最新美国发明专利第2013-05-07期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08435554B2	Compositons for nasal administration of pharmaceuticals Compositions for nasal administration, which comprise a pharmaceutical, a physiologically active peptide, or a peptide-related compound, and as the carrier thereof, crystalline cellulose with a specific particle diameter and/or partially pregelatinized starch are provided. Such compositions improve the in vivo absorption efficiency of pharmaceuticals.
US08435553B2	Elastin stabilization of connective tissue A method and product are provided for the treatment of connective tissue weakened due to destruction of tissue architecture, and in particular due to elastin degradation. The treatment agents employ certain unique properties of phenolic compounds to develop a protocol for reducing elastin degradation, such as that occurring during aneurysm formation in vasculature. According to the invention, elastin can be stabilized in vivo and destruction of connective tissue, such as that leading to life-threatening aneurysms in vasculature, can be tempered or halted all together. The treatment agents can be delivered or administered acutely or chronically according to various delivery methods, including sustained release methods incorporating perivascular or endovascular patches, use of microsphere carriers, hydrogels, or osmotic pumps.
US08435548B2	Peptide derivatives and cosmetic composition comprising the same Disclosed are peptide derivatives, wherein glutathione-like peptides are connected to benzoic acid derivatives, and a cosmetic composition comprising the same. The peptide derivatives have excellent tyrosinase inhibition and anti-oxidative activities to show excellent skin whitening effect, biocompatibility without skin stimulation, and stability during long-term storage. Therefore, they can be effectively used for a cosmetic composition for skin whitening.
US08435547B2	Cream for stimulating mitochondrial activity in the skin A skin care composition is useful for augmenting cellular metabolism in skin cells and thereby enhancing the regulation of intracellular signaling. The composition comprises a primer for skin cell mitochondrial function, such as a Krebs cycle intermediate, a precursor of a Krebs cycle intermediate, salts or esters thereof, or combinations thereof. The composition may also include antioxidants for free radical regulation and a pharmaceutically acceptable topical vehicle, such as an emollient base for skin health. A method for stimulating the mitochondrial activity of skin cells comprises administering to the skin of a person in need thereof a composition as described herein.
US08435534B2	Cancer immunotherapy A method for stimulating a immune response against IL-13Rα2 in a subject having or at risk for developing a disease having cells expressing IL-13Rα2 includes the steps of formulating the anti-cancer vaccine outside of the subject and administering the vaccine to the subject in an amount sufficient to stimulate an immune response against IL-13Rα2 in the subject. A composition for stimulating a immune response against IL-13Rα2 in a subject having or at risk for developing a disease having cells expressing IL-13Rα2 includes an isolated agent that can stimulate immune response against IL-13α2.
US08435525B1	FGF modulation of in vivo antibody production and humoral immunity The invention provides methods for increasing or decreasing antibody production in vivo by inhibiting or promoting the activity of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) respectively.
US08435522B2	Humanized antibodies against CXCR3 Disclosed are humanized antibodies that bind specifically to the receptor CXCR3. The humanized antibodies may be antagonists and may be used to treat or diagnose conditions associated with CXCR3 function.
US08435520B2	Combinations of immunosuppressive agents for the treatment or prevention of graft rejections A pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment or prevention of transgenic xenograft rejection comprising immunosuppressant compounds selected from the group consisting of an IL-2 transcription inhibitor and immunosuppressant compounds that immunosuppress for B-cell-mediated or antibody-mediated rejection of xenografts, and pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers, and a method of preventing hyperacute rejection, reducing early graft damage, improving early xenograft function and promoting long term survival of said transgenic xenografts comprising the steps of i) contacting the body fluid removed from a human recipient with a xenoantigenic material which is bound to a biocompatible solid support, ii) reintroducing the treated body fluid into the recipient, and iii) treating the recipient with said pharmaceutical composition.
US08435517B2	Compositions and methods for treating IgE-mediated disorders The present invention relates to immunoglobulins that bind IgE and FcγRIIb with high affinity, said compositions being capable of inhibiting cells that express membrane-anchored IgE. Such compositions are useful for treating IgE-mediated disorders, including allergies and asthma.
US08435513B2	NOTCH1 receptor antibodies and methods of treatment The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.
US08435511B2	Anti-hepsin antibodies and methods using same The invention provides hepsin antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies.
US08435505B2	Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for delivering such compositions The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a conjugate having a degradable linkage. The conjugates include at least one of each the following: an aromatic moiety comprising an ionizable hydrogen atom, a spacer moiety, and a water-soluble polymer. Methods for delivering such compositions are also provided.
US08435499B2	Toothpowder composition containing wheat flour and bamboo salt Disclosed are a toothpowder composition and a method for manufacturing the same. The disclosed toothpowder composition contains wheat flour and bamboo salt. The method includes addition of wheat flour and bamboo salt to prepare a powder mixture. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a tooth-washing tablet using the toothpowder composition.
US08435493B2	Imaging agents The present invention provides novel amino acid compounds useful in detecting and evaluating brain and body tumors. These compounds have the advantageous properties of rapid uptake and prolonged retention in tumors and can be labeled with halogen isotopes such as fluorine-18, iodine-123, iodine-124, iodine-125, iodine-131, bromine-75, bromine-76, bromine-77, bromine-82, astatine-210, astatine-211, and other astatine isotopes. These compounds can also be labeled with technetium and rhenium isotopes using known chelation complexes. The compounds disclosed herein bind tumor tissues in vivo with high specificity and selectivity when administered to a subject. Preferred compounds show a target to non-target ratio of at least 2:1, are stable in vivo and substantially localized to target within 1 hour after administration. Preferred compounds include 1-amino-2-[18F]fluorocyclobutyl-1-carboxylic acid (2-[18F]FACBC) and 1-amino-2-[18F]fluoromethylcyclobutyl-1-carboxylic acid (2-[18F]FMACBC). The labeled amino acid compounds of the invention are useful as imaging agents in detecting and/or monitoring tumors in a subject by PET or SPECT.
US08435489B2	Non-invasive diagnostic agents of cancer and methods of diagnosing cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools to image cancers, especially, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) with minimal toxicity in vivo. The present invention represents a clear advance in the art which presently relies on tissue biopsy for diagnoses of these cancers. The novel imaging probe is capable of detecting precancerous cells, as well as their metastatic spread in tissues. This represents a quantum step forward in the diagnosis and staging of NHL using non-invasively molecular imaging techniques. This novel probe will also be useful to monitor patients response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of NHL. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states.
US08435488B2	Methods and compositions for protein labelling A modular platform is provided for rapid preparation of various water-soluble prosthetic groups capable to efficiently introduce 18F into proteins with 18F labelling reagents.
US08435487B2	Synthesis of zeolites from fly ash A process with fusion pre-treatment for synthesizing geopolymers and zeolites from fly ash, in particular X-type zeolites with pores of large dimensions and high capacity that utilize sea water and low incubation temperatures. Fly ash is initially mixed with NaOH to obtain a mixture, which is pulverized and then melted at the temperature of 550° C. After cooling, the melted mass is pulverized, dispersed in sea water with fixed ratios and left under stirring at ambient temperature for 12 hours. The incubation of the ground material in sea water takes place at a temperature of between 25 and 70 degrees centigrade. Once the incubation period is ended, the solid part is separated from the liquid phase (sea water) through centrifugation and subsequently rinsed and oven dried.
US08435486B2	Redox material for thermochemical water splitting, and method for producing hydrogen An improved redox material able to be used for thermochemical water splitting, and a method for producing hydrogen using this redox material are provided. The redox material for thermochemical water splitting comprises a redox metal oxide selected from the group comprising perovskite-type composite metal oxides, fluorite-type composite metal oxides and combinations thereof, and a metal oxide carrier. The redox metal oxide is carried on the metal oxide carrier in a dispersed state. The method for producing hydrogen uses the oxidation and reduction of the redox material to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen.
US08435482B2	Mixed-metal oxides precipitated with supercritical CO2 Hopcalite-type catalysts for oxidation of CO are formed by preparing a mixed-metal oxide precursor by firstly preparing a solution of a mixture of metal precursor compounds in a solvent, followed by contacting the solution with a supercritical antisolvent to precipitate the mixed-metal oxide precursor. A mixed-metal oxide may then be prepared from the precursor by oxidation, for example by calcination. The mixed-metal oxide is then collected and optionally activated for use as a catalyst. The activated or calcined catalyst contains a nano-structured mixed-phase composition comprising phase-separated intimately mixed nanoparticles of copper and manganese oxide.
US08435479B2	Process for treating carbon dioxide containing gas A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.
US08435478B2	Enhancement of syngas production in coal gasification with CO2 conversion under plasma conditions A process and apparatus for enhancement of syngas production (CO and H2) of a carbon based feedstock with CO2 conversion, which utilized CO2 as an oxygen resource and converts CO2 to CO through chemical reactions. The process includes a thermal plasma reactor and optionally a nonthermal plasma reactor.
US08435475B2	Spherical organic polymer-silicon compound composite particles, hollow particles and their production methods The present invention is to provide hollow particles with a low degree of agglomeration and having a high roundness, and a process for producing them.Hollow particles comprising a silicon compound, having an average particle size of from 5 to 65 nm and an average roundness of at least 0.90, and having a shell comprising the silicon compound and having a thickness of from 1 to 20 nm. Further, a method for producing hollow particles, which comprises adding sulfuric acid to a liquid containing spherical organic polymer-silicon compound composite particles having a core comprising an organic polymer and a shell comprising a silicon compound in a medium containing at least 95 mass % of water, followed by heating to carbonize the organic polymer thereby to convert it to a carbide, and subjecting the carbide to decomposition using a liquid oxidizing agent other than sulfuric acid.
US08435469B2	Air pollution solution to the problem of opacity in coal fired power plant stack emissions A method of controlling air pollution arising from sulphur trioxide and or sulphuric acid in coal combustion gases, combustion gases passing through the demister region of a wet flue gas desulphurization unit are exposed to a sulphide based reducing agent such as hydrogen sulphide, such that metal catalysts promoting the oxidation of ammonia leading to the formation of nitrosylsulfuric acid are poisoned and so prevented from catalysing the formation and discharge of sulphuric acid in aerosol emissions in stack gases.
US08435465B2	Microfluidic biological extraction chip A microfluidic cartridge for isolating biological molecules having a capture chamber containing functionalized solid supports maintained in a fluidized state provides reduced pressure drops and bubble formation during microfluidic extraction. The cartridge may include an electric field lysis chamber and/or a chemical lysis chamber. The electric-field lysis chamber may comprise an electrically insulating structure arranged between two opposing planar electrodes.
US08435459B2	Heating and sterilizing apparatus and method of using same An apparatus (200, 300, 400) for generating superheated steam capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms associated with an item (230) includes a gas heater (10) for heating a gas, a steam generator coupled to the gas heater (10) and having a reservoir (216, 304) for supplying water, wherein the heater (10) heats the gas such that when water is combined therewith, a mixture of superheated steam and gas capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms is discharged from the apparatus (200, 300, 400). The generation of the steam-gas mixture may be done at one atmosphere of pressure and the mixing may be done prior to expelling the fluid from the apparatus (200, 300, 400). The apparatus (400) may be configured as a hand-held device, A method of treating an item (230) for microorganisms includes generating a superheated steam at approximately one atmosphere of pressure, directing a flow of the steam onto the item (230), and reducing or eliminating microorganisms using the steam.
US08435458B2	Wall system for catalytic beds of synthesis reactors and relative production process A system (8; 9; 50) is described of walls for catalytic beds of synthesis reactors (1), in which there is a wall (14) in direct contact with a catalytic bed (7) for containing it, said wall (14) having a plurality of portions (17) permeable to the gases and a plurality of portions (19; 54; 55) impermeable to the gases, said portions (17) permeable to the gases being equipped with slits (18; 52, 53; 60; 70) of a size such as to allow the free passage of the synthesis gases through them but not the passage of the catalyst, in which the slits are obtained with milling, water cutting or electro-erosion processing.
US08435457B2	Synthesis of hydrocarbons via catalytic reduction of CO2 A method of: introducing hydrogen and a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide into a reactor containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; and heating the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a temperature of at least about 190° C. to produce hydrocarbons in the reactor. An apparatus having: a reaction vessel for containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, capable of heating gases to at least about 190° C.; a hydrogen delivery system feeding into the reaction vessel; a carbon dioxide delivery system for delivering a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide feeding into the reaction vessel; and a trap for collecting hydrocarbons generated in the reaction vessel.
US08435453B2	Device for performing chemical and/or physical reactions between a solid material and a gas A device for performing chemical and/or physical reactions between a solid material and a gas, especially for preheating, cooling and/or calcining fine-grained materials has at least three stages arranged one above the other, each stage comprising the following components: a. a gas-solids suspension duct for conducting a gas-solids suspension, b. means for separating the delivered solid material from the delivered gas, c. a solids duct for discharging the separated solid material, d. and a gas duct for discharging the separated gas, the gas duct of one stage merging into the gas-solids suspension duct of the next-higher stage and the solids duct of one stage joining the gas-solids suspension duct of the next lower stage. In addition, the junction of the solids duct and the gas-solids suspension duct of the third or a higher stage is provided below the highest point of the gas-solids suspension duct arranged two stages lower.
US08435450B2	Blower type chemical diffusing apparatus, and chemical cartridge and chemical impregnated body used therefor A blower type chemical diffusing apparatus is small in thickness, simple in structure, and reduced in cost. The apparatus allows the chemical and a battery to be exchanged readily and facilitates electrically connecting the battery to the motor in the blower. The apparatus casing includes a first and a second side casing counterpart hinged together to allow opening and closing. The apparatus further includes a blower with a motor and fan mounted in the first casing body. A chemical cartridge is disposed between the blower and the second casing body, and contains a chemical impregnated body which includes a carrier in the form of a sheet impregnated with the chemical. The first casing body has a battery accommodating recess in which dry cells are removably accepted to drive the motor and thereby to rotate the fan. Air is thus forced to flow through the chemical cartridge.
US08435446B2	Surfaces and coatings for the removal of carbon dioxide Apparatus suited for removing carbon dioxide from gases are disclosed. The apparatus may employ bodies having a photocatalytic film. Associated methods and compositions are also disclosed.
US08435444B2	Magnesium alloy Magnesium alloy having the composition Manganese 1.5 to 2.2 Cerium 0.5 to 2.0 Lanthanum 0.2 to 2.0, these figures indicating the weight percent for the alloy, and magnesium and production-related impurities accounting for the remainder of the alloy to 100 wt. %.
US08435443B2	High-temperature alloy An iron-based high-temperature alloy has the following chemical composition (values given being in % by weight): 20 Cr, 4 to 8 Al, at least one of the elements Ta and Mo with a sum of 4 to 8, 0-0.2 Zr, 0.02-0.05 B, 0.1-0.2 Y, 0-0.5 Si, remainder Fe. The alloy can be produced at low cost and is distinguished in comparison with the known prior art by outstanding oxidation resistance and good mechanical properties at high temperatures up to 1000° C.
US08435441B2	Compositions for applying to ceramic honeycomb bodies Disclosed are compositions for applying to honeycomb bodies. The compositions can be used as plugging mixtures for forming a ceramic wall flow filter. Alternatively, the compositions can be used to form skin coatings on exterior portions of a honeycomb body. The disclosed compositions include an inorganic powder batch composition, an organic binder, a liquid vehicle, and a rheology modifier. The compositions exhibit improved rheological properties, including an increased yield strength and reduced viscosity under shear, which, among various embodiments, can enable the manufacture of sintered phase end plugs having reduced levels of dimple and pinhole formations in the final dried and fired end plugs as well as end plugs having relatively uniform and desired depths. Also disclosed are methods for forming end plugged ceramic wall flow filters from the plugging mixtures disclosed herein.
US08435439B2	Method of production of cement bonded agglomerated ore A method of production of cement bonded agglomerated ore not depending on yard curing which can improve the environment, save labor, and improve yield is provided, that is, a method of production of cement bonded agglomerated ore which adds Portland cement as a binder to dust produced from an iron works and/or fine powder ore, treats the same by mixing, moisture adjustment, and kneading steps, then pelletizes it by a pan pelletizer and suitably thereafter cures it to produce blast furnace-use cold pellets or sintering-use minipellets having the required crushing strength, which method charges the raw pellets from the top of a vertical type container and discharges them from the bottom end to form a moving bed and cures the raw pellets in the period from charging to discharging.
US08435438B1	Ceramic microtruss An ordered ceramic microstructure and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the ceramic microstructure includes a base structure and one or more ceramic layers. The base structure includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. Here, the first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material, and the base structure is self-supporting. In addition, the ceramic layers coat a surface of at least one truss element of the first truss elements, the second truss elements, or the third truss elements.
US08435433B2	Method for making a handle for a personal grooming device A method of manufacturing a handle for a personal grooming device includes forming a substrate portion of a first material. The substrate portion has first and second walls forming a channel extending along a long axis of the substrate portion. An insert member is formed separate from the substrate portion and disposed within the channel. A grip portion of a second material is formed on the substrate portion. The second material substantially encases the insert member.
US08435432B2	Production method for transparent polymer film and transparent polymer film produced according to the method, retardation film, polarizer, and liquid crystal display device Retardation expressibility of a transparent polymer film can be easily controlled by heat treatment of the film at a temperature T (unit, ° C.) satisfying a condition of the following formula (1): Tc≦T
US08435431B2	Method for producing a laser processing machine component having a corrosion-resistant internal coating A component of a laser processing machine includes an aluminum base member in which a duct is constructed in order to convey copper-ionized water. The duct has a corrosion-resistant plastic coating.
US08435429B2	Process for optimum thermoelectric properties A process for forming a thermoelectric component having optimum properties is provided. The process includes providing a plurality of core-shell nanoparticles, the nanoparticles having a core made from silica, metals, semiconductors, insulators, ceramics, carbon, polymers, combinations thereof, and the like, and a shell containing bismuth telluride. After the core-shell nanoparticles have been provided, the nanoparticles are subjected to a sintering process. The result of the sintering provides a bismuth telluride thermoelectric component having a combined electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient squared of greater than 30,000 μV2S/mK2 at 150° C.
US08435427B2	Compositions having non-linear current-voltage characteristics Provided are compositions and materials that have varistor properties and are suitable for use in electrical stress control devices and surge arrestor devices. The compositions and materials include a polymeric material and calcined calcium copper titanate filler material and have a reversible non-linear current-voltage characteristic.
US08435420B1	Method of polishing using tunable polishing formulation A process for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate having a polysilicon overburden deposited over silicon nitride is provided using multiple dilutions of a chemical mechanical polishing composition concentrate to polish the substrate, wherein a first dilution of the concentrate used to polish the substrate is tuned to exhibit a first polysilicon removal rate and a first polysilicon to silicon nitride removal rate selectivity; and wherein a second dilution of the concentrate used to polish the substrate is tuned to exhibit a second polysilicon removal rate and a second polysilicon to silicon nitride removal rate selectivity.
US08435417B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device A passivation film having a predetermined width from an outer peripheral end portion toward an inner side and extending along the outer peripheral end portion is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate. An outer peripheral end surface orthogonal to the front surface and a rear surface is formed by grinding the outer peripheral end portion of the semiconductor substrate. A thickness of the semiconductor substrate is reduced to a predetermined thickness by grinding the rear surface. The ground rear surface is etched by discharging a mixed acid onto the rear surface while rotating the semiconductor substrate with the rear surface facing upward, to remove a fracture layer. Thereby, chipping or cracking of the semiconductor substrate is suppressed.
US08435415B2	Nanofabrication process and nanodevice A nanofabrication process for use with a photoresist that is disposed on a substrate includes the steps of exposing the photoresist to a grayscale radiation pattern, developing the photoresist to remove a irradiated portions and form a patterned topography having a plurality of nanoscale critical dimensions, and selectively etching the photoresist and the substrate to transfer a corresponding topography having a plurality of nanoscale critical dimensions into the substrate.
US08435414B2	Nozzle plate manufacturing method, nozzle plate, droplet discharge head manufacturing method, droplet discharge head, and printer A nozzle plate manufacturing method that offers excellent protection against discharge liquid, and that enables a nozzle plate having high nozzle-hole accuracy to be manufactured with good yield. The invention also provides a nozzle plate, a droplet discharge head manufacturing method, and a droplet discharge head.
US08435413B2	Method for controlling a waste water concentration of cleaning solution containing phosphorus A method of controlling the concentration of P of cleaning solution waste water starts by providing a waste water buffer tank capable of either sending the waste water to a waste water treatment plant or storing the waste water after the waste water is accepted. The concentration of P in the cleaning solution is set within a target concentration range, and matter to be treated is treated. The concentration of P in the waste water is measured in the waste water buffer tank. When the measured value of the concentration of P is less than a selected upper limit, the waste water is sent from the waste water buffer tank to the waste water treatment plant. When the measured value of the concentration of P is higher than the selected upper limit, sending the waste water to the waste water treatment plant is stopped, and the waste water is stored in the waste water buffer tank. The concentration of P is reduced to a value within the target concentration range, and the matter to be treated is treated.
US08435411B2	Methods and compositions for the removal of impurities from an impurity-loaded organic salt Methods of removing impurities from an impurity-loaded organic salt solution by intermixing the impurity-loaded organic salt solution with a stripping solution to form a biphasic mixture, wherein the intermixing effectively reduces the concentration of impurities in the impurity-loaded organic salt, thereby removing impurities from the organic salt and forming an impurity-reduced organic salt solution phase and a stripping solution phase are provided herein.
US08435407B2	Fuel filter of a motor vehicle A fuel filter of a motor vehicle is designed to be mounted in a traveling direction of the motor vehicle and has a filter housing with a housing base body. The housing base body has a front side facing in the traveling direction. The front side of the housing base body has an external, integrally formed rib structure configured and adapted as impact protection.
US08435395B2	Methods and apparatus for measuring analytes using large scale FET arrays Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
US08435394B2	Electronic device assembly with safety electric connector The application provides an assembly comprising a housing (20) having an electrical housing connector (50) and a strip port (40) for a BGM sensor arranged in the vicinity of the electrical connector. The assembly further comprises an external electrical connector (60) adapted for releasable connection to the housing connector, wherein the external electrical connector comprises a portion (62) adapted to block the port opening when the external electrical connector is connected to the housing connector, thereby preventing insertion of a strip in the port when the two connectors are connected to each other. In this way it is prevented in a simple and cost-effective manner that a patient via an inserted strip is subjected to a too high voltage or current supplied to the circuitry of the electronic device.
US08435393B2	Instrument and system for pharmacologic measurement and well vessel used therein An instrument is provided for pharmacologic measurement capable of detecting a very small and short time change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action of a biologic specimen with quickness and a high sensitivity by steeply decreasing an external disturbance component mixed into the system while dropping/exchange of medicinal solutions is conducted in a batch mode. The pharmacologic measurement instrument detects a change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action or electrophysiologic action of a biologic specimen, and includes an electrically conductive box having an opening section at the top surface thereof and a well vessel disposed in the opening section thereof, wherein the well vessel includes a base having recesses in which the biologic specimens are put; measurement electrodes formed on the bottom surfaces of the respective recesses; and reference electrodes electrically insulated from the respective measurement electrodes, and the reference electrodes together with the electrically conductive box electrostatically shields the well vessel.
US08435392B2	Encapsulated sputtering target Embodiments of the invention provide encapsulated sputtering targets for physical vapor deposition. In one embodiment, an encapsulated target contains a target layer containing a first metal or an oxide of the first metal disposed over a backing plate, an adhesion interlayer disposed between the target layer and the backing plate, and an encapsulation layer containing a second metal or an oxide of the second metal disposed over the target layer and an annular sidewall of the backing plate. The target layer is encapsulated by the backing plate and the encapsulation layer and the first metal is different than the second metal. In some examples, the first metal is lanthanum or lithium and the target layer contains metallic lanthanum, lanthanum oxide, or metallic lithium. In other examples, the second metal is titanium or aluminum and the encapsulation layer contains metallic titanium, titanium oxide, metallic aluminum, or aluminum oxide.
US08435391B2	Electrocoagulation apparatus with in-place electrode cleaning An electrocoagulation wastewater treatment apparatus is disclosed wherein a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber houses treatment electrodes having front and rear faces. Electrode positioners are located in the reactor chamber for holding the treatment electrodes, each of the electrode positioners having a feed core connectable with a high pressure source of fluid. A plurality of passages extend from the feed cores, the passages located so that jets of fluid are directed at both the front and rear faces of each of the electrodes held by the positioners.
US08435390B2	Method for making coated article A method for making a coated article includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a copper-iron target by a hot isostatic pressing process using copper powder and iron powder; forming a copper-iron alloy layer on the substrate by vacuum sputtering using the copper-iron target. A coated article is also described.
US08435389B2	RF substrate bias with high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) An apparatus for generating sputtering of a target to produce a coating on a substrate with a current density on a cathode of a magnetron between 0.1 and 10 A/cm2 is provided. The apparatus comprises a power supply that is operably connected to the magnetron and at least one capacitor is operably connected to the power supply. A first switch is also provided. The first switch operably connects the power supply to the magnetron to charge the magnetron and the first switch is configured to charge the magnetron according to a first pulse. An electrical bias device is operably connected to the substrate and configured to apply a substrate bias.
US08435380B2	Substrate chucking member, substrate processing apparatus having the member, and method of processing substrate using the member A substrate chucking member includes a substrate supporting member and a rotation adjustment unit. The supporting member includes a rotatable supporting plate to load a substrate, and chucking pins disposed at the supporting plate for spacing the substrate off the top of the supporting plate by supporting the edge of the substrate from a side of the substrate. Each of the chucking pins is rotatable for rotating the substrate supported on the chucking pins. The rotation adjustment unit is disposed under the supporting plate for adjusting rotation of the chucking pins. During a process, since a substrate is rotated by the chucking pins to vary points of the substrate making contact with the chucking pins, positions of the substrate where a process liquid falls after colliding with the chucking pins can be continuously varied. Therefore, the substrate can be processed without defects at an end part of the substrate.
US08435377B1	Drywall tape dispenser assembly A drywall tape dispenser assembly for dispensing joint tape and joint compound used in finishing joints in sheetrock or drywall is provided. The drywall tape dispenser assembly comprises a main body having a first side wall, a second side wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, and a rear wall, with the first side wall, the second side wall, the bottom wall, the front wall, and the rear wall creating a mud receiving area. A first slot is formed between the front wall and the bottom wall and a second slot formed between the rear wall and the bottom wall. A tape dispensing mechanism dispenses the tape into and out of the mud receiving area wherein an amount of joint compound is placed in the mud receiving area over a portion of the joint tape within the mud receiving area and wherein a desired amount of joint tape is pulled through second slot, through the joint compound in the mud receiving area, and out of the first slot with a coating of joint compound thereon.
US08435376B2	Carrier for manufacturing substrate and method of manufacturing substrate using the same Disclosed herein is a carrier for manufacturing a substrate, including: a base plate; adhesive layers formed on one side or both sides of the base plate; auxiliary adhesive layers, each of which is buried in one side of each of the adhesive layers, has a smaller area than each of the adhesive layers and has lower adhesivity than each of the adhesive layers; and metal layers, each of which is formed on one side of each of the auxiliary adhesive layers, whose edges are attached to the adhesive layers, and whose other portions excluding the edges are attached to the auxiliary adhesive layers. The carrier is advantageous in that a metal layer and an auxiliary adhesive layer are attached to each other by the adhesivity of the auxiliary adhesive layer, so that it is not required to use vacuum adsorption, with the result that a process of manufacturing a substrate can be performed more stably.
US08435374B2	Method for making carbon nanotube film A method for making a carbon nanotube film includes fabricating a carbon nanotube array grown on a substrate. A drawing tool and a supporting member, having a surface carrying static charges, are provided. The static charges of the surface of the supporting member are neutralized. A plurality of carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube array is contacted and chosen by the drawing tool. The drawing tool is then moved along a direction away from the carbon nanotube array, thereby pulling out a carbon nanotube film. The carbon nanotube film is adhered the surface of the supporting member.
US08435368B2	Device for ultrasonic welding of at least two plastic foil layers The invention relates to a device for ultrasonic welding of at least two plastic foil layers for manufacturing for example a package. The device comprises at least one sonotrode and at least one anvil positioned opposite each other and each being provided with a pressure surface. The pressure surfaces can be moved away from each other and towards each other from a position of rest to a welding position and vice versa, the pressure surfaces in the welding position forming a welding section as well as a flow-out section. The pressure surfaces in the flow-out section have at least two pressure surface areas extending substantially parallel to each other for supporting the foil layers.
US08435365B2	Laminating device and method for laminating A method is described for providing a substrate foil (L0) with at least a laminating foil (L1) of material. The method comprises the steps of providing the substrate foil (L0) and the laminating foil (L1). And subsequently applying weakend portions (100) in the laminating foil (L1). The weakened portions extend in a direction transverse (Dtr) to a longitudinal direction of the laminating foil, and are spaced at intervals along the longitudinal direction. The weakened portions have a width (w) substantially smaller than the length (Δ) of said intervals, providing a tension to the laminating foil (L1) in the longitudinal direction (Dlong). Thereby the laminating foil (L1) is stretched in the weakened portions, attaching the stretched laminating foil (L1) to the substrate foil (L0).
US08435363B2	Complex metallographic structured high strength steel and manufacturing same A multi-phase steel sheet having microstructure having in combination ferrite, martensite of between 3% and 65% by volume, and at least one microstructure selected from the group consisting of, bainite and retained austenite, and having fine complex precipitates selected from the group of TiC, NbC, TiN, NbN, (Ti.Nb)C, (Ti.Nb)N, and (Ti.Nb)(C.N) particles having at least 50% smaller than 20 nm in size, and physical properties having tensile strength greater than about 780 megapascals and at least one of the properties of elongation greater than about 10%, yield ratio greater than about 70%, and hole expansion ratio greater than about 50%.
US08435361B2	Copper-zinc alloy for a valve guide A novel copper-zinc alloy is particularly suited for a valve guide. The copper-zinc alloy contains 59 to 73% copper, 2.7 to 8.3% manganese, 1.5 to 6% aluminum, 0.2 to 4% silicon, 0.2 to 3% iron, 0 to 2% lead, 0 to 2% nickel, 0 to 0.2% tin, remainder zinc and inevitable impurities.
US08435359B2	Cleaner and path controlling method thereof A cleaner adapted to clean particles on a plate is provided. The cleaner includes an active driver and a slave driver. The active driver includes a plurality of active cleaning wheels and a control system. Each of the active cleaning wheels includes a first magnet, and the first magnet has an even number of magnetic poles. The control system is electronically connected with the active cleaning wheels so as to control a rotation of the active cleaning wheels. The slave driver includes a plurality of slave cleaning wheels. Each of the slave cleaning wheels includes a second magnet, and the second magnet has an even number of magnetic poles. The plate is disposed between the active driver and the slave driver. The second magnets are disposed opposite to the first magnets, so that the active cleaning wheels drive the slave cleaning wheels to rotate by a magnetic force.
US08435358B2	Conveyor dishwasher and method for operating a conveyor dishwasher A conveyor dishwasher (2) has a control apparatus (50) for automatically setting the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the conveying speed and/or as a function of the type of washware conveyed through the final rinse zone (18). A rinse aid metering apparatus (57) is also provided which is designed to add in a metered fashion a constant quantity of rinse aid per unit time to the fresh water provided for final rinsing purposes independently of the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time.
US08435354B2	Water stable compositions and articles comprising starch and methods of making the same Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride, and forming a transesterification reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride.
US08435351B2	Method and system for measuring a flow rate in a solid precursor delivery system Improved measurement accuracy for determining the flow rate of precursor vapor to the deposition tool, particularly for use with low vapor pressure precursors, such as ruthenium carbonyl (Ru3(CO)12) or rhenium carbonyl (Re2(CO)10). In one embodiment, the system includes a differential pressure manometer is provided for measuring the flow rate. A method of measurement and calibration is also provided.
US08435348B2	Paint booth with purifier A paint booth is provided with a purifier. The purifier includes a water tank, pump, water cord formation mechanism, sludge removal mechanism, exhaust mechanism, and barrier member. The water cord formation mechanism includes a water case located in an upper part of a spray chamber. A large number of nozzles are formed in a bottom wall of the water case. Each nozzle includes a tubular portion, the inside diameter of which is reduced downward from an inlet, and a circular outlet. Water falling in straight lines from the outlet forms a large number of parallel water cords. Paint mist is collected as air containing the paint mist contacts the water cords. An exhaust chamber is formed on the back side of the barrier member.
US08435345B2	Internally curing cement based materials A method of curing cementitious material comprising added a carboxylated bleached wood pulp fiber to the material during mixing. The fiber has a carboxyl content of from 10 to 70 meq/100 g cellulose fiber. The fibers are 0.1 to 5% by weight of the dry weight of the cementitious material. The structure produced by the method. The autogenous shrinkage of the cementitious material is reduced.
US08435344B2	Biodegradable retarder for cementing applications Cement compositions comprising carboxylated inulin and methods of using the same to cement a workspace. In one embodiment, a method of cementing includes providing a cement composition comprising a carboxylated inulin, for example, in a subterranean formation. The method further includes allowing the cement composition to set. In some embodiments, the cement composition has a thickening time of from about 2 hours to about 11 hours. In other embodiments, the cement composition has a viscosity that is about constant for a period of time after the cement composition is placed.
US08435343B2	Bone graft material and uses thereof Bone graft compositions for repairing bone defects, which are characterized by a chemical composition of cementitious, non-cementitious, highly-resorbable and poorly-resorbable particulate substances, and further characterized by a specific particle size distribution that includes two or more different ranges of particle size, are disclosed. Further disclosed are articles of manufacturing and unit dosage forms containing the bone graft compositions, methods of repairing bone defects utilizing the bone graft compositions, and processes of preparing the same. Also provided are applicators for applying flowable mixtures formed by mixing a dry composition and a liquid carrier, which are particularly useful for preparing and applying bone graft compositions, as well as methods of using same.
US08435342B2	Concrete composition A concrete composition comprising a mouldable mixture of aggregate, binder and liquid vehicle, wherein the aggregate comprises sulphur concrete-derived aggregate and wherein the binder comprises hydraulic binder. The use of crushed sulphur concrete as aggregate in cement-based concrete reduces the hardening time of the concrete.
US08435339B2	Ink set, ink cartridge, inkjet recording method, and inkjet recording apparatus An ink set includes at least two aqueous inks A and B with different colors, the inks A and B used in an inkjet recording method in which the inks A and B are superimposed for formation of a color image, wherein the ink A contains water-dispersible colorant A1 free of a surfactant-based dispersant, and anionic compound A2, and wherein the ink B contains water-dispersible colorant B1 containing a surfactant-based dispersant.
US08435332B2	Oxygen separation module and apparatus A module and an apparatus incorporating such module utilizing a plurality of tubular membrane elements, each configured to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed stream when an electric potential difference is applied to induce oxygen ion transport in an electrolyte thereof. The tubular membrane elements can be arranged in a bundle that is held in place by end insulating members. The insulating members can be positioned within opposed openings of end walls of a heated enclosure and can incorporate bores to allow an oxygen containing feed stream to flow past exposed ends of the tubular membrane elements for cooling the end seals of such elements. Further, first and second manifolds can be provided in a module in accordance with the present invention to collect separated oxygen from two separate portions of the tubular membrane elements.
US08435331B2	Converting CO2 to an alcohol In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to an alcohol. The method involves contacting a stream of flue gas comprising the CO2 from a combustion process with water mist to create a mixture of liquid carbonic acid (H2CO3) and wastewater. The method further involves extracting the liquid H2CO3 from the mixture and pressurizing the liquid H2CO3 to generate pressurized liquid H2CO3. The method further involves combining the pressurized liquid H2CO3 with a first liquid reagent in a first hydrolysis chamber creating the alcohol from combining the pressurized liquid H2CO3 with the first liquid reagent.
US08435330B2	Carbon capture system and process A system and process is provided primarily for use in hot climates, using ammonia solution to remove carbon dioxide from desulphurised water-vapor-containing flue gases of a fossil fuel power plant, while outputting useful streams of water and fertilizer.
US08435328B2	Ten bed pressure swing adsorption process operating in normal and turndown modes The present invention relates to a ten bed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system utilizing new and advanced cycles to obtain enhanced hydrogen recovery from a hydrogen containing feed gas (i.e., synthesis gas). More specifically, through the newly developed process cycles, the ten bed PSA system is capable of matching the hydrogen recovery of conventional twelve bed PSA systems designed to manufacture 100 million standard cubic feet per day of gas.
US08435327B2	Carbon dioxide permeable membrane A carbon dioxide permeable membrane is described. In some embodiments, the membrane includes a body having a first side and an opposite second side; a plurality of first regions formed from a molten carbonate having a temperature of about 400 degrees Celsius to about 1200 degrees Celsius, the plurality of first regions forming a portion of the body and the plurality of first regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; a plurality of second regions formed from an oxygen conductive solid oxide, the plurality of second regions combining with the plurality of first regions to form the body and the plurality of second regions extending from the first side of the body to the second side of the body; and the body is configured to allow carbon dioxide to pass from the first side to the second side.
US08435326B2	Multi-stage process for removing CO2 relative to hydrogen from syngas streams A multi-stage membrane process for the removal of carbon dioxide from syngas streams containing at least about 5 volume percent carbon dioxide. The syngas is preferably obtained by the gasification of a biomass feedstock.
US08435323B2	Batchwise working-up recycling materials in a rotatable reactor A process for batchwise working-up valuable metals containing recycling materials having a content of organic constituents so high that its use as smelting materials in conventional metal smelting processes is not suitably or even possible. The material is charged to a tiltable reactor rotatable along its own longitudinal axis having a common opening for charging and emptying. The material is heated to a temperature promoting the expulsion of organic constituents by pyrolysis and/or combustion. The material consists at least to an essential part of such size fractions that admits a continuous charging during operation. The process is characterized in that said material during operation is charged continuously in an adjustable stream being controlled and/or adjusted by means of running measurements of different process variables so that the flow and composition of the combustible gas and the heat release is kept under control. A worked-up product substantially free from any organic substance is withdrawn from the reactor and is added to a conventional metal smelting process. The material is suitably supplied during operation by means of a charging equipment provided against or down through the single opening of the reactor by means of gravity and/or a pneumatic transport gas.
US08435322B2	Enhanced process to produce a thermofertiliser from potassium-bearing minerals A simplified and enhanced process to produce thermofertiliser obtained from potassium and phosphorous-bearing minerals is provided, where these elements may or may not be in citric acid or insoluble in water. The process also includes the use of specific additives, at the beginning of the process or immediately before the beginning of the thermal treatment step, in order to increase the potassium and phosphorous contents in the product and the overall efficiency of the process and also to promote the production of a high quality thermofertiliser.
US08435320B2	Ceramic honeycomb filter A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a honeycomb structure having a large number of flow paths partitioned by porous cell walls; and plugs formed in the flow paths alternately on the exhaust gas inlet and outlet sides; the thickness W (mm) and permeability κ (μm2) of the cell wall and the length L (mm) and cross section area A (mm2) perpendicular to the length direction of the flow path meeting the relations of 0.1≦W≦0.5, 8≦κ/W≦26.7, and 125≦L/A0.5≦360.
US08435319B2	Filter unit for the filtration of gaseous fluids, in particular air filter in internal combustion engines A filter unit (1) for the filtration of gaseous fluids has a filter web (13), which is wound in a spiral about a support core (18), and which is provided with parallel flow channels (16a, 16b) for the fluid. Flow channels (16a, 16b) which are directly adjacent to the support core, are covered by a cover element (4), which is connected to a component of the filter unit (1).
US08435315B2	Horizontally-oriented gasifier with lateral transfer system A method and apparatus is described for the efficient conversion of carbonaceous feedstock including municipal solid waste into a product gas through gasification. More specifically, a horizontally-oriented gasifier having one or more lateral transfer system for moving material through the gasifier is provided thereby allowing for the horizontal expansion of the gasification process such that there is sequential promotion of feedstock drying, volatization and char-to-ash conversions.
US08435314B2	Method for the preparation of solid fuels by means of torrefaction as well as the solid fuels thus obtained and the use of these fuels The present application relates to a method for the preparation, by torrefaction, of a solid fuel wherein a starting composition is heated indirectly. The present invention also relates to a solid fuel to be obtained by such method. The present application further relates to a method for the removal of one or more metals from or the reduction of the “total chlorine content”, the sulphur content and the trace element content of a solid fuel thus obtained. In addition to that, the present invention relates to a solid fuel, which can be obtained by the carrying out of such a method. Finally, the present invention relates to the uses of such solid fuels.
US08435312B2	Calcium hexaboride anodes for electrochemical cells An electrochemical cell includes an anode containing calcium hexaboride, where the electrochemical device is an alkaline cell or an air cathode cell.
US08435310B2	Anti-counterfeiting electronic device and method thereof An anti-counterfeiting electronic device includes a function component assigned with an identification code ID and a processor. The processor generates a random code K1 and transmits the random code K1 to the function component; the function component encrypts the random code K1 and the identification code ID to generate a key ID1. The processor further obtains the key ID1 from the function component and decrypts the key ID1 to generate an identification code ID2, and determines whether the identification code ID2 is the same as the ID and executes the system login command if the identification code ID2 is the same as the identification code ID. An anti-counterfeiting method is also provided.
US08435309B2	Joint actuation mechanism for a prosthetic and/or orthotic device having a compliant transmission Disclosed herein a prosthetic or orthotic device having a joint portion and a compliant transmission assembly in operational communication with the joint portion. The device restores the normal capabilities and natural dynamics of a healthy joint for common activities. The compliant transmission assembly includes a compliant element. The compliant transmission assembly absorbs energy when a torque is applied between a prosthetic or orthotic device portion and another adjacent device portion or the adjacent limb segment of the user. The compliant element of the invention absorbs energy during flexion of a joint for the dampening thereof and releases this energy during extension of the joint for assistance thereof. Also disclosed herein is an actuator assembly, a torque sensor and an actuator locking device as well as a method for determining the torque of such prosthetic and orthotic devices.
US08435308B2	Prosthetic connector A locking device for a prosthesis comprising a locking mechanism that may be disengaged from the locking pin using a single hand, and that remains in the open position until the pin is removed. The locking mechanism of the present invention thus provides a secure connection that may be more easily removed than current devices. The current invention comprises a self-holding release mechanism that makes it possible to use both hands for pulling the amputation stump out of the prosthetic sleeve. The release mechanism is held in an open position by an interior locking mechanism. When the locking pin has come out of the locking mechanism, the inner locking mechanism will let the release device return and the lock will reset, and again be ready for use when the locking pin is inserted once more.
US08435306B2	Devices and methods for treating defects in the tissue of a living being An implant for deployment in select locations or select tissue for regeneration of tissue is disclosed. The implant includes collagen and or other bio-resorbable materials, where the implant may also be used for therapy delivery.
US08435305B2	Osteochondral graft delivery device and uses thereof A delivery device for an osteochondral graft comprising a tube, a plunger and a graft retention assembly is disclosed. The tube has a bore having an inside diameter and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The inside diameter of the bore is sufficient to accept an osteochondral graft of a desired diameter. The tube has a set of apertures located adjacent the distal end of the tube. The plunger is slidably disposed within the bore of the tube. The graft retention assembly comprises a collar and a set of tabs. The graft retention assembly is attached to the tube such that the tabs are disposed within the apertures of the tube. The tabs are biased towards each other but are capable of being displaced away from each other to receive or release the osteochondral graft.
US08435304B2	Adjustable knee tibial trial insert An adjustable tibial trial insert includes an upper plate having an upper articular surface and a lower plate. A height-adjustment mechanism of the insert is coupled to and positioned generally between the upper plate and the lower plate and is configured to move between a closed position where the upper and lower plates are adjacent each other and an opened position where the upper and lower plates are spaced-apart from each other in order to adjust a height or thickness of the insert.
US08435292B2	Methods for ligament reconstruction Methods and devices are provided for fixing a ligament graft in a bone tunnel. In general, the methods and devices involve affixing a ligament graft within a bone tunnel using an adhesive. A fixation device can be inserted through the ligament graft in a direction transverse to an axis of the tunnel to maintain the ligament graft in contact with the adhesive. The fixation device can be removed when the adhesive is cured such that the ligament graft is fixed in the tunnel.
US08435291B2	Method and apparatus for in-situ adjustability of a middle ear prosthesis Embodiments provide a middle ear prosthesis that can be adjusted in situ. The middle ear prosthesis can be inserted into the middle ear of a patient and then, after surgery, the length of, or distance between the end resting on the malleus and the end resting on the stapes, can be adjusted without the need to touch the prosthesis through a surgical intervention. A middle ear prosthesis can include a first element having a first interconnecting end and a malleus end, for resting on a malleus or tympanic membrane, and a second element having a second interconnecting end and a stapes end, for resting on a stapes, where the first and second interconnecting ends interconnect with each other. External forces can be applied to a clamp to actuate release of the clamp and allow for adjustment of the length of the prosthesis in situ.
US08435289B2	Rapid exchange IOL insertion apparatus and methods of using A system for easily transferring an intraocular lens (IOL) from a lens case to an inserter, and then into a patient's eye. The lens case has a transfer mechanism therein which retains the IOL until engagement with the inserter. The transfer mechanism may include jaws having a closed configuration for retaining the IOL and an open configuration for releasing the IOL. Engagement of the inserter with the lens case automatically opens the jaws and transfers the IOL to the inserter. The IOL is transferred into a load chamber of a nosepiece rotatably coupled to a handpiece. After transfer of the IOL, the nosepiece is rotated from a load position to a delivery position. The IOL may have an optic and a haptic coupled to the optic, and the lens case may be capable of configuring the haptic as desired to facilitate its transfer into an inserter and/or into the eye. For instance, the lens case may fold one or both of the haptics over the optic. Preferably, the lens case maintains the haptic in this position during transfer of the intraocular lens into an inserter and/or inserter cartridge. A manifold for easily distributing a viscoelastic medium to the load chamber of the inserter is also provided.
US08435283B2	Anti-migration features and geometry for a shape memory polymer stent A radially-expandable stent for implantation in a bodily passageway, being expandable from an initial unexpanded state to an expanded state, having an outer surface with a geometric pattern covering said outer surface to minimize migration after implantation is provided. Also provided is a method of manufacturing such a stent.
US08435277B2	Apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient Apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient comprises a cover for covering at least a portion of a patient's body and a compliant support adapted to underlie and generally conform to the shape of the portion of the patient's body to define a well adjacent to the patient's body portion for accumulating heat transfer liquid. The cover and compliant support cooperatively define an enclosure for receiving the portion of the patient's body and are constructed to conduct a heat transfer liquid into direct contact with the portion of the patient's body received in the enclosure to promote heat transfer between the patient's body and the heat transfer liquid.
US08435275B2	Portable ear light device A portable electronic ear light device comprising a support member and an optical radiation source resting on the support member and a light guide for directing optical radiation energy non-invasively at the user's intracranial nerve tissue via the outer auditory canal of the user of the portable electronic device to stimulate the user's intracranial nerve tissue. In the device, the support member is around the light guide at a distance from the radiation guide, thus providing an air gap around the radiation guide. In the device there is a sealing structure between the support member and the light guide for preventing the contamination of the light guide and the air gap.
US08435274B2	Arthritic symptom relief through a laser based medical instrument Disclosed are several methods, apparatus, and a system for providing arthritic symptom relief through a laser based medical instrument. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a radiation of a laser-light created by a laser diode of a first medical instrument. In addition, the method includes applying a treatment of the radiation to a portion of a hand. The method also includes reducing a pain caused by one or more diseases associated with a degradation of a joint in the hand. The method further includes providing a relief from the pain when the treatment is complete.
US08435272B2	Clavicle nail with locking end cap A device for reducing migration of a pin of an intramedullary fixation device, especially to reduce migration of a clavicle pin introduced in the medullary canal of the clavicle to fix a fractured clavicle bone. A clavicle nail with a curved tip is inserted within the medullary canal of the clavicle. The back end of the nail that extends out of the clavicle is provided with indentations or grooves. The back end of the nail is received in a hollow cavity of a cap, which locks onto the indentations or grooves of the nail. A screw is placed through an eyelet of the cap and turned into the clavicle to secure the cap to the clavicle. As a result, the nail is fixed within the medullary canal and undesirable migration of the pin within the medullary canal is reduced.
US08435265B2	Laminoplasty methods using hinge device A vertebra implant is provided that includes an elongate body with a first end configured to mate the first end to a first location on a vertebra, and a second end having at least one fastener configured to mate the second end to a second location on a vertebra. The elongate body also includes a deformable portion extending between the first and second ends that has an unexpanded configuration in which the deformable portion is configured to allow a tool to cut bone extending between the first and second ends when the first and second ends are mated to first and second locations on a vertebra, and an expanded configuration in which the deformable portion is deformed to increase a distance between the first and second ends such that a gap is created in the cut bone. The deformable portion is configured to maintain the first and second ends at a fixed distance apart when the deformable portion is in the expanded configuration. A vertebral implant is also provided that includes an elongate member configured to extend into a vertebra and form a hinge therein using a breakage point located along a length of the elongate member.
US08435261B2	Treatment and placement device for sinusitis applications Devices, methods and kits which, when installed or used, access, aspire, dilate, insufflate, drain or deliver fluid medicaments to, or place a patency device within a sinus area, such as a maxillary sinus or a maxillary sinus ostium. The device can include a hollow catheter and probe, and can be configured to permit gradual and incremental probe extension. The device can be constructed to enhance the precision and maneuverability within the nasal and sinus passageways, while also accommodating the natural anatomical geometry of a targeted paranasal treatment site. For example, the present treatment and placement device can accomplish access to the maxillary sinus ostium by utilizing an uncinate process to guide a probe tip into the ostium in a retrograde manner. The probe can be slidably, bi-directionally or co-axially positioned within the catheter. A distal portion of the probe can be biased away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter.
US08435260B2	Surgical instrument A surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery, having a handle, a shaft and an actuating part, as well as a gastight cover surrounding the shaft, wherein the cover is provided with a coupler that has a feed-through opening with a lockable seal, through which feed-through opening, after the seal is unlocked, the shaft with the actuating part can reach.
US08435258B2	Mechanism for assembly of ultrasonic instrument An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.
US08435255B2	Surgical clamp An apparatus and method an apparatus and method for suturing, wherein said apparatus is a surgical instrument comprising a pair a cross members having securing means for pivotally securing the cross members to one another creating a first end, wherein the cross members second end comprises a locking device for locking the cross member and the first end comprises a clamping surface at a distal ends having at least two opposed curves forming a S-shaped sections having a outer smooth surface and a serrated inner surface assisting the suture process avoiding proximal slippage of suture material while tying a clamped structure.
US08435253B2	Meniscal repair systems and methods A device for repairing a tear in a portion of tissue comprises a proximal actuator portion, a transfer needle extending distally from the proximal actuator portion and a catch needle extending distally from the proximal actuator portion. A suture needle is disposed in the transfer needle, and is extendable from the transfer needle toward the catch needle and retractable from the catch needle toward the transfer needle. An extendable catch plunger is disposed in the catch needle for capturing suture therein when it is transferred from the transfer needle. A retractable insertion sheath is provided for covering the transfer needle and the catch needle when the device is inserted into a procedural site. A depth limiting apparatus limits the depth of insertion of the needle into the procedural site.
US08435247B2	Linked tibial resection guide An improved resection guide and method using same are disclosed. The guide is preferably utilized in resecting the tibia during either a single or double unicondylar type procedure. Preferably, the guide allows for linked resection of the tibia while also being capable of conforming to many different patient sizes. This may also allow for a more precise resection to be accomplished.
US08435245B2	Surgical implant insertion apparatus and method A surgical implant insertion device including an inner shaft; shaft threading coupled to the inner shaft; a rotating knob including a channel bored therethrough and internal threading lining the channel, where the internal threading configured to mate with the shaft threading; an actuator including an actuator body and a translation cavity cut through the actuator body and an inner shaft cavity cut through the actuator body, where the inner shaft cavity wraps around the inner shaft; an outer sleeve covering the inner shaft and coupled to the rotating knob; and a base connector wrapping around the outer sleeve, the base connector comprising a pair of connecting arms configured to loosely mate with the translation cavity of the actuator and pivoting and translating the actuator in response to a linear force.
US08435242B2	Surgical instruments and method of using same The present invention relates to surgical instruments particularly suitable for preparing vertebral endplates during spinal inter-body surgical procedures. Methods of using such instruments are also disclosed.
US08435237B2	Polyp encapsulation system and method An endoscopic electrosurgical instrument is presented for encapsulating and resecting biologic tissue, such as a polyp, from an anatomical structure, such as a lumen. The instrument includes an encapsulation assembly which includes a snare coupled to an electrically non-conductive, shrinkable pouch in a drawstring-like configuration. The encapsulation assembly may be folded within the elongated cylindrical housing of the endoscopic instrument, positioned within the patient at the surgical site, and deployed for use. Once positioned over the polyp, the snare is tightened around the peduncle thereof, and the pouch is activated, thereby shrinking and encapsulating the polyp. The polyp may then be resected using conventional or electrosurgical techniques. The disclosed instrument may include surgical tools and/or electrosurgical electrodes for performing surgical procedures. The disclosed system may reduce the occurrence of undesirable arcing and may aid retrieval of resected tissue.
US08435236B2	Techniques for heat-treating varicose veins An apparatus for treating varicose veins includes a catheter (20) where the distal end is placed within a varicose vein and the proximal portion remains outside the body of the subject. A heating element (22) heats the vein. A cooling element (62) can be applied to an external surface of the skin above the vicinity of the heating element. A control unit (26) can drive the heating element to apply heat to the vein simultaneously. Alternatively, the control unit can apply a current to the heating element to resistively heat a resistive element. A method for treating a varicose vein includes inserting the elongated heating element into the vein, and driving the heating element to apply heat to the segment of vein simultaneously from the entire active heating portion.
US08435232B2	Catheter having tri-axial force sensor A catheter for diagnosis or treatment of a vessel or organ is provided in which a flexible elongated body includes a tri-axial force sensor formed of a housing and a plurality of optical fibers associated with the housing that measure changes in the intensity of light reflected from the lateral surfaces of the housing resulting from deformation caused by forces applied to a distal extremity of the housing. A controller receives an output of the optical fibers and computes a multi-dimensional force vector corresponding to the contact force.
US08435230B2	Systems and methods with interrupt/resume capabilities for treating subcutaneous lipid-rich cells Systems for removing heat from a subject's subcutaneous lipid-rich regions, such as tissue, organs, cells, and so forth, are described herein. In various embodiments, the system includes a treatment device and a controller for controlling a treatment process. The controller is configured to detect and compensate for an interruption in the treatment process.
US08435228B2	Interventional catheter assemblies incorporating guide wire brake and management systems Interventional catheter assemblies that operate over a guide wire and incorporate guide wire management systems are disclosed. Specifically, a guide wire buffer zone is provided between a proximal end of the interventional catheter and the guide wire clamp that accommodates variable lengths of exposed guide wire in an unrestrained condition when the guide wire is clamped, allowing the distal end of the operating catheter to be advanced and retracted over the distal end of the guide wire without repositioning and reclamping the proximal end of the guide wire. The configuration of the guide wire buffer zone may be adjusted prior to or during an intervention based on the anticipated range of axial motion of the catheter and operating head relative to the guide wire.
US08435227B2	Catheter for left coronary artery and engaging method therefor Disclosed herein is a catheter for a left coronary artery having a distal end for being introduced into an opening of the left coronary artery from an artery of an arm. The catheter can include a catheter main body including a main body portion of a substantially linear shape in a natural state thereof and a curved portion extending from the main body portion to form a portion that extends to the distal end and has a curved shape in a natural state thereof.
US08435226B2	Catheter A drainage or infusion catheter comprises a flexible tube that terminates at the distal portion thereof in an apertured spiroid. The flexible tube has one or more subcutaneous cuffs, affixed at the midportion of the tube, and one or more pairs of opposed offsets of the tube between the proximal end and the distal portion thereof.
US08435225B2	Embolization protection system for vascular procedures Apparatus and methods are described for effective removal of emboli or harmful fluids during therapeutic and diagnostic vascular procedures, such as angiography, balloon angioplasty, stent deployment, laser angioplasty, atherectomy, and intravascular ultrasonography. A catheter with an occluder mounted at its distal end creates an occlusion proximal to the lesion and provides a pathway for introducing a treatment catheter. Prior to, during or subsequent to the procedure, suction is activated to establish retrograde flow to remove emboli from the site. Additionally, a thin catheter with a distal fluid ejection nozzle may be introduced distal to the treatment site to rinse emboli from the treatment site. The suction flow and/or ejected fluid flow may be varied in a pulsatile manner to simulate regular blood flow and/or perturb settled emboli into being captured that may otherwise not be collected. The method establishes a protective environment before any devices enter the treatment site.
US08435221B2	Closed incision negative pressure wound therapy device and methods of use A surgical tissue therapy device includes a sealant layer and a collection chamber. The sealant layer functions so as to create a sealed enclosure or space between it and the surface of a patient by forming, preferably, an airtight seal around a surgical area of skin trauma. The closed incision tissue therapy device also comprises a collection chamber, which may comprise an elongate tubular chamber with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings. The collection chamber may be configured to be in fluid communication with the sealant layer and the area of skin trauma and functions as to distribute the negative pressure applied to a surgically closed area of skin trauma. Preferably, the pressure under the sealant layer is reduced by expanding the volume of the enclosure space and thereby decreasing the density of air molecules under the sealant layer. The collection material may comprise a material and/or a configuration that permits length changes based upon the length of the corresponding surgical wound or incision.
US08435220B2	Emergency eyewash station having an expandable bellows waste collection system An emergency eyewash station is disclosed. The emergency eyewash station includes a reservoir containing an eyewash fluid and a mechanism for dispensing the eyewash fluid from the reservoir to wash an injured person's eyes. An expandable container is configured and arranged to collect used eyewash fluid after the eyewash fluid has been dispensed to wash the injured person's eyes. The station can be further enhanced by equipping the expandable container with a pair of straps configured to compress the reservoir thereby providing a gravity assist to dispensing eyewash fluid.
US08435219B2	Self-destructing transdermal therapeutic system having improved functionality and efficacy The invention relates to a self-destructing transdermal therapeutic system (TTS), preferably in the form of a transdermal patch, that includes an active ingredient, an agent rendering the active ingredient useless, and a perforation mechanism. The perforation mechanism allows a mobile phase to reach an agent that is capable of rendering the active ingredient useless after removing the TTS after use. The agent then comes into contact with the active ingredient and destroys the active ingredient in the presence of the mobile phase.
US08435216B2	Method of securing a line to a patient, fasteners, and their use to secure a line to a patient Fastener for securing a tube to a patient having a sleeve of variable length capable when lengthened of gripping the tube.
US08435214B2	Adhesive and peripheral systems and methods for medical devices A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.
US08435213B2	System for administering reduced pressure treatment having a manifold with a primary flow passage and a blockage prevention member A reduced pressure delivery system is provided and includes a primary manifold, a blockage prevention member, and first and second conduits in fluid communication with the primary manifold. The primary manifold includes a wall surrounding a primary flow passage and is adapted to be placed in proximity to a tissue site. The blockage prevention member is positioned within the primary flow passage. A plurality of apertures is disposed in the wall to communicate with the primary flow passage. The first conduit is fluidly connected to the primary flow passage to deliver reduced pressure through the primary flow passage and the plurality of apertures. The second conduit includes an outlet proximate the primary flow passage or an outlet of the first conduit to purge the primary flow passage or first conduit to prevent blockages.
US08435211B2	Systems, devices and methods for fluid/drug delivery Fluid delivery systems, methods and devices for delivering a therapeutic fluid to the body of the patient are disclosed. A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to the body of the patient includes a housing having an upper wall, a lower wall and an opening. The device includes a well-arrangement mechanism disposed inside the housing. The well-arrangement mechanism includes a tubular member having a bore disposed between the wall openings. The device also includes a penetrating cartridge for delivery of therapeutic fluid to the body of the patient. The cartridge is configured to engage the bore following its insertion through the opening such that the therapeutic fluid can be delivered through the tubular member into the penetrating cartridge, and into the body of the patient when the penetrating cartridge engages the bore.
US08435210B2	Fluid control device with manually depressed actuator Fluid control device (70) including a housing (31) with a syringe port (33) for receiving a syringe, a vial adapter port (36) with a vial adapter (86) for snap fit receiving a vial, and a drug administration port (34) for administering a liquid drug. The vial adapter is intended to be rotationally detached after a mixing procedure for discarding together with a spent vial. The fluid control device additionally includes a manually depressed actuator (74) for sealing pathways which may lead to leakage of liquid drug subsequent to vial adapter detachment, thereby facilitating their use for handling and administration of hazardous liquid drugs. The manually depressed actuator preferably precludes vial adapter detachment prior to actuation, thereby ensuring failsafe operation.
US08435209B2	Connection and alignment detection systems and methods A medical device includes a first housing portion (FHP) and a second housing portion (SHP) configured to be to be movable relative to each other from a first position to operatively engage at a second position to couple at least one of a drive device and a needle-inserting device supported by one of the FHP and the SHP to a reservoir supported by the other of the FHP and the SHP. Electronic circuitry configured to detect at least one of a first magnetic interaction between a magnet and at least one of a first magnetically attractive material and a first magnet-responsive device and a second magnetic interaction between the magnet and at least one of a second magnetically attractive material and a second magnet-responsive device, and to provide a signal or a change in state in response to detecting at least one of the interactions.
US08435203B2	Gastric restrictor assembly and method of use A gastric restrictor assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing defining a throughbore and having a base portion, a waist portion and head portion. The assembly also includes a pin holder including a plurality of pins extending therefrom. The pin holder is configured for being lockingly received within the housing. The plurality of pins extend across the waist portion when the pin holder is received within the housing.
US08435202B2	Hip, groin, and thigh support device A supportive orthotic device is described herein for supporting the hip, groin, and/or thigh of a user. The device has a waist region sized to extend around the waist of the user. The device also has a first surface and a second surface coupled to the waist region. A thigh strap has a first end extending from the first surface of the device and a second end selectively coupled to the second surface and wraps around the user's thigh in a fastened configuration. A groin strap has a first end extending from the first surface of the device and a second end selectively coupled to the second surface and wraps around the user's groin area in a fastened configuration.
US08435195B2	Walking assistance device A walking assistance device has a load transmitting assembly, a foot-worn assembly, and a leg link provided between the load transmitting assembly and the foot-worn assembly. The foot-worn assembly has a ground contact member, on which a user's foot rests, and a connecting member which connects the ground contact member to a joint at a lower end of the leg link. The ground contact member is provided with tread force sensors and the foot-worn assembly permits detection of a tread force. The connecting member is formed so as to rise in a cantilever manner from one lateral side of the ground contact member. The tread force sensors are installed in at least one location adjacent to the heel of the user's foot and in at least two locations adjacent to toes of the user's foot, with the latter two locations being laterally spaced apart.
US08435190B2	Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of cartridges each with a distal port and a proximal port. A plurality of penetrating members are provided, each coupled to a cartridge and having a sharpened distal tip and a shaft portion slidably disposed within the cartridge. A seal is formed by a fracturable material between the penetrating member and the cartridge. The seal is positioned at one or both of a distal port or a proximal port of the cartridge.
US08435184B2	Characterisation of ageing effect and cardiovascular risk A method of determining ageing effect and cardiovascular risk in a human patient comprising: - (i) measuring the arterial pulse waveform of the patient when the heart is beating regularly, (ii) extracting the frequency dependent components of the pulse waveform, (iii) determining the ratio of the amplitude based value of the first harmonic (H1) to the amplitude based value of a selected higher harmonic to provide an index of arterial ageing, and (iv) Comparing the index to normative values of index of arterial ageing to determine ageing effect and cardiovascular risk. Other methods of calculating the index based on harmonic amplitudes and the phase angle are also disclosed and claimed.
US08435175B2	Vaginal speculum apparatus A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum.
US08435173B2	Endoscope An endoscope is provided capable of performing excellent observation for a long time by preventing decrease in light amount and generation of image noise caused by heat generated by an LED illumination even in a case where a distal-end adapter configured of the LED illumination is arranged at the distal end portion of the insertion unit. One end portion of a heat-radiating member configured of a plurality of elongated wires is arranged in the vicinity of a light emitting device, on the other hand, the other end portion of the heat-radiating member is arranged at a predetermined position on a proximal end side of an insertion unit, and a binding member for binding the wires of the heat-radiating member is provided on a side in the vicinity of the light emitting device of the heat-radiating member.
US08435172B2	Automated control of irrigation and aspiration in a single-use endoscope The present invention is an integrated and automated irrigation and aspiration system for use in an endoscopic imaging system. The system provides for the automated cleaning of poorly prepared patients during a colonoscopy procedure as well as automated cleaning of an imaging system of an endoscope. The invention analyzes images obtained from an image sensor to detect the presence of an obstructed field of view, whereupon a wash routine is initiated to remove the obstruction. The wash routine may be adjusted in accordance with environmental conditions within the patient that are sensed by one or more sensors within the endoscope. In another embodiment, insufflation is automatically controlled to inflate a patient's colon as a function of one or more sensor readings obtained from one or more environmental sensor(s) on the endoscope.
US08435171B2	Interface between a surgeon and an automated assistant and method thereof An interface between a surgeon and an automated assistant, including: at least one array comprising N RF transmitters, where N is a positive integer; at least one RF receiver provided with at least two directional antenna; means for attaching said RF transmitter array to at least one surgical tool; and a computerized operating system adapted to record the received signal strength (RSS) received by each antenna of the one RF receiver and to calculate therefrom the position of each of the N RF transmitters, and further adapted to provide automatically the results of the calculation to the surgeon.
US08435169B2	Endoscope and endoscopic suturing instrument for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease A method for forming an artificial valve includes inserting a sheath having proximal and distal sections and a lumen extending therethrough orally into a body cavity; inserting an endoscope orally into a body cavity, the endoscope being slidably positioned within the sheath; holding tissue in a vicinity of a junction of a stomach and an esophagus where the artificial valve is to be formed, using a holding device extending from the sheath; penetrating through tissue of the esophagus and then through tissue of the stomach at an oral side of the junction of the stomach and the esophagus with a needle provided outside of the endoscope which is not mechanically connected to the holding device and which is moveable outside of the endoscope relative to the endoscope; and passing a binding member through the tissue of the esophagus and the tissue of the stomach using the needle.
US08435168B2	Apparatuses for the amelioration of urinary incontinence in females An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising: a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node opposite the support section. Optionally, the support section is adapted to treat incontinence according to at least one of: SUTFS, colpo-elevation or colpo-distension.
US08435165B2	Top-filling dunnage conversion machine and method A dunnage conversion machine (10) and method for providing strips of dunnage that better fill a void in a container are characterized by means (24) for separately guiding at least two sheets of stock material (14 and 16) to respective laterally-disposed regions of an inlet (20) to a conversion assembly (40) such that one sheet does not wrap around another sheet, and means (12) for converting the sheets into strips of dunnage that can readily separate and follow separate paths.
US08435164B2	Perturbation apparatus and methods for proprioceptive and reactive balance training and therapy Disclosed is a portable, manually manipulated perturbation device and methods for proprioceptive and reactive balance training and therapy. The perturbation device is manipulated by a person other than the user to impart linear, rotational or tilting movement, or a combination thereof. The device generally comprises a base, a movable assembly positioned on the base and configured to be stood upon by a user. The movable assembly is movable with respect to the base by a manually manipulated assembly connected to the movable assembly. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a perturbation device, positioning a user on the perturbation device and manipulating the perturbation device by a person other than the user to create the linear, rotational, or tilting movement, or a combination thereof.
US08435161B2	Balance simulator for bicycling A balance simulator for bicycling comprises a base (4) and a roller device. A guide rail (20) is provided on the top surface of the base (4), and a removable board (3) is mounted on the guide rail (20). A rotatable plate vertical shaft (10) on top of which a rotatable plate (2) pivots is provided vertically on the middle part of the removable board (3), and a groove (6) for holding the bicycle front wheel (1) is provided longitudinally on the top surface of the rotatable plate (2). A semicircular inner gear (5) is installed on the foreside of the bottom surface of the rotatable plate (2), and the central lines of the semicircular inner gear (5) and the rotatable plate vertical shaft (10) are collinear. The semicircular inner gear (5) is engaged with a small gear (7) on the top of a gear shaft (8) which is mounted rotatably on the middle front part of the removable board (3). A big gear (16) is provided on the lower part of the gear shaft (8) and is engaged with a long rack (19) which is mounted on the middle part of the base (4).
US08435160B1	Shock-absorbing treadmill A treadmill having one or more air springs attached to the underside of the treadmill and one or more wheels on the underside of the treadmill near the back end of the treadmill, to provide increased shock-absorption over conventional treadmills. Other embodiments disclosed herein include treadmills with the above-discussed components as well as one or more air compressors, pressure sensors, and/or weight sensors for adjusting the level of pressure in the one or more air springs, based on the weight of a person using such a treadmill.
US08435158B2	PTO control device The present invention provides a PTO switch mode control device that is capable of performing appropriate idle shutdown when an engine is started, even in the case where an ignition switch is turned ON with a PTO switch ON when the engine is stopped. The PTO switch mode control device has: an ignition switch 3 that is turned ON or OFF to start and stop an engine 1; a PTO switch 4 that is turned ON or OFF to select switch a PTO mode that permits power takeoff, and an inactive mode that does not permit the power takeoff; and an ECU 2 that executes idle shutdown to stop the engine 1 when the engine 1 continuously idles for a predetermined time period, except for the PTO mode state. The ECU 2 functions to establish the inactive mode even when the PTO switch 4 is ON, when the ignition switch 3 is turned ON while the PTO switch 4 is ON, and subsequently establish the PTO mode when the PTO switch is switched from OFF to ON.
US08435154B1	Multi-speed transmission A transmission of the present invention 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 may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are each selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish a plurality of forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08435153B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission of the present invention 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 may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08435152B2	Eight speed automatic transmission An eight speed automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets and five torque transmitting devices. Three of the planetary gear sets are simple and one planetary gear set is compound. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members: a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier having a plurality of planet gears rotatably disposed thereon. Three of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and two of the devices are brakes. Eight embodiments of the transmission having different arrangements of the planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes are disclosed.
US08435151B2	Gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles A gear train of an automatic transmission for vehicles which achieving at least ten forward speeds and one reverse speed, may include an input shaft receiving torque of an engine which may be driving source, an output gear outputting a changed torque, first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets respectively having first, second, third, and fourth sun gears, first, second, third, and fourth planet carriers, and first, second, third, and fourth ring gears as rotation elements thereof, eight rotation shafts formed by connecting one rotation element to other rotation element, the input shaft, or the output gear, or being the rotation element, and friction members provided with first, second, third, and fourth clutches disposed between selected rotation shafts and controls delivery of the torque therebetween and first and second brakes selectively connecting selected rotation shaft to a transmission housing.
US08435148B2	Hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission having electronic transmission range selection with failure mode control A hydraulic control system for a transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid that communicates with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) subsystem. The ETRS subsystem includes an ETRS valve, a park mechanism, first and second mode valve assemblies, a latch valve assembly, and a plurality of solenoids. The ETRS subsystem is configured to provide desired operating conditions during a plurality of potential failure conditions.
US08435143B2	Ball bat having performance adjusting annular member A ball bat including a bat frame and a performance adjusting annular member positioned within the barrel portion. The bat frame has a handle portion and a barrel portion. The annular member has an outer diameter, a weight within the range of 0.4 to 1.85 ounces and a radial cross-sectional area. The radial cross sectional area has a maximum height and a maximum width. The maximum height over the maximum width defines a first aspect ratio. The outer diameter over the maximum width defines a second aspect ratio. The first aspect ratio is at least 0.5 and the second aspect ratio is greater than 1.5. The annular member has at least first and second annular portions. The first annular portion extends over no more than 50 percent of the width of the body and includes over sixty percent of the mass of the body.
US08435141B2	Tennis ball management system A method and apparatus comprising a net, a set of lines, and a support system. The set of lines is associated with the net. The support system is configured to be connected to posts on a tennis court. The support system is further configured to be connected to the set of lines. The support system is further configured to change a tension in the set of lines. The net is configured to catch a tennis ball striking a tennis net on the tennis court when a desired amount of tension in the set of lines is present.
US08435138B2	Golf ball The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core of at least one layer, a cover of at least two layers which includes an inner cover layer and an outermost cover layer, and a plurality of dimples formed on a surface of the ball. The thickness and Shore D hardness of the outermost cover layer are set in specific ranges, the thickness and Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer are set in specific ranges, and the ball surface has, as expressed in the Lab color system defined by JIS Z-8730, a lightness L value of at least 89, an a value of at least 2 but not more than 10, and a b value of −20 or above. The multi-piece solid golf ball of the invention increases the reddish coloring of a white golf ball, thereby enhancing the stylishness of the ball and improving the way the ball looks and feels to the golfer when it is played.
US08435137B2	Golf club head A hollow golf club head is disclosed, wherein a front member including a face portion and a hosel portion of the club head is made of a material having a specific gravity ρ1; a rear member forming a backmost point of the club head is made of a material having a specific gravity ρ2; and an intermediate member extending annularly through in a crown portion, a sole portion and a sidewall portion of the head is made of a material having a specific gravity ρ3; and the specific gravity ρ3 is more than the specific gravity ρ1 which is more than the specific gravity ρ2.
US08435136B2	Golf club head having a bridge member and a weight positioning system A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head.
US08435133B2	Panel grip with cut-outs and inserts A grip for the handle of an article having at least a sheet with a cut-out and an insert. The insert is positioned within or against the cut-out of the sheet to define a panel. The panel is then attached to an underlisting sleeve. The grip allows the use of multiple color panels and inserts and the placement of various materials in various grip areas.
US08435132B2	Golf clubs and golf club heads Golf club heads are provided which include an iron type golf club head body including a ball striking face, a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member) and an weight member which is shaped and/or positioned to selectively control features of the golf club head. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.
US08435130B2	Digital inertially responsive golf club head mounted device for instructing correct club face direction and swing speed A device for establishing a correct speed and angular direction of a striking face associated with a golf club head relative to a golf ball. A body is secured to a surface of the club head and incorporates a powered processor in communication with a separate accelerometer. The body includes a visual output, such as pluralities of LED elements, communicated by the processor and instructing at least one of a desired swing speed and correct direction of the ball striking face relative to the golf ball.
US08435128B2	Bowling lane with mural image A bowling lane with a mural image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of bowling lane panels are provided, wherein each bowling lane panel depicts a different portion of a mural image. The plurality of bowling lane panels are assembled and secured onto a surface such that the assembly of the plurality of bowling lane panels forms the mural image. In another embodiment, a bowling center is provided with at least two bowling lanes. Each bowling lane depicts a mural image, and the mural images on the various bowling lanes form a composite multi-lane mural image.
US08435127B2	Recreational amusement A recreational amusement includes a shuffleboard accessory utilized on and in connection with a billiard table to provide a table-type shuffleboard game. At least one rail cushion of an otherwise conventional billiard table is utilized to form a rebounding cushion for use in play of the shuffleboard game. Protective sheets or a rigid tray may be variously included for protecting materials forming the billiard table.
US08435119B2	User-controlled sweepstakes entries Provided are systems and methods for conducting sweepstakes, which can include a user controlled gaming award, wherein the user controlled gaming award includes entries in another game is provided. Entries into a sweepstakes game are associating with a unique identifier, which can be used to enter a plurality of sweepstakes games. A graphical user interface is configured to permit a player to assign awarded sweepstakes entries to at least one sweepstakes game, and further can be configured to permit the player to accumulate entries. The awarded entries can be configured as a form of currency redeemable for entry into at least one sweepstakes game. The methods and systems can permit the player to exchange any entry into a sweepstakes game. According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player to exchange the custom currency. According to another embodiment, the method and systems are further configured to provide an exchange interface for trading of the custom currency.
US08435118B2	Wagering game bonus sound integration A computerized wagering game system includes a wagering game module that is operable to present a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio system. The audio system is operable to play a bonus sound and a bang-up sound at the same time, such that the bonus and bang-up sounds are synchronized rhythmically, such as by starting play of a bonus sound track and a bang-up sound track having synchronized rhythm at the same time, and varying the volume of the bang up sound track to make it audible when desired.
US08435109B2	Gaming machine with mechanical reel rotatable through player's operation and confirmation method of symbol The gaming machine includes: a game requiring a player's bet; a reel used in the game and mechanically driven to rotate; a plurality of symbols on the reel; a display capable of generating a video image; an input device which receives an input by the player; and a controller which is programmed to carry out the steps of: (a1) receiving an input inputted through the input device; (a2) when the input is a rotation command related to the reel, rotating the reel while the rotation command is being inputted; and (a3) successively displaying, on the display, a video image of at least one of the symbols on the reel in sync with the rotation of the reel.
US08435108B2	Lottery game apparatus including the accumulation of player points A lottery game apparatus includes a set of lottery tickets each printed with an instant win game and information defining a number of points awarded to the player in addition to or as an alternative to a prize for the game together with a programmed computer providing access to a web site associated with the set of tickets. The computer program provides communication through the internet for the player, and program components for registration of details of the player entering the web site and for storing data identifying each player for entry by the registered player of a points entry number from a played ticket so as to define for each player an account of a points total held by that player and a plurality of games to be played by the player using the points.
US08435105B2	Interactive game playing preferences A disclosed gaming machine may be customized according to one or more player preferences. A player may view and modify player preferences stored in a player preference account as preference account information. The preference account information may include but is not limited to loyalty point account information, loyalty point account settings, promotional opportunities, preferred games, preferred game features for the preferred games, preferred gaming machine settings, preferred bonus games, preferred service options and preferred progressive games. The preference account information may be stored in a plurality of preference accounts on a preference account server. Using a preference account interface which may be compatible with a web-browser, a player may be able to view and modify preference account information stored on the preference account server from a number remote devices such as a gaming machine, a home computer, a hotel room video interface and a casino kiosk.
US08435101B2	Method and apparatus for processing a wing of a poultry carcass while the wing is attached to said poultry carcass A method and apparatus for processing a wing of a poultry carcass while the wing is attached to the poultry carcass that is suspended by the legs is provided. In an exemplary aspect, the method includes the step of cutting the wing in the upper wing adjacent to the elbow joint, and the step of moving the midwing in relation to the upper wing for separating the bones of the midwing and the upper wing, whereafter the midwing is cut loose from the upper wing while the latter remains attached to the poultry carcass. The step of cutting the wing in the upper wing adjacent to the elbow joint is executed to cut through the ligament that provides a connection between the midwing and upper wing.
US08435098B2	Abrasive article with cured backsize layer An abrasive article includes a backing having first and second major surfaces, an abrasive layer overlying the first major surface, and a backsize layer overlying the second major surface. The backsize layer is formed from a formulation including a cationically polymerizable component, a radically polymerizable component, and at least 5% by weight of a nano-sized filler based on the weight of the formulation.
US08435096B2	Dust-proof structure for machine tools A dust proof structure for a machine tool includes a flow guiding element located therein. The machine tool includes a housing chamber to hold a spindle and the flow guiding element. The housing chamber has an air intake section and an air discharge section communicating with the air intake section. The machine tool further has an air inlet communicating with the air intake section and an air outlet communicating with the air discharge section. The spindle is coupled with an action member outside the air outlet. When the spindle drives the action member to operate, the flow guiding element introduces external air through the air inlet to the air intake section, and directs the air to the air discharge section to be discharged towards the action member. Hence dust generated by the action member during operation of the machine tool does not enter the machine tool through the air outlet.
US08435095B1	Building block system and method of use A building block system includes building blocks which have elongated grooves on opposite faces. An elongated connector is received by the grooves of two adjacent building blocks and serves to hold the building blocks together. The connector is slightly wider than the grooves so it can be press fit into the grooves to ensure a tight fit. The connector is flexible so that it can be received by curved grooves, and the connector also has chamfered ends to facilitate insertion into the grooves. The system can be used to build structures containing a plurality of building blocks.
US08435094B2	Modular toy vehicle A modular toy vehicle design having a universal mating system between the body of the vehicle and the chassis such that multiple body styles will interchangeably mate with multiple chassis designs and where electrical interfaces are automatically established between the body and the chassis simply by mating and aligning the two together. The design allows for an electrical connection to be made in the process of mechanically mating and aligning the body of a toy vehicle to its chassis thereby powering electronic features that are physically connected to the body with the power source which is housed in the chassis. When the body is properly aligned and mounted, the electrical interfaces are automatically established. There is no separate step of plugging together mating connectors where one connector extends from a wire bundle electrically interfacing with the body and the mating connector extends from a separate wire bundle electrically interfacing with the chassis.
US08435093B2	Method of manufacturing organic EL display panel The volume per drop of the drops ejected by each nozzle is detected. It is then determined whether a volume of drops equal to or greater than a target value can be ejected by causing one or more first nozzles to eject drops, the detected volume per drop of the first nozzles falling within a first range of a preset value. When the determination is affirmative, the first nozzles are selected for ejection of drops. When the determination is negative, the first nozzles and one or more second nozzles are selected for ejection of drops. The detected volume per drop of the second nozzles falls within a second range of the present value, where the second range is greater than the first range.
US08435091B2	Disconnectable mooring assembly A disconnectable mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a mooring buoy and a swivel positioned above the mooring buoy. The mooring buoy is provided with a central member for being anchored to the seabed and comprises a number of passages each adapted for receiving a riser. The mooring buoy further comprises an outer member surrounding the central member and capable of a rotation relative thereto. Said outer member is adapted to be housed in and locked to a corresponding receiving opening of the vessel. The swivel is located above the mooring buoy in such a manner that an interspace is defined between the mooring buoy and the swivel.
US08435088B2	Trim and tilt apparatus A trim and tilt system comprises a trim cylinder unit including a trim cylinder and a trim rod reciprocatingly received by the trim cylinder. The trim rod has a chamfer at distal end thereof. A trim receiver mounted on a swivel bracket has a curved, three-dimensional surface for applying a force to the trim rod. The curved, three-dimensional surface of the trim receiver and the distal end of trim rod are able to self-align so that the force applied to the trim rod is applied substantially along a longitudinal axis of the trim rod.
US08435084B2	Communication jack having layered plug interface contacts A communication jack, system using the jack, and method of fabricating the jack are disclosed. The jack includes a cavity configured to accept a communication plug to form a communication connector. The jack includes a plurality of plug interface contacts that extend into the cavity such that a plug inserted into the cavity makes electrical contact with the plug interface contacts at plug/jack interfaces of the plug interface contacts. One or more of the plug interface contacts is formed from multiple conductive layers. The conductive layers are movable relative to each other at at least one end. A dielectric layer or flexible printed circuit board may be disposed between the conductive layers.
US08435074B1	Low-profile right-angle electrical connector assembly A low-profile, right angle connector assembly comprises six cable connectors and six board-mount connectors housed within a PCIe bracket and EMI shell. The PCIe bracket and EMI shell are braced to a low profile PCIe card. Each board-mount connector is designed to receive a cable connector and allows for the transmission and processing of high-speed data with lower latency.
US08435072B2	Electrical connector with a wireless transmission module An electrical connector includes a housing having an accommodation chamber defined therein and multiple holes cut through one side of the housing, and a wireless transmission module accommodated in the accommodation chamber, the wireless transmission module having a wireless network card and an adapter module electrically connected together for converting and transmitting wireless signals, the adapter module having a set of transmit pins extending out of the holes of the housing for connection to an external electronic device electrically for enabling wireless signals received by the wireless network card to be transmitted to the external electronic device.
US08435071B2	Terminal block cover with nut retention feature A terminal block cover includes a base having a base surface configured to be secured against a terminal block. First and second spaced apart sidewalls extend from and adjoin the base. An outer wall is spaced apart from the base and is secured to the base by and adjoins with the first and second sidewalls. A lateral wall is arranged at a first lateral side and extends between and adjoins the first and second sidewalls, the outer wall and the base, which together provide at least one terminal pocket. An inner surface is provided on the outer wall facing the terminal pocket and has first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are at first and second distances respectively from the base surface, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. The second surface retains a terminal nut.
US08435069B2	USB cable and method of producing same A method and apparatus for producing a USB cable capable of being fed out of and returned to a cable reel is disclosed along with a cable reel that houses the cable and provides connectivity for the cable.
US08435068B2	Connector A housing (10) made of synthetic resin is formed with a pair of interference surfaces (17A, 17B) symmetrical with respect to a virtual axis of symmetry (S) and oblique to the virtual axis of symmetry (S) and receiving portions (16) spaced apart from the interference surfaces (17A, 17B) in a direction of the virtual axis of symmetry (S). The upper and lower covers (21A, 21B) of wire (20) are formed with interference portions (27) that come into contact with only parts of the pair of interference surfaces (17A, 17B), and contact portions (26) that come into contact with the receiving portions (16). The interference portions (27) contact the interference surfaces (17A, 17B) and plastically deform when the housing (10) and the wire cover (20) are connected and the receiving portions (16) and the contact portions (26) are held in contact.
US08435066B2	Rotationally configurable backshell for an electrical connector A backshell for an electrical assembly is provided. The backshell includes a shield termination body having a connector end and a relief end. The connector end is configured to join to a cable end of an electrical connector. A face of the connector end is oriented at an angle with respect to a face of the relief end. A strain relief is provided having a shield end and a cable clamp end. A face of the shield end is oriented at an angle with respect to a face of the cable clamp end. The shield end is rotatably coupled to the relief end of the shield termination body. The shield end of the strain relief is rotatable with respect to the relief end of the shield termination body so that the face of the cable clamp end of the strain relief is positionable at variable angles with respect to the face of the connector end of the shield termination body.
US08435065B2	Plug-in unit A plug-in unit (112, FIG. 7A) with a housing (150) that receives an electrical contact arrangement (55, FIG. 6) that has a cable bushing (151, FIG. 7A). The housing has an aperture (153) in a housing wall for the plugged-in reception of the mating plug-in unit (11, FIG. 2). In order to allow for the optional design of an angled or a linear plug-in connection, the cuboid housing (150, FIG. 7A) is divided along a plane (180) that runs perpendicular to a longitudinal central plane (179) and at a 45° angle to the longitudinal extension of a bushing (151) in such a way that a first housing part (181) contains the cable bushing (151) and the second housing part (182) forms the plug-in aperture (153). The second housing part (182) is attached to the first housing part so the second housing part (182) can be turned with respect to the first housing part (181).
US08435064B2	Mounting for a DC-AC converter and method for fitting a DC-AC converter The invention relates to a mounting (6) for a dc-ac converter (3) in a photovoltaic system (1), the mounting being designed to detachably accommodate the converter (3). The converter (3) can be connected to at least one solar module (2) and an alternating current supply (4) via at least one connection cable (5). The invention also relates to a method for fitting a dc-ac converter (3) to a mounting (6) of this type. To allow the simple and rapid fitting of the dc-ac converter (3), a first part (8) of a connector (7) for connecting the connection cable (5) of the dc-ac converter (3) and also a device (9) for guiding the converter are provided on the mounting (6), the guide device (9) being designed to automatically bring the first part (8) of the connector (7) into contact with a second part (10) of the connector (7) that is located on the dc-ac converter (3).
US08435060B2	Fixtures, apparatuses, and related methods for providing load bearing connections for lighting devices Fixtures, apparatuses, and related methods are provided that provide for a non-Edison connection for receiving a lamp housing of a lighting device having a non-Edison connector. The fixture can include a fixture housing and a non-Edison socket securable to the fixture housing. The fixture can also include an engagement device for engaging a lamp housing of a lighting device that has a non-Edison connector upon insertion of the lamp housing into the fixture housing and engaging the non-Edison socket.
US08435059B2	Holding member to hold a connecting object connectable to a connector having an actuator A holding member is configured to hold a sheet-like or board-like connecting object. The connecting object held by the holding member is able to be inserted into and connected to a connector which includes an actuator having an actuator-side engaged portion. The holding member comprises a holder-side engaged portion. The holder-side engaged portion is engaged with the actuator-side engaged portion when the actuator is turned over under a state where the connecting object held by the holding member is inserted in the connector. The turning over of the actuator connects the connector to the connecting object. The engagement of the holder-side engaged portion with the actuator-side engaged portion keeps a predetermined relative position of the connecting object relative to the connector.
US08435054B2	Electronic device with pivotal cover An electronic device includes an enclosure, a connector, a connector cover, and a resisting member. The enclosure defines at least one opening. The connector is disposed in the enclosure and corresponding to the at least one opening of the enclosure. The connector cover covers the opening to protect the connector and includes pivot shaft. The pivot shaft is rotatably connected to the enclosure. The resisting member elastically resists against the connector cover. The resisting member may be formed by a spring biased block that presses in an end of the pivot shaft to maintain the cover in open or closed position. A restricting member may be located in the opening to limit cover rotation in both open and closed positions.
US08435051B2	Board connector and method of mounting it A housing (10) has inserting portions (63) with projections (17) formed with slits (19). An alignment plate (60) is mounted movably on the housing (10) and has inserting portions (63) that enter the slits (19) of the projections (17). The alignment plate (60) is displaced relative to the housing (10) in the process of mounting a housing (10) on a board (90) due to interference with the board (90) and the inserting portions (63) move deeper into the slits (19). The projections (17) widen the slits (19) as the inserting portions (63) move deeper into the slits (19) and hence leading ends of the projections (17) engage opening edges of the mounting holes (92) of the board (90) to fix the housing (10) to the board (90).
US08435049B2	Electrical connection box A permanent part attachment portion and an additional part attachment portion are provided to a case. A terminal portion of a permanent bus bar is disposed in the permanent part attachment portion, and a terminal portion of an additional bus bar is disposed in the additional part attachment portion by allowing the additional bus bar to be contained in the case in a removable manner. It thus becomes possible to provide an electrical connection box that is adaptable to an addition of an electrical part without changing a die used to mold the case and/or a die used to form the bus bars.
US08435039B2	Adjustable pitch simulated roof for training firefighters in roof ventilation procedures An adjustable pitch simulated roof for training firefighters in roof ventilation procedures. The apparatus includes a vertical support structure and a pitched roof portion adjustably connected to the vertical support structure. The pitched roof portion includes an outer frame defining an interior region, a plurality of rafter brackets disposed on the outer frame, a plurality of rafters placed the interior region, and a plurality of roofing sheets covering the rafters so as to form a roof field. A mechanical winch or other adjustment means are provided for rapidly and easily changing the roof pitch, and a locking mechanism locks the roof portion in the selected position. A stationary and a trailer-mounted mobile embodiment are each shown and described.
US08435036B2	Dynamic gastric model This invention provides an apparatus for simulating digestion of a foodstuff, which apparatus comprises:(a) an outer containment vessel into which fluid can be introduced and removed via at least one orifice, and(b) an inner digestion chamber comprising a rigid portion through which the foodstuff can be introduced and a flexible portion which tapers from the rigid portion to an aperture from which the foodstuff can be removed, wherein said inner chamber is securable within the outer vessel such that reversible alteration of fluid pressure within the outer vessel causes reversible partial compression of the flexible portion for mixing foodstuff present therein. The invention also provides systems and methods for simulating digestion of a foodstuff.
US08435035B1	Dental instrument The dental instrument is formed of a single elongate, unitary length of surgical steel or other suitable material. The instrument preferably includes two mutually opposed working end portions and a generally medial cushioned handgrip portion. Each of the end portions has a shallow axial channel and a sharpened distal end having a notch formed therein. The two sides of the notch provide two contact points or areas to avoid the extreme pressures applied by conventional single contact point instruments and the resulting breakage of the tooth and subsequent difficulty in extracting the base or root of the tooth that often occurs. A lateral notch having sharpened edges is also preferably formed along one side of each working end portion of the tool. The configuration of the dental instrument provides greater versatility to perform the manipulations generally required for tooth extraction.
US08435033B2	Dental navigation techniques Apparatus and methods are described, including at least one tool configured to be placed inside a subject's mouth. A first optically-visible marker is coupled to the tool. A second optically-visible marker is coupled to a structure inside the subject's mouth. A plurality of optical cameras are coupled to the tool, and are placed inside the subject's mouth by the tool being placed inside the subject's mouth. The cameras acquire respective images of the inside of the subject's mouth, in which the second optically-visible marker is identifiable. A plurality of optical cameras that are disposed outside the subject's mouth acquire respective images of the tool, while the tool is inside the subject's mouth, in which images the first optically-visible marker is identifiable. Other embodiments are also described.
US08435032B2	Orthodontic bracket with a pad Methods of use are provided, relating to a bracket with a pad for affixing it to a tooth of a patient, with a bracket body that has a slot for receiving an orthodontic wire, and with a channel-like wire guide which has wire guide surfaces for guiding the wire and which is assigned a lateral insertion area for insertion of the wire into the wire guide, wherein the insertion area has, in the longitudinal direction of the wire, a curved section through which the wire can be inserted into the wire guide in an elastically deformed state, such that the wire, on forming back to a rectilinear state, locks in the wire guide, and that the wire guide surfaces enclose the wire in a circle shape, such that the wire is held longitudinally displaceably in the wire guide by the wire guide surfaces and is secured against escaping laterally from the wire guide.
US08435024B2	Device for blowing and stretching a plastic parison for obtaining a container Device (1) for blowing and stretching a plastic parison (3) for obtaining a container, comprising: a blowing nozzle (4) having a first end (4a) to be applied to an inlet (3a) of said parison (3), said first end (4a) emerging in a controlled-contamination environment (5) wherein said parison (3) is blown; a stretching rod (2); means for injecting mid and high pressure air in said parison (3); a non-magnetic tube (7) secured to a second end (4b) of the blowing nozzle (4) and defining a chamber (8) for housing, at least partially, the stretching rod (2), said chamber (8) being tight-sealed relative to a contaminated area (22) from which said controlled-contamination environment (5) is isolated; a first magnet arrangement (9) and a second magnet arrangement (10) coupled together, said first magnet arrangement (9) being located outside said chamber (8) and said second magnet arrangement (10) being integral to said stretching rod (2) and located within said chamber (8).
US08435021B2	Mold clamping device A mold clamping device includes a first fixed member to which a stationary mold is to be attached; a first movable member to which a movable mold is to be attached; a second movable member configured to move together with the first movable member; a second fixed member provided between the first movable member and the second movable member; a mold clamping force generating mechanism configured to generate a mold clamping force due to an electromagnetic force between the second movable member and the second fixed member; and a mold clamping force amplifying mechanism configured to amplify the mold clamping force generated by the mold clamping force generating mechanism.
US08435019B2	Vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor An object is to provide a highly reliable vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor of an inverter-integrated type that minimizes vibration and deformation of a board and a bus bar caused by vibration of a vehicle so as to prevent devices from becoming detached, to prevent soldered sections and welded sections from rupturing, and to prevent short circuits from occurring. In a vehicle-air-conditioner electric compressor (1) in which an inverter accommodating section (11) is provided at a periphery of a housing (2) and an inverter (20) is accommodated inside the inverter accommodating section (11), a control board (26) constituting the inverter (20) is screwed to fixing-screw base surfaces (29) provided at a plurality of locations of the inverter accommodating section (11), and a base (40) that has the same height as the fixing-screw base surfaces (29) and supports the control board (26) near substantially a midpoint of a fixing-screw pitch on the control board (26) and/or near a position where a large component is disposed on the control board (26) is provided at one or more locations of the inverter accommodating section (11).
US08435018B2	Cooling fan A cooling fan (1) includes a fan housing (10), a stator (20), a rotor (30) and a bearing assembly (40). A tube (111) extends upwardly from a central portion of the fan housing. The stator is mounted around the tube. The bearing assembly includes a ball bearing (333) and a sleeve bearing (335) received in two ends of the tube, respectively. The rotor has a shaft (336) extending into and rotatably supported by the bearing assembly. An elastic element (332) is arranged on the ball bearing to provide a pressing force on the ball bearing toward the sleeve bearing. An oil retaining element (339) is arranged around a bottom end of the shaft and spaced from the shaft. The oil retaining element is attached to the sleeve bearing to provide oil for the sleeve bearing.
US08435017B2	Hermetic compressor and refrigeration system A valve plate includes a suction port to which gas to be compressed in a compression chamber flows in and a discharge port from which gas compressed in the compression chamber is discharged, a projection that appears from the discharge port with the reciprocating movement of the piston is arranged at a position facing the discharge port at a distal end face of the piston, and the projection includes a flat surface extending parallel to a reciprocating direction of the piston, so that a highly efficient hermetic type compressor that reduces the dead volume of the discharge port and reduces the loss in the compression chamber and the discharge port is provided.
US08435014B2	Hermetically sealed scroll compressor In the hermetically sealed scroll compressor, an injection pipe for injecting a fluid to a compression chamber is connected to an injecting port of a fixed scroll. The injecting port includes a first injecting port which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll inner curve and injects the fluid to an orbiting outer compression chamber, and a second injecting port 22b which is provided in the vicinity of a fixed scroll outer curve and injects the fluid to a orbiting inner compression chamber 8b. The second injecting port is placed in parallel in a radius direction with respect to the first injecting port and is placed so that an orbiting scroll wrap does not practically communicate with the orbiting outer compression chamber in the state in which the orbiting scroll wrap is in contact with the outer side of a fixed scroll wrap.
US08435013B2	Reciprocating compressor and oxygen concentrator A reciprocating compressor includes a motor having a motor shaft, four cylinders provided in perpendicular directions relative to an axial direction of the motor shaft, and four pistons Each piston has a piston head part and a rod part formed integrally with the piston head part. Each piston head part is fitted into one of the four cylinders in a reciprocable fashion. Each rod part is rotatably mounted to an eccentric shaft that is fixed to the motor shaft.
US08435011B2	Integrated compressor and pump unit and vehicles equipped therewith An integrated compressor and pump unit suitable for installation on a vehicle and draw rotary power from a power source of the vehicle. The unit includes a compressor unit and a separate pump unit. The compressor unit has a rotary input shaft coupled to a rotary compressing device of the compressor unit. The pump unit is mounted to the compressor unit and has a rotary input shaft coupled to a rotary pumping device of the pump unit. The pump unit is secured to the compressor unit and rotary motion is transferred from the rotary input shaft of the compressor unit to the rotary input shaft of the pump unit such that the rotary compressing and rotary pumping devices operate in unison and in series.
US08435009B2	Sump pump with emergency backup system A flood control system for use in a structure having a basement floor below ground level is provided. The flood control system comprises a sump, a main pump positioned in the sump, and a secondary pump positioned in the sum. The secondary pump is raised relative to the main pump to a predetermined elevation. The main pump is energized when a height of water within the sump is at a first level. The secondary pump is energized when a height of water within the sump reaches a second, higher level and is de-energized when a height of water within the sump drops to a third level. A cover is releasably mounted to the sump. The cover includes a first section for covering the main pump and a separate second section for covering the secondary pump. At least one of the first and second sections is hingedly mounted to the sump. A controller is operatively connected to the main pump and the secondary pump. The controller is responsive to water level within the sump to selectively energize at least one of the main pump and the secondary pump.
US08435007B2	Hybrid turbomachinery component for a gas turbine engine The present invention provides a hybrid turbomachinery component for use in a gas turbine engine. The hybrid turbomachinery component may be operative to direct the working fluid of the gas turbine engine and/or addi energy to the working fluid and/or extract energy from the working fluid. One or more portions of the hybrid turbomachinery component are made from one material, and other portions of the hybrid turbomachinery component are made from another material.
US08435005B2	Manufacturing method of impeller A manufacturing method of an impeller includes forming a plurality of blades integrally on a blade attachment surface of one of a disc and a cover, placing the cover on a floor so as to face up the blade attachment surface of the cover, disposing the disc on the cover so as to face down the blade attachment surface of the disc, and bonding the plurality of blades to the blade attachment surface of the other of the disc and the cover which is not formed integrally with the plurality of blades by using a bonding material.
US08435004B1	Turbine blade with tip rail cooling A turbine rotor blade with a squealer pocket formed by tip rails on the blade tip. A row of tip cooling holes extend along an inner side of the tip rails on the pressure side and the suction side to provide cooling for the blade tip and limit leakage flow across the blade tip gap. A number of vortex flow blockers are positioned within the squealer pocket and extend from the tip rails and into the squealer pocket beyond the tip cooling holes to block any formation of vortex flow from the cooling air discharged through the tip cooling holes. The tip rail crown can be narrower such that a tip crown knife edge is formed. The tip cooling holes are slanted toward the tip rails to discharge cooling air toward the blade tip gaps.
US08434994B2	System and method for modifying rotor thrust A gas turbine includes a compressor, a turbine downstream of the compressor having stators, and a rotor connecting the compressor to the turbine. The rotor includes rotor cavities. A supply plenum containing a process by-product gas and a control valve is connected to at least one of the rotor cavities to supply the process by-product gas to at least one of the rotor cavities. A process for operating a gas turbine having a compressor and a turbine includes connecting the compressor to the turbine by a rotor, creating cavities in the rotor, and injecting a process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities. The process further includes regulating the flow of the process by-product gas into at least one of the cavities according to a pre-programmed parameter.
US08434993B2	Robot apparatus and processing apparatus provided therewith, ashing system, and ashing method A robot apparatus according to the invention is configured to hand over a workpiece by rotating by a prescribed angle a finger including a holding means for holding the workpiece. The robot apparatus includes: a drive shaft including a first finger and a second finger spaced from each other. The first finger includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending from its rotation center with a prescribed angle therebetween so as to be distanced from each other. The second finger includes a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion extending from its rotation center with a prescribed angle therebetween so as to be distanced from each other. The second arm portion and the fourth arm portion are distanced from each other when the first arm portion and the third arm portion overlap in the axial direction of the drive shaft. The robot apparatus can further improve productivity without incurring size increase and high cost.
US08434991B1	Vehicle-mounted container lift An apparatus for loading a container (e.g., a 16-foot container or other storage box) onto a truck, trailer, or other vehicle, includes first and second container-engaging beams (e.g. 20-foot long steel tubes) mounted on the vehicle in longitudinally extending, laterally spaced-apart, horizontal positions so that an operator can deploy the beams rearwardly of the vehicle, engage the container with them, and then lift and withdraw the beams with the container onto the vehicle. Beam-holding components on the vehicle hold the proximal end portions of the beams forward of the vehicle's rearward end for hydraulically powered, operator-controlled movement vertically, laterally, and longitudinally. Beam-supporting components at the rearward end of the truck support the intermediate portions of the beams immediately rearward of the vehicle's rearward end for operator-controlled movement of the intermediate portions vertically and laterally in concert with movement of the proximal end portions in order to achieve desired beam orientations for container-loading purposes.
US08434990B2	Bulk material storage apparatus Bulk material storage apparatus may include adjustable leg members and lift apparatuses. For example, the lift apparatuses of the bulk material storage apparatus may each include a lift member including an engaging member operable to engage a trailer bed, e.g., to support the apparatus on the trailer bed when in an advanced position.
US08434985B2	Method for producing hollow body elements, hollow body element, component, follow-on composite tool for producing hollow body elements The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
US08434983B2	Locking assembly An exemplary locking assembly includes a locking member and a sleeve. The locking member includes a locking portion, a neck portion, and a head portion. One end of the neck portion is connected to the head portion, and another end of the neck portion is connected to the locking portion. An outer diameter of the locking portion is larger than that of the neck portion. An outer diameter of the locking portion is larger than that of the neck portion. The sleeve defines a through hole therein for holding and guiding the locking member. The through hole includes a first part. The sleeve further includes a restricting portion extending out from an inner surface of the through hole adjoining the first part of the through hole. After locking portion of the locking member passes through the restricting portion of the sleeve, the restricting portion blocks the locking portion from sliding out of the sleeve.
US08434981B2	Screw anchor with conical head for rail attachment A screw anchor for concrete attachment to a railroad tie or solid track comprises external threads (16) disposed on the exterior of the screw anchor (10) and internal threads (18) disposed inside the screw anchor (10) for force-fitted connecting to a fastening element (30), wherein the screw anchor (10) comprises two sections (12, 14) adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction, the first section (12) having a substantially cylindrical external shape and the second section (14) having a substantially conical external shape, and wherein the second section (14) is disposed between the first section (12) and an inlet opening (26) for the fastening element (30).
US08434974B2	Milling cutter and a cutting insert therefor A milling cutter and a cutting insert therefor for rough and smooth machining of a workpiece. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US08434972B2	Broaching tool, in particular keyway broaching tool The invention relates to a broaching tool, in particular a keyway broaching tool, comprising a holder which defines a longitudinal axis and has a shank, extending in the longitudinal direction, as support for a cutting body which can be fixed in a seat of the shank by means of a clamping device. The seat has a passage which is at a distance from the free end of the shank and extends transversely to the longitudinal axis and the inside of which forms guide surfaces for bearing surfaces of the cutting body, which can be inserted into the passage in an insertion direction. An end-position limit for the inserted cutting body is formed on guide surfaces and on associated bearing surfaces. The clamping device produces a force component on the cutting body which presses the latter against the end-position limit.
US08434971B2	Retaining wall block with face connection Single and multiple retaining wall blocks and block systems in which the blocks are provided with a face connection system which includes at least one front lip extending from a top surface of the block and a bottom channel formed into a front face and bottom surface of the block. The front lips have a length which is equal to the width of the blocks.
US08434961B2	Wobble joint fitting for an adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat A wobble joint fitting for an adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat, in particular for a seat back hinge fitting, comprises (a) a first fitting part comprising an internal ring gear, (b) a toothed eccentric gear that engages the internal ring gear and that has an eccentric hole, (c) an eccentric to which a rotatable drive part is associated and which comprises wedge segments, (d) a second fitting part that is adjustable with respect to the first fitting part, and (e) a wrap spring. The wrap spring is a flat open spring ring and extends over an angle of less than 360°. The eccentric gear comprises a collar for the spring ring to fit against.
US08434960B2	Captive bolt mechanism and process for structural assembly of planar components A captive bolt mechanism joins planar structural members. In an exemplary embodiment, a first structural member has an opening defined there through. The head of a bolt is captured in a fastener slot within a second member, such that the threaded shaft of the bolt protrudes, in-plane, beyond the end of the second member. The threaded shaft is then passed through the opening in the first member and secured with a nut. As the nut is tightened, the underside of the bolt head is drawn against the interior surface of the fastener slot, binding the end of the second member against the surface of the first member. In an alternate embodiment, a nut is similarly confined within the fastener slot, and a bolt or screw is extended through the hole in the first member and the slot in the second member, and is then fastened to the nut.
US08434958B2	Application system An application system is disclosed, e.g., for the application of a sealing, adhesive or other coating material having a high viscosity, for example, on vehicle bodies. An exemplary application system may include an application robot fitted with an applicator having at least one application nozzle for the coating material, and a dosing device for general dosing of the coating material applied by the application nozzle, as may be desired. An exemplary dosing device may include a screw pump or a spiral pump that is built into or onto the applicator, or into or onto a robot arm of the displacement machine.
US08434955B2	Cosmetic unit In the case of a cosmetic unit, including a container for holding a cosmetic, a closure cap for the container, and an applicator, which is arranged on the closure cap and is intended for applying the cosmetic, wherein two such cosmetic units can be connected to each other via a coupling device, the cosmetic unit has a coupling device which is formed on the closure cap and is intended for connection to a second cosmetic unit having a corresponding coupling device, wherein the coupling device has a coupling recess which extends perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis of the cosmetic unit and the inner wall of which forms at least one undercut, and a coupling projection which is of complementary design to the coupling recess in such a manner that the coupling projection of a first cosmetic unit can be pushed, by a pushing movement of the cosmetic units which are to be connected, into the coupling recess of the second cosmetic unit and, in the pushed-in state, is held there in an interlocking manner.
US08434953B2	Thermal print head mounting apparatus This image generating apparatus comprises a chassis including a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion and a print head including a first arm and a second arm rotatably mounted on the first mounting portion and said second mounting portion respectively. The first arm and the second arm of the print head are provided with a first stop portion and a second stop portion regulating movement of the print head in the direction of a rotation axis respectively, while a first angular range in which the first arm is mountable on/dismountable from the first mounting portion is different from a second angular range in which the second arm is mountable on/dismountable from the second mounting portion.
US08434951B2	Systems and methods for coupling a cover to an enclosure An electronic device can include different components providing different functionality. Some electronic devices can include a proximity sensor for determining when a user's face is near the device. The sensor can include an emitter and a detector that are separated by a foam block to limit cross-talk between the emitter and detector. A sheet can be placed over the foam block to define openings for each of the emitter and detector. Some electronic devices can also include a camera. A glass cover secured to the device enclosure can protect the camera. To improve an adhesive bond between the glass cover and a metal enclosure, an ink layer can be placed between an adhesive and the glass. In addition, the camera or another component may need to be grounded to ensure proper operation. During assembly, however, the position of the camera can shift due to closing an enclosure. A grounding assembly that maintains contact with the camera in its initial and final positions can be provided.
US08434950B1	Aerial photography mount An aerial photography mount that features a three-axis gimbal unit that is supported between two posts by elastic straps. Each of the axes rotates within precision bearings that enable smooth operation of a camera secured to the mount. The elastic straps, in conjunction with independently rotating bearings at the end suspension assemblies, provide a enhanced vibration isolation effect. The mount can be further stabilized by the attachment of gyroscopic stabilizers.
US08434948B2	Optical fiber connector and optical cable An optical fiber connector 1 is provided with a mechanical splice section 3 for mechanically securing and connecting optical fibers 2 to each other. The mechanical splice section 3 includes a base plate 5 having a V-groove 4 for positioning the optical fibers 2 and a pressing plate 6 for pressing the optical fibers 2 against the base plate 5. A wedge inserting recessed section 8 is arranged at a boundary portion between the base plate 5 and pressing plate 6. The optical fiber connector 1 is provided with a wedge member 9 having a wedge section 13 adapted to be inserted into the wedge inserting recessed section 8 for opening the base plate 5 and pressing plate 6 from each other; a wedge insertion releasing member 10 for pressing the wedge member 9, so as to take the wedge section 13 out of the wedge inserting recessed section 8; and a housing 11 for covering the mechanical splice section 3, wedge member 9, and wedge insertion releasing member 10.
US08434946B2	System, method, and apparatus for holding a track to a base Bolt-on clamp extrusions for fastening a track to support base extrusion for providing customers with a simple-to-assemble, customizable, reconfigurable, and user-friendly solution for reliable linear motion track assembly. A back-to-back track configuration provides a low-profile track assembly. Custom made base extrusions include deformable fingers disposed in the slot to ensure proper fit despite a variance in track size.
US08434944B2	Sachet with a cursor provided with a jutting-out element and corresponding cursor A sachet has a body, the inner space of which is notably delimited by two sheets forming its main walls, and which includes complementary closing profiles respectively attached on these sheets as well as a cursor for actuating the profiles upon closing and opening, which comprises two longitudinal flanks connected by a base, as well as a longitudinal sole which extends from the base between the flanks, in order to delimit two opening/closing channels of the profiles. The cursor includes, longitudinally, in the extension of the base, a jutting-out element which extends beyond the flanks. The jutting-out element is positioned on the side of the cursor which corresponds to a closing direction of the profiles.
US08434940B2	Electrical unit working in accordance with galvanic principles, for example a lithium-ion accumulator, having a temperature sensor The present invention relates to an apparatus, which works according to galvanic principles, in particular to a lithium-ion accumulator or, respectively, a lithium-ion cell, with at least two electrode devices (10; 20), in particular, a cathode and an anode, in particular, a separator device (30), arranged between two electrode devices, the apparatus (2) comprises, according to the invention, at least one or a plurality of glass fibers (18, 28, 38) which are configured or, respectively, operable as temperature sensor. It can comprise a net (16, 26, 36) formed by glass fibers, or an arrangement of a plurality of glass fibers, which are arranged substantially in parallel to each other, wherein at least one glass fiber (18, 28, 38) is configured or operable as temperature sensor. Such a glass fiber structure can be arranged at the surface of a separator device (30) and/or the cathode, respectively, anode device (10, 20) and can serve as carrier material for this device (30, 10, 20) or can be embedded into this device.
US08434935B2	Heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures A heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures including a modular partition structure to adjust an inner volume of the heating furnace, effectively performing a load-coupled heating test of full scale members such as a beam, a short column, a slab, a conjunction frame, and a deck plate. The heating furnace for testing middle and long span structures includes a partition unit formed of a refractory material and partitioning a heating space in a main body to block transfer of heat generated from one space to the other space. A test sample is installed in the heating space of the main body partitioned by the partition unit according to a size of the test sample, and then, heat and a compression force are applied to the test sample to perform a fireproof performance test. The fireproof performance test of structure members having various lengths of 4 m, 6 m and 10 m can be performed, and consumption of various utilities consumed during the test can be optimized. In addition, since the heating furnace can perform an actual material test of full scale structures such as continuous span beams and long span beams, deck plates, or bridge trusses of civil structures, deck plates for ships, and so on, target fireproof performance estimation of various shape conditions can be performed to increase applicability of the test.
US08434930B2	Magnetically-coupled stirring apparatus with sensor and related method A magnetically-coupled stirring apparatus is provided. The stirring apparatus includes a rotor including at least one rotor magnet, with the rotor being positioned within a chamber. The stirring apparatus further includes an offset stirrer device positioned outside of the chamber. The offset stirrer device includes a shaft including a first end and a second end, with a stirring device axis being offset from a rotor axis, one or more paddle portions extending from the second end, and at least one stirrer magnet affixed to the first end. The at least one rotor magnet magnetically interacts with the at least one stirrer magnet. Rotation of the rotor induces rotation of the offset stirrer device.
US08434925B2	Light source device and surface light source device equipped with same A light source device comprising: a point light source for emitting light; a light source substrate directly mounting the point light source; a light source substrate cover having a through hole or a notch in a position to which the point light source corresponds, the light source substrate cover arranged opposite to a surface of the light source substrate on which the point light source is mounted; and a support member for supporting the light source substrate, the support member arranged to be opposed to the reverse side of the mounting surface of the light source substrate, the support member has a substantially same size with the light source substrate; wherein the light source substrate cover and the support member sandwich the light source substrate to support the light source substrate.
US08434923B2	LED backlight module An LED backlight module includes at least one LED and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface, a light emitting surface connected to the light incident surface, and a bottom surface parallel to the light emitting surface. The at least one LED is placed on the light incident surface and spaced at regular intervals. The light from the at least one LED enters the light guide plate from the light incident surface and is reflected to the light emitting surface by the bottom surface. The light guide plate defines a plurality of concave dots on the bottom surface. The bottom surface is divided into a plurality of discontinuous dot zones. In the dot zone closest to the incident surface, proximity of the dot to the LED decreases the depth and the distribution density of the dots.
US08434913B2	Round illumination device The invention provides a substantially round illumination device (1) comprising a light source (10) and a substantially round waveguide (20). The waveguide (20) comprises a first waveguide surface (21), a second waveguide surface (22), a substantially round waveguide entrance window (23), a substantially round waveguide edge window (24), and a central axis (100). The first waveguide surface (21) or the second waveguide surface (22) or both the first waveguide surface (21) and the second waveguide surface (22) further comprise a plurality of elongated structures (200) each having an elongation axis (201) substantially parallel to a radius (101) perpendicular to the central axis (100).
US08434908B2	Socket device A lighting fixture capable of efficiently radiating heat of a lamp device may be configured to be attached to a socket device. In some examples, by attaching the lamp device to the socket device, a cap portion of the lamp device is brought into contact with a fixture body, and pressed against and brought into close contact with the fixture body by an elastic body. Heat generated by lighting of LEDs of the lamp device is conducted from the cap portion to the fixture body and efficiently radiated.
US08434892B2	Collimator assembly A flat refractive collimator assembly including a light guide and a light source, for example, an LED. The sides of the light guide defines a collimating reflective surface having a paraboloidal shape with a collimating focal point placed on the axis of the light guide. The central portion of the light guide defines a main reflective surface having a virtual focal point, which is substantially similar to the collimating focal point. The collimating reflective surface is a paraboloidal surface or is formed as a plurality of paraboloidal segments having various focal lengths and having a common collimating focal point. The collimating reflective surface can also include spread optics.
US08434889B2	Lighted display case having reduced glare A retail display case includes a case, retail product supports in the case, and a plurality of substantially point light sources in the case. Light sources located at or near eye level of a consumer of typical height throw light at an angle from horizontal and toward retail products in the case.
US08434887B2	Optical mixing and shaping system for display backlights and displays incorporating the same A backlight (42, 62) for a display (40, 60) comprises a plurality of independently controllable light sources (48) and inclined surfaces inclining in a radially outward direction from each light source for shaping the distribution of emitted light. The light sources (48) may each comprise a group of differently-colored light emitters. The backlight 842, 62) may include light integrators (64) configured to mix light of the differently-colored light emitters. Inclined surfaces (44) for shaping the distribution of emitted light may be arranged around exits of the light integrators (64).
US08434884B2	Backlight module An exemplary backlight module is disclosed in the present invention. The backlight module includes a light source module, a main circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board and a bracket. The bracket is made of a conductive material and used for fixing the light source module. The light source module includes at least a light source circuit substrate and a plurality of light sources disposed on the at least a light source circuit substrate. The light source circuit substrate includes a plurality of grounding pads. A part of the grounding pads are electrically contacted to the bracket. The main circuit board includes a grounding terminal. The grounding terminal is electrically connected to another part of the grounding pads through the flexible printed circuit board. The backlight module facilitate the static electricity on the light source module to be grounded, and avoids the light source module being damaged by electro-static discharge.
US08434883B2	LLB bulb having light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) and method of fabrication A LLB bulb includes a base, a LED light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, and a lens/cover having a light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) configured to reduce glare and reflection in the LLB bulb without light loss. A method for fabricating the LLB bulb includes the steps of providing the lens/cover, and forming the light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) on the lens/cover. The lens/cover can be fabricated with the light extracting rough surface pattern (LERSP) using a process such as bead blasting, sand blasting, etching (chemical or plasma), or molding.
US08434877B2	Illumination optical system and projection display apparatus An illumination optical system and a projection display apparatus include a beam combining portion and a condensing lens condensing a beam from the beam combining portion. The beam combining portion combines beams from first and second lamp units each including a lamp and a concave mirror, the lamp having a cathode and an anode arranged along an optical axis of the concave mirror. The beam combining portion includes a first reflective section disposed on an optical axis of the first lamp unit and off the optical axis of the second lamp unit and a second reflective section disposed off the optical axis of the first lamp unit. The first and second reflective sections reflect a beam that is emitted from the second lamp unit and that is off an optical axis thereof to combine the beams from the first and second lamp units.
US08434873B2	Interactive projection device An interactive projection device includes a light source configured to emit an input light beam, wherein the light source comprises a visible light emitting device; a first beam splitter configured to split the input light beam into first and second split light beams; a second beam splitter configured to split a scattered light beam received from a surface into third and fourth split light beams; an image forming device configured to produce an image light beam based on the first split light beam and emit the image light beam onto the surface through the first and second splitters, thereby generating a projection image on the surface; and a detector configured to detect the invisible light of the third split light beam, thereby acquiring a scattering image from the surface.
US08434869B2	Automated locking apparatus for a slit lamp An apparatus mounted proximate to or on a base of a slit lamp illumination unit operates to automatically lock or secure the illumination unit in a stationary position after each eye examination and further operates to unlock it just before each examination. The apparatus may take the form of a threaded rod that replaces the conventional thumbscrew. The threaded rod is rotated by a motor, which receives instructions from a controller, both located within a housing. A touch sensor on the housing communicates with the controller to activate the locking or unlocking of the threaded rod and may also provide a signal to a transceiver for powering the illumination unit ON or OFF.
US08434866B2	Polymerizable composition for optical material, optical material, and method for preparing the optical material The polymerizable composition for an optical material of the present invention comprises a phenylene diisocyanate, at least one polythiol compound selected from the group consisting of 4-mercaptomethyl-1,8-dimercapto-3,6-dithiaoctane, 4,8-, 4,7- or 5,7-dimercaptomethyl-1,11-dimercapto-3,6,9-trithiaundecane, 2,5-bis(mercaptomethyl)-1,4-dithiane, bis(mercaptoethyl)sulfide, 1,1,3,3-tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)propane, 4,6-bis(mercaptomethylthio)-1,3-dithiane, 2-(2,2-bis(mercaptomethylthio)ethyl)-1,3-dithietane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(mercaptomethylthio)ethane 3-mercaptomethyl-1,5-dimercapto-2,4-dithiapentane and tris(mercaptomethylthio)methane.
US08434864B2	Multifocal ophthalmic lens with discontinuities Aspects of the present invention provide multifocal ophthalmic lenses—for example, an ophthalmic lens having a progressive addition optical power region—having one or more discontinuities. The discontinuities can be used to merge or connect regions of the lens surface having different curvatures or average optical power. The use of discontinuities can obviate the need for blend zones which are largely responsible for the introduction of unwanted astigmatism in conventional lenses. In turn, a multifocal ophthalmic lens of the present invention can provide a desired additive power with less unwanted astigmatism than a conventional progressive addition lens (PAL).
US08434854B1	System for ink removal from a printhead assembly A printhead cleaning device includes a housing having an opening and an ink receptacle positioned within the opening. A member extends from the ink receptacle and through the opening. The member is configured to contact a faceplate of a printhead to enable liquid ink emitted onto the faceplate to move from across the member into the ink receptacle.
US08434849B2	Printing apparatus to dry sheets on which ink is applied An apparatus includes a printing unit and a drying unit. The printing unit performs printing on a sheet using ink. The drying unit dries the sheet on which the ink is applied at the printing unit as the sheet is conveyed in the drying unit. The drying unit causes hot air heated by a heater to circulate through a housing and blows the hot air to the sheet. The housing includes an opening through which movement of gas between inside and outside the housing can be adjusted. When conveyance of the sheet in the drying unit stops, the apparatus is controlled to reduce an output of the heater and to increase the movement of the gas through the opening.
US08434846B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid ejecting method A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head which ejects a liquid from a nozzle passage, a heating unit which heats and dries the liquid attached to an ejection medium, a temperature measuring unit which is disposed at a predetermined region near the liquid ejecting head, a temperature calculating unit which calculates a temperature of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head based on the initial temperature measurement and a temperature correction table which associates time obtained after operation of the heating unit with a temperature of the liquid and which calculates a temperature of the liquid based on a descending correction table associating a difference between a temperature obtained immediately after interruption of the heating unit and an outside ambient temperature, and a driving waveform correcting unit which corrects a head driving waveform of the liquid ejecting head on the basis of a calculation result.
US08434845B2	Image forming apparatus and ink jetting method thereof An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of head chips which comprise a plurality of nozzles to jet ink to a print medium according to print data, and a controller which compares jetting gaps of the head chips to the print medium with a reference jetting gap and determines jetting times of the head chips.
US08434843B2	Printing apparatus, printing method, and program A printing apparatus includes a line head which includes first and second basic heads each having a plurality of nozzles in a predetermined direction and in which the first and second basic heads are arranged in the predetermined direction so as to form an overlapping section in the predetermined direction and a controller which controls the first and second basic heads when at least one of a print medium and the line head moves in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction and which controls the first and second basic heads so as to print the contour of a character or a line image by using only one of the first and second basic heads when the character or the line image is contained in an image printable by the overlapping section.
US08434835B2	Wall mounting system for movably mounting modular institutional furniture and fixtures A modular mounting system for institutional or classroom furniture or fixtures includes mounting rails that are attached to a wall surface in a horizontal orientation and that are vertically spaced. The mounting rails have a flat wall-mounting portion, with upper and lower T-shaped sections projecting therefrom, forming upper and lower U-channels and a central C-channel. The wall-mounting portion has a lower chamfered edge. Sections of mounting rail are aligned by a spline inserted into the C-channel. The system is infinitely adaptable to a wide range of changing uses for the classroom, with each element of the modular classroom furniture easily mounted to or removed from the mounting rail with only a screwdriver. The selectable elements include a flat panel accessory that rides between the upper and lower mounting rails, an accessory tray, and vertical rail members and casegoods in various configurations that attach to one or both rails.
US08434834B2	Tool storage cabinet and attached visual tool identification and location system A tool identification and location system for a tool containing cabinet. The system includes a plastic sheet having a surface with cross sectional outlines of the cabinet drawers as well as multiple, parallel tool receiving compartments in each of the drawers. The sheet is connected to a sidewall of the cabinet so that the outlines of each drawer are in horizontal alignment with corresponding drawers of the cabinet, and tool cross sections, called profiles, are mounted to the sheet, such as by magnets or hook and loop fasteners, for indicating to an operator the exact location, drawer and compartment, of each tool in the cabinet.
US08434831B2	Vehicle brake device for electronic hydraulic brake system A vehicle brake device includes an input shaft coupled to a brake pedal, a pedal operation detector, a pedal simulator coupled to the input shaft in a control housing, a master cylinder, a control piston, a control chamber, and a hydraulic pressure supply, wherein the pedal simulator includes a pedal simulator piston, a pressing member, a simulator piston provided in the pedal simulator piston, and a push rod which is accommodated in the pressing member while being spaced apart from a bottom wall of a guide groove by passing through the pedal simulator piston and the simulator piston from the control piston to the input shaft, and wherein a diameter of the master cylinder is greater than a diameter of the simulator piston, and a diameter of the control piston is greater than a diameter of the master cylinder.
US08434830B2	Brake control apparatus An electronic control unit for a brake control apparatus has a pressure-command-signal memorizing portion, which outputs a pressure command signal to a brake force control unit, when a braking operation is not carried out by a vehicle driver, in order to gradually increase brake fluid pressure. The memorizing portion memorizes the pressure command signal as a gap-zero pressure signal sent to the brake force control unit when vehicle deceleration exceeds a predetermined value. A pre-charge control portion outputs the gap-zero pressure signal to carry out a pre-charge control, when the braking operation is not carried out, so that a gap between a friction element and a non-friction element is reduced to a desired amount before an actual braking operation by the vehicle driver.
US08434825B2	Footrest A footrest is provided that includes a footplate element, an upper swing arm, and a lower swing arm, which footrest can be arranged on a wall that faces a seat, and allows several seating positions.
US08434822B2	Furniture device with adjustable angle between the seat and the back of the piece of furniture A device for an adjustable piece of seating and reclining furniture with an adjustable angle between the seat and the back of the piece of furniture, wherein on each side of the piece of furniture there is located a fitting projecting upwards from its base, the seat being tiltable about a forward suspension point on the fitting, and the back being tiltable about a rear suspension point on the fitting, wherein the back upon tilting backwards causes the seat to tilt backwards in that a link is pivotally fastened to a rear part of the seat frame and pivotally fastened to a lower part of the back frame, the pivotal connection of the link to the back frame being located behind and below said rear suspension point. On an increase in the angle between the seat and the back, the angle that the neck rest of the piece of furniture forms with the back is reduced. When the piece of seating and reclining furniture is equipped with a foot/leg rest, an activator for this rest and an activator for changing said angle between the seat and the back are controllable by one single, common control lever or control handle.
US08434821B2	Car seat with integrated ratchet A child car seat includes a seat base configured to hold a child seat carrier and a ratchet system. The ratchet system includes a housing coupled to the seat base, a handle movably coupled to the housing, and a spindle movably coupled to the handle and to the housing. The spindle has a longitudinal slot configured to hold a belt. The ratchet system is configured to move the spindle with the handle in a first direction and to move the handle in a second direction without moving the spindle.
US08434820B2	Vehicle seat with securing device for a support element The invention discloses a vehicle seat with a stowable central segment seat part. The central segment seat part is supported by means of a support element on an additional seat part and is adjustable in a longitudinal direction relative to said additional seat part. The support element is thereby secured against unwanted movement by means of at least one securing device.
US08434817B2	Sunshade for vehicle A sunshade for a vehicle includes a pair of guide rails extended at a side edge of a light passing portion provided on a vehicle roof, the guide rails arranged opposite to each other, plural extending portions formed on each of the guide rails and extending towards the opposite guide rail, the extending portions defining slide recessed grooves, a sliding member supported by the extending portions and slidably provided in each of the slide recessed grooves, an engaging portion formed on said each sliding member, and plural shade panels slidably supported in the slide recessed grooves, respectively, via the sliding member, the shade panels being configured to interoperate each other by an engagement of each of the engaging portions during at least one of an opening operation and a closing operation of the sunshade.
US08434815B2	Vehicle inner panel A plurality of beads (2) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction are formed parallel to each other lined up in the vehicle width direction on an inner panel (1). Accordingly, an upper flange (5), a vertical wall (4), a lower flange (3), and a vertical wall (4) are formed connected in this order at a cross-section in the vehicle width direction. The vertical wall (4) includes a lower vertical wall (4a) and an upper vertical wall (4b), and there is a bend line (4c) at the boundary between the two which is bent. The inclination angle of the upper vertical wall (4b) is between 30° and 60° inclusive, which is greater than the inclination angle of the lower vertical wall (4a). The bend line (4c) is positioned more than ½ way up between the lower flange (3) and the upper flange (5) so as to be closer to the upper flange (5) than the lower flange (3).
US08434814B2	Joining mechanism A joining mechanism includes a front lower cross member 110 formed from a front plate 112 and a back plate 114 joined together to form a space, the front lower cross member 110 extending in a vehicle width direction lower than a hood lock member 108 which supports a bottom part of the vicinity of a front end of an engine hood 104, and a hood lock brace 120 which extends in a vehicle height direction between the hood lock member 108 and the front lower cross member 110, the hood lock brace 120 joining the hood lock member 108 and the front lower cross member 110, wherein upper end vicinities of the front plate 112 and the back plate 114 of the front lower cross member 110 are fastened to the front side of the hood lock brace 120, and the upper end surface 112j of the front plate 112 and the upper end surface 114j of the back plate 114 are separated from the hood lock brace 120.
US08434812B2	Vehicle visor having mirror assembly A vehicle visor is provided that includes a mirror assembly. The visor body has a first side and a second side and pivots between a stowed position and a downward use position. The visor body further includes a mirror assembly located on the visor body. The mirror assembly includes a conversation mirror that is extendable from a first side of the visor body for viewing from the first side of the visor body, and is stowable within the visor body for viewing through an aperture from the second side of the visor body. The mirror may serve as a vanity mirror.
US08434802B2	Extension tool An extension tool is disclosed and comprises a first pole and a second pole. The second pole is slidably received within the first pole. The second pole has a plurality of apertures. A pin lever is pivotably mounted relative to the first pole. A pin slidably engages within the pin lever. The pin lever is released for inserting the pin into the plurality of apertures of the second pole for terminating displacement of the first pole relative to the second pole. The pin lever is depressed for removing the pin from the plurality of apertures of the second pole for permitting displacement of the first pole relative to the second pole. A device, tool or support may be secured to the second ends of the second pole. In one embodiment, a claw is secured to the second end of the second pole for engaging either a knuckle coupler or a wheel brake of a railroad car.
US08434800B1	Flange lifter device A pipe flange lifting device for supporting and leveling a blind flange during installation onto a pipe end. The device comprises a pair of closed fittings having a plurality of apertures through which to place a first and second lifting bolt. The fittings are positioned on opposing sides of a pipe flange and rotate freely with respect to the pin prior to installation, whereafter the lifting bolts fitted through the flange and opposing fittings for stable support during operation. The lifting bolts comprise a pair of bolts inserted into eyes of the flange prior to the lifting operation. Spacers along the pin allow the fittings to be separated by a desired distance and prevent pinch points due to fitting inclination. The pin includes an attached crane hoist fitting for lifting the assembly and a secured flange during flange installation.
US08434796B2	Motor vehicle door lock The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism (1, 2), comprising also at least one operating lever (3a, 3b) and a locking lever (4, 5). According to the invention, the operating lever (3a, 3b) contains a first partial lever (3a) and a second partial lever (3b). The locking lever (4, 5) controls a coupling element (12), optionally connecting the partial levers (3a, 3b) with each other.
US08434794B2	Three stage multi-point closure system for luggage Disclosed is a method and system for providing several stages of closure of a luggage case (2), including an open stage, a pre-close stage in which one or more latching mechanisms are engaged, and a secure stage in which a drawing action pulls both shells of the luggage case (2) further together. Also disclosed is a method and system for automatically ensuring proper latching of the multiple latching mechanisms around the perimeter of a luggage case (2). The latching mechanisms may be aligned by use of a single operative mechanism (16). The present invention comprises a low-friction, durable system. The present invention ensures security of a user's belongings by providing the extra measurement of closure. The user enjoys a single operative mechanism (16), and needs to exert only a minimal amount of pressure to latch the case (2), thanks to a clever design of the single operative mechanism (16). The user needs not worry about their suitcase (2) popping open due to a failed latching mechanism.
US08434788B2	Length adjustable steering column module for a motor vehicle A length adjustable steering column module for a motor vehicle has a support beam attachable to the motor vehicle. The module includes a steering column rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and has an upper and a lower steering tube. The upper steering tube is displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis and is non-rotatably connected to the lower steering tube. An adjusting device adjusts the distance of the upper steering tube from the lower steering tube. A jacket tube has an annular area, a crash member, and an upper and a lower end portion, the upper end portion grasps around the upper steering tube, and axially fixes and rotatably supports the upper steering tube. A central bearing is disposed between the annular area and the upper steering tube. The crash member, located between the central bearing and the lower end portion, shortens in the event of an accident.
US08434782B2	Roof structure for automobile A roof structure for an automobile includes an airbag 7 configured to protect the head of an occupant and an attachment bracket 8. In the roof structure for an automobile, the airbag 7 is attached across a front pillar 4 and a roof side 1 via the attachment bracket 8, and the attachment bracket 8 is arranged on the back side of a periphery of a joint portion 33 of an upper end portion of a front pillar trim 5 and a headliner 3.
US08434779B2	Fifth wheel A fifth wheel comprises a coupling plate and at least two pillow blocks for the supported mounting of the coupling plate on a vehicle chassis of the tractor vehicle, the pillow block comprising a support region and a mounting region. The mounting region is designed for the detachable mounting of the pillow block to a transverse strut of the vehicle chassis of the tractor vehicle.
US08434778B2	Semi-trailer for transporting circular objects A semi-trailer for transporting circular objects may include a coupler assembly configured to be connected to a towing vehicle, a rear frame member, a pair of side rails joined at rear ends thereof by the rear frame member and at front ends thereof by the coupler assembly, a rear wheel and axle assembly mounted to the side rails between the front and rear ends thereof and at least one transportation well mounted to and between the side rails. The at least one transportation well may extend below the side rails. The at least one transportation well is configured to receive and hold therein while being transported by the semi-trailer at least one circular object.
US08434772B2	Damper tube reinforcement sleeve A strut assembly includes an upper mount assembly, a shock absorber and a knuckle. The upper mount assembly is attached to a piston rod which is a part of the shock absorber. The knuckle is attached to an outer tube of the shock absorber which can be a reserve tube of a dual-tube shock absorber or a pressure tube of a single tube shock absorber. A reinforcement member increases the strength of the outer tube in the area that interfaces with the knuckle and the area that is directly above the knuckle.
US08434769B2	Trailer hitching and tracking steering Improvements in a trailer hitching and tracking steering system are disclosed include a new style RV or wagon style RV that includes an extendable, variable position tow bar that accommodates misalignment of a tow vehicle. The tow bar can be rotated for storage within the RV wagon. Further improvements include a wheel steering mechanism to improve tracking of a towed vehicle using a bi-directional caster front suspension for steering a wagon style RV in both a forward and reverse direction. The caster of the front wheels is automatically re-directed depending upon the direction of travel of the RV. The suspension system includes a steerable rear suspension that minimizes the amount the back wheels will cut the corner when turning. The improvements also include the use of visible light beams to guide a tow vehicle backing up to an RV to be correctly positioned for hitching without assistance.
US08434767B2	Sealing unit with mounting error prevention construction A sealing unit with a mounting error preventing construction, includes a cylindrical member and an annular sealing member mounted in a circumferential groove formed on an outer circumference of the cylindrical member. At least two projections having different sizes are provided on the sealing member asymmetrically with respect to an axis of the sealing member and are projected in a direction in which the axis extends. Cutout portions for receiving the projections are provided on the cylindrical member.
US08434766B2	Turbine engine seals A seal is provided for preventing axial leakage through a radial gap between a stationary structure and a rotating structure. The radial gap is defined by an inner radial surface opposing an outer radial surface across the radial gap. The seal includes at least one land disposed on one of the inner radial surface and outer radial surface. At least one first tooth and at least one second tooth project from the other of the radial surfaces. The second tooth is shorter than the first tooth. At least one of the first tooth and second tooth, is configured to extend at an angle upstream. This angle is defined between a radial surface from which the first or second tooth projects and an upstream surface of the same tooth. The angle is less than or equal to about 80 degrees.
US08434765B1	Illuminated skeet target An illuminated skeet target comprises a substantially disc-shaped body that is suitable for launching via a trap or other launching device. The skeet target contains at least two reagents that undergo a chemiluminescent reaction and give off light when combined so that the skeet target can be illuminated and identified when ambient lighting conditions are insufficient.
US08434762B1	Air table game assembly An air table game assembly has a platform. Outer sections of the platform have a perimeter edge and an interior side with the interior side being adjacent to a central section. A border wall extends around the perimeter edge of each outer section. Openings in the border wall define goals positioned in each of the outer sections. A first barrier is pivotable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The first barrier extends across a first one of the outer sections defining a first excluded section when in the deployed position. A bottom panel is coupled to the border wall in spaced relationship to the platform to define an air chamber. A plurality of vents extends through the platform and a blower is coupled to the bottom panel. The blower urges air through the vents in the platform.
US08434759B2	Sheet transport device and image forming apparatus A sheet transport device includes an abutment member that moves downstream in a sheet transport direction and against which a leading end of a sheet that has been transported from upstream in the sheet transport direction abuts; and a transport unit that transports the sheet whose leading end has abutted against the abutment member further downstream. The abutment member moves at least to the transport unit in a state in which the leading end of the sheet abuts against the abutment member, and the abutment member is separated from the leading end of the sheet after the transport unit has started to transport the sheet.
US08434756B2	Conforming paper tray plate for large format papers having attached ID cards This is a stacking tray especially useful in a paper marking system. When papers containing an ID or credit card attached are stacked, an uneven stack results where the card portion is thicker than the paper without the card. This presents a difficult situation for moving the stack onto a transport to a printer or other stations. To correct this uneven or thicker stack from hindering paper feed, two paper plate supports are provided, one a vertically movable plate and the other a fixed plate support. The ID card or credit card portion of the paper is always loaded onto the vertically movable plate thereby providing a substantially flat top stack for easy movement of the sheets from the stack.
US08434747B2	Truck suspensions incorporating asymmetric leaf springs A suspension system for supporting fore- and aft extending frame members of a vehicle chassis on a hollow axle, the system on one side of the vehicle being duplicated on the opposite side. Included in the suspension on each side are: (1) a frame bracket for pivotally supporting the fore or leading end of an asymmetric leaf spring; (2) a spring end support mounted on the frame side member for supporting the aft or trailing end of the leaf spring, and (3) a suitable assembly for attaching the leaf spring at a location intermediate its opposite ends to the axle so that the spring is divided into two cantilever limbs extending in opposite directions from the center line of the axle. The spring is formed so that one of the cantilever limbs has a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of the other limb. In all forms, at least one leaf of the asymmetric spring extends the full length of the spring. In one particular form the spring has a shorter leaf with an end portion extending over the axle with an air spring mounted either directly over the axle or on one side of the axle. Instead of having two leafs, the asymmetric spring may be formed as a tapered convolute single-leaf spring.
US08434742B2	Gas powered self contained portable winch The invention is directed to a gas powered self-contained winch comprising an external casing including a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a stabilizing bar. The invention includes a combustion engine; a transmission assembly, a gear assembly and a clutch assembly that connect to a spool capable of winding and unwinding a cable wire. A hand controller can communicate with the clutch assembly through a cable wire sufficient to control the winding and unwinding of the cable.
US08434740B2	Apparatus (sheave) for guiding cable in and out of manholes and conduits An apparatus consisting of sheaves/rollers is for guiding cables from a single pulling location through conduit that extends continuously between manholes and end points of conduit runs. The cable is set up at one end of the conduit run and a power driven tugger is set up at the other end of the cable pull. The apparatus is installed at each end of the run to guide the cables into the conduit through the manhole or out conduit stub. A rope is installed through the sheaves/rollers and into the conduit and then through another sheave at the other end and then connected to the cable. A power driven tugger is energized which causes tension on the rope and cable and pulls the cable through the end of the sheave.
US08434729B2	Trivet with server lid A multifaceted trivet with multifaceted functionality includes a trivet within a basket, a trivet that may serve as a lid and a serving tray. The trivet within a basket provides further insulation by use of the basket. The basket has rotatable handles which allows a heated item to be placed within the basket and easily carried to a serving area. The trivet that may serve as a lid may function as a trivet on which a pot or container may be placed or may fit as a lid of a particular pot or container.
US08434728B2	I-beam track with a separate attachment portion A dual sided extrusion, where one side has a different shape than the other side, and the extrusion is intended to be used in different orientations depending on the application.
US08434724B2	Air outlet system for aircraft leading edge An aircraft leading edge is extended by an aerodynamic surface providing an aerodynamic flow and where air discharges are arranged preventing separation of the aerodynamic flow. The air discharges are arranged in at least two rows essentially parallel to the leading edge and in an offset manner for at least two consecutive rows. At least one block is inserted between two walls that form the aerodynamic surface. The block includes, on the one hand, an outside surface extending the aerodynamic surface, a first inclined surface contacting the first wall forming the aerodynamic surface, and a second inclined surface contacting the second wall that forms the aerodynamic surface, and, on the other hand, projecting and/or hollow shapes that are made at the inclined surfaces and that are arranged in an alternating fashion from one surface to the next, allowing air to pass on both sides of the aerodynamic surface.
US08434722B2	Skydiving equipment to distribute the tension forces of a drogue parachute A skydiving equipment with a drogue parachute to capture the deployment bag until the opening, and to suspend the parachutist(s) in a horizontal position during the free fall, while distributing the tension forces of the drogue parachute such that the ripcord operation is effortless, includes a first fastening strap bearing a lower tab and a second fastening strap bearing an upper tab to fasten the drogue parachute drogue bridle to the parachute pack at the desired level of the main container. A three-ring system connects the upper tab and the lower tab to the drogue parachute drogue bridle and is operational to effortlessly cause the release of the upper tab and the lower tab out of the drogue bridle simultaneously or successively, while the main container opens at a different time.
US08434721B2	Aircraft tank system and method for refueling an aircraft using an eration/deaeration device with a shut-off valve An aircraft tank system includes a tank cell for receiving fuel, a fuel line that connects the tank cell to a fuel inlet connection, and an aeration/deaeration device that for aeration/deaeration of the tank cell connects the tank cell to the environment. A shut-off valve of the aeration/deaeration device is adapted in an open position to open a connection between the tank cell and the environment and in a closed position to interrupt the connection between the tank cell and the environment. The aircraft tank system further includes an exhaust air outlet connection, which is connected to the aeration/deaeration device and which is adapted during filling of the tank cell with fuel to be connected to an aeration/deaeration connection of a storage tank of a refueling unit.
US08434720B2	Pressurised aircraft door equipped with a vent flap The invention relates to a pressurized aircraft door that minimizes risk of ingress of precipitation inside the aircraft, while maintaining venting of the aircraft before unlocking the door. The purpose of the invention is achieved using a vent flap controlled by a door control member and designed such that the flap successively occupies the following positions during the opening movement of the control member: a closed position when the control member occupies a first end position putting the door in a closed/locked position; at least one partially open position before the door is in a closed/unlocked position; then once again in the closed position when the control member occupies a second end position putting the door in an open position.
US08434708B2	Coil winding machine for rotor A coil winding machine for winding a wire at a plurality of slots of a core of a coil rotor by feeding it out from a nozzle provided at a front end of a flyer, which coil winding machine is provided with a former, a fixed guide, and a movable guide for guiding the wire to the slots for winding and a clamper provided inside the fixed guide and clamping one shaft end of the rotor, the movable guide engaging with the other shaft end of the rotor and able to move in the axial direction of the core.
US08434701B2	Device for intermittently jetting gas A device for intermittently jetting gas includes a gas source, a gas conduit with one end being communicated with the gas source and the other end being in communication with a nozzle, a rotary disc and a motor, the disc being mounted on a rotating shaft of the motor for rotating along with the shaft, wherein the rotary disc is provided with at least one opening through which a gas in the gas conduit is jetted when the opening is aligned with the outlet of the gas conduit. The device can freely adjust the gas jetting frequency by adjusting the rotation speed of the motor, and thus increase the gas jetting frequency and effectively flow off the suspicious particles carried in the human clothes.
US08434699B2	Hose-end sprayer bottles with safety features Safety features in and for hose-end sprayer bottles. In a first safety arrangement, there is ensured a more hindered transition of a spool (e.g., product/carrier spool) or adjuster from a first setting to a second setting than from the second setting to the first setting, wherein in the first setting no carrier stream is admitted through the sprayer and in the second setting solely a carrier stream is admitted through the sprayer. In a second safety arrangement, there is arrested displacement of a container interface (e.g., bottle swivel) from a second (essentially advanced) position towards a first (essentially initial) position upon the container interface displacing from the first position to the second position.
US08434695B2	Rotary water sprinkler A rotary sprinkler including a body member (A) having a water inlet nozzle (4) with a top end and a bottom end, a pressurized water connector (8) communicating with the bottom end of the water inlet nozzle, a ring (14) attached in spaced-apart relationship from the top end of the nozzle, and a rotor member (B) having at one end an opening (30) for receiving water from the inlet nozzle and directing it to a water distributing groove, and at its opposite end, an axle (36). The rotary sprinkler also includes a rotor axle seat member (c) engageable and disengageable with the rotor's axle and with the ring facilitating, upon disengagement of the seat member from the ring, axial retrieval of the rotor member through the ring.
US08434691B2	Thermostatic valve control structure A thermostatic valve control structure mainly has an axial movement element movable axially to control opening size of a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet. The axial movement element has a ceramic layer which has a smooth surface to reduce friction with a sealing ring. The ceramic layer provides advantages of resisting acid and alkali, less likely to accumulate water dregs, simpler structure and longer life span. Thus the total life span and durability of the thermostatic valve control structure can be enhanced.
US08434690B2	Two-dimensional code having rectangular region provided with specific patterns for specification of cell positions and distinction from background A two-dimensional code having a rectangular region is provided. In the rectangular region, there are a plurality of code blocks, a first specific pattern, and error-correction code blocks. Each code block is composed of a plurality of cells aggregated together and formed to have both a specified corner in the rectangular region and the plurality of code blocks arranged in the rectangular region. The specific pattern is used to specify the positions of the cells. The error-correction code blocks are contained in the code blocks and formed to correct an error. The error-correction code blocks are arranged contiguously to part of the borders of the rectangular region. The part of the borders is displaced from the first specific pattern. Compressed data code blocks are also arranged in the same way as the error-correction code blocks.
US08434688B2	RFID tag and method of manufacturing the same An RFID tag prevents reduction of communication characteristics due to mutual interference of RFID tags and enables to collectively read plural densely arranged RFID tags by a reader apparatus even when the plural RFID tags are in a densely arranged state. The RFID tag of the present invention is an RFID tag having an IC chip and a first antenna connected to the IC chip, provided with an impedance matching circuit for performing impedance matching between the IC chip and the first antenna, and arranged by stacking a conductor to cover the impedance matching circuit via an insulator base material.
US08434687B2	Stored-value card with light A stored-value card includes a housing, a light circuit and an account identifier. The housing includes a cover and a base. The cover and the base each define a respective primary panel and a plurality of side walls extending from the respective primary panel. The plurality of side walls defined by the base abut the plurality of side walls defined by the cover. The light circuit includes a light and a switch. The light circuit is substantially enclosed between the base and the cover, and the light is configured to emit illumination upon user interaction with the switch. The account identifier links the stored-value card to an account or record such that value from the account or record can be used as payment toward a purchase of one or more of goods and services. Stored-value card assemblies and methods of using a stored-value card are also disclosed.
US08434686B2	Swipe scanner employing a vision system This invention provides a point-of-sale scanning device that employs vision sensors and vision processing to decode symbology and matrices of information of objects, documents and other substrates as such objects are moved (swiped) through the field-of-view of the scanning device's window. The scanning device defines a form factor that conforms to that of a conventional laser-based point-of-sale scanning device using a housing having a plurality of mirrors, oriented generally at 45-degree angles with respect to the window's plane so as to fold the optical path, thereby allowing for an extended depth of field. The path is divided laterally so as to reach opposing lenses and image sensors, which face each other and are oriented along a lateral optical axis between sidewalls of the device. The sensors and lenses can be adapted to perform different parts of the overall vision system and/or code recognition process. The housing also provides illumination that fills the volume space. Illustratively, illumination is provided adjacent to the window in a ring having two rows for intermediate and long-range illumination of objects. Illumination of objects at or near the scanning window is provided by illuminators positioned along the sidewalls in a series of rows, these rows directed to avoid flooding the optical path.
US08434683B2	Method and system for determining support for a memory card Embodiments related to methods and systems for determining support for a memory card, where the memory card is accessible to a card reader and the card reader is in communication with an accessing device. One embodiment comprises transmitting a first test command to the memory card, receiving a response to the first test command, and determining that the response to the first test command indicates that a card type is not supported by a plurality of card drivers. In response to said determining, at least one additional test command specific to a card type supported by a selected card driver is automatically transmitted, and if the response is successful, the selected card driver, which was previously determined not to support the card type of the memory card, is indicated to support the card type of the memory card.
US08434681B2	Apparatus and methods for enforcing purchase agreements Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods are provided for establishing (e.g., online) a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products. A second plurality of products that the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first plurality of products does not correspond to the second plurality of products.
US08434677B2	Systems and methods for risk triggering values Systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) is disclosed. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. After receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. The central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site.
US08434670B2	Repair apparatus and repair method A repair apparatus includes a heating head device configured to heat a soldering member, which is soldered to a circuit board. The heating head device includes a heating head and a contact member heated by the heating head. The contact member is formed of a material having a spring characteristic and a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the heating head. The contact member is configured to be brought into contact with a soldered surface of the soldering member with an elastic force so as to melt a solder joining the soldering member to the circuit board.
US08434669B1	Universal bond head for wire bonders A wedge wire bonder comprises a wedge that is operative to oscillate along a transducer axis for bonding a wire onto a surface and a wire clamp comprising a pair of parallel clamping plates for clamping the wire. The clamping plates having clamping surfaces that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the transducer axis. Lateral guides are arranged on opposite sides of the wire, such that the lateral guides and the wire are generally aligned parallel to the clamping surfaces of the clamping plates for guiding the wire towards the wedge.
US08434667B2	Polyamine, carboxylic acid flux composition and method of soldering A flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a carboxylic acid; and, a polyamine fluxing agent represented by formula I: with the proviso that when the polyamine fluxing agent represented by formula I is according to formula Ia: then zero to three of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is(are) a hydrogen. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the flux composition.
US08434665B2	Electronic component mounting system and electronic component mounting method Disclosed are an electronic component mounting system and an electronic component mounting method capable of reducing the space occupied by equipment and equipment cost and ensuring high connection reliability. An electronic component mounting system (1) includes a solder printing device (M1), a coating/inspection device (M2), a component mounting device (M3), a bonding material supply/substrate mounting device (M4), and a reflow device (M5). The electronic component mounting system (1) mounts an electronic component on a main substrate (4) and connects a module substrate (5) to the main substrate (4). A cream solder is printed on the main substrate (4) to mount an electronic component, a bonding material in which solder particles are contained in thermosetting resin is supplied to a first connection portion of the main substrate (4), and a second connection portion of the module substrate (5) is landed on the first connection portion through the bonding material. Thereafter, the main substrate (4) is carried in the reflow device (M5) and heated in the same reflow step to solder-bond the electronic component onto the main substrate (4) and to bond the second connection portion of the module substrate (5) and the first connection portion of the main substrate (4) together by the bonding material.
US08434659B2	Bonding device, ultrasonic transducer, and bonding method A bonding device, particularly for producing bond connections between electrical conductors made of wire material or strip material and contact points of substrates such as electrical circuits, wherein the bonding device comprises a bonding head (2) which can be rotated about a geometric axis of rotation (D), in particular a vertical axis, and on which a bonding tool (5) and an ultrasonic transducer (35) are disposed for ultrasonic vibration excitation of the bonding tool (5). It is proposed that the main direction of extension (36) of the ultrasonic transducer (35) and/or the direction of extension thereof in the direction of the axis of the minimum moment of inertia extends parallel to the geometric axis of rotation (D) of the bonding head (2). The invention further relates to a bonding device or an ultrasonic transducer.
US08434657B2	Gantry-based welding system and method A multi-station, gantry-based automated welding system includes a gantry mounting robotic arc welders or other equipment. The gantry has a range of travel over multiple workstations, each workstation being adapted for rotatably mounting a respective workpiece on a headstock assembly and a tailstock assembly, which define a workpiece or weldment rotational axis extending therebetween. The tailstock assembly can be located at different positions within a workstation for accommodating different lengths of workpieces. Encoders are installed at the moving elements of the system for precisely tracking and providing output to the computer controller. Primary and secondary power/data distribution systems include cable and hose carriers for providing mobile power/data connections to the gantry and also to the robotic arc welders mounted thereon. The power/data distribution systems are elevated above a facility floor to avoid interfering with equipment, personnel and activities at floor level.
US08434655B2	Crown fork supported bicycle carrier Disclosed is a bicycle carrier having a support mast, an elongate support member extending from the support mast, and a cradle disposed along the elongate support member. The cradle is for receiving a fork crown of a bicycle. The cradle includes first and second tines which form at least part of a substantially U-shaped structure, and a third tine extending angularly away from the U-shaped structure so as to allow the fork crown to be received between the U-shaped structure and the third tine. A head tube of the bicycle is disposed between the first and second tines. The third tine is disposed between fork tubes of the bicycle.
US08434653B2	Portable bedding system A portable bedding system including bedding attached to a bag having a carrying arrangement. The bedding includes a ground sheet attached to a weather proof top sheet that is folded over the ground sheet to form an enclosure for a user, and the bedding can be packed into the attached bag.
US08434647B2	Device for measuring and dispensing a prescribed amount of liquid The present invention discloses a device for measuring and dispensing a prescribed amount of liquid. The advantage of the present device is that a simple squeezing action not only reliably and precisely stores a prescribed volume of liquid (e.g., a liquid cooking ingredient, beverage (such as wine or liquor) but then subsequently upon an additional squeeze, discharges the stored liquid while refilling the dose chamber with another dose of the prescribed volume to be later discharged upon the next squeezing action. This eliminates the time consuming tasks of having to measure liquids with conventional measuring cups and the like and instead, the user simple initially adds liquid to the container and then places the cover and measuring and dispensing mechanism on top of the container prior to performed successive squeezing for loading and discharging the dose volume.
US08434644B1	Tube squeezer The present invention is directed to a two-handed tube squeezer for facilitating the expulsion of material from a collapsible container. In one embodiment, the tube squeezer includes a pair of frames that each has a handle portion and a tube engagement portion that supports a roller. The frames are connected by a hinge. When the frames are substantially parallel to one another, the handle and tube engagement portions all lie in a low profile plane. The handle portions also form a handle that is separated from the tube engagement portions. When a user is holding the handle with one hand and causing the rollers to squeeze a tube with the other hand, the hand that is holding the handle is separated from the tube engagement portions such that the squeezed portion of the tube is unlikely to come in contact with the hand that is gripping the handle.
US08434639B2	One piece, push button, flip top closure A push button, flip top closure for a container, includes a base portion, a push button actuator situated on the base portion and twistingly mounted thereon to pivotally rotate with respect to the base portion, a central cap having an orifice formed through the thickness thereof, the push button actuator at least partially surrounding the central cap, and a lid hingedly mounted to the base portion and positionable between at least a closed position to cover the orifice formed in the central cap and an open position to uncover the orifice formed in the central cap. The push button actuator selectively forces the lid to pivot to the open position to allow the contents of the container on which the closure is mounted to pass through the orifice in the central cap.
US08434638B2	Fracture tank A fracture tank for use in oil fields and the like that is readily adaptable for manipulation in hilly and muddy terrain by being pushed by a bulldozer or similar piece of equipment. The undercarriage of the fracture tank is encased tapered skid plates to enhance the support area, while accommodating the movement of muddy or loose soil therethrough, while the fracture tank is slid over the terrain. The formation of skid plates preclude the compacting of mud and dirt within the undercarriage as in the prior art. The fracture tank is further provided with a strengthened rear bumper assembly and wheel spring hangers to allow for forceful movement when the rear wheels of the tank are frozen or compacted with dirt and mud to a point that they are substantially immovable. The fracture tank is further provided with a purging system consisting of an inlet spray tubing and an outlet drainage. Additionally, tubing is provided for conveying heated gas within the interior of the tank and venting the same out of the top. The fracture tank further includes bumpers for the allowing ganging of tanks, and mesh-like pads atop the tanks for safe maneuvering of workers thereon.
US08434633B2	One-way valve for flexible package and package including a one-way valve A one-way valve and a flexible package including the valve are disclosed. The valve basically comprises a base member, a flexible septum and a stake. The base member is mounted on a wall of the package and includes a valve seat and at least one inlet port. The septum is formed of a resilient material and is connected to the base member by the stake, with a first portion of the septum contiguous with the stake fixed in position with respect to the base member and a second portion of the septum engaging the valve seat and covering and sealing the at least one inlet port. The septum is arranged to flex off of the valve seat to unseal the at least one inlet port when the pressure of gas at the at least one inlet port reaches a threshold.
US08434632B2	Meal trays Embodiments of the present invention provide stackable meal trays for use in transporting and heating meal casseroles in an induction oven.
US08434631B2	Rackable collapsible stackable unit A rackable, collapsible, and stackable unit including corner posts being foldable inwardly and downwardly, side bars connecting a pair of opposite corner posts, upper end bars connecting a pair of adjacent corner posts, lower end bars connecting the pair of adjacent upright corner posts, a core holder located on the upper end bars for retaining one end of a core, a plurality of hinges, one connected at each joint between each corner post and the side bars, and hinged support braces pivotally and diagonally connected between one of the corner posts and one of the side bars to hold the corner posts in an upright position when the unit is opened and which, in combination with the hinges, makes it possible to fold the corner posts inwardly and downwardly so as to lie substantially flat against the side bars.
US08434626B2	System and related method for concentrating biological culture and circulating biological culture and process fluid A system and related method for concentrating biological culture and circulating biological culture and process fluid is provided. The system includes a continuous flow separator that removes excess fluid from the culture medium, resulting in a “concentrated medium” of fluid. The concentrated medium is then passed along for further processing to capture the biomass. The overflow, i.e., the extracted fluid, from the continuous flow separator is reintroduced into the container in a manner to circulate the culture medium. Thus, energy from the concentration step is utilized to circulate the culture medium, alleviating the need for significant additional structure for circulating the culture medium. In this manner, the system grows and captures biological material in an energy and capital efficient manner.
US08434625B2	Clip rails for use with screening apparatus A clip rail comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The elongated body defines an upper recess configured to engage with one or more screen panels, the elongated body further defines a lower recess configured to engage a support member of a screening apparatus. Each of the first end and second end includes a two-platform structure, the two-platform structure configured to engage with another two-platform structure, wherein the first platform is offset from the second platform. Further, the first platform is adjacent to the second platform, and the second platform is laterally and vertically offset from the first platform, and the first platform is in a first plane and the second platform is in a second plane. The elongated body may further define first and second opposed, upper sidewalls extending upwardly along the length of the elongate body, the first and second opposed, upper sidewalls defining the upper recess, and first and second opposed, lower sidewalls extending downwardly along the length of the body, the opposed lower sidewalls defining the lower recess.
US08434623B2	Inorganic particles comprising an organic coating that can be hydrophilically/hydrophobically temperature controlled The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising the at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one selective hydrophobicizing agent in the presence of a suspension medium so that an adduct is formed from the at least one hydrophobicizing agent and the at least one first material but not with the at least one second material, (B) contacting of the adduct from step (A) with at least one magnetic particle which is functionalized on the surface with at least one polymeric compound having a transition temperature LCST (lower critical solution temperature) at a temperature at which the polymeric compound has hydrophobic character so that the adduct from step (A) and the at least one functionalized magnetic particle agglomerate, (C) if appropriate addition of further suspension medium to the mixture obtained in step (B), (D) separation of the agglomerate present in the suspension from step (B) or (C) from the suspension by application of a magnetic field, (E) dissociation of the agglomerate separated off in step (D) by setting of a temperature at which the polymeric compound has hydrophilic character in order to obtain the at least one first material.
US08434622B2	Article packaging unit [Object] To protect a large-sized article or a large number of articles from impacts and vibrations applied thereto during transportation.[Solution Means] An article packaging unit includes a combination of an outer box 1 and a packaging mat 2. The outer box 1 is an openable and closable container for storing articles, and has a cushion 4 for supporting an article P inside. The packaging mat 2 is formed by filling cushioning bodies in an airtight bag, and attached to an inner lid 3 attached to the outer box 1. When the inside of the packaging mat 2 is deaerated, the cushioning bodies increase the filling density, solidify the packaging mat 2, and come into close contact with the surface of an article P stored in the outer box 1 and hold the article P at a fixed position.
US08434621B2	Wiper blade packing case A wiper blade packing case including a plate-type lower panel; a plate-type upper panel; and a pair of covers, each of which has an elliptical cross-sectional surface corresponding to the cross-sectional surface of the receiving portion, and each of which is bent and extends from each of the shorter sides of the upper panel to close openings formed at both sides of the receiving portion.
US08434618B2	Shipping container A reusable shipping container adapted to resist damage to the feet of the container and to allow the fork straps to be replaced if the fork straps or the feet are damage. The container can also easily be adapted to accommodate the use of pallet jacks without reducing the capacity of the container or increasing the weight of the container. The container is also adapted to easily receive dunnage required to protect the material being shipped in the container.
US08434616B2	Sharps container The disclosure relates to volumetrically efficient systems for distributing, storing, and dispensing a number of medical or laboratory sharps with subsequent safe disposal of the used sharps. The systems comprise first and second sharps containers configured such that the combined containers, as well as contained sharps, may be shipped in a volume approximately equivalent to the volume of one of the containers.
US08434608B2	Centrifugal clutch A centrifugal clutch (1) has a clutch drum (2) and at least one centrifugal weight (6). The centrifugal weight (6) is arranged on a carrier (5) and is radially displaceable referred to the rotational axis (8) of the centrifugal clutch (1). At least one holder (7, 27) holds the centrifugal weight (6) in at least one axial direction of the rotational axis (8) on the carrier (5). The holder (7, 27) includes at least one guide surface (14, 34) with which the holder is guided in radial direction to the rotational axis (8). The guide surface (14, 34) extends parallelly and radially to the rotational axis (8) of the centrifugal clutch (1). The guide surface (14, 34) is configured in a planar region of the holder (7, 27) in order to obtain a long service life of the centrifugal clutch (1).
US08434607B2	Compact torque transmitting assembly A torque transmitting device for transmitting torque between a first and second members includes an annular piston that defines an axis and an apply plate translatable along the axis between an unengaged position and an engaged position. The apply plate has a first end disposed radially inward of a second end and is in contact with the piston. An apply disc is rotationally coupled to the first member and is translatable between unengaged and engaged positions. The apply disc is disposed radially outward of the piston. A backing disc is rotationally and axially fixed to the first member and disposed radially outward of the piston. A friction plate is disposed between the apply disc and the backing disc. The friction plate has a first end disposed radially inward of a second end and is rotationally coupled to the second member. The friction plate is disposed radially outward of the piston.
US08434604B2	Reversing transmission A reversing transmission includes a shaft, a retainer, a spacing collar, reversing members, two gears and two covers. The holder is sleeved on the shaft with spaced sliding notches formed thereon. The spacing collar is mounted on an outer surface of the retainer. The reversing members each include two spaced swing plates, with two reversed spiral teeth dented on two diagonal half surfaces of the two spaced swing plates. The reversing members slide into the sliding notches of the holder, with the two swing plates of each reversing member distributed at different sides of the spacing collar. Each of the gears has a group of spiral teeth formed on the inner side for engaging with the group of spiral teeth of the reversing members, and cogs formed on the outer circumference surface. The covers are mounted on two opposite ends of the holder to keep the reversing members in position.
US08434600B2	Damping device with adjustable variable damping characteristics, in particular for the damping of movable furniture parts Damping device for damping motion of movable furniture parts. A piston mounted in housing in longitudinally displaceable manner which, due lo displacement, forms two variable-size working chambers on opposite sides with damping medium. Via overflow-connection, throttled transfer of damping medium is possible between two working chambers. Piston plunger, fed selectively, is connected on one side of pislon. Via the outer end of piston plunger, the motion of the furniture part to be damped is transferred to the piston. On side of piston, an elongated adjustment shaft is connected to the piston plunger. Free end of plunger is fed in sealed manner out of front face lying opposite front face that is sealed on the piston plunger side. The end of adjustment shaft engages with a passage duct connecting two working chambers and forms a variable-sized throttle cross section in the passage duct, making adjusting motion of shaft relative to piston.
US08434599B2	Multiple car hoistway including car separation control A separation distance is maintained between a leading elevator car (14) and a trailing elevator car (12) traveling in the same direction in an elevator hoistway (16). A shortest stopping distance (dssl) of the leading elevator car (14) and a normal stopping distance (dnst) of the trailing elevator car (12) are determined. The separation distance (dsep) is controlled such that a difference between the normal stopping distance (dnst) of the trailing elevator car (12) and the shortest stopping distance (dssl) of the leading elevator car (14) is greater than or equal to a threshold distance (dthresh).
US08434597B2	Fitting cover A lubricant fitting cover for a zerk having a substantially planar body with a first side and a second side, the first side is capable of being removeably secured to the head of a grease fitting, the second side includes an indicator for providing information about the type of lubricant to be injected through the grease fitting.
US08434594B2	Rotating platform for observation, photography, and/or hunting A highly stable rotating platform with a base, a roller deck assembly on top of the base, and a shooting deck coupled to the roller deck via leg assemblies. The leg assemblies contain two vertical members with an angled cross member between the vertical members providing strength and stability. Bi-directional, unrestricted rotation of the roller deck assembly and shooting deck (in an unlimited number of degrees—e.g. multiple rotations) is accomplished by wheels in the roller deck which rotate around, and to the outside of, a safety guide attached to the base. The wheels may protrude through the top of the roller deck permitting the operator to precisely, easily, and smoothly rotate the roller deck and shooting deck by only moving his/her foot on the protruding wheel thereby not substantially changing their position relative to the shooting deck. The wheels may also be cambered and/or crowned to add lateral stiffness.
US08434588B2	Exhaust device for vehicle internal combustion engine In a exhaust device for an vehicle internal combustion engine, an exhaust pipe (20) of an engine (11) branches at a branching point (B) into a downstream-side first branch pipe (32) and a downstream-side second branch pipe (33). A first silencer (36) is attached to the first branch pipe (32), and a second silencer (37) is attached to the second branch pipe (33). The first branch pipe (32) and the second branch pipe (33) are different in at least one of bending rigidity and mass so that when the first branch pipe (32) and the second branch pipe (33) are vibrated in a specific vibration frequency range, vibrations of the two branch pipes (32, 33) cancel out each other at the branching point (B).
US08434587B2	Tubular body soundproof cover and covered tubular body A purpose is to provide a tubular body soundproof cover and a covered tubular body, for which elastic deformation of the tubular body is unlikely to be inhibited. The tubular body soundproof cover includes a sound absorbing layer arranged on outside in an axially perpendicular direction of a tubular body having tubular body side curved sections; a skin layer arranged on outside in the axially perpendicular direction of the sound absorbing layer; and cover side curved sections arranged on outside in the axially perpendicular direction of the tubular body side curved sections, including at least a portion of the sound absorbing layer and at least a portion of the skin layer. The cover side curved sections have non-adherent sections in which the sound absorbing layer and the skin layer are not bonded over the entire circumferential length.
US08434585B2	Electric power steering system and vehicle steering system Provided are an electric power steering system and a vehicle steering system each including rack-and-pinion mechanisms (14A, 14B). A rack shaft (3) has a first rack (7A) and a second rack (7B) that are formed on the axially opposite sides of the axial center of the rack shaft (3). The first rack (7A) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, the second rack (7B) has a regular pitch p between rack teeth, and these pitches p are equal to each other. A predetermined difference is set between the phase of gear teeth engagement between a first pinion shaft (8A) and the first rack (7A), which constitute the first rack-and-pinion mechanism (14A), and the phase of gear teeth engagement between a second pinion shaft (8B) and the second rack (7B), which constitute the second rack-and-pinion mechanism (14B).
US08434584B2	Synchronous machine The invention relates to an electric machine (1) comprising: —a rotor (4) having 14 rotor poles (8) which is arranged rotatably about a central axis and—a stator (2) having 12 stator teeth (3) which project in a radial direction relative to the central axis from the stator (2) in the direction of the rotor (4), characterized in that each of the stator teeth (3) is surrounded by a stator coil (9) which surrounds only one of the stator teeth.
US08434583B2	Electric power steering system An electric power assisted steering system comprises a torque sensor, a motor connected to a part of the steering system to provide motor torque to the steering system and a motor controller which is adapted to receive an output signal from the torque sensor and to generate a motor torque demand signal indicative of the torque to be applied by the motor to the steering system. The motor torque demand signal comprises a driver demand component dependent upon the torque applied by the driver; and a diagnostic component independent of the torque applied by the driver and which varies in value over time in a predetermined manner. The system further comprises a monitor that correlates the diagnostic component with the output signal and generates a signal indicating that the output signal is faulty if the correlation falls outside of a predefined range.
US08434582B2	All wheel drive system A drive system and an interconnection unit are provided for an all wheel drive vehicle. The drive system includes, but is not limited to a power take-off unit, a propshaft and a rear drive module. The power take-off unit being adapted to be attached to a vehicle's powertrain, and the propshaft being adapted to transmit drive to the rear drive module. The propshaft and the power take-off unit are connected by a joint for transmitting drive force from the power take-off unit to the propshaft, and the joint between the power take-off unit and the propshaft includes, but is not limited to a female-male engagement. The female and male engagement portions are non-rotatable in relation to each other when the joint is engaged.
US08434579B2	Air separator and air separator with ducting for maximum cooling and fuel economy An assembly is provided for maximizing cooling and fuel economy. A grille opening in the vehicle allows air to flow toward the engine compartment along a first path and a bottom breather opening allows air to flow toward the engine compartment along a distinct, second path. An air separator extends between the first and second paths to prevent mixing of airflow along these paths. The air separator may be a thin dividing wall of a deformable material that extends toward a condenser/radiator assembly at low vehicle speeds. At increased vehicle speeds, the deformable portion deflects to enhance airflow along the second path. An associated method of controlling airflow includes terminating the air separator closely adjacent a condenser/radiator assembly to limit mixing of airflow along separate paths, and deflecting in response to increased air flow to alter airflow through at least one of the first and second paths.
US08434578B2	Power storage device for hybrid or electric motor vehicles, and associated electric power management method The invention essentially relates to an electric power storage device (1) for hybrid or electric motor vehicles, comprising: a high voltage power supply bus (2) to be connected to an electric traction system (7) and/or to an onboard electric power system, and a first electric power storage element (3) connected to said power supply bus (2). According to the invention, a second storage element (4) is connected to the bus (2) via an electric coupling member (5), said second storage element (4) being connected to the bus (2) in parallel relative to the first storage element (3). One of the two storage elements (3, 4) includes an electrochemical battery, while the other storage element (3, 4) includes an ultracapacitor.
US08434573B2	Degradation assembly In one aspect of the invention, a tool has a working portion with at least one impact tip brazed to a carbide extension. The carbide extension has a cavity formed in a base end and is adapted to interlock with a shank assembly of the cutting element assembly. The shank assembly has a locking mechanism adapted to interlock a first end of the shank assembly within the cavity. The locking mechanism has a radially extending catch formed in the first end of the shank assembly. The shank assembly has an outer surface at a second end of the shank assembly adapted to be press-fitted within a recess of a driving mechanism. The outer surface of the shank assembly has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 110 percent or more than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the driving mechanism.
US08434571B2	Securement of lines to downhole well tools Apparatus and methods for securement of lines to downhole well tools. A method of securing one or more lines to a well tool includes the steps of: installing the one or more lines in a groove formed longitudinally along an outer surface of the well tool, the groove having a width at the outer surface of the well tool which is narrower than a width of the groove at a position radially inward relative to the outer surface; and securing the one or more lines in the groove. A well tool includes a groove formed longitudinally along an outer surface of an outer housing of the well tool. The groove has a width at the outer surface of the well tool which is narrower than a width of the groove at a position radially inward relative to the outer surface. One or more lines are secured in the groove.
US08434570B2	Drill packer member, drill pipe, and corresponding drill pipe string An element for a drill string includes at least one zone bearing on a wall of the drilled hole, the bearing zone including at least one bearing section with an external diameter greater than the diameter of the other portions of the element, and two activation zones substantially adjacent to the bearing zone and disposed upstream and downstream of the bearing zone. The activation zones include a plurality of grooves with a generally helical shape about the axis of the element. The bearing zone includes two guide sections in a shape of a convex rounded body of revolution, disposed upstream and downstream of the bearing section in a manner adjacent to the bearing section, and tangential to the bearing section and to the activation zones.
US08434567B2	Borehole drilling apparatus, systems, and methods Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to couple a tubular member to a bottom hole assembly, dispose at least one adjustable stabilizing member on the tubular member, and control at least one of a radial extension of the adjustable stabilizing member and an axial position of the adjustable stabilizing member relative to the bottom hole assembly to adjust a borehole trajectory, wherein the adjustable stabilizing member is adjustable in both radial and axial directions. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08434564B2	Power tool A power tool having a drive component and a housing. In one form, the drive component can be a transmission having a planetary stage with planet gears rotatably mounted on pins of a planet carrier. The pins are spaced circumferentially around the planet carrier such that each pair of adjacent pins is spaced apart by a spacing angle. At least two different spacing angles are employed. In another form, the drive component is selected from at least one of a motor, a transmission and a clutch and the housing is configured with first and second housing components and at least one set of mating conically-shaped features that can cooperate to align the housing components to an axis.
US08434558B2	System and method for containing borehole fluid A device for containing fluid flow from a borehole includes: a containment assembly including a body having a cavity configured to receive a leaking portion of a borehole termination structure extending from the borehole and surround the leaking portion, the cavity configured to be adapted to at least partially conform to a shape of at least one of the leaking portion and the borehole termination structure; and a flow control assembly configured to connect a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the containment assembly and direct downhole fluid into the fluid conduit.
US08434552B2	Squeeze composition for restoring isolation Compositions containing an alkali swelling polymer and a pH buffer with a pH between 3 and 7 may be used to treat a wellbore. The pH buffer prevents the swelling of the alkali swellable polymer. The compositions may be placed in the wellbore, whereupon they contact another material with pH increasing properties. The pH of the compositions increases, causing the compositions to swell and form a seal. The alkali swelling polymer may be an alkali swelling latex.
US08434551B2	Method of controlling growth and heat loss of an in situ gravity draining chamber formed with a condensing solvent process A solvent based gravity drainage process whereby the vertical growth rate of the chamber is restricted by placing, monitoring and managing a buoyant gas blanket at the top of the vapor chamber. The process reduces the heat loss to the overburden as well as providing a means to preserve a barrier layer of bitumen saturated reservoir sand at the top of the pay zone in reservoirs where there is limited or no confining layer present.
US08434548B2	Quick-change drum assembly A system for removably mounting a drum to a winch assembly comprises a drum assembly, a frame defining at least a portion of a mounting base for the drum, at least one connector for connecting the drum assembly to the mounting base, a lifting apparatus releasably attached to the drum assembly, and at least one guide member releasably attached to the frame and engaging with the lifting apparatus for directing the drum assembly away from the frame when the drum assembly is removed therefrom.
US08434547B2	Electronic apparatus An electronic apparatus includes a heat sink for mounting a heating element, a cooling fan for supplying an airstream to the heat sink, and a housing for storing the heat sink and the cooling fan. The housing and the heat sink are equipped with a projection engaged with a hole of a flange of the cooling fan, and the cooling fan is sandwiched by the housing and the heat sink.
US08434540B2	Configurable modular labeling machine and methods of making same There is disclosed a configurable modular labeling machine and a method of making same. The machine can be selectively assembled in a number of different configurations. The machine has a frame or housing that can mount selectively positionable applicator and rewind modules. The applicator module includes a plate that can carry direction-changing and feed rolls and can mount a dispensing mechanism. The rewind module can include a plate that can mount direction-changing rolls and a rewind.
US08434535B2	Pneumatic tire with tread having circumferential auxiliary grooves A pneumatic tire 10 in which a plurality of circumferential main grooves 11 that extend in the tire circumferential direction are formed in a tread surface portion, and a plurality of land portion rows 14 are partitioned by the circumferential main grooves 11, in which in at least one of the plurality of the land portion rows 14 a circumferential auxiliary groove 15 extending in the tire circumferential direction and having a narrower width and shallower depth than those of the circumferential main grooves 11 is formed in a position avoiding the tire centerline CL, and among both side faces 15a and 15b defining the circumferential auxiliary groove 15, one side face on the tire centerline side extends along the normal direction of the tread surface portion or is inclined to the tire centerline side by 5° or less with respect to the normal direction, and the other side face on the side opposite to the tire centerline side is inclined to the side opposite to the tire centerline side by 10° to 30° with respect to the normal direction. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to improve the turning performance on snowy roads without decreasing the steering stability or quietness during travel on a dry road surface.
US08434533B2	Optimized load-bearing structure for bearing support and optimized bearing support A load-bearing structure for a bearing support intended to be mounted on a rim inside a tire fitted on a vehicle to support the tread of the tire in the event of a loss of inflation pressure is provided. The load-bearing structure includes a base, a crown, and an annular body connecting the base and the crown. The body includes a plurality of partitions distributed regularly circumferentially, extending axially substantially from one side to the other of the body and radially from the base to the crown with a mean orientation relative to the radial direction of between 10 and 50 degrees, in that two circumferentially adjacent partitions exhibit contrary orientations relative to the radial direction and in that two adjacent partitions define with the base and/or the crown cavities in the form of triangles or trapezoids.
US08434526B1	Pliable-wall air ducts with suspended frames Pliable-wall air ducts with suspended frames are disclosed herein. An example air duct system includes an air duct having a pliable sidewall to extend in a longitudinal direction, the pliable sidewall having a total weight and a framework to be disposed within the air duct. The framework includes a shaft extending in the longitudinal direction, a rib to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a plurality of spokes connecting the rib to the shaft. The example air duct system includes one or more hangers comprising an elongate member having an upper section and a lower section. The lower section to extend through a corresponding opening defined by the pliable side wall and to be coupled to the framework. Most of the total weight of the pliable sidewall is to be carried by the framework.
US08434522B2	Fluid control apparatus There is provided a fluid control apparatus which can reduce the number of members and can improve the assembling operation efficiency.A pressure indication device 4 to be replaced with a relatively-higher frequency is coupled to a base block 5 existing thereunder through male screw members 17 from above. An on-off valve 6 to be replaced with a relatively-lower frequency has, at its lower portion, a block-shaped main body 6a formed integrally therewith. The main body 6a of the on-off valve 6 is coupled to the base block 5 through male screw members 18 in the forward and rearward directions.
US08434518B2	Control valve The control valve has a body; a supply port, an output port, and a discharge port; a first pressure-sensing device; the valve body having a first valve section surface that forms a first valve seat surface; a valve seat body having a second valve seat surface that forms the second valve section surface; a second pressure-sensing device; and a solenoid section. The first effective pressure-receiving area, the first pressure-receiving area on the inner side of a portion where the first valve seat surface and the first valve section surface are in contact with each other, and the second pressure-receiving area on the inner side of a portion where the second valve seat surface and the second valve section surface are in contact with each other are set to be substantially the same, and the second effective pressure-receiving area is set greater than the first effective pressure-receiving area.
US08434516B2	Three position solenoid valve A cartridge valve comprises an elongate housing defining an interior chamber. A port end of the chamber comprises an end port and a plurality of axially spaced side openings define first, second and third side ports. An axial opposite end comprises a sleeve end receivable in a solenoid, in use, and a spring chamber intermediate the port end and the sleeve end. A valve member is movable in the chamber at the port end between a neutral position and opposite first and second actuated positions for selectively controlling fluid flow between the end port and the side ports. A solenoid plunger is movable in the sleeve end of the interior chamber. First and second springs in the spring chamber effectively provide a bias force to the valve member for creating a non-symmetrical force pattern for push and pull movement of the valve member.
US08434513B2	Valve cartridge with low point of contact for installation A one-handle valve cartridge has a low point of contact for installing the valve cartridge in a valve body. A retention nut bears down on the low point of contact to secure the valve cartridge in the valve body.
US08434512B2	Rotating disc diluter for fluid flows A rotating disc diluter (1) has a rotatable rotary element (4) which carries surface-accessible transfer volumes (9, 10) which along their common path of movement alternately glide over feed and discharge ports (11-18) for an undiluted fluid flow on the one hand and for a dilution fluid flow on the other hand. For the simple widening of the usable dilution rate range, the rotary element (4) has at least two rows of transfer volumes (9, 10) on different paths of movement, the associated feed ports (11-14) of which for the undiluted fluid flow and/or for the dilution fluid flow can be separately controlled.
US08434509B2	Tank for containing liquids The present invention relates to a tank for the containment of a liquid, preferably a molten salt, said tank being associable to an aspiration pump of said liquid, wherein said tank comprises a bottom from which a lateral wall raises and wherein said aspiration pump requires a minimum level of liquid in said tank for operating, characterized in that it comprises at least an element occupying a volume and placeable inside said tank with at least a portion of said volume arranged at a height, with respect to said bottom, which is lower than said minimum level. The improved tanks of the present invention are suitable as storage tanks for liquids at elevated temperature such as molten salts to be used in heat storage systems in connection with solar power plants.
US08434506B2	Flow control valve and method for manufacturing the same A flow control valve in which corrosion is less likely to occur in the vicinity of a radial step portion in a gas passage of a housing and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A flow control valve includes: a housing formed with a gas passage including a first cylinder member accommodating portion, a second cylinder member accommodating portion, and a radial step portion; a first cylinder member accommodated in the first cylinder member accommodating portion; a second cylinder member accommodated in the second cylinder member accommodating portion; and a valve body that is rotatably arranged inside the first cylinder member and the second cylinder member in the radial direction. The housing is formed of cast iron. At least surfaces of the first cylinder member and the second cylinder member are formed of a highly corrosion resistant material. At least one of a first axial end surface and a second axial end surface includes an opposing portion that opposes the radial step portion in the axial direction. A gas seal structure is arranged between the opposing portion and the radial step portion.
US08434505B2	Secondary reaction quench device and method of use In this disclosure, a reactor system is described. The reaction system comprises (a) a reaction vessel having an inner wall, wherein said reaction vessel is configured to receive reactants and export products and byproducts; (b) a primary quench device (PQD) configured to receive a coolant and disperse said coolant into said reaction vessel; and (c) a secondary quench device (SQD) configured to receive a coolant and disperse said coolant into said reaction vessel; wherein said PQD comprises an array of spray nozzles fixed on the inner wall of said reaction vessel at a first axial position; and wherein said SQD comprises (1) an axially movable pipe having a coolant entry end and a nozzle end, wherein said pipe is configured to be removably fixed inside said reaction vessel; and (2) a spray nozzle that is fluidly connected to said pipe at its nozzle end via a fluid tight seal connection.
US08434502B2	Caustic recovery system for C.I.P. cleaning system A caustic recovery arrangement for a clean-in-place system permits recovery of the caustic solution used for cleaning sanitary liquid-food processing equipment. A recovery tank receives the caustic aqueous solution and entrained solids. The caustic recovery tank has an upper barrel portion and a lower conic portion. The caustic solution remains in the recovery tank for about eight hours to allow the solids to settle out into the conic portion. A solution drain conduit at a lower end of the barrel portion connects to a caustic recovery line with a pump that feeds the recovered solution back to a main caustic supply tank. A solids drain conduit leads from an outlet at the bottom end of the conic portion of the caustic recovery tank to a solids receptacle so that the solids can be recovered for use, e.g., as animal feed or as fertilizer.
US08434499B2	Filter design for improving sensory profile of carbon filter-tipped smoking articles A filter for a smoking article, which includes an upstream segment having a carbon filter and a downstream segment of filtering material. The upstream segment includes a carbon filter with a hollow tubular member concentrically positioned within the carbon filter, and one or more holes around an outer circumference of the hollow tubular member to allow mainstream smoke to bypass the carbon filter during the first puff. During use, the hollow tubular member has a lower resistance to draw than the carbon filter during an initial puff or puffs, and after the initial puff or puffs, mainstream smoke is drawn through the carbon filter.
US08434497B2	Package for cigarettes of different sizes and/or brands A cigarette pack capable of carrying different-sized and different-branded cigarettes is disclosed. The cigarette pack may consist of a first portion, a second portion hingedly coupled to the first portion, and a top portion hingedly coupled to a sliding portion slidably disposed within the second portion. The cigarette pack may also include sleeves disposed within the first portion and second portion and configured to support cigarettes within the sleeve. The cigarette pack may also include a platform for supporting cigarettes within either of said portions.
US08434496B2	Thermal treatment process for tobacco materials A method of thermally processing a tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof, to form a moist tobacco mixture; (ii) heating the moist tobacco mixture at a temperature of at least about 60° C. to form a heat-treated tobacco mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated tobacco mixture into a tobacco product. Heat-treated tobacco composition prepared according to the method are also provided, such as heat-treated smokeless tobacco composition comprising a tobacco material, water, flavorant, binder, and filler, the heat-treated smokeless tobacco composition having an acrylamide content of less than about 2000 ppb.
US08434493B1	Adjustable mouth shield device The adjustable mouth shield device provides an adjustably fitted mouth shield with adjustable headband for secure fit. The adjustable headband is fastened to the padded earpiece. The straight first extension from the earpiece is angled downwardly and forwardly to terminate in a swivel joint providing almost 360 degrees of swivel. The second extension is arced both downwardly and forwardly. The u-shaped mouthpiece is fitted to the adjustable spring mount for horizontal pivot of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may, by virtue of the swivel joint and the spring mount, be moved completely away from a user's mouth and, in turn, pivoted and swiveled to be directly in front of the user's mouth. The inward curves at the distal end of the mouthpiece aid in sliding on the disposable pads that shield a user from objects, foods and other materials.
US08434489B2	Contraceptive devices and methods Contraceptive devices that provide substantially immediate and permanent sterilization are described herein. Systems and methods for transcervically delivering the contraceptive devices are also described herein. The contraceptive device may include an expandable implant. The implant includes hydrogel to provide substantially immediate sterilization, and tissue in-growth fibers to provide permanent sterilization. As an alternative or in combination to hydrogel, the implant may include copper or cupric ions to provide substantially immediate sterilization. The implant may also include hydrogel to improve trackability of the implant through an ovarian pathway.
US08434488B2	Endotracheal tube with dedicated evacuation port Various embodiments of a tracheal tube capable of suctioning accumulated mucus secretions from the airway of intubated patients are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a variety of endrotracheal tubes with integral suction lumens terminating in ports optimally located at the distal end of the endrotracheal tubes between a Murphy's Eye and a cuff. During intubation, the foregoing features, among others, of the tracheal tube may have the effect of preventing bacterial colonization of the respiratory airway and the subsequent development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the lungs.
US08434486B2	Supraglottic fixation device for endotracheal tubes According to various embodiments, an endotracheal tube ventilating device with a sealing cuff includes an anchoring device. The anchoring device may be secured to the tube above the sealing cuff and extend outwardly from the tubular body. In addition, the anchoring device may be configured to be positioned completely within the hypopharynx of a patient, in contact with the piriform fossa and a laryngeal surface of the epiglottis without creating an airtight seal of the hypopharynx or the esophagus.
US08434481B2	Ventilator respiratory gas accumulator with dip tube This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator for storing a gas mixture. The disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator located away from the flow path that reduces or eliminates pockets or burps of an undesirable gas mixture from entering the gas flow path and reaching the patient after a gas mixture change. The disclosure also describes a novel approach for reducing or eliminating these air pockets of undesirable gas by utilizing a dip-tube.
US08434480B2	Ventilator leak compensation A ventilator including a pneumatic system for providing and receiving breathing gas, and a controller operatively coupled with the pneumatic system. The controller is operable to control circulation by the pneumatic system of breathing gas to and from a patient, and to adjust at least one of a volume and pressure of breathing gas delivered to the patient, such adjustment being based upon elastic properties of a component used to fluidly couple the pneumatic system to a patient.
US08434476B2	Dispenser for pulverulent substances The invention relates to a dispenser (1) for pulverulent substances (30), in particular medicaments, from a blister pack (25), dome-shaped cavities (26) of which that are disposed on a base layer (28) can, by movement in a dispenser housing (4), be brought step by step into an emptying position, in which they can be opened by means of a needle (31) and can be emptied by a suction air stream (a) leading to a mouthpiece (6). To achieve optimum emptying of the cavities, it is proposed that the needle (31) passes crosswise through both lateral walls of the dome (29) of the cavities (preferably parallel to the base layer 28) in order to form a through path to the mouthpiece for suction air.
US08434468B2	Wire saw apparatus A wire saw apparatus having: a wire wound around grooved rollers and axially travels in a reciprocating direction; a nozzle for supplying a slurry; and a work-feeding mechanism feeding a work toward the wire, and slicing into wafers by pressing and feeding the work against the wire traveling in a reciprocating direction while a slurry is supplied to the wire through the nozzle. A work-holding portion holds the work through a pad plate adhered to the work and a work plate, plate-shaped or block-shaped slurry-splash-blocking members are arranged in the direction of a right angle to a row of the wire wound around the grooved rollers below the work-holding portion and on both the wire cut-in side and a wire cut-out side.
US08434466B2	Bow hunting attachment for use in hunting alligators A bow hunting attachment is provided that includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to a bow. A spool is attached to the mounting bracket and has an outer surface a portion of which is configured for having a line wrapped thereon. A keeper is present and is configured for retaining the line onto the outer surface of the spool and is resilient so as to be capable of being displaced to allow the line to be removed from the outer surface of the spool upon firing of an arrow and pulling of the line that is attached to the arrow.
US08434465B2	Blowback assembly A blowback assembly for an airgun includes a valve body and a valve stem disposed within and movable with respect to the valve body. The valve stem has a stepped outer profile and the valve body defines a passageway having a stepped inner profile. The valve stem is normally biased against the valve body to form a seal containing a compressed gas in a valve stem chamber forming part of the passageway of the valve body. When the valve stem is moved from the normal position, compressed gas is expelled from the valve stem chamber to cock the airgun and to fire a projectile from the airgun.
US08434458B2	Timing transmission mechanism in engine A timing transmission mechanism (T2) in an engine is formed of a chain transmission system (C) that is formed from a drive sprocket (20) mounted on a crankshaft (4), a driven sprocket (25) mounted on a pump input shaft (24) of a high pressure fuel pump (P), and a chain (22) wound around the drive sprocket (20) and the driven sprocket (25); and a gear transmission system (G) that is formed from a drive gear (26) mounted on the pump input shaft (24) coaxially with the driven sprocket (25) and a driven gear (27) mounted on a camshaft (13b) and meshing with the drive gear (26). This enables a timing transmission mechanism to be provided that can increase the degree of freedom in layout of the high pressure fuel pump without causing any increase in the number of components, the weight, or the backlash.
US08434457B2	System and method for cooling fuel injectors Various fuel injection systems and fuel injectors are disclosed that provide varying cooling rates for fuel injectors connected in series to fuel supply and drain rail. The local cooling rate for each injector is manipulated to balance the heat flux or heat transfer across the injectors disposed along the rail. The cooling rates may be manipulated by varying sizes of openings or slots in the nozzle case, by varying annular spaces disposed between the nozzle case and the portion of the injector body that houses the actuator and solenoid assembly, and by varying the size of annular spaces disposed between the nozzle case and the cylinder head. Strategic placement of slots in the nozzle case that direct more flow at the portion of the injector body that houses the actuator and solenoid assembly may also be employed. As a result, the operating temperatures of fuel injectors connected in series to a fuel rail can be manipulated and moderated so the downstream injectors are not prone to overheating.
US08434452B2	Control device for internal combustion engine A control device for an internal combustion engine according to the present embodiment, includes: cooling units 40L and 40R arranged on a path where a coolant is circulated, and cooling an exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine with the coolant flowing through the cooling units 40L and 40R; and ECUs 7L and 7R estimating a heat quantity of the exhaust gas, and deciding whether or not to prohibit an idle reduction control in response to the estimated heat quantity of the exhaust gas.
US08434451B2	Engine brake unit having combined oil passage An engine brake unit, may include a rocker shaft having an oil passage to open or close an exhaust valve when an engine braking is in operation, an exhaust rocker arm rotatable about the rocker shaft inserted into the exhaust rocker arm, wherein the exhaust rocker arm includes a supply oil passage communicating with the oil passage and the outside, and a recess connected to the supply oil passage and having an open lower portion, an actuator disposed in the recess of the exhaust rocker arm, wherein the actuator includes a piston that selectively moves downwards through the open lower portion of the recess by oil supplied from the supply oil passage to press the exhaust rocker arm while oil pressure in the oil passage has a predetermined pressure or more, and an oil control valve connected to the oil passage of the rocker shaft and controlling the oil pressure.
US08434447B2	Double-plenum inlet manifold and vehicle incorporating such a manifold This invention relates to a double-plenum or double-chamber inlet manifold or splitter, made up of a structural unit comprising two distinct coupled plenums with a common wall, an inlet opening for each of the two plenums and several pipes through each of the said plenums, the said superimposed plenums having substantially flattened general structures and forming, with their respectively connected inlet openings and pipes, two independent circulation circuits running from the entrance at the inlet openings to the outlet at the external openings of the pipes, the said external or outlet openings of the pipes being grouped in pairs, with each pair having an opening of each of the two types of pipes; the manifold comprises two one-piece parts assembled together, in a gas-tight manner, at the continuous assembly areas, a first part incorporating at least the two inlet openings and first portions of the walls of the two plenums, contiguous to the said openings and the second part incorporating the pipes and second portions of the walls of the two plenums, contiguous to the said pipes and complementary to the above-mentioned first portions.
US08434445B2	Engine with an automatic choke and method of operating an automatic choke for an engine An engine including an automatic choke that includes a choke valve movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a temperature sensor coupled to the engine and operable to provide a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the engine, and a motor connected to the choke valve and operable to move the choke valve in response to a motor control signal. A controller is electrically connected to the motor and to the temperature sensor. The controller includes an electronic circuit having a memory. A table includes engine specific choke position data stored in memory, wherein the controller determines a choke initial position based on the temperature of the engine and the choke position data, and wherein the motor moves the choke valve toward that position in response to an attempt to start the engine.
US08434441B2	Joining device for an actuating lever and supporting element of a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine A connecting device for the pivotal and loss-prevention joining of an actuating lever (1) and a support element (6) of a valve operating mechanism of a combustion engine. The actuating lever (1) has, in a supporting section (3), a spherical cap-shaped cavity (5) inside of which the spherical end (7) of the supporting element (6) may be placed. A recess and/or undercut (8) is formed underneath the spherical end (7) in the supporting element (6). The actuating lever (1) has, in the supporting section (3), a spherical upper surface (4) above the spherical cap-shaped cavity (5). A securing element (9) joins the actuating lever (1) and the supporting element (6) to one another. This securing element (9) has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape with an upper and a lower limb (10, 11) that are joined to one another via a joining section (12). Geometrically closed openings (13, 14) for accommodating the recess (8) of the supporting element (6) or the spherical upper surface (4) of the supporting section (3) of the actuating lever (1) are made in both limbs (10, 11). The opening (13) in the upper limb (10) is essentially round, and the opening (14), which is located in the lower limb (11) while being assigned to the supporting element (6), is provided, in essence, in the form of a slot.
US08434437B2	Valve drive system A valve drive system (1) having a support element (2) and a switchable cam follower (3) that is linked on this support element in an articulated way is provided. The cam follower (3) is made from an outer lever (4) between whose arms (5) runs an inner lever (6), wherein at least the outer lever (4) is provided on its top side (7) with a contact surface (8) for a lifting cam, n the inner lever (6) has, on a bottom side (9) on a first end (10), a contact (11) for a gas-exchange valve and at least on the other end (12) two side walls (13) that are spaced apart and in which extend opposing boreholes (14). The side walls (13) are bridged by a tubular axle piece (15) that sits in the boreholes (14) and in whose opening (16) run two diametrically opposed coupling pistons (17). The axle piece (15) sits between the side walls (13) in a cross borehole (18) of a head (19) of the support element (2), and in the region of the first end (10), the levers (4, 6) sit on a common swivel pin (20) and the arms (5) of the outer lever (4) have, on the other end (12), a catch surface (21) for the coupling pistons (17) that can be brought out from its opening (16) in engagement with the catch surface (21) section-wise in the coupled state, such that a large valve stroke is realized, and for decoupling, a comparatively smaller valve stroke is presented. The outer lever (4) is forced back by a restoring spring (22) from its pivot mode.
US08434434B2	Crankcase blow-by gas treatment assembly and method of treating blow-by gas A blow-by treatment assembly (10) for a vehicle having an engine (22) emitting blow-by gas (18) includes a duct (16) for receiving blow-by gas from the engine. A catalyst trap (14) is disposed in fluid communication with the duct (16). The catalyst trap (14) removes hydrocarbon emissions from the blow-by gas (18). A pump (12) pumps the blow-by gas (18) through the catalyst trap (14). An outlet (32) is in fluid communication with the catalyst trap (14) for emitting the blow-by gas to either the ambient or to a tailpipe.
US08434431B2	Control for alcohol/water/gasoline injection A system for controlling an engine is described. In one example, fuel and a fluid are delivered to the engine cylinder, the fluid including at least some water. The amount of fuel and fluid delivered is adjusted in different ratios as a condition varies to address both pre-ignition and knock.
US08434430B2	In-bed solids control valve A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler comprising a reaction chamber. A bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) is contained within an enclosure within the lower portion of the reaction chamber and contains an in-bed heat exchanger (IBHX) that occupies part of the reaction chamber floor. At least one non-mechanical valve, which includes an opening between the CFB and BFB and independently controlled fluidizing means located both upstream and downstream of the opening, is used to control the heat transfer to the IBHX by controlling the solids discharge from the BFB to the CFB. The elevation of the bottom of the opening is at or above the elevation of the fluidizing means. A flow control barrier may be located downstream of the opening.
US08434425B2	Bird feeder A squirrel resistant bird feeder which comprises a seed container, a seed tray mounted below the seed container, a shroud enclosing the seed container and seed tray with at least one feed opening in a lower portion of the shroud, a cover member extending over the shroud, a central tube extending between the seed tray and an upper portion of the seed container, a center post within the center tube, and a plunger comprising an upper plunger portion and a lower plunger portion, the upper plunger portion and lower portion being screwthreadedly engaged such that the length may be varied, a spring member mounted about the center post and biasing the seed tray and the lower plunger portion.
US08434424B2	Method and milking station for milking animals A method for milking animals in a milking station (9) including a milking machine (14) for milking said animals, and a first feeding device (21) for feeding said animals intermittently or continuously with feed, is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of allowing a milking animal to enter the milking station (9); feeding the milking animal in the milking station intermittently or continuously with feed by means of the first feeding device (21); and milking the milking animal in the milking station (9) by means of the milking machine (14). According to the present invention, the feeding of the milking animal is terminated at a non-final stage of the milking in order to secure that the milking animal has terminated to consume the feed when the milking is finished.
US08434418B2	Means for alignment and engagement of an embroidery frame An apparatus and method for engaging a frame to a frame driving mechanism in a sewing machine. The mating alignment feature allows engagement of the embroidery frame to the apparatus where the frame engagement mechanism is at least partially obscured.
US08434417B2	Soil shaping system for precision ground engaging implement In an embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a frame configured to couple to a tool bar, a parallel linkage coupled to the frame and a ground engaging tool extending from a shank, where the shank is coupled to the parallel linkage. The agricultural implement also includes a packer wheel configured to control a depth of a valley opened in a soil region by the ground engaging tool and is configured to pack the soil region as the implement is towed through a field and a soil shaping assembly disposed between the ground engaging tool and the packer wheel, wherein the soil shaping assembly is configured to close the valley prior to packing by the packer wheel.
US08434416B2	Variable geometry meter roller An agricultural metering device with a variable geometry meter roller is provided. The agricultural metering device includes a meter roller having a plurality of flutes. An aggregate cross sectional area of the flutes increases along a longitudinal axis of the meter roller.
US08434415B1	Deployable furniture table Disclosed is a combination furniture article and table support. The device comprises an article of furniture having an upstanding seatback and a flush-mounted frame therealong. The frame supports a hingeable tabletop that is flush with the seatback when in a stowed state. When deployed, the table is pulled away from the frame, rotated outward and secured within a cavity along the upper interior portion of the frame. This cavity secures over the upper edge of the table and supports the table in a horizontal configuration. The preferred embodiment utilizes a spring and damper element to draw the table into the cavity; however several embodiments are contemplated. The lower underside of the table includes a magnet or ferric material that aligns with a magnet within the lower portion of the frame to retain the table within the frame when stowed.
US08434409B2	Projectile for use in a barrel with a plurality of stacked projectiles A projectile for use in a barrel with stacked projectiles, particularly for a weapon which can be reloaded by a user in the field. The projectile comprises a tail assembly. The tail assembly comprises a casing and a closure in the tail assembly, the casing and closure forming a chamber containing a propellant charge, an exit from the casing for release of propellant gases into the barrel when the propellant is ignited to launch the projectile from the barrel, the closure closing the exit, wherein the closure is opened by ignition of the propellant within the chamber, a primer in a leading end of the casing, an inductor around the casing, and a signal detector at a leading end of the casing and inductor, wherein the signal detector triggers the primer and the signal detector receives a signal output from the inductor to trigger the primer.
US08434396B1	Armor arrangement A ballistic tile for use in an imbricated pattern of like ballistic tiles to achieve coverage of a protected area by the imbricated pattern, while having rounded corners to limit the potential for spalling on ballistic impact. The ballistic tile may include a strike face that is generally undulating to laterally deflect at least a portion of the impact force, and to induce turning of the ballistic projectile on impact to further distribute the impact force. The ballistic tile may also include one or more features on an obverse and reverse side thereof that, when arranged in an imbricated pattern, limit lateral motion of the tiles on ballistic impact, and/or laterally transmit the energy of the projectile for deflection and absorption thereof.
US08434395B1	Protective ballistic shield A protective shield may include an inboard shield assembly having an inboard shield and an inboard base. The inboard shield may include a forward plate fixed at an angle to a center plate and a rear plate fixed at an angle to the center plate. The center plate may include a window opening and a window fixed over the window opening. The protective shield may also include an outboard shield assembly having an outboard shield and an outboard base. The outboard shield may include a forward plate fixed at an angle to a center plate and a rear plate fixed at an angle to the center plate. The center plate may include a window opening and a window fixed over the window opening. A splice plate may connect portions of the inboard and outboard bases.
US08434392B1	Wireless sensor and monitoring system A sensor and monitoring system for performing work upon an inner diameter of a machined workpiece, such as a pipe turned by a lathe, with the work being viewed and/or recorded remotely. The system includes a sensing device having an elongated rod, at least one sensor mounted to a first end of the rod, and a power supply and a transceiver mounted to a second end of the rod, the sensor being positioned within the bore of the workpiece for performing work upon the inner diameter and the transceiver and power supply positioned external to the bore. A controller device is wirelessly connected to the transceiver for wirelessly receiving and sending communication signals to and from the sensor via the transceiver. The sensor may of various types, such as a linear touch probe, a distance sensing laser, a temperature, vibration, gas, noise, or ultrasonic sensor, or a camera.
US08434389B2	Torque wrench with “deadband” elimination and improved torque monitoring system A torque wrench comprising: a hollow housing comprising an outer wall having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner wall having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner wall being spaced from the outer wall so as to provide a gap therebetween, the proximal end of the outer wall being connected to the proximal end of the inner wall, and the distal end of the outer wall being configured to engage a workpiece housing; and a mechanical multiplier for disposition within the inner wall of the hollow housing, the mechanical multiplier comprising a torque input shaft and a torque output shaft, the mechanical multiplier being connected to the inner wall of the hollow housing by a loose, non-binding connection, and the torque output shaft being configured to engage a workpiece fastener.
US08434386B2	Cooling a power transfer unit A system for cooling a power transfer unit includes a case enclosing said unit and including an outer surface, a chamber bounded by said outer surface, an inlet for carrying coolant from a source of pressurized coolant into the chamber, and an outlet for carrying coolant from the chamber.
US08434384B2	Weight compensation mechanism and method using bevel gear and robot arm using the same Disclosed herein is a weight compensation mechanism. A weight compensation mechanism is installed in a link member rotatable in a plurality of directions. The weight compensation mechanism includes a plurality of bevel gears that rotates in harmony with the rotation of the link member. Cam plates are connected to one or more of the bevel gears to be rotated together with the bevel gears. Weight offsetting parts are connected to the cam plates, respectively, and each of the weight offsetting parts compresses an elastic member based on the rotation of the link member and the cam plate to absorb gravitation generated by the weight of the link member.
US08434383B2	Transmission shifting apparatus for vehicle A transmission shifting apparatus of a vehicle, may include a shifter movably installed along at least two straight paths which meet each other at one point, respectively, wherein at least two fixed points are arranged adjacent each other in at least one of straight paths, in which the shifter maintains a position thereof unless an external force is applied thereto, wherein the straight path having the at least two fixed points has a structure extending outwardly to both sides of the at least two fixed points, and wherein one of the at least two fixed points in the straight path is formed to meet the other straight path of the at least two straight paths.
US08434381B2	Transmission for a motor vehicle A transmission is provided that includes at least first and second rotatable shafts, at least first and second pairs of meshing gearwheels, each of which includes an idle gearwheel rotatably mounted on the second shaft, at least one synchronizer which is displaceable along said second shaft between first and second engaged positions in which it locks one of the idle gearwheels to the second shaft via a neutral position, and a hydraulic actuator for displacing the synchronizer. The actuator includes a cylinder and a piston which is displaceable within the cylinder delimiting first and second chambers. The volume of the first chamber is smallest when the actuator is in the first engaged position and the volume of the second chamber is smallest when the actuator is in the second engaged position. The piston further delimits at least a third chamber within the cylinder.
US08434380B2	Dual clutch multi-speed transmission A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second shaft members, a countershaft, a reverse shaft member, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output gear.
US08434377B2	Method for measuring sandability of coating and the use thereof The present invention is directed to a method for measuring sandability of a coating or an article. This invention is particularly directed to a method for measuring sandability of a coating or an article quantitatively by measuring weight loss of said coating or article after being sanded. This invention is also directed to a system for measuring sandability of a coating or an article using said method.
US08434375B1	Hand-held trace vapor/particle sampling system A sampling system that contains filter components for collecting and concentrating vapor and particles in high-volume flows. The sample is then vaporized and delivered to a detector at a low-volume flow. The invention also has a sampling probe that contains an air-jet to help dislodge particles from surfaces and a heating lamp to help vaporize compounds on surfaces or objects. The sampling system is especially useful for screening for explosives and other illicit chemicals and toxins on people, baggage, cargo, and other objects.
US08434373B2	Cone type venturi integrated valve device A cone type venturi integrated valve device includes a main body, a venturi cone, a valve path, and valves disposed in the valve path. The main body has a venturi path which penetrates though the main body in a horizontal direction and a hole which penetrates through the main body from the venturi path to a bottom of the main body, wherein the venturi path includes an inlet, an outlet, a first pressure point P1 at a distance from the inlet, and a second pressure point P2 at a distance from the outlet. The venturi cone is mounted between the first pressure point P1 and the second pressure point P2 in the venturi path of the main body. The venturi cone has a fixing leg bent downward and a bent end of the fixing leg is inserted into the hole of the main body and attached by welding.
US08434372B2	Fluid analysis system and method for operation of an analysis system A fluid analysis system is provided for analysis of a fluid flowing in a pipe or in a pipeline. The fluid analysis system comprises a pipe portion which, when the fluid analysis system is put to use, forms a part of the pipe or the pipeline through which the fluid flows. The pipe portion is provided with a fluid sample outlet for withdrawal of fluid samples from the fluid flowing through the pipe portion and a fluid sample return outlet for returning fluid samples to the pipe portion, where the fluid sample return outlet is arranged downstream of the fluid sample outlet. The fluid analysis system further comprises a fluid analyser which is provided in fluid communication with the fluid sample outlet and the fluid sample return outlet, and a propeller unit which is provided with at least one upstream propeller and at least one downstream propeller. The propeller unit is mounted in the pipe portion in such a manner that the upstream propeller is located upstream of the fluid sample outlet thereby enabling the upstream propeller to mix the fluid in the pipeline before fluid samples are withdrawn through the fluid sample outlet, and in such a manner that the downstream propeller is located downstream of the fluid sample outlet and upstream of the fluid sample return outlet.
US08434369B2	Preloaded pressure sensor module A preloaded pressure sensor module (PPSM) is disclosed, where the PPSM outputs a linear Conductivity Response versus Pressure Force input. The PPSM has a convex or concave profile which is prepared by pressing a flat pressure sensor device onto to a convex or concave base respectively so that the pressure sensitive layer inside the sensor module is bent and displays a preloaded effect.
US08434365B2	Aerodynamic profile for aircraft and wind power stations and method of measuring the thickness of ice on an aerodynamic profile An aerodynamically shaped profile member for aircraft and wind power stations includes, for example, phased-array ultrasonic generator arrangement arranged therein. During operation of the profile member, the ultrasonic generator emits ultrasonic waves in a targeted manner in multiple directions to determine a profile of the thickness of an ice layer on the surface of the aerodynamic profile. The structure may be, for example, a composite fiber material arranged around a foam core, with the ultrasonic generator arrangement being laminated into the composite fiber material. For measurement of the ice thickness, ultrasonic waves are transmitted in a targeted manner to different positions of the surface of the aerodynamic profile, and the ultrasonic waves reflected on the interfaces of the ice layer are detected. At least one region of the surface is scanned by means of the targeted ultrasonic waves, to determine an ice thickness profile.
US08434364B2	Microelectromechanical Z-axis detection structure with low thermal drifts A MEMS detection structure is provided with: a substrate having a top surface, on which a first fixed-electrode arrangement is set; a sensing mass, extending in a plane and suspended above the substrate and above the first fixed-electrode arrangement at a separation distance; and connection elastic elements that support the sensing mass so that it is free to rotate out of the plane about an axis of rotation, modifying the separation distance, as a function of a quantity to be detected along an axis orthogonal to the plane. The MEMS detection structure also includes: a coupling mass, suspended above the substrate and connected to the sensing mass via the connection elastic elements; and an anchoring arrangement, which anchors the coupling mass to the substrate with a first point of constraint, set at a distance from the axis of rotation and in a position corresponding to the first fixed-electrode arrangement.
US08434362B2	Inertial force sensor An inertial force sensor includes a detecting device which detects an inertial force, the detecting device having a first orthogonal arm and a supporting portion, the first orthogonal arm having a first arm and a second arm fixed in a substantially orthogonal direction, and the supporting portion supporting the first arm. The second arm has a folding portion. In this configuration, there is provided a small inertial force sensor which realizes detection of a plurality of different inertial forces and detection of inertial forces of a plurality of detection axes.
US08434360B2	System and method for detecting ice on a wind turbine rotor blade A system and method for detecting ice on a rotor blade of a wind turbine are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may include pitching the rotor blade across a range of pitch angles, monitoring an ice-related parameter of the wind turbine as the rotor blade is pitched and comparing the monitored ice-related parameter to a predetermined baseline profile for the ice-related parameter.
US08434359B2	Sensor arrangement for detecting ambient conditions The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for detecting ambient conditions, in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one carrier plate and optical elements arranged on this carrier plate, wherein several of the optical elements are arranged around a shared central region on the carrier plate, and at least two of the optical elements arranged around the central region exhibit primary action axes. These primary action axes are adjusted at a predetermined angle relative to the carrier plate, wherein the primary action axes are directed toward the shared central region. Additional sensors arranged on the carrier plate include a rain sensor, a solar sensor as well as various light sensors, which preferably are arranged on receiving surfaces of the carrier plate.
US08434358B2	Method for measuring airspeed by optical air data sensor The object of the present invention is to provide an air data sensor that does not require an external input of a reference velocity as a Doppler LIDAR, has a function of autonomously determining the absolute airspeed, and has no position error. The optical air data sensor in accordance with the present invention is an optical air data sensor, mounted on an aircraft, for emitting a laser light as a transmission light into atmosphere, and then receiving a laser scattered light produced by scattering of the laser light by aerosol present in the atmosphere as a reception light, thereby to measure an airspeed and a wind velocity of airflow in a distant region on the basis of a Doppler shift amount between the transmission light and the reception light, wherein a true airspeed is autonomously measured, without setting a reference velocity, by successively sweeping a frequency offset corresponding to a reference velocity for providing an offset to a measurement frequency, and performing this sweeping within a frequency range in which the Doppler shift amount is measured.
US08434357B2	Clean fluid sample for downhole measurements A system and method for obtaining a clean fluid sample for analysis in a downhole tool are provided. In one example, the method includes directing fluid from a main flowline of the downhole tool to a secondary flowline of the downhole tool. While the fluid is being directed into the secondary flowline, sensor responses corresponding to the fluid in the secondary flowline are monitored to determine when the sensor responses stabilize. The secondary flowline is isolated from the main flowline after the sensor responses have stabilized. A quality control procedure is performed on the fluid in the secondary flowline to determine whether the captured fluid is the same as the fluid in the main flowline. Additional fluid from the main flowline is allowed into the secondary flowline if the captured fluid is not the same.
US08434356B2	Fluid density from downhole optical measurements A system and method for determining at least one fluid characteristic of a downhole fluid sample using a downhole tool are provided. In one example, the method includes performing a calibration process that correlates optical and density sensor measurements of a fluid sample in a downhole tool at a plurality of pressures. The calibration process is performed while the fluid sample is not being agitated. At least one unknown value of a density calculation is determined based on the correlated optical sensor measurements and density sensor measurements. A second optical sensor measurement of the fluid sample is obtained while the fluid sample is being agitated. A density of the fluid sample is calculated based on the second optical sensor measurement and the at least one unknown value.
US08434354B2	Apparatus and method for a wireless sensor to monitor barrier system integrity This invention describes an apparatus and a method for integrity monitoring of a borehole and the seal integrity of a caprock suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases. The apparatus includes plural neutrally buoyant sensors for placement outside of a casing, placement including distribution within at least mud filter cake, cement, and proppant. This invention also includes a method for monitoring integrity of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases or other types of well using the described apparatus.
US08434352B2	Test stand arrangement with simulation model of multi-mass flywheel A test stand arrangement includes at least one electric motor (4) connected to a test specimen for driving and/or loading the test specimen, and a control arrangement for the or each electric motor. In order to be able to create the connection of the drive train and vehicle simulation with the real, vehicle-specific combustion and dynamic behavior of the engine, at least one model for a multi-mass flywheel is implemented in the control arrangement, from which model at least a part of the control requirement for the or each electric motor is calculated and which model contains at least the two masses of the primary and secondary side of the multi-mass flywheel and a substitute model for the or each bow spring, and an algorithm is implemented in the control arrangement that analyzes the model for a multi-mass flywheel by means of an integrated time step method.
US08434351B2	Sensing instrument A sensing instrument using a piezoelectric resonator changes natural frequency when coming into contact with a liquid to adsorb a substance to be sensed in the liquid. The sensing instrument includes an oscillator circuit supplying a piezoelectric resonator with oscillation driving power for oscillating the piezoelectric resonator so as to set a driving current to 0.3 mA or less. A measuring unit measures a concentration of the substance to be sensed based on an oscillation output of the oscillator circuit. Self-heating of the piezoelectric resonator is suppressed. Consequently, a change of the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillator is suppressed, which as a result enables accurate detection of a variation of the frequency due to the adsorption of the substance to be sensed.
US08434350B2	Apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit; at least one transducer unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to mechanical oscillations based on an exciter signal and which receives the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit and converts such to a received signal. The transducer unit has at least one piezoelectric element. The apparatus further includes: at least one electronics unit, which supplies the transducer unit with the exciter signal and which receives the received signal from the transducer unit; and at least one compensation element, which supplies the exciter signal to the electronics unit and from which the electronics unit receives a compensation signal. The invention provides that the compensation element has at least one at least element made at least partially of a piezoelectric material.
US08434344B2	Verification of scale calibration method and apparatus A method of determining whether a scale in a fluid handling device needs to be calibrated includes weighing a storage tank of fluid a first time with a scale, transferring the fluid from the storage tank to an area of known volume, weighing the storage tank at a second time with the scale, after fluid has been moved to the area of known volume, determining the pressure of the fluid in the area of known volume with a pressure sensor, calculating a temperature of the fluid in the area of known volume with the determined pressure, calculating the weight of fluid in the area of known volume based on the calculated temperature, calculating the weight of fluid in the area of known volume based on the determined temperature and temperature, comparing a difference in weight of the storage tank between the first and second weighing times with the weight of the fluid in the area of known volume; and sending a first signal to a user indicating a calibration of the scale is not needed if the difference between the compared weights of the fluid is within a predetermined range.
US08434343B2	Testing of aspirating systems An aspirating system for detecting the presence of a product representative of a hazard and a method of detecting the presence of a product representative of a hazard in an aspirating system are provided. The system comprises: piping that includes a plurality of apertures spaced apart along the length of the piping; an aspirator for drawing air from outside the piping into the piping through at least one aperture, a detector coupled to the piping for detecting the presence of a product representative of a hazard; a generator of test stimulus for generating the product representative of a hazard; wherein the test stimulus generator is fixed in, near, or on the piping such that in use a test stimulus is provided adjacent to at least one aperture of the piping. A control means can be provided to control the activation of the test stimulus from the generator and the time taken for the test stimulus to reach the detector can be measured.
US08434341B2	Methods and systems for supporting a workpiece and for heat-treating the workpiece An apparatus for supporting a semiconductor workpiece includes a heating system configured to cause thermally-induced motion of the semiconductor workpiece by heating a surface of the workpiece relative to a bulk of the workpiece. The thermally-induced motion includes vertical motion of an outer edge region of the workpiece and a center of the workpiece relative to each other. The apparatus further includes a support system configured to allow the thermally-induced motion including the vertical motion of the outer edge region of the workpiece and the center of the workpiece relative to each other while supporting the workpiece.
US08434333B2	Tri-layer knit fabric, thermal protective members formed therefrom and methods of construction thereof A knit fabric, protective sleeve and glove constructed therefrom has three knit layers knit constructed and knit to one another in a single knitting operation to provide the fabric as a single piece of knit material. The fabric includes an outer layer, an inner layer and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the outer and inner layers. The outer layer is knit with a first yarn, the inner layer is knit with a second yarn and the intermediate layer is knit with a third yarn in looped fashion about at least some of the first and second yarns to provide an integrally knit structure having three layers knit stitched together in a single knitting process.
US08434328B2	Antimony-free glass, antimony-free frit and a glass package that is hermetically sealed with the frit An antimony-free glass suitable for use in a frit for producing a hermetically sealed glass package is described. The hermetically sealed glass package, such as an OLED display device, is manufactured by providing a first glass substrate plate and a second glass substrate plate and depositing the antimony-free frit onto the first substrate plate. OLEDs may be deposited on the second glass substrate plate. An irradiation source (e.g., laser, infrared light) is then used to heat the frit which melts and forms a hermetic seal that connects the first glass substrate plate to the second glass substrate plate and also protects the OLEDs. The antimony-free glass has excellent aqueous durability, good flow, low glass transition temperature and low coefficient of thermal expansion.
US08434324B2	Evaporator unit An integrated unit is formed by integrally assembling an ejector, a first evaporator that evaporates refrigerant discharged from the ejector, a second evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant drawn into the ejector, a refrigerant dividing portion that adjusts a flow amount of refrigerant flowing in and divided to the nozzle portion and the second evaporator, and a joint in which a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are formed. In the joint, there is formed a gas-liquid separation portion that causes refrigerant flowing therein to swirl to separate it into gas and liquid. The ejector, refrigerant dividing portion and joint are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the ejector.
US08434320B2	Dispenser of icemaker in refrigerator Disclosed is a dispenser of an icemaker in a refrigerator for maximizing an inner space when a total size is the same, and for minimizing the total size when the inner space is the same. The dispenser of the icemaker in the refrigerator includes an ice chute being a passage through which the ice produced from the icemaker is discharged; and a container supporter provided at an outer case and disposed to be perpendicular to an outer surface of the outer case when the ice is discharged outside through the ice chute, the contain supporter allowing a container seated thereon to receive the ice discharged from the ice chute. The ice chute is closed and not exposed outside when the ice-discharging process is finished, and the container supporter is not exposed to the outer surface of the outer case.
US08434318B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a body defining a storage space; a door selectively shielding the storage space; a container connecting part disposed in the storage space or the door; a water supply container separably coupled to the container connecting part, the water supply container including an opening for injecting water; an ice making device for making ice using the water supplied from the water supply container; a water supply passage fluidly connecting the water supply container to the ice making device, the water supply passage extending in an inside direction of the water supply container; and a pump connected to the water supply passage to supply the water within the water supply container into the ice making device. According to the refrigerator, installation cost is reduced, and quality and reliability are improved.
US08434315B2	Compressor driving torque estimating apparatus A compressor drive torque estimating device to be adapted for a system provided with a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated by a compressor driven by a drive source mounted in a vehicle, comprising heat load detecting means for detecting a heat load of the refrigeration cycle, a storage unit storing a plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics establishing correlation between a drive torque change characteristic of the compressor and an elapsed time from a time of start of operation of the compressor, an estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means for selecting the one of the plurality of estimated drive torque characteristics stored in the storage unit based on detected values detected by the heat load detecting means, and an estimated drive torque calculating means for calculating an estimated drive torque of the compressor based on the estimated drive torque characteristic selected by the estimated drive torque characteristic selecting means.
US08434314B2	Climate control systems and methods A method for thermally conditioning a space adjacent a seat assembly includes activating a heating element positioned within the seat assembly beneath a seat covering. A fluid module that includes a fluid supply device and a thermoelectric element is activated to direct heated air from the fluid module to a space adjacent the seat assembly through a distribution system formed at least partially in the seat cushion. After a period of time, the heating element is deactivated.
US08434310B2	Trim valves for modulating fluid flow A trim valve includes a valve housing having an inlet section and an outlet section. A valve shaft is mounted to the valve housing to be stationary with respect thereto. The valve shaft includes an internal flow passage in fluid communication with the outlet section of the valve housing. A valve rotor is disposed inboard of the valve housing and outboard of the valve shaft for modulating flow through the valve housing. The valve rotor is mounted for rotational movement within the valve housing between a fully open position in which a flow path is defined between the inlet and outlet sections of the valve housing, and a reduced flow position in which the valve rotor at least partially blocks the flow path. An actuator is operatively connected to the valve housing to actuate the valve rotor between the fully open and reduced flow positions.
US08434309B2	Translating core cowl having aerodynamic flap sections An example core nacelle for a gas turbine engine includes a core cowl positioned adjacent an inner duct boundary of a fan bypass passage having an associated discharge airflow cross-sectional area. The core cowl includes at least one translating section and at least one flap section. The translating section of the core cowl is selectively moveable to vary the discharge airflow cross-sectional area.
US08434308B2	Heat pipes for transferring heat to an organic rankine cycle evaporator A first portion of each of a plurality of Qu-type heat pipes is disposed in a hot gas path, and a second portion of each of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes disposed away from the hot gas path. Also, the first portion of each of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes extracts heat from the hot gas path and wherein the second portion of each of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes creates a vapor that exits each second portion of the plurality of Qu-type heat pipes and away from the hot gas path.
US08434307B2	Exhaust gas system and method for recovering energy A system and method for recovering energy from gases of an internal combustion engine in conjunction with exhaust gas recirculation is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve and an exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger, with a working medium which undergoes a cyclic process being evaporated in the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger by hot exhaust gases, and with resulting steam being converted into mechanical or electrical energy which is available as additional energy. To improve heat recovery with little technical expenditure, an exhaust gas control valve can interact with the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger, and can control the mass flow of exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger constantly in all operating phases of the internal combustion engine, approximately in the vicinity of the performance limit of energy recovery.
US08434299B2	Strategy employing exhaust back-pressure for burning soot trapped by a diesel particulate filter An exhaust system (16) of a diesel engine (10) has a diesel particulate filter (18) for treating exhaust gas. When trapped soot has accumulated to an extent that may affect performance of the filter, an engine control system (12) forces combustion of trapped soot by increasing exhaust back-pressure using a control device (20) such as a back-pressure control valve or vanes of a variable geometry turbocharger.
US08434294B2	Method and device for determining a dynamic time duration for exhaust gas probes of an internal combustion engine An exhaust catalyst is charged with oxygen until saturated. A given first rich air/fuel ratio (LAM1_SP) is set in a combustion chamber of a cylinder. A first oxygen storage capacity value (OSC1) is determined depending on the measured signals (MS1, MS2) from first and second exhaust probes. The exhaust catalyst is charged with oxygen until saturated. A given second rich air/fuel ratio is set in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A second oxygen storage capacity value (OSC2) is determined depending on the measured signal from the first and second exhaust probe. A corrected oxygen storage capacity value (OSC_COR) is determined depending on the first and second oxygen storage capacity values (OSC1, OSC2).
US08434289B2	Sensor for detection of wrapping on bale A baling machine and method for forming a bale is disclosed. A sensor is positioned in the bailing chamber and is positioned to sense an area proximate the perimeter of the bale to determine if material is present, thereby determining if the bale is properly wrapped or not. When the bale is not properly wrapped, material is present in the area proximate the perimeter in which the sensor is active; causing the sensor to send a signal indicating that the bale is not properly wrapped.
US08434284B1	Method for forming a door assembly or a window assembly with a dual support connector Methods for installing a glass panel, including an insulated glass panel, a security glass panel, or a decorative leaded glass panel, to an opening in a door or a window without creating holes in the door or glass panel using a dual support connector with connector body, connector hole extending through the connector body, a glass flange integral with the connector body for overlaying an edge portion of the glass panel; an structural panel flange integral with the connector body, extending at a right angle to the connector hole away from the connector body parallel to while opposite the glass panel flange for overlaying an edge portion of the structural panel while in a plane apart from a plane of the glass flange.
US08434282B2	System for carpet tile installation Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. Tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on a underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface.
US08434278B1	Storage bin support system A storage bin support system for providing a leg structure to better support the storage bin and allow for easier access underneath. The storage bin support system generally includes a bin for holding the particulate material, wherein the bin includes a roof, sidewalls, and a base, and wherein the roof includes an inlet for filling the bin and wherein the base includes an outlet for emptying the bin, and a supporting framework for supporting the bin above a ground surface in an upright position, wherein supporting framework includes an outer framework and an inner framework interconnecting the outer framework with the base. The outer framework is spaced along an outer perimeter of the bin and the inner framework includes a plurality of upper angled supports comprising an upper end and optionally a plurality of lower angled supports comprising a lower end.
US08434277B2	Demountable modular structure for high-efficiency raised deck parking lots with herringbone parking stalls Demountable modular structure for the construction of one-deck raised parking lots, preferably without foundations, designed to be employed for parking vehicles in angled arrangement, or herringbone pattern, including two or more parallel structure strips, each one defined by two rows of pillars offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the structure strip so as to form, between two adjacent couples of pillars, parallelogram-shaped portions of ground surface, wherein the upper level is made of an orthogonal network of main beams resting on each one of the rows of pillars and secondary beams resting on the pillars or fixed in orthogonal position to the main beams, and of rectangular or square floor slabs. The structure allows easier parking and maneuvering of larger vehicles as compared with structures with 90-degree parking stalls, with no detectable losses of efficiency in terms of parking places obtainable from a given available surface.
US08434275B2	Double floor structure and support leg for double floor structure A double floor structure capable of being adapted to the conditions of construction and the needs of users at low cost. A double floor structure (K) provided with support legs (1) which are provided on a lower floor and rows of beams which form an upper floor. The support legs (1) are each provided with an upper member (14) which supports a beam from the lower side, an intermediate member (13) which supports the upper member (14) from the lower side, and a lower member (12) which supports the intermediate member (13) from the lower side. The upper member (14), the intermediate member (13), and the lower member (12) consist of metallic, extruded shape material and are disposed in such a manner that the direction of the extrusion is aligned with the top-bottom direction.
US08434272B2	Weatherproofing assembly for use with a slide-out compartment of recreational vehicle A recreational vehicle with weatherproofing for a slide-out compartment has a main body, a slide-out compartment having a side wall with an upper wall, a bottom wall and a pair of end walls extending inwardly from the side wall, and a first cover having one end affixed to the side wall of the main body and an opposite end affixed to the slide-out compartment. The first cover extends over top wall and a pair of end walls of the slide-out compartment. The first cover is formed of a flexible watertight material. The first cover is affixed by bracket to the side wall of the main body and to the slide-out compartment. A second cover is affixed to the first cover and extends through a slot formed between the upper wall of the slide-out compartment and the opening of the side wall of the main body.
US08434271B2	Pipe flashing apparatus and method A roof flashing that can be installed around a pipe, instead of over the pipe, is provided. The roof flashing can include a collar, a base, a foot, and a longitudinal opening. The collar can have a conical shape. The base can have a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edge of the base coupled to a bottom edge of the collar, the bottom edge of the base having a diameter larger than a diameter of the top edge of the base. The foot can be coupled to the bottom edge of the base and extend outwardly from the bottom edge of the base. The longitudinal opening can extend from an apex of the collar to an edge of the foot, and a width of the longitudinal opening can increase when first and second edges of the opening are pulled away from each other.
US08434268B2	Method for installing door operating apparatus A method for installing a retrofit conversion kit for converting a door operating apparatus from overhead use to underground use and for operating a swinging door while protecting the door apparatus against moisture and dust encroachment within its underground location. A seal arrangement provides this contamination encroachment protection.
US08434261B2	Planting pot The Invention relates to a planting pot made of plastic and having a bottom provided with holes, comprising in particular a multipart base region forming a first plane for setting the planting pot on a contact surface, wherein the base region is interrupted by at least one channel leading to the outside on the edge, wherein in an area adjoining the base region the planting pot comprises a hole, which is arranged at a distance from a channel for draining a bottom planting pot region.
US08434259B2	Automated seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds A seed sampler system generally includes an automated sampling station configured to orient a seed and remove a tissue sample from the oriented seed. The seed sampler system may include a support configured to orient a seed received by the support, and an automated sampling mechanism configured to remove a tissue sample from the oriented seed.
US08434258B2	Lure skirt A lure skirt which comprises a two piece central unit of a first component of a first collar and a raised male hub where the raised male hub has an orifice at its center and a second component of a second collar and a raised female hub where the raised female hub has an orifice at its center and is sized to accept the male hub. Multiple individual strands or multiple block strands are secured to either the first collar or the second collar or both the first and second collars by an adhesive. The male hub is affixed inside said female hub and multiple strands radiate out from the central unit.
US08434256B2	Apparatus for cleaning gun barrel An apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel having striations formed on an inner surface of the gun barrel includes a cleaning means that is in contact with the inner surface of the gun barrel as being moved by a drive means installed inside a cylindrical main body. The cleaning means includes a main member having a circular plate on which a plurality of insertion holes is formed along its circumference; a rotating member formed inside the circular plate and having a motor and a rotating gear interlocking with the motor; and cleaning members formed to be inserted into the insertion holes, respectively, to clean the inner surface of the gun barrel and having lower sides interlocking with the rotating gear, respectively, to be rotated. The apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel is rotated at high speed with an appropriate pressure along the groove part of the gun barrel accurately, and thus a wide area can be cleaned in a short time. Even if the brusher is worn out, an appropriate pressure is maintained by the spring, and thus the amount of wear is compensated for. Since the brusher does not secede from the barrel, the accuracy is increased, and since the respective brushers are replaceable and it is not required to replace the whole cleaning member, the cost is saved.
US08434255B2	Breech block for a drop-down barrel weapon Breech block for a drop-down barrel weapon, having at least one firing pin, which is guided such that it can move axially therein, has an impact head at its rear end for a firing piece to strike, and has a firing tip at its front end in order to fire a cartridge, with a safety slide being guided such that it can move laterally in a recess on the firing piece side of the breech block between a first position in which a portion thereof in the form of a spacer head projects beyond the impact head of the firing pin in the impact area of the firing piece and a second position in which it is withdrawn from the impact area of the firing piece, which recess is at least partially closed by a cover plate with the cover plate having recesses for the impact head and the spacer head to pass through.
US08434253B2	Magazine release latch and trigger guard An improved magazine release latch and trigger guard combination which is operable by the shooter's trigger finger while holding the rifle stock in the same hand.
US08434249B2	Marking device A marking device for a generally cylindrical conductor of fluids, electricity, light waves and the like includes a hollow shell containing a horizontal longitudinal through passage for receiving one of a plurality of conductors of different diametric sizes, the shell being horizontally divided to define an upper shell section having a lower internal surface provided with a conductor seat, and a lower shell section including an internal resilient support device for biasing the conductor laterally upwardly toward the seat. An indicia-bearing plate is connected with the external surface of the upper shell section directly above the conductor seat. The conductor seat, the indicia-bearing plate, and the biasing device are symmetrically arranged relative to the vertical plane passing longitudinally through the shell, whereby the biasing forces are uniformly balanced for conductors having different diametric sizes.
US08434245B2	Article of footwear with integral upper and sole An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.
US08434244B2	Support and cushioning system for an article of footwear A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.
US08434243B2	Laundry dryer Laundry dryer including a body case forming an exterior of the laundry dryer, a drum in the body case for holding a drying object, a heater assembly in the body case for heating air to supply hot air to the drum, a panel frame on a front of the body case, having an opening in communication with a space having the heater assembly mounted therein, and a control panel mounted to the panel frame selectively, having buttons for making various operation, thereby permitting easy handling of the operation buttons on the control panel even if two or more than two dryers are arranged in any type, and improving workability of replacement or repair of the heater assembly.
US08434241B2	Method for drying a wet material A method for drying a wet material, which comprises a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system resistant to excess and/or negative pressure and a drying container, a condenser and a vapor chamber connecting the drying container and condenser. The temperature adjustable drying container contains the wet material. The liquid Fd is turned to vapor in the temperature adjustable vapor chamber. The condenser condenses the vapor to give the condensation product. The pressure in the vapor chamber is monitored and controlled so that drying and distillation are always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. The pressure and the temperature in the vapor chamber are continuously determined. If the pressure goes above the upper limit of the range, the pressure is reduced in such a manner that especially foreign gas is removed.
US08434239B2	Method and means for drying grain in a storage bin An apparatus is disclosed for drying grain in a storage bin as well as the method of drying the grain. The apparatus includes an air blower positioned outwardly of the storage bin which has an air inlet end and an air discharge end. The air discharge end of the air blower is in communication with the interior of the storage bin. A heat exchanger is positioned in a spaced relationship with respect to the air blower and has an air passageway with an inlet end and an outlet end. The outlet end of the heat exchanger is spaced from the inlet end of the air blower. An infrared heater is spaced from the inlet end of the heat exchanger so that infrared rays from the infrared heater will be directed into the air passageway of the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger will heat the air being drawn through the heat exchanger by the air blower with the air blower sucking heated air from the air passageway and blowing the same into the storage bin to dry the grain therein. The heat exchanger includes an outer shroud which is trapezoidal in plan view. The heat exchanger includes heat exchanger assemblies which are generally trapezoidal in shape.
US08434237B2	Illuminated level An illuminated level has a housing containing a solid body pivotally mounted in the housing and forming a pendulum which can pivot to a first position in which the surface is accurately level. A light path is provided through the solid body having an exit opening at the pivot point and an entry opening the opposite end. A source of laser light on the housing is arranged to transmit light through an orifice on the housing so that the light through the orifice enters the entry opening to pass along the path when the solid body is in the first position and is prevented from entering the entry opening when the solid body is out of the level position. A light receiver in the housing at the outlet is responsive to the passage of light through the path for providing a sound indicating when the solid body is in the first position.
US08434234B2	Electric shears Electric shears include a housing, a motor within the housing, a transmission including a reduction gearbox and a bevel gear pair, a fixed blade, a movable blade rotatably connected to the fixed blade and coupled with the motor via the transmission. The movable blade swings back and forth about its connection with the fixed blade. The fixed blade is supported on the reduction gearbox and fixed to the housing together with the reduction gearbox. Electric shears are thus provided with a small shape, a simple and compact interior structure, and better portability.
US08434232B2	Method for constructing a truss from selected components A method for constructing a truss includes selecting three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. The selecting of the components includes estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in length in response to changes in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The one or more web elements are selected from the plurality of wood members to compensate for the deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.
US08434231B2	Method for producing a metal component from a hot-stamped raw material The invention relates to a method for producing a metal component, wherein a raw material (4, 34, 42, 74) is provided, the raw material (4, 34, 42, 74) is stamped and is further processed following the stamping process to form a component (90, 108, 114). The component (90, 108, 114) has at least partially stamped areas (16, 36, 48, 98), and the raw material (4, 34, 42, 74) is hot-stamped. The invention further relates to the use of a hot-stamped metal component, which is preferably produced using a method according to the invention, in a motor vehicle body, in particular as a reinforcing element in a B-column (114), a sill, or a longitudinal beam.
US08434227B2	Method of forming heat exchanger tubes A method for manufacturing tubes, in particular for heat exchangers, composed of endless ribbons on a roller mill, wherein the tubes are composed of at least two ribbons which are subjected to a shaping process on the roller mill, wherein perforations or predetermined break points are introduced into the ribbons at predetermined locations, wherein a step of making the perforations in the ribbons is carried out, after which the ribbons are combined to form the tube and after which individual tubes are separated off at the predetermined locations. The formation of the perforations or the predetermined break points in at least one of the two ribbons is performed within or at the end of the shaping process of the corresponding ribbon so that some of the pairs of rollers do not require a drive.
US08434226B2	Method for manufacturing a heat exchanger A heat exchange module 12 is formed by stacking pipe groups obtained by fixing a plurality of pipes 1 with use of pipe array holding members 9a to 9d. Flow path forming members 50 are arranged on pipe groups in the uppermost and lowermost layers, and walls 51 and 52 are provided so as to protrude from the outer-side pipe array holding members and the inner-side pipe array holding members. Flow path members 63 are provided between the walls 51 and 52 adjacent to each other so as to allow through holes 53 and 54 to communicate with each other. The heat exchange module 12 is housed in the housing 2, and while rotating the housing 2, a resin material 24 is filled into a space enclosed by the two inner-side pipe array holding members of each pipe group in the housing 2, interstices around the pipes present between an opening 15a of the housing and the outer-side pipe array holding members, and interstices around the pipes present between an opening 15b of the housing and the outer-side pipe array holding members.
US08434221B2	Method for generating nano patterns upon material surfaces The present invention discloses a method for generating nano patterns upon material surfaces. The method for generating nano patterns upon material surfaces comprises the following steps: providing a thin film capable of controlling lattice directions, applying a nanoindentation action to the thin film to generate an indentation at a specific position on the thin film. At least one hillock is then generated in a specific direction to generate a pattern and to be applied to a data storage system.
US08434217B2	Mounting apparatus for circuit board A mounting apparatus includes a bottom panel, a first mounting member, and a second mounting member. The bottom panel includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The first mounting member includes a positioning portion and an installation portion. A concave portion is defined in the bottom surface, for receiving and preventing the positioning portion from rotating relative to the bottom panel. The bottom panel defines a through hole, for an installation portion. The second mounting member includes a locking portion. The locking portion defines an installation hole, for locking the installation portion. The bottom panel top surface t is between locking portion and positioning portion. The positioning portion bottom surface place in the same plane with the bottom panel bottom surface or is between the bottom panel top surface and the bottom panel bottom surface.
US08434215B2	Self-piercing rivet setting machine A self-piercing rivet setting machine comprises a C-shaped arm and a receiver section disposed at one end of the C-shaped arm to receive a self-piercing rivet fed from a feeder. The receiver section has a rivet-reach detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of a self-piercing rivet in a driving chamber therein. If the rivet-reach detection sensor detects the absence of any self-piercing rivet in the driving chamber, the sensor outputs a signal to prevent a punch from being driven.
US08434211B2	Method for manufacturing a capacitive measuring apparatus A method for manufacturing a measuring apparatus for capacitive determining and/or monitoring of at least the fill level of a medium. The measuring apparatus has a probe unit and an electronics unit. During a measurement, the electronics unit supplies the probe unit with an exciter signal and receives from the probe unit a received signal, from which the electronics unit ascertains a capacitance value. The probe unit is coated with an insulation layer, the coated probe unit is connected with the electronics unit and inserted into a container containing a calibration medium, the coated probe unit is covered completely by the calibration medium and an associated received signal is gained, and, with the associated received signal, at least one adjustable component of the electronics unit is set.
US08434209B1	Animal deterrent device with insulated fasteners An animal deterrent device and methods for installing and producing an animal deterrent device for delivering an electric shock to an animal, pest, or bird to be deterred, having the typical components of a non-conductive base to which the electrically conductive elements are attached. The bottom layer unfolds outward to allow sewing of the conductive elements to the top layer of the elongated base, while preventing the stitching from penetrating the bottom layer of the elongated base. The bottom layer is then folded back into place after sewing is completed, thereby insulating any hole, fastener, or conductive element that pushed through the top layer of the elongated base from water or other material that may congregate at the bottom exterior, preventing unwanted arcing to the exterior surface below.
US08434204B2	Apparatus and method for trimming A trimming apparatus and method that can create plural trim shapes using one press die. The trimming apparatus includes a conveying device for conveying a pallet having a workpiece disposed thereon, a trimming device having a press die for trimming the workpiece in a trimming process area, a positioning device for determining the relative position of the press die with respect to the pallet and a position switching device provided in the positioning device to change operable to change the position of the press die with respect to the pallet in the trimming process area.
US08434203B2	Buckle with pivot pawl and non-interlocking tongues A web buckle 30 with a pivot pawl 40 to receive non-interlocking tongues insertable into the buckle. Push button 41 is biased upwardly by spring 39 within housing 44. Button 41 may be moved downward forcing pawl 40 to disengage the tongues. Pawl 40 is rockable to disengage the tongues one at a time.
US08434202B2	Slide fastener The slide fastener includes elements and a slider, wherein each of the elements includes a horizontal functional section an upper vertical functional section and a lower vertical functional section the slide fastener includes a plurality of fastener units in each of which the elements are arranged to oppositely face each other and the meshing portions are meshed with each other by sliding the slider between the oppositely-positioned elements, whereby the engagement pieces of the oppositely-positioned elements form an engagement portion and the engagement holding pieces of the oppositely-positioned elements in pair form an engagement holding portion, and the plurality of fastener units are constituted in a multilayered structure by engaging the engagement holding portions of a second fastener with the engagement portions of a first fastener such that the engagement holding portions of a new fastener unit are engaged with the engagement portions of a preceding fastener unit.
US08434198B2	FPC fixing structure for two-axis hinge mechanism First and second FPC fixing members 12, 13 are fixed within a boss 6 on a second axis Y, and one end of the second member 13 projects to the back of a hinge base 8. An FPC wiring fixing section 26 is fixed on the back of the base 8 on a first axis X. The fixing members pass an FPC 25 from the base 8 side to the side of a monitor 3 to hold the FPC linearly on the axis Y, and are turned integrally with a monitor mounting base 14. The fixing members curve outside the axis Y the FPC 25 that is led out in the direction orthogonal to the axis Y from the one end on the base 8 side of the second member 13 to have a deflection allowance, and fix the FPC to the base 8.
US08434191B2	Bathing apparatus A bathing apparatus is described that comprises a loosely knitted or woven fabric bag made from a hydrophobic yarn material and includes an opening at one end to allow cleansing material, such as a bar of soap, to be inserted into and encased within the apparatus and loops woven into the ends of the apparatus that allow the user to grasp it readily.
US08434190B2	Toothbrush and method of manufacturing it A toothbrush having a handle portion and a neck portion connecting the handle portion with a head. The head has a brushing side and a rear side. The brushing side includes a plurality of bristle tufts for cleaning the teeth. The tufts are attachable in the head through tufting apertures, with each tufting aperture being assigned a blind-end hole having sidewalls and a bottom. The cross-sectional area of the head between a first bottom and the rear side differing from a cross-sectional area of the head between a second bottom and the rear side. The first bottom and the second bottom are arranged in the head in such a way that the minimum distance between the first bottom and the rear side as well as the minimum distance between the second bottom and the rear side are each in the range of between about 0.5 and about 2.5 mm.
US08434187B2	Ice scraper A hand held scraper tool adapted to remove debris from a surface. The scrapper tool includes a body, handle and a plurality of abraders. At least one of the abraders can be configured as a highly flexible cantilever structure.
US08434180B2	Washing machine and method for controlling the same A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed. The washing machine has a plurality of washing tubs to clean laundry in different ways classified according to capacity and types of clothing. Different washing tubs simultaneously stop operations or are stopped at different times spaced apart from each other by a predetermined time, although washing tubs have different washing conditions (e.g., different input times of laundry, different amounts of laundry, different washing courses, etc.) when laundry is cleaned using the washing tubs.
US08434178B2	Mattress side/edge support system By providing a plurality of preformed components which are quickly and easily affixed in engagement with each other, a final construction is realized which peripherally surrounds any desired mattress configuration in cooperating association therewith. In this way, a new foam plastic product is achieved which is capable of being quickly and easily mounted to mattress constructions peripherally surrounding the mattress and providing an enhanced side support system. In this way, any desired mattress size or configuration is capable of being peripherally surrounded with a foam support assembly for enhancing the mattress construction and configuration. Furthermore, by employing the present invention, a rapid, convenient, and virtually labor free assembly is realized.
US08434173B1	Diaper cleaning device A device for assisting in the cleaning of reusable cloth diapers comprises a molded plastic frame which rests on an interior perimeter of a toilet bowl. The frame comprises a universal design such that it fits on both round and oval bowls. A plurality of adjustable spring clips holds and supports the soiled diaper in a taut and stretched configuration. With the device and diaper in place, the diaper may be rinsed off. When finished, the toilet is flushed and the device is removed, folded, and stored in a supplied storage case.
US08434170B1	Toilet ventilation system A toilet ventilation system for removing unpleasant odors from a toilet efficiently. The toilet ventilation system has a manifold with an inlet that rests on an upper surface adjacent to the toilet bowl. The manifold has an outlet that is in communication with the inlet and the manifold has protrusions that extend from its sides. The protrusions are on cantilevered tabs. The toilet seat has hinges that have mounting portions being spaced apart and including mortices facing inward. The protrusions are designed to snap fit into the mortices and the tabs may be bent inwardly for easy removal of the manifold for cleaning. A fan is connected to the manifold to draw air through the inlet out of the manifold and exhaust the air to a remote location from the toilet and outside of the room where the toilet is located.
US08434169B2	Garment having an electromagnetic field protective layer A shielding or protective garment in the form of women's clothing includes an outer fashionable portion or component and an inner protective portion or component having electromagnetic radiation defeating material distributed throughout the inner component. The inner component is affixed within the outer component as a liner so as to extend around and over a portion of a wearer's torso and lower abdomen. The electromagnetic radiation defeating material of the inner component shields or protects the wearer from electromagnetic fields coming from any or all directions.
US08434167B2	Universal dual-pivot face shield assembly for a hard hat An improved face shield assembly universally fits to most hard hats and includes a dual-point pivot system which allows the face shield to be located in a “down” as-used position, an “up” as-used position and a “stowed” position above the hard hat. The improved face shield assembly includes three separate brackets, namely a main mounting bracket secured to the brim of a hard hat, a rotating bracket pivotably mounted to the main mounting bracket and a lens mounting bracket pivotably mounted to the rotating bracket. Spring-loaded struts stabilize and retain the lens mounting bracket in the as-used and stowed positions relative to the rotating bracket.
US08434163B1	Vest system that provides for a targeted heat/cool therapy treatment The present invention features a therapy vest system for providing targeted heat or cold application to a person. In some embodiments, the vest of the vest system comprises a first shoulder pocket secured over a first shoulder region of the vest, and also a second shoulder pocket secured over a second shoulder region of the vest. In some embodiments, the vest further comprises a first side pocket secured to a first rib side region of the vest and also a second side pocket secured to a second rib side region of the vest. In some embodiments, the vest system further comprise extremity tubes.
US08434162B2	Eye protectors An eye protector (16) is provided for mounting to a protective helmet (10) of the type worn by a firefighter or other emergency worker. The protective helmet (10) has a brim (14), and the eye protector (16) includes a bracket (20) mounted to the brim (14), a first stop surface (38) carried on the bracket (20), an eye shield (18) attached to the bracket (20) for movement between a storage position extending along the brim (14) and a usage position extending downward from the brim (14) to shield the eye of the wearer, and a second stop surface (37) carried on the eye shield (18) and abutted against the first stop surface (38) with the eye shield (18) in the usage position to limit movement of the eye shield (18) beyond the usage position.

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