最新美国发明专利第2013-04-23期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08426136B2	Epigenetic modifications at TNFα as biomarkers for sensitivity to Smac mimetic-induced apoptosis The invention provides a method for determining sensitivity of a cell population to apoptosis induced by Smac mimetics as a single agent or in combination with other chemodrugs, which method comprises assaying for an epigenetic modification at the TNFα locus in the cell population as compared to the TNFα locus in a cell population not sensitive to apoptosis induced by Smac mimetics as a single agent or in combination with other chemodrugs, wherein the presence of the epigenetic modification indicates that the cell population is sensitive to apoptosis induced by Smac mimetics as a single agent or in combination with other chemodrugs.
US08426134B2	Recombinase polymerase amplification This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. Further disclosed are conditions to enable real-time monitoring of RPA reactions, methods to regulate RPA reactions using light and otherwise, methods to determine the nature of amplified species without a need for gel electrophoresis, methods to improve and optimize signal to noise ratios in RPA reactions, methods to optimize oligonucleotide primer function, methods to control carry-over contamination, and methods to employ sequence-specific third ‘specificity’ probes. Further described are novel properties and approaches for use of probes monitored by light in dynamic recombination environments.
US08426131B2	Method for screening candidate compounds for antitumor drug Investigation on the frequency of FLT3/ITD found in various blood cancers has revealed that the frequency is high in acute myeloblastic leukemia in particular. Studies on the effects of FLT3/ITD in the blood cell lines revealed that the tyrosine residues in FLT3/ITD is constitutively phosphorylated in these cell lines and that blood cells into which FLT3/ITD is introduced show IL-3 independent proliferation. Moreover, the blood cells into which FLT3/ITD is introduced are found to be capable of forming tumors and inhibit cell differentiation. The inventors have found that it is possible to screen for pharmaceutical compounds against tumors by using inhibition of these FLT3/ITD functions as an index.
US08426129B2	Method for typing HLA alleles The present invention relates to the typing of HLA alleles. The sequence of exon 2 and exon 3 of the alleles HLA-B3913, HLA-B1406 and HLA-B51new and of exon 2 of the alleles HLA-DRB10820, HLA-DRB104new and HLA-DRB401new are disclosed. The present invention relates to methods for typing of the alleles HLA-B3913, HLA-B1406 and HLA-B*51new. The present invention further provides primers and probes to be used in the methods for typing. A diagnostic kit comprising these primers and probes is also part of the present invention.
US08426126B2	Modified surfaces as solid supports for nucleic acid purification The invention relates to methods of separating polynucleotides, such as DNA, RNA and PNA, from solutions containing polynucleotides by reversibly binding the polynucleotides to a solid surface, such as a magnetic microparticle.
US08426125B2	Method of pretreating specimen and immunoassay using the same The present invention provides a method of pretreating a specimen, which allows measurement according to an immunoassay to be carried out on a specimen from nasal secretion while preventing non-specific reactions. According to this method, the specimen from nasal secretion is treated with a protease beforehand and then an immunoassay is performed. As the protease, it is preferable to use semi-alkaline protease (EC 3.4.21.63). Furthermore, it is preferable that a substance to be pretreated by the pretreatment method according to the present invention is an influenza virus contained in the specimen from nasal secretion. The immunoassay preferably is an immunoagglutination assay. Examples of the immunoagglutination assay include a turbidimetric immunoassay, a latex turbidimetric immunoassay, and a latex agglutination assay that is performed on a slide glass.
US08426124B2	Two-step temperature profile for the propagation of viruses The present invention provides a method for the production of a virus. The method includes providing a host cell that has been infected by the virus and cultivating the infected host cell at two different temperatures. The virus produced by the cultivation steps is subsequently collected. By using the dual temperature cultivation process, high titer and improved purity can be obtained.
US08426123B2	Method for conducting an assay for neutralizing antibodies A method for conducting a neutralization assay for the determination of the titer of antibodies in a sample is provided which is an improvement over existing neutralization assays because the sensitivity of the reporter gene assay to determine neutralization is increased by the use of a “one time use” cell line transformed with a reporter gene construct. The titer is determined for antibodies specific for a predetermined target molecule that activates the signal transduction activity of a cell surface protein or a pattern recognition receptor or are specific for an antagonist for the predetermined target molecule.
US08426122B2	Method and device for identification of nucleated red blood cells from a maternal blood sample A method for concentrating and isolating nucleated cells, such as a maternal and fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBC's), in a maternal whole blood sample. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for preparing to analyze and analyzing the sample for identification of fetal genetic material as part of prenatal genetic testing. The invention also pertains to methods and apparatus for discriminating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal nucleated red blood cells obtained from a blood sample taken from a pregnant woman.
US08426118B2	Method of forming pitch multiplied contacts Methods of forming electrically conductive and/or semiconductive features for use in integrated circuits are disclosed. Various pattern transfer and etching steps can be used, in combination with pitch-reduction techniques, to create densely-packed features. The features can have a reduced pitch in one direction and a wider pitch in another direction. Conventional photo-lithography steps can be used in combination with pitch-reduction techniques to form elongate, pitch-reduced features such as bit-line contacts, for example.
US08426117B2	Mask pattern forming method, fine pattern forming method, and film deposition apparatus In a mask pattern forming method, a resist film is formed over a thin film, the resist film is processed into resist patterns having a predetermined pitch by photolithography, slimming of the resist patterns is performed, and an oxide film is formed on the thin film and the resist patterns after an end of the slimming step in a film deposition apparatus by supplying a source gas and an oxygen radical or an oxygen-containing gas. In the mask pattern forming method, the slimming and the oxide film forming are continuously performed in the film deposition apparatus.
US08426105B2	Resist-modifying composition and pattern forming process A patterning process includes (1) coating a first positive resist composition onto a substrate, baking, exposing, post-exposure baking, and alkali developing to form a first resist pattern, (2) coating a resist-modifying composition onto the first resist pattern and heating to effect modifying treatment, and (3) coating a second positive resist composition, baking, exposing, post-exposure baking, and alkali developing to form a second resist pattern. The resist-modifying composition comprises a carbamate compound and a solvent.
US08426099B2	Colored resin particles, manufacturing method of the colored resin particles and toner for electrostatically charged image development Colored resin particles, each includes: a resin; and a colorant, wherein a value of average equivalent circle diameter A (μm) of the colored resin particles is 3≦A≦6, an average degree of circularity B of the colored resin particles satisfies the following expression (1), and 0.990−0.0083A≦B≦1.021−0.0117A (1) a cumulative number frequency of particles which have degrees of circularity of less than 0.9 in the colored resin particles is 1% or less.
US08426095B2	Toner Disclosed is a decolorable toner containing a binder resin and a coloring agent which contains a color former compound and a color developing agent and has a capsule structure such that it is covered with an outer shell, and having a volume average particle diameter of from 5.0 to 15.0 μm and a number-based particle size distribution CV of 35% or less.
US08426093B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and image-forming apparatus An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a photosensitive layer provided including a first functional layer including a compound represented by the following Formula (I). In Formula (I), F represents an n-valent organic group having hole transportation ability; R1, R2, and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a monovalent organic group; L represents a divalent organic group; n represents an integer of 1 to 4; and j represents an integer of 0 or 1.
US08426082B2	Programmable self-aligning liquid magnetic nanoparticle masks and methods for their use Magnetic nanoparticle masks for lithographic applications of a substrate and methods for producing such masks via defining regions of localized magnetic field maxima and minima on a substrate are provided. Also provided are methods for producing multi-component patterns on a substrate with the magnetic nanoparticle masks.
US08426081B2	Polybenzoxazine-based compound, electrolyte membrane including the same, and fuel cell employing the electrolyte membrane A method of preparing an electrolyte membrane comprising a crosslinked object of a polybenzoxazine-based compound formed of a polymerized resultant product of a first monofunctional benzoxazine-based monomer or a second benzoxazine-based monomer multifunctional benzoxazine-based monomer with a crosslinkable compound.
US08426080B2	Gas replacement method of fuel cell, fuel cell system and device for fuel cell system A method of replacing a gas in a fuel cell system is provided, which comprises the steps of detecting that a fuel cartridge is connected to the fuel cell system having a fuel cell and supplying a fuel from the fuel cartridge on the basis of the detection to start replacement of gas in the fuel cell system. Thereby, a simple gas replacement method is provided for replacing the gas other than the fuel, which has entered the fuel cell system that is supplied with the fuel from the fuel cartridge, with the fuel. Especially, a user does not have to perform the gas replacement operation manually. The gas replacement can be automatically performed.
US08426078B2	Manufacturing of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies incorporating photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin gasket A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.
US08426077B2	Proton conductors Proton conductivity has been shown in acceptor-doped rare earth orthoniobates and tantalates (LnNbO4 and LnTaO4) at high temperatures and in a humid atmosphere. The use of the materials as an electrolyte in a laboratory-scale fuel cell and water vapor sensor has been demonstrated. Results for Ca-doped LaNbO4 are given as examples.
US08426076B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a fuel delivery system distributing fuel to an anode side of the MEA, and a flow distributor delivering an oxidizer to a cathode side of the MEA. The flow distributor includes at least one serpentine channel through which the oxidizer is delivered to the cathode side of the MEA. Each portion of the serpentine channel delivers oxidizer to a portion of the cathode side of the MEA in contact, directly or through a porous diffuser, with the channel portion. The channel portion transfers water with the portion of the MEA in contact with the channel portion and also transfers water between adjacent channel portions via a water-permeable, gas impermeable material that defines at least a portion of the channel.
US08426074B2	Solid oxide fuel cell A solid oxide fuel cell capable of extending the time period over which initial rated output power is maintained, while restraining increases in running cost. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell (1), having a fuel cell module (2) furnished with multiple fuel cell units, a fuel supply device (38), an oxidant gas supply device (45), and a controller (110) for controlling the amount of fuel supplied; the controller is furnished with a degradation determining circuit (110a) for determining degradation, and a fuel correction circuit (110b) for correcting the fuel supply amount based on the degradation determination; when it is determined that the fuel cell module has degraded, the fuel correction circuit executes a correction so that rated output power is maintained, and when the predetermined correction switching condition is satisfied, the fuel correction circuit executes a correction to reduce the fuel cell module rated output power.
US08426071B2	Method and apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream An apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream. The apparatus includes an elongated housing having a cylindrical inner surface and a gas stream inlet that is tangential to the side wall of the housing so as to cause the entering gas stream to swirl within the housing. A gas stream outlet is located at the top of the housing and a liquid outlet at the bottom. The gas stream outlet can include an elongated tubular member that extends into the housing and has an opening that is located below the housing gas stream inlet. Liquid components of the gas stream separate from the stream under the influence of centrifugal forces that are created by the swirling flow path of the stream within the housing. A liquid outlet and liquid outlet valve are provided for maintaining a minimum level of liquid within the housing so as to maintain a liquid seal within the housing. A level indicator may optionally be provided to monitor the liquid level within the housing. A power generation apparatus having two or more of the separators for separating liquid from fuel cell and fuel processor streams. Methods for manufacturing an apparatus for removing liquid from a gas stream and methods for separating liquid from a gas stream are also provided.
US08426069B2	Battery having a belt-like separator A battery of this invention includes: a separator which is folded in a zigzag manner, thereby forming a layered structure having at least one first-electrode holding part and at least one second-electrode holding part which are alternately aligned; a first electrode accommodated in the first-electrode holding part; and a second electrode accommodated in the second-electrode holding part. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has at least one protruding part. The first electrode is connected to a first terminal, and the second electrode is connected to second terminal.
US08426068B2	Metal foil for secondary battery and secondary battery A metal foil for secondary battery generating less cutting chips at the time of forming an opening and allowed to have a higher aperture ratio without reducing strength and a secondary battery in which short circuit caused by generation of electrode debris can be suppressed are provided. A metal foil 1 for secondary battery is provided with a metal thin plate 2, plural first convex portions 3A formed on a first principal surface 2a of the thin plate 2 by plastic forming and plural second convex portions 3B formed on a second principal surface 2b opposite to the first principal surface 2a by the plastic forming, wherein the convex portions 3A and 3B each have an opening 31 of which aperture plane 31a is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the principal surfaces 2a and the 2b.
US08426064B2	Composite material for positive electrode of lithium battery The present invention provides a composite material for positive electrodes of lithium batteries, which provides a lithium battery having excellent high rate electrical discharge characteristics, has a sufficiently secured diffusion passage for Li, and has high conductivity, a process for producing the same, as well as a positive electrode and a battery using the composite material for positive electrodes of lithium batteries. The present invention relates to a composite material for positive electrodes of lithium batteries, comprising composite particles containing positive electrode active material particles and fibrous carbons, wherein the composite particles have a form in which the positive electrode active material particles are supported by the fibrous carbons.
US08426061B2	Nitride and carbide anode materials Described is an anode material which is a transition metal nitride or carbide in form of nanoparticles, preferably a nitride or carbide with one nitrogen or carbon per metal, and especially a nitride or carbide having rock salt structure. A preferred anode material is vanadium nitride, in particular carbon coated vanadium nitride having a mean particle size of <500 nm. Embedded in an electrically conducting environment, such nanoparticulate material, in particular the vanadium nitride shows exceptional good charging-discharging cycle stability.
US08426059B2	Electrochemical cell having an electrically insulated housing An electrochemical cell including a housing configured to receive a cell element. The housing has an electrically-insulating material including metal oxide particles provided on at least a portion of an inner surface thereof to prevent electrical contact between the housing and the cell element. A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell including applying an electrically-insulating material including metal oxide particles to an inner surface of a housing for an electrochemical cell and inserting a cell element into the housing.
US08426058B2	Metal-resin composite and method A metal-resin composite comprises a metal substrate with concavities in the surface, a first coating layer on the surface of the metal substrate, a second coating layer on the first coating layer, and a third coating layer on the second coating layer. The first coating layer fills the concavities and covers the surface of the substrate.
US08426056B2	Power supply device A power supply device, which is simply assembled and in which a cell assembly and a measuring section are freely inserted and detached, is provided. A power supply device 1 includes a cell assembly 2, a plurality of first bus bars 51, a plate 3 to which the plurality of bus bars 51 are attached. The plate is overlapped on the cell assembly 2. The cell assembly 2 has a plurality of cells 21 respectively including positive electrodes 23 at one ends and negative electrodes 24 at the other ends. The first bus bars 51 connect the positive electrodes 23 of the one cells 21 to the negative electrodes 24 of the other cells 21 of the cell assembly 2 which are mutually adjacent when the plate 3 is overlapped or overlaid on the cell assembly 2. The power supply device 1 includes a positioning unit 71 that relatively positions the cell assembly 2 to the plate 3 and a guide unit 72 that guides the plurality of first bus bars 51 to positions where the first bus bars 51 connect the respectively corresponding positive electrodes 23 to the negative electrodes 24 when the plate 3 is attached to the cell assembly 2.
US08426054B2	Laminated porous film and separator for cell A laminated porous film having a shutdown (SD) property and a high breakdown (BD) property combined includes at least two layers, which are a porous membrane layer (A layer) having a thickness of 10 μm or greater other than non-woven fabric and a non-woven fabric layer (B layer) having a fiber diameter of 1 μm or less. A value of the ratio (AP1/AP2) between air permeability when heating at a heating temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. for three minutes (AP1) and air permeability prior to heating (AP2) is 10 or greater at any heating temperature between 150° C. and 200° C.
US08426052B2	Li-ion battery with porous anode support An electrochemical cell in one embodiment includes a first electrode, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, the second electrode including, a current collector, an electrically conducting rigid support frame electrically connected to the current collector, and an active material coated to the rigid support frame.
US08426050B2	Battery module having cooling manifold and method for cooling battery module A battery module having a cooling manifold is provided. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cell assemblies having a plurality of heat exchangers. The battery module further includes the cooling manifold operably coupled to the plurality of battery cell assemblies. The cooling manifold has a manifold portion and a cover plate. The manifold portion has a peripheral wall, a rear wall coupled to the peripheral wall, and a flow diverter. The peripheral wall has a top portion with an inlet aperture extending therethrough. The rear wall has a plurality of outlet apertures extending therethrough. The cover plate is coupled to the peripheral wall opposite to the rear wall. The flow diverter extends from the rear wall and is disposed below the inlet aperture. The flow diverter is configured to receive fluid from the inlet aperture and to divert the fluid so that a substantially equal flow rate of the fluid is obtained through each outlet aperture of the plurality of outlet apertures to a respective heat exchanger of the plurality of heat exchanger for cooling the plurality of battery cell assemblies.
US08426048B2	Battery pack, electronic apparatus equipped with the same and electronic apparatus equipped with battery housing part A battery pack including at least a battery and a casing for accommodating the battery, in which the casing has a ventilation hole communicating with the outside of the casing, and a mesh member made of metal for covering at least the ventilation hole is provided at the side surface of the casing. Preferably, the mesh member is coated with an insulating resin.
US08426047B2	Multi-series battery control system A multi-series battery control system comprises battery cell groups each having a plurality of serially connected battery cells, a plurality of integrated circuits each disposed in correspondence to one of the battery cell groups and a battery control device that exchanges signals with the individual integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit includes an address setting means that receives a message unique to the integrated circuit, different from messages sent to other integrated circuits, from the battery control device, writes over an initialized address of the integrated circuit with the message and alters the message to a message with which an initialized address of another integrated circuit cannot be overwritten in a step assigned with an ordinal number matching the position of the integrated circuit with regard to the connection order.
US08426043B2	Boron suboxide composite materials The invention provides a boron suboxide composite material comprising boron suboxide and a secondary phase, wherein the secondary phase contains a boride. The boride may be selected from the borides of transition metals of the fourth to eighth groups of the periodic table. Particularly, the boride may be selected from the borides of iron, cobalt, nickel, titanium, tungsten, hafnium, tantalum, zirconium, rhenium, molybdenum or chromium. The boride also may be a platinum group metal boride, preferably palladium boride. The secondary phase also may contain one or more oxides.
US08426034B2	Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic appliance The cluster is formed in such a way that two molecules of arylamine compounds in each of which two arylamines each having one phenyl group and two aryl groups bonded with a nitrogen atom form a bisphenyl bond through the respective phenyl groups are arranged in parallel, thereby forming a dimolecular body and that the dimolecular body is coordinated to metal oxide. The light-emitting element has a layer including the cluster. A manufacturing method thereof includes the steps of vaporizing simultaneously metal oxide and an arylamine compound in which two arylamines each having one phenyl group and two aryl groups bonded with a nitrogen atom form a bisphenyl bond through the respective phenyl groups under vacuum and solidifying simultaneously the vaporized metal oxide and arylamine compound.
US08426032B2	Composite articles made by process for joining stainless steel part and silicon carbide ceramic part A process for joining a stainless steel part and a silicon carbide ceramic part comprising: providing a SUS part, a SiC ceramic part, a Mo foil and a Ni foil; depositing a nickel coating on a surface of the SiC ceramic part; placing the SiC ceramic part, the Mo foil, the Ni foil, and the SUS part into a mold, the Mo foil and the Ni foil located between the SiC ceramic part and the SUS part; placing the mold into a chamber of an hot press sintering device, heating the chamber and pressing the SUS part with the nickel coating, the SiC ceramic part, the Mo foil, and the Ni foil at least until the SUS part, the SiC ceramic part, the Mo foil and the Ni foil form a integral composite article.
US08426029B2	Metallic laminate and method for preparing the same The present invention provides a metallic laminate and a method for preparing the same. The metallic laminate includes a metal layer, and at least one polymide resin layer. The polymide resin layer has a modulus of elasticity of 70 Mpa at 400° C.
US08426027B2	Composition for coating plastic substrate, coating film formed therefrom, and formed body The present invention relates to a composition for coating a plastic substrate, a coating film formed therefrom and a molded body. The composition can form a coating film that exhibits favorable adhesion to plastic substrates, as well as excellent abrasion resistance and weather resistance. The coating film-forming components of the composition include silica particles having (meth)acryloyl groups, a hexafunctional or higher aliphatic urethane(meth)acrylate, and an active energy beam-curable compound having an alicyclic structure, wherein the amount of the silica particles is within a range from 1.0 to 40 mass %, relative to 100 mass % of the coating film-forming components.
US08426022B2	Coated leather A coated leather, in particular split cowhide leather, has a preferably nubuck-like appearing surface structure. The coating is formed with a surface layer formed with a mechanically and moisture-stable polymer and bonded to the surface of the leather or split leather by a polymer-based bonding layer. The outer layer is notable for inner smoothness and is formed with soft polyurethane. It includes in the non-embossed region microdepressions which are essentially closed in the direction of the leather but are open towards the outside, have an internal width of less than 130 μm and are arranged close-packed to each other in the manner of soapy foam cells. The microdepressions are each separately bounded by thin mutually crosslinked stays which have on the outside a matt or finely fibrous fine-roughness structure surface, and have an essentially semispherical-shaped concave inner surface which faces outward and is smooth. The coating may include two or more layers that are riveted to each other by way of pins or the like that are anchored in pores.
US08426021B2	D 1364 BT secondary coatings on optical fiber The invention relates to a Radiation Curable Secondary Coating composition for use on an Optical Fiber. The Radiation Curable Secondary Coating composition is a urethane-free Alpha Oligomer prepared by reaction of the following: (a) an acrylate compound selected from an alcohol-containing acrylate or alcohol-containing methacrylate compound, (b) an anhydride compound, (c) an epoxy-containing compound, (d) optionally an extender compound, and (e) optionally a catalyst. The invention also relates to a coated wire and to a coated optical fiber.
US08426011B2	Marking based on chiral liquid crystal polymers A liquid crystal polymer marking is obtainable by a process that comprises applying a chiral liquid crystal precursor composition onto a substrate, heating the composition to a bring same to a chiral liquid crystal state, locally applying at least one modifying agent to modify the chiral liquid crystal state, and curing and/or polymerization the resultant product. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08426010B2	Structural element A structural element includes a continuous layer comprising a set of first main-faces defining a first surface and a set of second main-faces defining a second surface and the continuous layer extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein along a first direction, the first main-faces and the second main-faces alternate in order and are connected by first side-faces, along a second direction different from the first direction, the first main-faces and the second main-faces alternate in order and are connected by second side-faces, and along a third direction different from the first direction and different from the second direction, a pair of neighboring first main-faces is connected by a first bridge-face, and the first bridge-face is connected to neighboring second main-faces by first bridge-side-faces.
US08426006B2	Method for manufacturing an object from a sandwich structure having a reinforced corner and an object of this type An exemplary method for manufacturing and reinforcing a corner in an object made from a sandwich structure, having a thermoplastic core layer (18), which is arranged between two cover layers (16), at least one of which is a plastic cover layer, which method includes the steps of: producing an object including a corner between two object parts; positioning a thermoplastic core part (24) and an additional fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer (26) in the corner, which thermoplastic core part has a shape adapted to the corner, in such a manner that the additional fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer (26) substantially covers the exposed surface of the core part (24); and connecting a cover layer (16) of the sandwich structure to the additional fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer (26).
US08426005B2	Optical information recording medium A super-resolution optical information recording medium comprises a super-resolution layer and a recording layer which are laminated on a support substrate, wherein the super-resolution layer is provided with properties consisting of a first state to maintain a solid phase against irradiation of a laser beams, and a second state to become a liquid layer state against irradiation of a laser beam onto a recording mark on the recording layer to thereby change an optical constant. The optical constant is determined so that a ratio of a super-resolution signal intensity obtained at a second state region against a background light interference intensity obtained at a first state region is at least 1.8, and a ratio of the super-resolution signal intensity obtained at the second state region against a disk noise intensity obtained at first and second state regions is at least 0.16.
US08426001B2	Welding alignment and spacing article A welding alignment and spacing article is provided for forming a welding gap between two structures to be welded together. The article includes a body having first and second surfaces that are spaced from each other at a selected spacing distance to define a region of selected body thickness. The body is formed from a non-metallic degradable body material in the region that can be wholly or partially degraded by exposure to a degrading agent to reduce the body thickness. The body is also formed from a non-degradable body material in the region. The degradable body material and the non-degradable body material are sufficiently incompressible to be useable as a spacer that maintains a specified welding gap distance between the two structures to be welded.
US08426000B2	Customizable container identification device The present disclosure provides a container identification device including a protective top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a marking layer secured to the bottom surface of the protective top layer, wherein a mark is made on the marking layer when a corresponding impression is made on the protective top layer. The container identification device further includes an adhesive layer secured to the marking layer.
US08425998B2	Fixing system A fixing system has at least one adhesion closure part (9) which can be fixed by its fixing side (7) onto the free side (19) of a fixing part (11). The other functional side of the fixing part is at least partially provided with an active substance (15) which can be activated. When activated, the substance forms a fixing connection with the fixing side (5) of a third part (1,3).
US08425997B2	Cobalt bearing polymeric compositions The invention relates to polymeric cobalt bearing compounds, in particular for use as metal-rubber adhesion promoters (RAPs) in tires, belts and hoses. Known active substances are a.o. cobalt stearates, naphthenates, resinates, decanoates, boro-decanoates and many other forms of acylates. While these substances appear to enhance the metal-rubber adhesion, all of them also come with significant drawbacks, a.o. linked to the relatively high bioavailability of cobalt in these substances. The invention concerns more particularly a polymer comprising Co-carboxylate sequences, with a Co content of at least 3% by weight, and with a mean molecular weight of more than 2000. Several synthesis methods, allowing to reach relatively high Co concentrations in the polymer, illustrate the invention. The invented polymers show a strongly reduced bioavailability of Co compared to currently available products, as demonstrated by aqueous leaching tests. As RAPs, they perform similarly to commercial products, as shown by pullout tests.
US08425996B2	Indicators for detecting the presence of metabolic byproducts from microorganisms Polymeric indicator films and pH indicating wraps are provided for visually monitoring, detecting, and/or determining the presence of metabolic byproducts from harmful or potentially harmful microorganisms. Also provided are methods of use and preparation of the polymeric indicator films.
US08425995B2	Disposable yard debris bundling device with drawstrings A high strength disposable debris bundling device including a sheet-like main body having a plurality of drawstrings running generally parallel and in spaced relation through separate channels associated with the wrap. The drawstrings preferably comprise elongate flexible thin rope or cord-like structures that run through hem channels formed in the wrap and function to compact and secure the debris in bundle with the wrap disposed in surrounding relation therewith. Providing at least 4 drawstrings allows the wrap to be pulled tightly around the debris and secured in contoured surrounding relation therewith. The wrap preferably has a length of approximately 4.0 feet so as to conform to modern trash removal standards and regulations. Handles are provided to assist in handling the wrapped debris bundle.
US08425994B2	Web and method for making fluid filled units A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. In one embodiment, the web is configured such that a gap forms between each pair of adjacent pouches when the pouches are inflated. In one embodiment, an inflation edge of the web comprises a frangible connection that allows the inflation edge to be broken by an unsharpened object.
US08425992B2	Continuous diorama Diorama having a focal zone and a plurality of inclined panels on which different areas of a two-dimensional image are displayed. The panels are disposed about the focal zone, which can be an area, a line, or a point, and the image flows continuously between the panels with no physical seams between areas of the image displayed on adjacent ones of the panels. The panels are rotated away from a seam line that extends between the focal zone and an outer edge of the image, and outwardly diverging edges of the panels along edges of the image created by the rotation are brought together along the seam line to tilt the panels to their inclined positions and create an enhanced perspective effect.
US08425989B2	Photoalignment material and method of manufacturing display substrate using the same A photoalignment material and a method of manufacturing of a display substrate using the photoalignment material are disclosed. The photoalignment material includes a photoalignment polymer, a photoalignment additive, and an organic solvent. When the photoalignment additive is used, a side reaction due to ultraviolet (UV) light may be prevented, and the stability of alignment layer may be improved.
US08425987B2	Surface charge enhanced atomic layer deposition of pure metallic films A method including applying an electric charge to a substrate in a chamber; introducing an organometallic substituent into the chamber, the organometallic substituent including a metal ligand and an organic ligand; and depositing a metal film by reducing the metal ligand of the organometallic substituent. A method including applying a removable electric charge to a substrate; in the presence of the applied electric charge, introducing an organometallic substituent into the chamber, the organometallic substituent including a metal ligand and an organic ligand; and depositing a metal film by reducing the metal ligand of the organometallic substituent. A method including introducing an organometallic substituent into the chamber, the organometallic substituent including a metal ligand and an organic ligand; and depositing a metal film by reducing the metal ligand of the organometallic substituent with an externally applied electric charge.
US08425986B2	Composite nanostructure solid acid fuel cell electrodes via electrospray deposition The present invention provides a method of preparing a nanostructure material on a substrate. The method includes spraying an aqueous solution from a capillary to the substrate, wherein the aqueous solution includes an electrolyte and an alcohol. The method also includes applying an electrical bias between the capillary and the substrate, such that the electrolyte deposits on the substrate forming the nanostructure material. The present invention also provides the nanostructure material prepared by this method.
US08425984B2	Multilayer film and manufacturing method thereof According to a manufacturing method of a multilayer film according to one aspect of the present invention, at the step of applying a coating liquid prepared by dissolving a plurality of monomers or polymers in at least one solvent onto a substrate and subsequently drying the coating liquid, the solvent is allowed to penetrate into the substrate at a specified speed. This causes concentration distribution of the solvent within the coated layer in the thickness direction thereof, and thus a multilayer film separated into an upper layer and a lower layer can be formed by one coating. Accordingly, a multilayer film having a different function in each layer can be formed by one coating.
US08425982B2	Methods of improving long range order in self-assembly of block copolymer films with ionic liquids Methods for fabricating arrays of nanoscaled alternating lamellar or cylinders in a polymer matrix having improved long range order utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08425979B2	Maskant free diffusion coating process Selected areas of a component are covered with a maskant chamber during a coating process to protect the areas from the coating vapor. The covered areas are further protected by a flow of an inert gas in the maskant chamber.
US08425977B2	Substrate processing chamber with off-center gas delivery funnel Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are disclosed herein. The process chamber includes a chamber body, a substrate support pedestal, a pump port and a gas injection funnel. The chamber body has an inner volume and the substrate support pedestal is disposed in the inner volume of the chamber body. The pump port is coupled to the inner volume and is disposed off-center from a central axis of the substrate support pedestal. The pump port provides azimuthally non-uniform pumping proximate to a surface of the substrate support pedestal and creates localized regions of high pressure and low pressure within the inner volume during use. The gas injection funnel is disposed in a ceiling of the chamber body and opposite the substrate support pedestal. The gas injection funnel is offset from the central axis of the substrate support pedestal and is disposed in a region of low pressure.
US08425969B2	Cooking oil composition with additive to reduce oil absorption An extract derives from plant parts of Rutaceae plant family to be incorporated into a cooking oil composition for reducing oil adsorption into food fried in the cooking oil composition thereof.
US08425963B2	Method for extracting a beverage from a capsule The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap (16) having a first part (2), a second part (3) which is movable with respect to the second part (2) which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part having the cap guiding elements (6, 7) which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert the cap by gravity force and position it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system (19) in which the second movable part (3) displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.
US08425959B2	Apparatus and process for producing a dough product topped with assorted toppings and a dough product Apparatus and process for producing a flat dough product, in particular a pizza, topped with assorted toppings, is provided with a plurality of topping dispensers and at least one movable positioning mechanism, which is provided vertically below a plane spanned by the topping dispensers and to which a dough carrier is associated which may be supported such that it can rotate; the positioning mechanism actuated by an actuating mechanism to position the dough carrier underneath a topping dispenser to allow topping to be dispensed. The topping dispensers are arranged in a matrix configuration, distributed in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions x,y and the positioning mechanism is configured for positioning the dough carrier in the two mutually perpendicular spatial directions x,y corresponding to the matrix configuration. The topping dispensers are actuated passively to dispense topping by rotating the dough carrier and/or by means of the lifting mechanism.
US08425954B2	Canna and Shea topical cream A THC composition comprises cannabis leaves simmered in butter, which is then filtered and cooled, and then mixed with shea butter. The resulting compound is used for topical skin relief, sun protection for skin and other uses. The butter used for simmering the cannabis leaves may be cow butter, sheep butter, olive oil, cooking oil, and other compositions.
US08425953B2	Extract of Coptidis rhizoma and novel use thereof in treating respiratory disease A composition for suppressing cough, removing sputum, preventing and/or treating a respiratory disease comprising an extract of Coptidis rhizoma or a combined extract of Coptidis rhizoma with ivy leaf as an active ingredient, and a method of suppressing cough, removing sputum, and/or preventing and/or treating respiratory disease using the composition, are provided.
US08425950B1	Liquid mixture and methods for use A method of relieving pain includes topically applying a liquid mixture to an area of human skin. The liquid mixture includes an alcohol including concentrated ethanol, and at least one of a cannabis leaf, a cannabis stem, or a combination thereof. The method also includes absorbing the liquid mixture through the skin, providing reduced inflammation to the area, and providing increased blood flow to the area.
US08425947B2	Fibrinogen-based tissue adhesive containing an elastase inhibitor The present invention provides a fibrinogen-based tissue adhesive which contains an elastase inhibitor.
US08425942B2	Method for sterilizing unheated raw honey, a honey-based wound care preparation, a wound care treatment product, and a biscuit based on honey The invention relates to a method for sterilizing raw, unheated honey, wherein the raw, unheated honey is sterilized by ozonizing it by using an ozone generator. The invention also relates to a honey-based wound care preparation, wherein said preparation comprises raw, unheated ozonized honey that has been ozonized by a method according to the invention. The invention also relates to a wound care treatment product comprising a honey-based preparation, wherein the said wound care treatment product comprises a preparation according to the invention. Finally, the invention relates to a biscuit based on honey and food fibers and/or by-products of food fibers, wherein the biscuit is prepared from ozonized food fibers and/or by-products of food fibers and raw, unheated ozonized honey that has been ozonized by a method according to the invention.
US08425941B2	Powder cosmetic composition A powder cosmetic composition having satisfactory usability, cosmetic durability, adhesion properties to the skin, slip properties and smoothness comprising, as powder components (a) and (b): (a) a branched alkyl silicone-treated powder and (b) a composite silicone elastomer powder coated on all or part of the powder surface with at least one coating selected from the group consisting of clay minerals, resins, metal oxides and salts, in particular including 3 to 80 mass % of the component (a) and 1 to 30 mass % of the component (b).
US08425939B2	Remedy It is intended to provide a remedy for diseases caused by macrophages with dysfunction or mediated by macrophages. Namely, a remedy which activates the phagocytic capacity of macrophages and thus is efficiently incorporated into the macrophages due to the vigorous phagocytosis. As a result, the macrophages with dysfunction are normalized, macrophages infected with a pathogen are exterminated or a pathogen in the infected macrophages is exterminated.
US08425937B2	Pharmaceutical compositions for glucocorticoid replacement therapy The invention relates to glucocorticoid replacement therapy and provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits designed to deliver one or more glucocorticoids to a subject in need thereof in a manner that results in serum levels of the glucocorticoid that essentially mimic that of a healthy subject for a clinically relevant period of time. The pharmaceutical composition comprises one or more glucocorticoids, wherein a first part of one or more glucocorticoids is substantially immediately released and a second part of one or more glucocorticoids is released over an extended period of time of at least about 8 hours, and the amount of the one or more glucocorticoids of the first part, expressed as hydrocortisone equivalents, is in a range of from about 15 to about 50% of the total hydrocortisone equivalents. The invention also relates to a kit comprising a first and a second component, the first component designed to release one or more glucocorticoids substantially immediately and the second component is designed to release one or more glucocorticoids over an extended period of time of at least 8 hours. The invention also relates to a method for treating diseases requiring glucocorticoid treatment such as in subjects having a glucocorticoid deficiency disorder. In another aspect the invention relates to the use of a first and a second amount of one or more glucocorticoids for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition or kit for the treatment of a glucocorticoid deficiency disorder.
US08425936B2	Antibiotic product, use and formulation thereof An antibiotic product is comprised of at least three dosages forms, each of which has a different release profile, with the Cmax for the antibiotic product being reached in less than about twelve hours. In one embodiment, there is an immediate release dosage form, as well as two or more sustained release dosage forms, with each of the dosage forms having a different release profile, wherein each reaches a Cmax at different times.
US08425933B2	Abuse-resistant oral dosage forms and method of use thereof An opioid-antagonist oral dosage form which does not release a therapeutically effective amount of the opioid antagonist when the oral dosage form is orally administered to a human being, but whereby a physical alteration of the oral dosage form results in a release of the therapeutically effective amount of the opioid antagonist. An embodiment of the oral dosage form includes an opioid-antagonist layer coated onto a biologically inert pellet, and a non-releasing membrane coated onto the opioid-antagonist layer. Optionally, the oral dosage form can also include an opioid agonist, such that a method of preventing the abuse of an oral dosage form of an opioid agonist is provided by forming the oral dosage form including an opioid agonist and an opioid antagonist.
US08425931B2	Biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative The description provides a biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative including at least one modified hyaluronic acid repeating unit represented by the formula (HA)-[O(C═O)NH-M]p, wherein HA is a unit including N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid, M is a modifying moiety containing a C2-16 hydrocarbyl group, and p is an integer of 1 to 4.
US08425922B2	Adjuvant compositions and methods of use This disclosure provides adjuvant compositions that are capable of modulating the immune response in a subject. These adjuvant compositions may also be used enhance the immunogenicity of antigens. Also provided are methods of making the adjuvant compositions as well as methods of using the adjuvant compositions.
US08425916B2	Immunizing compositions and methods of use The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions.
US08425914B2	Methods for enhanced somatostatin immunogenicity in the treatment of obesity Compositions and methods are provided for treatment growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency in a patient in need of such treatment. Compositions and methods include novel vaccines that provide immunogenicity for somatostatin and result in the increased release of endogenously produced growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor 1.
US08425913B2	Immunogenic agents against Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei, comprising lipopolysaccharide, capsular polysaccharide and/or proteins from Burkholderia pseudomallei An immunogenic agent which comprises a killed strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei, or a combination of components thereof which combination produces a protective immune response in an animal to whom it is administered, and which comprises at least two members selected from the group consisting of (i) a lipopolysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei, (ii) a capsular polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei and (iii) a protein of Burkholderia pseudomallei or an immunogenic variant thereof or an immunogenic fragment of either of these, or a nucleic acid which expresses said protein, immunogenic variant or immunogenic fragment thereof in a host animal; for use in the prevention or treatment of infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei.
US08425912B2	Immunoconjugates with an intracellularly-cleavable linkage The invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various cancer cells containing a targeting moiety and a therapeutic moiety. The targeting and therapeutic moieties are linked via an acid cleavable linkage that increases therapeutic efficacy of the immunoconjugate.
US08425911B2	Methods of treating secondary bone tumors with antibodies against PDGFR alpha The invention provides methods of treating bone cancer, particularly metastatic bone cancer, by administering a PDGFR alpha antagonist. The invention further provides methods of treating a mammal with a neoplastic disease using the antibodies alone or in combination with other agents.
US08425907B2	Methods for treating pruritus by administering an antibody that specifically binds human PAR2 The present invention provides methods for treating pruritus by blocking human protease activated receptor-2 (PAR2) activity. The methods of the invention can be used to treat pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, burn scarring, hypertrophic scarring, keloids, renal failure or hepatic failure. The methods of the invention include administering an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds human PAR2.
US08425905B2	Antibodies directed against amyloid-beta peptide and methods using same Monoclonal antibody 9TL and antibodies derived from 9TL directed against amyloid-beta peptide and methods of using same for diagnosing and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Aβ peptide associated diseases are described. Methods of using antibodies directed against amyloid-beta peptide having impaired effector function for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Aβ peptide associated diseases are also described.
US08425903B2	Methods of treatment by administering antibodies to notch receptors The present invention relates to Notch-binding agents and Notch antagonists and methods of using the agents and/or antagonists for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of one or more human Notch receptor, such as Notch2 and/or Notch3, and inhibit tumor growth. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer, the methods comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.
US08425902B2	Monoclonal antibodies against claudin-18 for treatment of cancer The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing CLD18, including tumor-related diseases such as gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, hepatic cancer, head-neck cancer, cancer of the gallbladder, and the metastases thereof.
US08425897B2	Compositions containing LAG-3 and cells that secrete GM-CSF and methods of use The present invention relates to a method of enhancing anti-tumor protection in a mammal. More particularly, the invention is concerned with combinations comprising antigen presenting cell (APC) activators and a cytokine-secreting cell and methods of administering the combination for enhanced immune response to tumor cells in a patient with a cancer.
US08425896B2	Treatment of tumors with recombinant interferon alpha This invention provides a recombinant super-compound interferon or an equivalent thereof with changed spatial configuration. The super-compound interferon possesses anti-viral or anti-tumor activity and therefore is useful to prevent and treat viral diseases and cancers. This invention also provides an artificial gene which codes for the super-compound interferon or its equivalent. Finally, this invention provides methods to produce recombinant super-compound interferon or its equivalent and various uses of said interferon.
US08425894B2	Use of oligomers of lactic acid in the treatment of gynaecological disorders Use of the one or more oligomers of lactic acid with the following formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 2 to 25 such as, e.g., from 2 to 20, from 3 to 25, from 3 to 20, from 2 to 15, from 3 to 15, from 2 to 10, from 3 to 10, from 4 to 10, or from 4 to 9 or a lactic acid oligomeric product for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a disease or condition that benefit of an acidic environment especially a gynaecological infection such as a bacterial infection, such as bacterial vaginosis, unspecific colpitis, senile colpitis, cervicitis, and urethritis, a fungal infection, such as candidosis (Candida albicans), cryptococcosis, actinomycosis, or a viral infection, such as Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
US08425889B2	Cleansing composition There is provided a cleansing composition which has creamy foaming and excellent cleansing power, provides no stretched feeling of skin after rinsing and a refreshed feeling of skin, is excellent in storage stability and exhibits no reduction in physical properties, formation of precipitates and yellowing during a long-term storage period by combining N-acyl-aspartic acid or a salt thereof and N-acyl-diaspartic acid or a salt thereof, which have the same molecular structure of the N-acyl group, with a higher fatty acid or a salt thereof which has the same alkyl group as that of the above described N-acyl residue.
US08425884B2	O/W emulsified composition The present invention provides an O/W emulsified composition excellent in formulation stability, feeling in use, and UV protection ability. The emulsified composition according to the present invention is an O/W emulsified composition, wherein (i) a first oil phase and (ii) a second oil phase are dispersed separately in an aqueous phase, (i) the first oil phase having average particle size of 700 nm or less, comprising an organic UV absorber, and being formed with, as an emulsifier, a polyoxyethylene/polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether block polymer represented by formula (1) or (2): R1O—(PO)m-(EO)n-H (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 16 to 18 carbon atoms; PO is an oxypropylene group, EO is an oxyethylene group, and PO and EO are added to each other in block form; and m and n respectively represent average addition mole number of PO and EO, 70>m>4, 70>n>10, and n>m; and R2O-(AO)p-(EO)q-R3 (2) wherein R2 and R3 are either identical to or different from each other, and each of them is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; AO is an oxyalkylene group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, EO is an oxyethylene group, and AO and EO are added to each other in block form; and p and q respectively represent average addition mole number of AO and EO, 1≦p≦70, 1≦q≦70, and 0.2<(q/(p+q))<0.8, and (ii) the second oil phase comprising a silicone oil and being formed with, as an emulsifier, an alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer.
US08425877B2	Method for diagnosis of systemic sclerosis involving an anti-AT1-receptor antibody The present invention relates to a method for diagnosis of a disease selected from the group of diabetes, vasculitis, collagenosis, an inflammatory rheumatic disease and arteriosclerosis wherein, presence or absence of an anti-AT1-receptor antibody is determined in a sample from a patient to be diagnosed and wherein, the presence of an anti-AT1-receptor antibody is indicative of the disease. The invention further relates to the use of an inhibitor of an anti-AT1-receptor antibody or an inhibitor of an AT1-receptor for the production of a medicament as well as plasmapheresis of blood for the removal of anti-AT1-receptor antibodies.
US08425876B2	Gene encoding a multidrug resistance human P-glycoprotein homologue on chromosome 7P15-21 and uses thereof The invention relates to an MDR family P-glycoprotein located on human chromosome 7p15-21, polynucleotide sequences encoding this P-glycoprotein and fragments thereof. This gene is utilized in methods for assessing cancer cell susceptibility to therapies directed against multidrug resistance, and for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic methods relating to cancer multidrug resistance. The invention also relates to methods for determining whether a test compound may inhibit multidrug resistance.
US08425874B2	Process for the production of sulfur from sulfur dioxide with tail gas recycle The reduction of the gas stream containing sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur is carried out by reacting a reducing gas, such as natural gas, methanol or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, with recycled sulfur and recycled tail gas to produce a stream containing hydrogen sulfide that may be reacted with the gas stream that contains sulfur dioxide. Gas streams with a molar concentration of sulfur dioxide from 1 to 100% may be processed to achieve nearly 100% sulfur recovery efficiency.
US08425870B2	Reduction of CO and NOx in full burn regenerator flue gas A hot oxygen stream containing radicals is fed into a gas stream, such as a catalyst regenerator flue gas stream, that contains carbon monoxide to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
US08425866B2	Control of emissions Methods and apparatus utilizing chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide are useful to reduce NOx emissions, as well as SOx and mercury (or other heavy metal) emissions, from combustion flue gas streams.
US08425865B2	Method of synthesizing pyrite nanocrystals A method of synthesizing pyrite nanocrystals is disclosed which in one embodiment includes forming a solution of iron (III) diethyl dithiophosphate and tetra-alkyl-ammonium halide in water. The solution is heated under pressure. Pyrite nanocrystal particles are then recovered from the solution.
US08425863B2	Micro fluidic device A micro fluidic device includes a valve/pump-unit with reduced dead volume having a substrate. The lower surface of the substrate includes two micro channels spaced apart by a valve area of the substrate that separates the two micro channels. A flexible membrane is arranged on the lower surface of the substrate facing an actuating element located in a through going cut-out of a cover element. Movement of the actuating element towards and away from the valve area of the substrate causes a pump and/or valve action of the flexible membrane area, respectively, to cause or stop a directed fluid flow between the two micro channels through a channel formed between the valve area of the substrate and the flexible membrane.
US08425859B2	Test strip card The present invention relates to a test strip for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved test strip and scale for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen.
US08425858B2	Detection apparatus and associated method An apparatus includes an article and a detector. The article includes a substrate, a faceted structure disposed on the substrate, and a sensor layer disposed on the faceted structure. The faceted structure is disposed on the substrate first surface and itself has a surface. The faceted structure surface has peripheral edge defining a diameter of the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer is disposed on the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer can react or can interact with a target species when the target species is sufficiently proximate to the sensor layer. The sensor layer responds to the reaction or to the interaction in a detectable manner. The detector detects a response to the reaction, or to the interaction, of the target species with the sensor layer.
US08425855B2	Reactor with silicide-coated metal surfaces In an embodiment, a reactor includes a section, wherein at least a portion of the section includes a base layer, wherein the base layer has a first composition that contains a silicide-forming metal element; and a silicide coating layer, wherein the silicide coating layer is formed by a process of exposing, at a first temperature above 600 degrees Celsius and a sufficient low pressure, the base layer having a sufficient amount of the silicide-forming metal element to a sufficient amount of a silicon source gas having a sufficient amount of silicon element, wherein the silicon source gas is capable of decomposing to produce the sufficient amount of silicon element at a second temperature below 1000 degrees Celsius; reacting the sufficient amount of the silicide-forming metal element with the sufficient amount of silicon element, and forming the silicide coating layer.
US08425853B2	Plasma generation method and apparatus A plasma generation apparatus and method, which achieve both sterilization and deodorization of attached bacteria even under the condition that steam or fine droplets of water are present. A pair of electrodes is prepared, plasma discharge is carried out by applying designated voltage between the pair of electrodes, fluid passage holes are provided at corresponding parts of respective electrodes so as to communicate with each other, and steam or fine droplets of water are applied to the fluid passage holes and plasma generated around the fluid passage holes.
US08425852B2	High concentration NO2 generating system and method for generating high concentration NO2 using the generating system A high concentration NO2 gas generating system including a circulating path configured by connecting a chamber, a plasma generator, and a circulating means, wherein NO2 is generated by circulating a gas mixture including nitrogen and oxygen in the circulating path is provided. The high concentration NO2 gas generating system provides a high concentration NO2 generating system and the high concentration NO2 generating method using the generating system by which NO2 of high concentration (approximately 500 ppm or above) required for a high level of sterilization process in such as sterilization of medical instruments can be simply and selectively obtained. In addition, since indoor air is used as an ingredient, the management of ingredients is simple and highly safe, and the high concentration of NO2 can be simply and selectively prepared on demand.
US08425851B2	Exhaust emission control device The invention has its object to provide an exhaust emission control device which can be favorably mounted on a vehicle without causing relative twisting between a particulate filter and a selective reduction catalyst. In the exhaust emission control device in which a particulate filter and a selective reduction catalyst are housed by casings, respectively, and arranged side by side such that inlet ends of the filter and the catalyst are oriented to one and the same direction, an S-shaped communication passage being provided for introduction of the exhaust gas from an outlet end of the filter to an inlet end of the adjacent catalyst through antithetical turnabout, urea water being addible intermediately of the communication passage, the casings for the filter and catalyst are integrally restrained by rigid plates (restraining members).
US08425849B2	Reclaiming apparatus A reclaiming apparatus 106 includes: a sealed container 106a that is an absorbent reservoir for storing therein a part of an absorbent that has absorbed CO2 in flue gas, and a heater that heats the absorbent stored in the sealed container 106a. The reclaiming apparatus 106 distributes a part of the absorbent stored in the sealed container 106a, and brings the distributed absorbent into counter-current contact with steam. Because a part of the absorbent stored in the absorbent reservoir is brought into counter-current contact with the steam, absorbent component contained therein becomes volatilized, and is separated from depleted materials. In this manner, the absorbent component can be extracted from the depleted materials, and a loss of the absorbent can be reduced.
US08425847B2	Processes and apparatus for continuous solution polymerization The disclosure provides a plant for the continuous solution polymerization of a feed comprising one or more olefin monomers in a solvent, e.g., hydrocarbon solvent, in which the plant comprises means for separating solvent from the polymer including a flash tank and a vacuum devolatilizer. The plant also includes in a first aspect stabilizer addition means for adding a stabilizer to the concentrated polymer fines at a location downstream of the flash and upstream of the vacuum devolatilizer. In another aspect the plant comprises means to add a molten stabilizer to the polymer at a location downstream of the reactors.
US08425843B2	Integrated apparatus and method to detect inflammatory states present in a sample of whole blood Integrated apparatus and method for hematological analyses, wherein the apparatus, comprises, arranged substantially in line and integrated substantially in a single machine, a device (14) of the optical type to detect substantially instantaneously the speed of blood sedimentation (ESR) by measuring the optical density, or absorbance, of the blood sample, and a measuring assembly (18) with a cell-counter function or suchlike.
US08425840B2	Microchip and blood monitoring device A microchip comprising therein a first channel which allows inflow of a first liquid selected from whole blood, platelet-rich plasma and a drug-treated liquid thereof, a second channel connected to the first channel, which allows inflow of a second liquid containing an agent that is reactive with the first liquid, and a merged channel extended from the connection portion of the first channel with the second channel, wherein, in the merged channel, a stirring section having a stirring bar for mixing the first liquid with the second liquid is provided; and a blood monitoring device using the same.
US08425836B1	Chromium alloy A hypereutectic chromium alloy consisting of 9 to 12 at % tantalum, 4 to 15 at % silicon, 0 to 7 at % molybdenum, 0 to 7 at % aluminum, 0 to 7 at % titanium, 0 to 5 at % rhenium, 0 to 2 at % silver, 0 to 2 at % hafnium, 0 to 2 at % lanthanum, 0 to 2 at % cerium, 0 to 2 at % yttrium and the balance chromium and incidental impurities. The hypereutectic chromium alloy has good oxidation resistance and good fracture toughness. The chromium alloy may be used to make gas turbine engine turbine blades, turbine vanes, turbine seals, combustion chamber tiles, exhaust nozzle segments or steam turbine components.
US08425834B2	Method for producing clad material, and clad material Provided are a method for producing a clad material, and a clad material which can prevent a brazing filler metal layer from having a higher melting point so as to prevent the strength degradation and thermal deformation of a metal material, which can reduce production costs, which can reduce in thickness the layer to prevent sagging of the brazing filler metal upon brazing and which can improve press formability. A powder press-fixing machine is used to press-fix metal powder to surfaces of a base material uncoiled from a coil by an uncoiler. In order to provide a required composition of brazing filler metal, at least two kinds of metal powder is mixed, the mixed powder being press-fixed to the base material to form the brazing filler metal layer, the brazing filler metal constituting the layer having the composition such that copper is added with at least phosphor to lower a melting point of the same relative to that of copper, thus producing the clad material.
US08425830B2	Permeable material, articles made therefrom and method of manufacture The invention is directed to a honeycomb comprising cordierite and beta-spudomene, the honeycomb a having total porosity of greater than 30% and a mean pore diameter of less than 5 μm. The honeycomb is made from a mixture of activated kaolin and a mineral selected from the group consisting of lithium fluorhectorite, lithium hydroxyhectorite and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment up to 20 wt % SiO2, based on the total weight of the kaolin and minerals (fluarhectorite, hydroxyhectorite) is added and mixed therein prior to the formation of the green body. In another embodiment the amount of added SiO2 is up to 10 wt %. In one embodiment the total porosity is greater than 50% and the mean pore diameter is less than 5 μm.
US08425825B2	Apparatuses and methods for making seal rings for caps, and thus obtained seal rings An apparatus for forming an object from plastics material includes a forming arrangement having a recess for forming an edge zone of the object, the recess extending around an internal region of the forming arrangement and a conduit cooperating with a piston device to supply the plastics material to the recess, the conduit leading into the internal region into a position contiguous with the recess.
US08425824B2	Process for producing hollow-fiber membrane filter element with a mixture of two-liquid mixing type curable resin An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a mixture of a two-liquid mixing type curable resin, which process is hard to generate curing unevenness, can be carried out with low energy consumption, and is suited for mixing even with a disposable static mixer.The present invention provides a process for producing a mixture of a two-liquid mixing type curable resin by mixing the constituents of the resin, wherein mixing operations of the constituents are performed multiple times and a non-mixing time is provided between at least one of the mixing operations and another one of the mixing operations subsequent thereto.
US08425823B2	Apply piston seal for a clutch A method of applying an apply piston seal is provided for a clutch assembly utilizing a balance piston. The method includes applying a rubber portion on an interior surface of an axially extending arm of the apply piston and applying a seal on an exterior surface of the axially extending arm of the apply piston.
US08425816B2	Shaping slurry and shaping method A shaping slurry that forms a shaped product with a granule includes: a water-based solvent; a hydrophobic granule that forms the shaped product; and an amphiphatic solid polymer that forms the shaped product, and is dissolved in the water-based solvent.
US08425814B2	Method for preparing hydrophilic polyethersulfone membrane The present disclosure relates to improved efficient and effective systems and methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane suitable for commercial applications and the resultant hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane suitable for commercial applications produced thereby and includes methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane comprising the acts of: providing hydrophobic PES membrane; prewetting the hydrophobic PES membrane in a sufficient amount of a liquid having a sufficiently low surface tension; exposing the wet hydrophobic PES membrane to a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution of oxidizer; and after the exposing act, heating the hydrophobic PES membrane for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature and methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane comprising the acts of: providing gel PES membrane; exposing the gel PES membrane to a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution of oxidizer; and after the exposing act, heating the hydrophobic PES membrane for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature and the resulting products.
US08425812B2	Dental blank and method of making a dental ceramic blank A method of making a dental blank comprises the steps of independently compacting a first and second zone of a quantity of ceramic particles. During compacting, the first and second zones have different compaction factors in at least one stage. Such blanks may be pre-sintered and used in the manufacture of dental restorations. The method may help in controlling the homogeneity of the material structure during manufacturing the blanks.
US08425811B2	Method and system for generating sulfur seeds in a moving liquid Sulfur seeds may be produced by spraying liquid molten sulfur from a sulfur spray nozzle into a moving stream of liquid. Some of the sulfur may pass through the liquid and some of the sulfur may be entrained in and transported by the stream of liquid, or all of the sulfur may be entrained in the stream of liquid. The sulfur droplets that are entrained in the stream of liquid may be carried by the liquid to a cooling tank, which may be a spiral dewaterer tank with an angled bottom and a screw conveyor. An opening may be made in the bottom surface of the screw conveyor housing of the spiral dewaterer tank for liquid to drain from the screw conveyor as it moves sulfur seeds from the tank to a the drum. A screen may be disposed across the opening, and a drain trough attached to the screw conveyor housing to capture any liquid and solids that move through the screen. A wash line may assist in moving solids that pass through the screen.
US08425807B2	Solar cell and composition used for manufacturing solar cell A paste-like composition for a solar cell provided by the present invention contains a mixed aluminum powder prepared by mixing a small particle diameter aluminum powder, which has a D50 of particle size distribution based on laser diffraction of 3 μm or less and a ratio of D10 to D90 (D10/D90) of 0.2 or more, and a large particle diameter aluminum powder, which has a D50 that is 2 to 6 times the D50 of the small particle diameter aluminum powder and a ratio of D10/D90 of 0.2 or more.
US08425803B2	Nanocrystal doped matrixes Matrixes doped with semiconductor nanocrystals are provided. In certain embodiments, the semiconductor nanocrystals have a size and composition such that they absorb or emit light at particular wavelengths. The nanocrystals can comprise ligands that allow for mixing with various matrix materials, including polymers, such that a minimal portion of light is scattered by the matrixes. The matrixes of the present invention can also be utilized in refractive index matching applications. In other embodiments, semiconductor nanocrystals are embedded within matrixes to form a nanocrystal density gradient, thereby creating an effective refractive index gradient. The matrixes of the present invention can also be used as filters and antireflective coatings on optical devices and as down-converting layers. Processes for producing matrixes comprising semiconductor nanocrystals are also provided. Nanostructures having high quantum efficiency, small size, and/or a narrow size distribution are also described, as are methods of producing indium phosphide nanostructures and core-shell nanostructures with Group II-VI shells.
US08425798B2	Liquid crystal polyester composition, reflective plate and light-emitting device The present invention provides a composition comprising a liquid crystal polyester, a white pigment and a glass fiber bundle obtained by bundling glass fibers using a sizing agent comprising a polyurethane having a polyester polyol unit and at least one of an aliphatic diisocyanate unit or an alicyclic diisocyanate unit, wherein the polyester polyol unit is a polyol unit having an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol unit and at least one of an aliphatic polybasic acid unit or an alicyclic polybasic acid unit. The liquid crystal polyester composition can provide a reflective plate having a high reflectivity.
US08425796B2	Refrigerator oil Provided is a refrigerating machine oil which contains a base oil mainly containing at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a mineral oil, a synthetic alicyclic hydrocarbon compound, and a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon compound and having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 1 to 8 mm2/s. The refrigerating machine oil is applied to refrigerators including a sliding part formed of an engineering plastic or including an organic coating film or an inorganic coating film. The refrigerating machine oil enables to improve energy-saving performance due to its low viscosity, has a low frictional coefficient and good sealing property, and is suitably used in various refrigeration applications, especially in closed-type refrigerators.
US08425795B2	Compositions comprising fluoroolefins and uses thereof The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
US08425794B2	Composition and method for producing an insulating product A method for producing a finely subdivided insulating material includes the steps of: preparing a fluid composition by mixing together an alkaline silicate, a metal hydroxide and an impermeabilizing agent, heat-treating the composition so as to produce a plurality of small cavities in the composition, and finely subdividing the composition.
US08425793B2	Process and device for cleaning and etching a substrate with a transparent conductive oxide layer A simple process is disclosed for treating substrates having pre-structured zinc oxide layers on rigid or flexible supports. The ZnO is treated with an etching medium then with a cleaning liquid. The treatment with the etching and cleaning liquids is carried out while the substrate is conveyed through a device. The process is technically simple to implement and makes it possible to regularly and homogeneously roughen and texturize ZnO layers of up to 1 m2. The device for treating substrates having pre-structured zinc oxide layers on rigid or flexible supports has for that purpose a first means for treating the substrate with an etching liquid, a second means for treating the substrate with a cleaning liquid, and another means, in particular transport rollers, for conveying the substrate from the first to the second means.
US08425792B2	Methods of patterning a conductor on a substrate A method of patterning a conductor on a substrate includes providing an inked elastomeric stamp inked with self-assembled monolayer-forming molecules and having a relief pattern with raised features. Then the raised features of the inked stamp contact a metal-coated visible light transparent substrate. Then the metal is etched to form an electrically conductive micropattern corresponding to the raised features of the inked stamp on the visible light transparent substrate.
US08425791B2	In-chamber member temperature control method, in-chamber member, substrate mounting table and plasma processing apparatus including same In a method of controlling the temperature of an in-chamber member used in a plasma processing apparatus that processes a target substrate with plasma, a plurality of power-feeding portions is provided in the in-chamber member and the in-chamber member is heated by supplying electric power thereto through the power-feeding portions. A resistance value or resistivity of the in-chamber member is measured and the electric power is controlled based on the temperature of the in-chamber member estimated from the resistance value or resistivity. The in-chamber member includes one or more annular members arranged around the target substrate. The in-chamber member is a member making contact with plasma within a chamber and existing near the target substrate.
US08425789B2	Method and apparatus for anisotropic etching In anisotropic etching of the substrates, ultra-thin and conformable layers of materials can be used to passivate sidewalls of the etched features. Such a sidewall passivation layer may be a Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) material deposited in-situ etching process from a vapor phase. Alternatively, the sidewall passivation layer may be an inorganic-based material deposited using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method. SAM or ALD s layer deposition can be carried out in a pulsing regime alternating with sputtering and/or etching processes using process gasses with or without plasma. Alternatively, SAM deposition is carried out continuously, while etch or sputtering turns on in a pulsing regime. Alternatively, SAM deposition and etch or sputtering may be carried out continuously. Both types of suggested passivation materials give advantage over state-of-the-art methods in ability to carefully control thickness and uniformity of the layers, thus enable anisotropic etching process for high aspect ratio nanosize features.
US08425783B2	System and method that removes contaminants from sulfur A system and method for removing contaminant from sulfur (or sulphur) to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system and method melt contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.
US08425773B2	End cap assembly adapted for interconnecting filtration elements The disclosure describes end cap assemblies adapted for interconnecting filtration elements in end-to-end relationship and including means for selectively preventing relative rotation between adjacent end caps once engaged.
US08425772B2	Filtration device with releasable additive A filtration device is provided that includes a filter component and an additive component. The filter component includes concentrically arranged filtering elements disposed in a filter-in-filter configuration. The additive component includes at least one additive material that is introduced into a working fluid to be filtered. The filter component and additive component provide an assembly for a filtration system that would filter a variety of working fluids. The filter component and additive component provides an assembly that can filter fluids more efficiently. As a result, fluids may enjoy, for example, extended drainage intervals and thereby reduce component wear.
US08425768B2	System and method for wastewater treatment The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater. A system in accordance with one particular embodiment may include an oxidation reactor configured to receive a flow of wastewater from a wastewater producing process. The oxidation reactor may be further configured to oxidize a chemical associated with the flow of wastewater with an oxidation agent. The oxidation reactor may include at least one reaction member configured to pressurize at least a portion of the oxidation reactor. The system may further include at least one resin tank configured to contain an ion exchange resin configured to target a particular metal, the at least one resin tank configured to receive an output from the oxidation reactor. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
US08425765B2	Method of injecting solid organic acids into crude oil Solid organic acids may be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents to form dispersions; the dispersions in turn may be introduced into crude oil. A wash water may be added to the crude oil to create an emulsion. The organic acids may transfer metals and/or amines from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase in an electrostatic desalter which resolves the emulsion into the two phases. Suitable solid organic acids include, but are not necessarily limited to, C2-C4 alpha hydroxyacids, such as, but not necessarily limited to, glycolic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and even sulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, thiomalic acid, including esters of, polymers of, amine salts of, alkali metal salts of, and/or ammonium salts of all of these acids.
US08425760B2	Process for converting gas into liquids with simplified logistics The invention concerns a process for converting a stream of natural or associated gas into liquid fractions, comprising: a) a step for converting said stream of gas into a synthesis gas SG; b) a step FT for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to convert the SG into liquid fractions; c) a step for fractionating the effluents from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis into at least one relatively heavy fraction comprising waxes with a boiling point of 565° C. or more and at least one relatively light fraction; d) a step HCKI for isomerization hydrocracking of the relatively heavy fraction, in which at least 75% by weight of the fraction of the feed with a boiling point of more than 565° C. is converted into compounds boiling below 565° C.; e) at least one step for mixing at least the effluents from step HCKI (step d)), the light fraction from step c) and a crude oil P, to thereby produce an oil P*.
US08425758B2	Small volume in vitro analyte sensor and methods of making A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08425756B2	Apparatus and method for producing electrolyzed water An apparatus for producing electrolyzed water includes an electrochemical cell and a solution reservoir containing a solution and having an outlet. An injection pump has an input end in fluid communication with the outlet of the solution reservoir and an output end in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell, wherein the injection pumps an amount of the solution from the solution reservoir to mix with a water solution and enter the electrochemical cell. A current feedback sensor senses a cell current in the electrochemical cell. A current control unit in data communication with the current feedback sensor and the injection pump wherein the current control unit compares the cell current with a preselected current and adjusts the amount of solution pumped from the injection pump responsive to the comparison. The apparatus may also include an automatic control feedback system to monitor and adjust pH.
US08425750B2	Fluid structure control device A fluid structure control device has a liquid chamber holding a solution containing an electrolyte dissolved therein and conductive particles dispersed in the solution, and a pair of electrodes for applying an AC voltage to the conductive particles in the liquid chamber. Electro-osmotic flows are caused to occur due to electric double layers induced at the interface between the solution and the conductive particles by application of a voltage, thereby producing interaction among the conductive particles to displace the conductive particles and change reversibly the dispersion state of the conductive particles in accordance with the applied voltage.
US08425745B2	Electrochemical nanosensors for biomolecule detection Sensor devices, methods and kits for detection of biomolecules are provided. According to various embodiments, the devices, methods and kits provide enhanced sensitivity through the measurement of electrochemical impedance and related properties. Certain embodiments employ nanostructured electrode elements including nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanocones. In a particular embodiment, single walled carbon nanotubes disposed in interconnected networks are used as electrodes. The device, methods and kits described herein have application for detection and measurement of biomolecular species including polynucleotides, proteins, polysaccharides and the like.
US08425734B2	Membrane-based hybrid process for separation of mixtures of organics, solids, and water A system and process that are a hybrid of distillation and membrane separations offers a highly efficient means of separating a fluid feed mixture into organic, solid, and aqueous components. The distillation section is followed by two membrane separation sections operated in parallel, with the distillation section separating the feed mixture into an organics-rich fraction and an organics-depleted and solids-rich fraction. One membrane section operates on the organics-rich fraction and separates it into a more organics-rich sub-fraction and a water-rich, organics-depleted sub-fraction, while the other membrane section operates on the organics-depleted, solids-rich fraction from the distillation section and separates it into a solids-rich sub-fraction and a solids-depleted, water-rich sub-fraction.
US08425732B2	Method of operation for a recycler assembly A method of operating an assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution including a source for the contaminated solvent solution at a level and a recycling assembly including a reservoir module and a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a reservoir and the recycler module includes a controller and a distillation assembly including a distiller having a conduit and a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve includes a tube. The method includes connecting the conduit to the source below the level; connecting the pressure relief valve tube to the source; pumping solvent into the reservoir, distiller and conduit to an operational level; and selecting a duty cycle of the controller to regulate a rest period after the controller operation of a distillation cycle.
US08425730B2	Method and device for the production of tissue paper The invention relates to a method for the production of a web of tissue paper, including the steps of: depositing a layer of an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers on at least one forming fabric; reducing the water content of the layer until the weight percentage of fiber in the layer is brought up to a first value; wet-embossing the layer in a nip between a pair of embossing rollers; and drying the layer to form a web of tissue paper.
US08425728B2	Print media for high speed, digital inkjet printing Disclosed is a print medium for high speed, digital inkjet printing, which has high brightness and is resistant to yellowing. The print medium includes a base paper formed from a fiber furnish containing at least 30% by weight of mechanical pulp, and a coating layer formed on at least one surface of the base paper. The coating layer contains a metallic salt, a combination of two different binders at a predetermined ratio, and at least one inorganic pigment. A method of making the print medium is also disclosed.
US08425726B2	Process for improving paper strength The present invention provides a process for preparing a paper or paper board of improved strength which comprises the steps of i) providing a cellulosic thick stock, ii) diluting the thick stock of step i) to form a thin stock, iii) draining the thin stock of step ii) on a wire to form a web, and iv) drying the web of step iii) to form paper or paper board, wherein the cellulosic thick stock of step (i) comprises organic polymeric microparticles, as well as paper obtainable by above process.
US08425724B2	Anionic functional promoter and charge control agent with improved wet to dry tensile strength ratio The invention relates to a composition comprising (a) a functional promoter comprising a water-soluble anionic polymer having a molecular weight of at least about 50,000 daltons and a molecular weight charge index value of at least about 10,000; (b) a cationic surfactant component; such that when the composition treats a fibrous substrate, in conjunction with a cationic strength agent, the treated fibrous substrate exhibits (i) a ratio of wet tensile strength to dry tensile strength ranging from about 1:5 to about 1:2 and (ii) an increase in a ratio of wet tensile strength to dry tensile strength of at least about 10%, as compared to when the fibrous substrate is treated with the functional promoter and without a surfactant. The invention also relates to a paper product made with such a system, and method for imparting wet strength to a paper product with the functional promoter.
US08425721B2	Method and apparatus for treating a fibrous web Treatment liquid is sprayed onto a fibrous web surface by one or more spray boxes (21, 11, 23) having a spray chamber (4) and spray nozzles (1) in the travel direction of the fibrous web before a nip (N1 . . . N7; N8; N9) formed between them by two nip means (11 . . . 18) provided with a movable surface, and air and/or treatment medium mist is removed from the spray chamber and after having added treatment liquid the fibrous web is pressed in this nip. The spray chamber (4) is formed between a first spray box (21, 11, 23; 24; 25) and any successive first nip means (13; 52, 53; 62, 63) and second nip means (13; 52, 53; 62, 63), the fibrous web is guided supported by the surface of the first nip means to the spray chamber and the fibrous web is supported thereon during the spraying of treatment liquid.
US08425717B2	Phosphate bonded composites and methods Inorganic-organic composite articles and methods for producing them using inorganic acidic/alkaline precursor components as inorganic adhesives is provided. Articles prepared therefrom provide improved flexibility, zero flame spread, no release of volatile organic compounds, and low carbon foot print.
US08425711B2	Glass substrate with protective glass, and process for producing display device using glass substrate with protective glass To provide a glass substrate with protective glass which suppresses formation of microscopic scratches on the back surface of the glass substrate in the production process for a display device, and which prevents a strength decrease in the process or formation of etch pits after a chemical etching treatment; a process for producing a display device by using the glass substrate with protective glass; and a double-sided removable resin sheet for the glass substrate with protective glass.A glass substrate with protective glass, which comprises a glass substrate and a protective glass plate laminated on each other, and which is characterized in that the glass substrate and the protective glass plate are laminated by a double-sided removal resin sheet.
US08425710B2	Automated placement of vibration damping materials Damping material is installed on a structure by moving a material placement head over the structure, and using the head to place the material on the structure.
US08425708B2	Continuous fabrication of parts using in-feed spools of fiber reinforced thermoplastic Thermoplastic composite laminate parts with tailored and varying thickness and/or curved sections are manufactured in a continuous process. Automated equipment or hand lay-up is used to collate parts or components into a multi-layer stack. Each stack contains all plies, including ply build-up areas, tacked in the proper location to maintain orientation and location. Some or all of the plies may be continuously fed from spools of single or multiply ply material. Ply consolidation tooling contains all necessary part features and is coordinated to the customized multiple ply stacks to form a single integrated thermoplastic composite laminate potentially having areas of differing thickness from the multiple ply stacks.
US08425705B2	Method of manufacturing a blank made from thermoplastic composite material, associated manufacturing tool and use of the method to produce structural aircraft parts A method of manufacturing a blank made from thermoplastic composite material, in which a pressure and temperature cycle is applied by pressing on top of a compacting plate that is itself on top of a stack of fibers including continuous fibers pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, which stack has been previously placed on a board with the film enveloping the stack being brought into contact with fixing blocks arranged at the periphery of the board, and by heating the stack so as to reach at least the melting temperature of the resin while leaving the film infusible and smooth, and allowing the gas(es) present in the stack to escape through at least one opening left in the enveloping film and then through at least one emerging channel formed in the compacting plate and/or in the board and/or in the fixing blocks.
US08425704B2	Silicon-based explosive devices and methods of manufacture Silicon-based explosive devices and methods of manufacture are provided. In this regard, a representative method involves: providing a doped silicon substrate; depositing undoped silicon on a first side of the substrate; and infusing an oxidizer into an area bounded at least in part by the undoped silicon; wherein the undoped silicon limits an exothermic reaction of the doped silicon to the bounded area. Another representative method involves: providing a doped silicon substrate; depositing a masking layer of low-pressure chemical vapor deposited (LPCVD) Silicon nitride to the first side of the substrate; patterning the nitride mask and etching the porous silicon, and infusing oxidizer into an area bounded by the LPCVD nitride; wherein the silicon nitride limits an exothermic reaction of the doped silicon to the bounded area.
US08425702B2	Precursor of an explosive composition including at least one ionic liquid and a method of desensitizing an explosive composition An ionic liquid is disclosed. A precursor composition that comprises at least one ionic liquid and at least one energetic material is also disclosed, as is a method of synthesizing an ionic liquid and a method of desensitizing an explosive composition.
US08425698B2	Aluminum alloy sheet and method for manufacturing the same An aluminum alloy sheet having excellent press formability and stress corrosion cracking resistance, comprises 3.3 to 3.6 percent by weight of Mg and 0.1 to 0.2 percent by weight of Mn, furthermore, 0.05 to 0.3 percent by weight of Fe and 0.05 to 0.15 percent by weight of Si, and the remainder comprises Al and incidental impurities, wherein the sizes of intermetallic compounds is 5 μm or less, the recrystallized grain size is 15 μm or less in the region at a depth of 10 to 30 μm below the sheet surface, and the surface roughness is Ra 0.2 to 0.7 μm.
US08425696B2	Sputtering target Provided is a tantalum or a tantalum alloy target capable of shortening the burn-in time and minimizing the fluctuation in the deposition speed throughout the target life, whereby the production efficiency of semiconductors in the sputtering process can be improved and stabilized, and the production cost can be significantly reduced. With tantalum or tantalum-based alloy sputtering target, provided is a sputtering target, wherein FWHM (full width of half maximum) of a {200} crystal plane measured by X-ray diffraction of the sputtered outermost surface is 0.1 to 0.6°, and wherein the variation of FWHM is within ±0.05°.
US08425691B2	Stainless steel carburization process The present invention is directed to a process for tempering steel comprising carburizing said steel in a vacuum furnace in the presence of a hydrocarbon carburizing gas in combination with hydrogen wherein said carburizing gas/hydrogen combination is administered to the vacuum furnace by cyclically reducing the pressure in the furnace followed by the pulsed addition of the hydrocarbon carburizing gas consisting of an acetylene/hydrogen mixture is in a ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:10 to replenish the air removed in the pressure reduction step.
US08425686B2	Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method, and recording medium having program stored therein A liquid processing apparatus is provided which can reduce the amount of liquids used and reduce the difference of the process level between objects to-be-processed. The liquid processing apparatus includes a main pipe, a liquid supply device, a main valve, a plurality of branch pipes, and a plurality of processing units. The liquid supply device includes a mixer, a first liquid supply pipe, and a second liquid source supplying a second liquid and supplies a mixed liquid prepared by mixing the first and second liquids in the mixer to one end of the main pipe. The main valve is configured to close the other end of the main pipe opposite to the liquid supply device when the object to-be-processed is processed in the processing unit.
US08425682B2	High strip rate downstream chamber A gas chamber contains upper and lower chamber bodies forming a cavity, a heating chuck for a wafer, a remote gas source, and an exhaust unit. Gas is injected into the cavity through channels in an injector. Each channel has sections that are bent with respect to each other at a sufficient angle to substantially eliminate entering light rays entering the channel from exiting the channel without reflection. The channels have funnel-shaped nozzles at end points proximate to the chuck. The injector also has thermal expansion relief slots and small gaps between the injector and mating surfaces of the chamber and gas source. The temperature of the injector is controlled by a cooling liquid in cooling channels and electrical heaters in receptacles of the injector. The upper chamber body is funnel-shaped and curves downward at an end of the upper chamber body proximate to the chuck.
US08425681B1	Low-dislocation-density epitatial layers grown by defect filtering by self-assembled layers of spheres A method for growing low-dislocation-density material atop a layer of the material with an initially higher dislocation density using a monolayer of spheroidal particles to bend and redirect or directly block vertically propagating threading dislocations, thereby enabling growth and coalescence to form a very-low-dislocation-density surface of the material, and the structures made by this method.
US08425679B2	Calcium ferroaluminate compound, cement admixture and its manufacturing methods, and cement composition It is the object of the invention to provide a cement admixture, and a cement composition that can impart good enough rustproofness to reinforcing bars in hardened cement concrete, and can have resistance to penetration of chloride ions entering from the outside, prevent the hardened cement concrete from getting porous due to reduced leaching of Ca ions and have a self-recovery capability.The invention provides a cement admixture characterized by containing a calcium ferroaluminate compound comprising a CaO—Al2O3—Fe2O3 system, and having a Fe2O3 content of 0.5 to 15% by mass and a CaO.2Al2O3 structure with a CaO/Al2O3 molar ratio ranging from 0.15 to 0.7. It is preferable that the fineness is 2,000 to 7,000 cm2/g as represented in terms of the Blaine's specific surface area value; the potentially hydraulic substance and/or pozzolan substance (pozzolan substance or the like) is also used; the pozzolan substance or the like contains one or two or more selected from the group consisting of finely pulverized, quenched, granulated blast-furnace slag, fly ash, silica fume, metakaolin, incinerated pulp sludge ash, incinerated sewage sludge ash, and waste glass powder; and the blending proportion of the calcium ferroaluminate compound to the pozzolan substance or the like ranges from 10/1 to 1/10 by mass. The invention also provides a cement composition containing cement and the cement admixture.
US08425678B2	Low odor asphalt compositions and low odor asphalt produced therefrom A composition for reducing undesirable odors emitted by hydrocarbonaceous materials is provided. The composition contains at least one aldehyde-containing compound and, optionally, one or more ketone-containing compound and/or a carrier. The composition is free of ester-containing compounds. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the composition contains one or more aldehyde-containing compounds and a liquid carrier. The aldehyde-containing compound(s) has a molecular weight greater than 100 daltons and may be chosen from vanillin or cinnamaldehyde. The ketone-containing compound(s) has a molecular weight greater than 100 daltons, and in exemplary embodiments, from about 120 to about 1,000 daltons. Undesirable odors from hot asphalt are reduced by the composition without adversely affecting the physical and performance properties of the asphalt or decreasing the flash point of the asphalt. The composition may be added to asphalt in a molten or semi-molten form to reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors and form a low odor asphalt.
US08425675B2	Recrystallization type of ink composition A recrystallization type of ink composition comprises a solvent, a crystalline material, and a colorant. When the recrystallization type of ink composition is applied to a non-absorption surface such as a whiteboard, a glass surface, and a plastic surface, it is recrystallized to provide a visual effect of a metal sense at the applied part.
US08425674B2	System using unutilized heat for cooling and/or power generation A sorption system is disclosed that includes a sorbent material and a fluid, in which the sorbent material and fluid in combination have a pressure index of at least 1.2.
US08425673B2	Regenerative dryers with a bypass Regenerative air dryers are disclosed for feeding pressurized air with a controlled moisture content to a header. In one embodiment, a dryer comprises first and second chambers alternating between drying and regenerating phases. One of the chambers is at the drying phase while the other is at the regenerating phase. A controller is programmed to switch the phase of the chambers between drying and regenerating when the desiccant in the chamber at the drying phase has retained water to a predetermined capacity. A bypass line bypasses both chambers. An input provides air to the chamber at the drying phase and to the bypass line. A dew point feedback system controls a volume of air passing through the bypass line. Means are included for combining air from the bypass line with air exiting the chamber at the drying phase to provide air with a controlled dew point to the header.
US08425670B2	Plant for separating oil from a gas mixture, and a method for separating oil from a gas mixture The invention refers to a plant and a method for separating oil in form of particles and/or mist from a fossil gas mixture for obtaining a separated gas. The plant comprises a centrifugal separator with a stationary casing defining a separation space. The casing permits a pressure of at least 10 bars in the separation space. The centrifugal separator comprises an inlet for the gas mixture, a gas outlet for the separated gas and an oil outlet for discharging separated oil. A separating member for separating the gas mixture comprises a plurality of separating discs and is provided in the separation space. A drive motor is connected to the separating member via a spindle and rotate the separating member about an axis (x) of rotation.
US08425664B2	Mutual remediation of effluents of petroleum production Petroleous production is associated with effluents well known to foul lines, nozzles, and containers while consuming substantial energy to assist in both production and remediation. A heat exchanger and manifold system maximizes flows, minimizes changes in flow cross-section, and maximizes heat transfer area, while recycling both water and heat between processes. Dirty regions and clean regions result from scrubbing horizontal exhaust stacks and evaporation of production water in concert to remediate one another, while recycling a significant portion of the energy consumed by each. The heat exchanger relies on a manifold having many layered conduits, each connected to a single layer level of one or more cylindrical conduits in the exchanger. The cylinders of the exchanger themselves are arranged in multiple layers, each layer of a heat exchanger element being connected to a single layer of the manifold. Any shape of cylinder may work, but a right circular cylinder having corrugated sheets spacing the layers may be simple to construct.
US08425654B2	Purification process for 153Gd produced in natural europium targets An alteration of the traditional zinc/zinc-amalgam reduction procedure which eliminates both the hazardous mercury and dangerous hydrogen gas generation. In order to avoid the presence of water and hydrated protons in the working solution, which can oxidize Eu2+ and cause hydrogen gas production, a process utilizing methanol as the process solvent is described. While methanol presents some flammability hazard in a radiological hot cell, it can be better managed and is less of a flammability hazard than hydrogen gas generation.
US08425653B2	Plasmon mediated photoinduced synthesis of silver triangular bipyramids A method of preparing silver triangular bipyramids having a high shape selectivity and low edge length variation is disclosed. Also disclosed are silver triangular bipyramids prepared by this method.
US08425643B2	Vent head A vent head for a steam system is provided. In one embodiment, the vent head may comprise a body defining a vent head chamber and having a vent head outlet. The vent head comprises a steam inlet conduit having a steam outlet that opens into the vent head chamber and a baffle disposed within the vent head chamber and above the steam outlet. The baffle may have an impingement region and a convex portion which is disposed between the impingement region and the edge of the baffle. In use, the steam outlet discharges steam into the vent head chamber which impinges on the impingement region of the baffle, thereby separating entrained liquid water from the steam.
US08425642B2	Cyclonic separating apparatus The present invention relates to a cyclonic separating apparatus and a vortex finder plate for use in a cyclonic separating apparatus, the vortex finder plate including a support structure and a plurality of vortex finder support flaps extending from the support structure, each vortex finder support flap comprising a vortex finder. At least one of the vortex finder support flaps is connected to the support structure by a hinge.
US08425641B2	Inlet air filtration system Embodiments of the present invention provide an inertial filtration system for air-ingesting machines. The inertial filter 100 may comprise a reducer 133 downstream of a vortex generator. The reducer 133 decreases the area that the airstream flows through, which may increase the angular momentum and the centrifugal forces acting on the particles of the ingested airstream. This may increase the cleaning performance and a decrease in the pressure drop across the inertial filter 100. Generally, the inertial filter functions such that flow components of higher density are separated from the rest of the airstream. The higher density flow components are bled out of the inertial filter 100 via an outlet 135. The remaining flow components flow downstream to compressor section 535.
US08425637B2	Process and system for converting waste material to fuel or synthetic gas feedstock A waste processing system and method is described. The waste processing system may be used to treat any type of waste material that may be decomposed upon the application of energy, wherein recyclable metal and/or a gaseous end product is/are generated which may have commercial or industrial applications. The waste material may be reduced in size and passed to a purge vessel where the oxygen content of the waste material is reduced. The waste material is then heated in a heat exchanger which may be linearly elongated and passed to a conversion chamber where it is treated with H—H—O gas torches. A final gaseous end product is generated which may be used as a fuel source.
US08425634B2	Fire log A fire log includes a single fire log cut in a specific design to enable easy ignition and sustenance of a self-contained campfire. The single log is designed to stand vertically and may range from twenty-four to seventy-two inches in height depending on diameter. In most instances, four vertical, diametrical cuts are made in the log forming eight pie-slice segments. The cuts extend from the top surface of the log downward toward the base of the log. The vertical cuts stop short of the entire length of the log leaving approximately 25% of the length uncut. The uncut portion forms the base of the log. One of the segments is cut horizontally at its lower end adjacent the top of the base so that the segment can be removed from the log for air flow control.
US08425633B2	Methods for integrated fast pyrolysis processing of biomass Methods, process, apparatus, equipment, and systems are disclosed for converting biomass into bio-oil fractions for chemicals, materials, feedstocks and fuels using a low-cost, integrated fast pyrolysis system. The system improves upon prior art by creating stable, bio-oil fractions which have unique properties that make them individually superior to conventional bio-oil. The invention enables water and low-molecular weight compounds to be separated into a final value-added fraction suitable for upgrading or extracting into value-added chemicals, fuels and water. Initial bio-oil fractions from the process are chemically distinct, have low-water content and acidity which reduces processing costs normally associated with conventional bio-oil post-production upgrading since fewer separation steps, milder processing conditions and lower auxiliary inputs are required. Biochar is stabilized so that it can be handled safely. The integrated fast pyrolysis process includes biomass storage, preparation, pretreatment, and conversion, product recovery and processing to create and store stable biochar and bio-oil fractions.
US08425631B2	Fuel usable to control the emissions and/or opacity of gas released into the atmosphere A fossil-fuel-fired system, which includes an emissions-control-agent dispenser, a furnace, an emissions monitor and, optionally, a controller, is disclosed. The emissions-control-agent dispenser provides a prescribed amount of organic-emissions-control agent, such as, for example, an opacity-control agent to the fossil-fuel-fired system. The furnace includes an exhaust communicating with the atmosphere. The emissions monitor is capable of measuring at least one property of the flue-gas communicated through the exhaust to the atmosphere. For example, when an organic-emissions-control agent is an opacity-control agent, the emissions monitor has the capability of at least measuring opacity. When included, the controller communicates with at least the emissions-control-agent dispenser and the emissions monitor.
US08425629B2	Alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound from conventional and high vinylidene polyisobutylenes and compositions and processes thereof An additive composition comprises a Mannich reaction product of a) a polyisobutylene (PIB) alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound, b) an aldehyde, and c) an amine containing at least one reactive amino group where the PIB is derived from a conventional PIB and a high vinylidene PIB. A fuel additive concentrate composition, a fuel composition, and a method to reduce deposit formation in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine employ the additive composition that comprises the Mannich reaction product which is unexpectedly effective in reducing deposits. A PIB alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound, that is prepared from a mixture of high vinylidene and conventional PIBs, is both a functional additive and an intermediate to a functional additive and the process to prepare it involves running the alkylation reaction at 5 to 40° C.
US08425617B2	Knee prostheses with convex slope on portion of tibial articular surface 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.
US08425613B2	Expandable intervertebral implant An intervertebral implant assembly includes first and second support members and a retention member. The first and second support members are configured to engage first and second vertebral bodies, respectively. The first and second support members define first and second guide portions, respectively. In particular, the first and second support members are slidably movable relative to each other. The retention member includes a face plate and an arm member extending from the face plate. The arm member is disposed between the first and second support members to maintain a relative position of the first and second support members. The face plate defines an access through hole in communication with the first and second guide portions.
US08425612B2	Minimally invasive interbody device assembly A minimally invasive interbody device assembly that includes an interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae and an instrument detachably coupled to the interbody device for positioning the device in the disc space and delivering bone material to the disc space that is distributed on both sides of the interbody device. The device is inserted into the disc space using the instrument in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated by the instrument so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then forced down the instrument so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the device. The instrument is then detached from the device.
US08425609B2	Artificial intervertebral disc having a bored semispherical bearing with a compression locking post and retaining caps An artificial intervertebral disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, uses a semispherical, bored bearing that is secured to the baseplates with compression locking posts and one or more retaining caps. The compression locking posts extend through the bearing bore and baseplate apertures such that the bearing is between the baseplates' inwardly facing surfaces. Retaining caps are attached to the compression locking posts, securing the baseplates to the bearing. Bearing surfaces on the inwardly facing side of each baseplate allow each baseplate to rotate relative to the bearing, however, rotation of each baseplate is limited by the interference of each baseplate and its respective retaining cap. Rotation of the baseplates about the longitudinal axis of the spine can be limited via a notch in the retaining caps and a groove in the baseplates, or vice versa.
US08425607B2	Anchor member locking features An implantable medical device may include an implant member having an aperture extending therethrough. An anchor member may be configured to extend through the aperture. A locking ring may be supplied to inhibit back-out of the anchor member.
US08425606B2	Method and implant device for grafting adjacent vertebral bodies A methodology for grafting together adjacent bony structures is provided using an implant device having an endplate with an inner disc portion and outer ring portion spaced from the inner disc portion by a connecting wall disposed therebetween. An endplate interior surface includes a retaining structure for securing the endplate to one of the bony structures, and endplate an exterior surface has an integrally formed socket. A ball-joint rod has a longitudinally extending body and an end, and at least a portion of the ball-joint rod end is curvilinear in shape. The curvilinear ball-joint rod end is rotatably disposed in the endplate socket to fixedly interconnect the bony structures.
US08425602B2	Curvilinear spinal access method and device A curvilinear spinal access device having an expandable working portal. The device includes a slide having a channel with an open top and a movable top sized to cover the open top of the channel forming an expandable working portal with a proximal end and a distal end. The movable top can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable top blocks direct visualization between the proximal end and the distal end of the expandable working portal and in the open position movement of the movable top results in direct visualization from the proximal end to the distal end of the expandable working portal.
US08425601B2	Spinal stabilization devices and methods of use The present application is directed to methods and devices that provide for asymmetrical movement of vertebral members. In one embodiment, first and second anchors connect the rod to the vertebral members. The rod may be fixedly connected to the first anchor, and movably connected to the second anchor. A limiting device may be positioned on one or both sides of the second anchor. The limiting device or devices control an extent of movement between the rod and the second anchor during vertebral motion. In one embodiment, the device controls an amount of flexion and extension of the vertebral members.
US08425599B2	Accommodating intraocular lenses and methods of use Fluid-driven accommodating intraocular lenses comprising deformable optic portions.
US08425598B2	Implantable system for restoring accommodation capacity using internal energy An implantable system for restoring accommodation capacity includes at least one ring configured to be implanted in a ciliary sulcus and a capacitor with a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The first capacitor plate is arranged on an implantable ring and the second capacitor plate is connected to a capsular bag.
US08425597B2	Accommodating intraocular lenses Intraocular lenses for providing accommodation include an anterior optic, a posterior optic, and a lens structure. In one such lens, the lens structure comprises an anterior element coupled to the anterior optic and a posterior element coupled to the posterior optic. The anterior and posterior elements are coupled to one another at a peripheral region of the intraocular lens. The intraocular lens may also includes a projection extending anteriorly from the posterior element that limits posterior motion of the anterior optic so as to maintain a minimum separation between anterior optic and an anterior surface of the posterior optic.
US08425593B2	Collapsible prosthetic heart valves Prosthetic heart valves, which are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size for less invasive delivery into a patient and which then re-expand to operating size at an implant site in the patient, include a collapsible/expandable stent-like supporting structure and various components of flexible, sheet-like material that are attached to the supporting structure. For example, these sheet-like other components may include prosthetic valve leaflets, layers of buffering material, cuff material, etc. Improved structures and techniques are provided for securing such other components to the stent-like supporting structure of the valve.
US08425588B2	Avoiding stress-induced martensitic transformation in nickel titanium alloys used in medical devices A process for assembling a medical device made from a nickel-titanium alloy for use in a mammalian body while avoiding the formation of stress-induced martensite and a medical device used in combination with a delivery system for deployment into the mammalian body are disclosed. By heating the nickel-titanium alloy of the medical device to a temperature above Md, and deforming and installing the device into a delivery system or holding capsule, it is possible to avoid the formation of stress-induced martensite in the stent, which stays in the austenitic phase throughout.
US08425581B2	Inhibition of platelet activation, aggregation and/or adhesion by hypothermia A method for treating acute coronary syndromes (i.e., unstable angina or non-Q-wave MI) or transient ischemic attacks in a human or animal patient by placing a heat exchange apparatus in the patient=s vasculature and using that heat exchange apparatus to cool the patient to a temperature (e.g. 30-36_C) at which platelet inhibition (i.e., inhibition of platelet activation and/or aggregation and/or adhesion) occurs. Anti-shivering drugs or anesthesia may be administered to patients whose body temperature is cooled below that patient=s shivering threshold (typically approximately 35.5 C). If it is determined that platelet inhibition is no longer desirable, such as when the patient is about to undergo a surgical or interventional procedure wherein bleeding could be problematic, the hypothermia-induced platelet inhibition may be rapidly reversed by using the intravascular heat exchange apparatus to re-warm the patient=s body to normothermia or near normothermia.
US08425579B1	Therapeutic knee brace for a contrast therapy system The present invention relates to a therapeutic knee brace system including a leg brace for support, a retainer for securing the therapeutic knee brace system to a knee joint therapy site, a brace joint providing a limited range of flexion to the knee brace, and an active thermal exchange bladder coupled to a contrast therapy system for delivering a therapy fluid at a select temperature, pressure and rate. Thermal exchange bladder is removable, and the pressure may be constant or dynamic. The angle of flexion may be selected by the therapy recipient, and the range of flexion of the brace joint is configurable. The knee brace may communicate range and instant angle of flexion of the brace joint to a continuous passive motion (CPM) device, and communication may be mechanical, electronic or wireless. A knee brace coupler attaches to a CPM coupler on the CPM device to selectively couple the therapeutic knee brace system to the CPM device.
US08425575B2	Bone plate supported by a leg member and used as a lever System, including apparatus and methods, for fixing bone with a bone plate supported temporarily at a slant on bone by a leg member before the bone plate is used as a lever to reposition a region of the bone. In some embodiments, the leg member may be a post member that attaches to the bone plate by threaded engagement with an aperture of the bone plate. In some embodiments, the bone plate and the leg member may be used near the end of a long bone, such as on a distal portion of a radial bone.
US08425573B2	Method and system for attaching a plate to a bone A guide tool having a through bore and at least one distal locating feature is provided. The distal locating feature of the guide tool is placed into a predetermined relationship with the plate. A fastener is engaged with a distal end of a driver shaft of a fastener driver. The fastener driver has a driver orientation means associated with the driver shaft. The fastener is inserted into the through bore of the guide tool with the fastener driver. The driver orientation means is mated with a guide orientation means located in the through bore of the guide tool. At least a portion of the fastener is inserted through the fastener hole. The fastener is secured into the bone through actuation of the fastener driver. The fastener driver is withdrawn from the guide tool, which is withdrawn from the plate.
US08425571B2	Method for stabilizing a motion segment of the spine of a patient A dynamic stabilization device includes end caps that define a bore for receiving a corresponding bone screw therethrough. A spacer is engaged between each end cap and a cable passes through each of the components and is placed in tension to couple the spacer between the two end caps. The spacer is formed of a material that allows some flexible movement after implantation. An alternative stabilization device includes a spacer over-molded about two bushings defining the bores. According to a method of use, a stabilization device is passed along guide wires through a small incision. Once the device is in contact with the vertebrae, the bone screws are advanced along the guide wires and driven into the bone. One fastener bore may include a camming surface that causes distraction of the vertebrae as the bone screw is threaded into the vertebral bone.
US08425570B2	Apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving anterior lumbar interbody fusion Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis.
US08425565B2	Modular percutaneous spinal fusion A posterior spinal fusion system may include pedicle screws and one or more segments designed to be attached to the implanted pedicle screws via nuts to fuse spinal motion segments in a modular fashion. The pedicle screws may have semispherical receiving surfaces, and each segment may have mounting portions at both ends, with corresponding semispherical engagement surfaces. The nuts may also have semispherical surfaces. The semispherical surfaces permit polyaxial adjustment of the relative orientations of the segments and pedicle screws. Each mounting portion may have a passageway therethrough to receive the proximal end of the corresponding pedicle screw; each passageway may intersect the edge of the corresponding engagement surface to facilitate percutaneous placement. Such placement may be carried out through cannulae to provide a minimally invasive (MIS) implantation procedure.
US08425557B2	Crossbar spinal prosthesis having a modular design and related implantation methods Modular spinal prosthesis having one of both of adaptable and configurable components are provided. The modular spinal prosthesis described herein provide an artificial articular configuration to replace damaged, worn or otherwise removed spinal facet elements.
US08425554B2	Suture passing K-wire A method and apparatus for bunion repair using a suture passing K-wire configured to easily pass through bone tunnels with suture trailing. The suture passing K-wire includes a tapered guide pin with a multi-diameter shaft (i.e., comprising at least two regions or sections that have different diameters) and a loop which is securely attached to an end of the guide pin (i.e., to the smaller diameter section of the guide pin). The reconstruction system may be formed of a pair of buttons connected by a flexible strand. The procedure offers indirect placement of buttons and a minimally invasive approach.
US08425548B2	Occluding member expansion and then stent expansion for aneurysm treatment This invention is a device and method to occlude an aneurysm comprising: a laterally-expanding occluding member (such as a relatively-flat balloon, mesh, net, or patch) that is positioned within the parent vessel of the aneurysm and then expanded laterally; and a radially-expanding structural member (such as a stent) that is positioned within the parent vessel of the aneurysm and then expanded radially after, or concurrently with, expansion of the laterally-expanding occluding member. Expansion of the radially-expanding member presses and holds the laterally-expanding occluding member into contact with the aneurysm neck, so that the laterally-expanding occluding member at least partially covers the aneurysm neck and reduces blood flow to the aneurysm. This invention has several potential advantages over devices and methods in the prior art, especially for treatment of wide-neck and fusiform aneurysms.
US08425547B2	Disposable skin pricker A lancet body for a skin pricker has resiliently flexible fingers (9) with outwardly splayed tips (10). The device is fired by pressing a trigger (13) and a spring (5) urges the lancet forwards and the fingers (9) flex inwards as the tips (10) snap past barbs (11), so that the tips (10) of the arms (9) engage behind the barbs (11). If the user tries to push the lancet back into the cocked condition, the fingers (9) are trapped and will flex as the tips (10) press against the barbs (11) until the arms buckle and the tips (10) are pushed out through openings (14). Thus the lancet is arrested and immobilized before a re-cocked position is reached, and re-firing is prevented.
US08425545B2	Cordless hand-held ultrasonic cautery cutting device and method A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, a battery, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly, includes a handle body having a power supply portion defining a battery-holding compartment, the battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts, a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the waveguide therein, an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the handle body and electrically couple the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the battery contacts, and a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to substantially simultaneously place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the waveguide when the waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock and electrically couple the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly when the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly is secured to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock. The battery can be removable.
US08425542B2	Aneurysm occlusion device containing bioactive and biocompatible copolymer shell and biocompatible metallic frame member An endovascular device for occluding a vascular aneurysm is disclosed. The device includes a polymeric shell member that, in one embodiment, may be constructed from a bioactive and biocompatible polyurethane-diol-glycosaminoglycan copolymer, and a biocompatible metallic frame member. The copolymer is sufficiently flexible and strong for endovascular delivery into a vascular aneurysm and for use as a polymeric shell for receiving the biocompatible metallic frame member. The biometallic frame member may include one or more components constructed from a NiTi alloy.
US08425539B2	Luminal structure anchoring devices and methods A device is provided for endoscopy or endosonography- guided transluminal interventions whereby two luminal structures in the body may be drawn toward each other and a fluid conduit formed in between. The device may have a penetrating member and a hollow central member to which is coupled a distal retention member and in one embodiment a proximal retention member. The retention members may each be positioned inside one of the luminal structures and expanded from a first condition to an expanded second condition having an increased radius. The length of the central member may be shortened and its diameter expanded to approximate the two retention members and thereby the luminal structures.
US08425534B2	Cam lock burr hole plug for securing stimulation lead A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a cranial burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base. The retainer includes a retainer support, a slot formed in the retainer support for receiving the medical device, and a clamping mechanism having a movable clamping element and a cam configured for being rotated relative to the retainer support to linearly translate the movable clamping element into the slot, thereby securing the medical device. The retainer further comprises another clamping mechanism having another movable clamping element and another cam configured for being rotated relative to the retainer support to linearly translate the other movable clamping element, thereby laterally securing the retainer within the plug base.
US08425533B2	Tissue retrieval device with pouch stretching arm A tissue retrieval device comprises a tissue retrieval bag and resilient arms. The bag is releasably engaged with the resilient arms. One or two resilient arms expand the bag along a first plane to open the mouth of the bag. Another resilient arm expands the bag along a second plane to unfurl the bag. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane. The device further comprises a support tube having a passageway and a push/pull rod slidingly positioned within the passageway. The resilient arms are engaged with the push/pull rod such that the resilient arms and the push/pull rod travel uniformly relative to the longitudinal axis of the support tube. The arms collapse within the support tube and are resiliently biased to extend outwardly when the push/pull rod is translated distally relative to the support tube to expose the bag and arms.
US08425532B2	Method and apparatus for accessing the interior of a hip joint, including the provision and use of a novel telescoping access cannula and a novel telescoping obturator A telescoping access cannula comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube carried by the outer tube, the inner tube being coaxial with the outer tube and longitudinally movable relative to the outer tube; and a rotatable member carried by the outer tube and connected to the inner tube, wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes longitudinal movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.
US08425524B2	Customized patient-specific multi-cutting blocks A number of orthopaedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.
US08425522B2	Joint replacement method Imaging of a left or right joint is performed preoperatively, and an alignment guide and a custom cutting guide are formed based on the imaging. The alignment guide includes cannulations into which pins are placed. The cutting guide is then aligned using the pins, and bone of the joint is cut, using the guide, in preparation for an implant operative to replace a portion of the joint. The cutting guide is provided with one or more slots or surfaces to aid in aligning a cutting instrument. The alignment guide or cutting guide may be modified to correct for an existing joint problem, for example an incorrect alignment of the joint. The alignment guide or cutting guide may be formed with polymeric material.
US08425519B2	Robotic arms A device for treating fractures of a bone comprises a plurality of arms, each extending from a proximal end to a distal end and movable in a three-dimensional space, the proximal end of each arm coupled to a frame and a plurality of couplings, each of the couplings coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of arms, the coupling lockingly receiving a bone fixation element secured to a corresponding bone fragment such that each of the arms is coupled to a corresponding fragment of the bone in combination with a mechanical unit moving each of the arms relative to the frame and a controller receiving data corresponding to a desired final position of the fragments relative to one another and controlling the mechanical unit to move the arms relative to one another to achieve the desired final position of the bone fragments relative to one another.
US08425511B2	Clamp and scissor forceps A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes first and second longitudinal jaw halves. At least one of the first and second jaw halves of each jaw member is moveable with respect to the other jaw half between an aligned position and a displaced position for cutting tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08425500B2	Method and apparatus for protecting capillary of laser fiber during insertion and reducing metal cap degradation A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes disposing a cover about a capillary used in a side-firing optical fiber. The cover can be used to protect the capillary when being inserted through an endoscope for medical treatment. In some embodiments, the cover can be a low-profile cover such as a coating made of a light-sensitive polymer or like material. At least a portion of the coating can be removed after insertion by exposing the light-sensitive material to laser energy transmitted from an optical-fiber-core end housed within the capillary. In other embodiments, the cover can be a slideable or moveable low-profile sleeve or metal cover. During insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is positioned over the capillary. After insertion, the sleeve or metal cover is retracted to expose the area to be treated to side-fired laser energy transmitted from the capillary.
US08425498B2	Apparatus for treatment of material, in particular for refractive surgery A device and a computer program for material processing, in particular refractive eye surgery, operate with a pulsed femtosecond laser and the individual focal points are positioned in such a way that the spacings of neighboring focal points for the most part vary, in order to avoid a regular grating structure avoiding undesired diffraction phenomena.
US08425495B2	Multipurpose diode laser system for ophthalmic laser treatments A laser device and method for treating ophthalmic diseases is enclosed. The laser device and method for treating a variety of ophthalmic diseases comprises a system for irradiating the eye with electromagnetic irradiation with a wavelength in the range of 654-681 nm from at least one high power laser diode. The optical system of the present invention being able to focus the radiation onto a spot sized of about 100 μm. The system preferably comprises a laser source and ancillary equipment to direct and regulate the radiation. The use of this wavelength range makes the present invention effective for a wide variety of ophthalmic indications. It is capable of providing photocoagulation treatments for diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
US08425490B2	Dynamic liposculpting method A method of liposculpting a predetermined body area which is adjacently associated with at least one muscle bundle resulting in a natural, defined appearance of the muscle bundle. A treatment area from which fat tissue is removed by suction is at least partially defined by determining positions of the muscle in at least a relaxed state and a flexed or contracted state. Dependent on the particular physical characteristics of the affected muscle bundle, the flexed state can be defined by an isometric contraction as well as an isotonic contraction of the associated muscle bundle. The naturally defined appearance is accomplished by removing variable quantities of fat tissue from different portions of the treatment area, to the extent that greater quantity of fat tissue remains within the treatment area in a direction towards the substantial center of the muscle bundle and a gradually, successively lesser quantity of fat tissue remains within the treatment area in a direction away from the muscle bundle.
US08425488B2	System and method for the simultaneous bilateral treatment of target tissues within the ears using a guide block structure Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by mounting a support structure to the head of the patient; aligning the support structure with a target tissue in an ear canal of the first ear; stabilizing the support structure relative to the target tissue by injecting a material into the canal and hardening the material; and actuating a device while the device is supported by the support system so that the device therapeutically remodels the target tissue of the first ear.
US08425487B2	Drug vial spikes, fluid line sets, and related systems This disclosure relates to drug vial spikes, fluid line sets, and related systems. In some aspects, a fluid line set includes a frame, multiple spikes extending from the frame, and multiple fluid lines connected to the frame. The frame is configured to hold the fluid lines in a spaced apart configuration.
US08425483B2	Double gusset cloth diaper along with method for making the same A double gusset cloth diaper including an inner surface and an outer surface forming an hourglass shape, having a groin area proximate a center line of the reusable diaper and defining at least one recess therebetween. A fluid absorbent material is removably located in the recess through the opening. A first gusset is attached to the reusable diaper to form a first seal between the inner surface and the legs of the user. A second gusset is attached to the reusable diaper proximate the first gusset. The gussets are formed of an elastic material attached to the wrong side of the inner surface in a channel formed by stitching the inner surface to form channels.
US08425480B2	Location of fatty acid esters on tampons and toxin inhibiting efficacy The application of active ingredients, exemplified by GML, to absorbent fibers, such as rayon fibers, used in tampon manufacture at very low levels has been found to maintain efficacy in the inhibition of the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin one (TSST-1) produced by S. aureus without overtly killing the microorganism to achieve the desired reduction while avoiding undesired test results that suggest the presence of “impurities” in some jurisdictions.
US08425475B2	Sanitary apparatus for intestinal cleansing A sanitary apparatus for intestinal cleansing to be attached to a water faucet (R), comprises a faucet filter (2), a quick coupling (3) connectable to the faucet filter (2) and containing a pressure-relief device. A spiral hose (4) connects the pressure-relief device to a series of devices situated in a rectilinear tube section (16), the series of devices including a temperature control device (5), a flow regulator (6), a metering device (7), a check valve (13) and a rectal nozzle (14) in an end section of the sanitary apparatus. Said end section comprises a semirigid tube (9, 12) sustained by a fixing removable support (10) including a base plate (19) provided with at least a sucker (21) in its lower part, and with U bolt-shaped members (24) clamping the semirigid tube (9, 12) in its upper part.
US08425467B1	Catheter tube anchoring device A catheter tube anchoring device for securing a catheter to a patient's skin, having two flexible side members and a rigid cross-member therebetween to which a retainer is mounted. The retainer holds a catheter adaptor at a 3-degree angle for patient comfort. Two rigid gripping tabs secure to each retainer side are gripped gripping while advancing a needle into the patient's vein and while attaching the catheter adaptor to a I.V. tubing, for increased patient comfort, reduction of the risk in contamination and patient infection, and to more easily and quickly start an I.V. An alternative embodiment includes prism shaped tabs containing a pressure-release polymer adhesive-containing capsules which releases the polymer adhesive through mesh openings in the tabs onto an absorbent pad on a crosslmember bottom side and onto a patient's skin to secure the device thereto either alone or in combination with a second adhesive on the patient's skin.
US08425463B2	Anesthetic injection system Systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, an intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medications, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.
US08425462B2	Devices, systems, and methods for medicament delivery An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container, an actuator, and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to move the medicament container within the housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. The actuator includes a gas container and a puncturer. When the actuator is in the first configuration, a portion of the puncturer is disposed apart from the gas container. When the actuator is in the second configuration, the portion of the puncturer is disposed within the gas container. The gas container has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The biasing member is configured to bias the actuator toward the second configuration.
US08425456B2	Compliant balloon catheter A catheter includes a first expandable membrane having a first pressurization limit and a second expandable membrane, having a second pressurization limit, wherein the second pressurization limit is greater than the first pressurization limit, the first expandable membrane defines a cooling chamber, the second expandable membrane being disposed around the first expandable membrane to define an junction therebetween. The catheter includes a coolant injection lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet port and the cooling chamber, and a primary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the cooling chamber. The coolant injection tube, the cooling chamber, and the primary coolant return lumen define a first fluid pathway. The catheter further includes a secondary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the junction. The junction and the secondary coolant return lumen define a second fluid pathway. The catheter provides a fail-safe feature by selecting the appropriate first and second pressurization limits for the first and second expandable membranes.
US08425451B2	Gastrointestinal anchor compliance A collapsible gastrointestinal anchor can be characterized in various embodiments by a radial force of about 0.1 Newtons (N) or greater at a compressed diameter of 25 millimeters (mm); by an average spring rate of about 13 Newtons/meter (N/m) or greater in a range of motion between a relaxed diameter and a compressive elastic deformation diameter; or by a radial force over the range of motion of about 0.1 N or greater. Typically, the anchor can be adapted to be retained within a subject's intestine, more typically in the duodenum, or particularly in the duodenal bulb just distal to the pylorus.A gastrointestinal implant device includes the collapsible gastrointestinal anchor and a floppy sleeve. The sleeve is open at both ends and adapted to extend into a subject's intestine, the anchor being coupled to a proximal portion of the sleeve.Also include are methods of implanting the gastrointestinal implant device in a subject, and methods of treating a subject for disease.The disclosed gastrointestinal invention leads to an improved ability to secure anchors and devices in the gastrointestinal tract while tending to minimize migration.
US08425449B2	Ocular implants and methods for delivering ocular implants into the eye An ocular implant is provided. In some embodiments, the ocular implant includes a body that is curved about a longitudinal central axis and a distal body portion that defines a longitudinal channel including a channel opening. The implant is sized and configured such that the ocular implant assumes an orientation in which the channel opening is adjacent a major side of Schlemm's canal when the ocular implant is disposed in Schlemm's canal. Methods for delivering ocular implants into Schlemm's canal are also provided. Some methods include covering openings in the ocular implant, advancing the implant into Schlemm's canal while at least some of the openings are covered, and uncovering the openings while the distal portion of the implant is disposed in Schlemm's canal.
US08425448B2	Adjusting pH in a method of separating whole blood This invention is directed to a method of collecting and separating whole blood into components. The method includes the steps of adding an anticoagulant having an acidic pH to a bag for collecting and/or separating whole blood, collecting whole blood in the bag, loading the bag containing anticoagulated whole blood on a rotor, spinning the bag on the rotor to separate the whole blood into at least one component; and squeezing the bag on the rotor to push the component from the separation bag into at least one satellite bag.
US08425447B2	Selective cytopheresis devices and related methods thereof The present invention relates to systems and devices to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions within a subject and to related methods. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, devices, and related methods that sequester leukocytes and/or platelets and then inhibit their inflammatory action.
US08425444B2	Anti-clotting apparatus and methods for fluid handling system Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample, such as an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid. In some embodiments, a method for maintaining clear passageways in an extracorporeal blood flow system includes intermittently providing one or more anti-clotting agents to a passageway of the extracorporeal blood flow system. In some embodiments, an extracorporeal blood flow system includes a passageway and a device operatively connected to provide one or more anti-clotting agents to a least a portion of said passageway.
US08425441B2	Spacer element for use in an orthopedic or prosthetic device A spacer element for use in an orthopedic or prosthetic device includes a first region including first and second fabric layers spaced by a first compressible padding layer, a second region including first and second fabric layers spaced by a second compressible padding layer, and a third region including the first and second fabric layers adjacent one another. The first region is separated and spaced from the second region by the third region. The first padding layer has a greater density than the second padding layer, such that the first padding layer is less firm than the second padding layer.
US08425440B2	Orthotic capable of accepting replaceable supports for a pivoting joint of a human body An orthotic for a joint of the human body, at which a body part pivots, includes first and second hinge members able to extend along respective posterior portions of body parts near the joint. The second member is able to be fitted with alternate orthotic support portions. A hinge connection joins the first member and the second member, permitting angular motion about an axis, and mutual disconnection and reconnection of the members at the hinge connection as the second member pivots relative to the first member.
US08425439B1	Locking and releasing hinge A lockable hinge assembly configured for incorporation within a brace for stabilizing a joint includes a static support structure configured to remain in a fixed position, a dynamic support structure that is configured to be rotatable relative to the dynamic support structure, and a locking means for locking the dynamic support structure in a desired fixed position relative to the static support structure. The locking means is configured to enable the dynamic support structure to rotate relative to the static support structure and to automatically lock the dynamic support structure in a fixed position relative to the static support structure when the dynamic support structure rotates into the desired position.
US08425438B2	Motion assist apparatus A motion assist apparatus is provided with an attaching member that has a glove shape with finger portions and a middle hand portion that is attachable to one of hands of a user, a back-side actuator that is freely expanded and contracted, and bridged between a tip of each of the finger portions and the middle hand portion on the back side of the attaching member, and a palm-side actuator that is freely expanded and contracted, and bridged between the tip of each of the finger portions and the middle hand portion on the palm side of the attaching member, and in this structure, the palm-side actuator is provided with a wire unit formed of two wires that are disposed on each of the finger portions on the palm side from the tip of each of the finger portions on the back side to the middle hand portion along the finger portion, passing through two side portions of the finger portion, so that intervals therebetween are made different at respective positions corresponding to joints of the finger portion, and rubber artificial muscle is coupled to the wire unit and is formed on the middle hand portion.
US08425437B2	Physical rehabilitation apparatus A physical therapy device, in one form, provides rotation, flexion and stretching to rehabilitate patients undergoing physical therapy. The physical rehabilitation apparatus can comprise a base and a track coupled to the base with the track configured to slide along the base. The apparatus can further comprise a bearing coupled to the track, the bearing allowing rotational movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the track and a tread coupled to the bearing. In one form, the apparatus works with a number of attachments.
US08425436B2	Motion assistive device and maintenance management system for motion assistive device An operating status of a motor in a drive unit is analyzed to extend the life of the motor. A wearable motion assistive device 1 includes a shoulder joint mechanism 5 and an elbow joint mechanism 6 for aiding a movement of the shoulder joint and the elbow joint, and a control unit 100 having a control circuit for controlling drive units 11 for the shoulder and elbow joint mechanisms 5 and 6. The control unit 100 controls the drive units 11 based on a physical quantity and a biosignal detected by an angle sensor, a torque sensor, and a biosignal detecting sensor. A controller in the drive unit 11 includes a motor monitoring unit for monitoring an operational status of the motor, and a motor control unit for limiting a drive signal supplied to the motor based on a monitoring result provided by the motor monitoring unit, in order to prevent an overload state of the motor.
US08425434B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring animal condition A method and system for monitoring the condition of animals provides for current height and weight measurements taken from an animal in order to automatically derive a height-to-weight ratio. The height-to-weight ratio thus obtained may be used to determine whether or not an animal's overall physical condition lies inside tolerance limits in relation to its predetermined expected development. An apparatus for implementing the method of the invention may include a control system configured to determine the height-to-weight ratio and may within a control system of an animal installation. The supply of feed to an animal may be adjusted in response to a deviation of its measured height weight ratio from a target or benchmark value.
US08425425B2	Virtual image formation method for an ultrasound device Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe.
US08425424B2	Closed-loop clot lysis The present invention provides procedures and systems that use a closed-loop approach for directing ultrasound energy at a clot while monitoring blood flow and/or liquification of the clot tissue so as to allow automated and/or manual adjustments to various treatment parameters.
US08425422B2	Adaptive volume rendering for ultrasound color flow diagnostic imaging Adaptive volume rendering is provided for medical diagnostic ultrasound. The opacity of B-mode data is set relative to the opacity of Doppler data. The opacities for the different types of data are set as a function of ray depth. For example, the opacity of B-mode data near a tissue border is set to be more opaque than for tissue away from the border, and the opacity for flow data near a flow border is set to be less opaque than for flow away from the border. An image is rendered using a rendering parameter set as a function of ray depth, B-mode information and Doppler information. Other processes for enhancing and/or using rendering may be used.
US08425420B2	Bone strength diagnosing device and bone strength diagnosing method The purpose of the current invention is to provide a bone strength diagnosing device and a bone strength diagnosing method capable of accurately diagnosing a bone strength of a bone. A longitudinal ultrasonic transducer and a transverse ultrasonic transducer radiate ultrasonic waves onto a bone front surface of a tibia from a predetermined angle to generate surface waves that propagate in the bone front surface in a longitudinal direction of the tibia and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, respectively, and receive leaky waves leaking to the side of the soft tissues from the front surface waves. A speed-of-sound calculating module calculates speeds of sound of the surface waves in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction based on a difference between course lengths of the ultrasonic waves and a difference between propagation times.
US08425418B2	Method of ultrasonic imaging and biopsy of the prostate A system and method (i.e, utility) are disclosed for positioning a needle in three-dimensions based on patient related statistics for extracting tissue during biopsy procedures. Aspects of the utility can be applied independently or serve as an aid to the urologist when regions of interest are hard to discern in an ultrasound image. Regions of interest that correspond to high cancer risk regions (e.g., statistically) are automatically superimposed on an ultrasound image of a patient in real time. Additionally a statistical map based on one or more demographic parameters of a patient and containing cancer probability locations are also automatically mapped on the ultrasound image in real time displaying potential cancer locations. Aspects of the system are also capable of displaying optimal needle placement positions based on statistical priors and will be able to accurately navigate the needle to that position for biopsy extraction and/or treatment.
US08425416B2	Analyte sensor Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.
US08425415B2	Health monitoring appliance A heart monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes; and a wearable appliance in communication with the one or more wireless nodes, the appliance monitoring vital signs. Other implementations can monitor heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, fluid status, posture and activity.
US08425401B2	Gastric inflation band with integrated infusion catheter An inflatable gastric band incorporates a fluid channel within an outer surface of the band and an inflatable bladder on a stomach-facing side of the band. The gastric band attaches to a double lumen catheter, which communicates with a dual infusion port. One lumen communicates with the fluid channel and one port, while the other lumen communicates with the inflatable bladder and a second port. Injection of fluid into one chamber of the infusion port expands inflatable bladder, allowing adjustment to the diameter of the stoma. Injection of drugs or therapeutic agents into the second chamber allows the infusion of drugs or agents directly into the abdominal cavity of a gastric band recipient. The inflatable bladder can be continuous or segmented. A segmented bladder reduces pinching and/or folding of the inner surface of the gastric band during expansion/contraction, thereby lessening stomach pinching and/or irritation.
US08425400B2	Implant for supporting the urethra of a man and a surgical kit for treating incontinence in a man and including such an implant An implant for supporting a urethra of a man which includes two elongate flexible strips that are substantially inextensible in length between opposite ends thereof and that include middle portions that are disposed adjacent to one another in side by side relationship such that a side edge of each strip faces towards the other strip, and wherein the strips are connected to each other at the middle portions, and wherein the strips have intermediate portions that extend between the middle portion and each opposite end of each strip along which the strips are separate from each other. The implant supports the urethra in such a manner that the two strips may be placed under tension independently of each other with the middle portions thereof supporting the urethra over a total width of the strips.
US08425399B2	Focusing board assembly for medical imaging equipment A focusing board assembly for a medical imaging equipment gives a comfortable feeling mentally or physically by visually getting rid of an oppressive feeling arisen when a patient is in a tunnel-like enclosed space such as MRI or CT for his/her medical examination.
US08425394B2	Centrifugal separator with lubrication device The invention relates to a centrifugal separator having a bearing device and a lubricating device comprising a rotatable pump device. The pump device comprises a lubricant inlet to receive lubricant from a lubricant reservoir, and a duct to convey lubricant to an outlet device for delivering at least part of said lubricant in the form of lubricant mist through at least one lubricant outlet. The pump device further comprises a gas inlet and the outlet device comprises a gas outlet, whereby during rotation of the pump device a gas flow is maintained from the gas inlet to the gas outlet bringing along lubricant present in the duct towards the outlet device. The centrifugal separator further comprises a housing which surrounds the bearing device and the lubricating device and which allows lubricant mist to pass from the lubricating device to the bearing device in order to lubricate the latter.
US08425392B2	Broadsheet newspaper printing press and folder A broadsheet newspaper printing press has at least one print unit printing at least one web of material and a folder. The folder has a cross-cutter to cut the web of material into broadsheet newspapers, a tucker cylinder having a gripper gripping the broadsheet newspapers at a lead edge and a tucking blade for forming a cross-fold in the broadsheet newspapers, and a jaw cylinder or fold rollers to receive the cross-folded broadsheet newspapers from the tucker cylinder at the cross-fold, the gripper being located with respect to the tucking blade so that the cross-fold is located at between 33% and 45% or 55% and 67% of the height of the newspaper.
US08425389B2	Method and a system for manufacturing printed products For manufacturing books having different sizes and comprising a plurality of text pages constituting a book block, a web of material having a given width is sequentially printed in a digital printing station. The printed web of material is then provided either with one weakening line extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web of material or with two weakening lines arranged spaced apart and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web of material. Thereafter the printed web of material is transversely cut to produce individual text sheets which are provided with either one weakening line or two weakening lines. These text sheets are then longitudinally folded along the either one weakening line or in sequence along each of the two weakening lines. The folded text sheets belonging to a particular book block are stacked to a stack. The stacks are either temporarily stored for a later binding process or directly supplied to a binding station.
US08425387B1	Method for manufacturing stair step portfolio file A stair-step, expandable file folder is disclosed, in which each pocket in the folder has the same depth, rather than the back pockets being deeper than the front pockets. The folder is formed from a group of attached dividers. Each divider in the group is generally planar and includes two horizontal folds near a bottom edge of the divider. The divider area above the folds forms a wall of a pocket. The divider area between the folds extends to an adjacent divider and forms the bottom of the pocket. The divider area below the folds is attached to the adjacent divider. The adjacent divider forms an opposing wall of the pocket. When the group of dividers is compressed front-to-back, the dividers all have the same lateral footprint. When the group is expanded front-to-back, the dividers translate vertically, so that the tops of the dividers are all visible simultaneously from the front of the folder. During manufacturing, the group of dividers may be tilted front-to-back to ensure that the bottoms of the pockets remain in contact with their respective tooling elements.
US08425380B2	Engine controlling apparatus for motorcycle An engine controlling apparatus for a motorcycle for reducing the output power of the engine when necessary includes a second controller for deciding, if a brake operation is detected based on an opening value of an accelerator grip detected by a potentiometer for detecting an opening value of the accelerator grip that the accelerator grip is in an open state, whether it is necessary to reduce the output power of an engine and for carrying out output power reduction control of the engine. If a front wheel brake sensor detects a brake operation for the front wheel and in addition it is decided from the speed value detected by a vehicle speed sensor that the motorcycle is not being decelerated, then the second controller decides that there is the necessity to reduce the output power of the engine and carries out the output power reduction control of the engine.
US08425372B2	Geared turbofan emergency power A gearbox has a first rotative component and a second rotative component, the gearbox having a rotary input and a rotary output, a first brake for braking the first rotative component of the gearbox against rotation thereof, and a second brake for braking the second rotative component of the gearbox against rotation thereof. The rotary input drives the rotary output if the first brake brakes the first rotative component of the gearbox and the rotary output drives the first rotative component of the gearbox if the second brake brakes the second rotative component of the gearbox.
US08425371B2	Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08425369B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08425366B2	Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08425365B2	Planetary layshaft transmission A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least one planetary gear set, a plurality of transfer gears connected by a layshaft, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08425364B2	Cam-based infinitely variable transmission A cam based infinitely variable transmission incorporation a ratcheting drive mechanism with one set of planetary gears and a cam with two followers mounted on a carrier with said gears and adapted to in infinitely variable in output but maintain a uniform output for a given uniform input. The followers are can be shifted in relation to the three dimensional cam by a shifter and clutches are used to handle the relative motion of the gears and follower shafts.
US08425357B2	Double cogged V-belt for variable speed drive A double-cogged V-belt with the upper and lower cog profiles symmetric and having lines (“L”) and arcs (“A”) connected according to a sequence from the center of a root to the center of an adjacent cog of L1-A1-L2-A2-L3 for the upper profile and A3-L5-A4-L6, and with at least one upper root and one lower root substantially aligned with each other, and with the sum of the length of L1 plus the radius of A1 equal to or within 20% of the radius of A3. The upper and lower pitches may be equal and all the roots aligned, or there may be more upper cogs than lower cogs. Some or all arcs and lines may be connected tangentially.
US08425354B2	Implantable locator for hunting arrows A hunting arrow for tracking target animals is disclosed and described. The arrow can include a chamber having an angled surface and a compression fitting surface. The arrow can also include a transmitter housing having an angled surface and a compression fitting to securely house the transmitter within the chamber during flight. The transmitter may include removable parts, to enable reuse of the transmitter, including but not limited to: compression fittings, barbed hooks, an attachment assembly and a battery cover. The transmitter is ejected from the chamber when the arrow strikes a target animal and the one or more barbed hooks stops the forward momentum of the transmitter with sufficient force to overcome the friction between the compression fitting and the compression fitting surface within the chamber, thereby ejecting and embedding the transmitter in the hide of the animal. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the hunting arrow can include a plunger system, retaining member/retaining dimple system and/or an adhesive strip system to secure the transmitter to the arrow during flight.
US08425353B2	Customizable bat A customizable bat is described. The customizable bat may have a handle and a knob detachably affixed to an end of the handle by way of a knob-shaft inserted into a channel of the end of the handle. A pin may extend centrally from a top of the knob through the knob-shaft toward the handle. The pin may be shaped to engage with the knob of the customizable bat. The bat may also include a customizable marker that indicates information associated with the bat. The customizable marker may be removably integrated with the top of the knob and the pin of the bat. The customizable marker may be configured to securely fit around the pin of the bat.
US08425351B2	Golf ball having deflection differential between inner core and dual core A golf ball comprising a core comprising an inner core center and an outer core layer disposed over the inner core center. The inner core center has a deflection of greater than 0.210 inch under a load of 100 kilograms and the core has a deflection ranging from 0.120 inch to 0.095 inch under a load of 100 kilograms. A mantle layer is disposed over the core and a cover is disposed over them mantle.
US08425345B2	Variable length shaft A variable length golf club shaft is disclosed herein. The variable length golf club shaft includes at least one upper shaft portion having a first diameter and a hollow lower shaft portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein the lower shaft portion has at least one notch, and wherein the at least one upper shaft portion has at least one pin that fits within the at least one notch.
US08425343B1	Golf swing and golf putting stroke alignment aid The golf swing and golf putting stroke alignment aid consists of a tripod stand from which a horizontal member attaches and extends outwardly therefrom. A detachable alignment member attaches onto a distal end of the horizontal member, and touches on different surfaces of a golfer to provide an alignment aid for use with a putting stroke or golf swing. The alignment aid is able to give instantaneous feedback to the golfer of proper alignment of a surface of the head, arm, or hand at a particular location along the path of the golf swing or putting stroke. The tripod enables vertical adjustment of the horizontal member, which can rotate thereon in order to provide adjustment of the height and location of the detachable alignment member with respect to the surface of the golfer.
US08425342B2	Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves or openings formed therein. This base may be joined with another material (such as a polymer backing material) to form the insert, wherein the backing material at least partially fills the grooves or openings. In some arrangements, the backing material of the insert may be visible at the top and/or bottom surfaces of the putter structures. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.
US08425339B2	Systems and devices of enhancing power grip on an athletic apparatus The disclosed systems and devices of enhancing power grip on an athletic apparatus allow for a constant pressure by the thumb and index finger to be applied to the golf club. The enhanced grip of the left thumb and index finger is sufficient to maintain proper grip during the golf swing and, most importantly, at impact. The disclosed systems and devices of enhancing power grip on an athletic apparatus comprise an index finger support, a thumb support and a locking mechanism. In an example embodiment, the index finger support comprises a slight curvature (or bevel) which allows this portion of the grip to be on the underside of the golf club. The thumb portion of the grip may be straight, exerting pressure on the top portion of the golf club.
US08425338B2	Inflatable sealed air support device A sealed air support structure including at least one sealed air chamber. The at least one sealed air chamber includes at least a first side support and a second side support, each having a support end and a base end. The at least one sealed air chamber includes a main beam with a first end coupled with the support end of the first side support and a second end coupled with the support end of the second side support. A first plurality of connectors coupled with the base end of the first side support and a second plurality of connectors coupled with the base end of the second side support are configured to detachably couple with a plurality of connectors disposed on a cold-air inflatable structure. The at least one sealed air chamber is configured to support a weight applied to the main beam.
US08425337B2	PVC shell skatepark A skate park has a hard top shell formed with skate features drawn down from a top surface of the hardtop shell. The hard top shell has a thickness between 0.2 mm and 1 mm. The hard top shell has a hard top shell inside surface. The hard top shell is pervious to light. A sidewall is formed on a side of the hardtop shell. A paint layer is disposed on the hard top shell inside surface. The skate park may have at least one half pipe. A foil layer may be laminated to the underside of the hardtop shell. The skate park preferably includes at least one bowl recess, but may have two bowl recesses joined at a connecting ridge.
US08425333B2	Torque limiter In a spring type torque limiter, it is proposed to prevent cut end portions of a coil spring fitted on an inner ring from causing chatter of the torque limiter, even if the cut end portions of the coil spring are separated from a radially outer surface of the inner ring in order to prevent burrs remaining on the cut end portions of the coil spring from contacting the radially outer surface of the inner ring. The first cut end portion of the coil spring fitted on the inner ring is inserted in a recess of a first spring receiving protrusion formed on the radially inner surface of the outer annular member. The second cut end portion is inserted in a recess of a second spring receiving protrusion formed on the inner surface of the lid member, thereby restraining the first and second cut end portions with the recesses.
US08425331B2	User interface for viewing aggregated game, system and personal information A user interface for displaying a user profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of gamers and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.
US08425325B2	Automatically generating a book describing a user's videogame performance Systems and methods are provided that record data in a videogame, such as a user's character and performance in the videogame, and generate a book, e-book, or comic book based on the recorded data. A narrative data structure generated from the recorded data may include pregenerated text and images, and may provide for insertion of the recorded data into the narrative data structure. The recorded data may be converted into natural-language text for insertion into the narrative data structure. In some embodiments, the system may record screenshots of the videogame and insert the screenshots into the narrative data structure as illustrations. The narrative data structure may be provided to a location for printing as a book or other publication or may be electronically formatted and provided as an e-book.
US08425323B2	Wagering game with asset trading Method and system are disclosed for operating a wagering game terminal where players are allowed to transfer game assets that they may have accumulated to other players. The game assets may be transferred as part of an on-line auction won by one of the other players, as a gift to a preselected player, or as part of a trade with a preselected player. Neither the transferring player nor the receiving player is required to be present at a wagering game terminal at the time of the transfer. The transfer may be an anonymous transfer or it may be an identity-based transfer. For identity-based transfers, a predefined list of selected players may be used to facilitate the transfers.
US08425320B1	Variable sensor based gated shifter convertible to sequential shifter mode A transmission-gear-selection device includes knob means; shaft means coupled to the knob means; and shift means coupled to the shaft means and configured to shift gears for a driving simulator and/or driving game as the knob means and shaft means are manipulated by a user, wherein the knob means and shaft means are configured to be manipulated for gated shifting. Gated shifting includes the simulation of a transmission of a vehicle that is simulated by the driving simulator and/or the driving game.
US08425318B2	Multiple wagering game displays from single input A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine different objects and/or portions within a wagering game video image and split the wagering game video image into multiple video streams containing different parts of the wagering game video image. The operations can then present the multiple video streams on multiple displays. The multiple displays can show the different parts of the wagering game video image appearing as separate and distinct video images. In some embodiments, some of the multiple displays can be placed in front of other displays. The operations can generate transparent masks that allow images to be seen through a display.
US08425316B2	Methods and systems for improving play of a bonus game on a gaming machine and improving security within a gaming establishment Methods and Systems for improving play of a bonus game on a gaming machine and improving security within a gaming establishment are described. The systems include a gaming machine, which includes an input device that receives an input from a user. The gaming machine further includes a first display device that displays a primary game upon receiving the input, and a second display device including a multilayer display that displays a secondary game. The multilayer display includes a foreground screen and a background screen, with at least a portion of the foreground screen or the background screen being curved and the foreground screen or the background screen displays an image of a wheel. The gaming machine further includes a controller configured to execute the primary and secondary games. The secondary game is played after playing the primary game.
US08425312B1	Playing card indentification system A method determines the three-dimensional position of a playing card at a distance from a gaming table. The method uses modulated signals incorporating different power levels or different frequencies and can be employed as the cards are being dealt or using cards with more than one transponder. The method includes steps of providing each card with at least one transponder that transmits a card identity signal when activated; transmitting an activating signal modulated as to frequency or energy; forming detection zones up to plurality of distances above the gaming table; receiving at a system computer the unique card identity signal; determining a three-dimensional location of the card above the gaming table; recording and displaying the card activity on a computer monitor screen.
US08425311B2	Method of awarding a bonus prize in the play of a plurality of gaming machines By awarding bonuses during predetermined bonus periods, gaming establishments can exercise greater control over bonus wins and, in doing so, can create player excitement and increase play during historically off-peak times, realizing greater revenue for the casino. The time based bonus begins when a maximum time for the bonus period is selected and divided into time increments, with each time increment having its own weight. A winning increment is randomly selected and a bonus is awarded when the time increment has been reached.
US08425310B2	System and method for tracking patrons non-gaming casino spend A system and method for tracking patron events at a plurality of devices is provided. The plurality of devices include electronic gaming machines and non-gaming machines. Each game device has a value associated therewith. The system includes a plurality of player tracking devices and a server or computer. Each player tracking device is associated with one of the electronic gaming machines. The player tracking devices identify patrons interacting with the system, track wagers made by the patrons on the electronic gaming machines and record wager data associated with each wager made by the players and a respective electronic gaming machine in a database. The server receives the wager data and stores the wager data in a database and receives transaction data associated with a transaction associated with the patrons use of the non-gaming devices and stores the transaction data in the database, and establishes a player rating associated with each player as a function of the wager data and the transaction data.
US08425308B2	Counter-balancing in-play video game incentives/rewards by creating a counter-incentive An approach is provided in which a disincentive is provided during the execution of a video game program that is operated by a current user. One or more disincentive factors are identified that correspond to the current user. The identified disincentive factors are compared with current time factors. Based on the comparison, one or more game characteristics are altered with the game characteristics being altered in order to provide a disincentive to continued operation of the video game program by the current user.
US08425304B2	Gaming system having graphical feature interface A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager and a display for displaying a primary wagering game. The gaming system further comprises a controller which is operative to (i) detect receipt of the primary wager, (ii) display a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, (iii) display a feature icon on the display, (iv) detect selection of the feature icon, (v) in response to the selection of the feature icon, display a feature menu on the display, the feature menu displaying a plurality of available features capable of activation in addition to the wagering game, and (vi) in response to a first feature of the feature menu being selected, activate and display the first feature if a first eligibility requirement is satisfied.
US08425301B2	Gaming system and a method of gaming The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. A gaming system comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels or a video machine displaying “virtual” reels. One or more reels generated in play of a base game may be stored for later use in subsequent games. In a subsequent game or games, the game controller may select the stored reel to substitute for a reel generated by the game, in order to improve the game outcome. For example, the game outcome may become a “win” from a “lose” outcome. Or it may result in an improved win outcome. The one or more reels may be stored depending upon a trigger condition generated in the base game.
US08425299B2	Apparatus for providing amusement Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.
US08425298B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for draw poker game A gaming system, a gaming machine and a method is provided having a five card video draw poker game with multiple hands. An initial five card hand is displayed to the player face-up. The player then chooses which of the initial five cards to discard. Each card that is held is then duplicated into all of the other hands to be played. Replacement cards for the unheld cards are displayed and each hand is completed to have a final five card hand. The poker hand ranking of each final five card hand is determined and winning hands receive an award. The player also receives an additional award depending on the number of final hands that fall into each poker hand category.
US08425297B2	Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance including a ticket A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a poker game, such as, for example, a pai gow poker game. In a version of this embodiment, the poker game provides for a player to arrange a plurality of cards dealt to the player into a first hand and a second hand. In another example, the poker game is coupled with a second level game in which the result is revealed. In a specific example, the second level game is a slot machine game.
US08425292B2	System and method for analyzing postures A posture analyzing system has a collecting apparatus disposed on a handle of a sports apparatus and is configured to collect and transmit data of the sports apparatus. A mobile terminal is configured to read the data and to draw a moving path of the sports apparatus according to the data and shape of the sports apparatus. Further, a posture analyzing system collects and sends data of the sports apparatus by a collecting apparatus disposed on a handle of the sports apparatus and receives the data and draws a moving path of the sports apparatus according to the data and shape of the sports apparatus by a mobile terminal.
US08425287B2	In-row air containment and cooling system and method An in-row electronic equipment storage system and corresponding method provides cooling to an electronic equipment rack. The system includes an electronic equipment rack that includes a housing adapted to receive electronic equipment, and an electronic equipment rack air cavity. A cooling rack, including a housing adapted to receive cooling equipment, and a cooling rack air cavity, is configured to be disposed adjacent to the electronic equipment rack. An interface allows for fluid communication between the cooling rack air cavity and the electronic equipment air cavity. The interface may include dampers to control air flow between the air cavities.
US08425286B2	Quick release structures for a computer Quick release couplings for releasably coupling components of a computer to the computer are disclosed. The quick release coupling mechanisms are generally configured to allow tool-less placement of the components relative to the computer. That is, the quick release coupling mechanisms are configured to perform their couplings without using conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc. By eliminating the use of fasteners, the components may be inserted and removed from the computer without using tools (e.g., tool-less). Furthermore, the quick release couplings are easy to maneuver thereby enabling quick and straightforward assembly and disassembly of the components to and from the computer (e.g., quick release). For example, the components may be inserted and removed by a simple pushing or pulling motion, and/or by a simple flick of a latch or handle.
US08425280B2	Distributor for continuously feeding abrasive material in a water-jet cutting machine A machine has a head with a nozzle, a pipe for supplying water under pressure to the nozzle, and a duct for supplying an abrasive agent, and adding it to the jet of water under pressure. The duct has a first duct portion, fixed with respect to the head in the movements of rotation about a main axis, and a second duct portion, which is fixed with respect to the movements of rotation. A rotating distributor connects the first rotating portion with the second fixed portion of the duct for supplying the abrasive agent. The distributor's stator and rotor are rotatably mounted on one another without the interposition of seal rings and define between them an internal chamber that is substantially at atmospheric pressure and from which the abrasive agent drops by gravity to a duct outlet that converges into the pipe for supplying water under pressure.
US08425276B2	Polishing composition The present invention provides a polishing composition for polishing copper or copper alloy, comprising: an oxidizing agent (A); at least one acids (B) selected from amino acids, carboxylic acids of 8 or less carbon atoms, or inorganic acids; a sulfonic acid (C) having an alkyl group of 8 or more carbon atoms; a fatty acid (D) having an alkyl group of 8 or more carbon atoms; and an N-substituted imidazole (E) represented by the following general formula (1). (In the formula (1), Ra, Rb, and Rc represent H or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and Rd represents a group selected from the group consisting of a benzyl group, a vinyl group, an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a group in which a portion of H of these groups has been substituted with OH or NH2.)
US08425275B2	Body garment and shapewear design and method of use A shapewear garment is described that includes a one-piece foundation, wherein the foundation comprises a compression material having at least one area of firm support and at least one area of light support; and at least one resealable thong-like seam.
US08425272B2	Laminated interconnects for organic opto-electronic device modules and method A method of producing an encapsulated module of interconnected opto-electronic devices which comprises: forming a patterned anode layer; forming a layer of opto-electronically active material over the patterned anode layer; forming a patterned cathode layer over the layer of opto-electronically active material, to provide a device array of opto-electronically active cells on the substrate; selectively removing portions of the layer of opto-electronically active material so as to expose minor portions of the anodes; forming a patterned interconnect layer on an encapsulating sheet in a pattern to define an array of interconnect pads; and laminating the patterned encapsulating sheet over the array of opto-electronically active cells whereby the exposed anode portions are interconnected with the cathodes of adjacent cells by the interconnect pads and the interconnected cells are encapsulated by the encapsulating sheet.
US08425271B2	Phosphor position in light emitting diodes A method of forming an LED lamp with a desired distribution of phosphor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing a plurality of phosphor particles in an uncured polymer resin for which the viscosity can be controlled in response to temperature to form a substantially uniform suspension of the phosphor particles in the resin. The uncured resin is then placed into a defined position adjacent an LED chip and the temperature of the resin is increased to correspondingly decrease its viscosity but to less than the temperature at which the resin would cure unreasonably quickly. The phosphor particles are encouraged to settle in the lowered-viscosity resin to a desired position with respect to the LED chip, and the temperature of the resin is thereafter increased to the point at which it will cured and solidify.
US08425270B2	Length-adjustable tie bar for marine engines The present invention relates to a tie bar. The tie bar has a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes an end portion configured to connect to a propulsion unit, a first tube that extends from the end portion and a threaded member operatively connected to the end portion and disposed within and at least partially extending along the first tube. The second subassembly includes an end portion configured to connect to a further propulsion unit and a second tube that extends from the end portion of the second subassembly. The second subassembly is configured to threadably engage with the threaded member. The distance of separation between the end portions is selectively adjustable thereby.
US08425269B2	Multi-function auxiliary rudder system for jet propelled watercrafts A rudder system that uses a dual purpose thrust operated actuator. The actuator is selectively positioned for use in an up or constant down mode. While in the up mode, the actuator uses the force of the jet pump to raise the rudders out of the water at speed, and with the actuator set in the down mode, the invention uses the force of the jet pump water to hold the rudder in the water. In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes anti-oscillating veins attached to the thrust operated actuator. In another alternative embodiment, the travel of the actuator is limited by configuring it to come into contact with a rudder stabilizer bar. Another embodiment includes providing adjustable fin positions relative to the side force stabilizer.
US08425261B2	Electrical connector with contact spacing member A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a base having a base surface, and an array of contacts that extend along the base surface of the base. Each contact extends along a length from a terminating end to a tip end. Each contact has a mating interface located along the length of the contact between the terminating end and the tip end. The contact sub-assembly also includes a spacing member formed separately from the base. The spacing member engages at least some of the contacts for positioning the contacts relative to each other within the array. The spacing member includes first and second spacing segments that are discrete from each other and that are configured to move relative to each other.
US08425259B2	Vandal proof NMO antenna mount An antenna mount is provided including a contact pin having first and second distal ends, a barrel encasing the contact pin, a base encasing the barrel, a terminal lug press fit within a cross-section of the base, and a set screw receptacle disposed in a portion of the base for receiving a set screw to secure an antenna to the base. The first and second distal ends of the contact pin extend past first and second distal ends of the barrel, the first distal end of the contact pin extends past a first distal end of the base, and a second distal end of the base surrounds the second distal end of the pin.
US08425253B2	Center conductor terminal having increased contact resistance A terminal assembly is provided for terminating a center conductor of a coaxial cable. The terminal assembly includes a terminal body having a pin at one end and a cavity at the other end for accommodating a center conductor therein. A contact member is supported within the cavity. The contact member includes plural inwardly directed cantilevered beams extending from a contact base for deflectable engagement with the inserted center conductor. The terminal body includes an inwardly directed shoulder for engagement with the beams at a location between the base and the distal ends of the beams. The location defines a deflection fulcrum at a location distal from the base so as to provide increased contact engagement force between the distal ends of the beams and the center conductor.
US08425251B1	Assembly for relieving cable bundle connection strain An assembly for relieving cable bundle connection strain, the cable bundle being electrically connected to and extending from a multi-terminal modular plug, the assembly including a receptacle receiving the multi-terminal modular plug, the receptacle having a cable receiving nipple; clamping set screws connected operatively to the receptacle's lateral and oppositely lateral walls for securing the multi-terminal modular plug within the receptacle; a cable extension port opening the receptacle, the cable extension port receiving the cable bundle's extension; a cable sheath, the cable bundle's extension being further received by the cable sheath; and a constant force spring annularly clamping the sheath about the receptacle's nipple.
US08425246B1	Low profile semiconductor device socket Various circuit board sockets and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a socket operable to receive a first circuit board. The socket includes a housing and a cover slidedly coupled to the housing. The cover has an opening sized to enable the first circuit board to seat on the housing.
US08425245B2	Fastener for an electrical connector The invention relates to a fastener. The fastener includes: a lower fastening base, in which a pivoting plate is disposed upward on a back end of the lower fastening base and concavely disposed with a limiting groove, an upper fastening plate, disposed on the lower fastening base in a covering manner, in which a back end of the upper fastening plate has at least one pivoting portion pivotally connected to the pivoting plate, a limiting portion, extending backward from the upper fastening plate and penetrating the limiting groove correspondingly, at least one stop block, convexly extending from the limiting portion and located behind the pivoting plate, and a fixing part, disposed on a frond end of the lower fastening base and used for fixing the upper fastening plate to the lower fastening base.
US08425244B2	Connector with a locking sleeve for locking to a socket having a circular band A locking mechanism for a connector (100) facilitates the interconnect between the connector and an electronic device (200). The connector (100) is formed of a plug (102), a locking sleeve (104) and an o-ring (112). The locking sleeve has a locking pattern (108) that, upon rotation of the locking sleeve, engages and disengages lock between the plug and a socket within the electronic device. Friction from the o-ring (112) on the locking sleeve (104) prevents disengagement of the connector from the electronic device while providing a seal.
US08425241B2	Bus bar system with support means for spacing pole rails A bus bar system is provided with a base part made of an insulating material, in which the base part exhibits at least two chambers for receiving one pole rail each in which one chamber partition is disposed between two chambers respectively, in which structures are provided which arrange corresponding pole rail for the pole rails disposed on the one side of the chamber partition and for the pole rails disposed on the other side of the chamber partition, wherein these structures are a distance from the chamber partition as formed.
US08425236B2	Tall mezzanine connector A tall mezzanine connector which connects the substantial middle half of each of a pair of circuit cards positioned normal thereto. The mezzanine connector comprises a and a receptacle that includes wafers having electrical contact means at each end thereof for contacting contacts in the respective circuit cards, the wafers being held in place by an upper base member and a lower base member.
US08425234B2	Joint replica models and methods of using same for testing medical devices Disclosed herein are joint replica models that are designed to enable simulated use testing by medical device companies, medical device designers, individual inventors, or any other entity interested in the performance of medical devices. These models are unique in possessing a level of complexity that allows them to be substituted for either a live animal, an animal cadaver, or a human cadaver in the testing of these devices. These models are further characterized by a similarity of geometry, individual component physical properties, and component-to-component interfacial properties with the appropriate target tissue and anatomy.
US08425230B2	Two-piece dental abutment system The present inventions is an abutment for use with a dental implant. The abutment comprises a prosthetic portion adapted to support a prosthesis thereon and an insert. The prosthetic portion has a subgingival end and a supragingival region for protruding beyond gingiva adjacent to the dental implant. The prosthetic portion has a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway includes an enlarged retention groove and non-round section. The insert extends into the passageway and engages the subgingival end of the prosthetic portion. The insert includes flexible retention fingers that, upon insertion into the passageway, initially contract before reaching the enlarged retention groove and then expand outwardly into the enlarged retention groove to hold the insert onto the prosthetic portion. The insert also has a non-round section for mating with the non-round section of the passageway.
US08425226B2	Heat treatment apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device Provided is a heat treatment apparatus including a treatment chamber housing a silicon substrate, a heater being provided in the treatment chamber and heating the silicon substrate, and an atmosphere adjustment mechanism reducing a concentration of oxygen contained in an atmosphere inside the treatment chamber to less than an oxygen concentration in the air. The atmosphere adjustment mechanism is provided with an oxygen trap, for example.
US08425219B2	Mechanism and system for clamping A clamping mechanism having: a drive; a shaft connected to the drive; an eccentric hub that is driven to rotate by the shaft; a fixed support structure that supports the eccentric hub such that the eccentric hub can rotate; and a moving support structure that is connected to the eccentric hub such that the moving support structure is driven substantially linearly based on rotational motion of the eccentric hub and serves to clamp an object between the moving support structure and a fixed structure adjacent to the moving support structure. A clamping system is provided having, a single drive; a shaft connected to the drive; and a plurality of clamping mechanisms.
US08425218B2	Networked three-dimensional printing Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
US08425216B2	Cycle counting system for injection molding assembly There is set forth herein a system having an injection molding assembly mold including a stationary section and moveable section, the stationary section having a channel assembly, one or more nozzle and a mold cavity, the mold further having a sensor unit array, the sensor unit array comprising one or more sensor unit. The system can include one or more processing circuit that utilizes an output of the one or more sensor unit for determining a condition prevailing within the injection molding assembly.
US08425214B2	Spraying tool with a switch-off valve The invention relates to a spraying tool, in particular as part of a mold-spraying device for spraying at least one section of a wall of a mold with working medium. In at least one embodiment, the spraying tool comprises a plurality of spraying elements for dispensing working medium, and at least one working-medium supply line which supplies working medium to the plurality of spraying elements. In accordance with at least one embodiment, at least some of the spraying elements, the spraying nozzles of which point downwards during operation, are equipped with a separate valve unit which is adjacent to the spraying nozzle and the valve element of which is prestressed elastically into a closed position in which it prevents the dispensing of working medium, but can be transferred under the action of a hydraulic and/or pneumatic pressure into an open position in which it permits the dispensing of working medium.
US08425210B2	Two-setting variable-eccentricity vane pump A variable-eccentricity vane pump having a rotor fitted with blades; an adjusting ring housing the rotor; elastic means for forcing the adjusting ring into a maximum-eccentricity position with respect to the rotor; a first sliding member connected to the adjusting ring and which slides in fluidtight manner inside a first chamber connected hydraulically to a delivery conduit of the pump; and a second sliding member connected to the adjusting ring and which slides in fluidtight manner inside a second chamber connected hydraulically to a delivery conduit of the pump. The first sliding member is connected to the adjusting ring on the opposite side to the elastic means and the second sliding member; and the second chamber is smaller than the first chamber, and has a drain opening formed in a lateral wall on which the second sliding member slides.
US08425207B2	Motor driven air compressor and hydraulic pump module The present invention provides a motor driven air compressor and hydraulic pump module that makes it possible to adjust the operational speed of the air compressor in accordance with the operational conditions of the air compressor, prevent shock and water from being produced in an air pipe connected to the air compressor by preventing sudden connection/disconnection of torque transmitted from the motor to the air compressor, by using a continuously variable transmission, thereby improving durability of the motor and the air compressor.
US08425204B2	Pump Pump, for example for pumping lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine, more particularly a multi-stroke vane cell pump, with a rotor and vanes which can slide at least radially in rotor slots and have vane heads that slide along a stroke contour, the stroke contour having a radial outlet that can be closed by a valve device.
US08425203B2	Portable pressure washer system A portable pressure washer system includes a frame having at least one strap configured such that the frame is supported by a user by way of the at least one strap. A torque generating device is supported by the frame and has an output shaft. A pump is selectively coupled to the output shaft to receive a torque generated by the torque generating device. The pump includes an inlet for connecting to a remote fluid source and an outlet for connecting to a high pressure fluid delivery mechanism. The pump receives a fluid from the remote fluid source by way of the inlet, is driven by the torque generating device to raise a pressure of the fluid to a high pressure fluid, and delivers the high pressure fluid to the high pressure fluid delivery mechanism by way of the outlet.
US08425202B2	Modular, universal and automatic closed-loop pump pressure controller A universal controller (16) for an electric motorized pump (18) having a mechanical switch (19) for turning on and off electrical power to the pump, and method of operation of same. The controller controls output pressure of the pump based on controlling the speed of the pump (for example by applying voltage over a greater portion of a duty cycle), so as to provide an optimal operating pressure derived from an automatically determined value for the pressure at which the mechanical switch opens and disrupts electrical power to the pump. It is manufactured as a standalone assembly, not attached to a pump. It can be operated so as to automatically seek and determine a switch-opening pressure for the switch (19), at which the pump pressure switch opens and so interrupts electrical power to the motor, and to then choose an operating pressure below the switch-opening pressure.
US08425200B2	Pump controller The present invention provides a technique using current sensing to control the pressure at constant level without the direct sensing of the pressure. This technique will help to reduce dependency solely on switch or sensor and their non linearity and other associated problems such as the non-repetitive behavior, being affected by EMI etc. The technique includes using a pump controller featuring one or more modules configured to respond to one or more input signals containing information about current provided from a pump; and configured to provide one or more output signals containing information to control the pump to operate at a substantially constant pressure without the direct sensing of pump pressure. The one or more modules control the operation of the pump based at least partly on a table of characteristics related to voltage and current that is calibrated for each pump.
US08425199B2	Paddlewheel apparatus A paddlewheel apparatus including a paddlewheel axle, spaced apart annular wheel hubs locked in rotation with the axle, and a plurality of elongated paddles supported by the wheel hubs and spaced apart therefrom, the paddles being arranged in a zigzagging pattern around the circumference of the wheel hubs. A method for creating current in a bio-pond raceway using a paddlewheel.
US08425198B2	Air compressor An air compressor 20, for enabling to restart a fan motor when an inverter trip generates within an inverter control of the fan motor, as well as, to continue supplying of compressed air therefrom, comprises: a compressor main body 1; a compressor motor 2 for driving this compressor main body 1; a fan motor 9b for driving a fan 9a; an inverter for controlling the fan motor; and a controller 10 for controlling driving of the compressor motor 2 and driving of the fan motor 9b. The controller 10 conducts such control that the fan motor 9b is brought into a restart waiting condition while continuing operation of the compressor motor 2 when an inverter trip generates, and thereafter to restart the fan motor 9b.
US08425192B2	Annulus filler An annulus filler for mounting to a rotor disc of a gas turbine engine bridges the gap between adjacent disc blades. The annulus filler has a lid defining part of an airflow surface for air drawn through the engine; a separate support connectable to the lid and to the rotor disc with an engagement portion of the support extending radially past a substantially adjacent region of the lid; and a retainer configured to interconnect the lid and the support by engaging each engagement portion of the support and adjacent regions of the lid, the retainer defining another part of the airflow surface. The annulus filler can be configured to allow mounting to the rotor disc, where the support is connected to the rotor disc without the lid, and then the lid is mounted to the support such that each engagement portion remains visible from the lid's radially outermost side.
US08425190B2	Pressure relief device A pressure relief device includes a main body and at least two air control units. The main body has at least one passage therein and two outlets formed at upper and lower ends of the passage. A lid is pivotally connected to each of the outlets. The two air control units are each disposed in the passage close to the lid. An air control device drives the air control units to open/close the lid which is adapted to open/close the passage.
US08425189B2	Rotor mounting A rotor mounting on one end of a shaft, particularly a shaft end of a centrifugal pump unit, in which an adjusting surface and at least one contact surface are constructed on the shaft end, and in which a rotor hub is provided at least on the end facing the shaft with a central bore having an internal thread. The rotor hub is attached to the shaft end by a screw connection. The shaft has a central bore (16) having an internal thread (17) at least on the end facing the rotor hub (12); a threaded pin (18) constructed as a separate component is disposed in both central bores (13, 16) in a connecting, torque-transmitting and force-transmitting manner, and the rotor is aligned on the shaft solely by the adjusting surfaces (20) and contact surfaces (21).
US08425184B2	Turbine shroud ring with rotation proofing recess A turbine shroud ring sector for a turbomachine supported at the upstream end by a downstream support of a turbine casing with circular sliding including a first stop able to collaborate with a second stop borne by an element of the turbomachine adjacent to the shroud ring in order to immobilize the shroud ring circularly is disclosed. The sector includes, on an end facing the element, a recess able to allow the second stop to pass to come into contact with the first stop. The recess is cut substantially in the form of a rectangle having, at the bottom of the recess, corners that are rounded in a circular arc of radius r. The bottom of the recess has a convex shape tangential to the circular arcs of the rounded corners and with a curvature that evolves between a radius of curvature r where it meets the rounded corners and a radius of R, greater than the radius r, at a point situated between the two rounded corners.
US08425183B2	Triforial tip cavity airfoil A turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second tip ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides thereof. The tip ribs are spaced apart between the leading and trailing edges of the airfoil to include a trifurcate tip baffle defining a triforial tip cavity.
US08425181B2	Axial-flow turbine with flow extraction means The axial-flow turbine includes an extraction chamber 15 disposed on the outer circumference of a turbine blade chamber 12 and an extraction opening 16. An outer diaphragm 8 forming the downstream-side wall surface of the extraction chamber 15 is provided with a projection 21 formed more radially inwardly than the downstream-side edge on the outer circumference of an adjacent bucket 2 on the upstream side of the extraction opening 16 to form the downstream-side wall surface of the extraction opening 16. The projection 21 forms an upstream-side wall surface 18 of the outer diaphragm 8 for leading a part of the working fluid to the extraction chamber 15, and an inner wall surface 19 of the outer diaphragm 8 for leading the remaining working fluid to a bucket 11 on the downstream side of the extraction opening 16.
US08425180B2	Systems and apparatus relating to steam turbine operation A steam turbine power plant that includes a first steam turbine, the steam turbine power plant including: a thrust piston operably connected to the first steam turbine via a shaft; and means for applying a supply of pressurized steam against the thrust piston such that the thrust piston applies a desired thrust force to the shaft. The desired thrust force may comprise a thrust force that partially balances a thrust force the first steam turbine applies to the shaft during operation.
US08425171B2	Pipe handling system and method A racking assembly for receiving and storing at least one pipe. The racking assembly comprises a set back assembly including a selectively rotatable member having a plurality of radial slots sized for receiving a portion of the pipe(s) in sliding engagement, and a base for supporting the pipe(s). The base is coupled to the selectively rotatable member so as to permit mutual rotation. A barrier is located about a peripheral edge of the base, such that the setback assembly rotates relative to the barrier. The barrier is arranged to prevent the pipe(s) from moving radially from the base. The barrier has a gap sized to permit selective lateral movement of the pipe(s). Mutual rotation of the selectively rotatable member and the base permit alignment of the gap and a selected slot of the selectively rotatable member, and thus permits the pipe stands to be moved laterally into the setback assembly.
US08425170B2	Bonded adhesion of wire-shaped individual elements by means of a two-layer acrylate resin-based system The present invention relates to a method for the bonded adhesion, or connection, of a plurality of wire-shaped individual elements into an arrangement, particularly into a wire band, wherein the adjacent individual elements have predetermined breaking points allowing for the mechanical removal of the individual elements. The bonded adhesion is brought about according to the invention utilizing a two-layer system on the basis of acrylate resins consisting of an inner coating (A) and of an outer coating (B), wherein the inner coating (A) has a lower hardness, than the outer coating. In a further aspect the invention also comprises arranging a plurality of wire-shaped individual elements through such a bonded connection, particularly a wire band.
US08425164B2	Method and device for balancing a tool coupling For balancing a tool coupling, the compensating measures (removal of material, use of other material) are carried out in two planes an axial distance apart. Tool couplings are provided with recesses for imbalance compensation in two planes an axial distance apart.
US08425162B2	Servo drill spindle A servo drill spindle includes a spindle body, an air motor slidably carried by the spindle body, a spindle extension drivingly engaged by the air motor, a cutting tool drivingly engaged by the spindle extension and a servo motor engaging the air motor and operable to advance the air motor along the spindle body.
US08425161B2	Cutting tool with detachable insert, head member and tool body of the same In a head member (30) for a cutting tool with detachable insert (70) including a head member body (31) formed with an insert attachment seat (36) to which a cutting insert (50) having cutting blades (52) is detachably attached, and constituting the cutting tool with detachable insert (70) by being mounted to a tip portion of a holder (10), a side surface (31A) of the head member body (31) is formed with a recess (44) which has a continuous inner wall surface therearound and a bottom surface connected to the inner wall surface over its whole periphery and which is recessed from the side surface (31A) without passing though the head member body (31). According to this head member (30), generation of chatter vibration can be suppressed even if the amount of protrusion is increased, and the cutting heat of a cutting insert can be efficiently radiated.
US08425152B1	Arched culvert and method of manufacture An arched culvert includes a first foundation having a top surface with a plurality of first reinforcing members upwardly projecting therefrom. A first arch includes a body having an arched interior surface and an opposing exterior surface extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first arch being positioned on the top surface of the first foundation adjacent to the first reinforcing members. A first opening extends through the first arch between the interior surface and the exterior surface at the first end thereof. A first locking wall is formed on the top surface of the first foundation so that at least a portion of the first reinforcing members are embedded within the first locking wall and the first locking wall extends along the exterior surface of the first arch and into the first opening of the first arch.
US08425145B2	Apparatus and method for repairing an existing spill containment manhole An apparatus for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank. The apparatus includes a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank. A major portion of the containment vessel is adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole. The containment vessel includes at least one wall that surrounds an existing pipe section operably associated with the underground fuel storage tank when the containment vessel is installed. The at least one wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. Preferably, the containment vessel includes an upper annular flange that extends over and surrounds a portion of an existing cover rim of an existing spill containment manhole thereby isolating an upper portion of the containment vessel from an upper portion on the existing spill containment manhole when the containment vessel is installed. Optionally, a replacement cover is provided to replace an existing cover of the existing spill containment manhole. The replacement cover may include at least one sealing member that engages the inner surface of the at least one wall of the containment vessel when installed. The containment vessel may also include a drain assembly for selectively draining fuel collected in the containment vessel back into the underground fuel storage tank. Preferably, the containment vessel includes a compact seal assembly for providing a fluid tight seal around an existing fill port.
US08425142B2	Connecting arrangement and articulated shaft comprising same A connecting arrangement for a rotationally fixed connection of components in the drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a shaft journal and a hub of an articulation, which has a central opening for receiving the shaft journal, wherein the shaft journal can be axially fixed in the hub, for example by a retaining ring. The invention further relates to an articulated shaft comprising such a connecting arrangement.
US08425140B2	Fastening device and object having the same A fastening device is adapted for fastening a first article to a second article, and includes a first hook, two positioning plates, and a second hook. The first hook is disposed on the first article. The positioning plates are disposed on the first article, and flank the first hook. Each of the positioning plates includes a positioning guide tack. The positioning guide track includes an upright slot portion, a curved guiding slot portion, and a stop shoulder. The curved guiding slot portion is located at a side of the upright slot portion distal from the first hook. The second hook includes an upright plate body disposed pivotally on the second article, a hook body engaging removably the first hook, and two guiding rods flanking the hook body. Each of the guiding rods includes a guiding stub engaging the stop shoulder.
US08425139B2	Sheet holder and edge pattern making apparatus incorporating the same A sheet holder for holding a sheet of paper and exposing an edge of the sheet, has a press for holding the paper sheet and exposing the edge, and a lever for operating the press. The lever is movable between a released position for placing of the edge of the paper sheet in the press and a holding position for operating the press. There is also an abutment for abutment by the edge of the paper sheet to position the edge relative to the press while the lever is in the released position. The abutment is associated with the lever for moving away from the edge of the paper sheet when the lever moves towards the holding position, thereby exposing the edge of the paper sheet.
US08425136B2	Apparatus for treating a stain in clothing A package for treating stained fabric. The package can have a backing layer having a second side and a pouch layer joined thereto to form a pouch. A fluid pervious contact substrate can be joined to a first side of the backing layer. The pouch can contain a stain treatment fluid. The package can have a first position in which first and second planar regions of the backing layer are substantially in plane with one another. The package can have a second position in which first planar region and second planar region are in a substantially angularly facing relationship. In the second position the pouch can be in fluid communication with the contact substrate. The stain treatment fluid can include a surfactant.
US08425133B2	Discrete-amount fluid-dispensing system for a personal care device The fluid-dispensing system is used in a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush. The dispensing system includes a strip of discrete, fluid-containing packets, a compressible sealing member and a hollow needle for puncturing the packets, the hollow needle being connected to a workpiece such as a brushhead via a connecting line. An actuation assembly includes a piston which moves successive packets against the sealing member, initially sealing the packet thereto. Further pressure results in compression of the sealing member and puncturing of the packet by the needle, with fluid being forced by piston pressure from the packet into the hollow needle and then to the connecting line for delivery to the workpiece.
US08425124B2	Vehicle bearing device In a vehicle bearing device hub spindle, annular first to third grinding undercut portions, each being a recess in sectional view, are formed in the same shape, through turning, at a large-rib-surface-side end portion of an inner raceway surface, a large-diameter-portion-side end portion of the inner raceway surface, and a large-diameter-portion-side end portion of an outer peripheral surface of an intermediate-diameter portion.
US08425121B2	Rolling bearing with spherical separators This ball (2) rolling bearing (1) comprises an outer ring (7) and an inner ring (8) between which the balls (2) roll around an axis of rolling (X1), spherical separators (3) for the balls (2), and a raceway (14) of revolution about the axis of rolling (X1) and along which the said spherical separators (3) roll. The raceway is a channel section (14) formed in an element (13; 23) secured to or forming part of one of the said rings (7; 8) and having a substantially semi-cyclic cross section of a diameter suited to that of the said spherical separators (3) so as to accommodate the said separators resting in positions in which they are retained laterally and free of contact with the other of the said rings (8; 7). A rolling bearing such as this is particularly well suited to use without lubrication, particularly in the space industry.
US08425119B2	Gas bearings A rotary gas bearing is described that comprises a first part rotatable relative to a second part. The first part comprises a support member and a first portion and a second portion attached to the support member. The first portion comprises a first bearing surface and the second portion comprising a second bearing surface. Both the first portion and the second portion are attached to the support member by screw thread connections. The second part may comprise complimentary bearing surfaces. Epoxy may be used to fix the first and/or second portions to the support member. A method of determining the bearing working gap by measuring gas flow through the bearing is also described.
US08425111B2	Bridge intelligent cable system with built-in fiber grating sensor A bridge intelligent cable system with a built-in fiber grating sensor is provided, which is applied in a cable bearing structure such as a cable-stayed bridge, a suspension bridge, and an arch bridge. The system includes an anchor cup, a wire dividing plate, a connecting cylinder, a fiber grating sensor, and a cable body, in which the fiber grating sensor includes a fiber grating strain sensor and a fiber grating temperature sensor, tail fibers of the fiber grating strain sensor and the fiber grating temperature sensor are led out, the packaged fiber grating strain sensor is fixedly connected to an outer-layer steel wire of the connecting cylinder, the packaged fiber grating temperature sensor is suspended on the steel wire of the connecting cylinder, holes are punched in the wire dividing plate, and a preserved steel pipe is buried in advance in the connecting cylinder and the anchor cup.
US08425109B2	Ice fishing hole maintenance system A device and method prevents freeze over of a fishing hole cut through a layer of ice overlying a body of water. The device has a housing; a motor; at least one water inlet in the housing; at least one water outlet in the housing; and at least one water-moving element driven by the motor and moving water out of the at least one water outlet. The device may spin within the hole and stir water to prevent too rapid ice buildup.
US08425108B2	Mixing paddle for ice cream machine A mixing paddle for use in a conventional ice cream maker includes two vertical arms that have outer contact edges that exceed the inner diameter of the freezer bowl in which they are positioned during use. This enables the contact edges to effectively scrape ice cream ingredients from the inner wall of the bowl during use and direct the ingredients toward the center of the bowl. The mixing paddle also comprises two cross-members that have pin-wheel style shapes that move ice cream ingredients vertically during use. The combined effect of the vertical arms and the cross-members optimally and uniformly mixes the ice cream ingredients during use and ensures efficient cooling.
US08425102B2	Ultrathin lighting element An ultra thin lighting element including at least one light source. A lightguide element includes one lightguide layer comprising a plurality of discrete fine optic surface relief structures on at least one portion of at least one surface. Each surface relief structure includes basic structural features on the order of about 10 microns or less in height, and on the order of about 10 microns or less in each lateral dimension. The number, arrangement and size of each surface relief structure and height and lateral dimensions of the structural features of the surface relief structures being varied to provide a desired degree of outcoupling modulation of light incoupled into the light guide element.
US08425100B2	Luminous button device and electronic apparatus A luminous button device includes: a button base which is integrally formed of a transmissive material; and a button cap which is integrally formed of a non-transmissive material and is fitted to the button base, wherein the button cap includes a cap body; a pair of arm portions which extends from the rear surface of the cap body with a gap interposed therebetween; and a pair of locking claws which is formed at the front ends of the pair of arm portions, and wherein the button base includes a movable portion which is movable in the direction of pressing a switch disposed on the rear surface side of the button base in accordance with a pressing force from the front button surface side; and a support portion which supports the movable portion so as to be movable in the direction.
US08425099B2	Ventilating unit with moisture absorber, especially for a motor vehicle headlight A ventilating unit with moisture absorber consists of an essentially vertically oriented bushing (1), provided with shoulders for engaging in an opening made in the bottom part (4) of the headlight cover and a bottom with an outlet opening, while on the bottom of the bushing there is arranged a filtering mechanism (2) on which is fitted a ventilating insert (3) with moisture absorber, whose outer peripheral walls are in close contact with the inner peripheral wall of the bushing (1). Advantageously, a paper filter is the filtering mechanism (2), and magnesium chloride hexahydrate is the moisture absorber, while a sealing element (5) is placed between at least one shoulder of the bushing (1) and the bottom part (4) of the headlight cover.
US08425096B2	Signal light of mirror type The signal light of mirror type consists of a light source (1), a primary optical component (2), a secondary optical component (3), a tertiary optical component (4), one or more internal glasses (5), a cover glass (6) and an optical filter (7), characterized in that the light put out by the light source (1) is focused by the primary optical component (2) on the secondary optical component (3), and scattering elements, which are on the primary optical component (2) or on the secondary optical component (3) or on the primary optical component (2) and the secondary optical component (3), after passing through the optical filter (7) are projected onto the tertiary optical component (4), while the tertiary optical component (4) is formed by one or more smooth surfaces of a mirror type, and the image of the scattering elements is further distributed by the tertiary optical component (4) and passes through the one or more internal glasses (5) and the cover glass (6).
US08425091B2	Divided LED lamp A divided LED lamp includes an LED assembly, a casing assembly, LED electronics, power and signal cables, a control panel including a display screen and operation buttons, and a bracket for mounting the lamp. The casing assembly includes a first casing member and a second casing member. At least one cable tube is formed between the first casing member and the second casing member. The power and signal cables that connect the LED assembly received in the first casing member and the LED electronics received in the second casing member are received through the cable tube. This arrangement allows the LED assembly and the LED electronics to be received in individual and independent casing members and are associated with respective individual heat dissipation fins or heat radiators, so as to realize high efficiency of heat dissipation, stabilized operation, and extended lifespan.
US08425090B2	Reflector cup and LED lamp comprising the same The present invention provides a reflector cup for a lamp, including a cup body, a cup top having an aperture through which a light source is inserted into the reflector cup, and a cup bottom provided with an opening for outputting lights from the light source. The cup body is provided with a plurality of recesses or protrusions that have a curvature different from that of a surface profile of the reflector cup. In one preferred embodiment, the cup body is provided with a plurality of grid veins arranged in a matrix, in each of the grid veins is formed a protruded or recessed curved surface. The curved surface may be spherical, cylindrical, conical or the like. The invention also provides a LED reflector lamp comprising the reflector cup.
US08425089B2	Lighted stanchion cover A lighted stanchion cover for use with a stanchion for the purpose of providing illumination in dark conditions. The cover assembly comprising an elongated tubular body and a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly further comprising a light source and a power source. The elongated tubular body has an open end, a closed end, and an interior cavity. The interior cavity of the tubular body is dimensioned to receive a stanchion through its open end. A lighting assembly is disposed within the tubular body in a manner that does not interfere with the reception of the stanchion into the interior cavity of the tubular body. The lighted stanchion cover can be adapted to receive power from an integrated or external source. The tubular body can be customized to display messages or advertisements that can be easily seen in dark conditions.
US08425087B2	Luminous flux control member and optical apparatus having the same A luminous flux control member can stabilize an optical performance, make manufacturing easy and improve efficiency of use of light at the same time. A reflection surface (15) is formed in a surface shape, so that an extreme end section of the reflection surface (15) that is the most distant from an emission area (5) is positioned further inward in the radial direction than a base end section that is the closest to the emission area (5), and the reflection surface (15) intersects once a virtual surface that is inclined with respect to an optical axis connecting between the extreme end section and the base end section. The surface shape suppresses an offset of a light distribution of light emitted from the emission area (5) from a designed light distribution due to an offset between an optical axis and the center axis of light emitted from a light source.
US08425086B2	Light emitting diode lamp structure The present invention is a light emitting diode lamp structure, which comprises a heat dissipating plane, a light emitting housing and a base. The light emitting housing further comprises a casing and a first hollow region. The heat dissipating plane is partly covered by the casing and the rest of the heat dissipating plane is shown in the first hollow region. The part of the heat dissipating plane covered by the casing further includes a plurality of LEDs. The base is mounted with the light emitting housing and electrically engaged with the LEDs.
US08425083B2	LED directional illumination energy-saving luminaire and manufacturing method thereof A LED directional illumination energy-saving luminaire and a manufacturing method thereof. The luminaire comprises: a circuit board with an X direction and a Y direction defined; and illumination units including a first illumination unit arranged at the center of the circuit board, and two second illumination units arranged at both sides of the first illumination unit. Each illumination unit includes LEDs mounted to said circuit board in a tilted state with said LED bodies positioned at a predetermined height from the circuit board, and said LEDs are arranged at intervals in an array along said X direction and Y direction and distributed with respect to the center of said array. Each LED deviates from both X and Y directions at a predeterminative angle, so that the illumination units can form predeterminative project angles in the X direction and the Y direction respectively.
US08425079B2	Electronic device According to one embodiment, a lighting unit incorporated in the housing of a note PC includes a lens unit provided with a plurality of light guiding lenses formed of a transparent resin, and a plurality of couplers coupling the light guiding lenses. A plurality of light shielding plates project from the inner surface of the housing between the light guiding lenses. Each light shielding plate has an upper edge at a level higher than the light input surfaces of the light guiding lenses.
US08425076B2	Solar powered airfield light A solar-powered airfield light provides high angle light up to about 90°. A solar panel is mounted atop the enclosure but does not overlie a curved transparent shoulder extending upward from the transparent generally cylindrical side walls of the enclosure. An optical element within the enclosure surrounds an LED light source so as to direct light emanating from the LED in two preferential beams, one directed to the shoulder and the other directed to the side walls. A portion of the light impinging on the curved shoulder is redirected to high angles to comply with high angle light requirements for airfield lights.
US08425071B2	LED lighting fixture An LED lighting fixture including a housing and an LED assembly secured with respect to the housing to permit air/water-flow over the LED assembly. The LED assembly includes (a) an LED heat sink having an LED-engaging surface and a heat-transfer surface and (b) an LED-array at the heat-transfer surface. The housing and the heat sink define an air gap permitting air/water-flow to and from the heat sink
US08425069B2	Lighting device, display device and television receiver A lighting device 12 of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources 17 and an optical member arranged closer to the light-exiting portion 15z than the light sources 17. The optical member 15 includes a prism diffuser plate 15a for diffusing light emitted from the light sources 17 and exiting from a lens sheet 15c arranged closer to the light-exiting portion 15z than the prism diffuser plate 15a. The prism diffuser plate 15a has prisms on a surface located on a side closer to the light-exiting portion 15z. The lens sheet 15c has convex lenses 62 on a surface closer to the light-exiting portion 15z.
US08425067B2	Composite diffuser structure and backlight module A composite diffuser structure includes a transparent layer having a light-entering surface and a light-emitting surface, a lenticular structure having a plurality of lenticular lens formed on the light-emitting surface, and a plurality of refection structures located on the light-entering surface. Each of the lenticular lenses has a first width. There is an opening between two adjacent reflection structures. Each of the openings has a second width. Thereby, the light beam enters into the transparent layer via the opening to increase the light efficiency. By using the diffuser layer located above the lenticular structure, the view angle can be adjusted.
US08425066B2	Domestic appliance with an integral transparent or translucent wall portion A domestic appliance (1) includes a housing or wall (6) and a wall portion (8). The portion is an integral part of the housing (6). The appliance has a display means (2) comprising a light source (10), a mask (2) and a diffuser (4). The housing (6) may be smoothly shaped to obtain an appealing design. A separate or standardized display may be perceived as a disruption of a smooth design of the appliance. To incorporate the display means (20) into the design the integral wall portion (8) is transparent and positioned between the diffuser (4) and the mask (2). An inner face of the wall portion (8) is directed to the mask (2). An outer face of the wall portion (8) is directed to the diffuser (4). A diffusing layer (32) included in the diffuser (4) is provided on the outer face of the integral wall portion (8).
US08425062B2	Front lit display unit A display unit illuminated from in front of a display area, the display unit including a display area for presenting visual information to a user of the unit, a lens element spaced apart from and extending across the display area, and a source of illumination at a peripheral edge of the lens element for providing front illumination of the display area.
US08425059B2	Low power retro-reflective communications system and method Presented is a low-power retro-reflective communication system that reflects modulated light back in substantially the same direction as the light source using a retro-reflector. The light modulator in the retro-reflector modulates the light in response to a stimulus, such as an electrical communications stimulus or an environmental stimulus. In embodiments, the retro-reflector is a corner-cube retro-reflector and the modulator is one of the reflecting surfaces, or a spherical retro-reflector and the light modulator is a variably reflecting backing.
US08425057B2	Projection module and electronic device A projection module adapted to be disposed in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main body and the projection module disposed in the main body. The projection module includes a chassis, a light source, a light valve, a first lens group, and a second lens group. The light source and the light valve are disposed on the chassis. The first lens group is fixed on the chassis. The second lens group is slidably assembled on the chassis and is disposed between the light valve and the first lens group. The light source is capable of providing a light beam, and the light beam is capable of emitting through the light valve, the second lens group, and the first lens group in sequence.
US08425053B2	Lighting control device and projector A projector includes: a light source; a light modulating device; a projection optical device; a lighting control device configured to control lighting of the light source and include a lighting unit; a control unit includes a storage section, a determination section, an information setting section configured to store problem related information regarding the problem in the storage section, a signal transmission section configured to indicate that the problem has occurred, and a detection unit configured to detect a driving state of the lighting control device; a control device configured to connect with the light control device and includes a main body side storage section, and an information acquisition section configured to acquire the problem related information when the problem occurrence signal is received and stores the problem related information in the main body side storage section.
US08425052B2	Illumination system, method and projection device for controlling light emitted during a spoke time period The invention relates to an illumination system (100), a projection device, and a color wheel (20, 22, 24). The illumination system comprises a light source comprising a first light-emitting unit (50) and a second light-emitting unit each emitting light towards a light output window (110). The illumination system comprises the color wheel including a spoke (40) between two adjacent color segments. The system is configured to prevent the spoke when transiting the optical path (80) between the light source and the light output window to simultaneously transit a first optical path between the first light-emitting unit and the light output window and a second optical path between the second light-emitting unit and the light output window. The illumination system further comprises a drive unit (92) which is configured for switching off the first light-emitting unit during a time interval (p1) when the spoke transits the first optical path.
US08425045B2	Light source and projector A light source includes: light-emitting portion having a discharge space in the interior thereof; an arc tube having first and second sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion along an optical axis; a reflector arranged so that a center where the optical axis passes is located on the side of the first sealing portion with respect to the light-emitting portion and configured to reflect a luminous flux emitted from the light-emitting portion; and an air flow control unit arranged on the side of the reflector in the direction of the optical axis with respect to inflection points at a connecting portion between the light-emitting portion and the first sealing portion, extending respectively along a plane including the optical axis, and including at least two panel-shaped members extending not in parallel to each other and forming a predetermined angle.
US08425044B2	Projection optical system A projection optical system receives light from a display device surface and enlarges and projects a display image thereon onto a screen surface. The projection optical system includes one or more reflective surfaces having an optical power between the display device surface and the screen surface, moves at least one optical device having an optical power to adjust focus and satisfies the following conditional formula: −0.02<{(δ1−δ2)β2}/{(δ1+δ2)β1}<0.2 where δ1 and δ2 represent, when the absolute value of a projection magnification is the highest and the lowest, respectively, during focus adjustment, the absolute value of a difference between a distance from the exit pupil of rays incident on the screen upper ends of the screen surface to the screen surface and a distance from the exit pupil of rays incident on the screen lower ends of the screen surface to the screen surface and β1 and β2 represent the maximum value and minimum value, respectively, of the projection magnification when focus is adjusted.
US08425043B2	Projector having a plurality of optical devices with a purality of optical modulators A projector includes: a first optical device, and a first color combining optical device; a second optical device, and a second color combining optical device; a combining optical device adapted to combine emission light emitted respectively from the first optical device and the second optical device; a first polarization conversion device disposed between the first optical device and the combining optical device, and adapted to align a polarization direction of the emission light from the first optical device into a first polarization direction; and a second polarization conversion device disposed between the second optical device and the combining optical device, and adapted to align a polarization direction of the emission light from the second optical device into a second polarization direction.
US08425042B2	Multi-segment optical retarder for creating 3D images A multi-segment optical retarder that can be used with or within a single projector for creating 3D images. The multi-segment optical retarder is coupled to an actuator used to effect some predetermined linear, rotary, or oscillating movement of the multi-segment optical retarder such that a fast axis orientation of each segment is substantially constant relative to itself over time and for a given area of incidence.
US08425041B2	Stereoscopic projection systems for employing spatial multiplexing at an intermediate image plane Proposed are various embodiments of projection systems that generally provide stereoscopic images. The projection systems act to split a spatially separated image in a stereoscopic image frame and superimpose the left- and right-eye images on a projection screen with orthogonal polarization states. The embodiments are generally well suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and may use advanced polarization control.
US08425037B2	Intraoperative imaging system and apparatus Systems, methods and apparatuses for intraocular imaging system are disclosed comprising an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The OCT system has an imaging range that may enable substantial portions of an eye to be imaged. The OCT system may be coupled to an operation microscope, such that, for example, a surgeon can visualize ocular structures like the human crystalline lens and other ocular structures such as the cornea and/or vitreous while surgical instruments are in the field of view.
US08425020B2	Fluid distribution system having valved fluid container A system for distributing fluid to a printhead, the system having a printhead a first fluid container and a second fluid container for distributing fluid from the first container to the printhead, the second container having a body for containing the fluid to a predetermined capacity, an inlet connected to the first container, a valve at the inlet, and an outlet connected to the printhead, wherein the valve is operated so that the valve is closed when the body contains fluid at the predetermined capacity and is open when fluid is distributed to the printhead via the outlet.
US08425013B2	Piezoelectric actuator, liquid ejection head, and image forming apparatus A piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric member having piezoelectric pillars and grooves alternately arrayed. Each of the grooves has a first width at a bottom side of the piezoelectric pillars and a second width at an upper side of the piezoelectric pillars in a direction in which the piezoelectric pillars are arrayed. The first width is greater than the second width.
US08425005B2	Image forming method and ink composition The present invention provides an image forming method and an ink composition used in the method by which deterioration of a head plate which is formed of silicon is suppressed and more precise images are stably formed, where ink containing an inorganic silicate compound is ejected to form an image from an inkjet head having a nozzle plate where SiO2 film is provided on a surface thereof at a side toward the ink ejection direction of the nozzle.
US08425004B2	Printhead having polymer incorporating nanoparticles coated on ink ejection face A printhead having an ink ejection face, wherein at least part of the ink ejection face is coated with a polymeric material. The polymeric material is comprised of a polymerized siloxane incorporating nanoparticles. The printhead may be compatible with various printhead maintenance operations, ink characteristics and inkjet nozzle types.
US08424995B2	Attachable member-recognition device and ink-jet printer provided with the same An ink cartridge is formed with an information-engraved section formed to have a predetermined shape. A cartridge-attachment section, to which the ink cartridge is attached, includes a deformable section, a stress light-emitting section which emits light depending on the shape of the information-engraved section by means of a stress received when the deformable section makes contact with the information-engraved section, and a light-receiving sensor which receives the light emitted by the stress light-emitting section to generate a recognition signal corresponding to the information-engraved section. An attachable member-recognition device is provided, which has a relatively cheap and simple structure, which is capable of setting information about an attachable member including, for example, the ink cartridge and a printing paper tray, and which is capable of recognizing the information.
US08424994B2	Printer, control method thereof, and storage medium A printer may include a sheet conveyance unit, a sheet detection unit, an ink sheet conveyance unit, a search position detection unit, and a control unit both to execute a continuous print mode by using sets of ink portions, where each set of ink portions has ink portions of an ink sheet, and to print screens adjacent to each other. In a case where power for the printer is turned ON, the control unit conveys a sheet that has been pulled out from a sheet housing unit in a direction for returning the sheet into the housing unit using the sheet conveyance unit. In addition, the control unit calculates a leading-end detection conveyance amount until a leading end of the sheet is detected by the sheet detection unit, and determines a discharge amount of the sheet based on the leading-end detection conveyance amount.
US08424993B2	Ink jet type recording device and computer program In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus is presented. The inkjet apparatus includes a recording head configured to eject an ink on a recording medium, an ink curing device configured to cure the ink ejected on the recording medium, a moving device configured to move the recording medium in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, a control device configured to control the recording head, the ink curing device, and the moving device.
US08424991B2	Inkjet printing method and inkjet printing apparatus An inkjet printing apparatus prints by ejecting ink on the basis of image data while scanning a printing head, in which ejection openings for ejecting the ink are arranged, over a printing medium in a direction different from a direction of the arrangement of the ejection openings. The inkjet printing apparatus includes a counting unit for counting the number of ink ejections in a predetermined area among a plurality of areas on the basis of image data for each of the plurality of areas, with the plurality of areas being obtained by dividing, in a main scanning direction, a region over which the printing head scans, and a correction unit for correcting the image data included in the plurality of areas on the basis of the number of ink ejections in each of the plurality of areas. In addition, a printing unit prints by driving the printing head on the basis of the corrected image data. The correction unit corrects image data included in a predetermined area on the basis of an added-up value of the number of ink ejections from an area corresponding to a position where the printing head scans, and printing is implemented to the corresponding predetermined area in the scan direction.
US08424990B2	Printer and control method thereof An inkjet printer includes an inkjet head configured to perform printing on a printing sheet by use of ink. The inkjet printer includes: a heater configured to heat the ink; a thermometer configured to measure the temperature of the ink; and a controller configured to control the amount of electric power to be supplied to the heater and to control the inkjet head. In a case where the measured value of the ink temperature measured by the thermometer is in a range of a first reference temperature inclusive to a second reference temperature exclusive, the controller calculates a coverage rate of a page to be printed, and accordingly changes the amount of electric power to be supplied to the heater depending on the coverage rate thus calculated.
US08424986B2	Printer ink delivery system with intermediate buffer ink tanks An ink delivery system for a printer. In one embodiment, the system includes an ink supply that contains ink to be delivered to a printhead of the printer and an ink buffer having a capacity that is smaller than a capacity of the ink supply, the ink buffer being configured to be repeatedly filled with ink from the ink supply and to deliver that ink to the printhead.
US08424985B2	Refrigerator with a door-in-door A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber configured to store food stuffs and a first door configured to open and close the first storage chamber. The refrigerator further includes a second storage chamber defined at a side of the first door, and configured to enable access to food stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door located in a predetermined portion of the first door, and configured to open and close the second storage chamber, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is identical to a rotation direction of the first door.
US08424972B2	Road milling machine and method for positioning the machine frame parallel to the ground In a self-propelled road milling machine (1), particularly a cold-milling machine, comprising a track assembly carrying the machine frame (4) via lifting columns (12,13), a milling roller (6) supported on the machine frame (4) for treatment of a ground surface (8) or traffic surface (8), height-adjustable side plates (10) for edge protection, arranged to rest on the ground surface (8) or traffic surface (8) to be treated, a height-adjustable stripping means (14) arranged in the moving direction behind the milling roller (6) and adapted to be lowered, during operation, into the milling track (17) generated by the milling roller (6), and a control means (23) for controlling the milling depth of the milling roller (6), the control means (23) detecting the milling depth of the milling roller (6) from the measurement values of at least one measuring means (16), it is provided that the control means (23) is operative to automatically control the lifting condition of at least one rear and/or front lifting column (12,13) as seen in the traveling direction, for establishing the parallel orientation of the machine frame (4) relative to the ground surface (8) or traffic surface (8) or to a predetermined milling plane.
US08424969B2	Vehicle seat, in particular motor vehicle seat In a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, vehicle seat, in particular motor vehicle seat, which may be transferred from at least one position of use suitable for conveying passengers into at least one pivoted-forward position of non-use, comprising a base (9), at least one rocker (13) which is linked at least indirectly to the base (9), in particular to a front foot (11) attached to the base (9), a seat cushion (3) which is linked to the rocker (13), at least one link (27, 29) which is linked at least indirectly to the base (9), in particular to the front foot (11) attached to the base (9), at least one rear foot (21) which is linked to the link (27, 29) and is releasably locked to the base (9), and a backrest (5) which is pivotably linked to the rear foot (21) about a backrest pivot axis (33), the seat cushion (3) is linked by means of an articulated joint (35) directly to the backrest (5).
US08424967B2	Cushion for a seat and method of adapting same A seat includes a bearing structure and a number of cushions. The cushions cover the entire area of the seat surface and the backrest of the seat. Each cushion is formed of a textile spacer structure held in a fluid-tight casing. The casing has a connection for a hose line. Before a user sits on the seat, the hose line is open to the outside air. Due to the force applied by the seat user, the cushion and spacer structure are compressed, whereby simultaneously air is displaced out of the cushion. The cushions thus experience a contouring according to the body shape of the seat user. After the user sits down, the contouring can be fixed by blocking device the hose line, and thus separating the reduced air volume in the inside of the cushion from the outside air. In this way, the contouring of the seat cushions is maintained when the seat user leaves the seat.
US08424964B2	Child safety seat A child safety seat includes a base, a seat body, a dampening member, and a non-planar impactor. The seat body is slidably secured to the base and is movable between a pre-collision position and a post-collision position. The dampening member is positioned between the base and the seat body. The non-planar impactor is secured to the seat body and is positioned to engage the dampening member. The non-planar impactor and the dampening member together provide a progressive dampening force against movement of the seat body from the pre-collision position to the post-collision position.
US08424962B2	Sunroof device A sunroof device which includes a roof panel that is openable/closable, a front slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of the first lift guide groove and the first lift guide pin, a rear slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of a second lift guide groove and a second lift guide pin, and a driving motor that drives the front slider and the rear slider, wherein the first lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke which is a horizontal groove and the second lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke that is a horizontal groove when the roof panel is completely tilted up.
US08424960B2	Front rail configuration for the front structure of a vehicle A front structure for a vehicle is provided that includes a pair of front rails (i.e., front left hand rail and front right hand rail) spaced apart in a widthwise direction with each rail extending lengthwise and mechanically coupled to the vehicle's bumper and a torque box. Each front rail is comprised of a polygonal-shaped upper hollow channel and a polygonal-shaped lower hollow channel, where the upper and lower channels share a common wall.
US08424948B2	Vehicle with decklid hold-open assist In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid hold-open system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid for a vehicle coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap. The hinge strap facilitates the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap magnetically retains the decklid in the open position.
US08424945B2	Connecting structure for center pillar and quarter member in vehicle The connecting structure of a center filler and a quarter member of a vehicle may include a lateral junction portion formed at a front end of the quarter member, the lateral junction portion coupling with one side surface of the center filler in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The connection structure may further include a longitudinal coupling portion formed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle coupled with an outer quarter member of the quarter member, a trim coupling portion substantially the same length as the longitudinal coupling portion coupled with trim, and a connection portion connecting the longitudinal coupling portion and the trim coupling portion to each other, wherein the lateral junction portion extends at a front end of the longitudinal coupling portion, and the lateral junction portion is bent substantially perpendicular to contact to the center filler.
US08424944B2	Integral structural bulkhead for cargo vans A cargo van includes an integral structural bulkhead to separate a passenger compartment from a cargo area. The cargo van is designed such that the bulkhead wall contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle for purposes of meeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. That is, without the bulkhead, the cargo van would not meet NHTSA requirements. By designing the vehicle in this way, the overall vehicle weight is reduced as compared to vehicles in which bulkheads are optional add-ons.
US08424941B2	Robotic thumb assembly An improved robotic thumb for a robotic hand assembly is provided. According to one aspect of the disclosure, improved tendon routing in the robotic thumb provides control of four degrees of freedom with only five tendons. According to another aspect of the disclosure, one of the five degrees of freedom of a human thumb is replaced in the robotic thumb with a permanent twist in the shape of a phalange. According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a position sensor includes a magnet having two portions shaped as circle segments with different center points. The magnet provides a linearized output from a Hall effect sensor.
US08424932B2	Locking assembly and electronic enclosure using same An enclosure includes a base, a cover mounted on the base, and two locking members assembled on the cover. A plurality of supporting recesses and two supporting portions are defined in the base. A plurality of barbs are formed on the cover to match with the supporting recesses. The locking members each include a securing portion movably assembled on a bottom of the cover, an operating portion mounted on a top of the cover and extending through the cover and connected to the securing portion, and a flexible member abutting against both the securing portion and the cover. The securing portion is engaged with a corresponding supporting portion to secure the cover on the base. The securing portion can be operated to disengage from the supporting portion to remove the cover from the base.
US08424928B2	Door handle having a handgrip changeable indoor and outdoor A door handle assembly includes a lock casing having an inner cam and an outer cam and a latch bolt, an indoor handle device attached to an inner portion of the lock casing with an actuating device and having a handgrip for being depressed to actuate an actuating bolt and the inner cam to operate the latch bolt, and an outdoor handle device attached to an outer portion of the lock casing with another actuating device and having another handgrip for being pulled to actuate another actuating bolt and the outer cam to operate the latch bolt, the outdoor handle device and indoor handle device are replaceable with each other when the actuating devices are disposed up-side-down.
US08424926B2	Mobile telephone A mobile telephone includes a casing provided with at least a locking member and a lid that can be detached or attached by pivoting of the locking member. The lid comprises a passage the locking member passes through, and a locking piece that a locking lug provided at the locking member can freely engage with and be detached from as a result of pivoting of the locking member. The locking piece is located at an inner periphery of the passage. Further, with a mobile telephone having casings that are foldably joined by a hinge, at least one of the foldably joined casings is a box-like case provided with a hinge at an upper surface and an opening portion at a rear surface, and has a lid-like case fitting to the opening of the box-like case.
US08424923B2	Fluid transfer assembly A fluid transfer assembly for transporting medicinal substances. The fluid transfer assembly includes flexible tubes and a manifold each comprising silicone. The manifold has an inner protrusion and connector portions having inner walls. Free ends of the tubes are inserted into complementary configured inner walls of the connector portions until each of the free ends abut the inner protrusion, which creates a continuous uninterrupted passageway between the inner bores of the tubes through the manifold.
US08424922B2	Angled flexible coupling with integral outer shield and/or inner liner A flexible bellows used in a pipe coupling includes composite convolutions having integral extensions forming one or both of an outer shield or inner liner to enhance performance of the coupling. Embodiments incorporate asymmetric convolution forming discs providing for static angled couplings to accommodate offset or misaligned pipe system components.
US08424919B2	Marine riser assembly A marine riser assembly having a first tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of first axially spaced formations, a second tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of second axially spaced formations thereon, a segmented ring in surrounding relationship to the first and second tubular members, the segmented ring having an inner surface with a plurality of formations engageable with the formations on the first and second tubular members, the engageable formations serving to urge the first and second tubular members toward each other when the segmented ring is subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive forces, a sleeve in surrounding relationship to force the engageable formations together and a seal assembly for sealing against external and internal pressure.
US08424914B2	Fluid container Fluid container for a motor vehicle, with a tank (10, 11) and a retaining structure (14, 14a), which is suitable for carrying the tanks (10, 11), characterized in that the retaining structure is designed in such a way that the tank (10, 11) is mounted on it such that it can be displaced. The tank can be displaced in such a way that access to important components is possible without complete dismantling, and, as well as this, the installation and dismantling of the tank can be designed to be easier, faster, and therefore more economical.
US08424913B1	Chassis frame of a vehicle A chassis frame has a right side rail and a left side rail running lengthwise of the frame opposite each other and joined together by at least one crossmember. A rectangular tube overlies, and has underlying support by, the top wall of the respective side rail. A right uniting member runs lengthwise of the frame for uniting the right rectangular tube and the right side rail in assembly, and a left uniting member runs lengthwise of the frame for uniting the left rectangular tube and the left side rail in assembly. Each uniting member has a horizontal flange overlying and joined to the respective rectangular tube, and a vertical flange extending downward from the respective horizontal flange and joined to the respective side rail.
US08424911B2	Folding rollover protection system with vibration dampeners A folding rollover protection system includes an upper ROPS tube having a pair of ends hinged to a pair of ends of a lower ROPS tube. Resilient vibration dampeners are secured to each end of the lower ROPS tube and are compressed between each end of the upper ROPS tube and each end of the lower ROPS tube when the upper ROPS tube is in the upright position.
US08424907B2	Airbag apparatus An airbag is provided with a vent hole and a patch closing the vent hole. The airbag has a conically-shaped protrusion with the front narrowed when inflation is finished. The vent hole and patch are at the vehicle body side wall of the protrusion. The airbag has the reaction force-receiving contact portion that is partially recessed toward an occupant by receiving a reaction force substantially opposite to the approach direction of the occupant from the reaction force-applying support portion of the vehicle body structure when the occupant is cushioned, at the vehicle body side wall of the protrusion. The patch is positioned where the vent hole can keep closed when the airbag finishes inflating. The patch is not pressed against the reaction force-applying support portion but is spaced from the circumferential edge portion of the vent hole that moves when the reaction force-receiving contact portion is recessed.
US08424904B2	Steering wheel system with audio input A steering wheel system for a vehicle includes a steering wheel and an airbag module located within the hub portion of the steering wheel. The airbag module includes an airbag and a cover for the airbag. The steering wheel system also includes at least one microphone configured to receive audio input from a vehicle driver in which the at least one microphone is located on the cover of the airbag module.
US08424900B2	Stroller trays and methods of mounting the same on strollers Stroller trays and methods of mounting the same on strollers are disclosed. An example stroller tray mates with a tray mount mounted to the stroller frame proximate a seat. The example tray includes a tray portion and an arm. The tray portion is cantilevered on the arm to extend in front of or over a portion of the seat. When mounted to the stroller, the stroller tray does not extend completely from one side of the stroller frame to the other to facilitate egress to the stroller seat.
US08424898B2	Trailer hitch In order for a trailer hitch comprising a cross-member, which has its longitudinal direction extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and which can be connected to a body of a vehicle, a ball neck, which at a first end region is connected to the cross-member by means of a bearing unit and at a second end region carries a coupling ball, to be improved such that it has a lower weight, it is proposed that the cross-member is in the form of a hollow shaped body which varies in cross-sectional shape and has a central region and outer regions which adjoin the central region on both sides and extend as far as outer ends of the hollow shaped body, and that, starting from the outer ends, a cross-sectional shape of the outer regions has a cross-sectional area that increases progressively in the direction of the central region.
US08424896B2	Telescoping crossbar assembly A telescoping crossbar assembly for a wheelchair comprises an inner tube that is slidable within an outer tube. The head portion of a pass-through fastener bears on the inner tube through a sufficiently large head-side aperture so as to slightly deform the inner tube and to hold the two tubes by friction in mutual engagement.
US08424893B2	Shock absorption system for bicycle frame and components A shock absorption system for a bicycle that is simple, flexible and compatible with the many sections of a bicycle where adequate shock absorption is sought. The shock absorption properties are provided through a C-shaped compliant structure. C-shaped compliant structure may be removable such that it may be installed and removed as per the desire of the end user of the bicycle for post market modification and personalization purposes.
US08424892B2	System and method for determining whether the weight of a vehicle equipped with an air-ride suspension exceeds predetermined roadway weight limitations A system and method for determining whether a vehicle and its axles exceed predetermined roadway weight limitations. Air fittings are installed in the air-ride systems of the vehicle. Air pressure readings taken using a hand held gauge are compared to maximum pressure values marked on the vehicle. If the air pressure exceeds the values, weight may be redistributed, if possible, until measured pressure is equal to or less than the maximum pressure values. The method allows an operator to quickly confirm that the total weight and axle weight does not exceed legal limits without the use of truck scales.
US08424886B2	Handle assembly for a carrier A handle assembly for a carrier including a primary bracket, an upper engagement piece adjustably connected to the primary bracket, and a lower engagement piece pivotally connected to the primary bracket, the lower engagement piece including an actuation mechanism, such as a kick plate, for pivoting the lower engagement piece relative to the upper engagement piece. A biasing mechanism, such as a coil spring, is linked to the lower engagement piece to urge the lower engagement piece upward. The handle assembly is easily connectable and removable from a carrier such as a dolly.
US08424881B2	Wheel support for adjusting the ground clearance of a vehicle A height adjustable wheel support apparatus includes an upper portion connectable to a frame of a vehicle and a lower portion that is connectable to a wheel assembly. An actuator is configured to move the upper portion between first and second positions. A spacer is movable between a storage position and a use position. In the use position the spaced is disposed between the upper and lower portions. When the upper portion is in the first position a downward facing bottom surface of the upper portion bears against a support surface on the lower portion, and when upper portion is in the second position the spacer is in the use position, between the upper and lower portions, and carries at least a portion of a load exerted by the upper portion.
US08424880B2	Camber angle changing mechanism A camber angle changing mechanism is provided with a base member connected to the vehicle body side, a motor provided to the base member and generating rotational driving force, a rotating power transmitting mechanism that transmits the driving force of the motor, a transmitting member connected to the power transmitting mechanism through a first connecting section, a movable member for rotatably supporting the wheel, connected to the transmitting member through a second connecting member, and changing the camber angle of the wheel by being pivoted relative to the base member by the driving force of the motor; transmitted from the transmitting member, and a device for switching between a first state in which the second connecting section, the first connecting section, and a gear rotation axis are rectilinearly arranged in that order from the wheel side and a second state in which the second connecting section, the gear rotation axis, and the first connecting section are rectilinearly arranged in that order from the wheel side.
US08424878B2	Sealed flexible link between a metal substrate and a ceramic substrate, method for making such a link, application of the method to sealing high temperature electrolyzers and fuel cells A device including a metal substrate and a ceramic substrate including a back-tapered groove separated from each other by a sealed flexible link. The link includes: a metal element including an end connected to the metal substrate and at another end housed in the groove of the ceramic substrate, the metal element being elastically deformable both in the groove along a direction radial to the groove and, in the separation space between the metal substrate and the ceramic substrate along the separation direction, and a joint-forming mass with a greater thermal expansion coefficient than that of the ceramic substrate and adhesively bonded to the end of the metal element housed in the back-tapered groove, the joint fitting with direct contact a portion of the height of convergent sidewalls of the groove.
US08424872B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying apparatus in which a sheet is abutted on a stopped registration roller to correct skew feeding, including: a sheet detecting portion, a first stepping motor and a second stepping motor. The conveying roller is controlled to tentatively stop the sheet, the conveying roller is driven prior to the start of the drive of the registration roller, the registration roller is driven after a loop of a predetermined amount is formed in the sheet, the conveying roller is driven at a sheet conveying speed that is equal to or lower than a sheet conveying speed of a self-start frequency when the conveying roller forms the loop in the sheet, rotation of the first stepping motor being able to be started at the self-start frequency, and acceleration of the registration roller and acceleration of the conveying roller are started after the loop of the predetermined amount is formed.
US08424871B2	Medium mounting device, medium reading device, and multifunction product A medium mounting device includes a medium mounting portion for placing a medium in a stacked state in a first direction, and a medium regulating portion arranged to be rotatable relative to the medium mounting portion. The medium regulating portion is arranged to regulate an edge portion of the medium when the medium regulating portion is in a rising state relative to the medium mounting portion. The medium regulating portion in the rising state is arranged to abut against the medium to rotate and retreat when the medium is taken out in a second direction different from the first direction.
US08424870B2	Sheet handling device A sheet handling device including a sheet transport path, a transport mechanism adapted to advance a sheet along the transport path with a non-uniform speed, and a discharge mechanism arranged at the transport path for taking over the sheet from the transport mechanism and discharging it into a tray, wherein the discharge mechanism is adapted to convey the sheet with a momentary speed that is different from that of the transport mechanism; and wherein a portion of the transport path between the transport mechanism and the discharge mechanism is curved along a buffer space to allow the sheet to bend within the buffer space and thereby to absorb the speed difference between the transport mechanism and the discharge mechanism.
US08424868B2	Sheet supplying apparatus and sheet-supply tray A sheet supplying apparatus, comprising a housing; and a sheet-supply tray which supports a plurality of sheets and which is insertable into the housing. The sheet-supply tray includes at least one first engageable portion. The housing includes at least one second engageable portion which is engaged, in a state in which the sheet-supply tray is inserted in the housing, with the at least one first engageable portion of the sheet-supply tray. The sheet-supply tray further includes a guide portion having an inclined guide surface which guides a movement of each of the sheets supplied from the sheet-supply tray, and at least a portion of the at least one first engageable portion is provided in a rear space located in rear of the guide portion.
US08424867B2	Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus including the same A sheet feeder includes: a friction pad held by a pad holder; and a separation roller that is in contact with the friction pad while in rotation. A separation nip formed between the friction pad and the separation roller separates a recording medium from a plurality of recording media fed into the separation nip, and the pad holder includes a convex portion that is provided downstream of the friction pad in a sheet feeding direction and at a middle portion in a first width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and that is capable of coming into contact with the recording medium.
US08424864B2	Apparatus and method for processing sheets A method and apparatus are provided for processing sets of sheets. The apparatus includes a frame, a hopper for moving a stack of sheets, a pre-singulator for separating a portion of a sheet from the stack, a sheet peeler for peeling part of a pre-singulated sheet from the stack, a sheet picker for gathering peeled sheets into a set, and a sheet discharger for clearing the set of sheets. The sheet peeler may include at least one rotating drum. The sheet picker may include one or more augers.
US08424862B2	Composite substrate feeding mechanism Embodiments described herein include a composite feeding mechanism configured to process one or more jobs using a stack of feeder trays. The composite feeding mechanism can include the stack of feeder trays, a base unit, and a feeder unit. The feeder trays can hold substrate media to satisfy jobs and the base unit can support the stack of feeder trays. The feeder unit can remove the substrate media from a feeder tray located at the top of the stack to satisfy a job requirement.
US08424860B2	Stitcher for variable thickness products A method and device for stitching printed products with a stitching machine, which includes a stitcher head and a bending device, which travel concomitantly with each printed product as it is conveyed in a travel direction during the stitching operation. The bending device is positioned first in a first position, which corresponds to the thickness of the printed products and is a certain distance away from the stitcher head in the direction transverse to the travel direction. Before a printed product is introduced, its thickness is determined and compared with a predetermined limit value; and, if this limit value is exceeded, the bending device is brought into a predetermined second position, which is farther away than the first position from the stitching head. After the printed product has been introduced, the bending device is moved back into the first position, and the wire stitch is driven into the printed product.
US08424859B2	Creasing apparatus and image forming system A creasing apparatus forming a crease on sheets one by one includes: a first member having a linear convex blade formed in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction; a second member having a concave blade being paired with the convex blade; and a drive unit that moves the first and second members so as to cause the convex blade and the concave blade to form a crease on a sheet stopped at a predetermined position. The first member forms the convex blade with first comb and second comb and the second member forms the concave blade with third comb and fourth comb that advance and retract relative to each other. The drive unit selects advanced and retracted positions of the first comb and second comb and advanced and retracted positions of the third comb and fourth comb so as to perform a creasing process or a perforating process.
US08424855B1	Automotive control arm bushing having linear mobility An automotive control arm bushing. The bushing comprises an elastomeric center portion and two joinable separable locking sleeves, said elastomeric center portion being radially relieved with a portion of the radius being convex segments and a portion of the radius being concave segments, wherein the ratio of convex surface to concave surface is 35:65 to 65:35. In addition, there is an automotive control arm bushing having no linear mobility and a method of replacing an automotive control arm bushing.
US08424852B2	Kit for a barrier system A removable barricade or barrier which has one or more horizontally tensioned straps and one or more vertically extending elevation support elements associated therewith. The barricade or barrier may be erected and dismantled as desired.
US08424849B2	Guardrail An impact slider assembly for a guardrail which includes: a slider mechanism attached to a first rail and second rail which substantially conforms with a rail profile; and an integral means for attachment to the first rail, wherein the slider mechanism gathers telescoping rails whilst substantially maintaining the strength of the rails in a fully re-directing manner.
US08424848B1	Vehicle jack for use on vehicles to change tires and for other purposes A jack apparatus for lifting a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises a base, a bottom segment attached to the base and telescoping within a middle segment, and the middle segment telescoping within a top segment. A platform is attached to the vehicle with the top segment only being attached to the platform. A safety clip is secured to the top segment only and extends toward a tire contacting the vehicle. A hydraulic motor is located within one of the segments. An air compressor is attached to the vehicle. A plurality of hydraulic lines are provided with each hydraulic line being attached to the air compressor and the hydraulic motor. A control panel is mounted on a dashboard within the vehicle and attached to the air compressor with a plurality of switches for controlling the hydraulic motor wherein the base has a diameter greater than any of the segments.
US08424844B2	Apparatus and method for adjusting the pulling-means tension in a pulling means-drive, and microscope having a pulling-means drive An apparatus for adjusting a tension of a pulling device in a pulling-device drive includes a body and a lever arm. The pulling-device drive includes first and second shafts and the pulling device loops around the first and second shafts. The body includes a receptacle adapted to interact with the first shaft and a support point adapted to rotatably dispose the body about an axis of rotation. The lever arm extends from the body so that a spacing between the first and second shafts is modifiable by action of a force on the lever arm.
US08424839B2	Direct-current motor control device and method for detecting state of direct-current motor A current detection unit detects an electric current caused by superimposing a direct current from a direct-current power source on an alternating current from an alternating-current power source and supplied through a brush to a direct-current motor. An extracting unit extracts an alternating-current component of the detected electric current. An angle detection unit detects a rotation angle of the motor according to the extracted alternating-current component. A direction detection unit detects a rotative direction of the motor according to a change pattern of the extracted alternating-current component. A core of the motor has slots each defined between adjacent two of teeth. The slots respectively accommodate phase coils respectively wound around the teeth. Turns of the phase coils are different from each other.
US08424837B2	Shut-off valve Shut-off valve of a fluid having a valve body (20), an obturator (5) housed in the valve body and rotatable around a rotation axis (X), and a command organ (2) connected to the obturator (5) by means of a command stem (12) which extends in an aperture made in a cylindrical projection (21) of the valve body (20).
US08424834B2	Composite appliance base A composite appliance base used for manufacture and assembly of various appliances such as a clothes washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like. The composite appliance base includes a heater box, an electric motor mount, a fan shroud, and at least one duct. There are also various inlets which are used for water hoses (in the case where the composite appliance base is used for a washing machine or the like) as well as exhaust ducts and integrated cable clips. In one embodiment, the composite appliance base includes a base portion and a fan shroud, as well as a first duct in fluid communication with the fan shroud. The composite appliance base also includes a second duct which functions as the heater box; the heater box is operable with a heater device to heat air flowing through the heater box, the duct, and the fan shroud.
US08424832B2	Method and apparatus for an adaptive suspension support system A method and apparatus for an adaptive, multi-axis suspension support system providing both coarse and fine suspension to a payload. Coarse suspension control is provided to maintain the payload within a coarse range of position. Fine suspension control is provided by monitoring and analyzing vibration characteristics in both time and frequency domains to determine the required amount of damper resistance to be exerted by a magnetorheological (MR) device.
US08424828B1	Wall guard for furniture kit A wall guard for furniture kit that underlies furniture legs and includes a pair of rectangular parallelepiped foreleg coasters and a pair of rectangular parallelepiped rear leg coasters, each of the pair of rear leg coasters having a right prism parallelepiped spur horizontally extending therefrom, which spur is slidingly insertable within an attachment member and positional by means of a pin, which attachment member has a gnomon disposed on a rear end to abut a baseboard and maintain a desired distance of a piece of furniture from a wall.
US08424826B2	Attachment apparatus for an external power supply An attachment apparatus is described herein. The attachment apparatus includes a band and a mounting member that extends from the band. The mounting member is adapted to couple an external power supply to the attachment apparatus. The attachment apparatus further includes a fastener member that extends from the band. The fastener member is adapted to couple the attachment apparatus to an exterior panel of an electronic device that is powered by the external power supply.
US08424825B2	Adjustable holder for electronic devices An adjustable holder for an electronic device includes four pivotally attached telescopic arms. The left, right and bottom telescopic arms include an elongated sleeve and an extendable arm that moves in and out of the sleeve. Each extendable arm has a forward projecting fin with a raised edge. The top telescopic arm includes a top elongated sleeve, a secondary sleeve and an extendable hook arm. In use, the arms are rotated and extended to fit the length and width of an electronic device, which can then be cradled between the left, right and bottom fins. The hook arm is used to suspend the electronic device from any suitable fixture and a tilt arm is used to adjust the viewing angle of the cradled device.
US08424823B2	Stand for imaging A stand, especially a floor stand, with a movable arm with an attachment section provided at the end of the arm for an object to be held by means of the stand, especially an imaging device in the form of an ultrasound head, with the attachment section being supported movably on the arm via a ball-and-socket joint comprising a ball head carrying the attachment section and a head holder supporting the ball head on the arm side, with a locking device being provided for releasable locking of the ball head (32) in its adopted position in the head holder.
US08424819B2	Fuel tank unit The fuel tank unit includes a fuel cutoff valve fastened to a support body. The support body and the casing of the fuel cutoff valve are made of first and second resin materials having different rates of fuel swelling. The fuel cutoff valve is fastened to the support body via a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism entails engaging a first support engaging portion and a second support engaging portion of the support body in first and second fastening engaging portions composed of hooks formed on the casing of the fuel cutoff valve, at first and second hook engagement levels that represent the bite of the hooks. The engaging portions are designed such that prior to fuel swelling of the support body and the base cover first hook engagement exceeds second hook engagement, whereas subsequent to fuel swelling second hook engagement exceeds first hook engagement.
US08424817B1	Article holder An article holder includes a base having a chamber and two opposite grooves, and having two ears, a follower having two projections slidably engaged with the grooves of the base and having a latching tongue, a carrier member having a pivot shaft extended from a protrusion and pivotally engaged with the ears of the base and having an engaging cavity, a spring member biases the latching tongue to engage with the engaging cavity of the carrier member at a working position, the carrier member is pivotal relative to the base to a storing position when the latching tongue of the follower is disengaged from the engaging cavity of the carrier member, a gripping block is pivotally attached to the carrier member and biased to engage with an article.
US08424810B1	Low noise wing slat system with rigid cove-filled slat Concepts and technologies described herein provide for a low noise aircraft wing slat system. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a cove-filled wing slat is used in conjunction with a moveable panel rotatably attached to the wing slat to provide a high lift system. The moveable panel rotates upward against the rear surface of the slat during deployment of the slat, and rotates downward to bridge a gap width between the stowed slat and the lower wing surface, completing the continuous outer mold line shape of the wing, when the cove-filled slat is retracted to the stowed position.
US08424807B2	Track container An aircraft wing assembly comprising: a spar; a fuel tank; a track container which is attached to the spar and extends into the fuel tank; a track which extends through the spar and into the track container; and a high-lift device, such as a slat or flap, carried by the track. The track container comprises a stiffening element encased in an elastomeric sheath. The track container is manufactured by placing a stiffening element and elastomeric material together in a mould; and compressing and heating them to cure and shape the elastomeric material.
US08424801B2	Slat support assembly A support assembly for deployment and retraction of an aero surface from an aircraft is disclosed. The assembly comprises a guide track, a primary support arm having one end coupled to a carriage mounted on the track such that the primary support arm is rotatable relative to the carriage about multiple axes, and a control arm having one end coupled to the primary support arm and a second end pivotably attachable to a fixed support forming part of the structure of the aircraft. The assembly being configured such that, when the carriage is driven along the guide track, the control arm causes the primary support arm to pivot about said multiple axes to deploy and/or retract an aero surface pivotally attached to an opposite end of the primary support member along an arcuate path.
US08424799B2	Rotor hub vibration attenuator A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency.
US08424798B2	Aircraft with helicopter rotor, thrust generator and assymetric wing configuration An aircraft features a source of forward thrust on a fuselage having a helicopter rotor assembly and an asymmetric primary wing configuration providing more wing-generated lift on one side of the fuselage than the other. The primary wing configuration counteracts the rotor's dissymmetry of lift during forward cruising, and reliance on the separate thrust source for such cruising reduces demand on the main rotor, keeping the angle of attack on the rotor blades low to avoid the stalling and violent vibration experienced by conventional helicopters at relatively high speeds. In some embodiments, an oppositely asymmetric tail wing or horizontal stabilizer acts alone, or together with an offset vertical stabilizer laterally outward from the tail, to counteract yaw-inducing drag of the primary wing.
US08424796B2	Reel A reel comprises a cylindrical core composed of two complementary arcuate core segments, a pair of flanges disposed respectively at axially spaced opposite ends of the core, and a pair of rings for connecting the core to the flanges. The rings are fixed respectively to facing inner sides of the flanges. Cooperating slots and tongues on the rings and core elements prevent the flanges from moving relative to the core in the direction of the axis of the core. The tongues enter the slots when the core segments are brought together. Resiliently bendable locking arms protrude radially inward from both ends of each core segment, and each locking arm is engageable by a snap fit with one of the rings when the core segments are brought together. Access openings in the flanges adjacent each of the locking arms allow access to the locking arms for disengagement from the rings.
US08424795B2	Wire and cable dispensing container and systems A container for the dispensing of electrical or communications cable has an external carton which receives a reel of cable and is supported by left and right supports. A continuous axial passageway through the container extends through the left panel of the carton, the left support, the spindle of the reel, the right support, and the right panel of the carton so that an elongate connecting rod may be passed through the container.
US08424791B2	Reel assembly A reel assembly comprises a spool member configured to rotate about a spooling axis to wind or unwind a linear material. The spool member is also configured to rotate about a reciprocation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the spooling axis. A housing substantially encloses the spool member and comprises first and second housing portions that are rotatable with respect to one another about the reciprocation axis. The first housing portion defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A rotating member is configured to rotate when the spool member rotates about the spooling axis. The rotating member is mechanically linked with respect to the first housing portion via one or more intervening components, such that each revolution of the rotating member produces one cycle of relative reciprocating rotation between the spool member and the first housing portion about the reciprocation axis.
US08424786B2	Method for production of particulate water absorbent comprising water-absorbable resin as main ingredient [PROBLEM]To obtain a particulate water absorbent having excellent and stabilized physical properties.[SOLUTION]One example of the production method for particulate water-absorbing agent of the present invention includes a polymerization step for polymerizing a monomer to obtain a polymer gel, a drying step for drying the polymer gel to obtain a particulate water-absorbing resin, a pulverization step for pulverizing the particulate water-absorbing resin, a classification step for sieving the particulate water-absorbing resin, a surface cross-linking step for cross-linking the neighborhood of the surface of the particulate water-absorbing resin to obtain the particulate water-absorbing agent, a packaging step for filling the particulate water-absorbing agent into a packaging material container for packaging, and a transportation step for transporting the products produced in each of the steps to the other steps, wherein at least any one of the steps including and subsequent to the drying step is in two or more lines, for one line of the polymerization step.
US08424784B1	Fracture water treatment method and system Methods for creating a proppant of a specific size from a slurry extracted from a fractured hydrocarbon well is provided, including the steps of separating water from the slurry, resulting in a solid stream and a liquid stream; mixing the slurry stream with particulate, resulting in a feed material; fusing proppant material in the feed material; quenching the fused proppant material; breaking the fused proppant material; sizing the broken material for the specific size; and mixing broken material that is not of the specific size with the feed material. A system for performing the method is also described.
US08424783B2	Wall mounted shower head The present invention provides a wall mounted shower head including a casing body set, a water conduit set and a water outlet plate. The water conduit set is disposed inside the casing body set, wherein upper section of the water conduit set is joined to a first joining base of the water outlet plate and bottom section of the water conduit set is joined to a second joining base of the casing body set. With a two-stage press control button disposed on the water outlet plate, users can control shower water by controlling actuation of an upper control shaft, a lower control shaft and a spring of the water conduit set. The structure provides a convenient water control operation for users in shower.
US08424779B2	Vivid water bloom shower The invention discloses a vivid water bloom shower. An electric generator, a control circuit board and at least one electromagnetic valve are arranged in the seal area of the vivid water bloom shower, the electric generator and the electromagnetic valve are respectively electrically connected with the control circuit board; a water inlet passage, at least one normal water outlet passage and at least one rhythm water outlet passage are arranged in the water passage of the vivid water bloom shower, and the electromagnetic valve is arranged between one water inlet passage and one rhythm water outlet passage. Controlled by the control circuit board, the vivid water bloom shower can adjust water currents along with the music rhythm, thereby enabling a user to enjoy the simulated vivid scenery.
US08424778B2	Slow release deer and rodent outdoor deterent device A slow release deer and rodent outdoor deterrent device includes: a) a waterproof hollow housing having a top and a bottom, a top wick orifice and a bottom wick; b) a wick externally extending from outside the hollow housing top, through the top wick orifice and into the hollow housing, through the bottom wick orifice and externally below the hollow housing bottom; c) a teabag containing dried repellant that is activated by water contact. The teabag acts as a two way filter to permit water to enter the teabag and permit a water-dissolved repellant brew to exit the teabag, the teabag being inside the housing in contact with the wick. The device is placed outdoors proximate vegetation to be protected and releases repellent when wetted by rain or watering.
US08424777B2	Reducing agent heating system A reducing agent heating system. The reducing agent heating system provides a dual energy heating strategy using both an electric heater and an engine coolant line such that emission control may be promoted efficiently. The electric heater and engine coolant line are disposed in close proximity to the reducing agent such that efficient and quick thawing of frozen or freezing reducing agent is facilitated.
US08424771B2	RFID tag An RFID tag includes a semiconductor package, a substrate and an antenna pattern. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip encapsulated therein and a plurality of connection terminals thereon. The plurality of connection terminals includes signal terminals and dummy terminals. The semiconductor package is mounted on the substrate. The antenna pattern is formed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the signal terminals. The antenna pattern is extended so as to overlap with at least a part of a bottom region of the semiconductor package.
US08424770B2	Method and device for customizing a portable electronic entity A device (200) for customizing a portable electronic entity (100), that includes: elements for storing a plurality of groups of customization data; elements (280) for communication with a non-rewritable memory (130) of the portable electronic entity, for receiving a first identifier (415) stored in the non-rewritable memory; elements for selecting at least one group of customization data according to the first identifier; and elements (240) for customizing the portable electronic entity according to each selected group of customization data. Preferably, the elements for storing a plurality of groups of customization data are designed so that each group of customization data is associated with a second identifier, the device includes elements for associating a second identifier with the first identifier, and the selection elements are designed in order to select at least one group of data according to the second identifier corresponding to the first identifier.
US08424768B2	Trigger mechanism for hand held devices A trigger mechanism with soft stops and associated method for activating a switch in a device or apparatus. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger receptacle, a trigger disposed in the trigger receptacle and movable between an un-actuated and an actuated position by a user depressing the trigger, and a soft stop comprised of at least one projection positioned to engage a resilient elastomeric insert. Moving the trigger from the un-actuated to actuated position compresses the elastomeric insert with the projection and activates the switch to provide a tactile sensation of the switch activation to the user. The switch may be an electric switch disposed in a hand held device, such as a barcode scanner in some embodiments.
US08424761B2	Commodity code reading apparatus and commodity code reading method According to one embodiment, a commodity code reading apparatus includes: an image capturing section configured to capture an image picked up by an image pickup section; a code detecting section configured to detect a code symbol from an image of a commodity captured by the image capturing section; a label detecting section configured to detect a label affixed to the commodity from the image of the commodity captured by the image capturing section; a determining section configured to determine whether a relative positional relation between a detection position of the code symbol and a detection position of the label in the image coincides with a positional relation set in advance; and a transmitting section configured to transmit, if the determining section determines that the positional relations coincide with each other, code information stored in the code symbol to an external apparatus together with label information corresponding to the label.
US08424760B2	Alerting a smart card reader of probable wireless communication A wireless device may alert a wireless smart card reader that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is probably imminent by sending an activation alert. Upon receipt of the activation alert, if the wireless smart card reader is in a low-power state, the wireless smart card reader may enter a higher-power state. If the wireless smart card reader is in the higher-power state upon receipt of the activation alert, the wireless smart card reader may remain in the higher-power state until a timeout period has expired. The wireless device may instruct the wireless smart card reader to enter the low-power state by sending a deactivation alert if the wireless device detects that communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless smart card reader is not likely to occur within a specified period of time.
US08424755B1	Banking apparatus operated responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records in the form of user cards. The machine includes a printer for printing paper records of transactions conducted at the machine. The printer receives paper from a shared paper path. The shared paper path can be supplied by a first paper supply and a second paper supply. A controller is operative to switch between the paper supplies in providing paper to the printer. Based on signals received from paper sensors in the machine, the controller can determine whether the first paper supply has reached a predetermined low level. In response to a low level determination, the controller acts to cause a paper drive to begin moving paper from the second paper supply to the shared paper path and then to the printer.
US08424751B2	Embedded media barcode links and systems and methods for generating and using them Embedded Media Barcode Links (EMBL), are optimally blended iconic barcode marks printed on paper documents that signify the existence of media associated with that part of the document. EMBLs are used for media retrieval with a camera phone. Users take a picture of an EMBL-signified document patch using a cell phone, and the media associated with the EMBL-signified document location is displayed on the phone. Unlike traditional bar code which requires an exclusive space, EMBLs are optimally blended with contents and thus have less interference with the original document layout and can be moved closer to a media associated location. Unlike Embedded Media Makers (EMM) which requires underlying document features for the marker identification, EMBL has no requirement to underlying features. Moreover, EMBL can take the advantage of users' knowledge to traditional barcode. Retrieval of media associated with an EMBL is based on the barcode identification of the captured EMBL.
US08424750B2	Authorization system An authorization system including an authorization server, an account server for storing account data relating to a plurality of accounts and an access terminal for inputting data that identifies one of the plurality of accounts.
US08424748B2	Solder in cavity interconnection technology An interconnection technology may use molded solder to define solder balls. A mask layer may be patterned to form cavities and solder paste deposited in the cavities. Upon heating, solder balls are formed. The cavity is defined by spaced walls to keep the solder ball from bridging during a bonding process. In some embodiments, the solder bumps connected to the solder balls may have facing surfaces which are larger than the facing surfaces of the solder ball.
US08424744B2	Method of manufacturing LED light bar and manufacturing equipment thereof A manufacturing equipment for manufacturing an LED light bar includes a reflow oven and a clamping device. The LED light bar includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs arranged on the printed circuit board. The reflow oven includes a hearth box and a transmitting belt extended through the hearth box. The hearth box includes a heating area and a cooling area in an interior thereof. The clamping device is mounted on the transmitting belt. The clamping device defines a receiving space for receiving the LED light bar therein. The clamping device is changed between a clamping state for maintaining the LEDs in positions and a releasing state whereby the LED light bar can be removed from the clamping device.
US08424741B2	Apparatus and method for resectioning gastro-esophageal tissue A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.
US08424739B2	Surgical stapling device with independent tip rotation A surgical stapling device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic body portion and a tool assembly. The tool assembly is rotatably and pivotally supported on a distal end of the endoscopic body portion. A tool assembly rotation mechanism is provided which includes a rotation knob, a substantially rigid tube and a flexible member interconnecting the rigid tube to the tool assembly. The substantially rigid tube translates rotation of the rotation knob to rotation of the flexible member and provides a channel for passage of other components of the surgical stapling device.
US08424737B2	Rotating knob locking mechanism for surgical stapling device A surgical stapling device having a rotating knob locking mechanism, and a method of using the surgical stapling device is disclosed. The surgical stapling device includes a housing, an actuation member, an elongated body portion rotatably supported on the housing, and a locking mechanism for preventing the rotation of the elongate body portion, the locking mechanism being automatically engaged upon actuation of the actuation member. The stapling device further includes a knob for rotating the elongated body portion. The locking mechanism includes a pivotably mounted member configured to engage the knob. The stapling device may further include an articulating tool assembly and an articulation lever for articulating the tool assembly. The articulation lever may be disposed on the knob for rotating the elongated body portion.
US08424736B2	Grasping jaw mechanism A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first grasping mode of operation and a second clamping mode of operation. The handle assembly includes a rotation control member and an articulation lever. The rotation control member is configured to facilitate rotation of the elongated member with respect to the handle assembly. The articulation lever is configured to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of elongated member. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly configured to clamp and staple tissue in the second clamping mode of operation of the device.
US08424733B2	Roof rack bows with mechanism for automatic extension and retraction A roof rack assembly includes first and second roof rails spaced from one another, each roof rail having a respective deployable roof rack bow and a respective drive mechanism operatively connected to the roof rack bow that causes the roof rack bow to extend in length by a predetermined amount when pivoted from a stowed position to a deployed position and retract in length by the predetermined amount when pivoted from the deployed position to the retracted position. The predetermined amount that the bows extend when pivoted is sufficient to cause the respective roof rack bows to span from the first roof rail to the second roof rail when in the deployed position.
US08424731B2	Child carrier A child carrier for carrying a child in a standing position on the back of the wearer is disclosed. The child carrier may have a shoulder harness having a first loop of material adapted to encircle a left shoulder area of a child carrier wearer, and a second loop of material adapted to encircle a right shoulder area of the wearer. The first loop of material and the second loop of material may be connected in an upper back region of the wearer. First and second handholds may be provided at the shoulder area of the first and second loops of material. The child carrier may have positions to attach accessories such as a water bottle, small enclosure for storage, and the like. In a first embodiment, a rigid or semi-rigid elongated platform having a width adapted to permit a child to stand on the platform may be suspended from the back of the shoulder harness by flexible straps, where the platform may be compact folding to allow the entire child carrier to be stored in a small pouch. In a second embodiment, individual stirrups for the child's feet may be suspended from the back of the shoulder harness.
US08424729B2	Garment clipping hanger A hanger for garments includes arms able to be moved apart or brought nearer and an elastic mechanism arranged to hold, at least partially, the arms one against the other so as to allow a garment to be held by clipping. A control mechanism is intended to move the arms away from one another, and includes an operating element arranged on one of the arms and accepting at least one degree of freedom in relation to this arm so as to be able to be operated by the hand of the user holding the hanger. The hanger may be applied to hang garments by clipping, in particular pants or skirts.
US08424727B2	Material dispensing assembly A material dispensing assembly (100) and method of operation is disclosed for converting a portable cartridge dispensing tool to a bag-type dispensing tool. The assembly comprises a single piece piston (110) for advancing material though a material housing (104), the single piece piston (110) includes a substantially square-shaped receptacle (140). The assembly further comprises a square shaped drive rack (112) for attaching to the piston (110) at the substantially square-shaped receptacle (140) at a connection end (128). The drive rack (112) further comprises a plurality of teeth (142) located thereon. The assembly (100) further has a support (127) with a substantially square profile for receiving and supporting the drive rack (112) during operation such that the construct of the drive rack and piston (110) are prevented from rotating during operation.
US08424725B2	Beverage proportioning A semi-frozen beverage dispenser with an improved flow proportioning mechanism is provided. In a filling cycle, a first valve regulating the syrup flow opens first to deliver a predetermined volume before it closes and a second valve regulating the water flow opens to deliver a volume according to the desired water to syrup ratio. A common flow sensor measures the liquid flow volume for both the syrup and water and provides the information to the control system. If it takes too long to deliver the expected volume, the system gives out a liquid-low warning.
US08424723B2	Liquid food dispenser system and method A system and method for dispensing fluids is introduced. A preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside the sealed tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure generating device to create pressure in the sealed tank.
US08424722B2	Self contained lubricant dispenser An integrated design for dispensing lubricants and similar fluids from bulk containers incorporates a dispense valve (8), a meter (1), a hose (7), a DC powered electric pump (2), power cord (18) and adjustable fluid suction tube (5), all packaged in one portable unit The unit is capable of dispensing fluids such as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmission fluid, gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze) The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergency shut-off to be provided.
US08424717B2	Efficient delivery and placement systems for switch contacts Hand-held placement dispenser element (6) and automated dispenser elements (18) are provided for placement of items such as metal domes or the like onto a placement position (21), such as right-side-up or upside-down, perhaps by allowing only a single item or predetermined number of items to eject from a dispenser element at a time. A dispenser element may include a trigger (7) allowing for non-complication in use. A dispenser element could accept a cartridge (1), such as a slotted cartridge (3). A dispenser element and cartridge may be interchangeable. Once a cartridge is empty, it may be desirable to remove the empty cartridge and replace it with a full one.
US08424715B2	Waste container A waste container includes fixed handles integrally molded to an upper edge of the side wall. The waste container further includes a retractable handle pivotably mounted at a hinge at the upper edge of the side wall. The retractable handle is pivotable between an upright, use position above the fixed handles and a retracted position below the hinge adjacent the side wall. In this manner, the handle can be moved to the proper location for either pulling the waste container on its wheels or for emptying the waste container into the hopper of a truck.
US08424714B2	Alignment features for a cart An example cart includes a body establishing an opening for loading and unloading items from the body and a skirt extending downwardly from a portion of the body. A plurality of support ribs span between the body and the skirt. The support ribs establish a lifter receiving area together with an outwardly facing surface of the body and an inwardly facing surface of the skirt. A feature is disposed on an outwardly facing surface of the skirt. The feature indicates the location of the lifter receiving area.
US08424711B2	Disposable beverage lid Embodiments of the invention are directed to disposable beverage lids which may be used in conjunction with beverage containers. In one embodiment, a disposable beverage lid is generally circular and configured to removeably couple to a beverage container. The lid may include an elevated rim in-set and about the periphery thereof with a dome within a recess defined by the elevated rim. A plurality of apertures may be located within a channel defined by an inner wall of the elevated rim and an outer periphery of the dome.
US08424710B2	Crate A crate includes a bottom, two end walls, and two side walls. At least one of the end and side walls comprises an inlet having a dimension allowing to introduce a predefined amount of cooling liquid into the interior of the crate.
US08424706B2	Closure with sealing insert A closure (1) having a shell (10) and a polymer insert (20). The polymer material of the insert (20) is selected to be sufficiently soft to provide an adequate sealing surface (21) and yet sufficiently stiff to define legs (22), which clip behind the internal curl (11) of the closure shell (10).
US08424699B2	Collapsible coolers An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls that extend from the upper rim. The inner collapsible wall also includes an integral bottom wall. Each collapsible wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane having hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between collapsed and expanded configurations. The membrane preferably is formed from silicone rubber.
US08424697B2	Caps, containers and methods A pressure cap comprises a closing part associable with an opening of a container, engaging means associable with a neck of said container, said engaging means being provided with retaining means for engaging in a projection of said container, a line of intended opening in said engaging means interposed between a side body of said engaging means and said closing part, said line of intended opening being defined by fracturable means, said line of intended opening and said closing part being positioned in relation to one another so that said fracturable means breaks along said line of intended opening when said closing part is induced to detach itself from said side body.
US08424695B2	Spring action child resistant closure and container An improved closure for a container. The container includes a lip having a plurality of downwardly extending angled surfaces, each terminating in a recess, and a shoulder which defines an open top of the container. The closure includes a plurality of lugs which are configured to engage the angled surfaces when the closure is rotated and mate with the recesses to secure the closure in place. To secure the tabs in the recesses, the closure includes one or more springs which extend downwardly from the top of the closure and contact the shoulder of the container to urge the closure upwardly with respect to the container. To separate the closure and the container, the closure is pressed toward the open top of the container, thereby disengaging the lugs from the recesses and allowing the rotation of the closure to disengage the closure from the container.
US08424692B2	Height-adjustable supporting device for an electric household or refrigerator shelf A supporting device for an inner supporting member of an electric household appliance, which includes a support securable, in use, by a first part thereof to a fixed guide and a second part facing the first, to a side edge of the inner supporting member. Both parts are relatively movable in a sliding direction perpendicular to the supporting member. Further included is a releasable retaining means for blocking the second part in different positions.
US08424690B2	Shopping cart corral for displaying one or more advertisements and method of providing same Some embodiments disclose a corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements. The corral can include: (a) an enclosure having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts, the enclosure having a first side; and (b) at least one first panel located at the first side and configured to display at least a first advertisement of the one or more advertisements. The advertising panels can be configured to be coupled adjacent the opening of the corral to facilitate better visibility.
US08424689B2	Modular rack system A modular racking system for storing, displaying and dispensing optical contact lenses. The system includes a reconfigurable, vertically-stacked array of modules. Each module is assembled from standard panels and includes a number of tray positions. Removable trays are slidably mounted in the modules, are vertically repositionable within the modules, and are provided in differing product configurations for different types of products or packaging. A contact lens dispensing matrix is defined by various positional indicia within the racking system, to designate various contact lens characteristics.
US08424678B2	Reinforced golf bag bottom Embodiments of golf club bag bottoms and methods to manufacture golf club bag bottoms are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08424677B2	Carton with retention features A carton for carrying a plurality of articles that includes a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. The least one side panel has a first retention feature for retaining a first portion of at least one of the plurality of articles, and a second retention feature for retaining a second portion of the at least one of the plurality of articles. The first retention feature comprises at least two first openings and the second retention feature is spaced apart from the first retention feature. The second retention feature comprises at least two second openings respectively aligned with a respective one of the at least two first openings, and at least two retention flaps foldably connected at a respective fold line. The at least two retention flaps are positioned between the at least two second openings.
US08424673B2	Belt for transferring plies containing metal reinforcements Device for transferring a reinforcing ply having the overall shape of a parallelogram and containing reinforcing threads with ferromagnetic properties and making a given angle b, smaller than 90°, with the longitudinal direction of the said reinforcing ply, comprising at least two transfer belts which overlap over a given length 1 and are separated by a given and small-sized distance, each of the belts comprising a magnetized region of trapezoidal shape, the bases of which are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belts and are intended to hold the reinforcing ply firmly against the moving surface of the said transfer belts, characterized in that, in the region of overlap of the belts, the side of the trapezium connecting the two bases of the magnetized region of the first belt forms an angle a1 with the longitudinal direction which is smaller than the angle of the threads b, and the side of the trapezium connecting the two bases of the magnetized region of the second belt forms an angle a2 with the longitudinal direction which is larger than the angle of the threads b, and in that the magnetized regions of the two belts do not overlap, so as to form a non-magnetized region positioned in line with the region of overlap of the transfer belts.
US08424672B2	Moving cart system The present invention features, in part, a moving cart system that comprises a moving cart main line which is disposed along process portions and on which a moving cart is transpired along a positive length direction of the moving cart main line, a moving cart return line which is disposed parallel with the moving cart main line and on which the moving cart is transpired along a negative length direction of the moving cart return line, traverses which are disposed for connecting a front and a rear of the moving cart main line and the moving cart return line, and a plurality of storages which are disposed perpendicular to the moving cart return line in predetermined intervals along a length direction of the moving cart return line for storing the moving cart, wherein the moving cart moves along the plurality of storages.
US08424667B2	Moving walkway The invention relates to a moving walkway comprising a moving belt (1) formed by a series of pallets (3) consecutively hinged to one another by means of elements (4-5) forming part of the pallets themselves and forms drive means through which the stress of the pulling mechanism is transmitted between pallets (3).
US08424665B2	Clutch unit A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch portion for controlling transmission/interruption of rotational torque to an output side with lever operation, and a brake-side clutch portion for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion to the output side and for interrupting torque reverse-input from the output side. The lever-side clutch portion includes an input-side member to which torque is input with the lever operation and claw portions extending in an axial direction are provided on an outer periphery of the lever-side outer race of the input-side member. The brake-side clutch portion includes a stationary-side member restricted in rotation, and claw portions of the lever-side outer race are brought into slidable contact with an end surface of a brake-side outer race with rotation of the lever-side outer race, the rotation being effected with lever operation.
US08424659B2	Vibration absorber A system for absorbing vibration in a rotary member having a predetermined rotary speed of the present invention has a selectively moveable mass and a positioning mechanism. The mass is in communication with the rotary member having a predetermined position. The positioning mechanism exerts a force on the mass at least when the rotary member operates below the predetermined rotary speed. The force exerted by the positioning mechanism orients the mass at the predetermined position when the rotary member operates below the predetermined rotary speed.
US08424655B2	Compact combination cylinder for vehicle brakes, comprising a control device, and method for controlling the brake cylinder A brake cylinder for pneumatic vehicle brakes includes a spring brake section for parking brake actions and a service brake section for service brake actions combined in one housing. The housing is subdivided by a piston into two compartments, one compartment being used as the pressure compartment for the service brake, and the brake spring of the spring section being arranged in the other compartment on the opposite end of the piston. The brake spring acts upon an additional spring piston, which can be locked and released relative to the piston by a pneumatic locking mechanism. The spring piston is connected to a piston rod directly or via additional elements to actuate the brake. Once the locking mechanism is released, the brake spring displaces the pistons relative each other during a parking brake action. At least one pneumatic valve for controlling the brake cylinder are integrated into the brake cylinder.
US08424646B2	Interruption tolerant lubrication system A lubrication system for a turbine engine or other application includes a first or primary branch 12 and a second or secondary branch 14, a main pump 16, a lubricant distributor 18 for receiving lubricant from the main pump and distributing the lubricant to the branches, and a auxiliary pump 30 in the second branch downstream of the distributor. The system is operable in a normal mode of operation in which lubricant flows from a lubricant source into the primary and secondary branches 12, 14 and is also operable in a backup mode of operation in which lubricant backflows from the primary branch into the secondary branch.
US08424644B2	Bracket for connecting sawhorses A bracket for replaceably connecting an end of a crossbar of a conventional PVC sawhorse to a crossbar of another conventional PVC sawhorse to thereby replaceably connect the conventional PVC sawhorse to the another conventional PVC sawhorse to form a barrier. The bracket includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are normally coplanar. The first portion is replaceably received by the end of the crossbar of the conventional PVC sawhorse. The second portion replaceably receives the crossbar of the another conventional PVC sawhorse to thereby replaceably connect the conventional PVC sawhorse to the another conventional PVC sawhorse to form the barrier.
US08424639B1	Collapsible tree stand with dolly A combination tree stand and hand truck are herein disclosed, comprising a seat mounted on the bottom of a conventional wheeled hand truck. The rear of the hand truck comprises a plurality of cross members and is attached via a pair of hinges to an additional section of a ladder like structure that is capable of being foldable extended to form a ladder. In use, the wheeled hand truck may be used to transport items to and from a hunting location. Once at a hunting location, the hand truck may be converted into a tree stand by deploying the folding ladder section and placing the deployed stand upside down against a tree or other structure therewith a securing means. The apparatus is particularly useful in game lands and other restricted hunting areas where an all-terrain vehicle or other motorized vehicle is not permitted.
US08424638B1	Swivel anchor point for fall protection A swivel anchor point for fall protection. The swivel anchor point includes a ring element and a housing element. The ring element defines a closed attachment aperture. The housing element is adapted to receive and retain the ring element such that the ring element can be freely rotated through a swivel angle of at least 180 degrees about a swivel axis, and freely rotated through a pivot angle of at least 90 degrees about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the swivel axis and that substantially intersects the swivel axis. The ring element includes two spaced apart leg members, the leg members having foot portions extending inwardly, toward the swivel axis. The foot portions have respective, spaced apart relatively enlarged ends. The housing element includes apertures corresponding to these ends, the apertures being suitably sized, closer to the swivel axis, for pivotally receiving the ends, while being of a sufficiently smaller size, farther from the swivel axis, to prevent passage of the ends therethrough.
US08424635B1	Firearm suppressor with relationally-rotated spacers disposed between baffles A firearm suppressor includes an outer housing and a baffle stack mounted inside the outer housing. The baffle stack includes baffles and spacers. The baffles and spacers are configured to allow a projectile to pass through while causing exhausted gas to flow through various chambers and channels in different directions.
US08424633B2	Variable transmission device for a vehicle A continuously variable transmission device (1) for a vehicle with a variator (3), a planetary gear unit (4) and a manual gear unit (9) arranged in a transmission housing. The variator (3) is connected with the planetary gear unit (4) and with the manual gear unit (9) in the area of a first shaft (14) and in the area of a second shaft (15). The variator (3) and the planetary gear unit (4) form a module (2) and are arranged on a common carrier plate (19).
US08424629B2	Vehicle energy absorber for pedestrian's upper leg An apparatus is provided for improved pedestrian safety during impact by a vehicle, where the vehicle includes a bumper, a hood, and structural components located generally above the bumper and in front of the hood. The apparatus includes an energy absorber with at least one crush lobe attached to a horizontal top beam of the bulkhead in a low-visible position when the hood is closed, but with the energy absorber positioned to crush and absorb energy to reduce injury to a pedestrian's upper leg when a pedestrian is impacted by the vehicle. The energy absorber is made of polymeric material, and the crush lobe is hollow and shaped to crush upon impact for maximum energy absorption.
US08424628B1	Vehicle with golf improvements A SEGWAY adapted with a mechanism to manually override the rider detection mechanical sensors to allow a golfer to choose to ride or not ride the SEGWAY while playing golf. A handle attachment extends outwardly enabling the golfer to manually steer and thus control the speed and direction of the SEGWAY while not riding the SEGWAY. The golfer can ride, walk, or run as desired in unison with the improved SEGWAY. A wireless controller and steering mechanism allow the golfer to remotely operate and control the speed and direction of the SEGWAY.
US08424625B2	Transaxle A transaxle includes an axle and a multiple motor generator unit for driving the axle. The multiple motor generator unit includes a common rotor shaft drivingly connected to the axle, armature windings serving as a first stator and a second stator aligned opposite each other in the axial direction of the rotor shaft, a common rotor member fixed on the rotor shaft, and permanent magnets provided on the common rotor member so as to serve as a first rotor facing the first stator, and as a second rotor facing the second stator. The first stator and the first rotor constitute a first motor generator. The second stator and the second rotor constitute the second motor generator. A total motor output torque of the first and second motor generators for rotating the rotor member and the rotor shaft can be changed in correspondence to a load applied from the axle to the rotor shaft.
US08424622B2	Hybrid drive unit A hybrid drive unit includes a power distribution mechanism for distributing a power from an engine to a first electric motor and to an output shaft; a transmission, which is arranged between the output shaft and a second electric motor in a manner to transmit a torque therebetween, and which is capable of setting an overdrive ratio where a speed of the output shaft is higher than that of a predetermined input element; and an engagement mechanism for connecting the engine selectively with the input element of the transmission, and for setting a speed change ratio of the transmission to the overdrive ratio. The hybrid drive unit is capable of setting an overdrive mode and is easy to be downsized.
US08424620B2	Apparatus and method for lateral well drilling An apparatus and method for penetrating earth strata surrounding a wellbore including a nozzle assembly, a flexible tubing connected to the nozzle assembly, and a means to position the nozzle assembly downhole in a substantially horizontal direction into earthen strata, such that the nozzle assembly is connected to one end of the flexible tubing. Embodiments can provide horizontal jetting into the earth's strata from both cased and uncased wells utilizing a rotating, swirling, pulsing or cavitating nozzles which can keep a relatively cuttings free downhole environment.
US08424616B2	Track guiding system A track guiding system includes a track comprising a linear beam and a linear plate operatively coupled to the linear beam. The linear plate has opposing first and second surfaces separated by a first distance and opposing first and second edges separated by a second distance. A first compound edge roller and a second compound edge roller are disposed adjacent to the first and second edges of the linear plate, respectively, for travel along the first and second edges of the linear plate. Each of the first and second compound edge rollers include a first roller element adjacent to the first surface of the linear plate and a second roller element adjacent to the second surface of the linear plate. A carriage is coupled to the first and second compound edge rollers.
US08424614B2	Hydraulic hammer A hydraulic hammer comprising a housing (10) with a longitudinal bore (12), cylinder sleeve (14) supported in the bore (12) a rear and cover (16) closing the bore (12), and a hammer piston (15) reciprocally powered in the cylinder sleeve (14) for delivering blows to a working implement inserted in the guide sleeve (20) mounted at the front end of the bore (12). The hydraulic hammer also comprises a distribution valve (31), for directing pressure fluid to the hammer piston (15), communicating the pressure fluid source and the cylinder sleeve (14). The valve (31) comprises both a clearance seal means (44) and a seat seal (45, 46) for improved tightness.
US08424609B2	Apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow between formations and wellbores In one aspect, a passive flow control device for controlling flow of a fluid is provided, which device in one configuration include a longitudinal member configured to receive fluid radially along a selected length of the longitudinal member, the longitudinal member including flow restrictions configured to cause a pressure drop across the radial direction of the longitudinal member. In another aspect, a method of completing a wellbore is provided, which method in one embodiment may include providing a flow control device that includes a tubular with a first set of fluid flow passages and at least one member with a second set of fluid passages placed outside the tubular, wherein the first and second set of passages are offset along a longitudinal direction and the member is configured to receive a fluid along the radial direction; placing the flow control device at a selected location a wellbore; and allowing a fluid flow between the formation and the flow control device.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10