US08397939B2	Composite compressed gas tank A composite compressed gas tank has an outer shell and a liner. The liner is made of a light metal, in particular, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The gas tank has an in-feed and discharge port, in which is inserted a closing element having at least one channel. The closing element is connected directly or indirectly to the liner by a welded joint, and a steel material connecting line is connected to the channel or channels. A transition element has a first end segment made of a light metal, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and is welded either to the liner or to the closing element if made of a light metal. The other end segment of the transition element is made of a steel material and is welded either to the closing element, or to the connecting line if made of a steel material.
US08397937B2	Article carrier with a dividing arrangement In order to provide an article carrier with a dividing arrangement (9) which is flexible in terms of height, rests on the base (8) of the article carrier and has profiled side walls (70, 71) with undercut grooves (76) running parallel to the base (8), and has at least one partition wall (70, 71; 80) for inserting between the side walls (70, 71) and right-angled corner connectors (20) which can be latched into the grooves (76), it is proposed that the side walls (70, 71) have an undercut projection on their top side or their bottom side, and a latching profile for latching with the projection on their bottom side or top side.
US08397933B2	Medical waste receptable A lid covering an interior of a medical waste receptacle base. The lid includes an intermediate waste repository connected to the cover. The repository is moveable between a holding position adapted for holding waste segregated from the receptacle base interior, and a dumping position adapted for biasing waste by gravity into the receptacle base interior.
US08397932B2	Plastic container having pearl-like appearance and process for producing the same This invention provides a plastic container characterized in that an expanded layer comprising expanded cells having a flat shape with an average major axis of not more than 400 μm and an average aspect ratio (L/t) of not less than 6 as viewed in cross section of the container wall along the maximum stretch direction, which are oriented in the stretch direction and are distributed so as to be superimposed on top of each other in the thickness-wise direction, is formed within the container wall. In this container, expanded cells having a flat shape are distributed so as to orient in a given direction and, thus, has light shielding properties and has a pearl-like appearance, that is, has a very high commercial value. Further, since any colorant is not contained, the suitability for recycling is excellent.
US08397929B2	Integral buffering apparatus for automatically controlling flow rate of fluid and flat rack container including the integral buffering apparatus The present invention relates to a flat rack container, and more particularly, to an integral buffering apparatus disposed between end walls and a base and for automatically controlling a flow rate of oil that flows in a cylinder housing through channels formed in a slider when the end walls are folded, to control a falling speed of the end walls, thereby absorbing an impact of the end walls, preventing damage of the end walls and the base, and ensuring safety of workers. The integral buffering apparatus includes a cylinder housing including a space for accommodating oil; a slider disposed in the space to be movable in a length direction of the cylinder housing and to divide the space into a first space and a second space; first oil channels and a second oil channel for connecting the first space and the second space to each other.
US08397928B2	Wood barrel, production method thereof and machine for implementing same A barrel made of wood, in particular oak wood, for containing a liquid, such as wine, the barrel comprising a hollow body closed by two barrel heads, each barrel head comprising an assembly of substantially rectangular wooden battens assembled parallel to one another via facing lateral faces, the barrel being characterized in that the adjacent lateral faces (101, 201) of two assembled-together battens (100, 200) are in intimate leaktight contact, with fibers of the wood of each of said battens being tangled together and held in a matrix of fused intercellular materials.
US08397927B2	Break-open valve for a container The break-open valve (1) for a container (21) comprises a break-away element (4) which can be twisted off by turning an activator (3). The valve (1) can be used for hermetically sealing a container (21) until its first opening and also for making it tamper-evident. The activator (3) is rotatably affixed to the valve head (2). The activator (3) comprises an inserted disk (16) with at least one opening (10) and a socket (5) which engages the break-away element (4). The activator (3) further comprises a membrane (17) which protects the contents within the activator (3) from contaminants entering through spout (18). The valve (1) has the advantage that it is cost efficient in its production, that it is easy to use and that it is suitable for dispensing sterile contents in more than one dose.
US08397918B2	Multiple flat disc type pump and hydrocyclone A separator for separating a first component and a second component from within a mixed fluid includes a plurality of discs, a separator chamber, and a disc rotator. The discs are spaced apart along a disc axis The separator chamber encircles the plurality of discs. The disc rotator rotates the plurality of discs about the disc axis relative to the separator chamber. The separator chamber includes a chamber inlet that receives the mixed fluid, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The disc rotator rotates the plurality of discs about the disc axis so that the mixed fluid is spun around the separator chamber about the disc axis to separate the heavier second component from the first component. The first component is directed out of the separator through the first outlet and the second component is directed out of separator through the second outlet.
US08397917B2	Semiconductor wafer container A wafer-retaining unit has a plurality of vertically superimposed single-wafer retaining sections, each having a wafer-retaining frame abutting against only a lower end edge portion of the outer periphery of a semiconductor wafer, a wafer-securing frame disposed vertically movably relative to the wafer-retaining frame to abut against only an upper end edge portion of the outer periphery of the semiconductor wafer, and wafer lift members that lift the semiconductor wafer to a position where it is upwardly separate from the wafer-retaining frame and keeps the semiconductor wafer in this position. Consequently, a plurality of semiconductor wafers can be accommodated efficiently and safely without increasing the space between each pair of mutually adjacent semiconductor wafers. At the same time, the semiconductor wafers can be loaded and unloaded satisfactorily.
US08397915B2	Rigid case with integrated pet waste bag dispenser, storage system and accessories storage A pet waste disposal system incorporates a rear molding having an interior volume for a rear compartment and includes a bag roll containment chamber moiety adjacent an aperture in a bottom wall. A center molding has an extrusion received in a circumferential lip of the rear molding in a closed position and provides a center wall. The center molding also includes a bag roll containment chamber mating moiety extending from the center wall for engagement of the bag roll containment chamber moiety of the rear molding in the closed position. The extrusion houses a second interior volume for a portion of a forward compartment. A front molding has a sealing surface to engage a front sealing surface on the center molding. The front molding is closely received against the center molding in a closed position opposite the rear molding. A first closure element releasably secures the rear molding and center molding in the closed position and a second closure element releasably secures the center molding and front molding in the closed position.
US08397914B1	Heat shrunk, manually openable flexible film package The present disclosure is concerned with heat shrunk sealed packages of flexible transparent thermoplastic film that easily opened by peeling. It involves lowering the peel strength of the heat seal between the two films used to form the package by providing one of them with a frangible layer by contaminating a layer with an incompatible polymer and providing a set of graspable tabs, one on each of the films, with which to initiate peeling of the heat seal. The tabs are heat set so that they do not shrink with the rest of the package. In a preferred embodiment, the package is provided with a second heat seal just inside the perimeter of the first and a stress concentrator, which may be a chevron, at the juncture of heat set tabs which lie with one atop the other with the first heat seal.
US08397913B2	Shipping package with end retainer and method therefor A shipping package includes a can body having an interior volume and at least one closable end, an end closure closably engaging the closable end of the can body having a recessed portion adapted to fit within a portion of the can body adjacent the closable end, and a disposable reinforcing member corresponding to at least a portion of the recessed portion of the end closure secured adjacent to an exterior surface of the recessed portion.
US08397912B1	Rotary toolbox A rotary toolbox includes a box body defining a first opening and a second opening, a hollow shaft mounted in the box body in communication with the first opening and having a third opening on the periphery, a locking member having a first protruding rod inserted through the third opening, a compression spring stopped against the locking member, a tool tray having a through hole pivotally coupled to the hollow shaft and a first locating groove disposed in the through hole and providing a carrier portion, a spiral spring connected between the box body and the tool tray. After pressing the locking member to move the first protruding rod out of the locating groove, the spiral spring will bias the tool tray to carry the carrier portion to the second opening for allowing the user to store tool parts or to pick up storage tool parts.
US08397911B1	Asymmetrical locking tube A protective tubing assembly having male and female connectors integrally formed along its exterior surface and an asymmetrical cross-section with additional wall thickness in the non-connector cross section regions is provided by the present invention. Cooperating, substantially flat exterior bearing surfaces may also be formed along the exterior surface of the tubing. The tubing can be wound into coiled alignment with the male and female connectors securing adjacent coils together, and the additional wall thickness regions in the asymmetrical cross-sectional reducing unwanted twisting of the tubing that would otherwise lead to individual coils rising from their original, substantially planar coiled alignment. An extrusion manufacturing process with special inner and outer dies is also provided.
US08397902B1	Apparatus for conveying bulk materials A belt conveyor system is provided. Belt conveyor system comprises a belt conveyor comprising a first end and a second end. Belt conveyor system also comprises a first hopper located at the first end for loading bulk material onto the belt conveyor. Belt conveyor system also comprises a dispersion assembly on the second end, the dispersion assembly projects and radially disperses the bulk material onto a pile. Also provided is a belt conveyor apparatus for projecting bulk material onto a pile having a smooth profile. The belt conveyor apparatus comprises a dispersion assembly located at an unload end of a conveyor, the dispersion assembly comprises a dispersion roller and a structure for positioning the dispersion roller relative to the conveyor.
US08397901B2	Extendable boom brake apparatus and system An extendable boom conveyor system and method. The extendable boom system includes first and second boom elements, an operator control, and a controller. The first boom element includes a brake mechanism, which includes a pin configured to be positioned in an engaged position and a disengaged position. The second boom element includes a feature configured to engage the pin in the engaged position and prevent motion of the first boom element relative to the second boom element in at least a first direction. The controller is configured to receive an operator signal from the operator control and activate the brake mechanism responsive to the operator signal.
US08397886B2	Torque transmission device A torque transmission device (10), comprising a pump shell (12), a turbine shell (14) that is drivable by the pump shell, and a torsion vibration damper (11). The torsion vibration damper includes a damper input component (18) and a damper output component (20), wherein a vibration absorber (24) is configured on the damper output component.
US08397885B2	Magneto-rheological fluid brake A magneto-rheological fluid brake includes a housing, a non-magnetically permeable separating ring, a plurality of magnetically permeable blocks, a plurality of magnetically permeable bars, an axle, an upper magnetically permeable block, a lower magnetically permeable block, and a magneto-rheological fluid. The magneto-rheological fluid is surrounded by a plurality of coils and a plurality of pole coils for increasing the area of magnetic permeability of the magneto-rheological fluid subjected to an applied magnetic field. Accordingly, the magneto-rheological fluid brake demonstrates an enhanced braking force and is free from a complete failure of the braking force.

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