最新美国发明专利第2013-05-21期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08445224B2	Method for assaying FTO (2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenase) activity The present invention provides a method for assaying oxygenase activity, the method comprising monitoring oxygenase activity of FTO.
US08445221B2	Modified glucose dehydrogenase gene [Object] To provide an FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase having a higher specificity for glucose.[Means for Resolution] A modified glucose dehydrogenase (GLD) which includes a substitution of at least one amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues at positions 37, 69, 72, 73, 76, 78, 102, 217, 228, 240, 356, 407, 424, 437, 527, and 530 in an amino acid sequence of a wild-type FAD-conjugated glucose dehydrogenase (GLD) represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and has a decreased ratio of activity for xylose/activity for glucose as compared with the wild-type GLD; a polynucleotide encoding the modified GLD; a recombinant vector containing the polynucleotide; a transformed cell produced by using the recombinant vector; etc.
US08445217B2	Free solution measurement of molecular interactions by backscattering interferometry Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for the free solution measurement of molecular interactions by backscattering interferometry (BSI). Molecular interaction can be detected between analytes in free-solution wherein at least one of the analytes is label-free and detection is performed by back-scattering interferometry. Further, molecular interaction can be detected between analytes in free-solution, wherein at least one of the analytes is label-free, wherein one of the analytes is present in a concentration of less than about 5.0×10−7M. Also disclosed are label-free, free-solution, and/or real-time measurements of characteristic properties and/or chemical events using the disclosed techniques. The disclosed methods can have very low detection limits and/or very low sample volume requirements. Also disclosed are various biosensor applications of the disclosed techniques. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08445207B2	Genes based on thalidomide, valproic acid and methotrexate treatment for screening of drug inducing teratogenicity and screening method using thereof The present invention relates to a screening method using the genes related to teratogenicity, more precisely the genes up- or down-regulated by a drug inducing teratogenicity such as thalidomide, valproic acid, and methotrexate and a method for screening of thalidomide, valproic acid and methotrexate using the genes. The genes of the present invention is based on reactive genes selected by DNA microarray chip, so that it is very effective in risk assessment and monitoring drugs or chemicals having high risk of teratogenicity and at the same time it can be used as a tool to examine mechanism of teratogenicity.
US08445206B2	Set of oligonucleotide probes as well as methods and uses thereto The present disclosure relates to a set of at least 100 single-stranded oligonucleotide probes directed against (or complementary to) portions of a genomic target sequence of interest. The present disclosure also relates to a method of detecting a genomic target sequence of interest using the set of oligonucleotide probes and a method of generating the set of oligonucleotide probes. Further, the present disclosure relates to a kit comprising the set of oligonucleotide probes and at least one further component.
US08445202B2	Method of detecting colon cancer marker It is intended to provide a non-invasive and convenient method of detecting a tumor marker for diagnosing colon cancer which is superior in sensitivity and specificity to the existing fecal occult blood test. More specifically speaking, a method of detecting a tumor marker for diagnosing colon cancer which comprises collecting biological sample which is immediately frozen using liquid nitrogen in some cases, homogenizing the sample in the presence of an inhibitor of an RNA digesting enzyme to give a suspension, extracting RNA from the obtained suspension, subjecting the extracted RNA to reverse transcription to give cDNA. amplifying the obtained cDNA and then detecting the thus amplified cDNA. This method is characterized by involving no procedure of separating cell components from the biological sample.
US08445199B2	Method and device for immunoassay using nucleotide conjugates A composition of matter for use in an immunoassay devices and method comprising a signal antibody, e.g., FAB fragment, covalently linked to a first nucleotide; and one or more signal elements, e.g., signal enzymes such as ALP or fluorescent dyes, each covalently linked to a second nucleotide, wherein the first nucleotide has one or more repeated sequences, and the second nucleotide is bound to one of the one or more repeated sequences on said first nucleotide, and wherein the ratio of the signal antibody to the signal element is controlled by the number of repeated sequences.
US08445198B2	Methods, kits and devices for identifying biomarkers of treatment response and use thereof to predict treatment efficacy The present invention features methods, kits, and devices for predicting the sensitivity of a patient to a compound or medical treatment. The invention also features methods for identifying gene biomarkers whose expression correlates to treatment sensitivity or resistance within a patient population or subpopulation.
US08445194B2	Single molecule arrays for genetic and chemical analysis Random arrays of single molecules are provided for carrying out large scale analyses, particularly of biomolecules, such as genomic DNA, cDNAs, proteins, and the like. In one aspect, arrays of the invention comprise concatemers of DNA fragments that are randomly disposed on a regular array of discrete spaced apart regions, such that substantially all such regions contain no more than a single concatemer. Preferably, such regions have areas substantially less than 1 μm2 and have nearest neighbor distances that permit optical resolution of on the order of 109 single molecules per cm2. Many analytical chemistries can be applied to random arrays of the invention, including sequencing by hybridization chemistries, sequencing by synthesis chemistries, SNP detection chemistries, and the like, to greatly expand the scale and potential applications of such techniques.
US08445193B2	Microwell array chip for detecting antigen-specific lymphocytes, method of detecting and method of manufacturing antigen-specific lymphocytes, and method of cloning antigen-specific lymphocyte antigen receptor genes A microwell array chip that has multiple microwells and is employed to contain a single lymphocyte specimen in each microwell and detect antigen-specific lymphocytes in single units; wherein the microwell array chip is of a shape and of dimensions where only one lymphocyte is contained in each microwell. A method of detecting antigen-specific lymphocytes comprising the steps of adding antigen to each microwell in the above microwell array chip, stimulating the lymphocyte specimen, and detecting lymphocyte specimens reacting with the antigen.
US08445190B2	Method of inhibiting biomaterial-induced procoagulant activity using complement inhibitors Methods for reducing or eliminating biomaterial-induced procoagulant activity in blood subjected to extracorporeal treatment that exposes the blood to the biomaterial are disclosed. The methods involve treatment of the blood, or the extracorporeal biomaterial, or both, with a complement inhibitor to inhibit C5a/C5aR-mediated tissue factor formation in the blood.
US08445186B2	Recessed portion forming method, method for manufacturing pit-projection product, method for manufacturing light emitting element, and method for manufacturing optical element A recessed portion forming method for forming a plurality of recessed portions in a thermally deformable heat mode recording material layer is provided, which method includes: a recessed portion forming step of applying condensed light emitted from an optical system including a light source, to the recording material layer to form the recessed portions; an inspection light illumination step of applying inspection light to the recessed portions during or after formation of the recessed portions in the recording material layer; a detection step of detecting a light quantity of the inspection light reflected or diffracted from the recessed portions; and an output regulation step of regulating an output of the light source based upon the light quantity so that the light quantity becomes a predetermined value. Methods for manufacturing a pit-projection product, a light emitting element, and an optical element, using this method are also provided.
US08445184B2	Pattern formation method A first resist film is irradiated with first exposure light and performing first development, thereby forming a first pattern in a first region including an interconnect trench pattern and forming a dummy pattern in a second region connected to the first region and having a pattern density lower than that of the interconnect trench pattern. Then, the first resist film is hardened, and a second resist film is formed on the hardened first resist film. After that, the second resist film is irradiated with second exposure light and performing second development, thereby forming a second pattern in the first region. When forming the second pattern, an opening made of the first pattern and the second pattern and including the interconnect trench pattern is formed in the first region, whereas in the second region, an opening in the first dummy pattern is filled with the second resist film.
US08445176B2	Lithographic printing plate precursor A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising an image-recording layer, said image-recording layer being photopolymerizable upon exposure to light having a wavelength of from 300 to 500 nm and containing a mixture of sensitizers.
US08445174B2	Polyol photosensitizers, carrier gas UV laser ablation sensitizers, and other additives and methods for making and using same Disclosed are photo sensitizers that include a polyol moiety covalently bonded to a fused aromatic moiety. Also disclosed is a method for improving UV laser ablation performance of a coating, such as a cationic UV curable coating, by incorporating an oxalyl-containing additive into the cationic UV curable or other coating. Oxalyl-containing sensitizers having the formula Q-O—C(O)—C(O)—O—R1 wherein Q represents a fused aromatic moiety and R1 is an alkyl or aryl group, are also disclosed, as are oxalyl-containing oxetane resins, oxalyl-containing polyester polyols, and cationic UV curable coating formulations that include oxalyl-containing additives.
US08445170B2	Binder resin for color toners and color toner using the same Provided is a binder resin for color toners which comprises at least a carboxyl group-containing vinyl resin (C), a glycidyl group-containing vinyl resin (E) and a reaction product thereof, and contains both a tetrahydrofuran (THF) soluble portion and a THF insoluble gel portion, wherein the THF soluble portion has a main peak in the molecular weight region of not less than 10,000 and less than 15,000 in the chromatogram obtained by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), the content of the THF insoluble gel portion is less than 1 mass %, and the softening point is not more than 130 degrees centigrade.
US08445167B2	Metal phthalocyanine dye mixture, curable composition, color filter, and method for producing color filter The invention aims to provide a metal phthalocyanine dye mixture having excellent solubility in an organic solvent, which can be formed into a thin film. Provided are a metal phthalocyanine dye mixture contains at least phthalonitrile, a compound represented by the following formula (I), a compound represented by the following formula (II), and a metal or a metal compound, and a curable composition containing the metal phthalocyanine dye mixture, a color filter containing the curable composition, and a method for producing the color filter: wherein, in formulae (I) and (II), R1 represents a substituent; n represents an integer of from 0 to 3; X represents —S—, —SO2—, or —SO2N(R4)—; R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic ring group; R2 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic ring group; R3 represents a substituent; m represents an integer of from 0 to 3; and Z represents —SO3M or —(X1-A) group; wherein X1 has the same definition as X; A represents an optionally substituted group having at least one selected from —COOM, —SO3M, —SO2NH—R5, —SO2NHCOR6, —CONHSO2—R7, and —SO2NHSO2—R8; M represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkali metal or organic base group for neutralization of charges; and R5, R6, R7, and R8 each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic ring group.
US08445166B2	Fabrication method of lithography mask and formation method of fine pattern using the same There is provided a method of fabricating a lithography mask, the method including: forming a transparent polymer layer on a surface of a first substrate where a convex-concave pattern is formed; separating the transparent polymer layer from the first substrate, the transparent polymer layer having a convex-concave surface formed by the convex-concave pattern of the first substrate transferred thereonto; depositing a metal thin film on the convex-concave surface; forming a viscous film on a second substrate; disposing the transparent polymer layer on the second substrate such that the viscous film and metal thin film are partially bonded together; and separating the transparent polymer layer from the second substrate such that a portion of the metal thin film bonded to the viscous film is removed, wherein a metal thin film pattern having the portion of the metal thin film removed therefrom is formed on the convex-concave surface.
US08445165B2	Pellicle for lithography A pellicle for lithography is provided that includes a pellicle frame provided with one or more atmospheric pressure adjustment holes having an inner peripheral face with a shape that opens out in going toward the inside of the pellicle frame. There is also provided a process for producing the pellicle for lithography, the process comprising a step of forming the pellicle for lithography and a step of spray-coating a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition from inside the pellicle frame.
US08445153B2	Fuel cell high-potential prevention control system A fuel cell system capable of providing a suitable power distribution is provided. A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; a motor that can be driven upon the supply of electric power and can generate regenerative power; a power storage unit which can be charged with power generated from the fuel cell and regenerative power of the motor and can discharge charge power to the motor; an auxiliary apparatus used for operating at least the fuel cell; and a control unit that controls a power distribution between the above components. The control unit determines the power distribution using a power generation command value based on power required to be generated during a normal operation, while the control unit determines the power distribution using a power generation measured value of the fuel cell instead of the power generation command value during a high-potential prevention control that avoids a voltage of the fuel cell becoming equal to or higher than a predetermined high-potential prevention voltage threshold lower than an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell.
US08445152B2	Membrane electrode assembly containing flexible printed circuit board formed on ion exchange membrane support film Disclosed is an MEA in which a catalyst layer is coated on both sides of an ion exchange membrane. An ion exchange membrane support film is attached on both sides of an edge portion of the ion exchange membrane, and a PCB is mounted on one surface of the ion exchange membrane support film along an outer line of the catalyst layer of the MEA. Furthermore, a PCB terminal is formed on one end of the PCB, and a connector is connected to the PCB terminal to communicate with an external controller. The PCB includes a heating element, a first temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the heating element, a second temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the MEA, a first contact measuring the resistance of unit cells, and a second contact measuring the voltage of the unit cells, formed in a predetermined arrangement to communicate with the PCB terminal.
US08445150B2	Grid frequency-responsive solid oxide fuel cell system A method for operating a fuel cell system connected to a power grid includes determining a frequency of the power grid, and adjusting the operation of the fuel cell system based on the determined frequency.
US08445146B2	High temperature fuel cell system for operation with low purity ethanol A fuel purification system includes a fuel cell stack and a fuel purification unit, such as a distillation unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the fuel purification unit, and the fuel purification unit is adapted to provide a purified fuel to the fuel cell stack.
US08445143B2	Electrode for lithium secondary battery Disclosed is an electrode comprising an aliphatic nitrile compound, wherein the aliphatic nitrile compound is coated on a surface of the electrode or is incorporated into the electrode active materials. A lithium secondary battery having the electrode is also disclosed. The lithium secondary battery has excellent safety so as to prevent ignition and explosion generated when the internal temperature of the battery is increased due to the heat emission caused by the reaction of an electrolyte with a cathode and the structural collapse of a cathode occurring upon overcharge. Additionally, it is also possible to prevent ignition and explosion when the battery is exposed to high temperature due to an increase in temperature resulting from heating or local short circuit caused by physical impacts. Further, it is possible to solve the problems of an increase in viscosity and degradation in battery performance at a low temperature occurring when an aliphatic nitrile compound is used as an additive for electrolyte.
US08445137B1	Primary battery having sloped voltage decay The battery includes a cathode and an anode. The anode has a first medium that includes a first active material. The anode also has a second medium including a concentration gradient of a second active material. The battery also includes an electrolytic solution in contact with the cathode and the anode. In some instances, the first medium is positioned so as to protect at least a portion of the second medium from the electrolytic solution. The first medium can also be selected so as to dissipate during discharge of the battery. The first medium can be configured to dissipate enough that one or more of the protected regions of the second medium become exposed to the electrolytic solution during the discharge of the battery.
US08445135B2	Method of manufacturing active material, active material, electrode, and lithium-ion secondary battery The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an active material comprising both α-LiVOPO4 and β-LiVOPO4. The method of manufacturing an active material in accordance with the present invention comprises a hydrothermal synthesis step of heating a mixture containing a lithium source, a phosphate source, a vanadium source, and water and having a pH greater 7 but smaller than 12.7; and a firing step of firing the mixture after being heated under pressure in the hydrothermal synthesis step.
US08445131B2	Holder case for secondary battery and lithium secondary battery using the same A holder case for secondary battery having an improved longitudinal compression property and a lithium secondary battery using the same in which a case for secondary battery includes a case body and a first rib. The case body includes first and second long-side walls opposite to each other, first and second short-side walls, a bottom wall connected to one end portions of the two long-side walls and the two short-side walls, and an opening positioned at the other end portions of the two long-side walls and the two short-side walls while being opposite to the bottom wall. The first rib is disposed on the case body and extends from a middle portion of the first long-side wall to a middle portion of the second long-side wall via the second short-side wall.
US08445129B2	Cathode active material, method of manufacturing it, cathode, and battery A cathode active material capable of increasing a capacity and improving high temperature characteristics or cycle characteristics, a method of manufacturing it, a cathode using the cathode active material, and a battery using the cathode active material are provided. In a cathode active material contained in a cathode, a coating layer is provided on at least part of a complex oxide particle containing at least lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co). The coating layer is an oxide which contains lithium (Li) and at least one of nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn).
US08445124B2	Battery pack A battery pack having increased resistance against an external impact by increasing a coupling strength between a bare cell and a case resulting in increased reliability and quality. The battery pack includes a bare cell; a circuit module electrically connected to the bare cell; a frame case surrounding the bare cell and including a channel groove arranged at a region facing the bare cell; and a coupling reinforcement portion arranged in the channel groove to couple the frame case to the bare cell.
US08445120B2	Triphenylene based aromatic compounds and OLEDs utilizing the same Disclosed is a triphenylene based aromatic compound, wherein a benzene center is substituted with a triphenylene group and another aromatic group such as triphenylenyl, pyrenyl, phenylvinyl, carbazolylphenyl, or arylanthryl in the meta position of the benzene center. The meta-substituted aromatic compound of the invention has better thermal stability (Tg) than the conventional para-substituted aromatic compound. The meta-substituted aromatic compound, served as a hole transporting layer or a host material applied in a light emitting layer in an OLED, is more preferable than the conventional para-substituted aromatic compound.
US08445118B2	Coating liquid, metal compound film formed by coating liquid, and forming method thereof A coating liquid including one or more of metal complexes selected from a metal complex A represented by Chemical Formula 1, a metal complex B represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a metal complex C represented by Chemical Formula 3. M in Formula 1, 2 and 3 represents a metal ion. Each of X1-X4 in Formula 1, 2 and 3 is one of O, NH, CO2 and S. Each of Y1-Y8 in Formula 1 and Y1-Y4 in Formula 3 is either CH or N. Each of Z1-Z3 in Formula 2 and 3 and Z4-Z6 in Formula 2 is one selected from a group of O, NH and S, and two selected from a group of CH and N. L represents an axial ligand. k represents a valence of each of the metal complexes and is equal to a sum of electric charges of M, X1-X4 and L.
US08445112B2	Film coated glazing having a protective layer of mixed titanium oxide The present invention relates to essentially transparent glazings comprising a system of films deposited under vacuum by magnetron, and having antisun and/or low-emission properties, comprising as protective surface layer a layer based on titanium oxide and on at least one other metal oxide of high hardness from the group comprising: ZrO2, SiO2, Cr2O3. The glazings according to the invention are of “matchable” type.
US08445110B2	Water-sensitive film containing thermoplastic polyurethanes A film that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer is provided. The film is both elastic and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water. The dual attributes of elasticity and water-sensitivity may be achieved by reducing the tendency of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer to form separate phases. Namely, phase separation may cause the elastomer to act as a barrier and limit the ability of the water-soluble polymer to contact water and thereby disperse. To minimize such phase separation, a variety of aspects of the film construction may be selectively controlled, such as the nature of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer, the relative amount of each component, and so forth.
US08445109B2	Biodegradable polyurethane plastic using phosphorus pentoxide A biodegradable polyurethane plastic is provided. The biodegradable polyurethane plastic includes biodegradable polyurethane impregnated with a phosphorus-containing additive, wherein the additive includes phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), and the additive is coated with natural oil. The biodegradable polyurethane plastic has excellent physical properties, and can be effectively decomposed in a short period of time because it includes biodegradable polyurethane impregnated with a phosphorus-containing additive. Further, the biodegradable polyurethane plastic can be easily decomposed biologically by synthesizing polyurethane containing phosphorus pentoxide having strong oxidizing action, can be manufactured by directly adding an additive coated with natural oil to the synthesis of polyurethane, can prevent the reaction caused by moisture because it does not come into contact with air, and can prevent a color change.
US08445106B2	Resin-coated metal sheet and resin composition An object of the present invention is to provide a resin-coated metal sheet which not only is excellent in stamping performance (lubricity of a resin layer) and film removability by alkaline cleaning but also has improved blocking resistance. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a resin composition used for forming a resin layer having such properties on a metal sheet. A resin-coated metal sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that a resin layer containing polyethylene glycol whose number average molecular weight is 18,000 to 500,000 and paraffin wax whose average molecular weight is 400 or less is laminated on one side or both the sides of the metal sheet.
US08445102B2	Thermal interface material with thin transfer film or metallization According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of thermal interface material assemblies. In one exemplary embodiment, a thermal interface material assembly generally includes a thermal interface material having a first side and a second side and a dry material having a thickness of about 0.0005 inches or less. The dry material is disposed along at least a portion of the first side of the thermal interface material.
US08445098B2	Reflective article having multiple reflective coatings A reflective article, such as a solar mirror, includes a highly transparent substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. At least one reflective coating is formed over at least a portion of one of the surfaces, e.g., the second major surface (or, alternatively, the first major surface). The reflective coating includes at least one metallic layer. An encapsulation structure can be formed over at least a portion of the second reflective coating.
US08445096B2	Vehicle window glass and manufacturing method therefor A glass substrate is held by a glass substrate holding member in the vertical direction, and a nozzle is used to eject an infrared cutoff liquid onto the upper portion of the glass substrate. The infrared cutoff liquid flows vertically downward so as to be applied onto the glass substrate. The film thickness of the lower portion of an infrared cutoff film is greater than that of the upper portion. The glass substrate is dried for approximately five minutes at room temperature. Then, the glass substrate onto which the infrared cutoff liquid has been applied is placed in an oven preheated to 200° C., heated for ten minutes, and then cooled. The glass substrate having the infrared cutoff film thereon is installed in a railroad vehicle such that the lower portion of the glass substrate is located on the lower side with respect to the railroad vehicle.
US08445095B2	Hot-press sheet A hot-press sheet (20) comprises a sheet-shaped base material (1) and a release coating film (2) applied to a surface of the base material (1), in which the coating film (2) completely covers an entire surface of the base material (1) to provide air-tightness for the hot-press sheet (20). The coating film (2) comprises a resin composition as a host material, and 5% or more by weight of organic powder and 5% or more by weight of inorganic powder are mixed in 100% by weight of the resin composition which forms the coating film (2), so that the mixture of 5 to 55% by weight of the organic powder and 5 to 55% by weight of the inorganic powder becomes 30 to 60% by weight in total.
US08445091B2	Dual metal optical discs An optical disc having at least two metal-containing layers with different compositions and partially overlapping areal extents in the plane of the disc and method of forming the disc are described. The optical disc with dual metallization exhibits visually distinct regions suitable for use for identification purposes.
US08445089B1	Polyoxymethylene modified with imidized acrylic resins Described herein are compositions comprising (a) 92 to 99 weight percent, of polyoxymethylene with number average molecular weight from 65,000 to 250,000 g/mole; and (b) 1 to 8 weight percent of an imidized acrylic resin obtained by treating an acrylic polymer with a monoalkyl amine, wherein the weight percents of a and b are based on their combined weight, and monoalkyl group has from one to five carbon atoms, the degree of imidization is 20% to 100% and the acid level is from 0 to about 2 weight percent of the imidized acrylic resin. The composition has significantly higher heat deflection temperature than the neat polyoxymethylene.Processes of increasing heat deflection temperature of POM compositions are described herein by blending (a) and (b), wherein the resultant melt-mixed composition has a 200% increase or greater in time to 5% creep strain relative to the same melt-mixed composition lacking (b).
US08445085B2	Multi-layer polymeric film A film according to the present invention, there is provided a multi-layer laminated polymeric film comprising a substrate layer having on one side thereof a heat-sealable peelable layer and having on the opposite side thereof a shrinkable layer, wherein said shrinkable layer has a degree of shrinkage in a first dimension of about 10-80 % over the temperature range 55 to 100° C., and a ratio of shrinkage at 100° C. said first dimension relative to a second, orthogonal dimension in the range of 1:1 to 1:1; a process for making the same; and the use of said film as a lid for a container, particularly a container used for packaging ready-prepared ovenable meals.
US08445083B2	Articles including anticondensation coatings and/or methods of making the same Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to articles including anticondensation coatings that are exposed to an external environment, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the anticondensation coatings may be survivable in an outside environment. The coatings also may have a sufficiently low sheet resistance and hemispherical emissivity such that the glass surface is more likely to retain heat from the interior area, thereby reducing (and sometimes completely eliminating) the presence condensation thereon. The articles of certain example embodiments may be, for example, skylights, vehicle windows or windshields, IG units, VIG units, refrigerator/freezer doors, and/or the like.
US08445080B2	Vertical alignment layer including a polyimide and liquid crystal display including the same An alignment layer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a polyimide, wherein the polyimide is derived from a composition including a dianhydride-based compound, and a compound represented by a Chemical Formula 1: wherein, in the above Chemical Formula 1, X1 and X2 are independently F, Cl, or CN, and R1 is a substituted or non-substituted C1-C12 alkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted C1-C12 alkoxy group, a substituted or non-substituted C1-C12 halogen-containing alkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted C1-C12 halogen-containing alkoxy group, or a combination thereof.
US08445078B2	Low temperature silicon oxide conversion A method of forming a silicon oxide layer is described. The method first deposits a silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing (polysilazane) film by radical-component chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The polysilazane film is converted to silicon oxide by exposing the polysilazane film to humidity at low substrate temperature. The polysilazane film may also be dipped in a liquid having both oxygen and hydrogen, such as water, hydrogen peroxide and or ammonium hydroxide. These conversion techniques may be used separately or in a sequential combination. Conversion techniques described herein hasten conversion, produce manufacturing-worthy films and remove the requirement of a high temperature oxidation treatment. An ozone treatment may precede the conversion technique(s).
US08445073B2	Edge coated roll of tape and method of making same An article comprising a roll of tape having a coating composition disposed on a first edge face is disclosed herein. A coating composition may be disposed on a second edge face that opposes the first edge face. The coating compositions may be cured. A method for edge coating the roll of tape is also disclosed herein, as well as a method for coating a plurality of articles having different dimensions.
US08445072B2	Method for treating wooden parts A method of treating wooden parts is described in which a) the wooden parts are impregnated with an aqueous cyanamide solution and subsequently b) the impregnated wooden parts, where appropriate after drying, are subjected to a heat treatment of 130 to 250° C. Here it has surprisingly emerged that impregnation with cyanamide even in small amounts has a significantly positive influence on the performance properties of the treated wooden parts, such as high hardness, low water absorption and very good weathering stability, for example. Moreover, only small amounts of a toxicologically and environmentally unobjectionable impregnating agent are needed in order to obtain these advantageous properties.
US08445068B2	Method and apparatus for pattern-coating A method for coating a dispersion slurry containing a solid SAP dispersed in a dispersion medium on a surface of a substrate sheet are provided. The method is characterized in that a first region and a second region are formed on the surface of the substrate sheet with a convex-and-concave pattern wherein the first region have the coating layer in thicker thickness and the second region have the coating layer in thinner thickness or does not scarcely have the coating layer, by means of positioning the rotating pattern roll over the substrate sheet via the cover film, of supplying the dispersion slurry between the substrate sheet and the cover film while rotating the rotating pattern roll, and of pushing the coating layer with the rotating pattern roll via the cover film, when the coating layer of the dispersion slurry is formed.
US08445067B2	Method and apparatus for pattern-coating A method for coating a dispersion slurry containing a solid SAP dispersed in a dispersion medium on a surface of a substrate sheet are provided. The method is characterized in that a first region and a second region are formed on the surface of the substrate sheet with a convex-and-concave pattern wherein the first region have the coating layer in thicker thickness and the second region have the coating layer in thinner thickness or does not scarcely have the coating layer, by means of positioning the rotating pattern roll over the substrate sheet via the cover film, of supplying the dispersion slurry between the substrate sheet and the cover film while rotating the rotating pattern roll, and of pushing the coating layer with the rotating pattern roll via the cover film, when the coating layer of the dispersion slurry is formed.
US08445065B2	Method, printing device, and formulations for decorating glass or ceramic items A method and a printing device (6) for decorating glass or ceramic items, wherein a pigment layer (3) is sandwiched between two glass frit layers (2, 4), wherein at least the pigment formulation layer (3) and the upper glass frit formulation layer (4) are, or can be, imprinted by an inkjet printing process.
US08445063B2	Method for producing dry metal oxide compositions and coated substrates The present invention generally relates to a process for making a metal oxide composition. The present invention also relates to a process for making a coated metal oxide substrate.
US08445062B2	Method for producing metal oxide compositions and coated substrates The present invention generally relates to a process for making a metal oxide composition. The present invention also relates to a process for making a coated metal oxide substrate.
US08445061B2	Metering system for hot melt adhesives with variable adhesive volumes A method of making an article having a substrate and a material applied thereto includes providing a metered fluid dispensing system having a supply of fluid to be dispensed, an output device having at least one dispensing nozzle, at least two pumps for pumping fluid from the supply to the at least one dispensing nozzle. The pumps are in close proximity to the dispensing nozzle. Output supply passageways interconnect the pumps and the dispensing nozzle, and flow control elements selectively control the passage of the fluid from the pumps to the nozzle. The substrate is conveyed past the fluid dispensing system in a machine direction and fluid is applied to the substrate in a plurality of segments. Each segment has a volume per unit length and is applied in a length in the machine direction to define a pattern. The pattern includes at least some areas in which the fluid is present at a first volume as applied from one of the pumps and at least some areas in which fluid is present at a second volume that is greater than the first volume, as applied from both of the pumps.
US08445058B2	Process for producing wire-grid polarizer Provided is a process for easily producing a wire grid polarizer showing a high polarization separation ability in the visible light region and having an improved transmittance in a short wavelength region.
US08445057B2	Conductive material for connecting part and method for manufacturing the conductive material There is provided a conductive material comprising a base material made up of a Cu strip, a Cu—Sn alloy covering layer formed over a surface of the base material, containing Cu in a range of 20 to 70 at. %, and having an average thickness in a range of 0.1 to 3.0 μm, and an Sn covering layer formed over the Cu—Sn alloy covering layer having an average thickness in a range of 0.2 to 5.0 μm, disposed in that order, such that portions of the Cu—Sn alloy covering layer are exposed the surface of the Sn covering layer, and a ratio of an exposed area of the Cu—Sn alloy covering layer to the surface of the Sn covering layer is in a range of 3 to 75%.
US08445053B2	Concentrate derived from a milk product enriched in naturally occuring sialyllactose and a process for preparation thereof A concentrate derived from milk or a milk product comprising sialyllactose in amounts higher than the normal amounts found in the milk or milk product and a process for preparation of such a concentrate by ultrafiltration and diafiltration using a thin film polyamide based membrane. The concentrate is suited for use in nutritional products.
US08445047B2	Apparatus for preparing a beverage from a capsule A method for preparing a beverage through a capsule inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure to brew the said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewed liquid is filtered by a filtering wall and delivered from the capsule, wherein the filtering wall extends from substantially the bottom of the enclosure and said filtering wall is associated to an overflow wall that forces the brewed liquid to traverse at least one overflow aperture. The method is particularly suitable for brewing a tea containing capsule.
US08445041B1	Dehydrated castor oil as an animal feed supplement The present invention relates to a method for improving the fat firmness and meat quality of a meat animal and/or altering the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids in meat by administering to a meat animal (e.g., pig) a composition comprising an amount of dehydrated castor oil that is effective to improve the quality indices of the animal's meat.
US08445039B2	Antioxidant cosmetic composition containing extract of processed peony, polygonati rhizoma or lily The present invention relates to an antioxidant cosmetic composition, and more particularly to an antioxidant cosmetic composition containing, as an active ingredient, either an extract of at least one of peony, Polygonati rhizoma and lily, processed using a medicinal herb processing technique, or a mixture of said extract and an extract of at least one of unprocessed peony, Polygonati rhizoma and lily.
US08445038B2	Compositions for prophylaxis or treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, for improving memory impairment, or for protecting neuronal cells, containing ethanol extract from Aralia elata, Chaenomelis fructus and Glycyrrhizae radix Disclosed is a composition for preventing or treating cerebral infarction, cerebral edema, cerebral ischemia, or vascular dementia, for improving memory impairments, or for protecting neuronal cells, comprising as active ingredient an ethanol extract from Aralia elata, Chaenomelis Fructus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix.
US08445036B2	Magnolia extract containing compositions Disclosed is a method of treating telangiectasias on a person's skin comprising topically applying to skin in need of treatment a composition comprising magnolia bark extract.
US08445035B2	Dietary supplements containing extracts of aronia and method of using same to promote weight loss A dietary supplement composition comprising aronia extract containing at least 20% anthocyanins by dry weight. The aronia extract is derived from the aronia melanocarpa plant. The aronia extract comprises approximately 10%-30% of the dry weight of the composition. A vitamin, weight loss agent, or antioxidant is provided in the composition. The dietary supplement composition is administered orally to promote weight loss.
US08445034B1	Systems and methods for producing organic cannabis tincture Systems and methods are disclosed for fabricating a medicine by preparing a cannabis plant material and classifying the cannabis plant material into an acid, neutral, or analog form; extracting cannabinoids from the cannabis plant material by either a reflux process through evaporating and condensing the cannabis plant material or an ultrasonic extraction process of the cannabis plant material with ultrasonic waves; and infusing the cannabinoids with an alternative emulsion.
US08445028B2	Echinoderm-derived extracts, methods of preparation and uses thereof An Echinozoa tissue or organ extract comprising antioxidant compounds is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for obtaining an Echinozoa tissue or organ extract, as well an extract obtained by this process. Compositions comprising such an extract are also described. Uses of such extracts/compositions, as well as corresponding methods of treatment, for example as an antioxidant or to decrease or inhibit oxidative stress in a cell, tissue or subject are also described.
US08445024B2	Preparations containing hyperbranched polymers The present invention relates to preparations comprising at least one low molecular weight substance and at least one hyperbranched polymer, wherein the hyperbranched polymer comprises a hydrophilic core having polyester units and hydrophobic end groups, said hyperbranched polymer having a molecular weight greater than or equal to 6000 g/mol and a hydroxyl number in the range from 0 to 200 mg KOH/g, the degree of branching being in the range from 20 to 70%, and said hyperbranched polymer having a melting point of at least 30° C.
US08445022B2	Embolization Embolization, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods, are disclosed.
US08445017B2	Biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymers for gene delivery and methods of making thereof A biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer of linear polyethylenimine (LPEI) wherein the LPEI blocks are linked together by hydrophilic linkers with a biodegradable disulfide bond and methods of making thereof. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer may also contain pendant functional moieties which are preferably receptor ligands, membrane permeating agents, endosomolytic agents, nuclear localization sequences, pH sensitive endosomolytic peptides, chromogenic or fluorescent dyes.
US08445010B2	Abuse potential reduction in abusable substance dosage form The potential for substance abuse involving residual amounts of abusable substances remaining in used skin-worn patches is reduced by the provision of a system and method for combining the abusable substance with a separate anti-abuse substance agent as part of a removal or disposal procedure.
US08445008B2	Reduction of infection associated with medical device Anti-infective articles capable of preventing infection associated with implantation of medical devices include low levels of anti-infective agents, may cover only a fraction of the portion of the medical device and be effective, or may rapidly elute anti-infective agent, without sustained elution, and still be effective.
US08445004B2	Administration of agents mimicking dopachrome tautomerase (TRP-2) activity for protecting hair follicle melanocytes Agents mimicking DOPAchrome tautomerase activity are administered, notably topically applied, to protect and/or regenerate the melanocytes of hair follicles, to promote the cyclic renewal of the follicular pigmentation unit, to prevent and/or limit and/or arrest the development of canities, and to maintain the natural pigmentation of gray or white head hair and/or body hair.
US08445002B2	Dermal delivery compositions comprising active agent-calcium phosphate particle complexes and methods of using the same Dermal delivery compositions are provided. Aspects of the dermal delivery compositions include the presence of active agent-calcium phosphate particle complexes, where these complexes include uniform, rigid, spherical nanoporous calcium phosphate particles associated with one or more active agents. Also provided are methods of using the compositions in active agent delivery applications.
US08445001B2	Peptides protective against S. pneumoniae and compositions, methods and uses relating thereto The present invention relates to a protective peptide of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) or a functionally active variant thereof; a composition comprising at least two of such peptides or variants; one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding such peptide or variant; a pharmaceutical composition comprising such peptide or variant, composition, or nucleic acid(s); a method of producing an antibody using such peptide or variant or composition; the use of such peptide or variant and/or composition and/or nucleic acid(s) for the manufacture of a medicament; a method of diagnosing a S. pneumoniae infection using such peptide or variant, composition or a primer and/or probe specific for the nucleic acid(s); a method for identifying a ligand capable of binding to such peptide or variant; and the use of such peptide or variant for the isolation, purification and/or identification of an interaction partner of the peptide.
US08445000B2	Immunogenic compositions of Staphylococcus epidermidis polypeptide antigens The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions, comprising polypeptides isolated from Staphylococcus epidermidis. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding Staphylococcus epidermidis polypeptides and their use in immunogenic compostions. In addition, the invention relates to methods of inducing an immune response in mammals against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus using immunogenic compostions of the Staphylococcus epidermidis polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention also relates to methods for detecting Staphylococcus epidermidis in a biological sample.
US08444998B2	Probiotic strain and antimicrobial peptide derived therefrom A strain of Enterococcus mundtii has probiotic qualities. The strain of E. mundtii (ST4SA) produces an antimicrobial peptide which exhibits antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria. An isolated nucleotide sequence codes for the antimicrobial peptide (peptide ST4SA). A process is also provided for the production of a peptide which comprises cultivating Enterococcus mundtii strain ST4SA in a nutrient medium under micro-aerophilic conditions at a temperature of between 10° C. and 45° C., until a recoverable quantity of the peptide is produced, and recovering the peptide. The isolated peptide may be used as an antimicrobial agent in a liquid formulation or a gel formulation as a topical treatment and may also be used as an antimicrobial agent following encapsulation in a polymer.
US08444995B2	Peptide sequences and compositions Provided is a polypeptide having no more than 100 amino acids, which polypeptide comprises one or more sequences having at least 60% homology with any of SEQ ID 1-6, or comprises two or more epitopes having 7 amino acids or more, each epitope having at least 60% homology with a sub-sequence of any of SEQ ID 1-6 that has the same length as the epitope: SEQ ID 1 DLEALMEWLKTRPILSPLTKGILGFVFTLTVP SEQ ID 2 LLYCLMVMYLNPGNYSMQVKLGTLCALCEKQASHS SEQ ID 3 DLIFLARSALILRGSVAHKSC SEQ ID 4 PGIADIEDLTLLARSMVVVRP SEQ ID 5 LLIDGTASLSPGMMMGMFNMLSTVLGVSILNLGQ SEQ ID 6 IIGILHLILWILDRLFFKCIYRLF wherein, the polypeptide is immunogenic in a vertebrate expressing a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele, and wherein the polypeptide is not a complete influenza virus protein.
US08444994B2	Multivalent antihelminthic vaccine A multivalent anthelmintic vaccine targets both hookworm and schistosomiasis. The vaccine includes, at a minimum, a recombinant third-stage larval hookworm antigen, a recombinant adult stage hookworm antigen, and a recombinant schistosome antigen. Preferably, the hookworm antigens are Necator americanus antigens, although antigens from other hookworm species (e.g. Ancylostoma duodenale) may also be employed. The schistosome antigen is preferably a Schistosoma mansoni or a Schistosoma haematobium antigen although antigens from other schistosome species (e.g. Schistosoma japonicum) may also be employed. In some cases full or partial sequences of schistosome antigens may be fused with full or partial sequences of hookworm {Necator americanus) to produce recombinant chimeric antigens.
US08444992B2	Multiple vaccination including serogroup C meningococcus Various improvements to vaccines that include a serogroup C meningococcal conjugate antigen, including: (a) co-administration with acellular B. pertussis antigen; (b) co-administration with an inactivated poliovirus antigen; (c) supply in a kit together with a separate pneumococcal conjugate component, which may be in a liquid form; and (d) use in combination with a pneumococcal conjugate antigen but without an aluminium phosphate adjuvant. A kit may have: (a) a first immunogenic component that comprises an aqueous formulation of a conjugated capsular saccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae; and (b) a second immunogenic component that comprises a conjugated capsular saccharide from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C.
US08444984B2	TNFα-neutralizing antibodies The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that neutralize TNFα activity. The monoclonal antibodies may be rabbit monoclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies having CDR regions derived from those rabbit monoclonal antibodies. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies may be humanized. Methods of using the subject antibodies to inhibit TNFα activity, methods of treatment using those antibodies and kits containing the same are also provided. The invention finds use in a variety of research and medical applications.
US08444982B2	Anti-IGF-IR antibodies and uses thereof The subject invention provides antibodies, or binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to human IGF-IR. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies and binding fragments of the subject invention and vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acid molecules. The disclosure also provides methods of inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis in a mammal using the antibodies described herein, as well as compositions containing the antibodies, nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, and host cells and vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules. The disclosure also features the use of the polypeptides to detect the presence of IGF-IR in a mammal, and epitopes that can be used as cancer vaccine immunogens.
US08444980B2	Therapeutic use of anti-CS1 antibodies The present invention is directed to antagonists of CS1 that bind to and neutralize at least one biological activity of CS1. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of preventing or treating disease states, including autoimmune disorders and cancer, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering into said subject an effective amount of such antagonists.
US08444977B2	Assay method for Alzheimer's disease A diagnostic test for preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease is based on plasma levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, their ratio, or their rate of entry following administration of antibodies that sequester Aβ. Alterations of any of these parameters from control values identifies preclinical or clinical Alzheimer's disease.
US08444976B2	Antigen binding polypeptides The invention relates to a platform technology for production of antigen binding polypeptides having specificity for a desired target antigen which is based on the conventional antibody repertoire of species in the family Camelidae, and to antigen binding polypeptides obtained using this technology platform. In particular, the invention provides an antigen binding polypeptide comprising a VH domain and a VL domain, wherein at least one hypervariable loop or complementarity determining region (CDR) in the VH domain or the VL domain is obtained from a VH or VL domain of a species in the family Camelidae.
US08444974B2	Use of antibodies for the vaccination against cancer Described is the use of antibodies which are directed against human cellular membrane antigens for the vaccination against cancer diseases.
US08444965B2	Tumor cells from immune privileged sites as base cells for cell-based cancer vaccines The present invention relates to tumor cell-based vaccines and methods of using same, wherein the vaccines are based on naturally immune privileged tumor cells that have been genetically modified to express MHC-II restricted peptides derived from endogenously encoded tumor antigens, activate CD4+ T-lymphocytes, provide an array of antigens to which the host is not tolerized and/or induce immunity against the originating tumor cells as well as against metastatic tumor cells.
US08444961B2	RNA virus infection inhibitor, method for inhibition of infection by RNA virus, RNA virus infection-inhibiting product, and use as RNA virus infection inhibitor Disclosed herein is an RNA virus infection inhibitor that is capable of effectively inhibiting humans from being infected with RNA viruses to prevent the occurrence of symptoms or, even when symptoms occur, to relieve the symptoms and is less likely to cause unexpected discoloration or discoloration under normal service conditions. The RNA virus infection inhibitor comprises an RNA virus infection-inhibiting compound comprising a linear polymer having, in its side chain, at least one of substituents having structural formulas represented by general formulas (1) to (3).
US08444958B2	Compositions having anti-dental caries function The present invention relates to dietary compositions and oral compositions having an anti-dental caries function. The present invention provides dietary compositions and oral compositions having an anti-dental caries function which contain a buffering agent having a pH buffering action in the oral cavity.
US08444957B2	Methods of screening for neoplastic disease states The present invention provide purified Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase polypeptides and fragments thereof, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies that specifically bind such polypeptides, and uses therefor.
US08444954B2	Gastrin releasing peptide compounds New and improved compounds for use in diagnostic imaging or therapy having the formula M-N—O—P-G, wherein M is a metal chelator having the structure: wherein R1-R5 and FG are as defined herein (in the form complexed with a metal radionuclide or not), N—O—P is the linker containing at least one non-alpha amino acid with a cyclic group, at least one substituted bile acid or at least one non-alpha amino acid, and G is the GRP receptor targeting peptide. In the preferred embodiment, M is an Aazta metal chelator or a derivative thereof. Methods for imaging a patient and/or providing radiotherapy or phototherapy to a patient using the compounds of the invention are also provided. Methods and kits for preparing a diagnostic imaging agent from the compound is further provided. Methods and kits for preparing a radiotherapeutic agent are further provided.
US08444949B2	Graphite film and graphite composite film An object of the present invention is to provide a graphite film, and a graphite composite film both having an excellent thermal diffusivity which can sufficiently manage heat dissipation of electronic instruments, precision instruments and the like, along with an excellent flex resistance which can withstand application to bent portions. Means for Resolution of the present invention is a graphite film exhibiting the number of reciprocal foldings being 10,000 times or more as measured using a rectangular strip test piece having a width of 15 mm until the test piece breaks in a MIT folding endurance test under conditions of: a curvature radius R of the bending clamp being 2 mm; a left-and-right bending angle being 135°; a bending rate being 90 times/min; and a load being 0.98 N.
US08444946B2	Method for preparing talcose compositions comprising synthetic mineral particles containing silicon, germanium and metal The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition, that is a talcose composition, comprising synthetic mineral particles which contain silicon, germanium and metal, have a crystalline and lamellar structure, and are of formula (SixGe1−x)4M3O10(OH)2, wherein M is at least one divalent metal and is of formula Mgy(1)COy(2)Zny(3)Cuy(4)Mny(5)Fey(6)Niy(7)Cry(8), and x is a real number of the interval [0; 1]. According to said method, a gel containing silicon, germanium and metal, of formula —(SixGe1−x)4M3O11, n′H2O—, in the liquid state, is subjected to a hydrothermal treatment over a defined period of time and at a temperature of between 300° C. and 600° C., said time and temperature being selected according to the desired particle size and structural stability for the mineral particles containing silicon, germanium and metal, to be prepared.
US08444944B2	Method of decomposing N2O using a catalyst based on a cerium lanthanum oxide A method for decomposing N2O is described. The method uses, as a catalyst, an oxide based on cerium and lanthanum, which further includes at least one oxide of an element chosen from zirconium and rare earths other than cerium and lanthanum. This catalyst is stable, enabling it to be used at high temperatures.
US08444940B2	Reactor for producing C2- to C8- olefins from a material flow containing oxygenate, water vapor and one or more hydrocarbons A reactor is described for the production of C2 to C8 olefins from gaseous oxygenate and H2O and one or more material flows containing C2 C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 olefin and paraffin at 400° to 470° C., wherein several reaction stages which the material flow can pass through from the top to the bottom, each consisting of a support base with a catalyst layer situated on it, are arranged in a closed, upright container. In order to be able in each case to lower the temperature of the reaction mixture leaving the reaction stages before it enters into the next reaction stage, it is provided that each support base consists of cells which are placed closely next to each other with no gaps and which are securely attached to each other and filled with catalyst, and in the space formed by two neighboring reaction stages, respectively, an assembly of nozzle tubes is installed for spraying a liquid phase containing H2O and DME and/or MEOH, using a water-saturated gas phase containing mainly DME and/or MEOH, in the direction of the following reaction stage downstream.
US08444932B2	D-dimer, troponin, and NT-proBNP for pulmonary embolism The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in a subject including a) determining the amount of fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products, in particular D-dimer in a sample of the subject; b) determining the amount of a natriuretic peptide in a sample of the subject; c) determining the amount of a cardiac troponin in a sample of the subject; and d) comparing the amounts determined in steps a) to c) to reference amounts, thereby establishing the diagnosis. Included is also a method of deciding on a therapy of a subject diagnosed with PE and a method of monitoring the therapy.
US08444929B2	Adjustable chemical dispenser system An adjustable device for delivering chemical solutions into a liquid flow, where a saturated chemical solution is created by dissolving solid chemical contained within a chemical dispensing chamber, the device retained within a housing connected into a fluid flow line such that liquid for treatment flows therethrough. The device allows for adjustment or control of the amount of liquid flow into the dispensing chamber, the amount of saturated chemical solution drawn from the dispensing chamber by the main liquid flow, and the amount of main liquid flow through the device.
US08444926B2	Processing chamber with heated chamber liner A heater liner assembly suitable for covering the interior of a plasma processing chamber is provided. In some embodiments, a liner assembly for a processing chamber can include a heating element embedded in a body. A flange extending outward from an outer diameter of the body includes an upper surface having a sealing surface and at least one pad that extends from the upper surface of the flange to an elevation beyond the sealing surface. The pad contributes to control of the temperature of the liner assembly by maintaining the liner assembly spaced apart from the processing chamber.
US08444923B2	Method and apparatus to achieve formulation and reactive polymerization utilizing a thermally atmospherically controlled feeding system for thermoplastic materials A continuous process wherein a mechanized and automated feeding system provides precision delivery of thermally and atmospherically conditioned components to a pelletization process including extrusion, pelletization, thermal processing, drying, and post-processing of the polymeric pellets formed. The components can be combined to form solutions, dispersions, emulsions, formulations, and the like. These components can further be reacted and thermally modified to form oligomers, pre-polymers, polymers, copolymers, and many combinations thereof.
US08444922B2	Air purification The present disclosure relates to purification and/or sterilization techniques and devices. Methods and systems are provided herein for removing contaminants from air using a combination of an ionic liquid and a reactive oxygen species.
US08444920B2	O-ring systems and methods for quantification of multiplex biomarkers in multiple samples Kits and methods of using O-rings having apertures are provided herein. O-rings are useful for incubating with a sample fluid potentially having one or more biomarkers, in order to detect the presence of the biomarkers. O-rings can be readily organized in a trackable manner prior to and during incubation with the sample fluid. O-rings can also be readily transferred and organized into one or more trackable arrays for detecting the presence of bound biomarkers and measuring the signaling product generated by bound detect molecule-linked enzymes present in a homogeneous solution with a spectrophotometer.
US08444919B2	Space disinfection A method for disinfecting a volume or surfaces bounding a volume comprising nebulizing a solution comprising a sterilizing agent in a solvent having a lower boiling point than the sterilizing agent to form a nebulant. The nebulant is subjected to energy of a kind and for a duration sufficient to vaporize solvent in preference to sterilizing agent to increase the concentration of the agent in the nebulant particles. Vaporized solvent is removed from the gas stream at or above atmospheric pressure and, if necessary, the nebulant is cooled to below 70° C. The volume or surfaces are exposed to the nebulant for a time sufficient to sterilize said volume or surfaces. Also, apparatus for carrying out the method.
US08444918B2	Water purifier The disclosed water purifier comprises an outer wall, a RAW water inflow section that allows inflow of RAW water from outside said outer wall, a purifying section, an ultraviolet ray sterilizing section that has an ultraviolet ray source, a purified water outflow section that allows purified water that has been purified in said purifying section and sterilized in said ultraviolet ray sterilizing section to flow to the outside of said outer wall, a condition-detecting unit, and a control unit that controls generation of ultraviolet rays from said ultraviolet ray source according to the detection by said condition-detecting unit.
US08444915B2	Making thermoelectric materials by mechanosynthesis The invention concerns a method for making a thermoelectric element consisting mainly of a crystalline alloy having a cubic structure, the alloy comprising a first constituent having at least a first element selected among the transition metals, a second constituent having at least one element selected among column XIV, XV or XVI of the periodic table, and a third constituent having at least one constituent selected among rare earths, alkalis, alkaline earths or actinides. The method includes making the alloy in the form of nanopowders by mechanosynthesis. The invention also concerns the thermoelectric material obtained by implementing said method.
US08444914B2	Process for the polishing of metallic dental prostheses The invention concerns a process for the polishing of metallic dental prostheses, such as frames. In order to reproducibly obtain a defined surface roughness with no need for additional finishing, it is proposed for the dental prosthesis to be polished by means of plasma polishing.
US08444913B2	Method of assembling a member on a support by sintering a mass of conductive powder In this method, the conductive powder mass is placed on the support, and then the member is placed on the mass and a compression force is applied, urging the member against the mass and the support before heating the mass. The magnitude is increased from an initial value to a first predefined value for agglomerating the mass, which value is less than a plastic deformation threshold of the powder mass. Then, the magnitude is maintained at the first predefined value throughout a predetermined duration for agglomerating the powder mass. Finally, the magnitude is increased from the first value to a second predefined value less than a critical threshold for damaging the member but greater than a minimum threshold for sintering the mass at the predetermined temperature, the second predefined value being greater than the first predefined value.
US08444912B2	Heat treatment furnace A heat treatment furnace that allows the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace to be controlled with favorable accuracy includes a second heating zone identified as a reaction chamber, having a floor belt to hold a workpiece, and an atmosphere collect pipe having an opening in the second heating zone to collect an atmosphere in the second heating zone through the opening. The atmosphere collect pipe is installed to allow the distance between the opening and the floor belt to be modified.
US08444909B2	Hot-strip cooling device A hot-strip cooling device for cooling a hot strip that has been subjected to finish rolling while being conveyed over a run-out table. The device includes a plurality of cooling nozzles that are disposed above a steel strip and eject rod-like flows of coolant at an ejection angle tilted toward the upstream side in a steel-strip traveling direction; and purging means that is disposed on the upstream side with respect to the cooling nozzles and purges the coolant that has been ejected from the cooling nozzles and resides on the steel strip.
US08444903B2	Method of fabricating three dimensional printed part A method of fabricating a three-dimensional printed part includes injecting a powder layer with an aqueous solution and curing the powder layer by depositing an acid gas on the powder layer to form a rigid structure.
US08444897B2	Blending plastic and cellulose waste products for alternative uses The present invention relates to methods for reclaiming plastics and cellulose materials for use in a variety of applications, including as alternative fuel sources. According to one embodiment of the invention, waste is received which includes cellulose materials and plastics. Such materials are sorted from other materials and the cellulose and plastic materials are shredded or ground and then blended together. The blended materials can then be fed to an energy converter, such as a combustion unit or a gasifier, where they are burned as fuel source or used to create synthetic gas. In other embodiments, the blended materials are heated or have a binding element added thereto. Such mixture is then compressed to form a desired shape or sized object, and that object can then be packaged, distributed or used. The blended object can be used as a fuel source, or as a building, sound attenuation, or insulation material.
US08444894B2	Procedure for the manufacture of a tube made from flexible materials Procedure for the manufacture of a tube made of a flexible material and comprising a skirt and a head, in which a unit formed by the skirt and an appendage is disposed or manufactured in an injection procedure, the appendage totally or partially closing one end of the skirt and including the injection point(s), in which the appendage is cut totally or partially, and the cut part is removed, and in which the head over-molded on any area of the part of the unit formed by the skirt and appendage that remains once the cut part has been removed. The appendage offers several advantages, such as improving the finish of the over-molded head or, in the event of the unit being manufactured, easing the removal of the unit from the mound.
US08444888B2	Method for processing a crosslinkable elastomeric composition comprising Silica A method for processing a crosslinkable elastomeric composition including at least one silica reinforcing filler and at least one sulfur-containing organosilane compound by using at least one processing apparatus having an internal metal surface, includes the following steps: (a) pretreating at least one portion of the internal metal surface of the at least one processing apparatus with at least one sulfur-free organosilane compound having at least one hydrolizable group; (b) feeding the crosslinkable elastomeric composition including silica to the at least one processing apparatus; and (c) processing the crosslinkable elastomeric composition.
US08444887B2	Methods and systems for conversion of molten sulfur to powder sulfur Methods and systems are provided for converting molten sulfur to powder sulfur by gas cooling of atomized sprays of molten sulfur. Certain embodiments contemplate a vertical tower that allows molten sulfur to produce an atomized spray or mist of molten sulfur descending from the top of the vertical tower. Gas introduced to the bottom of the vertical tower flows upward intimately interfacing with the descending atomized molten sulfur spray. The molten sulfur in the form of an atomized sulfur spray is cooled by the gas to form a sulfur powder. In certain embodiments, the sulfur powder formed is sufficiently small to be suitable for combination with a base fluid for producing a slurry for convenient transport of the sulfur particulates. Advantages of certain embodiments include higher efficiencies, lower cost, and production of much smaller solid sulfur average particulate sizes, which in turn allows for easier sulfur transport.
US08444884B2	Flame-proofed polymer material The invention relates to a polymer material comprising a halogen-free flame-proofing agent incorporated into the polymer matrix, the flame-proofing agent comprising at least ammonium polyphosphate(s) and/or derivatives thereof and an oligomer or polymer 1,3,5-triazine derivative or mixtures of a plurality thereof and at least one compound selected from phosphates, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, organic and inorganic phosphonates, organic and inorganic phosphinates, stannates, molybdates or borates of the elements of the main groups II, III, IV or of the sub-group elements Fe, Zn, Ti, Mn, Zr, Mo, pre-condensed melamine derivatives, melamine salts and addition compounds, ethylene diamine phosphate, piperazine phosphate, piperazine polyphosphate, 1,3,5-trihydroxyethyl isocyanurate, 1,3,5-triglycidyl isocyanurate and triallyl isocyanurate. The weight ratio of constituents A to constituents B is 10:1 to 1:1, constituents A and B together amounting to between 60 and 99 wt. % and constituents C and D to between 1 and 40 wt. % of the total weight of constituents A, B, C and D. The polymer material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
US08444875B2	Burned composite metal oxide and process for producing the same The burned composite metal oxide of the present invention is a burned composite metal oxide which is porous and particulate and which is obtained by subjecting a slurry comprising at least one metal oxide (a), at least one metal compound (b) and a solvent to spray granulation to obtain granules, and burning the granules, the metal oxide (a) selected from the group consisting of a transition metal oxide and an oxide of a metal belonging to 3B, 4B and 5B of a periodic table, the metal compound (b) selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal compound and an alkali earth metal compound, wherein the metal oxide (a) and the metal compound (b) are sparingly soluble in the solvent; the burning is conducted after a heat-maintaining step of heating the granules obtained by the spray granulation at a temperature in a range of ±200° C. based on the decomposition temperature of the metal compound (b); and the metal compound (b) contains at least a nonmetallic element component desorbed in the heat-maintaining step.
US08444873B2	Refrigerant composition A composition which comprises or consists of more than 75 to less than 80 wt. % of pentafluoroethane (HFC-125); more than 17 to less than 22.7 wt. % of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a); and more than 2.3 to less than 3.0 wt. % of n-butane (R600).
US08444866B1	Method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording pole with a multi-layer side gap A method for fabricating a magnetic transducer having a nonmagnetic intermediate layer is described. A trench is provided in the intermediate layer. The trench has a profile and location corresponding to a pole. A first nonmagnetic gap layer is provided. At least part of the first nonmagnetic gap layer resides in the trench. A pole including magnetic material(s) is provided. At least part of the pole resides in the trench and on the part of the nonmagnetic layer in the trench. At least part of the intermediate layer adjacent to the pole is removed and a second nonmagnetic gap layer provided. The second nonmagnetic gap layer is thicker than the first nonmagnetic gap layer. Part of the second nonmagnetic layer and part of the first nonmagnetic layer adjacent to the pole form a side gap. A side shield, a gap, and a top shield are also provided.
US08444865B2	Magnetic recording head coating and method A method for encapsulating a magnetic recording head including coating at least a portion of a magnetic recording head containing a recording gap with a first layer of at least one coating material, including silicon nitride, the first layer of at least one coating material having a first removal rate, coating at least a portion of the magnetic recording head containing a recording gap and coated with the first layer of at least one coating material with a second layer of at least one coating material, including aluminum oxide, the second layer of at least one coating material having a second removal rate higher than the first removal rate, and removing at least a portion of the second layer of at least one coating material via a removal process, including chemical-mechanical polishing, lapping, or vacuum processing to at least partially planarize the surface of the recording gap.
US08444859B2	Method for reduction of oil, alkalinity and undesirable gases using a mechanical flotation device A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.
US08444856B2	Chromatography of metal complexes A high performance liquid chromatography method to routinely and reproducibly detect and quantitate metal complexes is provided. The metal complexes used in the method of the invention can be different metal complexes, or they can be stereoisomers of the same metal complexes. The high performance liquid chromatography method of the present invention is suitable for the separation of diastereomers of the same metal complexes. Also provided is a chiral high performance liquid chromatography method to separate enantiomers of metal complexes. Superoxide dismutase mimetic compounds are also provided.
US08444849B2	Devices and processes for deasphalting and/or reducing metals in a crude oil with a desalter unit This invention relates to devices and processes for removing asphaltenes and/or metals from crude oil to increase refinery processing of heavy materials. The desalters of this invention reduce and/or remove at least a portion of asphaltenes and/or metals form the crude oil. The separation occurs by mixing water with the crude oil to result in an aqueous phase having water and water soluble salts, an interface phase having asphaltenes and/or metals along with water, and a hydrocarbon phase haying desalted, deasphalted and/or reduced metal crude oil.
US08444847B1	Low voltage electrolysis of water A method is provided for conducting electrolysis at or below 1.23 V. The method comprises filling an electrolysis reactor having an aluminum anode and a copper cathode with a sufficient amount of solution such that at least a portion of the anode and the cathode are immersed in the solution; the solution comprising water, an electrolyte and a catalyst; and applying a voltage across the reactor of less than or equal to 1.23 V. The solution is comprised of water, aluminum sulfate and an ammonium salt. The method allows for total gas to be produced at a rate in excess of the theoretical maximum 1.06 l/min at a current of 93 amps.
US08444844B1	Electrochemical co-production of a glycol and an alkene employing recycled halide The present disclosure is a method and system for electrochemically co-producing a first product and a second product. The system may include a first electrochemical cell, a first reactor, a second electrochemical cell, at least one second reactor, and at least one third reactor. The method and system for for co-producing a first product and a second product may include co-producing a glycol and an alkene employing a recycled halide.
US08444843B2	Electrocatalytic dissociation of water for hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbon feedstock An electrocatalytic process to remove organic sulfur compounds from a mixture of water containing a miscible electrolyte and a hydrocarbon feedstock involving the application of a current of electricity to cause the dissociation of the water which produces hydrogen at a catalytic cathode which reduces the organic sulfur compounds in the hydrocarbon with the evolution of H2S which is separated and collected, and the separation and collection of the treated hydrocarbon.
US08444830B2	Desalination A desalination process including heating brine in a preheating chamber and transferring the brine to a rotary kiln to be sprayed against the wall structure of the rotary kiln to boil to steam and a residue of salt/impurities, the exiting steam being pressurized in a compressor and passed to an externally powered heater to be heated and then fed to a hollow wall structure of the rotating kiln in which the steam condenses to pure water to be transferred to the preheating chamber to preheat the incoming brine, the rotating kiln being arranged to rotate past a scraper to remove salt/impurities from the wall structure for collection at the base of the kiln.
US08444829B2	Systems, processes and methodologies for producing clean water Improved methods for carrier-gas humidification/dehumidification [HDH] or dewvaporization enable production of clean water, derived in part from models generated and tested with produced water from the oil and gas industries, which likewise address industrial waste water remediation and generally facilitate the time and cost efficient disposal of waste waters from a plurality of industries ranging from food, wine, and beverage production to novel enhanced efficiencies within the oil and gas industries themselves. High efficiency carrier gas HDH thermal distillation functions without membranes, at ambient or near ambient pressures with no required pre- or post-treatment, and economies of scale to leverage a plastics-based processing platform. Industrial waste water including that generated by the food, wine, and beverage industries, among others, is likewise ameliorated according to the instant teachings.
US08444826B2	Industrial filtration fabric with high center plane resistance A flat woven industrial filtration fabric comprises three layers of weft yarns. A first set of warp yarns interweaves only with paper side layer weft yarns and intermediate weft yarns, and a second set of warp yarns interweaves only with machine side layer weft yarns and the intermediate yarns, the first warp yarns and the second warp yarns interweaving with the same intermediate weft yarns at common turning points. The first warp yarns comprise groups of intrinsic binder yarns forming a single combined path on the paper side surface, and the second warp yarns are woven as individual yarns or in groups, such as pairs or triplets. The distinct nature of the paper side and machine side layers increases the available combinations of weave patterns to optimize the characteristics for each layer, and the distinct centre planes between the three layers provide improved drainage control.
US08444825B2	Forming sieve for the wet end section of a paper machine A sieve for the wet-end section of a paper machine is described, in which the sieve has been compressed by at least one of increased temperature, pressure and/or moisture. Such a treatment leads to a sieve which has at least one side wherein the thread floats and knuckles are reshaped and the sieve presents at least one substantially flatter surface for the production of paper. This process does not cause any physical damage to the surface of the sieve, as current techniques of abrasively polishing the surface do, and therefore leads to cloths with improved properties and lifetimes.
US08444821B2	Measuring of web Optical radiation sources functioning on different optical bands radiate on different optical bands and focus optical radiation on a region in a web surface as pulses in such a manner that illumination areas of the pulses overlap on the plane of the web. At most one optical radiation band is focused on the web from the direction of the normal. The spatial intensity distribution of at least one optical band differs from the uniform distribution and the intensity distributions of at least two different optical bands differ from one another in a predetermined manner. A camera forms still images of the web surface region on each optical radiation band. An image-processing unit determines the surface topography of the web on the basis of the images. In addition, a controller may control the paper manufacturing process on the basis of the determined surface topography.
US08444818B2	Stable and aqueous compositions of polyvinylamines with cationic starch, and utility for papermaking A stable aqueous composition comprising polyvinylamine and liquid cationic starch in a ratio of from 90 to 55 parts of polyvinylamine on active basis to 10 to 45 parts of liquid cationic starch on active basis is disclosed. The composition can be used in papermaking as a strength or as a drainage aid.
US08444814B2	Paper comprising PIPD floc and process for making the same The invention concerns a paper comprising polypyridobisimidazole floc having a length of from 1.0 to 15 mm, where the apparent density of the paper is from 0.1 to 0.4 g/cm3 and the tensile strength of the paper in N/cm is at least 0.000052X*Y, where X is the volume portion of polypyridobisimidazole in the total solids of the paper in % and Y is basis weight of the paper in g/m2.
US08444811B2	Process for increasing the basis weight of sheet materials Sheet-like products are disclosed containing an additive composition. In accordance with the present disclosure, the additive composition is applied to a creping surface. A base sheet is then pressed against the creping surface for contact with the additive composition. The base sheet is then creped from the creping surface causing the additive composition to transfer to the base sheet. In particular, the additive composition is transferred to the base sheet in amounts greater than about 1% by weight, such as from about 2% to about 50% by weight. The additive composition can comprise, for instance, a thermoplastic polymer resin containing an aqueous dispersion, a lotion, a debonder, a softener, or mixtures thereof.
US08444808B2	Process for producing nanofibers A process for making nanofibers includes preparing a fluid suspension of fibers, shear refining the fibers to create fibrillated fibers, and subsequently closed channel refining or homogenizing the fibrillated fibers to detach nanofibers from the fibrillated fibers. The shear refining of the fibers in the fluid suspension generates fiber cores having attached nanofibers. The closed channel refining or homogenizing of the fibrillated fibers is initially at a first shear rate and, subsequently, at a second, higher shear rate, to detach nanofibers from fiber cores and to create additional nanofibers from the fiber cores. The fiber suspension may flow continuously from the shear refining to the closed channel refining or homogenizing, and include controlling the rate of flow of the fiber suspension from the shear refining to the closed channel refining or homogenizing.
US08444804B2	Heat sealing method This invention relates to a method for sealing film layers to form a sealed portion and a notch within the sealed portion, comprising: providing film layers between sealing jaws comprising a heat sealing element, with a sealing face having a length and a protrusion extending partly along the length of its sealing face; inducing a temperature gradient along the of sealing face length, wherein the temperature proximate to the protrusion is higher than at a distance from the protrusion; closing the jaws and simultaneously clamping the film at a location adjacent to the sealing face; holding the jaws closed for a period of time; and opening the jaws to release the layers of film.
US08444802B2	Catheter having a readily bondable multilayer soft tip A balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member having a non-tacky inner (liner) layer material and a soft flexible outer layer material, with both materials being readily thermally bondable to the catheter balloon.
US08444792B2	Method of manufacturing aerogenerator blades Method of manufacturing aerogenerator blades that avoids or reduces some formation deficiencies existing in the traditional methods of manufacturing aerogenerator blades. The method comprises: positioning at least one support plate (2) on a plug (3) corresponding to a predetermined shape of at least a portion of the blade; removably fixing the support plate (2) to the plug (3); stacking a plurality of layers (1) of at least one material over the support plate (2); stitching the plurality of layers (1) to the support plate (2); displacing the plurality of layers (1) stitched to the support plate (2) into a mold (4), the mold (4) having a shape corresponding to the counter shape of the plug (3).
US08444791B2	Method for manufacturing ceramic capacitor A method for manufacturing a ceramic capacitor embedded in a wiring substrate, the ceramic capacitor including a capacitor body which has a pair of capacitor main surfaces and a plurality of capacitor side surfaces also has a structure in which a plurality of internal electrodes are alternately layered through a ceramic dielectric layer, the method has (a) laminating ceramic-made green sheets and combining the green sheets into one, to form a multi-device-forming multilayer unit in which a plurality of product areas, each of which becomes the ceramic capacitor, are arranged in longitudinal and lateral directions along a plane direction, (b) forming a groove portion to form a chamfer portion at a boundary portion between at least one of the capacitor main surfaces and the plurality of capacitor side surfaces, (c) sintering the multi-device-forming multilayer unit, and (d) dividing the product areas into each product area along the groove portion.
US08444788B2	Gas blocking, high temperature conductor-insulation adhesive An adhesive composition includes 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin polymer derived from an olefin monomer copolymerized with at least one co-monomer that is different form the olefin monomer; 1˜100 parts by weight of an adhesion promoting agent comprising a polybutadiene polymer, which has a molecular weight of 1,000˜10,000 and has an anhydride group grafted thereon; 0.1˜5 parts by weight of an antioxidant; and 0.5˜15 parts by weight of a curative agent. An adhesive composition includes 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin polymer derived from an olefin monomer copolymerized with at least one co-monomer that is different form the olefin monomer, where in the polyolefin polymer comprises an anhydride group grafted thereon; 0.1˜5 parts by weight of an antioxidant; and 0.5˜15 parts by weight of a curative agent.
US08444787B2	Methods of and systems for adding a high viscosity gypsum additive to a post-mixer aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum Provided are methods and systems for introducing a wet gypsum accelerator or other high viscosity production additive to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.
US08444786B2	Solid composite propellants and methods of making propellants Solid composite propellants are provided that include a matrix comprising an energetic oxidizer and a binder. A multi-layered reactive thin film is provided in the matrix. The reactive thin film includes metal and inorganic oxidizer. Methods of making the solid composite propellants are also provided.
US08444782B2	Manufacturing method of high strength ferritic/martensitic steels Provided is a method of manufacturing a high strength ferritic/martensitic steel. The method includes melting a ferritic/martensitic steel, hot-working the melted ferritic/martensitic steel, normalizing the hot-worked ferritic/martensitic steel at a temperature of about 1050° C. to about 1200° C., tempering the ferritic/martensitic steel at a temperature of about 600° C. or less, and leaving MX precipitates while preventing a M23C6 precipitate from being precipitated, and cold-working and thermal-treating the ferritic/martensitic steel in a multistage fashion, and precipitating M23C6 precipitates. Through the above described configuration, the high strength ferritic/martensitic steel that prevents a ductility from being deteriorated even in a high-temperature environment may be manufactured.
US08444779B2	Cu—Ni—Si—Co copper alloy for electronic materials and method for manufacturing same The invention provides Cu—Ni—Si—Co alloys having excellent strength, electrical conductivity, and press-punching properties. In one aspect, the invention is a copper alloy for electronic materials, containing 1.0 to 2.5 mass % of Ni, 0.5 to 2.5 mass % of Co, and 0.30 to 1.2 mass % of Si, the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities, wherein the copper alloy for electronic material has a [Ni+Co+Si] content in which the median value ρ (mass %) satisfies the formula 20 (mass %)≦ρ≦60 (mass %), the standard deviation σ (Ni+Co+Si) satisfies the formula σ (Ni+Co+Si)≦30 (mass %), and the surface area ratio S (%) satisfies the formula 1%≦S≦10%, in relation to the compositional variation and the surface area ratio of second-phase particles size of 0.1 μm or greater and 1 μm or less when observed in a cross section parallel to a rolling direction.
US08444778B2	Low-thermal-expansion Ni-based super-heat-resistant alloy for boiler and having excellent high-temperature strength, and boiler component and boiler component production method using the same Disclosed is a low-thermal-expansion Ni-based super-heat-resistant alloy for a boiler, which has excellent high-temperature strength. The alloy can be welded without the need of carrying out any aging treatment. The alloy has a Vickers hardness value of 240 or less. The alloy comprises (by mass) C in an amount of 0.2% or less, Si in an amount of 0.5% or less, Mn in an amount of 0.5% or less, Cr in an amount of 10 to 24%, one or both of Mo and W in such an amount satisfying the following formula: Mo+0.5 W=5 to 17%, Al in an amount of 0.5 to 2.0%, Ti in an amount of 1.0 to 3.0%, Fe in an amount of 10% or less, and one or both of B and Zr in an amount of 0.02% or less (excluding 0%) for B and in an amount of 0.2% or less (excluding 0%) for Zr, with the remainder being 48 to 78% of Ni and unavoidable impurities.
US08444775B2	Manufacturing shape memory alloy tubes by drawing Shape Memory Alloy tube is protected from damage during drawing, caused by galling-type interaction between the tube and high-carbon dies, by forming an oxide surface layer. This invention protects the tube internal diameter from oxidation while allowing the tube outside diameter to be oxidized, by using an oxygen getter located within the tube during the oxidation step. The method yields a higher quality internal diameter and improves productivity.
US08444773B2	Gaspath cleaning system A system for cleaning a jet engine with a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage comprises a water holding tank, a waterproof cover, and input hose coupled between the water holding tank and the waterproof cover. Further, the system includes a J-hook coupled to the input hose. The J-hook affixes to a front compressor stator of the second compressor stage of the jet engine. To clean the jet engine, fluid from the water holding tank is injected though the input hose and directed through the J-hook inside the engine.
US08444771B2	Method for cleaning and/or deodorizing toilet bowl or urinal using an adhesive agent Method for cleaning and/or deodorizing a toilet bowl or urinal. In one embodiment, the method involves directly applying an agent to the toilet bowl or urinal. The agent adheres to the toilet bowl or urinal and can be flushed away only after a relatively large number of flushing operations. The agent includes fillers from the group of surfactants and also an adhesion promoter. The viscosity of the agent is at least 30 Pas, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear gradient of 2.62 s−1 and 20° C. and the agent is so sticky that it can serve to attach bar-shaped agents to the toilet bowl or urinal, wherein the concentration of the surfactants in the case of an adhesion promoter from the group of polvalkyleneimines is between 7 and 60% by weight. The agent may have associated with it one or more bar-shaped compositions.
US08444769B2	Dishwasher that uses cold water during peak electricity demand and associated method of control A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate cold water inlet, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or cold water inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only cold water from the outlet to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.
US08444768B2	Compositions and methods for removing organic substances Compositions and methods useful for the removal of organic substances from substrates, for example, electronic device substrates such as microelectronic wafers or flat panel displays, are provided. A method is presented which applies a minimum volume of the composition as a coating to the inorganic substrate whereby sufficient heat is added and immediately rinsed with water to achieve complete removal. These compositions and methods are particularly suitable for removing and completely dissolving photoresists of the positive and negative varieties as well as thermoset polymers from electronic devices.
US08444766B2	System and method for recycling a gas used to deposit a semiconductor layer A system for recycling includes a processing chamber, a reclamation reservoir and a mixing reservoir. The processing chamber is configured to receive a deposition gas deposited onto a semiconductor layer. The processing chamber has an exhaust to discharge an unused portion of the deposition gas as an effluent gas. The reclamation reservoir is in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The reclamation reservoir is configured to receive and store the effluent gas from the processing chamber. The mixing reservoir is in fluid communication with the reclamation reservoir and the processing chamber. The mixing reservoir is configured to mix the effluent gas with a virgin gas to form a recycled deposition gas. The mixing reservoir supplies the recycled deposition gas to the processing chamber to deposit an additional portion of the semiconductor layer.
US08444761B2	Utilization of heavy oil fly ash to improve asphalt binder and asphalt concrete performance Disclosed herein are an asphalt concrete mixture, an asphalt binder composition, and methods of preparing the related compositions. The asphalt binder compositions include heavy oil fly ash that contains more than about 90 wt. % carbon. The compositions are capable of being performance graded. The binder can be used to modify the asphalt and also as a filler in asphaltic concrete compositions.
US08444759B2	Bio-based adhesive material A bio-based adhesive and method of making the adhesive replaces or serves as additives for asphalt, sealant, and polymers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene and atactic polypropylene in the manufacture of building or paving materials. The method includes steps of forming a mixture of oil comprising fatty acids group and optionally a powdered material; maintaining the oil-to-powdered-material weight ratio in the mixture between 1 to 0.00001 and 1 to 20; heating the mixture to a reaction temperature greater than 55 degrees Centigrade; maintaining the reaction temperature until the oil is polymerized; and, injecting air into the mixture while polymerizing the oil. The adhesive of this method comprises a renewable polymer and the powdered material.
US08444754B2	Electrostatic control of air flow to the inlet opening of an axial fan An air moving apparatus includes an axial fan and an electrostatic device. The axial fan has a rotatable shaft defining a central axis of the axial fan, a plurality of blades secured to the shaft, and an air inlet opening. The electrostatic device is disposed immediately upstream of the air inlet opening of the axial fan, and includes a collector and an emitter. In one embodiment, the electrostatic device includes a cylindrical collector coupled to ground and has a central axis aligned with the central axis of the axial fan. The electrostatic device further includes a plurality of emitter wires coupled to a terminal of a direct current source and extending lengthwise within the cylindrical collector. During operation of the axial fan, the application of an electrical potential between an emitter and a collector causes ionic air movement radially outwardly away from a central axis of the axial fan.
US08444752B2	Particulate filters and methods of filtering particulate matter A particulate filter may comprise an inlet end, an outlet end, and a plurality of parallel channels disposed and configured to flow fluid from the inlet end to the outlet end, the channels being defined by a plurality of porous walls configured to trap particulate matter. The particulate filter may define at least one filtration region including a first group of channels and at least one bypass region including a second group of channels, wherein at least some of the channels in the first group of channels are plugged at an end thereof, wherein the channels in the second group of channels are unplugged, and wherein greater than or equal to about 70% of the plurality of parallel channels are plugged at an end thereof.
US08444751B2	Deaerator and conduit assembly An example deaerator assembly includes a housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet. A conduit configured to communicate a deaerated coolant is located within the housing. A mixture of coolant and air is deaerated as the mixture is communicated from the housing inlet to the housing outlet within the housing and outside the conduit.
US08444750B2	Removal of CO2, N2, or H2S from gas mixtures by swing adsorption with low mesoporosity adsorbent contactors The present invention relates to the separation of one or more of CO2, N2, and H2S gas components from a gas mixture containing at least a second gas using a swing adsorption process unit. The adsorbent contactors of the swing adsorption process unit are engineered structured adsorbent contactors having a plurality of flow channels wherein 20 volume percent or less of the open pore volume of the contactors is in the mesopore and macropore range.
US08444743B2	Method for producing a steel melt containing up to 30% manganese The invention relates to a method for producing a steel melt containing up to 30% of Mn, which additionally may comprise up to 5% Si, up to 1.5% C, up to 22% Al, up to 25% Cr, up to 30% Ni, and up to 5% each of Ti, V, NB, Cu, Sn, Zr, Mo, and W, and up to 1% each of N and P, with the remainder being iron and unavoidable steel companion elements.
US08444739B2	Honeycomb filter A honeycomb filter including partition walls having a porous partition wall base material and a surface layer provided on only inflow side or both inflow and outflow sides of the partition wall base material, and satisfying the following conditions capable of using as a DPF. The surface layer has a peak pore diameter of from 0.3 μm to 20 μm (exclusive) being equal to or smaller than the average pore diameter of the base material; the porosity of from 60% to 95% (exclusive) when measured by mercury porosimetry being larger than that of the base material; and the thickness L1 of from 0.5% to 30% (exclusive) of the partition wall thickness L2; and mass per filtration area of from 0.01 mg/cm2 to 6 mg/cm2 (exclusive). The base material has an average pore diameter of from 10 μm to 60 μm (exclusive) and a porosity of from 40% to 65% (exclusive).
US08444731B2	Handheld cleaning appliance A handheld cleaning appliance includes a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and separating apparatus for separating dirt and dust from an airflow in an airflow path leading from the air inlet to the air outlet. The separating apparatus includes a cyclonic separator having at least one first cyclone and a plurality of second cyclones arranged in parallel with one another and located downstream of the first cyclone. By providing a cyclonic separator having a plurality of second cyclones in parallel, the handheld cleaning appliance is capable of separating fine dirt and dust particles without using barriers such as filters or bags which need maintenance to ensure that performance remains high over a period of time.
US08444723B2	Fluidized bed gasification method Provided is a fluidized bed gasification method wherein an amount of solid particles to be circulated in a fluidized bed combustion furnace is controlled to enhance gasification efficiency in the furnace.It is the fluidized bed gasification method with fluidized bed combustion and gasification furnaces 30 and 43, char and solid particles produced upon gasification of raw material 51 in the gasification furnace 43 being circulated to the combustion furnace 30. A circulated amount of the solid particles in the combustion furnace is controlled by varying the same in a range of 6 to 30 with respect to an air flow rate, thereby facilitating heat transmission to the raw material 51.
US08444720B2	Alkanolamides and their use as fuel additives The present invention relates to alkanolamide-containing compositions, and more particularly to alkanolamide-containing compositions formed by the reaction of a fatty acid and diethanolamine (DEA) which contain low levels of undesirable by-products. Such compositions are particularly suitable for use as fuel additives.
US08444715B2	Coloring agents and methods of use thereof Dyes, compositions comprising dyes and methods for using the same are provided.
US08444711B2	Oxidative dyeing compositions comprising an 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole and a benzene-1,3-diamine and derivatives thereof A composition for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers comprising (A) a 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole compound of the general formula (I), a physiologically compatible water-soluble salt thereof, or mixtures thereof, and; (B) a benzene-1,3-diamine compound of the general formula (II), a physiologically compatible water-soluble salt thereof or mixtures thereof, and (C) an oxidizing agent. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined herein and a=1 or 2.
US08444705B2	Knee joint prosthesis A knee joint prosthesis is adapted for interconnecting a prosthetic lower leg and a prosthetic thigh. The knee joint prosthesis includes a knee seat disposed under and connected to the prosthetic thigh, a connecting seat disposed above and connected to the prosthetic lower leg, a link assembly, and an adjusting unit. The link assembly includes a plurality of links each connected pivotally to the knee seat and the connecting seat in such a manner to allow the knee joint prosthesis to change between an elevated position and a flexed position. The adjusting unit is disposed in the knee seat, and is operable to cooperate with the link assembly to adjust difficulty level of changing the knee joint prosthesis between the elevated and flexed positions.
US08444700B2	Medical implant and process for the production thereof An elongate hollow body (1) comprising crystalline cellulose has on an inside wall a plurality of protuberances (3, 4) which extend into a lumen of the hollow body (1). A process for the production of an elongate hollow body (1) comprising crystalline cellulose comprises the steps: preparation of a hollow mold (12); cultivation of cellulose-forming organisms in an interior space formed by the hollow mold (12), in order to allow the hollow body (1) to grow in the interior space; demolding of the hollow mold (12). In the step of demolding the hollow mold (12), at least part of the hollow mold (12) is irreversibly deformed.
US08444694B2	Methods for injecting a curable biomaterial into an intervertebral space A method for treating a diseased or damaged spinal disc comprises the steps of: (a) providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus; (b) removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus to create an intradiscal space; (c) determining the size of the intradiscal space; and (d) sealably introducing under pressure a curable biomaterial through the annulus directly into the intradiscal space. The step of determining the size of the intradiscal space may be accomplished by expanding a compliant balloon within the intradiscal space using a contrast medium capable of visualization under fluoroscopy. The curable material is sealably introduced through a vented needle inserted through the opening. The curable biomaterial is introduced until a quantity of the material flows into the vent.
US08444690B2	Bronchoscopic repair of air leaks in a lung Systems and devices for minimally invasively treating an air leak in a lung comprise the steps of detecting an air leak in a lung; locating an airway in fluid communication with the air leak, introducing a bronchoscope into a patient's airway to a position adjacent the target section and occluding an airway upstream of the air leak for a period of time. The airway occlusion device is preferably removed after the air leak has substantially permanently healed. The occluding device may be a one-way valve. The occluding device may also comprise strut members and anchors that penetrate an airway wall.
US08444674B2	Surgical instruments A surgical instrument having an anchor and a plug is capable of anchoring a suture. The suture anchor has an anchor body having a top surface, a bottom surface distal to the top surface, a transverse bore and a well, the well having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner bottom surface. The plug has a post, a head, and a bottom face. The anchor body and the anchor plus form a suture anchor. The suture anchor may be used during surgical procedures and can be used in the re-tensioning of a suture.
US08444673B2	Automatic vascular closure deployment devices and methods Methods of installing a vascular closure device, the vascular closure device adapted for sealing an opening in biological tissue and comprising an anchor, a compressible plug, a cinch and a suture, the method comprising the steps of providing an insertion sheath, inserting the insertion sheath into the opening in the biological tissue, providing a device sheath having the vascular closure device preloaded therein with a proximal portion of the suture attached to the device sheath, subsequent to the step of inserting the insertion sheath, inserting the device sheath into the insertion sheath, and retracting the insertion sheath and device sheath simultaneously, wherein during the retraction, the insertion sheath and the device sheath are fixed to one another and devices adapted to the methods.
US08444672B2	Methods and devices for attaching connective tissues to bone using a knotless suture anchoring device A device for attaching connective tissue to bone has a longitudinal axis and comprises an annular toggle member and a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between the toggle member and the body member. The toggle member is movable between an undeployed position wherein the toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to the axis and a deployed position wherein the toggle member has a larger profile in the direction transverse to the axis. When installed in a desired procedural site, in suitable bone, suturing material extends axially through a center aperture in the annular toggle member, without being secured to or contacting the toggle member. This approach permits a suture attachment which lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface, and which further permit the attachment of suture to the bone anchor without the necessity for tying knots, which is particularly arduous and technically demanding in the case of arthroscopic procedures.
US08444671B2	Hemostasis-enhancing device and method for its use The present invention advantageously provides devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous access and closure of vascular puncture sites. In an embodiment, the device for enhancing the hemostasis of a puncture site in a body lumen or tract comprises a catheter having one tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end with one inner lumen extending between at least a longitudinal portion of the catheter tubular member. The one tubular member includes external and internal tubular bodies each having proximal and distal ends. At least one of the external and the internal tubular bodies is longitudinally movable with respect to the other. An expansible member with proximal and distal ends is disposed on the distal end of the one tubular member. The distal end of the expansible member is connected to the distal end of internal tubular body and with its proximal end connected to the distal end of external tubular body.
US08444670B2	Nasal dilator with means to direct resilient properties A nasal dilator comprises a laminate of vertical layers each consisting of one or more members or components. The laminated layers form a unitary, or single body, truss featuring horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages and to traverse the bridge of a nose therebetween. When in use the dilator acts to stabilize and/or expand the nasal outer wall tissues and prevent said tissues from drawing inward during breathing. The dilator includes means to direct its resilient properties comprising one or more interior or exterior material separations, or discontinuity of shape of material, formed in at least one region of the truss and extending through at least one layer of the dilator. Said material separation or discontinuity of shape may comprise an opening, relief cut, slit or notch, and which may be configured to separate or vertically protrude, in part, from the truss when the dilator is in use on the nose of a wearer. Said separation or vertical protrusion changes the angle of focused delaminating spring biasing forces generated by the resilient layer, transforming said forces, at least in part, from primarily peel forces into primarily shear forces, and further redistributing or imparting said transformed forces to tissue engaging surface areas extending outward and beyond said material separation.
US08444668B2	Expandable vascular occlusion device A vascular occlusion device that includes an inner embolic member at least partially covered by an expandable generally tubular mesh. The expandable tubular mesh typically comprises a unitary wall with apertures through the wall to assist in the expansion of the generally tubular mesh.
US08444667B2	Device for closure of a vascular defect and method for treating the same A device for the non-invasive treatment of a vascular defect. The device includes at least one occlusive member having a first unexpanded configuration and a second expanded configuration and at least one securement member for securing the vaso-occlusive device to a support structure at the location of the vascular defect.
US08444663B2	Ultrasonic surgical shears and tissue pad for same An ultrasonic-surgical-shears tissue pad has a tissue-pad body including a base material and at least one filler material. An alternate ultrasonic-surgical-shears tissue pad has a tissue-pad body having adjoining first and second regions, wherein the first region includes a first material and wherein the second region includes a second material. An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade and a clamping arm which is operable to open and close toward the blade and which has a transversely and resiliently flexible distal tip. An alternate ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm and having a clamping surface, wherein at least a portion of the tissue pad is resiliently flexible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the clamping surface.
US08444662B2	Cordless hand-held ultrasonic cautery cutting device An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic waveguide and a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly that has a selectively removable securing connector and an output couple operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide when the waveguide is connected thereto. The assembly also includes a removable battery and a surgical handle that has a first handle body portion defining therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment, aseptically removably holding therein the battery and electrically connecting the battery therein to the ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly. A second handle body portion is connected to the first handle body portion and has a waveguide attachment dock that is exposed to the environment and has a first couple operable to connect the waveguide thereto and an ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly dock that is exposed to the environment and shaped to removably secure the second handle body portion to the securing connector and connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the attachment dock to the output couple through the second handle body portion.
US08444659B2	Method and apparatus for passing a suture through tissue An apparatus and method for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member having a retaining structure to support a portion of the suture proximate a first surface of the tissue. A second jaw member is associated with the first jaw member. The second jaw member is selectively configurable in a first configuration to perform a first stitch or in a second configuration to perform a second stitch.
US08444657B2	Apparatus and methods for rapid deployment of tissue anchors Apparatus and methods for rapid deployment of tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member and has a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member pivotably coupled to the lower jaw member. A reconfigurable launch tube is pivotably coupled to the upper jaw member and is used to urge the jaw members from a low-profile configuration to an open configuration. A needle assembly can be advanced through the launch tube across tissue received between the jaw members of the tissue manipulation assembly. Tissue anchors can be advanced through the needle assembly for securing received tissue. The tissue anchors can be positioned within a reloadable chamber of a control handle disposed outside the patient, then advanced through the needle assembly.
US08444651B2	Patient-specific surgical guidance tool and method of use Presented is a preoperatively designed guidance tool for intraoperative use during bone or joint surgery wherein the guidance tool is specific to the anatomy of the patient being treated. The guidance tool comprises a body portion, a mating surface provided on the body portion for positioning the guidance tool on a corresponding registration surface of a patient's anatomy. The guidance tool further comprises at least one guide mechanism provided on the body portion for guiding a medical instrument at one or more preoperatively defined trajectories relative to a patient's anatomy. In the event of misalignment, the at least one guide mechanism is adjustable to alter the one or more preoperatively defined trajectories if necessary during intraoperative use. Also presented is a preoperative process for designing the guidance tool.
US08444649B2	System and method for manipulating a spinal construct A system and device for manipulating a spinal construct is provided. For example, the manipulation device can include a drive member to be disposed within a first surgical sleeve extending from a first vertebra, and a coupling member positioned adjacent a second surgical sleeve. In one embodiment, at least one of the drive member and the coupling member can be releasably engaged to an actuation mechanism. In one aspect, the actuation mechanism can include a floating and/or auto-locking pivot point thereby allowing a user to quickly and easily position the manipulation device relative to the adjacent surgical sleeves. Additionally, a method of manipulating spinal constructs is also provided.
US08444647B2	Surgical sagittal saw blade with a static bar and a pivoting blade head, the bar shaped to facilitate holding the blade to a complementary saw A surgical sagittal saw blade with a static blade bar and to which a blade head is mounted. Distal from the proximal end of the blade bar, the sides of the bar taper outwardly. These outer taper sides facilitate the coupling of the blade bar to the complementary saw used to actuate the blade.
US08444644B2	Fast adjust external fixation connection rod The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an external fixation connection rod having articulatable joints that can be attached to external supports, such as rings. In some embodiments, the fixation connection rod includes a telescopic rod and connecting mechanisms for coupling the joints of the connection rod to the external supports, and the connecting mechanisms are operable to substantially lock the orientation of the joints. In some other embodiments, the connection rod includes a housing having parallel axial bores defined therethrough and sleeves slidably disposed in the axial bores. Also included in the present disclosure are methods of maintaining the orientation of first and second fixator rings for immobilizing bone segments.
US08444640B2	Methods and apparatus for performing a non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen Methods and apparatus are provided for non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen. Apparatus may be positioned within a body lumen of a patient and may deliver energy at a first lengthwise and angular position to create a less-than-full circumferential treatment zone at the first position. The apparatus also may deliver energy at one or more additional lengthwise and angular positions within the body lumen to create less-than-full circumferential treatment zone(s) at the one or more additional positions that are offset lengthwise and angularly from the first treatment zone. Superimposition of the first treatment zone and the one or more additional treatment zones defines a non-continuous circumferential treatment zone without formation of a continuous circumferential lesion. Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for achieving such non-continuous circumferential treatment are provided.
US08444637B2	Steerable ablation device The invention relates to a flexible assembly for use in a region of a medical or surgical device. In preferred embodiments, the flexible region comprises a set of pull wires for controllably moving a treatment end of the device, and elements to separate the pull wires and maintain the integrity of the shaft of the flexible region in order to improve the operating aspects of the device. The devices and methods can be especially useful in ablation treatments, such as ablation at cardiac or epicardial tissues.
US08444636B2	Medical instrument and method of use An instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes or for volumetric removal of tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument has an interior chamber that includes a diffuser structure for diffusing a biocompatible conductive fluid that is introduced under high pressure. The interior chamber further includes surfaces of opposing polarity electrodes for vaporizing the small cross-section diffused fluid flows created within a diffuser structure. In one embodiment, the diffuser structure includes a negative temperature coefficient of resistance material between the opposing polarity surfaces. The NTCR structure can self-adjust the lengths of current paths between the opposing polarities to insure complete vaporization of the volume of flow of conductive fluid. The non-ionized vapor phase media is ejected from a working surface of the instrument and a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue applies thermal energy substantially equal to the heat of vaporization to ablate tissue. In another embodiment, the instrument provides voltage means for converting the non-ionized vapor phase media into an ionized media or plasma for applying energy to body structure.
US08444628B2	Needleless medical connector A valve for selectively permitting a fluid flow between first and second medical implements is disclosed. The valve has a housing with an interface suitable for receiving a connector portion of a first medical device such as a catheter, and a seal made of a flexible material. The seal has a first end in fluid communication with the interface, a second end suitable for receiving the second medical device, and at least one slit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end. The slit defines a restricted fluid flow path and a relatively small interior volume when in an undisturbed state, defines an expanded fluid flow path and a larger interior volume upon the introduction of the second medical instrument into the slit, and retracts to define a restricted flow path and a small interior volume upon the withdrawal of the second medical device from the seal.
US08444626B2	Articulating handle for a deflectable catheter and method therefor A catheter assembly includes a handle assembly, and a catheter body coupled with the handle assembly, where the catheter body extends to a deflectable distal end portion, and the deflectable distal end is controllable by a flexible element. A lever actuator member is operatively coupled with the flexible element, and movement of the actuator member provides for movement of the flexible element.
US08444624B2	Vascular medical devices with sealing elements and procedures for the treatment of isolated vessel sections Devices for the isolation of a selected portion of a vessel are described. In some embodiments, the device comprises an introducer sheath and a sealing catheter that are movable relative to each other to create an isolated volume with adjustable size and location. The methods for the treatment of vascular aneurysms using the devices are described. The treatment is achieved through the delivery of an effective amount of stabilization agent to an isolated volume that encompass the aneurysm. The device optionally has an aspiration means to improve the effectiveness of the treatment.
US08444622B2	Device, system, and method for targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory medicaments to a mammalian subject A device, a system, or a method is described for treating a disease or a condition of one or more joints of articulating bone in a mammalian subject. The device provides one or more medicaments to one or more joints of the mammalian subject. A device is described that includes an enclosure including one or more sensors, a controller, and one or more applicators configured to surround one or more joints of articulating bone of a mammalian subject, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect one or more physiological conditions of the one or more joints of the mammalian subject, and the controller, configured to communicate with the one or more sensors, is configured to activate the one or more applicators, and wherein the one or more applicators are configured to inject one or more medicaments to one or more joint tissues of the mammalian subject.
US08444619B2	Belted absorbent article A belted absorbent article (10) having an absorbent structure (16) and a pair of opposed belt halves (12, 14) attached to the absorbent structure (16) via a respective joint (50). The joint (50) between each belt half (12, 14) and the absorbent structure (16) is designed such that when each belt half is subjected to a tension force of 35 N acting along the belt half and the direction of applied tension creates an angle (α) to the transverse axis (T) of the absorbent structure, the following minimum average release times (t) of each belt half from the absorbent structure are attained: when α=10°, t>>720 seconds; when α=20°, t>>330 seconds; when α=25°, t>>240 seconds; when α=30°, t>>180 seconds; and when α=40°, t>>75 seconds.
US08444618B2	Absorbent article and absorbent body An absorbent article adapted to be worn on a body includes an absorbent article main body having a longitudinal direction, a width direction perpendicular thereto, and a thickness direction perpendicular thereto; and an absorbent body overlapping the absorbent article main body along the longitudinal direction. One end section in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body is undetachably joined to the absorbent article main body, and another end section in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body is detachably joined to the absorbent article main body. A section of the absorbent body on a wearer-facing side that is positioned on a body side in use and that does not oppose the absorbent article main body is easier to elongate in the width direction than a section of the absorbent body on an non-wearer-facing side that opposes the absorbent article main body.
US08444617B2	Pant-type absorbent article A pant-type absorbent article having an absorbent assembly having an absorbent core and a chassis, wherein the front and back portions are joined to each other along two opposite longitudinal side edges to define a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings, at least one of the front and back portions has an elastic web material, a crotch portion located between the front portion and the back portion in the longitudinal direction of the article, the front portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, the back portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, and the crotch portion having a length in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent assembly overlapping a distance with both the front and back portions, the article having a longitudinal and a transverse direction, wherein the absorbent assembly overlaps no more than 20% of the surface area of each of the front and back portions.
US08444614B2	Methods and devices for applying closed incision negative pressure wound therapy Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods for using such devices and systems for treating incisions and wounds. In an aspect, disclosed is a device having a generally planar tension relief module and a flexible sealant structure sized to cover the tension relief module, the flexible sealant structure comprising a lower adhesive surface. The tension relief module includes a conduit structure having a plurality of support structures on an upper surface of the conduit structure and at least one opening extending through the conduit structure from a lower surface to the upper surface. At least a portion of the conduit structure is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the incision. The tension relief module also includes opposing adhesive structures coupled to the conduit structure. The lower adhesive surface of the flexible sealant structure and the upper surface of the conduit structure form a flow pathway.
US08444613B2	Pump leak monitor for negative pressure wound therapy A therapeutic device includes a fluid mover for one of raising, compressing, or transferring fluid, a therapeutic member operably connected to the fluid mover and actuated thereby, the therapeutic member operably disposably used on a patient in a manner to deliver therapy to the patient as function of actuation of the fluid mover, a controller operably associated with the fluid mover for controlling operation thereof, and a leak, blockage, temperature, voltage or current sensor operably connected to the fluid mover and the controller and to sense a leak, blockage, temperature, voltage or current in the device and send a signal to the controller whereby the controller controls the fluid mover as a function of the sensed signal.
US08444604B2	Patch-like infusion device A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device (700) which can be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button (780) activation assembly can then be used to remove an interlock (730), allowing a disk or Belleville spring (735) assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of a fluid reservoir assembly (710). This allows the release of one or more spring-loaded patient needles (760) into the skin surface, and establishes a fluid communication path between the patient needles (760) and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin. The push button (780) activation assembly further allows the release of one or more improved safety mechanisms (794) after use.
US08444602B2	Hemostatic valve system A medical introducer apparatus for use in inserting an interventional device into a body vessel of a patient. The apparatus includes a housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a chamber positioned between the proximal and distal openings. A sheath, defining a conduit for the interventional device, extends distally from the housing distal opening. A hemostatic valve system is provided in the housing chamber. The valve system includes a plurality of generally elastomeric valve members axially arranged in the chamber. The valve members each have a generally circular hole extending therethrough, which hole is sized for substantially leak-free passage of the interventional device. The valve members are aligned in the chamber to be sequentially penetrable by the interventional device, such that the hole in one valve member is covered by an adjoining valve member.
US08444599B2	Method and apparatus to indicate prior use of a medical item The present invention monitors an IV bag injection port and informs the user of prior injections. The present invention employs an object and/or a sealed chamber within a transparent IV fluid bag injection port. In the case of the object, notification of prior use is achieved when the object's or IV fluid's appearance is altered. With respect to the sealed chamber, the chamber's seal is breached to allow fluid to pass between the chamber and the IV bag to change the appearance of the contents of the chamber. Since the injection port and bag walls are at least partially transparent, medical personnel are able to observe the altered appearance of either the object, IV fluid or the sealed chamber.
US08444592B2	Fluid management system with pressure and flow control operating modes Surgical fluid management systems and methods of operating surgical fluid management systems which may provide one or more functions associated with suction, irrigation, distention, deficit monitoring, infusion, fluid warming, and the like. Some example embodiments may include infra-red lamps arranged to heat fluid flowing through a disposable cartridge. Some example embodiments may provide a three-dimensional fluid path through the cartridge and/or multi-stage heating capabilities. Some example fluid management systems may be selectable between pressure control and flow control modes.
US08444590B2	Tapered tampon applicator with petals and taper ratio There is provided a tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel with a tapered insertion, which provides enhanced insertion comfort to a user. The taper of the insertion tip is defined by a ratio of the length of the taper projection along a longitudinal axis of the barrel to the length of the taper projection along a radius of the barrel at a base region of the insertion tip. The insertion end of the barrel preferably has two or more petals for enhanced user comfort. Preferably, the petals have a substantially uniform thickness. The barrel may also have a fingergrip for ease of use of the applicator during insertion, expulsion of the pledget, and removal from the vagina.
US08444588B2	Internal shunt and method for treating glaucoma A surgical technique and device wherein an indwelling tube is placed in the eye of a patient having glaucoma. The tube diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space from which it is removed by blood flowing in the choroidal and uveal tissues. This decreases the intraocular pressure.
US08444586B2	Degassing device A device for degassing gas bubbles out of a liquid comprises a housing having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet and a gas bubble outlet. The housing includes a spiral wall defining a spiral flow path for the liquid and a hydrophobic membrane above the spiral wall and between the spiral wall and the gas bubble outlet. The spiral wall forces inward liquid entering the housing through the inlet into a spiral flow along the spiral flow path, and causes an upward flow of the gas bubbles toward the hydrophobic membrane. A method for degassing gas bubbles out of a liquid, e.g., blood, e.g., during hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration, and use of such a degassing device in an extracorporeal circuit for degassing gas bubbles out of liquid, e.g., blood, e.g., during hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration, are disclosed.
US08444584B2	Method and compression hose for relieving heel pressure A compression hose adapted to be worn to cover at least the calf and foot of a leg of an individual, and a method for medically treating the individual with the compression hose. The compression hose includes connected leg and foot portions formed of an elastic fabric material and adapted to cover, respectively, the calf and foot of the individual. A heel opening is located between the leg and foot portions so as to be located in the compression hose to coincide with the heel of the leg of the individual. The heel opening has a perimeter defined by a stitch that limits stretching and expansion of the heel opening relative to stretching and expansion of the leg and foot portions of the compression hose.
US08444583B2	Ankle foot orthosis An ankle foot orthosis includes a leg member, a foot member, and a drive member. The drive assembly includes a link member which may be hingedly secured to the foot member at a hinge location adjacent to the posterior end of the foot member. The drive assembly may be operable to selectively impart pivotal movement between the foot member and the link member about a first pivot axis, and pivotal movement between the foot member and the leg member about a second pivot axis at the hinge location. The leg member and the foot member strut may be selectively movable in a medial-lateral direction relative to a base of the foot member and the drive assembly. The inferior-superior location of the second pivot axis may be selectively adjustable for substantially aligning the second pivot axis with an axis of rotation of an ankle joint of the wearer.
US08444582B2	Device for assisting in the selection of a compressive orthosis by simulating its effects upon the hemodynamics of the venous return A device determines and displays compression values to be exerted by an orthosis upon the surface of a member and produces digital simulation (10) for simulating the action of the compression on the hemodynamics of venous return furnishing values of blood flow and/or of intravenous pressure at a number of points of a digital model representing the venous network of the leg of the member, which display is a value oriented graph containing a number of interconnected arcs, with each arc assigned a corresponding value of blood flow and/or intravenous pressure, and which compression values are furnished by simulation software based on morphological characteristics of the member and on dimensional and rheological characteristics of the orthosis.
US08444573B2	Tissue excision device A biopsy device includes a coring cannula, a retract stylet, and a localization needle. The coring cannula has a longitudinal axis and a shaft centered on the axis. The stylet has a tip containing at least one blade and a central passage. The localization needle has a channel and is slidably disposed within the central passage. A drive mechanism rotates the cannula and moves the cannula in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. A guide element has a first end and a second end and is slidably disposed within the channel of the localization needle. The guide element is movable from a first position to a second position within the localization needle.
US08444571B2	Obtaining measurements of muscle reflexes for diagnosis of patient symptoms A system and method is disclosed for measuring muscle reflexes (e.g., a bulbocavernosus reflex) as a tool for identifying/diagnosing dysfunctions (e.g., spinal cord abnormalities, bladder voiding dysfunction, and sexual organ dysfunction) non-invasively by using mechanical stimulation. The system and method includes a probe having a predetermined patient contacting portion, wherein when the contacting portion is moved into contact with a particular area of the patient (e.g., the patient's genitals), the contact induces a muscle reflex. The probe detects the pressure resulting from the contacting portion being abruptly and forcibly brought into contact with the particular area. Such detection is used to electronically initiate capture of electrical responses from a plurality of electrodes placed on the patient's skin in proximity to the particular area. Such electrical responses are processed to determine characteristics of the patient's reflexes of one or more muscles adjacent to the electrodes.
US08444567B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for reducing an influence of uneven rotation of a flexible shaft In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using an ultrasonic probe of a mechanical radial scanning type for intracavity observation, stable Doppler mode images with respect to an ROI or a gate position can be generated by reducing an influence of uneven rotation of a flexible shaft. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit for performing orthogonal detection processing or orthogonal sampling processing on a reception signal to generate a complex baseband signal; a memory for storing the complex baseband signal for at least two frames generated based on ultrasonic echoes received along plural lines; a line selecting unit for selecting one line in each frame from among the plural lines based on the complex baseband signal; and an image signal generating unit for generating an image signal representing information on blood flow based on the complex baseband signal with reference to the line selected in each frame.
US08444565B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, method of measuring pressure gradient, and method of measuring blood vessel elasticity An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining information on a pressure gradient in a blood vessel based on only reception signals of ultrasonic echoes reflected within an object. The apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe for outputting reception signals; a measuring unit for measuring an inside radius of a blood vessel within the object and blood flow velocities in plural locations in a radial direction substantially at the same time based on the reception signals; and a computing unit for computing a velocity gradient in the radial direction at an inner wall point of the blood vessel by differentiating the blood flow velocities measured by the measuring unit in the radial direction, and computing a pressure gradient at ends of a predetermined length of the blood vessel based on the computed velocity gradient, the measured inside radius of the blood vessel, and a predetermined viscosity of blood.
US08444561B2	Ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array 1 composed of arrayed transducer elements T1 to T6 for transmitting ultrasound; driving circuits D1A to D6A each provided for transmission channels for driving each of the transducer elements; a transmission trigger generator 2 for generating a trigger pulse for controlling each of the driving circuits; a parallel reception beam former 3 for processing reception signals from the transducer elements; a signal processor 4 for processing an output signal of the parallel reception beam former; and a control unit 5 for controlling the transmission trigger generator, the parallel reception beam former and the signal processor. The transmission trigger generator controls the width of the trigger pulse independently for each of the transmission channels to cause the driving circuit to output a driving pulse approximating a predetermined weighting value assigned to an output amplitude of each of the transmission channels in a transmission aperture of the transducer array. A circuit for forming a trapezoidal transmission beam for increasing a data acquisition rate by using parallel reception beams can be configured at low cost by using pulse amplifiers.
US08444559B2	Skin impedance matching system and method for skin/electrode interface The present invention relates to a system for measuring the input impedance of a skin/electrode interface and selectively modifying the input impedance of the monitoring circuit to match the measured input impedance. More particularly, a simplified method for correcting for input impedance mismatch between electronic monitoring circuitry and the skin/electrode interface. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an input impedance measuring circuit will interface with a microprocessor and a reconfigurable switch network to select the input impedance of the electronic monitoring circuitry, thus eliminating the impedance sensitivity of EMG or EKG instruments.
US08444556B2	Laryngoscope The present invention is a self-retaining laryngoscope composed of a palate brace or blade, a slider, and a tongue blade. The angulated tongue blade puts less force on the blade, reduces trauma, and is not conducive for mechanical failure. The slider interacts with the tongue blade by widening the opening of the mouth, and acts as a bite block. The fenestrated palate blade provides an unobstructed view of the vocal cords during intubation, and allows removal of the laryngoscope over the endotracheal tube without displacing it. The result is a laryngoscope that requires only one hand to use properly, and has superior retraction due to its shape.
US08444553B2	Endoscope apparatus having a bending driving control section for controlling a motion of a distal of a bending portion An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a bendable bending portion provided in a distal end side of the insertion portion, a bending driving section that drives the bending of the bending portion, and a bending driving control section that controls the bending driving section based on an inputted control signal to cause a distal end of the bending portion to make a turning motion with respect to a proximal end thereof.
US08444552B2	Endoscope An endoscope includes a manipulation unit, and an insertion unit which is disposed in continuation to the manipulation unit. The insertion unit contains a bending portion which has a plurality of articulation wheels coupled in succession, two adjacent ones of the articulation wheels being coupled by a shaft member so as to be relatively turnable around the shaft member which crosses the center axis of the bending portion, the bending portion being bent in such a way that a wire which leads to the manipulation unit via the plurality of articulation wheels is tractively manipulated. The shaft member has a guide part formed with an insertional hole through which the wire is inserted, and at least the guide part of the shaft member is turnable around the center axis of the shaft member, to both the two articulation wheels coupled by the shaft member.
US08444547B2	Medical treatment endoscope The medical treatment endoscope according to the present invention includes a sheath having a flexibility; at least one arm member having a bending part that projects out from a front end of the sheath and performs bending actions; an open/close mechanism which directs the arm member from a direction along a central axis of the sheath to a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath, and from a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath to a direction along the central axis of the sheath; and a viewing device and an illuminating member that are disposed to the front end side of the sheath.
US08444539B2	Folding score and method and apparatus for forming the same A folding score having a pair of laterally spaced, parallel scoring grooves which are individually asymmetrical. This invention also relates to a method and apparatus for forming the folding score.
US08444536B2	Weightlifting system for doing arm curls Weightlifting system for doing arm curls having a frame, a seat mounted on the frame for supporting a person using the system, a pair of posts extending upwardly and rearwardly from the front portion of the frame, an arm rest panel mounted on the posts in front of the seat for engagement by the upper arms of a person on the seat, a pair of weight stands positioned next to the legs in front of the arm rest panel, a bar extending between the weight stands in position to be grasped in the hands of a person sitting on the seat with the backs of the upper arms of the person resting against the arm rest panel, and a plurality of weight plates disposed on each of the stands for selective attachment to the bar.
US08444533B2	Exercise apparatus and training method A high-intensity interval training method comprises supporting an individual upon an upper body engaging element in a forwardly inclined position while the individual is propelling himself in a forward motion on a non-motorized rotatable endless belt; obtaining a performance feedback by sensing at least one of a rotation of the belt and an impact force exerted upon the upper body engaging element by the individual during the exercise cycles; and using the performance feedback to measure performance of the individual and control the exercise cycles to create an exercise regimen that requires the user to operate at at least about 85% of the individual maximum capacity during the high intensity anaerobic intervals.
US08444532B1	Fitness platform having a plurality of interchangeable surfaces An exercise apparatus having a plurality of upper and lower interchangeable surfaces. The apparatus includes a plurality of interchangeable upper surfaces sized and shaped to fit on an upper side of the fitness platform and a plurality of interchangeable lower surfaces sized and shaped to fit on a lower side of the fitness platform. A user selects one of the plurality of interchangeable upper surface and affixes the selected upper surface to the upper side of the fitness platform and selects one of the plurality of interchangeable lower surfaces and affixes the selected lower surface to the lower side of the fitness platform. The upper surfaces may include an incline surface, a flat upper surface, and a cushion surface. The lower surfaces may include a stable base, an unstable base, and a surface having a plurality of pivotable wheels. The user selects the upper and lower surfaces for the desired exercise.
US08444527B2	Variable-speed motor-generator accessory drive system An accessory drive system for a motor vehicle is provided including first and second gear sets having first, second, and third members configured to selectively connect vehicle accessories to an engine and motor/generator. The first member of each gear set is continuously interconnected to the other. The second member of each gear set is continuously interconnected to the other. The motor/generator is configured to drive the accessories at a selectable rate independent of engine speed. A first torque transmitting device is operatively connected to the gear sets to allow the motor/generator to re-start the engine and power the accessories while restarting the engine. A second torque transmitting device is operatively connected to the engine's output shaft to allow the motor/generator to power the accessories while the vehicle is off.
US08444526B1	Multi-ratio planetary gear transmission A transmission comprising a first compound planetary gear set having a first brake engaged with a sun gear, a second compound planetary gear set having a second brake engaged with a ring gear, the first compound planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set axially engagable through a first clutch and a second clutch, and the transmission input and transmission output disposed coaxially and configured to input and output torque from the same side of the transmission.
US08444523B2	Biasing device Disclosed is a biasing device comprising a first ramp disc and a second ramp disc, a plurality of ramp contours being formed in one side of an annular surface of each of said ramp discs. Through a slewing of one of the two ramp discs relative to the other, non-slewing ramp disc about an axis, the rolling elements ascend and/or descend along the ramp contours. At least the first ramp disk, the cage and the second ramp disc are inserted into a retaining pot that is connected rotationally fast to a housing through at least one retaining element. For axial guidance, a plurality of rolling elements is arranged between the retaining pot and the non-slewing ramp disc.
US08444521B2	Adjustment fitting Adjustment fitting, in particular for a vehicle seat, comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part that can be rotationally adjusted relative to the first fitting part about an axis of rotation. An external gear, which has internal teeth and into which an internal gear that is associated with the second fitting part and has external teeth is inserted like an eccentric gear, is associated with the first fitting part. The internal gear forms an eccentric receiving space towards the axis of rotation. The adjustment fitting further comprises an eccentric member that is rotatably inserted into the eccentric receiving space and is equipped with a drive shaft for driving the eccentric member, and a cap for covering the open receiving space. The cap is eccentrically designed relative to the axis of rotation, penetrates into the eccentric receiving space by means of an axially downward-pulled sealing edge, and seals the receiving space as the sealing edge is preloaded in a radially outward direction. The adjustment fitting is easy to mount, while the cap ensures a secure sealing action regardless of the axial height of the adjustment fitting.
US08444519B2	Hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle A hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle which comprises a combustion engine, an electric machine which is operable as a motor and a generator and comprises a stator and a rotor, and a multi-stage planetary transmission with input and output shafts. The driveshaft of the combustion engine can be connected to the input shaft of the transmission, the electric machine is coaxially arranged about the input shaft, and the rotor of the electric machine is rigidly connected with the input shaft. To achieve a starting acceleration and climbing capacity on starting, corresponding to those provided by a drive train with an automatic transmission and a hydrodynamic torque converter or a manual gearshift transmission with a converter shifting clutch, the rotor of the electric machine can be connected with the transmission input shaft via an input transmission stage which is formed as a simple planetary gearset and has a high gear ratio.
US08444517B2	Hybrid transmission A multi-speed hybrid transmission includes a main gearset connected to a vehicle gas combustible engine and providing torque to an output shaft. The transmission also includes an electric drive unit comprising an electric motor that is selectably connectable to the output shaft to provide additional torque to the output shaft. When connected to the output shaft, the electric drive unit improves vehicle performance under certain driving conditions (e.g., high boost in low gear or in upper gears) while also improving fuel efficiency.
US08444512B2	Scent dispersing apparatus An animal attractant, such as a liquid scent can be dispersed from a frangible housing by attaching the housing to an arrow and firing an arrow in a designated area frequented by animals. The housing has large fins secured about outer periphery of the housing, enlarging the impact surface of the housing and preventing the housing from being embedded in the soil. As a result, the animal attractant is dispersed above the ground and is not lost in the soil.
US08444509B2	Methods, apparatus, and systems to custom fit golf clubs The present invention is directed to custom fitting an individual with golf clubs. To accomplish such, a three-dimensional swing display may depict a golf swing prior to impact of a golf ball by a club head of a golf club. The club head may approach the golf ball at a particular attack angle. The attack angle may be defined relative to a horizontal plane that may be substantially parallel to a ground plane and intersect an optimal impact area on a golf ball. The attack angle may be a negative attack angle or a positive attack angle as defined by an angle of approach by a club head to impact the golf ball during a downswing portion of a golf swing.
US08444503B2	Golf club head A head 2 has a face line 8 having a depth of D1 (mm). In a section line of a surface of the face line 8, a boundary between a land area LA and the face line 8 is defined as a point Pa; a point of which a depth is [D¼] (mm) is defined as a point Pb; a point of which a depth is [D½] (mm) is defined as a point Pc; a point of which a depth is [(D1)×(¾)] (mm) is defined as a point Pd; a radius of a circle CL1 passing through three points of the point Pa, the point Pb, and the point Pc is defined as R3 (mm); a straight line passing through the point Pc and the point Pd is defined as a straight line Lcd; a straight line perpendicular to the land area LA is defined as a straight line Lp; and an angle between the straight line Lcd and the straight line Lp is defined as θm. At that time, the radius R3 is 0.01 (mm) or greater and 0.10 (mm) or less, and the angle θm is 40 degrees or greater and 70 degrees or less.
US08444502B2	Swingweight To provide a swingweight whose position of the center of gravity is appropriately fine-adjusted depending upon the situation, the swingweight of the present invention has a securing part, a support shaft and a weight, and is mounted to a grip end, and it is possible for the weight to be moved to any position in the axial direction of the support shaft and to be secured.
US08444500B2	Full swing weight training apparatus A weight training apparatus which develops strength, suppleness and memory in the muscles used for swinging of a sports implement which may be a baseball bat, tennis racquet, golf club or other sporting implement or equipment. More specifically, the trainer provides for normal use of the sport implement by a user to swing and hit an object such as a golf ball while providing shock absorption to reduce vibration and twisting of the implement upon impact with the object.
US08444497B1	Opposed jumping platforms apparatus An opposed jumping platform apparatus includes a fulcrum base; and an opposed platforms member having an opposed platforms member center pivotally mounted on the fulcrum base and dividing the opposed platforms member into a first jumping platform and an opposing second jumping platform, the first jumping platform having a first user support spaced from the opposed platforms member center extending at least one and one half feet above said first jumping platform, and the second jumping platform having a second user support spaced from the opposed platforms member center extending at least one and one half feet above said second jumping platform.
US08444494B2	Transmission input shaft blade A flat blade for a transmission input shaft includes a substantially rectangular body portion for insertion in a center bore of the input shaft and at least one radial blade segment extending from the body portion. The radial blade segment is arranged for assembly proximate a distal end of the input shaft and for extending radially beyond the center bore. In an example embodiment, the radial blade segment is substantially rectangular in shape. In an example embodiment, the radial blade segment is a pair of radial blade segments extending in opposing directions. In an example embodiment, the body portion is arranged for press-fitting into the center bore.
US08444490B2	Interactive asynchronous game offline play architecture In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for serving a computer game, comprising (a) receiving, at a server, a request from a client for prior game play data relating to another user's prior live game play; (b) retrieving the prior game play data and transmitting the prior game play data to the client; (c) causing the client to store the prior game play data such that the client can retrieve the prior game play data at a later time; and (d) presenting a multi-player game environment where a live gaming participant using the client can play against and have two-way interactions with an apparently live opponent, the apparently live opponent's interaction being based on the prior game play data.
US08444488B2	Device and method for controlling the movement of a game character The present invention relates to a device and method for controlling the movement of a games character, which enable character movement of a type in which a character in the game jumps down and falls freely from an elevated height following an action by the games player, or progresses forwards in the direction of movement if another action is performed. The present invention has the advantageous effect that the appeal of a game is maximized as the movement time and the movement distance differ depending on the terrain and updrafts in the game even though the degree of freedom for actions is small.
US08444486B2	Systems and methods for indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.
US08444485B2	Seamless user navigation between high-definition movie and video game in digital medium Seamless navigation is provided between high-definition audio-video content configured for use with a media player application, and an executable video game packaged with the audio-video content on a digital medium. An API module is distributed to player/consoles. An application provided with the high-definition audio-video content detects the presence of the API module on the player device. In response to detecting the API module, the application provides an interactive feature that uses the API module to load and execute the executable video game in response to user input.
US08444484B2	Game device, control method of game device, and information storage medium A game device (10) capable of allowing a user to recognize a movement target position candidate for a mobile character at a glance. The game device (10) displays a game screen showing the mobile character moving toward a position designated by the user. A line acquisition unit (76) acquires a line connecting a position of the mobile character and the position designated by the user. A display control unit (78) displays at least a part of the line acquired by the line acquisition unit (76). The line acquisition unit (76) controls a curved manner of the line connecting the position of the mobile character and the position designated by the user based on a positional relationship between the position designated by the user and a movement target position candidate decided by a movement target position candidate decision unit (74).
US08444479B2	Betting against participants in an event A method of managing bets is provided. The method includes receiving win bets and group bets. Each win bet includes a bet that a participant selected from a set of participants in an event will win the event. Each group bet includes a bet that one of a subset of the set of participants will win the event. Results of the event identifying a winning participant from the set of participants are received. An amount of a win bet payout for at least a portion of the win bets that comprise a bet on the winning participant is determined. An amount of a group bet payout for at least one of the group bets is also determined. In this manner, a bettor may bet on all participants in an event other than a particular participant, such as the favorite participant, and thus effectively bet against the particular participant.
US08444476B2	Method of awarding prizes for jackpot and gaming machines based on amount wagered during a time period Periodic prize draws are conducted by a jackpot controller in a gaming system having one or more electronic gaming devices. The probability of each electronic gaming device winning a particular prize draw is dependent upon the amount wagered on that gaming machine during a period preceding that prize draw. The prize may be a progressive jackpot which comprises an initial starting value and a contribution from the amounts wagered on the electronic gaming devices. If an electronic gaming device wins a prize draw, its player may be granted a feature game to determine the actual prize. Jackpots are suspended pending the completion of the feature game. The probability that a gaming device will win the prize draw, or the relative win probabilities of the gaming devices, may be displayed graphically.
US08444465B2	Ultimate four of a kind bonus poker The elegance and simplicity of the present invention is its taking pure electronic video poker in a new direction. This invention, with a portal, takes video poker from a static, single screen playing field with known values to a video poker format with a portal into another playing screen whenever any four of a kind, with maximum coins bet, is made by the player. This invention has a primary playing screen, a portal into an informative secondary screen which moves into a bonus screen. The player becomes interactive with the game on the bonus screen and choices he makes on the touch screen determine the amount of winnings the player will receive. When play has finished on the bonus screen, the primary screen returns and regular play video poker resumes.This innovative invention with a portal into other screens allows the player to be interactive in this game in determining their own winnings.
US08444462B2	Control of exhaust systems Exhaust capture and containment are enhanced by means of automatic or manual side skirts, a sensitive breach detector based on interference effects, a combination of vertical and horizontal edge jets, and/or corner jets that are directed to the center diagonally from corners. Associated control functions are described.
US08444457B2	Universal abrasive sheet A universal abrasive sheet is provided for a sanding or polishing machine and includes segments defined by weakened regions that allow portions of the universal abrasive sheet to be removed in order to adapt the abrasive sheet to alternative platent configurations. Each of the different configurations of the universal abrasive sheet can be provided with an individualized tip portion which can be separated from a body portion and either repositioned or replaced in order to change the working point of the tip portion when it becomes worn out.
US08444456B2	Electrode securing platens and electrode polishing assemblies incorporating the same In one embodiment, an electrode polishing assembly may include an electrode securing platen, a plurality of electrode locating fasteners, and an electrode. Each of the electrode locating fasteners may include an electrode spacing shoulder, a variance cancelling shoulder extending from the electrode spacing shoulder, a threaded platen clamping portion extending from the variance cancelling shoulder, and a threaded nut that engages the threaded platen clamping portion. The electrode locating fasteners clamp the electrode securing platen between the threaded nut and the electrode spacing shoulder. The variance cancelling shoulder is at least partially within one of a plurality of variance cancelling passages of the electrode securing platen. A minimum position stack-up is equal to a minimum passage size minus a maximum shoulder size. A maximum position stack-up is equal to a maximum passage size minus a minimum shoulder size. The maximum position stack-up is greater than the minimum position stack-up.
US08444454B2	Interface pad for use between an abrasive article and a support tool The present invention relates to an interface pad for use between an abrasive article and a support tool. In one particular embodiment, an interface pad for use between a perforated abrasive article and a support tool is provided. In general, the interface pads described herein contain apertures and at least one channel configured such that an interface pad can be used between an abrasive article having a particular configuration of apertures and a support tool having different configuration of dust collection apertures. In one embodiment, the interface pads described herein contain apertures and at least one channel configured such that the interface pad can be used between any perforated abrasive article and any support tool with dust extraction capabilities. Abrasive tools which include an interface pad and methods for using the interface pads are also described.
US08444452B2	Wireless musical figurines A method, system, and medium are provided for a wireless musical figurine belonging to a set of wireless musical figurines that play audio files in coordination with one another. One system of the musical figurine includes a wireless transceiver utilized to communicate with one or more musical figurines. The musical figurine also includes a set of master audio files of a first quality level, and a set of slave audio files of a second quality level. An audio player plays an audio file from the set of master audio files or the set of slave audio files. A master audio file is played when the musical figurine is initiated in accordance with a user indication, and a slave audio file is played when the musical figurine is initiated by another musical figurine. The musical figurine may also have movement capabilities which may be coordinated with the playing of an audio file to present a dancing figurine.
US08444451B2	Puppet A hand operated puppet includes a pair of characters that are interconnected such that when the first character is in a display orientation the other character is in a storage orientation inside the first character. The head of one character is shaped and dimensioned to compressibly store the head of the other character. The head of each character includes an elastic, resilient foam insert shaped and dimensioned to conform to the contour of the face of the character.
US08444446B2	Outboard motor control apparatus In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a trim angle regulation mechanism, where operation of the transmission is controlled to change the gear position from a second speed to a first speed when detected throttle change amount not less than a first predetermined value and operation of the trim angle regulation mechanism is controlled to start the trim-up operation such that the trim angle converges to a predetermined angle, the operation of the trim angle regulation mechanism is controlled such that the trim angle is decreased based on the detected rudder angle when steering of the outboard motor is started, thereby enabling to appropriately prevent cavitation caused by steering of the outboard motor, so that the boat can be smoothly turned.
US08444443B2	Electrical connection terminal An electrical connection terminal having a clamping spring, a metal part and a housing accommodating the clamping spring and the metal part and having at least one conductor insertion opening, the clamping spring having a clamping leg, an operating leg and a back connecting the two legs to each other, the clamping leg, together with the metal part, forming a clamping point for a stripped conductor, the clamping spring being pivotably mounted in such a way that the clamping spring is movable from a first (open) position to a second (closed) position. An operating element is pivotably mounted in the housing in such a way that the operating element can be moved from a first position to a second position, and that the clamping spring is pivoted out of its first position to its second position when the operating element is pivoted from the first position to the second position.
US08444441B2	Card connector The card connector, into which an IC card having a plurality of pads arranged in parallel at front and back positions is inserted, includes a plurality of contacts each contacting a corresponding one of the plurality of pads of the IC card and a base member that supports the plurality of contacts. Each of the plurality of contacts has a first and a second elastic piece each having a contact point portion that electrically contacts a pad of the IC card. The first and second elastic pieces are formed such that contact pressures of the respective contact point portions against the pads are different from each other. The plurality of contacts is arranged on the base member in parallel at front and back positions and a first and a second contact piece are arranged in an opposite manner in contacts aligned linearly at front and back positions.
US08444438B2	High-speed card connector having wide power contact Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. Other examples include wider contacts for increased current capabilities.
US08444437B2	Electrical connector assembly with EMI gasket An electrical connector assembly includes a cage having a front end and an internal compartment. The front end is open to the internal compartment of the cage. The internal compartment is configured to receive a pluggable module therein through the front end. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket is mounted to the front end of the cage such that the EMI gasket is engaged with an electrically connected to the cage. The EMI gasket includes electrically conductive springs that are configured to engage and electrically connect to the pluggable module when the pluggable module is received within the internal compartment of the cage. The EMI gasket including a flange. A bracket is mounted to the front end of the cage such that the bracket extends at least partially around the EMI gasket. The bracket having a wall that is engaged with the flange of the EMI gasket for holding the EMI gasket on the front end of the cage.
US08444435B2	Male connector and corresponding female connector A male connector has an insulating housing, multiple signal terminals, and multiple grounding modules. The signal terminals are mounted through the insulating housing. The grounding terminal modules are mounted through the insulating housing. Each grounding terminal module is integrally formed into one piece and has multiple grounding terminals. Adjacent grounding terminals are connected integrally to each other so that the grounding terminals of each grounding terminal module are arranged in a line. The integrally formed ground terminal modules reduce a total tolerance of the grounding terminals and increase the production rate of the male connector.
US08444433B2	Hand tightenable coaxial cable connector A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body having a forward end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable and a nut rotatably coupled to the forward end of the connector body. The nut includes a flanged head portion at its forward end and a tubular body portion extending rearwardly from the head portion over the connector body and terminating adjacent the rearward cable receiving end of the connector body. The flanged head portion is radially enlarged, having an outer diameter greater than a maximum outer diameter of the tubular body portion, and the tubular body portion preferably surrounds more than half the length of the connector body.
US08444431B1	Insulation piercing connector assemblies and methods and connections including same An electrical connector assembly for mechanically and electrically connecting first and second cables each including an elongate electrical conductor covered by an insulation layer includes a housing configured to receive the cables, an electrically conductive bus member in the housing, an electrically conductive first and second blade members in the housing each having an inner end, an outer end and an insulation piercing feature on the outer end. The inner ends are coupled to the bus member and the insulation piercing features each include at least one tooth configured to pierce through the insulation covers of the cables and electrically engage the cable conductor. The bus member provides electrical continuity between the first and second blade members and thereby the conductors of the first and second cables when the conductors are engaged by the insulation piercing feature of the first and second blade members.
US08444430B2	Connector element containing a locking mechanism A plug element, in particular a so-called small form-factor pluggable connector, has a reliable, effective and easily mountable locking mechanism. To accomplish this, an arrangement of a locking element and an actuating element inside of a housing of the connector element is provided. The locking element contains a detent element for latching and locking with a mating piece, into which the connector element can be inserted to form a lockable plug connection. The actuating element contains a grip part, which is guided through a first opening through the housing to the outside.
US08444428B2	Card-edge connector having a card-latching member with a fastener movable along a passage in an arm of a housing A card-edge connector is provided for securing and electrically connecting an electronic card to a circuit board. The card-edge connector includes an insulating housing a pair of arms, and a pair of card-latching members. The insulating housing includes a receiving wall defining a slot there within. Each arm extends from ends of the receiving wall. A supporting base is disposed on and extending along a first side of each arm, and a guiding rail disposed on a second side of each arm. Furthermore, a fastener receiving passageway is disposed on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of each of the pair of arms.
US08444425B2	Wire management system for modular electrical systems A modular electrical system (230) comprises a number of separate components forming a four-wire system (110). The component set (230) includes receptacle junction blocks (130), two-way connectors (232), four-way connectors (236), two-way jumper cable assemblies (234), and three-way jumper cable assemblies (238). The components of the component set (230) include various configurations of male blade terminals (150) and female terminals (200) located on the individual components so that a number of differing system configurations can be achieved.
US08444422B2	Coaxial connector A coaxial connector includes a lower insulating seat, having a housing cavity recessed from an upper surface thereof, and a receiving slot is located on one side of the housing cavity; a movable terminal, having a retained portion retained in the receiving slot, a pressed portion extended from the retained portion, a first soldering portion bent downwards and extended from the retained portion, and a first strip-connecting portion extended outwards from the retained portion and coplanar with the retained portion; and a fixed terminal, having a fixed portion embedded in the lower insulating seat and coplanar with the retained portion, a pressing portion extended from the fixed portion and urging against the pressed portion, a second soldering portion extended from the fixed portion, and coplanar with the first soldering portion, a second strip-connecting portion extends from the second soldering portion, and in different planes with the first strip-connecting portion.
US08444420B2	Project management guidebook and methodology A system for project management comprises a guidebook and a series of templates that accept input data from a user and calculate results based on the data. The resultant data is used to operate the system, which comprises the following components: a guidebook comprises the instructions for operating the method and all templates used during the method; standardized templates that are to be used for any project regardless of subject matter; weekly audits of project managers; a project manager certificate program; an auditor training program; a series of performance evaluations for project managers and auditors, and a series of performance analytics designed to correlate hours worked with performance quality to establish optimum task allocation for participants in the system.
US08444419B2	Polygonal device for kinesthetic learners A polygonal device for teaching students who prefer kinesthetic learning methods is presented in which the polygonal device can represent two-dimensional polygons of varying shapes and sizes. One or more of the sides, or legs, of the polygonal device are extendable, and the angles of the polygonal device may be manipulated to a desired angle. The devices presented include, but are not limited to, triangles, quadrilaterals, parallelograms, rectangles, squares, trapezoids, and kites. In each of these devices, the legs of the device are non-detachable, i.e. the device does not come apart during normal manipulation and operation.
US08444405B2	Overmolded rotor A fluid device includes a housing and a rotor assembly disposed in the housing. The rotor assembly includes a core and a coating. The core has a first surface, an oppositely disposed second surface and an outer peripheral surface that extends between the first and second surfaces. The core defines a bore that extends through the first and second surfaces. The coating coats at least a portion of the core. The coating is a water-swellable plastic material.
US08444404B2	Hydraulic machine The invention relates to a hydraulic machine comprising a housing section with a housing, a commutation section and a gear wheel section, the gear wheel section comprising a gear wheel set with an internally toothed gear ring and an externally toothed gear wheel, which engage each other and form working chambers that are connected to at least one inlet connection and at least one outlet connection via the commutation section that comprises a rotary slide valve and a valve plate. It is endeavored to provide such a hydraulic machine that requires only little space. For this purpose, a sealing is arranged between the rotary slide valve and the housing.
US08444402B2	Automatic concentric crank-side compressor valve To reduce the clearance volume for a crank-side concentric suction and pressure valve, it is proposed to arrange a sealing 20 axially abutting on the suction and pressure valve 2,3, wherein the sealing 20 consists of a number of pressure packings 21a, 21 which are arranged axially one behind the other.
US08444393B2	Rod pump control system including parameter estimator A rod pump control system includes a parameter estimator that determines from motor data parameters relating to operation of the rod pump and/or downhole dynamometer card without the need for external instrumentation, such as down hole sensors, echo meters, flow sensors, etc. In one embodiment, instantaneous motor current and voltage together with pump parameters are used in determining rod position and load. The rod position and load are used to control the operation of the rod pump to optimize the operation of the pump. Also disclosed in a pump stroke amplifier that is capable of increasing pump stroke without changing the overall pumping speed, or in the alternative, maintaining the well output with decreased overall pumping speed.
US08444391B2	Marine propeller drive A propeller drive for boats features a transition cone between the gearbox housing and the propeller hub(s). The propeller hub (that is closest to the gearbox housing) is smaller in cross-sectional dimension than the gearbox housing. The dimension of the front end of the transition cone corresponds to the cross-sectional dimension of the gearbox housing, and the dimension of the rear end of the transition cone corresponds to the cross-section dimension of the (closest) propeller hub. The transition cone has a bulging shoulder between the front and rear ends, the largest peripheral cross-sectional dimension of which is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the front of the transition cone.
US08444390B2	Hollow turbine blade A blade for a turbine engine made by the diffusion-bonding/superplastic-forming (DB/SPF) process has a hollow skin made of front and back panels 1, 3 and internal reinforcement in the form of webs 5 extending between the two faces or panels at an angle to the plane of the blade. The cavities are filled with viscoelastic damping filler 7. In order to allow the blade to deform more easily so that the filler can take up the strain, the webs are pre-buckled so as to compress at least some of the webs. When the blade is deformed, the webs straighten or buckle further, applying a deformation to the filler as they do so and thus dissipating energy. The blade is thus well reinforced against impact but still capable of damping vibrations.
US08444389B1	Multiple piece turbine rotor blade A multiple piece turbine rotor blade with a shell having an airfoil shape and secured between a spar and a platform with the spar including a tip end piece. a snap ring fits around the spar and abuts against the spar tip end piece on a top side and abuts against a shell on the bottom side so that the centrifugal loads from the shell is passed through the snap ring and into the spar and not through a tip cap dovetail slot and projection structure.
US08444385B2	Phase adjustment mechanism A variable transmission is described having a transmission mechanism and a phase adjustment mechanism. The transmission mechanism has supports that are movable toward or away from one another to vary the effective size of an effective cog. The phase adjustment mechanism has a differential type gear arrangement that creates a phase change to adjust the transmission mechanism. Another configuration is described which includes a subassembly with a phase adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch of propellers. Counter-rotating elements to control relative gear phase or pitch are provided externally, internally, distally or proximally relative to the source of mechanical torque in various configurations.
US08444383B1	Wind turbine with internal ram air turbine A wind turbine blade system that includes blades with an internal airflow path that extends within the blade from a location at the tip of the blade to a location near the base or root of the blade. A ram air turbine positioned inside each of the blades, along the airflow path, the ram air turbine being adapted for generate electricity, and thus the current output may then be connected to an electric load, so that air is ingested at the tip of the blade as each blade rotates.
US08444382B2	Rotor hub for use with high-inertia blades A rotor hub has a yoke with radial arms allowing flapping of connected blades about a flap axis. A grip is rigidly attached to each blade, and a lead-lag bearing connects each grip to one of the arms, the bearing defining a lead-lag axis outboard of the flap axis. Each arm has a pair of straps located on opposite sides of the rotor plane for transferring centrifugal force from the blades to the central portion of the yoke. A pair of lead-lag dampers is provided for each grip, the dampers of each pair being located on opposite sides of the rotor plane and connecting an inboard end portion of the grip to the adjacent strap. In-plane motion of a blade causes rotation of the attached grip about the lead-lag axis, causing opposite motion of an inboard end portion of the grip. The dampers act to oppose rotation of the grip.
US08444379B2	Sealing device for rotary fluid machine, and rotary fluid machine A sealing device includes a housing rotatably accommodating a rotary shaft, guide parts extending along a radial direction and an axial direction of the rotary shaft, and arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction of the rotary shaft, a partition part that is a partition between spaces between the guide parts and an outside space, a first seal part that is an annular protrusion, forming a first gap with respect to the rotary shaft or the partition part, and blocking a flow of fluid passing through the outside space, and a second seal part that is an annular protrusion extending in the radial direction, forming a second gap with respect to the rotary shaft or the housing, and blocking a flow of fluid that has passed through the spaces between guide parts and a flow of fluid that has passed through the first seal part.
US08444378B2	Bypass duct of a turbofan engine In the area of the support struts and/or the aerodynamic fairings downstream of the stator vanes, the cross-section of the bypass duct of a turbofan engine is enlarged such that the pressure variations caused by the stagnation effect of the installations and reacting on the fan are reduced, enabling the fan to be operated with more efficiency and stability and finally the losses of the overall system and the fuel consumption to be reduced. The cross-sectional enlargement is accomplished by modifying the course of the wall in a limited area, actually by gradually enlarging the flow cross-section in the bypass duct in the axial and in the circumferential direction, with this enlargement being confined to the area around the leading edge of the support struts and/or the aerodynamic fairings.
US08444372B2	Passive cooling system for a turbomachine A turbomachine includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an interior portion. The housing includes a fluid plenum. A rotating member is arranged within the housing. The rotating member includes at least one bucket having a base portion and a tip portion. A stationary member is mounted to the inner surface of the housing adjacent the tip portion of the at least one bucket. At least one fluid passage passes through at least a portion of the stationary member. The at least one fluid passage includes a fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the fluid plenum and a fluid outlet exposed to the interior portion. The fluid outlet being configured and disposed to direct a flow of fluid toward the tip portion of the at least one bucket.
US08444368B2	Substrate transport apparatus and control method for substrate transport apparatus This invention provides a substrate transport apparatus (100) which transports a substrate (W) placed on a hand portion (10) to a processing apparatus or a predetermined storage unit. The substrate transport apparatus (100) includes a moving means (20) for supporting the proximal side (10b) of the hand portion (10) serving as one end of the hand portion (10), and reciprocally moving the hand portion (10) in the direction of its extension, a tilt detection means (30) for detecting the tilt of a distal end (10a) of the hand portion (10) with respect to the horizontal direction, which accompanies flexure of the hand portion (10) upon placing the substrate (W) on the hand portion (10), and a tilt correction means (40) for generating a pitching motion of the hand portion (10) as a whole so as to cancel the tilt of the distal end (10a) of the hand portion (10).
US08444367B2	Locking device for securing a backhoe attachment to a carrier lift arm A mounting frame for attaching a backhoe or other implement to a lift arm of a vehicle, such as a compact loader, includes an upright arm on the mounting frame that is positioned ahead of and adjacent to a forward portion of a lift arm of the loader. The upright arm carries a pivoting locking handle at a first pivot and a locking link is pivotally supported on the locking handle on a first pivot pin. The locking link has a second pivot pin that can be moved to be supported in an existing pin sleeve or bushing on the lift arm. The pivot pins on the locking link are positioned so that when the locking handle is moved to a locked position, the line between the axes of the pivot pins on the locking link goes over center with respect to the pivot axis of the first pivot locking handle, and a hook end of the link latches onto a locking projection on the upright arm. The mounting frame is held in a fixed position relative to the lift arm.
US08444366B2	Forklift adapter Improvements in a forklift adapter to offer a way of double-stacking pallets by a single forklift operator, using an existing forklift equipped with single-double forks using existing forklift controls, which is both unique and superior to using two or three people to perform the same task manually. Double-stacking pallets are accomplished by placing a sheet of material on top of a first loaded pallet of material. The blades of the forklifts slide into rectangular tubes on the forklift adapter. Sheet material is gripped by a plurality of pins on the forklift adapter where the depth of the pins is adjustable. The forklift adapter utilizes a spring that provides the gripping force. Using a spring to provide to grip provides consistent force. The spring material, coils, spring force and spring length all have factors that can change the gripping force.
US08444363B2	Substrate processing apparatus Provided is a substrate processing apparatus configured to attain conflicting purposes of high throughput and footprint reduction. The substrate processing apparatus comprises a carrying chamber, and a loadlock chamber and at least two process chambers that are arranged around the carrying chamber. The carrying chamber comprises a substrate carrying unit configured to carry a substrate between the loadlock chamber and the process chambers. The substrate carrying unit comprises a first arm provided with a first finger and a second finger, and leading ends of the first and second fingers extend horizontally in the same direction. Each of the process chambers comprises a first process unit and a second process unit, and the second process unit is disposed at a side of the process chamber distant from the carrying chamber with the first process unit being disposed therebetween.
US08444362B2	Round bale mover A round bale mover for attachment to either a tractor mounted front-end loader or a tractor three-point hitch for moving a pair of round bales. First and second bale teeth extend from a first end of the bale mover for supporting a first bale thereon. Third and fourth bale teeth extend from a second end of the bale mover for supporting a second bale thereon. The first and second bale teeth are selectively movable towards and away from the third and fourth bale teeth. The third and fourth bale teeth are selectively movable towards and away from the first and second bale teeth. The bale mover enables the first and second bales to be moved towards one another and moved away from one another.
US08444361B1	Portable log skidder A portable log skidder designed for towing with various vehicles comprising a self-contained battery-operated winch is herein disclosed. The skidder comprises a steel frame providing an “L”-shaped configuration. An inverted “U”-shaped structure at a rear location provides an opening and an upper pulley over the open frame. To utilize the log skidder, it is positioned in proximity to a large log. A steel cable is extended from the winch and strapped around one end of the log. Next, the winch is used to raise one (1) end of the log slightly off the ground. The log skidder, along with the log, is then pulled using a vehicle thereto a location where the log can be harvested for firewood, lumber, or other purposes. The log is centered over two (2) pneumatic rubber tires on the frame which carry the weight of the log skidder and the log. The winch is controlled by a tethered remote control unit at a safe distance.
US08444360B2	Self-drilling screw A self-drilling screw (10) has a thread-carrying shaft (11), a head (15) provided at one of its ends, and a drilling tip (12) provided at another of its ends, opposite the one end thereof, with the drilling tip (12) having first and second cutting edges (21, 22) and first and second chip channels (24, 25) associated with the first and second cutting edges (21, 22), respectively, beginning at first and second start points (26, 27) at the free end (14) of the drilling tip (12), and located on opposite first and second sides of the drilling tip (12), with the first and second start points (26, 27) being spaced from the center (Z) of the drilling tip (12) by a mean distance (X) corresponding to from 0.01 to 0.15 of the drilling tip diameter (D), and being spaced from each other by a maximum distance (Y) corresponding to from 0 to 0.8 of the mean distance (X).
US08444357B2	Providing a counter torque force within a fastening A washer body bearing hardened balls in apertures in the washer body provides a counter-torque resistance in a fastening. The hardened balls form projections that indent the underside of a fastener head and an adjacent fastening joint surface during tightening of the fastening to prevent rotation of the fastener head while a nut is driven to tighten or loosen the fastening. A reservoir portion of the apertures in the washer around the balls receives the material displaced during indention to allow full contact of the washer with the fastener head and joint surface. The hardened balls provide point loads for ready indentation upon minimal loading to prevent rotation of the fastener, obviating the need for a counter-torque wrench.
US08444354B2	Mounting/assembly element for assembling workpieces, particularly overlapping plates and/or components A mounting/assembly element rivet bush having a deformable first end for insert through items to be connected and a second end for mounting a nut. A draw tool having a break zone is located in the first end of the rivet bush, and the second end of the rivet bush is provided with a non-cylindrical internal cross section which cooperates with an insertion tool, such as an Allen wrench. When the mounting/assembly element is held fast in the items to be connected, the part of the break zone of the draw tool for the deformation of the rivet bush is lying in the deformable first end of the rivet bush. A counter-hold for torsion forces which arise with the dismounting and remounting of the nut is produced with the insertion tool thereby achieving a considerably greater tightening effect and also ensuring that the mounting/assembly element can be reused.
US08444345B2	Floatation collar for protecting and positioning a sensor package A floatation collar for a sensor package forming part of a detection array comprises two halves that when joined together act as a protective casing that secures and orients a sensor package in an optimal configuration within a water column. The collar comprises a shell tilled with syntactic foam. The cellar top portion includes a series of projections strategically placed to protecting the sensor package transducers against mechanical damage. The base bottom portion of the collar is conical with an integral thimble to allow the collar to ride down and then emerge under a passing trawl net or other fishing lines or cables by presenting a smooth aspect and a secure means of tethering said unit to a bottom anchor.
US08444342B2	Tensile/tilting connector system A connector system (12,72) with a connector (11,61,71) of a fastening screw (17,18) and an anchor screw (19), wherein the connector (11, 61, 71) is designed for immobilization in a groove (7) of a first profile (1) which is provided with an undercut (5) formed by a profile bridge (3) and has a connector body (13, 65, 75) which has a first opening (21, 63, 31′) for an anchor screw (19) and at least one second opening (23, 23′, 59A, 59B) which is provided with an internal thread (41) and intended for a fastening screw (17, 18). The connector body (13, 65, 75) extends substantially flat along a connector body plane (15), and the fastening screw (17, 18) at one end has a shaft (27) carrying an external thread (25) and an integrally molded flange (28, 29) which extends radially to the outside from a screw head (31), wherein the anchor screw (19) is provided for placement in the first opening (21, 21′, 63) of the connector (11, 61, 71), and at least one fastening screw (17, 18) is provided for placement in the at least one second opening (23, 59A, 59B).
US08444341B2	Device for the forced locking of two elements oriented orthogonally to one another A device for the forced locking of two elements oriented orthogonally to one another, especially suitable for steadily connecting and constraining two tubular elements (10), (12) with quadrangular or polygonal section which are partly delimited by a U-shaped band (22) and which have, on at least one face, a plurality of pairs of shaped recesses (14), whereas the band (22) is correspondingly provided with pairs of complementary projections (16) developed projecting on the inner front of the opposite vertical and parallel branches (18) and (20) thereof. The device further includes a bush (32), extending between the branches (18) and (20) of band (22) and fitted, at one end, on a collar (28) which develops projecting along the inner front of branches (18) and (20), whereas the opposite end of bush (32) constitutes the inlet for a screw (30) the end whereof engages in a threaded hole (28′) delimited by the collar (28), bush (32) being extended transversally in the tubular element (10) or (12), provided with aligned holes (38), (40) along two opposite faces, starting from a hole (26) of the band (22).
US08444339B2	Apparatus having a slidable cap An apparatus comprises a body that extends longitudinally between a top end and a bottom end, an elongate slot disposed in an outer surface of the body and having first and second spaced-apart detents, and a cap disposed coaxially around the body and having a cut therein that defines an elongate arm. The elongate arm has an inwardly-oriented protrusion configured to engage the detents of the slot. The cap is slidable along the body such that the inwardly-oriented protrusion slides along the slot until it detachably engages a detent, thereby retaining the cap in either a closed position that covers the bottom end or an open position in which the bottom end is exposed.
US08444338B2	Housing An applicator device includes an applicator unit for applying a first cosmetic article to a user and a housing, which includes a cavity for holding a second cosmetic article for use by the user. An activator unit may be used to bring the second cosmetic article in reach of the user.
US08444330B2	In-magazine imaging device enclosure An enclosure for an imaging device. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes a housing with a transparent window. A shutter mechanism is disposed on the housing and transparent window, and includes an opening formed therein. A shutter covers and uncovers the opening. Further, a gas supplying unit supplies gas to a space between the housing and the shutter mechanism. In another embodiment, the enclosure includes an inner housing with a transparent window, and an outer housing overlapping the inner housing and with an opening formed therein. A driving unit moves the opening along a predetermined path over the transparent window. A gas supplying unit supplies gas to the outer. In yet another embodiment, the enclosure includes inner and outer housings each having an opening formed therein. A rotating unit rotates one of the inner and outer housings, and a gas supplying unit supplies gas to the inner housing.
US08444324B2	Wheel bearing for an aircraft landing gear A wheel bearing for aircraft. The bearing has a long service life, is very reliable and consists of the lowest possible number of individual parts. The wheel bearing of an aircraft engine has a rim that is rotatably mounted about an axis by a bearing arrangement which has two rolling bearings. An outer bearing housing, designed as one piece, contains the outer running surfaces of the rolling bearings. An integral component of the outer bearing housing forms part of the rim and the outer bearing housing is detachably connected to the remainder of the rim.
US08444323B2	Bearing lock for a motor assembly A bearing lock is provided that improves upon existing methods of stabilizing a bearing in an electric motor. The bearing is fit between a rotatable shaft and a nonrotating annular support. The bearing has an inner race surrounding the rotatable shaft and has an outer race surrounded by the annular support. The bearing lock has an annular body with a midportion, an inner wall, and an outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend generally in a first direction from the midportion and are spaced from one another to define an annular cavity therebetween. The outer wall has circumferentially-spaced integral tabs that extend at least partially toward the inner wall to provide a biasing force to lock the body to the annular support when the annular support is placed in the annular cavity.
US08444307B2	Vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp includes a lamp unit disposed inside a lamp chamber and an aiming mechanism. The lamp chamber is formed from a lamp body opening forward and a front cover attached to the front opening portion of the lamp body. The aiming mechanism is interposed between the lamp unit and the lamp body. The aiming mechanism performs an optical axis adjustment by tiltably supporting the lamp unit with respect to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism includes a rotational operation portion supported by a lamp body side fixing portion provided on the lamp body; a screw portion threadedly engaged with a lamp unit side fixing portion provided on the lamp unit; and a connection portion that joins the rotational operation portion and the screw portion. At least part of the connection portion has radial flexibility and no axial elasticity. Torque from the rotational operation portion is transmitted to the screw portion to move the lamp unit side fixing portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
US08444304B2	Reptile lamp A reptile lamp for installation in a top side of a reptile tank to provide illumination is disclosed to include a housing equipped with a high-voltage circuit and a LED start control circuit, a LED lamp panel mounted inside the housing and electrically connected to the LED start control circuit and carrying multiple white LEDs and red LEDs for emitting white light or red light subject to the control of the LED start control circuit, and phosphor-coated cold cathode tubes mounted inside the housing and electrically connected to the high-voltage circuit for emitting ultraviolet light.
US08444299B2	Dimmable LED bulb with heatsink having perforated ridges A light-emitting diode lamp includes a light engine, a power assembly, and a heatsink. The light engine includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes, and the power assembly includes a socket disposed at one end of the power assembly and a heat spreader plate disposed at another end of the power assembly opposite the socket. The light engine is mounted to the heat spreader plate. The power assembly further includes a power supply circuit that is electrically coupled to the socket and to the light engine. The socket is configured to electrically couple the power supply circuit to an external electrical source. The heatsink encircles the power assembly and is thermally connected to the light engine. The heatsink also includes a plurality of perforations, which are arranged to facilitate a natural convection airflow over and through the heatsink.
US08444297B2	Lighting apparatus using light-emitting diode Disclosed is a lighting apparatus using light-emitting diodes. The lighting apparatus includes: a housing in which an inner side surface is partitioned into a plurality of mounting surfaces and a plurality of cooling fins is prominently formed on an outer side surface; a plurality of light source blocks provided with a plurality of LED modules on an outer surface of a plurality of angle adjusting blocks having multi-step inclined surfaces, and mounted at positions selectively determined on the plurality of mounting surfaces of the housing so that light emitted from the LED modules can implement a predetermined light distribution type; and a protection cover for covering a lower portion of the housing.
US08444296B2	Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display having the same A backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display having the same are provided. The backlight assembly includes a plurality of LED packages mounted on a substrate, and a lens unit that seals the LED packages. The lens unit includes a plurality of convex lenses arranged to partially overlap with each other or arranged proximate to each other. Light emitted from LED units in the LED packages is diffused by the interface between the lens unit and another material, such as air, to provide light incident on a light guide plate.
US08444295B2	Optical system for theatrical and stage lighting Various optical system embodiments produce a narrow beam of focused or unfocused light using a compound parabolic concentrator, lens system, and high flux density solid-state light source. Various system embodiments include a solid state light source configured to emit light, and a compound parabolic concentrator having a smaller opening and a larger opening opposite the smaller opening, wherein the light source and the concentrator are operationally positioned with respect to each other for light from the light source to enter the smaller opening of the concentrator and exit the larger opening of the concentrator as a narrower beam of light. Some embodiments include an imaging stage operationally positioned with respect to the concentrator to receive the narrower beam of light at an image plane and relay an image plane to a far field target.
US08444290B2	Focusable flashlight A flashlight has a casing extending along an axis and adapted to hold an electric power supply, a light source fixed at a front end of the casing and electrically energizable to emit an axially forwardly directed light beam, an annular head fitted to the casing and axially shiftable thereon. Stops engaged between the head and the casing limit axial travel of the head relative to the casing. A lens is fixed in the head so that the lens and head can be shifted to focus the light beam. Thus the lamp head is captively attached to the casing. This creates an extremely compact structure that can be assembled quickly, thereby allowing manufacturing costs to be reduced. In addition, damaged components can be replaced quickly and easily.
US08444287B2	Lighted flooring A portable flooring having integral illumination devices. The flooring comprises a panel having channels extending along a front portion of the panel. Light strips in the channels are supported by the back portion of the panel. The light strips have a covering that extends along the length of the light strips. A top surface of the covering and a top surface of the panel are on the same plane. The flooring can support large weighted objects.
US08444286B2	Lighting apparatus A lighting apparatus includes a metal mounting fixed to a needed place such as a ceiling or a wall, rod-shaped holding metal fixtures, and a lighting apparatus body constituted by a chassis to which one end portion of each holding metal fixture is loosely fitted, a board which is fixed to the chassis and on which light emitting diodes are mounted as luminous elements, a reflecting panel, a cover (diffusing panel) that covers the light emitting diodes, and so on. By inserting the lock section of the other end portion of each holding metal fixture into an insertion hole and then locking each holding metal fixture on the metal mounting, the lighting apparatus body is held in a state of being separated from the metal mounting.
US08444285B2	Clip light A clip light includes a light head, a power source, and a mounting arrangement. The light head includes a light housing having a light window, and a light source supported in the light housing to align with the light window. The power source is supported in the light housing to electrically link to the light source for providing electricity to generate light beam from the light source. The mounting arrangement adapted for detachably mounting the light head at a desired object, wherein the mounting arrangement is movably coupling with the light housing to selectively adjust a light projecting orientation of the light source through the light window with respect to the desired object.
US08444282B2	Display device A display device capable of expressing a particularly superior red color, for example, a red color of the sRGB standard, is provided. A display device 1 is composed of a red fluorescent body in which the red chromaticity point (xR, yR) satisfies xR≧20.640 and yR≦0.330, and a green fluorescent body.
US08444279B2	Security film and process for preparation thereof Disclosed herein are an anti-counterfeiting film and a process for preparation thereof. The anti-counterfeiting film comprises a protective layer (1), a binder layer (2), a retroreflective layer (3), a photopolymerizable information layer (4) and a reflective layer (5) which are combined in turn. The retroreflective layer (3) is embedded spherically in the binder layer (2), and the photopolymerizable information layer (4) has been recorded with graphics information which can change along with the viewing angle.
US08444274B1	Reciprocating slide animation projector and method of projection A slide animation projector for the yard comprises a solenoid that forces a translating rod to reciprocate in a spiked motion. An elongated slot in the translating rod seats a slide cartridge having at least two stationary, adjacent images. The slide reciprocates in repeated succession, wherein the adjacent images give an impression of movement.
US08444271B2	System and method for reducing visible speckle in a projection visual display system The disclosure provides an apparatus for reducing speckle in a projection visual display (PVD) system, a method of reducing visible speckle in a PVD system and a PVD system incorporating the method or apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a diffuser interposable in an optical path of a PVD system and a diffuser actuator having a single drive axis configured to cause the diffuser to travel in a Lissajous curve at least partially transverse to the optical path.
US08444269B1	Digital imaging ophthalmoscope An ophthalmoscope. Implementations include a handle coupled to a head where the head includes a front section coupled with a diopter wheel and the front section includes a view window. A back section fixedly attached to the front section includes a diopter number viewer, a trigger button, and a digital imaging section. The digital imaging section may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The trigger button may be adjacent to the handle and may be positioned opposite the front section between the handle and the LCD screen. The back section may include a rounded projection rotatably coupled with a central hole in the diopter wheel extending from a diopter surface substantially parallel with and in close proximity to the diopter wheel. The diopter number viewer may extend from the diopter surface away from the diopter wheel and may include an opening configured to expose a diopter number.
US08444265B2	Eyeglass earstem with enhanced performance An enhanced performance earstem for eyeglasses is provided that can incorporate one or more flex zones or points along the length of the earstem. In some embodiments, the earstem can comprise an elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end and at least a first segment and a second segment on the body having a first flex zone or point disposed at least partially therebetween. A center of the first flex zone or point can be within a given range from the anterior end. Further, some embodiments can provide differential flexibility along the length of the earstem. For example, the body of the earstem can have plurality of relatively flexible zones, and each flexible zone can be separated from an adjacent flexible zone by a relatively rigid zone. In this regard, the relatively flexible zones can have different stiffnesses.
US08444263B2	Liquid droplet discharging apparatus The liquid droplet discharging apparatus has an image formation area, a workpiece exchange area, a set table that has a slider and is configured to support a workpiece thereon, and a guide section configured to guide a movement of the set table between the image formation area and the workpiece exchange area by guiding the slider. The guide section is divided into two sections corresponding to the image formation area and the workpiece exchange area.
US08444259B2	Recirculating ink system for inkjet printing An ink reservoir (10) for an ink recirculating system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead (14) comprises a first chamber (16) for receiving ink from a main ink supply (12) and having a printhead outlet (24) for supplying ink to a printhead (14); and a second chamber (18) in fluid communication with the first chamber for receiving ink from the first chamber in excess of a predetermined height in the first chamber determined by the position of a transfer outlet (20), the second chamber having a printhead inlet (30) for receiving ink recirculated from the printhead and having a return outlet (40) for returning to the main ink (12) supply ink in excess of a predetermined height in the second chamber determined by the position of the return outlet (40), the transfer outlet (20), in use, being vertically above the return outlet (40). In use of the reservoir, because the transfer outlet (20) of the first chamber is vertically above the return outlet (40) of the second chamber, this produces a pressure differential that causes flow of ink from the first chamber (16) to the printhead (14) via the printhead outlet (24), through the printhead (14), with unused ink returned to the second chamber (18) via the printhead inlet (30). The unused ink is then returned to the main supply (12) for reuse, thus circulating surplus ink through the system. The arrangement thus uses gravity to produce the ink flow through the printhead (14), without the need for pumps, level sensors, valves etc. The ink reservoir is self-regulating, with the ink heights in the first and second chambers, and hence the pressure differential, determined by the relative heights of the two outlets.
US08444257B2	Printhead cartridge for releasable mounting in a printer A printhead cartridge for releasable mounting in a printer. The printhead cartridge includes a pagewidth printhead and an ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths in fluid communication with respective ink channels in the printhead. The ink manifold includes a plurality of openings for detachable connection with conduits in an interface of the printer; a plurality of shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, each shut off valve having a biasing member configured for biasing each shut off valve into an open position; an actuator biased towards a closed position by a resilient element such that the actuator holds all the shut off valves closed when in the closed position. The actuator is configured for engagement with the interface such that movement of the openings into connection with the interface simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position wherein the shut off valves are held open.
US08444255B2	Power distribution in a thermal ink jet printhead A thermal inkjet printhead may include a substrate and a resistive layer. A thermal resistor may be formed in the resistive layer. A first metal layer may be between the substrate and a resistive layer having a thickness to form a power bus. A dielectric layer may be between the first metal layer and the resistive layer.
US08444254B2	Apparatus and method of protecting inkjet printer head An apparatus and method to protect an inkjet printer head including a head controller of a printer body and a head chip to drive a heater by using a serial interface, the apparatus including: a clock monitoring unit to monitor a serial clock signal that is used as a reference clock signal supplied to the head chip to control the head chip, and if the serial clock signal is abnormal, to output a signal indicating that the serial clock signal is abnormal; and a heater driving limiting unit to limit energy applied to the heater by using the signal, which is output by the clock monitoring unit, to indicate that the serial clock signal is abnormal.
US08444253B2	Inkjet head and method of manufacturing inkjet head Provided is an inkjet head, including: a substrate having an energy generating element for generating energy to be used for ejecting liquid; and a liquid flow path forming member, which forms patterns of an ejection orifice for ejecting the liquid and a liquid flow path communicating with the ejection orifice and which has a surface subjected to water-repellent treatment, in which the inkjet head includes, in a surface having the ejection orifice, multiple water-repellent areas subjected to water-repellent treatment, and multiple recesses each having a bottom in the liquid flow path forming member and having a surface not subjected to water-repellent treatment. Also provided is a method of manufacturing an inkjet head.
US08444252B2	Printhead assembly with minimal leakage A printhead assembly includes an ink manifold having a plurality of ink outlets defined in a manifold bonding surface; one or more printhead integrated circuits, each printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink inlets defined in a printhead bonding surface; and an adhesive film sandwiched between said manifold bonding surface and said one or more printhead bonding surfaces, said film having a plurality of ink supply holes defined therein, each ink supply hole being aligned with an ink outlet and an ink inlet. The adhesive film is a laminated film comprising a central polymeric film sandwiched between a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, the first adhesive layer has a melt temperature lower than that of the second adhesive layer.
US08444250B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and storage medium storing program A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid-ejection head for ejecting image recording liquid; a sealing mechanism for sealing an ejection space; a humid-air supply mechanism storing humidification liquid; and a liquid-discharge portion for discharging the image recording liquid, wherein a controller controls the humid-air supply mechanism to supply an air humidified by the humidification liquid into the sealed ejection space and then controls the liquid-discharge portion to discharge the image recording liquid prior to the image recording, and wherein, where a remaining amount of the humidification liquid is less than a first value, the controller executes a control such that an amount of the supplied humid air and an amount of the discharged image recording liquid are respectively made small and large as compared with in a case where the remaining amount of the humidification liquid is not smaller than the first value.
US08444246B2	Inkjet printing apparatus and calibration method An apparatus includes: a drying unit to dry a printing medium on which an image was printed using an inkjet head; a humidification unit to humidify the printing medium that was dried by the drying unit so that the moisture content of the printing medium becomes the equilibrium state in the ambient environment; a colorimetric unit to perform colorimetry on the printing medium that was humidified by the humidification unit; and a calibration unit to calibrate printing properties on the basis of the result of colorimetry by the colorimetric unit.
US08444240B2	Data generating apparatus, ink-jet printing apparatus, and data generating method Processing liquid is ejected by a scan which is as prior as possible to the ink if it is determined that the printing duty of the ink is relatively low. Furthermore, the processing liquid is ejected by a scan which is as posterior as possible to the ink if it is determined that the printing duty of the ink is relatively high. Accordingly, the change of the glossiness can be suppressed regardless of the change of the printing duty of the ink. At the same time, it becomes possible to adjust the glossiness with a minimum necessary amount of processing liquid since the glossiness is adjusted not by varying the amount of the processing liquid depending on the printing duty of the ink, but by varying the printing order.
US08444239B2	Offset weight supporting slide An appliance is provided that includes a storage compartment with a shelf within the storage compartment. A support apparatus is configured for supporting the shelf. The support apparatus can include a first support, a second support, three track surfaces and three bearings. The first support is configured to be attached to an interior wall of the storage compartment. Each of the track surfaces is located on the first support. The second support is configured to engage the first support by the bearings of the second support being received within a respective track surface located on the first support. The shelf can be attached to the second support of the support apparatus. The shelf and the second support are movable into a plurality of positions relative to the interior wall of the storage compartment by a movement of the shelf with respect to the track surfaces located on the first support.
US08444231B2	Disk brake apparatus A disk brake apparatus in which a determination is made as to whether a centering operation should be performed, and operation conditions for the centering operation (the length of the interval and the number of the operations) are set, according to a change of deformation of a disk rotor by heat release over time. When the centering operation is performed, a solenoid is actuated to perform the centering operation according to the set operation conditions. The centering operation is an operation of moving a pair of brake pads (2) and (3) into contact with the disk rotor (1) and then separating the pads from the disk rotor during a cooling process while a vehicle is running.
US08444229B2	System and method for controlling a hydraulic system A method for preventing a valve orifice from switching to the small size when a high build gradient is required includes briefly bleeding off a small amount of fluid at the upstream side of the valve. This momentarily reduces the pressure difference when beginning the pressure build. After the valve is opened with the large orifice, the fluid flow through the valve prevents a high pressure difference. The resulting build with the large orifice has the maximum pressure gradient.
US08444226B2	Leg-rests for passenger seats Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.
US08444224B2	Seat controlling mechanism A seat controlling mechanism includes motors for actuating a plurality of seat sections, a position detecting apparatus detecting positions of the seat sections and a controlling apparatus controlling the seat sections to move to a predetermined position, wherein an interfering range, an interference avoidable range in which an interference avoidance control is executed and a normal operation range are set in the controlling apparatus, and when at least one of the seat sections positions in the interference avoidable range, the controlling apparatus prohibits the movement of the at least one of the seat sections toward the interfering range.
US08444222B2	Child safety seat attachment belt retractor system Retractor systems for securing child safety seats in vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a child safety seat includes a web operably coupled to a spool of a web retractor movably positioned under the safety seat. The web can include a first end portion that carries a first anchor connector and a second end portion that carries a second anchor connector. Rotation of the spool in a first direction retracts the first and second end portions of the web toward the retractor. Rotation of the spool in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, allows the first and second end portions to be drawn away from the retractor.
US08444218B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.
US08444215B2	Housing for the radiator blind of a motor vehicle A housing is provided for a radiator blind of a motor vehicle. The housing includes a base section that is configured to accommodate the radiator blind and a prescribed port. The housing also includes an adapter section that is secured to the prescribed port. As a result of this measure, the housing can be used in various installation situations.
US08444210B2	Drag reducing apparatus for a vehicle The present disclosure provides for drag reduction on a moving object through the atmosphere, thus increasing fuel efficiency. This is accomplished by attaching an inflatable boattail (i.e. drag reducer) to the aft face or rear end of a vehicle or trailer, thus delaying the flow separation to a point further downstream and mitigating the intensity of the negative pressure on the aft face.
US08444209B2	Trim for vehicles and door trim for vehicles It is an object of the present invention to provide a trim for vehicles capable of reducing the number of parts and thereby reducing the cost when a plurality of shock absorbing portions are required to have different hardnesses from each other. The trim for vehicles according to the present invention is a door trim 20 including a lower board 21, and a pull handle 40 mounted on the lower board 21, further including a plurality of shock absorbing portions with different hardnesses capable of absorbing shock energy, wherein an extension portion 50 of the plurality of shock absorbing portions is formed integrally with the pull handle 40, and the extension portion 50 has a shape extending downward from the pull handle 40.
US08444207B2	Locking apparatus with two-bar linkage for a folding top A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook, a coupling device, and a driving apparatus. The locking hook has a gripping end and a bearing end. The coupling device is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook. The bearing end is mounted to the coupling device such that the bearing end is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus is for driving the locking hook to move between the closed and opened positions and includes a first two-bar linkage, a driving arm connected with the two-bar linkage, and an actuating drive for actuating the driving arm.
US08444206B2	Tensioning bow member for a flexible cover system A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover includes a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a hold-down bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a spring pack between the bail member and tensioning bow member.
US08444205B2	Molded component and sealing system for a motor vehicle window A molded component to connect a motor vehicle window with a water box includes a first segment affixable to the vehicle window and a second segment having a detent cavity bounded by a resilient leg and configured to receive a rib of the water box in an insertion direction so as to detachably affix the water box in a frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner in the detent cavity. A detent element projects into the detent cavity at an acute angle relative to the insertion direction such that the resilient leg is elastically deformed to a greater extent during an extraction of the rib of the water box from the detent cavity than during an insertion of the rib of the water box into the detent cavity. This facilitates the insertion and presents a greater resistance to the extraction of the rib from the detent cavity.
US08444203B2	Driving position adjusting apparatus for vehicle A driving position adjusting apparatus for a vehicle comprises a driver's seat provided on a floor panel of a vehicle compartment, an operational pedal, such as an accelerator pedal, which is operated by a driver seated in the driver's seat, an incline-face portion which is provided on the floor panel, on which a heel of the driver operating the operational pedal is placed, the incline-face portion having an upper face which is inclined so that a front portion thereof is located at a higher position than a rear portion thereof, and a heel-placement height adjusting device which adjusts a height position of the driver's heel placed on the incline-face portion at least by moving up or down the incline-face portion.
US08444202B2	Display surround This disclosure relates to a display surround for protecting a display area and, in particular, to trim elements for surrounds located around dials in automotive instrument panels. A display surround for protecting a display area comprises a perimeter wall for surrounding the display area and a wall capping piece. The wall extends from a base portion of the wall proximate the display area towards an end portion of the wall away from the display area. The end portion includes a top face, and the top face includes a groove. The capping piece has a tongue. The tongue includes a protuberance on opposite sides and the groove includes a recess on opposite sides. The capping piece is secured in place to cap the wall by seating the tongue within the groove and by engaging each protuberance with a corresponding recess.
US08444199B2	Vehicular box structure An upper cover has an engagement edge, a bottom cover has a receiving edge where the engagement edge is inserted, and the engagement edge is inserted into the receiving edge. The receiving edge has a groove where the leading end of the engagement edge is inserted, the engagement edge has a stopper surface, which serves as a stopper part, on the outer surface toward the basal end side, and the groove has a stopper receiving surface, which serves as a stopper receiving part and catches the stopper surface, on one side internal surface toward the basal end side. As the leading end of the engagement edge is inserted into the groove of the receiving edge and the stopper surface is caught by the stopper receiving surface, the engagement edge of the upper cover and the receiving edge of the bottom cover are joined together without any separation.
US08444198B2	Deployable trunk stowage system for vehicle A storage bin attached to the upper wall of a vehicle trunk. The storage bin is movable between a stowed position in which the bin is moved upward and is locked against the upper wall of the trunk and a deployed position in which the bin is moved downward and is open for storage of one or more items. When moving between a stowed position and a deployed position, the bin might pivot or sides of the bin might collapse.
US08444194B2	Substrate transport hand and substrate transport robot This substrate transport hand includes a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion capable of receiving a first substrate and a second substrate thereon respectively, a third receiving portion supporting the first substrate received on the first receiving portion along with the first receiving portion, and a fourth receiving portion movably provided on a hand body portion for supporting the second substrate received on the second receiving portion along with the second receiving portion when moved to a first position of the hand body portion.
US08444192B2	Pitch adjustable bi-directional shovel A pitch adjustable bi-directional shovel includes a substantially flat blade including a forward edge and a rearward edge. Each edge of the blade includes a contact surface. A pivot is secured to the blade. A handle is provided including a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably mounted to the pivot. An adjustable retention assembly is secured to one or more of the pivot, the blade, or the handle, wherein the pivot and the adjustable retention assembly cooperate to alter the pitch of the blade with respect to the handle so as maintain the blade in general parallel orientation with the associated debris laden surface. The contact surface of the forward edge slideably engages the associated debris laden surface when urged in the forward direction and the contact surface of the rearward edge slideably engages the associated debris laden surface when urged in the rearward direction.
US08444190B2	Latching device for multipart housings A latching device for at least two housing parts, in which a snap-on connection as well as a latching connection between the housing parts is produced by a correspondingly designed rotary knob/pushbutton function. The actuating button preferably is respectively arranged on two opposing sidewalls of an upper housing part, wherein the actuating button respectively acts upon a spring lever that is arranged on the inner wall of the upper housing part.During assembly of the upper housing part and a lower housing part, a forced snap-on connection between the two housing parts is produced and can only be disengaged again by exerting pressure upon the actuating buttons on both sides.
US08444183B2	Barrier seal and assembly incorporating same A barrier seal includes a bulkhead having a first end, a second end and a surface extending between the first end and the second end. The barrier seal further includes a rib extending radially outwardly from the surface of the bulkhead. The rib defines a first sealing profile extending from a first side of the rib and a second sealing profile extending from a second side of the rib.
US08444181B2	Single-color screen patterns for copy protection A verifiable/copy-protected document features a combination of nearly identical line-screen patterns for embedding latent images within visually integrated settings. The latent images can be detected for purposes of verification with a matching viewer but are indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings under ordinary viewing conditions. The line-screen patterns, which can be incorporated into document artwork, are printed at certain combinations of line frequencies and print densities so that the line-screen patterns digitally reproduce as a largely undifferentiated solid tint.
US08444175B2	Saddle-type vehicle A saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, equipped with an airbag module and an airbag control unit wherein the motorcycle is not increased in width. The motorcycle includes a body frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe with a rider's seat provided on the body frame and on which a rider or riders are to be seated. The airbag module is provided on the body frame and in which an airbag is accommodated. The airbag control unit is provided for controlling the deployment of the airbag. The airbag module is disposed on the front side of the rider seat with the airbag control unit being disposed between the head pipe and the airbag module.
US08444174B1	Collapsible deer blind A hunting blind is disclosed for use with a utility trailer that includes a rectangular base, each side thereof having a different relative height than the others. The base is adapted for removable attachment with the frame of the utility trailer. Four walls are fixed with the base each with at least one hinge and are selectively fixed together in a deployed position. A roof may be included and fixable with a top edge of at least two of the walls. The walls may be folded down over the trailer in turn to achieve a collapsed configuration suitable for towing. The trailer frame may include both a vehicle platform fixed above the walls when collapsed for transporting an ATV, and a game platform for holding caught game thereon.
US08444173B1	Foldable frame structure for baby trailer A foldable frame structure for baby trailer includes a bottom frame, which includes two side bars and a retractable front bar and a retractable rear bar, two vertical side frames each having two bottom frame bars respectively pivoted to the side bars and an arched top frame bar pivoted to the bottom frame bars, a transverse top bar detachably connected between the arched top frame bars of the two vertical side frames, a trailer bar pivoted to the front side of one side bar of the bottom frame and selectively locked between an extended position and a received position. The retractable rear bar has two angled end pieces respectively affixed to the side bars to reinforce the structural strength of the side bars so that wheels can be directly pivoted to the side bars, saving the cost.
US08444171B2	Convertible double stroller A convertible double stroller comprising a pair of cross bars pivotally connected at a common vertex connected to a pair of telescoping rods creating a generally hour-glass shaped frame assembly having a front end and a rear end, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame assembly, a handle bar attached to the frame assembly rear end, and a pair of seat mounts fixedly attached to each of the telescoping rods, wherein the convertible double stroller may be selectively transitioned between three configurations: (a) a seated configuration wherein the frame assembly is in a fully expanded position thereby positioning the seat mounts in a side-by-side placement for seating; (b) a seated configuration wherein the frame assembly is in a moderately expanded position thereby positioning the seat mounts in a front-to-rear placement for seating; and (c) a storage configuration wherein the frame assembly is in a fully collapsed position for storage.
US08444170B2	Foldable stroller A foldable stroller includes a frame, a seat, and a plurality of wheels. The seat is disposed on the frame. The frame includes two back-frame side rod sections, two rear-leg side rod sections, and two rear-leg connecting members. Each of the back-frame side rod sections is connected pivotally to the corresponding rear-leg side rod section by the corresponding rear-leg connecting member. As such, the back-frame side rod sections are pivotable respectively toward the rear-leg side rod sections to fold the frame. The frame further includes two knuckles disposed respectively on bottom ends of the back-frame side rod sections, and two latch mechanisms disposed respectively on the knuckles. The latch mechanisms are operable to lock the frame in an unfolded or folded state.
US08444169B1	Trailer hitch coupler A trailer hitch coupler to couple a trailer to a trailer hitch includes a socket adapted for receiving a trailer hitch ball; a clamp associated with the socket and operable for engaging the trailer hitch ball; a sensor operatively connected with the socket and operable for determining a distance between an inner surface of the socket and an outer face of the trailer hitch ball when the trailer hitch ball is positioned within the socket; a clamp prevention device operatively connected with the socket and with the clamp and operable to prevent engagement of the clamp with the trailer hitch ball; and a release mechanism operatively connected with the sensor and the clamp prevention device and operable to release the clamp prevention device to allow the clamp to engage the trailer hitch ball when the sensor communicates a desired hitch condition.
US08444162B2	Bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring, mountable in the area of a vehicle axle A bearing mechanism for a transverse leaf spring that can be mounted near an axle of a vehicle. The bearing mechanism has an outer bearing shell device and insertion devices which have at least some regions encompassed by the outer bearing shell device. Each of the insertion devices comprise at least two layer elements which have different stiffness. In the assembled state, the insertion devices are each disposed between the outer bearing shell device and the transverse leaf spring. The outer bearing shell device comprises a one-piece bearing ring element, and the insertion devices can be operatively connected, at least in a force locking manner, to the bearing ring element and the transverse leaf spring, via tensioning elements.
US08444160B2	Suspension device A suspension device in which a knuckle for supporting a wheel is supported by arms and a damper is connected to the knuckle. A suspension device (10) is configured in such a manner that the intersection (73) between a line extended from an elastic kingpin axis (68) of a rear wheel (31) and a road surface (72) is located on the rear side, relative to the vehicle, of the ground contact center (74) of the rear wheel. The elastic kingpin axis is tilted forward relative to the vehicle and is disposed below the rotation center (32) of the rear wheel in the vertical direction. A lower connection section (81b) of a damper (18) is provided on a line (33) drawn in substantially the vertical direction from the rotation center of the rear wheel. A damper axis (84) is tilted inward in the width direction of the vehicle and tilted forward relative to the vehicle.
US08444159B2	Stabilizer, and method of producing a stabilizer In a method of producing a stabilizer for installation in a bearing unit of a motor vehicle, each end portion of a strip-shaped metal element is provided with a closing contour. The metal element is shaped to assume an undulating configuration having a wave portion. After being placed in a tool, a stabilizer bar is pressed against a circumference of the wave portion of the undulating metal element and the wave portion is formed onto the stabilizer bar such that the wave portion has at least one section which is ironed and the ironed section is urged into forced contact with the stabilizer bar. The metal element is then bent to embrace the stabilizer bar, and the end portions of the metal element are connected by engaging the closing contours of the end portions with a defined incline to thereby form a closed limiter ring fixed to the stabilizer bar.
US08444158B2	Knuckle and bushing assembly A suspension coupling for use in a vehicle suspension system the suspension coupling including a knuckle and bushing assembly wherein the knuckle member is a cast aluminum piece having a passage for receiving a two-piece bushing having a formed, metal inner member and a molded, elastomeric outer member having extension members at each end. The bushing member is press-fit into the knuckle member and exhibits higher stiffness in the radial and axial directions and lower stiffness in the torsional and conical directions.
US08444157B2	Wheel set attachment for floor maintenance equipment A wheel set attachment is used in combination with floor maintenance equipment, such as buffers, sanders, grinders, cleaners, etc. (“buffer”), which are typically equipped with small diameter wheels which make transport difficult. The wheel set attachment is conducive for conveying the device up flights of stairs, over obstacles, or conveying the device any appreciable distance. The wheel set attachment of the present invention easily attaches to the buffer without the need for tools and is quickly removed. Once installed, the wheel set attachment is stable and provides a pair of wheels which function as though integral to the buffer.
US08444156B2	Modular rough terrain vehicle A trailer including a plurality of rearwardly-extending frame arms located on opposite sides of said main frame, each of which includes a tandem with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; a U-shaped cross member for maintaining said main frame level from side to side; at least one length-adjustable member operatively connected to said main frame and at least one of said plurality of frame arms; selective movement of said length-adjustable member causing said distal end of at least one of said plurality of frame arms to move up or down; and an automatic leveling system for moving each said length-adjustable members and each said corresponding frame arm such that said main frame is maintained in a relatively level orientation when said trailer encounters uneven terrain.
US08444144B2	Electronic amusement device and method for operating a game offering continuous reels A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player.
US08444143B2	Sheet transport apparatus In a sheet transport apparatus, coiled springs 82 are fitted in and supported by recess portions 81b at a bottom face 81a of a support frame 81 and recess portions 73c at an upper face 73b of an inner guide 73. In other words, most of the portions of the coiled spring 82 are enclosed inside the recess portions 81b of the support frame 81 and the recess portions 73c of the inner guide 73, and covered and hidden by side walls 81f of the recess portions 81b and side walls 73d of the recess portions 73c.
US08444142B2	Multifeed processing apparatus, multifeed processing method, and multifeed processing program A multifeed processing apparatus includes a control unit and is connected to a multifeed detecting mechanism and an image reading mechanism. The control unit includes (i) a calculating unit that calculates a shape of a peripheral edge of a medium from any one or both of an output of the image reading mechanism and an image of the medium read by the image reading mechanism, (ii) a detecting unit that detects a change in the shape on a boundary of an overlap detected portion, from the shape calculated by the calculating unit and a position of the overlap detected portion detected by the multifeed detecting mechanism, and (iii) a deciding unit that determines a case where the change in the shape is detected by the detecting unit, as a multifeed.
US08444141B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the same A sheet processing apparatus comprises: an first stack portion which temporarily stacks a sheet thereon; a first stack portion which is disposed under the first stack portion and stacks thereon a sheet discharged from the first stack portion; a second stack portion which is disposed above the first stack portion and stacks a sheet thereon; a stack reference wall which serves as an abutment reference at an end of the sheet on the second stack portion; and an alignment reference wall which is disposed more upstream in the sheet conveyance direction than the stack reference wall and serves as an abutment reference at an end of the sheet on the first stack portion; wherein the second stack portion has such a length that an end of the sheet stacked on the first stack portion cannot project from the second stack portion, as viewed from above in a vertical direction.
US08444138B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming system with air blower device A sheet feeding apparatus, having: a sheet stacking table to stack sheets; a sheet feeding device to feed the sheets one by one from an upper most section of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking table; an assist air blower device to blow an assist air at a lateral side, a front side or a rear side of the sheet fed from the sheet stacking table so as to assist sheet feeding; a detecting device to detect a behavior of the sheet assisted by the assist air; and a control device to set an amount of the assist air used in image forming to be an optimum air amount based on a detected result which is obtained by detecting the behavior of the sheet when the assist air blower device is operated at a predetermined timing while image forming is not carried out.
US08444137B2	Recording material feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus In a sheet feeding cassette which lifts up and lifts down a bottom plate each time when a paper is fed, a recording material sensor detects that no recording materials exist when the bottom plate rises over a predetermined position. Accordingly, by measuring a period of time when it is detected that no recording materials exist during a sheet feeding operation, a stacking amount of the recording materials in a sheet feeding cassette can be detected.
US08444133B2	Sheet processing apparatus, image forming system, and sheet processing method A sheet processing apparatus includes a support unit on which sheets are stacked together as a sheet stack, first and second binding units that respectively perform first and second binding processes to bind the sheet stack as first and second sheet stacks, a transporting unit that transports the first and second sheet stacks toward first and second paths, respectively, which are in opposite directions, a reversing-and-transporting unit disposed at the second path to transport the second sheet stack such that upper and lower sides thereof are reversed, a first transported-sheet-stack support unit that is disposed at the first path and on which the first sheet stack transported by the transporting unit is placed, and a second transported-sheet-stack support unit that is disposed at the second path and on which the second sheet stack reversed and transported by the reversing-and-transporting unit is placed.
US08444131B2	Sheet transporting device, cutting device, printing press and corresponding method The sheet transporting device of the invention includes: a transferring device (64) adapted to transfer a sheet (30), a conveying device (66; 66A) for conveying a sheet transferred from the transferring device (64) onto the conveying device, and a controlling means (76) adapted to control the speed of the conveying device (66; 66A) and defining a transfer cycle (CT). The controlling means (76) is adapted to slow down the conveying device (66) when a sheet is conveyed by the related conveying device and to accelerate the conveying device when no sheet is present on said conveying device. The invention can be used for the cutting devices of rotary printing machines.
US08444130B2	Devices for capping vials useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
US08444127B2	High temperature composite patch tool A tool comprises a caul plate having at least one suction hole and a vacuum port fluidly coupled to the suction hole for drawing a patch against the caul plate under vacuum.
US08444125B2	Attaching apparatus for load port apparatus An attaching apparatus for attaching a load port apparatus to an attaching face of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a bogie truck body to be attached to a lower end portion of the load port apparatus. A pair of downwardly projecting positioning protrusions having a circular transverse sectional shape are also attached to the lower end portion of the load port apparatus. A support plate is secured to a lower end portion of the attaching face in such a manner as to project toward the load port apparatus. A pair of positioning recesses are formed on an upper face of the support plate and each has a circular hollow shape, in a plan view, such that said plurality of positioning protrusions may be individually fitted therein.
US08444120B2	Method and apparatus to help promote contact of gas with vaporized material Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an ampoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.
US08444114B2	Anchorage extractor The present invention is directed to an anchorage extractor. The extractor is used to remove post, anchorage or stake from the ground without using a force generated by a motor. The anchorage extractor comprises a base disposed on the ground to provide a stable support. A lever is connected to a driving wheel that is connected to a rack. The anchorage is attached to the rack and when the lever is actuated, the drive wheel drives the rack upward, removing the anchorage from the ground. An advantage of the present invention is that the direction of the extraction force is parallel to the anchorage axis by adjusting the angle of the extractor. The extractor may be folded on itself or dismantled to be transported.
US08444113B2	Screw in multi-way seat valve In a screw-in multi-way seat valve V comprising a screw-in housing 1, in which at least one sleeve 21 is positioned axially which sleeve 21 forms a valve seat 20, and a valve member 15 provided inside and having a seat surface 31 with a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the valve seat 20, the sleeve 21 is axially positioned in the screw-in housing 1 by a threaded connection 23 and at the same time is sealed by a press fit zone 24, the press fit zone 24 forming an anti-rotation protection for the threaded connection 23.
US08444107B2	Wrist joint for positioning a test head An apparatus for supporting a load comprises a pivot apparatus coupled to the load and movable with the load; and a base stationary relative to the pivot apparatus. At least two areas of support are situated between the pivot apparatus and the base. Respectively opposite force components are at the two areas of support. The two areas of support move along a one curved path to tilt the load.
US08444105B2	Umbrella and anchoring device and method for using same An umbrella anchoring device comprising a support dowel and a generally truncated cone shaped umbrella stop, with two opposing surfaces, an angled wall connecting the outer perimeter of the surfaces, and a hollow passage through the vertical axis thereof which is complementary to the cross section of the support dowel, wherein the umbrella anchoring device is used to support an umbrella with at least a partially hollow shaft. A method of using the anchoring device, where the support dowel is placed generally vertically in the ground, the umbrella stop is placed over the end thereof and slid so that the wider surface is at ground level and the narrower surface is below, and an umbrella is placed over the support dowel, with the end resting on the umbrella stop.
US08444104B2	Secure mechanism of portable accessory device for outdoor umbrella A portable accessory device includes a housing having a mounting slot, an accessory unit supported in the housing, and two adjustable retainers for adjusting the size of the mounting slot for a shaft of the outdoor umbrella. Each of the adjustable retainer includes a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards the mounting slot, slidably mounted at the housing, wherein the pusher surfaces of the retention arms are facing with each other and are arranged for biasing against an outer surface of the shaft of the outdoor umbrella until the shaft thereof being fitted at the mounting slot so as to substantially mount the housing at the shaft of the outdoor umbrella. Therefore, the portable accessory device is adapted to detachably mount at the outdoor umbrella to provide an additional function via the accessory unit for users to have high quality outdoor activities.
US08444103B2	Foldable support frame assembly with scissor-linkages A foldable support frame assembly includes a row of support units arranged along a first direction. Each of the support units includes two support frames. Each of the support frames includes two parallel braces, a top rail connected fixedly between upper end portions of the linking rods, and a bottom rail connected fixedly between lower end portions of the braces. The braces of each of the support units constitute two first scissor-linkages spaced apart from each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The foldable support frame assembly further includes a plurality of second scissor-linkages arranged alternately with the support units along the first direction, and a positioning mechanism for maintaining each of the first and second scissor-linkages in an unfolded state.
US08444096B2	Apparatus for positioning a device An apparatus for positioning a device. The apparatus includes a coupling member, a first arm, a second arm, and a sloped support member. The coupling member defines a first opening and a second opening. The first arm passes through the first opening, and the coupling member is movably connected to the first arm. The second arm passes through the second opening. The sloped support member is releasably connected to the second arm. The apparatus has at least five degrees of freedom.
US08444087B2	Composite skin and stringer structure and method for forming the same Composite stringer and skin structures and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composite stringer and skin structure includes a polymer-based elongated stringer portion having reinforcing fibers positioned in a plurality of adjacent plies, a first portion of the reinforcing fibers being oriented at a relatively shallow angle relative to a selected reference direction, and a second portion of the reinforcing fibers being oriented at a relatively broad angle relative to the selected reference direction. A polymer-based and fiber reinforced skin member adjoins the stringer portion, and an adhesive material is interposed between the stringer portion and the skin member.
US08444083B2	Auxiliary power unit inlet An aircraft auxiliary power unit assembly includes an aircraft skin providing a cavity. The aircraft skin is secured to a structure in an assembled condition and provides an opening. An auxiliary power unit is arranged within the cavity and secured to the structure. The aircraft skin substantially covers the auxiliary power unit in the assembled condition. An inlet duct is removably secured within the opening and is selectively connected to the auxiliary power unit between installed and service positions. The installed and service positions are with the aircraft skin in the assembled condition. A method of servicing the auxiliary power unit includes removing the auxiliary power unit inlet duct from the opening in the aircraft skin. The auxiliary power unit that is arranged within the cavity of the aircraft skin is exposed. A portion of the auxiliary power unit is serviced through the opening.
US08444082B1	High performance ‘X’-configuration airplane for storage and launch from a tubular container An air vehicle can be folded into or unfolded from a compact tubular storage container without assembly or disassembly of the air vehicle. The air vehicle includes a fuselage, two aerodynamic surfaces rotatably mounted on the fuselage along a common axis with at least one pivot mechanism, and at least one spring mechanism configured to deploy the aerodynamic surfaces so they extend outwardly from the body. In a stowed configuration, both aerodynamic surfaces are parallel to the fuselage for stowage of the aircraft in a container. Each aerodynamic surface has a winglet located at an outer edge of the tail portion of the aerodynamic surface, and a rudder on each winglet. The aircraft does not require a vertical stabilizer or rudder system on the fuselage. An outer backward-swept wing portion can be unfolded from the outer edge of each aerodynamic surface to increase the wing aspect ratio.
US08444075B2	Concentrated bi-density eccentric counterweight for cone-type rock crusher A cone crusher includes a stationary main shaft and an eccentric that rotates about the main shaft to cause gyrational movement of a head assembly to crush rock within a crushing gap. The cone crusher includes a counterweight assembly mounted for rotation with the eccentric. The counterweight assembly includes a counterweight body having a series of tanks. Each tank can receive either a first ballast and a second ballast or a combination thereof. The first ballast is formed from a material having higher density than the second ballast to increase the concentration of weighting in desired locations around the counterweight assembly.
US08444070B2	Electric-actuated control valve of a unit fuel injector A unit fuel injector (10) has a control valve (40) in which a valve spool (92) is displaceable within a bore (91) of a valve body (90) between a limit of displacement that fully opens an oil outlet port (42) to an oil inlet port (44) while closing an oil drain port (106) to the oil outlet port and a limit of displacement that closes the oil outlet port to the oil inlet port while opening the oil outlet port to the oil drain port. The valve spool has a spool body (96) whose geometry defines an exterior envelope of the valve spool. Permanent magnets (98, 100) are disposed within a bore of the spool body inside of the exterior envelope, and electromagnets (102, 104) are electromagnetically coupled with the permanent magnets for displacing the valve spool within the valve body bore.
US08444067B2	Flow reservoir for a paint spray gun The invention relates to a flow reservoir for a paint spray gun with a bowl-shaped container (1), a cover (2) that can be set on the container (1), and an attachment part (3) for direct fixing of the flow reservoir to the paint spray gun. The flow reservoir is distinguished in that the attachment part (3) consists of a connector (5) formed directly on the cover (2) with a screw-wedge element (8) for direct quick-connect attachment of the flow reservoir to the paint spray gun.
US08444065B2	Water discharge device An object is to provide a water discharge device in which a water sprinkling member having water discharge ports can simultaneously achieve both good rotation start-up ability and good rotation stability. A water discharge device FC is configured in such a manner that the center of gravity of a rotor constituted of a tubular body 20 and a head 40 (the water sprinkling member) is positioned near an opening 4 which is located near the center of swing at which a central axis C1 of the tubular body 20 tilted by swinging revolution and a central axis C2 of an inflow chamber 3 intersect in a state where any water is not supplied to a buffer chamber 43 of the head 40, whereas the center of gravity of the rotor is moved to a head 40 side in a state where the water is supplied to the buffer chamber 43 of the head 40.
US08444062B2	Mobile fluid distribution system and method A fluid distribution system and method for mobile applications. The system includes a power source, a pump driven by the power source, and a motor driven by the pump. The system also includes a spray head with a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, a fluid piston disposed in a chamber for controlled access between the inlet and outlet passages and defining a variable orifice, and a hydraulic cylinder controllably engaged to the orifice. The fluid piston and the hydraulic cylinder are aligned with a common longitudinal axis, and the inlet passage is offset from the axis in a direction opposed to the location of the outlet passage.
US08444060B2	Fuel injector with deterioration detection A fuel injection apparatus with a deterioration detection device that includes a volume changing chamber, the volume of which is determined by fuel pressure inside the injector. After injector nozzle opens, the time for the volume changing chamber to change from an initial volume to a target volume is measured and used for calculating changes in nozzle orifice size. The value of orifice size change can be used for both diagnosing injector deterioration and compensating fuel flow rate in a feedback control. In addition to detecting injector deterioration and failures, the volume changing device also dampens effects of noise in fuel pressure to fuel flow rate control and decreases chances of after-injection and second injection.
US08444058B2	Embedded RFID tags and associated methods and systems Embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) tags for objects or containers and related systems and methods are disclosed that overcome problems existing with previous RFID tags. The RFID tags are embedded within recesses within the outer surfaces of objects or containers, such as within a metal valve flange for a metal container. The RFID tags can also be shaped and configured to fit within recesses so that the top surfaces of the RFID tags match the outer surfaces of the objects or containers. The embedded RFID tags can also be painted or otherwise disguised so that they are more difficult to identify. In addition, the RFID tags are preferably tamper resistant and can also use PSK (phase shift key) modulation. The embedded RFID tags described herein are particularly useful for tracking of liquid propane gas (LPG) containers and/or other types of containers or objects for holding hazardous materials.
US08444055B2	Detection device and processing system When a user who has a magnetic substance attached paper enters a gate which generates a magnetic field, steep magnetization reversal is produced in the magnetic substance by the magnetic field. As a result, pulse current flows into a detection coil provided in the gate, and a generated waveform signal indicating a characteristic transient response is output to a terminal device. The terminal device calculates correlation coefficients of this waveform and a plurality of stored reference waveforms, additionally calculates an average of the calculated correlation coefficients, and determines whether or not the average is equal to or more than a threshold. When the average is equal to or more than the threshold, the terminal device instructs an imaging device to image a user. When the average is below the threshold, the imaging device is not allowed to image the user.
US08444053B2	Intelligent credit card system A new credit card system which enables improved reading and other operations. Reading can be done in the short edge of the credit card thereby shortening the aspect ratio and size of the card reader. The reader can be electrical, reading information via contacts, or can be optical readers.
US08444049B2	Precisely locating and address confirming method A precisely locating and address confirming method is provided. The method comprises: S1, a printing carrier is divided into several areas with equal interval, and the width of each area is set to be the same with the width of a shelf article depositing unit, and a main bar code containing article depositing position information is printed in the center of each area of the printing carrier; S2, the printing carrier is disposed on the shelf in such a way that each area corresponds to each shelf article depositing unit; S3, the article depositing position information contained in the main bar code is scanned and read when the scanning beam of a manipulator happens to be superposed with the main bar code of the area corresponding to the shelf article depositing unit so as to confirm the address of the article depositing position. The present solution is suitable for an automatic access system for single book, CD, or the similar articles with small size, and the horizontal direction and/or the vertical direction of the article access position is is rapidly, precisely located and the address is confirmed.
US08444047B2	Mug The present invention relates to a mug, especially a disposable mug, which mug defines an internal space for receiving liquid. It is significant for the mug according to the present invention that the mug contains a flap (10; 110) provided on the inside of the mug, that the flap (10; 110) extends along the inside of the mug in a non-active state, and that the flap (10; 110) reaches out from the inside of the mug in an active state of the flap (10; 110).
US08444046B2	Carton having novel opening features Cartons have dispensing features that enable containers or other articles to be selectively dispensed from the cartons while preventing inadvertent escape of the articles from the cartons. A carton can have an exiting end panel closing an interior space and a dispenser pattern defining a dispenser having a bottom door extending across the exiting end panel. The dispenser pattern can comprise a plurality of tear lines that define a removable portion comprising at least a portion of the exiting end flap, the top panel, and at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The dispenser pattern further comprises a pivot line in the bottom panel, a first line, and a second line that are for enabling pivoting of the bottom door about the pivot line.
US08444040B2	End effector for forming swept friction stir spot welds An apparatus includes a connector and is configured to mount to a machine having multiple axes of control. A control signal on the connector determines a path of a rotating tool holder.
US08444039B2	Thermally-insulated vibration welding tool A welding assembly for forming a weld along a welding interface of a work piece(s) using vibrations includes a welding tool and a thermal barrier. The thermal barrier is at least a chemical and/or mechanical insulating layer positioned adjacent to the welding tool, which minimizes the rate of dissipation of heat generated by the vibrations at or along the welding interface. The welding assembly may also include a wear-resistant layer adjacent to the thermal barrier, which protects the thermal barrier from damage or wear. The welding tool is a portion an anvil assembly and/or a sonotrode assembly. A method of insulating a welding tool includes applying or connecting a thermal barrier to a surface of the welding tool, and minimizing the rate of dissipation of heat generated by the vibrations at or along the welding interface using the thermal barrier, which includes an insulating layer.
US08444037B2	Surgical stapling device with captive anvil A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.
US08444036B2	Motor driven surgical fastener device with mechanisms for adjusting a tissue gap within the end effector A surgical fastener apparatus having a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector including a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position. A cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners, the actuator including a power source and a motor. Means for electrically adjusting the amount of spacing between the jaws when the end effector is in the closed position.
US08444035B2	Pneumatic staple or nail gun with dual trigger mechanism An improved apparatus for nailing or stapling flooring pneumatically, wherein a pneumatic stapler or nailer is provided with a dual trigger single sequential actuation system by which an operator can reach either trigger with his index finger. In one embodiment, the triggers being interconnected. In a second embodiment, each trigger actuates a valve that communicates with a pneumatic piston which drives the staple.
US08444034B2	UTV gun mount system A gun mounting apparatus for utility terrain vehicles comprising: a first inverted L-shaped tubular member comprising a first attacher, a second inverted L-shaped tubular member comprising a second attacher, an obliquely oriented tubular member having a first tubular member end and a second tubular member end with a gun grip attached to each tubular member end and a first elastic cord and a second elastic cord. The first and the second inverted L-shaped tubular member may be partially inserted into receiving holes in side walls of a bed-box of a utility terrain vehicle and may be additionally secured to the vehicle via the first and second elastic cord which are attached to the first and second attacher. The gun mounting apparatus for utility terrain vehicles is suitable for transporting at least one weapon securely fastened to the gun grips which are attached to the obliquely oriented tubular member.
US08444033B2	Device for attaching accessories to bars, application to motor vehicle roof rail bars A device for attaching accessories to a vehicle roof bar, the device comprising, a threaded control rod, two threaded nuts threaded onto the control rod, two guide bodies, wherein each of the guide bodies has one of the threaded nuts positioned within the guide body, a C-shaped rail, wherein each of the guide bodies and each of the threaded nuts are positioned within the C-shaped rail; two jaws, each of the jaws being attached to one of the guide bodies and a first portion of each jaw being located outside the C-shaped rail, whereby rotation of the control rod in a first direction causes the guide bodies to move towards each other thereby allowing a second portion of the jaws to contact the vehicle roof bar, and where further rotation of the control rod in the first direction locks the guide body within the C-shaped rail.
US08444032B2	Collapsible vehicle-mounted equipment carrier A vehicle-mounted equipment carrier includes a hub portion to which is secured a number of vehicle-engaging and equipment-engaging support members. The various support members are each connected to sections of the hub that are movable relative to one another and that include engagement structure to hold the hub sections in desired angular positions with respect to one another. The hub sections can be moved upon disengagement of a clamping mechanism that compresses the hub sections into engagement with one another, and also holds each of the various components of the carrier in connection with one another.
US08444031B2	Prop-supporting harness for a stage performer A harness for the wearing of at least one stage prop by a stage performer includes a frame with a backrest suitable for supporting the stage prop, and elements forming shoulder supports suitable for positioning and/or maintaining the harness in place on the artist's shoulders. The backrest and the elements forming the shoulder supports are rigid. The elements forming the shoulder supports are coupled to the backrest by a pair of elastic coupling elements.
US08444028B2	Device for ejecting droplets of a fluid having a high temperature In a jetting device for ejecting droplets of a relatively hot fluid, a fluid chamber body is made of a heat resistant material and an inner surface of the fluid chamber body, the inner surface defining a fluid chamber of the jetting device, is wettable by the fluid. This configuration provides that no additional force needs to be applied for forcing the fluid into an orifice, i.e. a narrow tube leading towards a nozzle.
US08444022B2	Pouring device with deformable spout A pouring device includes a container, a stiffening member with first and second stiffening portions having respective terminating ends spaced from each other. The first and second stiffening portions are coupled to the container with a deformable region of the container being positioned between the terminating ends of the first and second stiffening portions. The deformable region can be more resilient than the stiffening member to form a pour spout at least in part from the deformable region upon application of a force to the container toward opposing sides of the deformable region.
US08444020B1	Assembly for hand held or remote elevated operation of aerosol spray cans Assembly for hand held or remote elevated operation of most modern style aerosol cans. The assembly comprises a frame having a handle, a saddle, a swiveling threaded adaptor, and an activating linkage. An aerosol can is held to the device with a clamp. For use in a manual fashion, the user may grasp the handle and depress a lever link of the activating linkage, such with a thumb or palm of a hand. For use in an elevated position, the assembly can be threaded onto a painters' extension pole using an indexing adaptor. The can may then be elevated, and the user can activate the assembly simply by pulling down on a tether.
US08444015B2	Fluid dispensing apparatus A fluid dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense a predetermined volume of fluid, and includes a fluid reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed, a dispense tube to dispense the fluid, and an elevator mechanism. The fluid reservoir receives a fluid from a fluid supply. A dispense tube has a dispense outlet, and is connected to an outlet port on the fluid reservoir. The elevator mechanism changes a relative vertical displacement between the dispense outlet and the outlet port. Particularly, a processor controls the elevator mechanism to raise the dispense tube to a raised filling position to prevent fluid flow from the dispense outlet, and lower the dispense tube to a lowered dispensing position to dispense the fluid.
US08444013B2	Food topping device including a vibration device and adjustable discharge pan and screen assembly A food topping device for dispensing a food toppings. The food topping device includes a hopper that receives a food topping. The hopper directs the supply of the food topping onto the base plate of a discharge pan. The angle of the discharge pan relative to horizontal can be selectively adjusted. A vibration device is coupled to the discharge pan. When the vibration device is activated, the vibration of the discharge pan helps the food topping to overcome the angle of repose and flow down the base plate toward a discharge end. A screen positioned at the discharge end of the discharge pan further controls the flow of food topping from the device. The angle of the screen can be adjusted to control the discharge rate. A flow plate is positioned between the hopper and the discharge end to further control the amount of topping reaching the discharge end.
US08444009B2	Object block magazine A magazine having compartments for receiving cassettes has an outer housing having an open top and an open front side. An inner housing within the outer housing encloses an interior space and defines a plurality of compartments. The inner housing has opposing sidewalls, and spring elements form the compartments. A generally U-shaped feed element is mounted on the inner housing movably reciprocally in the longitudinal direction over a depth of the compartment so that the feed element moves a cassette from one compartment to an adjacent compartment.
US08444007B2	Inner wipes The present invention provides a dispenser for moisturized sheets in the core of a toilet paper roll. Not only are wet and dry wipes provided coincidentally, the location is particularly handy for toilet use. In a utilization of existing bathroom fixtures, the novel concept offsets the rotational axis of the toilet paper roll to make an aperture available to dispense the moisturized sheets from the volume of the core previously occupied by the conventional spool. The invention further provides a hermetically sealed refill unit and a method of dispensing and refilling.
US08444003B2	Assembled container An assembled container has a body and an upper collar. The body has an open top, an annular lip, an annular wall and multiple combining blocks. The annular wall is formed on and protrudes from the annular lip and has at least one engaging recess. The combining blocks are formed on and protrude from the annular lip and each have a combining hole and at least one engaging hole. The upper collar is connected to the open top of the body and has an annular recess, at least one engaging block and multiple combining inserts. The at least one engaging block is formed in the annular recess and respectively engages the at least one engaging recess. The combining inserts are formed in the annular recess and are respectively inserted into and combined with the combining holes.
US08444001B1	Plate with cup attachment A dinner plate of conventional size and shape includes coupling means on its planar bottom that grasps and retains flexible plastic drink cups, enabling a user to stabilize the plate atop the cup and to hold both securely with one hand. The user squeezes the cup rim and inserts it between diametrically opposing, chordal grooves of the coupling means, the cup's resiliency expanding the rim into the grooves when released. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means is a coaxial, raised island in the plate bottom that forms a recess into which the cup rim fits, radially inward-extending lugs in the recess walls fitting under the cup rim to secure it against the plate bottom. This leaves the plate bottom flat for use on horizontal surfaces and optimizes nesting of plates for storage and stacking, as well as creating a closure for the cup.
US08443995B2	Hot fill type plastic container A hot fill type plastic container includes a bottom portion and a main body having a vacuum uptake portion that is bounded by upper and lower horizontal grooves. The vacuum uptake portion has four side panel portions, and each of the side panel portions has at least one vertical groove defined therein. The vertical grooves are substantially centered with respect to the side panel portions. No surface features other than the vertical grooves are included on the side panel portions. The main body further includes upper and lower round portions that are respectively positioned above and below the vacuum uptake portion.
US08443994B1	Tethered bottle cap assembly with means to retain a detached cap portion The present invention is a bottle cap assembly including an anchor, a cap portion, and a retaining device. The anchor attaches to a bottle and has a threaded neck and a ridge extending outward from the threaded neck. The cap portion removably attaches to the anchor and the bottle. The cap portion has a retaining sleeve along an entire circumference of the cap portion. The retaining device keeps the cap portion connected to the anchor, so that the cap portion is not lost. The retaining device includes a rod element housed in the retaining sleeve, and the rim of the retaining sleeve prevents detachment of the rod element from the retaining sleeve. The rod element extends between the anchor and cap portion, while only the anchor remains attached to the bottle.
US08443993B1	Bottle cap assembly with means to retain a detached cap portion The present invention is a bottle cap assembly comprising an anchor for attachment to a bottle and a cap portion removably attached to the anchor. The anchor has a first connector, and the cap portion has a second connector. The second connector removably engages the first connector, when the cap portion detaches from the anchor, and extends around the circumference of the cap portion, so that the cap portion can be attached to the first connector in any orientation. The first connector can also be mounted on a tab extending down from the anchor. The first and second connectors can be male and female connectors, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second connectors can be compatible magnets. A retaining member can also be used to permanently attach the cap portion and anchor member to reduce the risk of loss when the first and second connectors are being engaged.
US08443990B2	Mobile industrial rack system A mobile industrial rack system which includes a flue spacer, a carriage spacer, and a synchronous motor control that individually and collectively allows the rack system to be used on unleveled surfaces. The industrial rack system is therefore well suited for storage facilities in which it is not possible or not desired to level an otherwise unleveled floor.
US08443989B2	Media rack configuration A media rack system is disclosed that generally includes a rack configured to receive a plurality of components that are selectively connected via a plurality of media, e.g., optical fibers or any other wired communication link. An exemplary system may further include one or more media loop retention housings, which include a spool configured to selectively support one of the media, and a media loop retainer defined by the spool. The media loop retainer includes a predetermined radius for selectively retaining a loop of the media. The predetermined radius is greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius associated with the fiber.
US08443981B1	Apparatus for removing heavy material from ore in a water environment and method of use Apparatus for removing heavy material from ore in a water environment includes an upstanding tube, a reservoir, and a pulsator connected between the upstanding tube and the reservoir. The pulsator cyclically causes the upstanding tube to move downward, and fluid pressure within reservoir causes it to move back upward. This vertical pulsation of the upstanding tube effects the separation of heavy material from lighter material contained within the ore. The pulsator includes a member and diaphragm which are cyclically forced downward into the reservoir by a cam-driven rocker arm. A given downward movement of the member and diaphragm results in an amplified upward movement of the ore and the water within the upstanding tube.
US08443972B1	Hang tag assembly for a hole saw A method of packaging a hole saw includes positioning a circular cutting edge portion of the hole saw against a surface of a base member of a hang tag assembly. The base member includes a post that extends from the surface into a hollow interior defined by the hole saw. A cap member of the hang tag assembly is positioned adjacent a mounting portion of the hole saw. The cap member includes a stem and a display card portion. The stem is advanced through a bore defined in the mounting portion and into the hollow interior of the hole saw. The post is then secured to the stem within the hollow interior of the hole saw.
US08443969B2	Ingredient release spout An ingredient release spout. The ingredient release spout may include a cap, an ingredient capsule separate from the cap, a capsule nest with the ingredient capsule therein, and a base. The capsule nest and the ingredient capsule being separate such that the capsule nest is engageable with the cap.
US08443968B2	Package for containers A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package comprises panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel. A plurality of features in the top panel receives and holds a top portion of the plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of features comprises an opening in the top panel wherein the top panel has at least two edges at least partially forming a respective opening to engage a respective container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the respective container to the package. The at least two edges are in contact with an underside of a flange of the respective container.
US08443964B2	Adjustable reservoir for rod-like articles An adjustable reservoir for articles such as smoking articles and smoking article filters comprises a plurality of conveyors mounted one above another in a vertical stack, each conveyor comprising an endless belt defining a curved conveying path of constant radius extending between two ends proximally spaced to define a gap through which articles carried by the belt may drop, and a drive mechanism operable to rotate at least one conveyor about the vertical axis of the stack so as to change the angular position of the gap of that conveyor relative to the gaps of adjacent conveyors. Changing the relative angular positions of the gaps allows the capacity of the reservoir to be adjusted, and further adjustment can be achieved by changing the direction of travel of the conveyor belts. The drive mechanism can be configured to move one or more groups of conveyors in unison, or to move each conveyor individually.
US08443957B2	Package stream indexer device A package stream indexer device (1) for indexing a stream (S) of packages (P) being displaced thereon within a stream plane includes first and second articulated tracks (24) with live rollers (28) and corresponding lower articulated tracks (50) with depending pressure wheels (58) for maintaining packages (P) in contact with the first and second tracks (24) and within the package path defined there between within the stream plane. Each of the first and second articulated tracks (24) along with corresponding lower track (50) are each composed of a plurality of interconnected links (26,52) frictionally engaged together to allow adjustment in track orientation from one set position to another by means of dynamic movement on the tracks (24,50). The second tracks (24) respectively register upstream arid downstream of a moveable intermediate conveyor (2′) bridging an input conveyor (40) and a reception conveyor (40″ or 40′″), with the respective indexing mechanisms (1′, 1″ or 1′″).
US08443956B2	Dual clutch transmission having area controlled clutch cooling circuit A dual clutch transmission having a hydraulic circuit for controlling and cooling the clutches of a dual clutch transmission having lube valves in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and wherein the cooling flow is controlled by a solenoid which is adapted to move a valve member to produce a flow area through the valve that is an inverse function of the current delivered to the solenoid and so as to deliver a predetermined control solenoid pressure ultimately to each of the clutches of a dual clutch transmission.
US08443949B2	Mechanical actuator cartridge for a motor vehicle brake The cartridge (22) comprises a body (24), a rotary control plate (28) driving a push plate (30) in a translational movement, elastic means (38) of compressing the push plate (30) towards the control plate (28), and a cage (40) for holding the elastic means (38). The body (24) comprises a projection (42) for attaching the cage (40), collaborating with an attachment orifice (46) formed in an axial tab (44) of the cage (40). The cage (40) is capable of a rotational movement between an attachment position in which the attachment orifice (46) collaborates with the projection (42), and a release position in which the cage (40) is not attached to the body (24). The body (24) comprises a first limit stop (50) that limits the rotation of the cage (40) with which the tab (44) collaborates in the release position. The body (24) comprises a ramp (60), adjacent to the first limit stop (50). In the release position (40), the tab (44) rests radially against the projection (42) and the ramp (60).
US08443948B2	Vibration damper with stroke-dependent damping force A vibration damper including a cylinder in which a displacer carries out a translational movement. The displacer has a work piston which divides the cylinder into two work spaces. The work spaces outside the displacer for each operating movement direction of the displacer are connected to damping valves by a flow connection. Every flow connection has only one flow direction through a check valve arrangement. The flow connection has a plurality of inflow ports which are offset in axial direction starting from the work spaces and is formed by a bypass channel, and a plurality of damping valves are connected to the bypass channel and admit damping medium via the inflow ports.
US08443946B2	Vehicle disc brake device A disc brake device in which uneven wear on the brake pads is prevented. Each brake pad has a set pin hole at one end in which a set pin is fitted, and a torque-receiving component for receiving braking torque in the other end. The pistons for pressing the brake pads are composed of first and second pistons. A center of the first piston near the set pin is located further inside from the middle of the sliding range of the brake pads, and the distance from the set pin is extended.
US08443941B2	Cooling/lubricating device for machine tool feed shaft By using the same liquid for cooling and lubricating a feed shaft, a simpler structure is obtained, thereby allowing easier maintenance. A feed shaft that is rotatably supported at one end thereof moves a slide of a machine tool. The feed shaft is supported by a support member via a bearing. A pipe is fitted to the feed shaft, and a pathway space is provided allowing the reciprocal flow of the cooling/lubricating liquid in the axial direction. Some of the cooling/lubricating liquid supplied via the support member to the feed space passes through the pathway space as cooling liquid, cools the feed shaft, and is held in a discharge space. At the same time, some of the cooling/lubricating liquid flows, as lubricating liquid, into the bearing, is discharged, and is held in a discharge space. The cooling/lubricating liquid in the discharge space that has absorbed the heat of the structure is immediately discharged out of the support member.
US08443939B2	Method for producing a combo brace rail shield A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination.
US08443936B1	Self-contained work platform attachment for mobile cranes A self-contained and ready-to-use work platform attachment for mobile cranes, which transforms them into a state-of-the-art aerial boom lift with powered platform leveling and powered rotation up to 180-degrees. It can be supplied by the crane manufacturer with a new crane, or as an after-market attachment add-on, and may be easily pinned to the swing-jib mounting system on the outermost boom tip sheave head present on most mobile cranes without adaptive components or crane modification. In contrast, current work platforms and baskets only have gravity-leveling in association with 180-degrees of unrestricted platform rotation range, and current aerial lift boom trucks, which can function as crane booms, are not designed for add-on or after-market self-contained pin-on work platforms, instead having an integrally-designed platform with rotation and leveling powered from a base unit via hose and cable reels or carries, which are not required with the self-contained and ready-to-use work platform attachment.
US08443934B2	Acoustic resistance member and method for making the same An acoustic resistance member includes an air-shielding layer which does not allow air to pass through such that acoustic waves do not propagate, and an acoustic resistance layer which allows air to pass through such that acoustic waves propagate. The air-shielding layer is composed of a resin containing a coloring agent, and a part of the air-shielding layer is removed.
US08443933B2	Tubular acoustic insulating element An exhaust system composed of a plurality of components for an internal combustion engine for connecting to a manifold, the exhaust system includes at least one first section, which is provided indirectly or directly after the manifold in the flow direction, and a second section, which is directly adjacent thereto in the flow direction, wherein the two sections are connected to each other by a mechanical decoupling element. The resonant oscillations in the range above 600 Hz are to be attenuated in the exhaust system by more than 15 dB and, at the same time, the exhaust system is to be sufficiently rigid and self-supporting and designed to be lastingly gas-tight. For this purpose, a single-walled arid self-supporting acoustic insulating element is integrated in the exhaust system in the flow direction upstream of, or in, the first section.
US08443928B2	Exhaust tail pipe An exhaust tail pipe includes a front outer tube, an inner tube and a rear tail pipe. The inner tube has a plurality of screw holes on one side mating a plurality of apertures formed on a rear coupling portion of the front outer tube to be fastened together by a plurality of bolts. The rear coupling portion is coupled on the front end of the rear tail pipe so that the rear section of the inner tube is held at the rear end of the rear tail pipe and fastened together by welding. Such a structure allows the front outer tube and rear tail pipe to be made of different materials, thus can maintain aesthetic appeal of the appearance to enhance product value.
US08443927B2	Exhaust device of vehicle and straddle-type four-wheeled vehicle provided with the same An exhaust device of a vehicle having a V-engine including a front cylinder and a rear cylinder, includes at least one muffler disposed in a rear part of the vehicle, a front-cylinder exhaust pipe which is connected to a front surface of the front cylinder and which reaches the muffler, and a rear-cylinder exhaust pipe which is connected to a rear surface of the rear cylinder and which reaches the muffler. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is curved rearward at a curved portion from a connecting portion between the front-cylinder exhaust pipe and the front cylinder inward of the side frame in the lateral direction. The front-cylinder exhaust pipe is located outward in the lateral direction with a fixed space from the engine, and extends toward a rear part of the vehicle substantially along the side frame as viewed from above.
US08443926B2	Electric motorcycle An electric motorcycle in which a power drive unit and a motive power generation motor for traveling are secured to a swing arm swinging around a pivot shaft, and power from a battery is supplied through the power drive unit to the motive power generation motor. A hollow inside of the swing arm is partitioned into an air introducing space and an equipment fixing space by a partition wall. The power drive unit is secured in the equipment fixing space so as to be in close contact with the partition wall and a fin extending from the partition wall to the air introducing space are formed at a fixing surface of the air introducing space to which the power drive unit is attached.
US08443924B2	Thermal assistance for bicycle A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine (1; 101; 201) equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element (26, 46; 146; 227) receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission in such a way that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratios, characterized in that the reducing gear of the heat engine includes a first belt-based reduction stage (6; 286).
US08443923B2	Vibration isolator device A vibration isolator device securing a nonmetal panel to a metal frame of a work vehicle includes a metal member affixed to a surface of the nonmetal panel, the metal member facing the metal frame. An isolator mount plate is secured to the frame in a manner permitting a predetermined adjustment between the isolator mount plate and the frame in each of two directions. A vibration isolator is positioned between the metal member and the frame. A region of the isolator mount plate is configured to receive and maintain vibration isolation between the region of the isolator mount plate and the metal member, the region of the isolator mount plate providing a predetermined adjustment between the isolator mount plate and the metal member in a third direction.
US08443919B2	Semi-sealed blast hole bit and method for drilling A drill tool includes a bit body, at least one bearing shaft extending from the bit body, and a cone mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft. A first sealing system includes a first annular seal gland formed in a cylindrical surface of the cone and a seal ring retained within the first annular seal gland and compressed against a cylindrical surface of the bearing shaft. A second sealing system includes a second annular seal gland formed in a radial surface of the cone and a Belleville spring retained within the second annular seal gland and compressed against a radial surface surrounding the bearing shaft. A set of non-pressure compensated lubrication channels are configured to supply lubricant to an interstitial volume defined between the cone and bearing shaft, the lubricant retained within the interstitial volume by the first and second sealing systems, the lubrication channels further supporting open air circulation through the bearing when the sealing systems fail and lubricant is lost.
US08443917B2	Insertion coupling for a boring rod assembly and a boring rod assembly An insertion coupling for a boring rod assembly with at least two coupling elements is disclosed. The coupling elements include at least one corresponding tapered coupling face pair constructed to produce play-free clamping when pressing forces are applied to the insertion coupling.
US08443915B2	Through drillstring logging systems and methods Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and systems for logging through a drillstring. In one embodiment, a method of logging an exposed formation includes drilling a wellbore by rotating a cutting tool disposed on an end of a drillstring and injecting drilling fluid through the drillstring; deploying a BHA through the drillstring, the BHA including a logging tool; forming a bore through the cutting tool; inserting the logging tool through the bore; longitudinally connecting the BHA to the drillstring; and logging the exposed formation using the logging tool while tripping the drillstring into or from the wellbore.
US08443913B2	Hook for electric power tool and rechargeable electric power tool equipped with the hook A hook for an electric power tool is engageable with a carabiner comprising a hook end portion, and a gate member capable of opening the hook end portion. The hook includes: a base portion attached to a housing of a rechargeable electric power tool; an engagement portion positioned outside the base portion and having a first through-hole; a folded-back portion connecting the base portion and the engagement portion and having a second through-hole; and an outer abutment portion formed between the first and second through-holes and configured to cause the gate member to be bent inwardly when the gate member is pressed against the outer abutment portion. The outer abutment portion is engaged with the carabiner by inserting the hook end portion into the first and second through-holes, while the gate member is pressed against the outer abutment portion to open the hook end portion.
US08443912B2	Hand-held power tool A hand-held power tool (2) has a base housing (4) in which there is provided an operational unit (12) movable in a reciprocating manner along a operational axis (A) defining a first spatial axis (z) and spaced from a center of gravity (SP) of the hand-held power tool (2) in direction of a second spatial axis (y) which is perpendicular to the first spatial axis, (z), and further has a cover housing (18) which is held on the base housing (4) by decoupling elements and is fixedly connected to a main handle (24) and to side-handle connection element (28), with the decoupling elements having, in a projection perpendicular to a plane (Eyz) defined by the first spatial axis (z) and the second spatial axis (y), a first support device (19) which is located adjacent to the center of gravity and which holds the cover housing (18) on the base housing (4) so as to be displaceable along and pivotal in direction of the first spatial axis (z).
US08443909B2	Insulated fire shutter A fire shutter adapted to close off an area comprises a shutter curtain movable from an up position to a closed position, wherein the shutter curtain closes off the area when in the closed position, and at least one retractable guide, movable from a retracted position to an extended position and having a camber. The shutter curtain engages the at least one retractable guide as the shutter curtain moves from the up position toward the closed position, biasing the at least one retractable guide to the retracted position, and in the closed position the shutter curtain engages the camber and allows the at least one retractable guide to move to the extended position. The shutter curtain can also comprise front slats and rear slats, and an insulation package can be deployable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position within a space between the front slats and the rear slats.
US08443907B2	Apparatus and method for sealing portions of a wellbore An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation includes: a carrier configured to be deployed in the borehole; and a sealing device including at least one deformable element disposed at the carrier, the deformable element configured to have a first position and a second position, the first position forming a void in the sealing device configured to retain a flowable sealing material therein, the second position causing the void to be in flowable communication with leak paths formed in at least one of the sealing device and the borehole.
US08443906B2	Tools and methods useful with wellbore reverse circulation A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.
US08443905B2	Re-latch mechanism for wellbore liner system A tool for releaseably coupling a first tubing to a second tubing in a wellbore has a tubular mandrel configured to couple to and be carried into the wellbore by the first tubing. A collet ring is in an interior of the mandrel and has a plurality of collets to engage the second tubing. A releasing piston is carried in the interior of the mandrel to change between supporting the collet ring such that the collets can release from the profile and allowing the collet ring to lock such that the collets are locked in the profile.
US08443894B2	Anchor/shifting tool with sequential shift then release functionality The tool can run in and latch another tool such as a ball valve into a packer, for example. It has the capability of operating the valve while still engaged to the valve housing. Once the valve is operated and released a pressure test can be conducted while the tool is still engaged to the valve housing. After that a predetermined applied force allows release from the valve housing without the valve shifting mechanism still engaged. In a different configuration the tool can be a simple pulling tool to remove the valve housing without shifting it. The tool has a rotational lock to allow release from a packer by turning to the right. In another configuration it can be a latch tool for a production string that shifts the valve as it releases when the production string is pulled.
US08443893B1	Cleaning apparatus for a wellhead assembly and method of use thereof A cleaning apparatus for mounting on a wellhead of a well to spray elements positioned in a central passage of the wellhead. The cleaning apparatus may comprise an annular body including an inner surface defining at least a portion of an aperture through the body, with the annular body defining a fluid channel therein. The apparatus may comprise an inlet fitting on the annular body and in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a plurality of orifices positioned on the annular body and oriented to direct fluid into the aperture. The orifices may be in fluid communication with the fluid channel such that fluid carried in the fluid channel is moved through the orifices into the aperture. A method is also disclosed, and a wellhead assembly including the cleaning apparatus is also disclosed.
US08443885B2	Consolidating agent emulsions and associated methods Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a consolidating agent emulsion composition comprising an aqueous fluid, an emulsifying agent, and a consolidating agent; and introducing the consolidating agent emulsion composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition may be introduced into at least a portion of a propped fracture that comprises proppant particulates and allowed to at least partially consolidate at least a portion of the propped fracture. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition comprises a resin composition. Additional methods are also provided.
US08443884B2	Directional setting tool and associated methods A setting tool for setting a well tool in a wellbore includes a setting mechanism which is operative to apply a setting force to set the well tool, and an orientation indicator which indicates an orientation of the setting tool. A method of setting a well tool and engaging an assembly with the well tool includes setting the well tool in a wellbore utilizing a setting tool which includes an orientation indicator, and then engaging the assembly with the well tool, thereby fixing an orientation of the assembly relative to the well tool. A method of azimuthally orienting a whipstock in a wellbore includes setting an anchor in the wellbore, the anchor including an alignment device, and indicating an azimuthal orientation of the alignment device relative to the wellbore. The anchor setting and azimuthal orientation indicating are performed using only a single trip into the wellbore.
US08443883B2	Apparatus and method for detecting poor hole cleaning and stuck pipe A method for preventing a downhole tool from getting stuck in a wellbore, includes: monitoring output of at least one friction sensor mounted on an external surface of the downhole tool; and if the output indicates a high friction condition, then reducing the friction to prevent the tool from getting stuck. A tool and a computer program product are provided.
US08443882B2	Wellbore centralizer for tubulars A tubular centralizer is secured to the tubular for run in. The profile for run in is small so that damage to the centralizer is minimized during run in. When the string is in position the centralizer is actuated to change shape or volume to engage the surrounding borehole to centralize the tubular for subsequent operations such as cementing or in the case of screens for gravel packing. The centralizer can be a shape memory material that is initially compressed at above its transition temperature to hold the smaller shape. At the desired location after run in it is brought above the transition temperature and changes back to the original shape or volume to centralize the tubular string. The structure can be spaced ring segments or a cohesive ring structure with an undulating profile or radiating blades to create flow spaces in the annulus where it is deployed for flow of a sealing material or gravel, for example.
US08443880B1	Blowout preventer with shearing blades The disclosure provides a blowout preventer (BOP) system with a ram having a shear blade with a shear blade profile to shear a tubular member disposed in the BOP. The shear blade profile can include a stress concentrator and centering shaped surface. The stress concentrator and the centering shaped surface can be laterally offset from a centerline of ram travel and on opposite sides of the centerline. An opposing second shear blade can have a mirror image of the shear blade profile with the stress concentrator and centering shaped surface reversed to the orientation of the first shear blade. Further, the ram can include a mandrel with a mandrel profile for the tubular member to deform around during the shearing process and to reduce an overall lateral width of the sheared tubular member in the BOP through-bore to allow retrieval of the deformed sheared tubular member from the BOP.
US08443877B1	Drilling rig with top drive and inside blowout preventer A drilling rig with a top drive having an inside blowout preventer for drilling in a wellbore, the drilling rig having a derrick and a crown, a torque track suspended from the crown, a travelling block hanging from a cable, a drawworks for raising or lowering the travelling block, and a top drive with a rotatable stem suspended from the travelling block. The top drive has a motor mounted to the top drive housing and is connected to the rotatable stem. An inside blowout preventer with a rotatable stem is connected to the top drive rotatable stem. The inside blowout preventer has a hydraulically actuatable arm, a hydraulic cylinder, a tubular body having a tubular bore, and a valve operator assembly surrounding the tubular body.
US08443874B2	Heat dissipating structure and portable phone A heat dissipating structure and a portable device are provided, which enable that heat is dissipated from a heat generating part without causing a user to feel discomfort. A heat transfer member is configured to transfer heat generated in a heat generating body and a thermal storrage unit is thermally connected to the heat transfer member. The thermal storrage unit includes a pack with stretching property and a thermal storrage medium which is filled in the pack and a volume of which changes with a change in temperature. The pack is arranged such that there is a gap between the pack and a first heat dissipating portion at normal temperature and the pack contacts the first heat dissipating portion when the thermal storrage medium expands with a change in temperature.
US08443873B2	Heat exchanger for vehicular air conditioning apparatus In a heater core that constitutes part of a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a plurality of first and second tubes are provided through which heated water flows through the interior thereof, and fins having louvers therein are disposed between the first and second tubes. Further, the heater core is equipped with a first heating section, which faces toward a first front passage through which air from a first blower unit flows, and a second heating section, which faces toward a first rear passage through which air from a second blower unit flows. Between the first heating section and the second heating section, a partitioning fin is disposed for blocking communication of air mutually between the first and second heating sections. Additionally, the first and second tubes are arranged in parallel to the direction in which the partitioning fin extends.
US08443867B2	Casting method and casting device for cast-metal object A casting method and a casting device for a cast-metal object which are inexpensive and have a high degree of freedom are provided to cast plural types of cast-metal objects simultaneously.A cast-metal object is cast by using a casting device (10) including a mold structure (5) for forming a casting space capable of filling molten metal; and a runner (1) provided separately from the mold structure (5) for supplying molten metal into the casting space in the mold structure (5) by connecting the runner to the mold structure (5), wherein the runner (1) has a dividable structure, and the mold structure (5) has an assembly structure of a plurality of members.
US08443866B2	Methods, apparatuses, and systems for movable partitions Movable partition systems include a movable partition coupled to and movable along a track. The movable partition may comprise at least two accordion folding sheets of panels, a motor carried by the movable partition, and at least one electronic component unit configured to control the motor. The electronic component unit may be carried by the movable partition and disposed between the sheets of folding panels. Methods of installing a movable partition system include coupling an electronic component box to a floating door jamb within a movable partition.
US08443863B2	High temperature sheet handling system and methods Methods and apparatus provide for imparting a controlled supply of gas to at least one Bernoulli chuck to provide a balanced draw and repellant gas flow to a material sheet; and at least one of: elevating a temperature of the supply of gas to the at least one Bernoulli chuck such that the gas flow to the material sheet is provided at the elevated temperature providing a stream of gas to an insulator substrate to promote separation of an exfoliation layer from a donor semiconductor wafer, and providing a stream of gas to a junction of the insulator substrate and any support structure to promote separation of the insulator substrate and the supporting structure.
US08443858B2	Edge banding machine An edge banding machine has: a glue-applying unit including a glue container mounted on a mounting plate, and a glue-applying roller rotatable relative to the glue container; a transmission unit including front and rear conveying wheels and a transmission member connected between the front and rear conveying wheels for driving the glue-applying roller; and a feeding unit including two juxtaposed vertical rods disposed on the mounting plate and spaced apart from each other by a passage distance, and two elongate projecting blocks spaced apart from each other by a distance that reduces gradually in a direction toward the front conveying wheel. The projecting blocks are spaced apart from the vertical rods by a gap distance. A ratio of the gap distance to the passage distance is not more than 4.
US08443855B2	Pneumatic tire Disclosed is a pneumatic tire including a straight main groove and two wave-shaped main grooves arranged in the center area of a tread, and diagonal grooves arranged in each shoulder area ranging from each wave-shaped main groove to the outer side of the tire, and extending obliquely outward from the wave-shaped main groove to a direction reverse to the tire rotational direction, the rotational direction being specified for the tire. Each diagonal groove is formed to have a convex protruding toward the outer side of the tire, and the extending end portion of the diagonal groove terminates in the shoulder area. Thus, each shoulder area is provided with a non-block pattern in which a land section continues in the tire circumferential direction. Thereby, the pneumatic tire has increased driving stability and uneven wear resistance while substantially maintaining good drainage performance and noise performance against columnar resonance.
US08443854B2	Sliding drawer card holder and extractor Two components slide with respect to one another, and hold a stack of cards. A first component includes three members extending into a chamber formed by its C-shaped cross-section. When the components are slid apart, the first card in the stack is partially exposed. The card is pushed back past the outer members providing resistance to prevent the cards from moving while allowing only the top card to be pushed past the outer appendages to expose the next card. When the components are pushed together, a bump on an L-shaped component assures that the cards are aligned in a stack. The two outer members include tangs at their terminations that retain a stack of cards within the chamber and prevent them from sliding past. Between the outer members, a central spring extends in an angled configuration into the chamber and presses against the cards and frictionally retains them in position within the chamber.
US08443852B2	Tyre inflation/deflation device A device (1) for effecting automatic nitrogen filling, or nitrogen-for-air substitution, for the simultaneous inflation/deflation of a plurality of vehicle tires, comprising multiple controllers (17) corresponding to the number of tires to be inflated/deflated, each having an individual display (8), a pressure sensor (9), an inflation valve (4) and a deflation valve (11), whereby multiple vehicle tires may be inflated/deflated simultaneously, with user input interfaces (10) for pressure setting adjustments.
US08443849B2	Apparatus and method for draining irrigation systems An irrigation system draining apparatus adapted for use with an irrigation system having a conduit with a fluid source connection, an air inlet, and at least one output port, the apparatus includes a suction device. The suction device has an input port that is adapted to access an interior of the conduit, and to drain fluid from the conduit by suction when the fluid source connection is closed and the air inlet is open. A method of draining an irrigation system includes closing a fluid source connection for the irrigation system, opening an air inlet of the irrigation system, and using a suction device to drain fluid from the irrigation system conduit through the one output port.
US08443843B2	Air-oil separator The present invention provides an air-oil separator comprising a first region having a mixture of air and oil, a second region wherein separation of at least some of the oil from the air-oil mixture occurs and at least one multi-directional injector plug located on a rotating component in flow communication with the first region and the second region, the multi-directional injector plug having a discharge head that is oriented such that at least a part of the air-oil mixture discharged therefrom has a component of velocity that is tangential to the direction of rotation of the rotating component.
US08443840B2	Excessive pressure release valve and release valve unit having the release valve Provided is a small, simple-structured, homogeneous and mass-producible excessive pressure release valve which works even at a relatively low excessive pressure to surely and safely release the pressure to the external world. The excessive pressure release valve has an elastic rubber plate and a reversibly openable slit that passes through the upper and the lower surfaces and release the pressure to the external world when the internal excessive pressure stressing on the lower side surface, pushes and opens the slit toward upper surface side. The elastic rubber plate is made of silicone rubber containing 1-20% by mass of silicone oil.
US08443838B1	Refrigerant control valves A refrigerant valve has a body with a through bore. Multiple tubes have openings aligned in a ring around a middle of the bore. The tubes lead to larger channels in the body. A needle assembly inserted through an end of the bore reciprocates a needle with a stepper motor and speed reducer to precisely control sizes of the openings. Further advancing the needle shaft after closing the openings to the tubes, engages and slides a bypass sleeve against a return spring force to open a bypass in a side of the valve body. A connector connects the bypass in a first end of the bore to outward opening holes of the channels.
US08443836B2	Ventilating apparatus This invention discloses a ventilating apparatus which has a configuration extending along a first axis, a second axis and a third axis. The first axis, the second axis and the third axis are orthogonal to each other. The ventilating apparatus includes a main body, a tail pipe and an airtight sealing material. The main body made of porous ceramics having an outer surface. The main body has a head end and a tail end disposed along the second axis, a first aperture passing therethrough along the first axis near the head end of the main body, and a first air orifice extending along the second axis. The tail pipe has a second aperture which is connected to the first aperture of the main body. The airtight sealing material covering the outer surface of the main body with the first aperture exposed.
US08443835B2	Microfluidic structure and method of measurement and/or positioning of a volume of a liquid A measurement channel for use in a microfluidic system, particularly a lab-on-chip system, having a first end at which a first gas permeable but liquid impermeable wall section is disposed which makes available a gas conduit, and a second end at which the measurement channel is connectable to at least one fluid conduit and at which an isolation or cutoff device is disposed, wherewith in the measurement channel a defined volume is included between the wall section and the isolation or cutoff device. A microfluidic structure is disclosed having a plurality of fluid conduits, and further having a valve for selectively connecting and/or blocking the fluid conduits, at least one of which fluid conduits is in the form of a measurement channel. A method of measuring and/or positioning a volume of a liquid in a microfluidic system, by a measurement channel is disclosed.
US08443834B2	Nozzle check valve A protection system for protecting a fire hydrant is disclosed having an interior, the protection system including a nozzle having a first end to be secured to the hydrant and a second end configured to engage a fire hose coupling, the nozzle defining a bore that is in fluid communication with the interior of the fire hydrant, wherein the nozzle defines a seat disposed in the bore; and a disc disposed within the bore and configured to move axially and rotationally from a normally closed position to an open position in response to an increase in pressure within the interior of the fire hydrant.
US08443833B2	Check valve A valve is provided. The valve includes a flapper member. A barrel is coupled to the flapper member, the barrel having an interior volume and at least one movable vane within the interior volume. A shaft member is rotationally coupled to the barrel, the barrel having at least one stationary vane disposed within the interior volume.
US08443832B2	Sequencer assembly, system and method This invention pertains to a sequencer for controlling the distribution of fluid input into a tank to at least two outlets using a plurality of cells connected to actuate a respective floating outlet. Each of the cells has a relatively uniform construction comprising an enclosure and a float. Each enclosure has an inlet arranged at one end to allow fluid therein and offset openings at an opposite end. The enclosure also is configured to accept the float in an inner cavity and arranged so as to allow the fluid therein to cause said float to move within said enclosure. Each cell is further arranged in pairs of a lift cell and a trigger cell adapted to actuate a floating outlet. Each float has an inclined upper surface configured to transfer a ball through the offset openings as the fluid causes the float to rise and fall from each cycle of actuate a respective floating outlet. The sequencer being particularly adapted to a system and method for dosing a septic system having two or more disposal fields.
US08443831B2	Safety device for a high-pressure connector of a hydraulic device A safety device on a high-pressure connector of a hydraulic device has a shield that surrounds the high-pressure connector and catches hydraulic liquid that escapes at high pressure. The shield has a housing surrounding seal-tightly a pressure medium distributor on the hydraulic device and has furthermore a protective pipe connected to the housing and surrounding a connecting nipple for a high-pressure hose conduit adapted to be coupled by a hose coupling.
US08443825B2	Faucet valve system A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system. The valve system may include a housing having ports for receiving untreated supply water, supplying water to a water treatment system, receiving treated water from the water treatment system and supplying treated water to a dispenser. The valve system includes an automatic shutoff device that prevents water from flowing into the water treatment system when the dispensing faucet is closed and allows water to flow into the water treatment system when the faucet is open. The valve system may include a pressure relief mechanism that removes pressure from the water treatment system when the faucet is closed and a check valve for maintaining a desired amount of pressure within the valve system.
US08443821B2	Method for determining the path and pressure wear condition of a valve mechanism and valve arrangement using such a valve A method for sensor operating-state determination of a valve arrangement to control a process medium flow through a pipeline having a valve element, arranged such that it can move axially within a valve housing via a pneumatic actuating drive by application of control pressure, with the control pressure being measured and evaluated in order to determine the sliding friction during the movement. The valve element can be moved at a constant speed over at least a subarea of the travel movement, the value of which speed is measured via a position sensor system for signal processing, with the currently applied control pressure being measured at approximately the same time for signal processing via a pressure sensor system. The current sliding friction of the valve element can be determined as a measure of wear state from both measured values, by an electronic evaluation unit, based on a proportional drive force expressed by the control pressure which occurs when the valve element is traveling at a constant speed.
US08443812B2	Smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery The present invention is directed to smoking articles having reduced carbon monoxide delivery are described. A carbon monoxide reducing agent is incorporated into the smoking article in order to reduce carbon monoxide levels in mainstream smoke. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be, for instance, in metal oxide or in metal carbonate. The carbon monoxide reducing agent may be incorporated into a wrapper and/or into a column of smokable filler that are used to construct the smoking article.
US08443810B2	Methods of reducing mucus in airways This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.
US08443809B2	Lubricated condom A condom, including a non-porous sheath member, having an open end and a rounded end, and shaped to cover the glans and body portion of a penis, and at least one rib having at least one outer portion and at least one inner portion, wherein the at least one outer portion is attachedly fixed to said non-porous sheath member, and wherein an inner cylinder formed by at the at least one inner portion is exclusive from said non-porous sheath member, and including at least one lubricant within the inner cylinder and at least one hole extending from the inner cylinder through the outer portion to provide for flow of the lubricant outwardly from the inner cylinder through the at least one hole pursuant to application of a predetermined pressure, wherein the at least one rib extends at least one of substantially from the open end to the closed end and substantially about a circumference of the non-porous sheath member.
US08443806B2	Face piece seal check device A sealing device for positive pressure testing is attached to a respirator face mask and includes an outer frame integrally joined to a movable cap by a flexible link that biases the cap in an open position for the operational use of the face mask against a manually applied force to move the cap to a sealed position for the positive pressure testing to assure the proper fit of the face mask on the wearer. The method for positive pressure testing includes flexibly moving the sealing device from the open position to the sealing position such that the sealing surface of the cap seals the exhalation valve assembly closed. The wearer then exhales into the mask to test the seal of the mask. When the test is completed, the sealing device is released and the inherent biasing force moves the cap from the sealing position to the open position.
US08443804B2	Adjustable volume manual resuscitation bag assembly An adjustable volume control manual resuscitation bag assembly includes a resuscitation bag, a volume control knob, a traction assembly operating in response to adjustment of the control knob, and a follower assembly including a bag compression limiting member and a follower which are moved in response to operation of the traction assembly to adjust and limit the volume of gas delivered by compression of the bag.
US08443803B2	Respiration bag A collapsible respiration bag assembly is disclosed and includes a flexible hollow body longitudinally extending about a longitudinal axis thereof between an air intake end and an air outlet end and formed with at least three annular folds. A patient valve is fitted at the outlet end and includes a face mask coupler transversing the longitudinal axis. An intake valve assembly is also included and a face mask fitted with a face engaging rim, a dome portion and a valve coupler detachably connectable to the face mask coupler. The dome portion of the face mask is deformable between an operative, concave position and a convex stowing position, where the dome portion is inverted and where the valve coupler is detached from the face mask coupler. The assembly is configurable between at least one extended, operative position and a fully collapsed stowed position where the annular fold zones at least partially overlap.
US08443802B2	Apparatus for deploying oxygen masks An apparatus for deploying oxygen masks that includes a pre-packaged modular system that does not require manual repacking of oxygen masks by aircraft technicians. The cartridge is for use with a manifold having a passageway in fluid communication with a source of breathable gas. The cartridge includes an end wall, a sidewall extending from the end wall and terminating at a distal end adjacent to an opening. A flexible member defines a chamber inside the cartridge. The chamber is in fluid communication with the passageway when the cartridge is coupled to the manifold. The flexible member has an outlet. A mask assembly is disposed inside the cartridge. The mask assembly has a hose coupled to the outlet of the flexible member. A cover is removably attached to the distal end of the at least one side wall.
US08443800B2	Method and system of safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus Several methods and a system for a method and system of safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of safety of a building structure includes safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus by enclosing the breathable air apparatus in a secure chamber of a fill site of the emergency support system of the building structure to provide a safe placement to supply the breathable air to the breathable air apparatus. The method may include ensuring that a prescribed pressure of the emergency support system maintains within a threshold range of the prescribed pressure by including a valve of the emergency support system to prevent leakage of breathable air from the emergency support system.
US08443799B2	Dry powder inhalation system for transpulmonary administration A dry powder inhalation system suitable for transpulmonary administration characterized by using a combination of: (1) A vessel housing a freeze-dried composition that contains a single dose of an active ingredient, and has: (i) a non-powder cake-like form, (ii) a disintegration index of 0.015 or more, and (iii) a property of becoming fine particles having a mean particle diameter of 10 microns or less or a fine particle fraction of 10% or more upon receipt of an air impact having an air speed of at least 1 m/sec and an air flow rate of at least 17 ml/sec; and (2) A device capable of applying said air impact to the freeze-dried composition in said vessel and for discharging the powder-form freeze-dried composition that has been made into fine particles.
US08443798B2	Inhaler An inhaler is disclosed. It comprises a housing to receive a strip of blisters each having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user and, an actuator operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member. The actuator is also operable to cause the blister piercing element to puncture the lid of a blister such that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it out of the blister and via the mouthpiece into the user's airway.
US08443797B2	Apparatus for maintaining a surgical airway and method of the same An apparatus for maintaining a surgical airway and method for the same includes an elongated body insertable orally into a patient. The elongated body defines leading and trailing ends. An opening is defined through the leading and trailing ends, such that surgical equipment may be insertable through the opening of the elongated body. A securing member is connected to the trailing end. The securing member holds the elongated body in a position such that an airway remains open to treat the patient, while supporting oxygen flow to the patient.
US08443793B2	Heating apparatus A heating apparatus includes an elongated flexible envelope (4) comprising two sheets (6), (8) that are attached to each other along permanent side seams (10), (12) and along a permanent bottom seam (14) and a moisture-activated chemical heater (16) disposed inside envelope (4), wherein envelope (4) is folded over on itself and secured by temporary side seams (18), (20) and a permanent top seam (22) to form a continuous moisture barrier surrounding the moisture activated chemical heater (16) and wherein heater (2) may be opened for use by removing top seam (22) and unfolding envelope (4) by unpeeling temporary seals (18), (20) to provide unfolded envelope (4), wherein sheets (6) and (8) remain sealed along permanent seams (10), (12) and (14), but wherein envelope (4) now has an open top end (30).
US08443791B2	Dual feed-out archery cam An archery bow includes a cam assembly rotatably supported at a pivot axis on a limb of the bow. The cam assembly includes a primary string feed-out which operates to feed out a length of a bowstring as the bow is drawn. The cam assembly includes a control system associated with a secondary string feed-out. The control system is operative, during the time the bow is being drawn and the primary string is being fed out, to control the effective length of a secondary portion of the string such that during an initial portion of the draw of the bow, the effective length of that secondary portion decreases and so that during a subsequent portion of the draw, the effective length increases. The controller thereby operates to modify the force draw profile of the bow so as to increase the amount of energy stored therein during the initial portion of the draw.
US08443788B2	Internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine is charged by a compressor such that for example only a fraction of the charge is supercharged for an operating cycle of the internal combustion engine and is supplied via a separate charging channel with the help of a short-stroke valve which is controlled by the camshaft after closure of the inlet of the internal combustion engine such that the suction/charging stroke of the four-stroke process is maintained entirely or partially.
US08443786B2	Fuel vapor storage canister, fuel vapor adsorbent for canister, and method of producing fuel vapor adsorbent A fuel vapor storage canister for adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated from a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a casing provided with charge and purge ports at its first end and an atmospheric port at its second end. At least first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers are respectively located near the first and second ends of the casing. In this arrangement, the first fuel vapor adsorbent layer is larger in cross-sectional area perpendicular to flow direction of fuel vapor than the second fuel vapor adsorbent layer. The first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers respectively include first and second granular fuel vapor adsorbents. The first granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a microporous structure, while the second granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a macroporous structure.
US08443781B2	Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes: a purge control unit causing fuel evaporative emission to be introduced into an intake passage to attain a purge flow rate based on a pressure in the intake passage; a fuel cut return rich control unit setting a rich target air-fuel ratio when returning from fuel cut, and feedback-controlling a fuel supply rate on the basis of the target air-fuel ratio, purge flow rate and intake air flow rate to attain the target air-fuel ratio; a fuel increase upper limit setting unit setting an allowable upper limit for an increase in fuel supply rate in fuel cut return rich control; and an actual air-fuel ratio control unit controlling an actual air-fuel ratio to a richer side when the fuel supply rate in the fuel cut return rich control has reached the allowable upper limit and the actual air-fuel ratio is lean.
US08443780B2	Low leakage cam assisted common rail fuel system, fuel injector, and operating method therefor A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors each defining a nozzle supply passage, a nozzle outlet and a low pressure space. The fuel system includes a plurality of mechanically actuated pressure intensifiers each including a tappet and being positioned partially within one of the fuel injectors, and a common rail fluidly connecting with each of the fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors further includes an injection pressure control mechanism having an injection pressure control valve. Each injection pressure control valve blocks the corresponding pressure intensifier from the common rail and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the low pressure space at a first position, and fluidly connects the pressure intensifier with the common rail and blocks the pressure intensifier from the low pressure space at a second position. Injecting fuel via operating the fuel system may include operating the fuel system in a low leakage mode where the pressure intensifier displaces fuel at a low pressure, between high pressure injections.
US08443774B2	Camshaft variator device The invention relates to a camshaft variator device for an internal combustion engine which includes a crankshaft and a camshaft. The invention includes: a first component which is rigidly connected to the camshaft of the engine, such that the rotation of the first component causes the camshaft to rotate; a second component which is rotated by the crankshaft of the engine; a third component which connects the first and second components to one another and which, in turn, rotates the first component in relation to the second component in order to vary the position and partial speed of the camshaft in respect of the crankshaft; and a fourth component which is used to impart a longitudinal and reciprocating longitudinal movement to the third component. The purpose of the device is to enable the opening and closing time and duration of the valves to be varied by varying the position and partial speed of the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft.
US08443767B2	Air venting arrangement An air venting arrangement for a liquid cooling system associated with an internal combustion engine has a shunt vessel, and a transfer conduit connecting a flange portion of the shunt vessel to the liquid cooling system, and configured to pass coolant between the shunt vessel and the liquid cooling system. A venting conduit is disposed in a bore of the flange portion, and positioned to vent entrained air in the transfer conduit, developed during a filling of the cooling system, to a portion of the shunt vessel, and reduce the time required in filling of the liquid cooling system. A compression limiter and fastener connected to the compression limiter maintains and positions a first and a second end of the venting conduit at predetermined locations to provide venting of the transfer conduit to the reservoir portion.
US08443765B2	Digital rotary control valve A valve includes a body having an interior and defining at least one inlet passageway and discharge passageway. The valve also includes a flow diverter disposed within the body between the inlet and discharge passageways to receive a fluid from the inlet passageway in an inlet direction. The diverter is adapted to discharge the fluid to at least one discharge passageway in a direction that differs from the inlet direction. The diverter is rotatable to vary the discharge direction. According to one embodiment, the discharge direction is substantially perpendicular to the inlet direction. In another embodiment, a series of fluid passages are formed between the diverter and the interior of the valve body to permit a small firm or thickness of fluid to extend between portions of the diverter and the valve body, thereby forming a fluid bearing.
US08443764B2	Arrangement for the adjustment of equipment for a boiler The arrangement is for positioning equipment in association with an opening in a boiler wall and has a rotation mechanism that rotates the equipment around a virtual rotation axis that lies within the outer wall of the boiler. During the use of a liquor spreader for the introduction of combustible material, the opening of the liquor spreader is arranged in the virtual center of rotation so that the point at which the combustible material is introduced is retained independently of the angle of rotation. The liquor spreader is united either with a glide device or the guide in the rotation mechanism.
US08443761B2	Veterinary procedure table with scale A veterinary procedure table includes an animal support upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. A sink associated with the animal support is adapted to receive fluid material that may be generated during the performance of the veterinary procedure and to direct the fluid material away from the animal support. The veterinary procedure table further includes at least one sensor for sensing a load disposed on the animal support, and a display communicating with the sensor to indicate a weight associated with the sensed load.
US08443760B2	Cat feeding enclosure A cat feeding enclosure comprises a plurality of exterior walls enclosing an interior space, an entry opening for a cat to enter the interior space, a feeding area in the interior space for accommodating a receptacle for holding cat food, and an interior wall within the enclosure defining a circuitous path for a cat to walk along from the entry opening to access the feeding area. The entry opening is preferably no larger than necessary to accommodate passage of a large size cat therethrough. The circuitous path has a plurality of sharp turns to prevent a dog from following the circuitous path from the entry opening to the feeding area.
US08443756B2	Showerhead electrodes and showerhead electrode assemblies having low-particle performance for semiconductor material processing apparatuses Showerhead electrodes for a semiconductor material processing apparatus are disclosed. An embodiment of the showerhead electrodes includes top and bottom electrodes bonded to each other. The top electrode includes one or more plenums. The bottom electrode includes a plasma-exposed bottom surface and a plurality of gas holes in fluid communication with the plenum. Showerhead electrode assemblies including a showerhead electrode flexibly suspended from a top plate are also disclosed. The showerhead electrode assemblies can be in fluid communication with temperature-control elements spatially separated from the showerhead electrode to control the showerhead electrode temperature. Methods of processing substrates in plasma processing chambers including the showerhead electrode assemblies are also disclosed.
US08443755B2	Paint applicator with vacuum regulator A paint spraying system having a paint reservoir (16) remote from a spray gun (12) of the type which draws paint to the gun using vacuum (6, 7). A paint pump (14) delivers paint under positive pressure to the paint gun and a paint regulator (28) in or associated with the paint gun delivers the paint to the gun as drawn by vacuum by the gun through the regulator. An over-pressure relief valve (70) may be used to limit the positive pressure delivered by the pump. A mechanical switch may be used to select a SPRAY or CLEAN mode for the operation of the paint regulator to allow flushing of the paint regulator.
US08443751B2	Motor vehicle display A motor vehicle display with a first indicator and a first dial in which an average fuel consumption is indicated on the first dial by the first indicator. There is a second dial and the first indicator, in conjunction with the second dial, indicates a distance which can still be covered with the amount in the vehicle tank, wherein the second dial is followed automatically.
US08443748B2	Docking aid apparatus with utility implement This invention is for a docking aid to help dock a boat to a docking post, or to pull a boat closer to the shore. It comprises of a shaft and a tensile member. The tensile member may pass through the shaft and form one or more loops at the ends of the shaft. One loop may be used to dock to a docking pole, while a second loop may be used as a handle to pull, or to loop around another docking element. At least one loop may have a utility implement with an attached tool. This tool may be used to grab a docking post from a boat, to grab an inbound boat from a dock, to pull closer to a second boat, or to grab objects out of the water that may have fallen overboard. The docking aid may also be floatable.
US08443747B1	Mooring pendant apparatus A releasable mooring pendant apparatus that can be coupled or decoupled to a boat. The apparatus comprising of a pair of clips, one at each end of a rod, with each clip comprising hook and ring sections, and an opening therebetween defining a mouth. A movable arm placed under tension to biasly maintain each clip in a closed position, and each clip may only be opened upon activation through the intermedium of a functional retractor lever by a boater pulling on a cable, wherein a functional retractor lever causes a greater force on the movable arm such that the clip is caused to open. The mooring pendant apparatus operates as an extension of the boater's arm, and it can be utilized either by keeping the apparatus on the boat or leaving it connected to the mooring line and also to the mooring ball.
US08443735B2	Vehicle and truck assembly Truck assemblies, systems and methods are provided for transferring weight supported by various wheels, and axles. An example truck assembly may include a truck frame element, and a carrier coupled with the truck frame element. A bias may be configured to bias the carrier away from the truck frame element. An actuatable linkage arrangement may include a compliant linkage coupled with the carrier. The compliant linkage may pull the carrier against the bias in a first direction.
US08443734B2	Pivoting system for a chair The seat surface of a chair of a chair lift can be pivoted with the aid of a pivot mechanism. Thus, the seat surface can, while a passenger is sitting thereon, be pivoted in such a way that it extends so as to descend, or descend more markedly, toward the rear edge of the seat part. Passengers enter automatically, and independently of their size and sitting position on the chair, into a stronger, stable back position, thereby reliably counteracting slipping in the direction of the front edge of the seat part and thus slipping-through between the seat surface and transverse hoop.
US08443728B2	Impact fuze for a high-spin self-destructing device A fuze includes a shell, a plunger a firing pin unit, a spring, a receptacle, a plurality of detents, a detonation unit and a restraint unit. The plunger is movably provided in the shell. The firing pin unit is movably provided in the shell, in the vicinity of the plunger. The spring is compressed between the plunger and the firing pin unit. The receptacle is provided in the shell and movably connected to the firing pin unit. The detents are movably provided between the firing pin unit and the receptacle. The detonation unit is movably provided in the receptacle opposite to the detents. The restraint unit is provided in the shell and movably connected to the detonation unit.
US08443725B2	Method of perforating a web Methods of perforating a web substrate are disclosed that include forming selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques.
US08443722B2	Cooking rack accessory A cooking rack accessory for steaming food and a method thereof. The cooking rack accessory comprises of a support frame that includes a toroidal fluid reservoir configured to store a fluid. A manifold is disposed above the fluid reservoir and is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. A toroidal steam chamber is disposed above the manifold and is in fluid communication with the manifold and the fluid reservoir. A plurality of coupling members is coupled to the support frame and configured to selectably couple to a cooking rack. The coupling members are elongated members extending from the fluid reservoir and arch over a cooking rack. A plurality of steam apertures is disposed through the steam chamber to release steam. A selectably sealable fill aperture includes a spout member coupled to a funnel member, which is all in fluid communication with each other and with the fluid reservoir.
US08443719B2	Root beer float strainer and method of reducing foam A strainer for use with combining beverages and cold food includes a bottom section sized for insertion into a beverage container, and a side section projecting substantially vertically from the bottom section and sized for insertion into a portion of the beverage container. At least one of the bottom and side sections is liquid permeable, and the bottom section and side section are separately or collectively capable of retaining ice pieces when the strainer is in the container. A method for retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid includes placing a strainer capable of retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid, adding ice to the container such that at least some of the ice is retained by the strainer, placing a liquid in the container, and removing the strainer from the container.
US08443717B2	Capsule for preparing drinks A capsule for preparing drinks by passing a liquid through a powdered substance (9) contained in a chamber (8) made in the capsule (1). The chamber (8) is delimited on at least one side by at least one filter element (7) having a plurality of through-holes (12) extending from a first face (13) of the filter element (7) facing the inside of the chamber (8), to a second face (14) of the filter element (7). At least at the first face (13), the through-holes (12) have inlet sections (15) extending according to a main trajectory of extension and each having a length, measured along the main trajectory of extension, greater than their width, measured transversally to the main trajectory of extension.
US08443715B2	Piston-pin bore dimensions for a piston of an internal combustion engine A piston with a piston boss in which a piston-pin bore is provided for accommodating a piston-pin. The piston-pin bore widens in the direction of a piston of a piston inner area with the widening above a bore axis with regard to a piston stroke axis, is less than the widening below the bore axis or vice versa.
US08443707B2	Self-contained munition gas management system An apparatus is disclosed that is a self-contained gas management system (hereinafter “GMS”) that accommodates individual canisters of highly energetic small munitions, but is not so limited. By decoupling the gas management system for a given munition from an adjacent munition, the risk of downing a multi-pack launcher or munition adapter is reduced. Thermal wear, overheating, restrained firing and aft closure debris can be isolated through the separation of gas management systems. In addition, the GMS allows for ease of replenishment and maintenance of a given sub-cell of a multi-pack system. The GMS works with existing munitions and canisters without the need to modify them. Each GMS is dimensioned to fit the canistered munition it receives as well as the launch system with which it is used. The illustrative GMS comprises a plenum, and a first and a second uptake structure. The plenum receives the exhaust from the canistered munition when the munition fires. The plenum is fluidically coupled to the first and second uptake structures. The uptake structures in the illustrative embodiment receive the missile exhaust from the plenum and vent the exhaust to the atmosphere. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second uptake structures are disposed along opposite sides of the canistered munition, flanking it.
US08443704B2	Fly-cutting system and method, and related tooling and articles Methods of fly-cutting a workpiece are disclosed, and in methods in which the position of a fly-cutting head or its associated cutting element is known as a function of time. Also disclosed are methods of forming features, such as grooves or groove segments, in a workpiece such as a cylindrical roll. The features may be provided according to one or more disclosed patterns. Articles made using tools machined in the manner described are also provided, such as polymeric film or sheeting that exhibit certain beneficial properties.
US08443702B2	Torque wrench To make improvements in torque wrenches with a torque limiter that uses a cam mechanism and to provide a torque wrench that realizes more stable operation and is capable of highly precise tightening. In a torque wrench with a torque limiter that uses a cam mechanism, a solid columnar roller member 14 is engaged with a cam part 7 of a cam shaft 8 such that it is rotatably supported by a roller support lever member 12 mounted in a head portion 2 such as to be rotatable around a support shaft 16 and such that it is pressed against the cam part 7 by a spring force transmitting rod 18 biased by a torque setting spring. The roller support lever member 12 is configured such that the distance r2 from the support shaft 16 to a point of application of force of the spring force transmitting rod 18 is longer than the distance r1 from the support shaft 16 to the roller member 14.
US08443701B1	Open wrench An open wrench includes a handle which is flat relative to a horizontal plane and a driving head is connected to the head. The driving head has a clamping opening with an opening communicating therewith. The driving head has two flat portions located on top and bottom of the driving head respectively and the flat portions each have an outer face, an inner face and a recess, all of which are located around the clamping opening and arranged in U shape. The inner face is located close to the clamping opening and the outer face is located close to the inner face. The outer face is raised, relative to the horizontal plane, from the mediate portion thereof and toward two ends of the outer face so as to define an inclined angle between the outer face and the horizontal plane.

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