最新美国发明专利第2013-05-28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
US08450104B2	Method of optical detection of binding of a material component to a sensor substance due to a biological, chemical or physical interaction and apparatus for its embodiment (variants) Apparatus for detecting biological or chemical components in liquid or gas is based on measuring changes of the sensor layer thickness due to binding reactions. A plate or a gap with two surfaces of a solid optical material is used as the sensor layer. The surfaces are located at a distance of more than 10 μm, which allows pumping liquids through the gap at moderate pressure drops and investigating large biological objects (e.g., cells), or employment of affordable plates that are rigid enough without any substrate. The indicated thickness of the plate or the gap permits using of the superluminescent diodes as light sources, because it allows recording within their narrow spectrum a sufficient number of interference maxima and minima for precise registration of molecular binding reactions, which lead to much higher sensitivity of the apparatus as compared with apparatus based on thin-film sensor layers.
US08450102B2	Device and method for stabilising the flow through a chamber A device 1 with at least one electrode 8 for generating an electrical field in a chamber 7 is disclosed. The device 1 comprises at least one input channel 6 for introducing a fluid into the chamber 7, and at least one output channel 11 for discharging the fluid from the chamber 7. Also disclosed is a method for stabilizing the flow of a fluid through a chamber 7 in which an electrical field is generated and which has at least one input channel 6 for introducing the fluid into the chamber and at least one output channel 11 for discharging the fluid from the chamber 8. To avoid undesirable backflow of the fluid due to gas formation, the average inside diameter of the input channel 6 of device 1 is smaller than the average inside diameter of the output channel 11.
US08450099B2	Process for producing thioredoxin by stressing yeast cells An object of the present invention is to provide a process for conveniently and efficiently producing high purity thioredoxin from yeast.In the production of thioredoxin using yeast, thioredoxin is produced through the following steps (i) to (iii): (1) culturing the yeast; (2) stressing the yeast obtained in step (1) to cause a release of thioredoxin from a cell of the yeast; and (3) collecting the thioredoxin released from the yeast cell.
US08450098B2	Method for introducing nucleic acids into fungal cells The method disclosed herein, relates generally to introducing molecules such as biomolecules (e.g., nucleic acids) into a filamentous fungus. More specifically, the methods disclosed herein relate to introducing one or more nucleic acids into a filamentous fungus.
US08450096B2	Polypeptides having phytase activity and polynucleotides encoding same The invention relates to Citrobacter phytases derived from Citrobacter amalonaticus, Citrobacter gillenii, and related phytases. The phytases belong to the acid histidine phosphatase family, are acid-stable, and expectedly of a high specific activity. The invention also relates to the corresponding DNA, the recombinant and wild-type production of the phytases, as well as the use thereof, in particular in animal feed.
US08450095B2	Systems and methods for effecting a physical change in a biological sample The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for processing a biological sample that result in a physical change, such as reacting two molecules together to form a reaction product or for use in lysing viruses or biological cells for analysis using biological assay systems. As such, the present invention relates both to breaking apart biological species such as viruses and cells, as well as the formation of reactants from one or more reactive species. The sample has a volume in the range from about 1 microliter to 10 milliliters. The sample is processed by applying pressure, and either sonic energy or thermal energy to the sample, wherein the pressure achieved is usually at least 24 atmospheres, and the temperature of the sample is usually raised to at least 50° C.
US08450092B1	Process for harvesting and processing sugar-producing crops Present-day harvest methods for sweet sorghum are labor intensive, and/or require that large quantities of matter be removed to a central location for processing. A field harvesting process for harvesting and further processing sweet sorghum includes cutting the crop and reducing it to its separated juice and solids in the field. Separation is carried out using a roller press that is water-washed with water removed from the juices in a nanofiltration process. The juice is stored and fermented on the farm, followed by distillation by a mobile distillation process to separate the valuable alcohol from the stillage.
US08450089B2	Compounds as L-cystine crystallization inhibitors and uses thereof A method of preventing or inhibiting L-cystine crystallization using the compounds of formula I is disclosed. R1a—O-(-A-L-)m-A-O—R1b I, wherein A, L, R1a, R1b, and m are as described herein. The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of conditions that are causally related to L-cystine crystallization, such as comprising (but not limited to) kidney stones.
US08450088B2	Process for producing CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid A method by which high-purity CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (HPLC purity, 95% or higher), which has been difficult to obtain with any technique other than chromatography, can be easily obtained in satisfactory yield by a simple operation without the need of chromatography. The process, which is for producing high-purity CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc), is characterized by conducting a suitable combination of the following steps (1) to (4). Step 1: a step in which divalent cations are added to a solution containing CMP-NeuAc to thereby precipitate the phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, and nucleotide which coexist; Step 2: a step in which a phosphatase is added to a solution containing CMP-NeuAc to thereby convert the coexistent nucleotide into nucleoside; Step 3: a step in which an organic solvent is added to precipitate the CMP-NeuAc; and Step 4: a step in which the CMP-NeuAc precipitated is recovered.
US08450087B2	Use of triplex structure DNA in transferring nucleotide sequences The invention concerns a recombinant vector characterized in that it comprises a polynucleotide comprising a central initiation cis-active region (cPPT) and a termination cis-active region (CTS), the regions being of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, and the vector further comprising a predetermined nucleotide sequence (transgene or nucleotide sequence of interest) and retrotranscription regulating, expressing, and packaging signals of retroviral or retroviral-like origin.
US08450086B2	Bacterial membrane protein secretion Improved bacterial secretion signals derived from pelB and ompA are provided. The improved variants enhance bacterial membrane secretion are thus useful for production of proteins secreted from bacteria including proteins displayed on filamentous phage particles, and, in particular, proteins requiring oxidative formation of covalent bonds, such as disulfide bonds within or between polypeptide chains in order to form a correctly folded and functional protein structure. Described herein are methods for the multivalent display of complex dimeric proteins on the surface of a bacteriophage particle and combinatorial synthetic libraries of such proteins displayed as a fusion polypeptide with filamentous phage pIX coat protein. Heterodimeric or more complex interchain bonded structures may also be displayed using the method of the invention.
US08450080B2	Methods of monitoring metabolic pathways The present invention provides methods and compositions for monitoring cofactors and metabolites of a metabolic pathway of interest. The subject compositions and methods are particularly suited for monitoring the mevalonate pathway in a variety of cells. The invention also provides fermentation methods for the production of isoprenoids.
US08450078B2	Portable coagulation monitoring device and method of assessing coagulation response A device, system and method is disclosed in which small volume blood samples are subjected to shear forces and shear stresses between two parallel planar surfaces to which linear motion trajectories are imparted. The formation of clots or coagulation of the sample is measured from dynamic mechanical coupling which occurs between the two parallel planar surfaces. Detection of the coagulation response can be achieved through optical probing or by measurement of physical effects of the blood sample binding to the planar surfaces, and restricting movement thereof.
US08450076B2	Monitoring and inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus infection by modulating HMGB1 dependent triggering of HIV-1 replication and persistence Compositions and methods for modulating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection involving substances that inhibit the ability of high mobility box 1 (HMGB1) protein to interact with natural killer (NK) cells. Therapeutic compositions comprising antibodies and drugs, such as glycyrrhizin, which bind to HMGB1. Methods of detecting or monitoring HIV infection involving detection or quantitation of HMGB1 or antibodies specific for HMGB1 in a biological sample.
US08450075B2	Protein, an antibody and measurement of the protein Methods for determining the occurrence or level of a mammalian protein in a sample and methods for determining the capability of a compound to transform or to inhibit the transformation of a selected mammalian protein in pro-phospholipase B form to an enzyme active phospholipase B form employ a pro-phospholipase B (PLB-II) mammalian protein which comprises at least one SU2 subunit comprising SEQ ID NO: 3 and having a molecular weight within the range of 30-60 kDa. Methods for determining the capability of a compound to enhance or inhibit the enzymatic activity of a selected protein having phospholipase B enzyme activity employ a protein comprising an activated form of such a pro-phospholipase B (PLB-II) mammalian protein.
US08450074B2	Multi-stage nutrigenomic diagnostic food sensitivity testing in animals A multi-stage method for diagnosing an immunologic food sensitivity or intolerance in a companion animal. Firstly a saliva or blood spot or other non-serum bodily fluid sample is collected. The screening the saliva or blood spot or other non-serum bodily fluid sample detects the presence of at least one of IgA or IgM antibody to a particular food ingredient or composition. An immunologic food sensitivity or intolerance based on the presence of the antibody is diagnosed. Secondly a blood sample is collected and serum from the sample is screened to detect the semi-quantitative or quantitative presence of at least one of an IgA, IgM or IgG antibody or immune complex to a particular food ingredient or composition. An immunologic food sensitivity or intolerance based on the presence of the antibody or immune complex is diagnosed. Thirdly, a biologically active nutrient in relation to the animal from a molecular dietary signature is determined. The molecular dietary signature for the animal is a variation of expression of a set of genes, proteins or metabolites which may differ for the genotype of each animal.
US08450069B2	Highly sensitive biomarker panels Cardiovascular disease, e.g., congestive heart failure, is often first diagnosed after the onset of clinical symptoms, eliminating potential for early intervention. The invention provides a multi-marker immunoassay, including cardiac pathology and vascular inflammation biomarkers, yielding a more sensitive assay for early detection of CHF in plasma. A panel consisting of cardiac pathology (cTnI, BNP) and vascular inflammation (IL-6, TNFα, IL-17a) biomarkers provided a sensitivity of 94% for association with CHF.
US08450066B2	Methods for identifying the activity of gene products The invention comprises compositions and methods for determining the function of proteins. It advantageously uses cotransfection of a reporter gene to remove transfection efficiency as a factor affecting the success of cell based assays. This method links the activity of the gene product of interest to the expression of the reporter gene. In addition, it also allows for the development of assays that allow for rapid screening for protein function in cells and whole animals by using cloned genes in a high throughput assay format which is simple, fast and inexpensive.
US08450062B2	SOCS-3 promoter methylation in cancer This invention provides compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that exhibit decreased SOCS-3 expression.
US08450061B2	Quantification of a minority nucleic acid species The technology relates in part to quantification of a minority nucleic acid species from a nucleic acid sample. In some embodiments, methods for determining the amount of fetal nucleic acid (e.g. absolute amount, relative amount) in a maternal sample are provided.
US08450058B2	Method of detecting target substance Provided are a method of detecting a target substance, by which the detection sensitivity in the PALSAR method can be improved and multiple genes can be simultaneously detected, and a kit for detection. The method is a method of detecting a target substance by forming a signal probe polymer with the use of multiple dimer probes or dimer-forming probes and an assist probe, in which each dimer probe is made up of two kinds of dimer-forming probes including a 5′-side region, a central region and a 3′-side region (the central regions of the two kinds of dimer-forming probes are complementary to each other and the 3′-side regions and the 5′-side regions thereof are not complementary to each other), the multiple dimer probes are constituted such that a dimer probe polymer is formed via a self-assembly reaction, and the assist probe is designed so as to have a structure having a region complementary to the 5′-side region of one dimer-forming probe in one dimer probe, a region complementary to the 3′-side region of the other dimer-forming probe, and a target region capable of binding to the target substance.
US08450055B2	Malaria antigen screening method The invention provides a method of identifying an antigen from a pathogen or a disease antigen comprising the use of an adenoviral vector array comprising two or more different adenoviral vectors, wherein each adenoviral vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a different antigen of a pathogen. The adenoviral vectors are administered to antigen presenting cells (APCs) in vitro or to an animal in vivo. The immunogenicity of the antigen is measured by screening for an immune response from effector T lymphocytes in vitro and by screening for the absence of pathogen-induced disease onset in vivo.
US08450052B2	Double patterning strategy for contact hole and trench in photolithography A method of lithography patterning includes forming a first resist pattern on a substrate, the first resist pattern including a plurality of openings therein on the substrate; forming a second resist pattern on the substrate and within the plurality of openings of the first resist pattern, the second resist pattern including at least one opening therein on the substrate; and removing the first resist pattern to uncover the substrate underlying the first resist pattern.
US08450049B2	Process for forming an anti-oxidant metal layer on an electronic device A process for forming an anti-oxidant metal layer on an electronic device comprises the steps of providing a substrate; forming a conductive metal layer on the substrate; forming a first photoresist layer on the conductive metal layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form apertures and first grooves; forming a connecting member having a top surface and a lateral surface in the aperture and the first groove; removing the first photoresist layer to reveal the top surface and the lateral surface; forming a second photoresist layer on the conductive metal layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form apertures and second grooves; forming an anti-oxidant metal layer in aperture and second groove, the anti-oxidant metal layer covers the top surface and the lateral surface of the connecting member; and removing the second photoresist layer to reveal the anti-oxidant metal layer and the conductive metal layer.
US08450048B2	Method for forming resist underlayer film, patterning process using the same, and composition for the resist underlayer film There is disclosed a method for forming a resist underlayer film of a multilayer resist film having at least three layers used in a lithography, comprising at least; a step of coating a composition for resist underlayer film containing a novolak resin represented by the following general formula (1) obtained by treating a compound having a bisnaphthol group on a substrate; and a step of curing the coated composition for the resist underlayer film by a heat treatment at a temperature above 300° C. and 600° C. or lower for 10 to 600 seconds. There can be provided a method for forming a resist underlayer film, and a patterning process using the method to form a resist underlayer film in a multilayer resist film having at least three layers used in a lithography, gives a resist underlayer film having a lowered reflectance, a high etching resistance, and a high heat and solvent resistances, especially without wiggling during substrate etching.
US08450047B2	Method of controlling the states and vortex chirality in hexagonal ring structures comprising nanoscale magnetic elements A method is provided for achieving specific magnetic states with a given vortex chirality in artificial kagome spin ice building block structures containing one or more hexagonal rings of ferromagnetic islands created with electron beam lithography, where a subgroup of the ferromagnetic islands have a smaller width and therefore higher switching field than the other normal (wider) islands and are placed at specific positions in each of the rings. The positioning of the islands determines the magnetic state of the building block structure during magnetization reversal, and determines the chirality of the magnetic vortices that occur in each ring.
US08450046B2	Methods for enhancing photolithography patterning A method for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes: providing a substrate prepared with a photoresist layer; providing a photomask comprising a first and a second pattern having a respective first and second pitch range; providing a composite aperture comprising a first and a second off-axis illumination aperture pattern, the first off-axis aperture pattern having a configuration that improves the process window of the first pitch range and the second off-axis aperture pattern having a configuration that improves the process window for a second pitch range; exposing the photoresist layer on the substrate with radiation from an exposure source through the composite aperture and the photomask; and developing the photoresist layer to pattern the photoresist layer.
US08450045B2	Pattern forming method A pattern forming method includes providing and curing a under-layer film containing a radiation-sensitive acid generator which generates an acid upon exposure to radiation on a substrate. The under-layer film is irradiated with radiation through a mask to cause an acid to be selectively generated in an exposed area of the under-layer film. An upper-layer film which does not contain a radiation-sensitive acid generator and which contains a composition capable of polymerizing or crosslinking by an action of an acid is provided. A cured film is provided by polymerization or crosslinking selectively in an area of the upper-layer film corresponding to the exposed area of the under-layer film in which the acid has been generated. An area of the upper-layer film corresponding to an area of the under-layer film in which the acid has not been generated is removed.
US08450044B2	Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A positive resist composition including a resin component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid and an acid-generator component (B), the resin component (A) including a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a1) containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, a structural unit (a5) containing a base dissociable group an a structural unit (a6) represented by general formula (a6-1) (R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; each of R2 and R3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group that may contain an oxygen atom at an arbitrary position, or R2 and R3 are bonded together to form an alkylene group; and W represents a cyclic alkylene group that may include an oxygen atom at an arbitrary position).
US08450042B2	Positive resist composition and patterning process A positive resist composition comprising as a base resin a polymer having carboxyl groups whose hydrogen is substituted by an acid labile group of fluorene structure exhibits a high contrast of alkaline dissolution rate before and after exposure, a high resolution, a good pattern profile and minimal LER after exposure, a significant effect of suppressing acid diffusion rate, and improved etching resistance.
US08450041B2	Actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition and pattern forming method using the same An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes (A) a compound capable of generating a specific acid having a norbornyl structure upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and (B) a resin capable of increasing the dissolution rate of the resin (B) in an alkali developer by an action of an acid, the resin (B) containing a specific repeating unit having a lactone structure on the resin side chain through a linking group, and a pattern forming method uses the composition.
US08450036B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge An electrophotographic photoreceptor containing fluororesin particles in which the cross-section obtained by cutting a surface layer along the thickness direction satisfies the following (1) and (2): 0≦A1≦0.5×A2 (1): 0.7×A3≦A2≦1.2×A3 (2): wherein A1 represents the proportion (%) of the area of the fluororesin particles occupying a region designated as a first region; A2 represents the proportion (%) of the area of the fluororesin particles occupying a region designated as a second region; and A3 represents the proportion (%) of the area of the fluororesin particles occupying the entire cross-section with respect to the entire area of the cross-section.
US08450033B2	Latent electrostatic image bearing member, and image forming apparatus, image forming method and process cartridge using the same To provide a latent electrostatic image bearing member including: an outermost surface layer that comprises a compound represented by the following General Formula (1) and a crosslinked resin formed by crosslinking between an isocyanate compound and a reactive charge transporting substance having at least two hydroxyl groups. where R1 and R2 may be identical or different and each represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; and R3 represents one of alkyl and aryl groups which have at least one hydroxyl group.
US08450032B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, electrophotographic photoreceptor cartridge, and image-forming apparatus The invention provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor for use in an image-forming apparatus comprising a charging unit which charges an electrophotographic photoreceptor, an exposure unit which exposes the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developing unit which develops the electrostatic latent image, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer and the photosensitive layer contains a compound represented by the following formula (1).
US08450028B2	Holographic storage method A method of recording a volume holographic image is described in which a holographic recording medium containing a photoreactive dye is exposed to a plurality of coherent light sources emitting at a wavelength to which the dye is sensitive, thereby forming an interference fringe pattern therein. The photoreaction occurring in the areas of constructive interference generates a periodic array of photoreacted areas of the dye and unreacted areas of the dye. This generated interference fringe pattern may contain, but does not have to contain any image or other encoded information. Selected areas of the interference fringe pattern are then exposed to actinic radiation in such a manner to partially or fully bleach, remove, or deactivate the photoreactive dye fringe pattern, thereby producing a holographic pattern, shape, or image formed by areas of the interference fringe pattern that were not bleached, removed, or deactivated.
US08450026B2	Solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising an electrocatalyst/electrolyte assembly supported by a nano-structured material A membrane electrode assembly for a solid electrolyte fuel cell comprises: an electrode having a layer of nano-structured material on one of its faces, an electrocatalyst deposited on the nano-structured material and an electrolyte deposited on the electrocatalyst/nano-structured material. The nano-structured material can comprise carbon, silicon, graphite, boron, titanium and be in the form of multi-walled nano-tubes (MWNTs), single-walled nano-tubes (SWNTs), nano-fibers, nano-rods or a combination thereof. The nano-structured material can be grown or deposited on one face of an electrode of the cell or on a substrate such as a flexible sheet material of carbon fibers using chemical vapor deposition. The electrocatalyst and electrolyte can be incorporated in the nano structured material using physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion beam sputtering or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
US08450025B2	Assisted stack anode purge at start-up of fuel cell system A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.
US08450024B2	Fuel cell having a separator with a folded back part A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and electrode layers arranged on each surface of the electrolyte membrane respectively, and first and second separators that are formed by processing a metal plate and are arranged so as to sandwich the membrane electrode assembly. At a position outside a position facing the membrane electrode assembly, the separators have an opening that constitutes a reaction gas flow path that is roughly perpendicular to a surface direction of the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has a folded back part that is formed by folding back at least part of the metal plate of the position at which the opening is formed toward the membrane electrode assembly side along a boundary line on the membrane electrode assembly side of the opening as a fold line. The folded back part has a communication hole that allows communication between an internal flow path space and the reaction gas flow path, the internal flow path space being a space communicated with an end surface of the membrane electrode assembly and being formed between the folded back part and the first separator. The second separator does not have the folded back part.
US08450018B2	Method to automatically enable/disable stack reconditioning procedure based on fuel cell stack parameter estimation A system and method for determining when to trigger reconditioning of a fuel cell stack and when to disable the reconditioning of the fuel cell stack. In one embodiment, the stack reconditioning is triggered when a maximum stack power estimation falls below a first predetermined power threshold. The reconditioning of the stack can be disabled so it is not performed when the trigger occurs if the reconditioning process does not raise the maximum power estimation above a second predetermined power threshold or the time from one reconditioning trigger to a next reconditioning trigger is less than a predetermined time threshold, or both.
US08450015B2	Fuel cell bioreactor The present invention discloses a fuel cell bioreactor, based on the microbial regeneration of the oxidant, ferric ions and on the cathodic reduction of ferric to ferrous ions, coupled with the microbial regeneration of ferric ions by the oxidation of ferrous ions, with fuel (such as hydrogen) oxidation on the anode. The microbial regeneration of ferric ions is achieved by iron-oxidizing microorganisms such as Leptospirillum. Electrical generation is coupled with the consumption of carbon dioxide from atmosphere and its transformation into microbial cells, which can be used as a single-cell protein.
US08450010B2	Sealing assembly of battery, method of fabricating the same, and lithium battery A sealing assembly of a battery, a method for fabricating the sealing assembly and a lithium ion battery are provided. The sealing assembly may comprise: a ceramic ring having a receiving hole; a metal ring fitted over the ceramic ring; and a core column formed in the receiving hole, which comprises a metal-ceramic composite.
US08450008B2	Secondary battery A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a separator between a positive electrode and a negative electrode; current collectors, the current collectors being electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively; a case, the case accommodating the electrode assembly and the current collectors; a cap plate, the cap plate coupled to an opening in the case; and an insulating film, the insulating film insulating the electrode assembly and the electrode collectors from the case, wherein the insulating film includes a protuberance pattern on at least one surface thereof to compensate for vibration of the electrode assembly current collectors with respect to the case.
US08450007B2	Stacked secondary battery A stacked secondary battery includes battery element including a multilayer structure formed by laying alternately flat plate-shaped positive electrodes and flat plate-shaped negative electrodes by way of separators, the number of the positive electrodes being larger by one than that of the negative electrodes or vice versa, and connecting positive electrode draw-out terminals of the positive electrodes to each other and also negative electrode draw-out terminals of the negative electrodes to each other, plate-shaped metal members respectively arranged on and held in contact with the opposite end surfaces of the multilayer structure as viewed in the stacking direction, binding members binding the plate-shaped metal members so as to pinch and hold the multilayer structure from the end surfaces thereof and a film casing containing the battery element pinched by and held between the plate-shaped metal members in a sealed condition.
US08450004B2	Intrinsically-safe battery power supply for underground mining An intrinsically-safe battery power supply for electrical equipment in underground mining and in other areas exposed to the danger of explosion is disclosed. The power supply includes at least one chargeable storage battery cell disposed in a battery housing. At least one storage battery cell comprises a chargeable lithium storage battery cell and the battery housing is configured to be pressure-resistant and to receive all lithium storage battery cells in a manner so as to be protected from explosion. The pressure-resistant configuration of the battery housing enables the use of lithium storage battery cells in underground mining. Once the battery power supply fulfills all requirements of ignition protection certification, even modern types of lithium storage battery cell can be disposed in the battery housing.
US08450001B2	Flow batter with radial electrolyte distribution An electrochemical flow cell includes a permeable electrode, an impermeable electrode located adjacent to and spaced apart from the permeable electrode and a reaction zone electrolyte flow channel located between a first side of the permeable electrode and a first side of the impermeable electrode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one electrolyte flow channel located adjacent to a second side of the permeable electrode, at least one central electrolyte flow conduit extending through a central portion of the permeable electrode and through a central portion of the impermeable electrode and at least one peripheral electrolyte flow inlet/outlet located in a peripheral portion of the electrochemical cell above or below the permeable electrode.
US08449999B2	Safety battery cell with safety exhaust part corresponding to the electrode lead Disclosed herein is a battery cell constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer, and the battery case is thermally welded along the edge of a receiving part thereof to form a sealing part, wherein a weak part is formed at a portion of the sealing part (‘an electrode lea correspondence portion’) corresponding to one of electrode leads (a, b) connected to the electrode assembly, e.g., the electrode lead (a) having relatively low flexibility, the weak part being physically deformed, such that internal gas is discharged outside through the weak part, when predetermined pressure is applied to the weak part, and the weak part is not formed at an electrode lead correspondence portion of the other electrode lead (b).
US08449998B2	Battery system and method for increasing an operational life of a battery cell A battery system and a method for increasing an operational life of a battery cell are provided. The battery system includes a voltage sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a voltage level output by the battery cell, and a current sensor that generates a second signal indicative of a level of electrical current flowing through the battery cell. The battery system further includes a microprocessor that calculates a resistance level of the battery cell based on the first and second signals, and generates a control signal to induce a fluid supply system to increase a pressure level of the coolant fluid being supplied to the heat exchanger to a first pressure level, based on the resistance level.
US08449992B2	Surface-coated member and cutting tool Disclosed is a surface coated member having excellent adhesion resistance and fracture resistance. A surface coated member (1) comprises a coating layer (3) on the surface of a base (2). The coating layer (3) is composed of a multilayer body wherein a titanium carbonitride (TiCN) layer (4), a continuously existing intermediate layer (5) containing titanium, aluminum, carbon and oxygen and having an average film thickness of 5-30 nm, and an α-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer (9) composed of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) having an α crystal structure are sequentially formed by deposition.
US08449991B2	Use of SN and pore size control to improve biocompatibility in polycrystalline diamond compacts Polycrystalline diamond compacts for use in artificial joints achieve reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility through the use of solvent metal formulations containing tin and through the control of solvent metal pore size, particularly in inner layers of the compact. Solvent metal formulations containing tin have been discovered which provide sintering ability, part strength, and grind resistance comparable to levels achieved by using CoCrMo solvent metals. It has been discovered that limiting the solvent metal pore size in the diamond layers minimizes or eliminates the occurrence of micro cracks in the solvent metal and significantly reduces the corrosion of the compact as manifested by the release of heavy metal ions from the compact. Polycrystalline diamond compacts which utilize both the solvent metal formulations containing tin and the control of pore sizes achieve significantly reduced corrosion and improved biocompatibility compared to prior art polycrystalline diamond compacts.
US08449990B2	Electroluminescent efficiency An organic light emitting device is provided. The device has an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive layer further includes a molecule of Formula I (shown below) wherein an alkyl substituent at position R′5 results in high efficiency and operational stability in the organic light emitting device.
US08449988B2	High-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in bending workability A cold-rolled steel sheet has a chemical composition of C: 0.12% to 0.3%, Si: 0.5% or less, Mn: less than 1.5%, Al: 0.15% or less, N: 0.01% or less, P: 0.02% or less, and S: 0.01% or less, with the remainder including iron and inevitable impurities and has a martensite single-phase structure as its steel microstructure. In a surface region of the steel sheet from the surface to a depth one-tenth the gauge, the number density of n-ary groups of inclusions determined by specific n-th determinations is 120 or less per 100 cm2 of a rolling plane, where the distance in steel sheet rolling direction between outermost surfaces of two outermost particles of the group of inclusions is 100 μm or more. The steel sheet is a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet which has a sufficiently minimized rate of bending fracture starting from inclusions and thereby has excellent bending workability.
US08449983B2	Interlayer film for laminated glass, laminated glass, and method of producing interlayer film for laminated glass It is an object of the present invention to provide an interlayer film for laminated glass containing gallium-doped zinc oxide fine particles as heat shielding fine particles and exhibiting a high transparency and an excellent heat shielding performance. The present invention is an interlayer film for laminated glass, which comprises gallium-doped zinc oxide fine particles, a plasticizer, a dispersant, and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the gallium-doped zinc oxide fine particles have a hexagonal crystalline structure and a c-axis crystal lattice constant of 0.5207 nm or more, and a visible light transmittance TV of 70% or more and an infrared transmittance TIR of less than 75% are obtained from measurement by the method according to JIS R 3106 performed on laminated glass obtained by interposing the interlayer film for laminated glass between a pair of 2.5 mm-thick clear glass sheets.
US08449982B2	Gas barrier film The present invention relates to a gas barrier film where a polyurethane resin layer and an inorganic layer are disposed in this order from a polyester resin film side on at least one surface of a polyester resin film, wherein the polyurethane resin constituting said polyurethane resin layer is a resin containing a skeleton represented by the following formula (1) and/or the following formula (2). The present invention provides a gas barrier film having excellent oxygen insulation and water vapor insulation.
US08449980B2	Composite particles for an electrode comprising lithium vanadyl phosphate (LiVOPO4), production process thereof and electrochemical device Composite particles for an electrode comprising LiVOPO4 particles and a metal, wherein the metal is supported on at least a portion of the surface of the LiVOPO4 particles to form a metal coating layer.
US08449970B2	Antistatic article, method of making the same, and display device having the same An antistatic article having an antistatic layer disposed on a substrate is disclosed herein. The antistatic layer is formed from a cationic copolymer, a non-cationic (meth)acrylic polymer, and a crosslinking agent. The cationic copolymer consists essentially of a cationic monomer, a hydrophobic monomer, a crosslinkable monomer, and an optional nitrogen-containing monomer. The substrate may comprise an optical film such as a multilayer optical film. Methods for making the antistatic article and display devices containing the antistatic article are also disclosed.
US08449965B2	Multilayer optical recording medium and optical recording method A multilayer optical recording medium including at least multiple information layers each having at least a phase change recording layer capable of recording information by laser irradiation and a reflection layer, wherein each information layer other than the innermost information layer as seen from a side of the laser irradiation has at least a lower protection layer, the phase change recording layer, an upper protection layer, the reflection layer and an optical transmission layer, the upper protection layer and the optical transmission layer in each information layer other than the innermost information layer as seen from the side of the laser irradiation are composed of an Sn oxide-containing material and a thickness of the upper protection layer in each information layer other than the innermost information layer as seen from the side of the laser irradiation is 2 nm to 15 nm is provided.
US08449963B1	Integrated form including label and concealed document An improved integrated multi-use label and concealed document form. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a form comprises a first sheet material, a second sheet material, and a third sheet material. The sheet materials are joined together with the first sheet material between the other two sheet materials. Lines of weakness defining at least one multi-use label and concealed document label are cut into the joined together sheet materials.
US08449962B2	Adhesive assembly tapes The invention relates to double-sided adhesive tape comprising a viscoelastic, first polymer layer, a second polymer layer on the top face and a third polymer layer on the bottom face of the viscoelastic, first polymer layer, where the viscoelastic, first polymer layer is based on a polymer which is obtainable by polymerization of a monomer composition of 65% to 97% by weight of ethylhexyl acrylate and/or butyl acrylate, 0% to 30% by weight of methyl acrylate, 3% to 15% by weight of acrylic acid, the viscoelastic interlayer being crosslinked, the second polymer layer is based on a polymer which is obtainable by polymerization of a monomer composition of 85% to 95% by weight of ethylhexyl acrylate and/or butyl acrylate, 5% to 15% by weight of acrylic acid, this second polymer layer being thermally crosslinked using at least one epoxycyclohexyl derivative in the absence of accelerators.
US08449960B2	Polymer having unsaturated cycloaliphatic functionality and coating compositions therefrom A polymer is provided that preferably includes at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic group. In one embodiment, the polymer is combined with an optional crosslinker and an optional carrier to form a coating composition suitable for use in coating articles such as packaging articles. In one embodiment, the polymer has at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic group that is at least bicyclic.
US08449955B2	Acrylic resin containing film, and polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device employing the same This invention provides an acrylic resin containing film, which is transparent and highly heat resistant and has significantly improved brittleness, and a polarizing plate using the acrylic resin containing film. Further yield in punching work and laminating work of the polarizing late is improved and a liquid crystal display device which can maintain good visibility in long term use is also provided by the polarizing plate. The acrylic resin containing film is composed mainly of an acrylic resin and is characterized in that the film contains the acrylic resin and the cellulose ester resin in a weight ratio of 51:49 to 95:5 and further contains a retardation control agent.
US08449954B2	Compound having photoreactive functional group, photoreactive polymer, and alignment film comprising the same The present invention relates to a specific photoreactive polymer that shows excellent alignment stability and thermal stability together with excellent liquid crystal alignment, thereby being desirably used in an alignment film of a liquid crystal display device, a compound having a photoreactive functional group that is used as a monomer for the preparation of the photoreactive polymer, and an alignment film.
US08449953B2	Chiral dopants, liquid crystal matrix and manufacturing method thereof and liquid crystal display An embodiment of the invention provides a chiral dopant having the following formula: wherein X1 and X2 are independently wherein F is fluorine, m is a positive integer from 1 to 8, and n is a positive integer from 1 to 4; Y1 and Y2 are independently —O—, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —C(O)O—, or —CH2O—; and R1, R2 are independently substituted or non-substituted C1-C10 linear alkyl, wherein substituents of the substituted C1-C10 linear alkyl are independently —F, —Cl, —OCF3, —NCS, or —CN, wherein a number of backbone carbon atoms in each of —Y1R1 and —Y2R2 is larger than 3.
US08449952B2	Method and system for coating vinyl products A method and system for coating a vinyl workpiece includes denibbing the workpiece and deionizing the air around the workpiece. The workpiece is roll coated using a roll coating machine, wherein the roll coating machine includes a plurality of engraving rollers. An angular surface of the workpiece is roll coated using a corresponding angularly positioned application roller. The workpiece is coated with an ultraviolet (UV) curable coating using a vacuum coating machine. The UV coating is cured using the vacuum coating machine.
US08449948B2	Method and system for corrosion protection of layers in a structure of a magnetic recording transducer A method for providing a structure in a magnetic recording transducer is described. The method includes plating a first layer in a plating bath using a first plurality of plating conditions. The first layer has a first galvanic potential. The method also includes modifying the plating bath and/or the first plurality of plating conditions to provide a modified plating bath and/or a second plurality of plating conditions. The method further includes plating a second layer using the modified plating bath and/or the second plurality of plating conditions. The second layer has a second galvanic potential. The first galvanic potential is between the second galvanic potential and a third galvanic potential of a third layer if the third layer adjoins the first layer. The second galvanic potential is between the first galvanic potential and the third galvanic potential of the third layer if the third layer adjoins the second layer.
US08449939B2	Crosslinkable, cellulose ester compositions and films formed therefrom New compositions for forming films for use in optical devices are provided. The compositions comprise a cellulose and a crosslinking agent dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. Preferred celluloses are cellulose esters such as cellulose acetates, cellulose triacetates, cellulose acetate phthalates, and cellulose acetate butyrates. Preferred crosslinking agents are triazines such as those derived from melamine and benzoguanamine. The inventive compositions can be used to form, for example, protective and/or compensation films for use in polarizing plates.
US08449934B2	Tofu prep An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus is constructed of a sturdy plastic material and is substantially box or rectangular shaped. It is designed to be approximately the size of a block of commercially available tofu. The container which holds the tofu has perforations on the bottom which permits the extracted moisture to drain out and away from the unit. The container with the tofu features four feet on the corners with a drain tray to capture the extracted moisture. There is a flat member that sits on the top of the tofu and an inner top lid that has a spring attached to it. The inner top lid engages a pair of arm like projections and the spring engages another tray that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the flat member on the tofu water is removed from the tofu.
US08449931B2	Chewing gum composition The present invention relates to a chewing gum base formulation comprising a biocompatible particulate polymer having an average particle size of from about 200 μm to about 2000 μm wherein the polymer fibrillates when subjected to a shear stress such as that encountered during chewing.
US08449929B2	Herbal medicinal composition and extract thereof for inhibiting growth of cancer cells The present invention relates to herbal medicinal compositions and extracts thereof for inhibiting growth of cancer cells. One of the examples described in the present invention comprises Forsythiae fructus, Menthae Herba, Gardeniae Fructus, Scutellariae Radix, Lophatheri Folium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Rhei Rhizoma, Na2SO4, and Atractylodis Rhizoma. The residual examples are described herein.
US08449928B2	Cleanser compositions and methods for using the same The present invention is directed to anti-microbial cleanser compositions comprising linalool, hinokitiol and dipropylene glycol. The present invention further provides methods for using these compositions to maintain eyelid hygiene, to treat an ocular disorder or to clean a skin surface. The cleanser compositions of the present invention can be in the form of a foam, gel or liquid.
US08449926B2	Topical antifungal composition A composition obtained primarily from plant materials provides antimicrobial activity for use as an anti-fungal agent. The anti-fungal agent is effective in inhibiting the growth of Trichophyton rubrum, the fungus that is the most common cause of Tinea pedis. The composition includes selective mixtures of the origanum oil, menthol, and Atlantic cedarwood oil, thuja oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, cumin oil, fennel oil, peppermint oil, or rosemary oil.
US08449920B2	Sustained release beads and suspensions including the same for sustained delivery of active ingredients Sustained-released beads providing active ingredients over an extended period of time to an individual orally ingesting the sustained release beads. The sustained-release beads can be part of a suspension wherein the sustained-release beads are suspended and evenly dispersed in the suspension. Binding agents are used to form the structural framework of the sustained released beads and retain the active ingredients without chemical or electrical bonding. The components of the dispersion medium are GRAS designated, making the suspension suitable for use as a food product.
US08449918B2	Composition exhibiting enhanced formulation stability and delivery of topical active ingredients A therapeutic, cosmetic or cosmeceutic composition for topical application, capable of stabilizing an active ingredient and delivering the active ingredient, comprising a plurality of microcapsules having a core-shell structure. The microcapsules have a diameter of approximately 0.1 to 100 micron. The core of each microcapsule includes at least one active ingredient, and is encapsulated within a microcapsular shell. The shell is comprised of at least one inorganic polymer obtained by a sol-gel process, and the shell protects the active ingredient before topical application and is designed to release the active ingredient from the microcapsules following application. The composition is useful in encapsulating active ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, that are unstable in other formulation, or are irritating to the skin.
US08449917B2	Solid herbicide compositions with built-in adjuvant The present invention concerns stable herbicidal solid compositions containing built-in adjuvant which exhibit improved herbicidal efficacy when used to control weeds in flooded rice paddies or fields.
US08449916B1	Antimicrobial compositions and methods The invention provides compositions and methods to treat microbial infections in animals, to inhibit the replication of microbes in infected cells, and to kill pathogens in infected cells. The methods can include administering to an animal in need of such treatment an effective antimicrobial amount of a composition comprising polyanhydride microparticles or nanoparticles that encapsulate a plurality of antimicrobial agents. The polyanhydride microparticles or nanoparticles can be, for example, copolymers of sebacic anhydride (SA) and 1,6-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) anhydride, copolymers of 1,8-bis(carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG) anhydrides and 1,6-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) anhydride, or various combinations thereof. The microparticles or nanoparticles can accumulate in infected monocytes, dendritic cells, both, or on or in other infected cells, and degrade by surface erosion over a period of time to release the antimicrobial agents, thereby killing or inhibiting the microbes and treating the infection.
US08449915B1	Pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of multifunctional core-shell nanoparticles, each nanoparticle comprising: a core portion comprised of hydrophobic poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a detection-enhancing substance, and a shell portion comprised of positively charged chitosan adapted to cause no aggregation of nanoparticles due to electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the detection-enhancing substance includes SPIO, a quantum dot, a fluorescent quantum dot, a bubble, an air bubble, and the like.
US08449913B2	Methods of administering a dermatological agent to a subject Methods for administering a dermatological agent to a subject are provided. In the subject methods an effective amount of a topical formulation of the dermatological agent is topically applied to a host. The topically applied formulation of dermatological agent is then occluded with a hydrogel patch, where a feature of the hydrogel patch is that it lacks a pharmaceutically active agent. Also provided are methods of treating a subject for a disease condition by administering a dermatological agent to the subject. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications.
US08449910B2	Stable compositions of famotidine and ibuprofen Stable pharmaceutical compositions of famotidine and ibuprofen in a single unit dosage form are disclosed herein. The compositions comprise a famotidine core having a reduced or minimal surface area surrounded by a layer of ibuprofen. In some embodiments, the ibuprofen is in direct physical contact with the famotidine.
US08449903B2	Crosslinked bioabsorbable medical devices The present invention is directed to bioabsorbable medical devices which are introduced into the body of a subject in a first configuration and deformed in the subject's body to a second configuration. The devices generally include at least one bioabsorbable expandable device component that comprises at least one type of biodegradable polymer. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the expandable device component is crosslinked while in an expanded configuration. The crosslinked device component is then heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material forming the device component. Upon heating to this temperature, the device component is compressed into a contracted configuration and cooled to below the Tg of the material to maintain the contracted configuration.
US08449902B2	Methods for producing biomaterials with variable stiffness This invention relates to the production of biomaterials with variable stiffness by subjecting a gel which varies in at least one dimension to plastic compaction. These biomaterials may be useful, for example, for the directional control or guidance of cells within tissue equivalent implants.
US08449899B2	Non-aqueous generation of chlorine dioxide Disclosed is a method of making a non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution by combining a chlorite salt and a non-aqueous carboxylic acid and the non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution made by this method. Also disclosed are methods of disinfecting an object by applying the non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution to the object and methods of disinfecting a liquid by adding the non-aqueous chlorine dioxide solution to the liquid.
US08449898B2	Fungicidal mixtures Disclosed is a fungicidal composition comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the compounds of Formula 1 N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, A, G, W, Z1, X, J, and n are as defined in the disclosure, and (b) at least one additional fungicidal compound. Also disclosed is a method for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens comprising applying to the plant or portion thereof, or to the plant seed, a fungicidally effective amount of the aforesaid composition.Also disclosed is a composition comprising component (a) of aforesaid composition and at least one insecticide.Also disclosed are compounds of Formula 1A, 1B and 1C, wherein R1, R2, A, G, W, Z1, X, J, n, Z3, M and J1 are as defined in the disclosure.
US08449897B2	Refreshment towel and applied solution A refreshment towel with applied solution is an apparatus consisting of a carrying agent, most likely a high quality cotton towel or towelette, that has been saturated with an aqueous solution comprised of various ingredients. The resulting saturated towel can be rubbed on a user's skin such that the aqueous solution that has been absorbed by the towel is transferred. The aqueous solution is compounded specifically to provide cooling, insect repellant, sun protection, freshness, cleansing and other uses. More specifically, the aqueous solution is specially formulated so that desired sensory results take place when the towel comes in contact with the skin.
US08449893B2	Compositions and dosage regimes comprising a clostridial vaccine and levamisole A composition and dosage regime including a vaccine and levamisole for the treatment of clostridial diseases and helminthiasis. New methods of administration relating to particular dosage regimes of such a composition are also claimed.
US08449891B2	Recombinant flagellin protein and preparation and use thereof The present invention provides an optimized recombinant flagellin protein and preparation and use thereof. The protein is with a deletion in the hypervariable region, said hypervariable region is the region from 180 to 400 amino acid of the flagellin protein, and the proteins include FliCΔ190-278, FliCΔ220-320 or FliCΔ180-400. The method of preparing said protein, comprising introducing a deletion into the hypervariable region of the flagellin protein. First constructed the flagellin protein recombinant plasmid, and then used it as template to construct the flagellin deletion cloning, and expressed and purified. The present invention also provides the use of the recombinant flagellin protein as adjuvant. The recombinant flagellin protein in present invention decreases the potential risks it may have, and decreases its antigenicity and immunogenicity and the inflammatory response induced by it, through deleting its main areas of immunogenicity and antigen activity.
US08449890B2	Neprilysin inhibitors In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1, R2a, R2b, R3-R6, a, b, Z, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08449884B2	Clotting factor-fc chimeric proteins to treat hemophilia The invention relates to a chimeric protein comprising at least one clotting factor and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region. The invention relates to a method of treating a hemostatic disorder comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a chimeric protein wherein the chimeric protein comprises at least one clotting factor and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region.
US08449881B2	Anti-α-enolase I antibodies for diagnosis and treatment of α-enolase I-associated diseases The invention relates to antibodies against α-enolase I, their pharmaceutical compositions and diagnosis and treatment uses. Particularly, the invention provides polyclonal anti-α-enolase I antibodies and monoclonal single-chain variable fragment (scFv) anti-α-enolase antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and their uses in uses in diagnosis and treatment of cancers, autoimmune disorders, ischemia and bacterial infection.
US08449876B2	Human lysosomal proteins from plant cell culture A device, system and method for producing glycosylated proteins in plant culture, particularly proteins having a high mannose glycosylation, while targeting such proteins with an ER signal and/or by-passing the Golgi. The invention further relates to vectors and methods for expression and production of enzymatically active high mannose lysosomal enzymes using transgenic plant root, particularly carrot cells. More particularly, the invention relates to host cells, particularly transgenic suspended carrot cells, vectors and methods for high yield expression and production of biologically active high mannose Glucocerebrosidase (GCD). The invention further provides for compositions and methods for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
US08449875B2	Targeting pseudotyped retroviral vectors The present invention provides targeted lentiviral vectors that are psuedotyped with mutated Sindbis envelopes. For example, mutations in the Sindbis E2 protein are used to alter viral titer, specificity, specificity index, tropism, and susceptibility to host immune response. Typically, one or more of the E1, E2, or E3 proteins can be mutated at one or more amino acid positions. The psuedotyped, targeted lentiviral vectors of the invention are used to transduce heterologous genes into a cell and can be used for in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic applications, as well as for diagnostic and research tool applications.
US08449874B2	Interleukin-1 muteins linked to virus-like particles to treat IL-1 associated diseases The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen array, wherein the antigen is an IL-1 mutein. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle, and at least one IL-1 mutein linked thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the composition. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and chronic autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The composition of the invention efficiently induces immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.
US08449870B2	Stable cosmetic emulsion with polyamide gelling agent The present invention relates to a gelled cosmetic emulsion comprising an oil phase, an aqueous phase and a gelling system which contains at least one non-siloxane based polyamide in a sufficient amount to gel the emulsion. The polyamide can have an tertiary amide, ester, acid, or amine terminal end group. The emulsion is stabilized with an alkylene oxide containing emulsion stabilizer. The polyamide resin is stabilized with a resin stabilizer containing an atom with a certain electronegativity. The emulsions of the present invention are substantially transparent and when colorants are added the color is especially bright and clear. The emulsions are used in lipstick and mascara products as well as other gel and stick products.
US08449868B2	Preparation of cationic nanoparticles and personal care compositions comprising said nanoparticles The present invention is directed to cationic nanoparticles, methods to make them, and the use of compositions containing said nanoparticles in personal care compositions or formulations. The nanoparticles are useful in personal care applications and impart antimicrobial properties to home and personal care products containing them. These cationic nanoparticles also contribute useful conditioning properties to hair-care and skin-care products.
US08449867B2	Microemulsion and sub-micron emulsion process and compositions An oil in water microemulsion or sub-micron emulsion composition for dermal delivery of at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient, is provided. The composition includes an oil phase dispersed throughout a water phase, the oil phase including at least one member selected from the group consisting of an animal oil, a mineral oil, a vegetable oil, a silane member, a siloxane, an ester, a fatty acid, a fat, a halogen compound, and an alkoxylated alcohol; and at least one lipophilic surfactant, the water phase including at least one hydrophilic surfactant, water and optionally a non-surfactant amphiphilic compound, the weight ratio of the at least one hydrophilic surfactant to the at least one lipophilic surfactant being approximately 9.0:1.0 to 2.0:3.0.
US08449861B2	Generation of hydrogen and oxygen from water and storage thereof with silicides In a process for photochemical and thermochemical generation of hydrogen and/or oxygen, water is contacted with at least one Si-containing compound selected from silicides, silicide-like compositions, and oxides of the silicides and silicide-like compositions. The Si-containing compound is selected from metallosilicides and non-metallic silicides of the formula RSixOy wherein R represents an organic, metallic, organometallic, biochemically derived and/or inorganic residue, wherein Si is silicon. The compound is preferably a silicide moiety with X>zero.
US08449860B2	Method and system for recovering sulfur in the thermal stage of a Claus reactor Method and system are presented for the combustion of hydrogen sulfide mixed with other gases for simultaneous recovery of sulfur and energy from hydrogen sulfide at higher efficiency. The amounts and velocity of the hydrogen sulfide into the reactor is selected in such a way that it is not possible to burn the hydrogen sulfide in a normal thin reaction zone during its combustion. The injected hydrogen sulfide gas is mixed in a thermal reactor with fresh air and hot active combustion gases in the reactor on account of internal jet pump effect and self-induced entrainment. The reaction is exothermic so that the chemical energy present in hydrogen sulfide is recovered together with the sulfur. Various reactors are shown capable of controlling the formation of a thermal distribution flow pattern based on the position, and position and direction (and other factors) regarding fluid introduction within a combustion chamber of the reactors.
US08449858B2	Continuous extraction technique for the purification of carbon nanomaterials Systems and methods for the purification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous liquid extraction are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are introduced to a flow of liquid that enables the separation of CNTs from impurities due to differences in the dispersibility of the CNTs and the impurities within the liquid. Examples of such impurities may include amorphous carbon, graphitic nanoparticles, and metal containing nanoparticles. The continuous extraction process may be performed in one or more stages, where one or more of extraction parameters may be varied between the stages of the continuous extraction process in order to effect removal of selected impurities from the CNTs. The extraction parameters may include, but are not limited to, the extraction liquid, the flow rate of the extraction liquid, the agitation of the liquid, and the pH of the liquid, and may be varied, depending on the impurity to be removed from the CNTs.
US08449857B2	Method for saturating and re-saturating ammonia storage material in containers A method for saturating or re-saturating ammonia storage material (1) capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing ammonia in one or more storage containers (2), wherein said material is partly or fully depleted of ammonia, with ammonia to a predetermined saturation degree comprises a. placing the storage container(s) (2) in direct or indirect contact with a thermostatting medium (4) at a temperature level TT≦ about 65° C.; and b. connecting the storage container(s) (2) to a source of gaseous ammonia wherein at least during a part of the method the gaseous ammonia during saturating or re-saturation of the ammonia storage material (1) is at a pressure PS≦ about PT, wherein PS is the ammonia pressure during saturating or re-saturating of the ammonia storage material (1) and PT is the equilibrium vapor pressure of liquid ammonia at the temperature level TT.
US08449855B2	Inorganic compounds The invention is related to a boride of a metal of transition group four of the periodic table of the elements, wherein at least 40 wt. % of the particles have a grain size of more than 106 μm, determined by sieve analysis according to ASTM B 214, and these particles consist of grown, monocrystalline grains. The invention also relates to a cermet, wettable powder and a surface coating which contain the boride. The invention further relates to a process to prepare the boride. The invention additionally relates to a process to prepare a cermet or a wettable powder.
US08449852B1	Diesel oxidation catalysts, systems and methods of treatment Diesel oxidation catalysts comprising a first washcoat layer including a platinum group metal impregnated on a promoted non-zeolitic support are described. The promoter is one or more of tin, manganese, indium, group VIII metals. Methods of making and using the diesel oxidation catalyst, including emissions treatment systems, are also described.
US08449850B2	Method and apparatus for the extraction and processing of molybdenum-99 A method for the extraction and purification of molybdenum, the method comprising the steps of: transferring an irradiated fuel solution to an extraction system, the irradiated fuel solution comprising iodine and molybdenum and other fission products, the extraction system comprising at least one sorbent column; passing the irradiated fuel solution upwards through the at least one sorbent-containing extraction column; directing the irradiated fuel solution towards a fuel management system by means of at least one discharge alignment valve; directing the extraction column eluate towards an iodine removal system; removing the iodine from the extraction column eluate; purifying the extraction column eluate; and collecting the purified eluate. Also disclosed is an apparatus for accomplishing the aforementioned method.
US08449835B2	Device for fecal occult blood test A devise for fecal occult blood test comprises a first and a second casings, a sampling portion extending from the first casing, a specimen processing portion, at least a testing portion and a packing cylindrical member. The packing cylindrical member is coupled between the first and second casings when unused and dismantled therefrom when used. After sampling via a specimen collecting portion of the sampling portion, the specimen collecting portion is drawn into the first casing to reduce the device size. The first and second casings are fixedly coupled together in a specimen processing position thereof to mix specimens with a liquid of the specimen processing portion into a testing liquid, and then in a specimen testing position thereof to disperse onto the testing portions for testing and directly display test results. The present invention advantages high accuracy, rather hygiene, significant size reduction, real-time testing-result display and convenient use.
US08449831B2	Spin formed catalyst A catalytic device and method for forming a catalytic device are described. The devices and methods described can be used for emissions systems in heavy duty diesel engines. In particular, a method of spin forming a catalytic device generally includes disposing a mat about an outer surface of a catalyst substrate and inserting the catalyst substrate and mat inside a shell. The mat is between the shell and the catalyst substrate. The shell, catalyst substrate, and mat can be spin formed into at least a generally elliptical shape but generally other than a circle shape.
US08449830B2	Microfluidic extraction and reaction device A microfluidic arrangement for extracting and optionally processing an extract from a sample and for transferring the extract in flowable form to a microfluidic chip using an extractor with a compressible extraction chamber and at least one opening thereof, a reactor that has a reaction chamber, an inlet opening that communicates with the at least one opening of the extractor, wherein the two openings define a flow path between the chambers, an outlet opening for fluidically connecting to the microfluidic chip and a ventilation opening of the reaction chamber, and having a filter arrangement installed in the flow path between the extractor and the reactor. A lab-on-a-chip system with such a microfluidic arrangement and a microfluidic chip that is rigidly connected to the reactor.
US08449829B2	Method of sterilization in clean air supply apparatus and clean air supply apparatus A clean air supply apparatus is provided which has an ability of sterilizing effectively and uniformly also a secondary side surface of a filter. The apparatus has a pre-filter 23 for roughly filtering air sequentially introduced from an air inlet port 18 for introducing air to an air supply port 22 for sending clean air to a work environment, a blower 24 for sucking air to the introduced, a heater 25 for adjusting a temperature of introduced air, a chemical agent gas supply apparatus 27, a chemical agent gas eject apparatus 26 for supplying chemical agent gas into the air path, high performance filters or ultrahigh performance filters 41 and 42 for filtering air to be delivered from an air supply port 22 to generate clean air.
US08449828B2	Blower type chemical diffusing apparatus, and chemical cartridge and chemical impregnated body used therefor A chemical cartridge for a blower-type chemical diffusing apparatus includes a chemical-impregnated body including an air-permeable and liquid-absorptive sheet impregnated with a chemical, and a retainer receptacle for containing the chemical-impregnated body. The retainer receptacle includes a liquid pool recess formed at a central area thereof such that liquid chemical stored in the liquid pool recess is permeable towards a peripheral area of the sheet.
US08449827B2	Reaction well for an automatic analysis appliance A reaction well, intended for use in an automatic analysis appliance and including an opening at its top end and one or two flaps for partially closing said opening, the flaps being separated by a slot enabling a liquid injection or sampling needle to pass through, and preventing stirrer means contained within the well from escaping.
US08449825B2	High throughput screen The present invention relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane and a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane, a substrate, a high throughput screen, methods for production of the structure membrane and substrate, and a method for screening a large number of test compounds in a short period. More particularly it relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane adhered to a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane capable of adhering with high resistance seals to a substrate such as perforated glass and the ability to form sheets having predominantly an ion channel or transporter of interest, a high throughput screen for determining the effect of test compounds on ion channel or transporter activity, methods for manufacture of the structure, membrane and substrate, and a method for monitoring ion channel or transporter activity in a membrane.
US08449822B2	Smear preparing apparatuses and methods of preparing sample smears Smear preparing apparatuses for preparing a smear of a specimen on a glass slide are described that include a memory for storing smearing conditions in connection with pertinent information required for establishing the smearing condition; and a controller for retrieving one of the stored smearing conditions corresponding to the pertinent information of the specimen from the memory and for determining it as the smearing condition of the specimen. Methods of preparing sample smears on a glass slide are also described that include receiving condition identification data; storing smear preparing conditions correlated with the condition identification data; retrieving the smear preparing conditions correlated with the condition identification data; and applying the sample smear to the glass slide based on the smear preparing conditions.
US08449821B2	Slug mitigation by increasing available surge capacity A system includes a controller and an apparatus that includes a housing having a volume and an inlet. The inlet can receive a fluid that includes a gas and a liquid. The apparatus also includes a baffle that partitions the volume into a first portion and a second portion. The baffle extends from a base of the housing. The first portion can receive the liquid and separate the liquid into a first part and a second part. The second portion can receive the second part of the liquid from the first portion. The controller regulates an amount of the second part of the liquid in the second portion such that a level of the second part of the liquid is higher than a height that the baffle extends from the base of the housing, thus enabling the use of the extra surge capacity in the vessel.
US08449816B2	Composition and methods of preparation of target material for producing radionuclides A composition suitable for use as a target containing antimony to be irradiated by accelerated charged particles (e.g., by protons to produce tin-117m) comprises an intermetallic compound of antimony and titanium which is synthesized at high-temperature, for example, in an arc furnace. The formed material is powdered and melted in an induction furnace, or heated at high gas pressure in gas static camera. The obtained product has a density, temperature stability, and heat conductivity sufficient to provide an appropriate target material.
US08449814B2	Systems and methods for melting scrap metal A scrap submergence vessel for melting scrap metal is disclosed. The vessel comprises a front wall comprising an inlet, a back wall (opposite the front wall) comprising an outlet, and a flow direction member that causes molten metal flowing into the inlet to be directed at least partially upward against a portion of the back wall. The movement of molten metal through the vessel creates a downward pull that draws metal scrap placed above or within the vessel downward into the molten metal bath where it melts.
US08449804B2	Evacuation process for use in a method for producing a composite structure The present invention relates to a method for producing a composite structure comprising fiber reinforced material by means of vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, where fiber material is impregnated with liquid resin. The method comprises an evacuation process of a mold cavity by initially providing an under-pressure in a part of the mold cavity in order to provide a first vacuum front having a first pressure gradient oriented towards a first side of the forming structure, and a second vacuum front with a second pressure gradient oriented towards a second side of the forming structure, and controlling the first vacuum front and the second front to move towards the first side and the second side of the forming structure, respectively.
US08449801B2	Composition and process for preparing NIR shielding masterbatch and NIR shielding masterbatch and application thereof Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a near infrared shielding masterbatch. The method includes the steps of preparing and compounding a composition, and then pelletizing the compounded composition. The composition includes at least one metallic ionic compound powder in an amount of about 1-25 wt %, a cross-linking agent in an amount of about 0.1-5 wt %, a thermoplastic polymer in an amount of about 67-98.7 wt %, an initiator in an amount of about 0.1-1 wt %, and a dispersing agent in an amount of about 0.1-2 wt %.
US08449796B2	Method of manufacturing light guide and method of manufacturing a radiation detector According to a method of manufacturing a light guide of this invention, a shaping member is provided that covers a molding frame. In a releasing step, when the shaping member is lifted up in a direction apart from the molding frame, the light guide is lifted and pulled out from an aperture of the molding frame accordingly. As a result, there is no need to pull out the light guide by conventionally providing a pressing plug on a bottom of the molding frame and pressing the plug in a direction. In addition, there is no need to perform a grinding process to the light guide.
US08449794B2	Non-resonant two-photon absorption recording material and non-resonant two-photon absorption compound A non-resonant two-photon absorption recording material containing at least (a) a non-resonant two-photon absorption compound, and (b) a recording component in which at least either a refractive index or fluorescence intensity changes, wherein the non-resonant two-photon absorption compound (a) is a compound having a structure represented by formula (1) as described.
US08449786B2	Film adhesive for semiconductor vacuum processing apparatus A bonded assembly to reduce particle contamination in a semiconductor vacuum chamber such as a plasma processing apparatus is provided, including an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of a component and a support member to accommodate thermal stresses. The elastomeric sheet comprises a silicone adhesive to withstand a high shear strain of ≧800% at a temperature range between room temperature and 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with optional fillers. The sheet form has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces. The sheet adhesive may be cut into pre-form shapes to conform to regularly or irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating parts, and can be installed into cavities. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery. Composite layers of sheet adhesive having different physical properties can be laminated or coplanar.
US08449781B2	Selective etch back process for carbon nanotubes intergration The present disclosure relates to a method for selectively etching-back a polymer matrix to expose tips of carbon nanotubes comprising: a. growing carbon nanotubes on a conductive substrate; b. filling the gap around the carbon nanotubes with a polymeric fill matrix comprising at least one latent photoacid generator; and c. selectively etching-back the polymeric fill matrix to expose tips of the carbon nanotubes.
US08449779B2	Backflow collection receptacle and method for reclaiming the same The present disclosure provides a collection receptacle and a method for reclaiming backflow from a wellbore. The collection receptacle, in one embodiment, includes an enclosure configured to collect solid and liquid matter, and an elevated auger extending into the enclosure and configured to remove the solid matter from the enclosure. In this embodiment, the auger includes a housing and a flighting, the housing and flighting configured in such a way as to promote separation of the solid matter from the liquid matter as the solid matter travels up the auger and out of the enclosure.
US08449778B2	Ballast water treatment method A method for treating ballast water with sulfurous acid to kill invasive species and remove oxygen from the ballast water to preserve hulls from rusting.
US08449775B2	Adsorption of heavy metals in waste water A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, including mixing a water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent including granules of a mixture of 3.33 wt % bentonite clay and a siwak stick powder; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of the heavy metal(s).
US08449773B2	Method for pretreatment of cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials for conversion into bioenergy A process for converting organic waste materials into usable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with an oxidant to form a product and then an amount of the oxidant is removed from the product to form a reactor-ready feedstock. The oxidant is removed by various means, including washing, photolysis, catalytic means, oxidation of the oxidant, reduction of the oxidant, and heat. The reactor-ready feedstock may then be introduced into a reactor, such as a digester or incubator, and the reactor-ready feedstock is converted by microorganisms into biofuel or other products.
US08449772B2	Micro fluidic system and a method of attaching a membrane to a tube A micro fluidic system comprising at least one tube (1), a membrane (3) and at least one fitting member (4). The fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and an end part (2) of the tube(s) (1), thereby fitting the membrane (3) to the end part(s) (2). The fitting member(s) (4) is/are made from a shrinkable material, and it/they is/are fitted tightly around the membrane (3) end part(s) (2). This is obtained by causing the shrinkable material to shrink, e.g. by heating the material, while the fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and the end part(s) (2). It is an advantage that the fitting member (4) is made from a shrinkable material because this provides the possibility of fitting the membrane (3) tightly to the end part(s) (2) in an easy and cost effective manner. The micro fluidic system is very suitable for use in a probe, such as a dialysis probe. Also claimed is a method of manufacturing the micro fluidic system.
US08449771B2	Pump for a desalination system A pump assembly to move water past a reverse osmosis membrane, the pump assembly having a first pump and a second pump each including a bore having a longitudinal axis and surrounding a chamber. First and second partition members extend longitudinally of the chamber. The second partition is moveable relative to the first partition member, and divides the chamber into a first sub chamber and a second sub chamber. A shaft is attached to the second member to cause angular movement thereof about the axis to change the volumes of the sub chambers. End caps are fitted to ends of each chamber to contain pressure, and ducting is provided to provide for the flow of water. The shaft of the first pump is coupled to the shaft of the second pump so that the first pump second partition angularly oscillates in phase with the second pump second partition.
US08449766B2	Device for capturing odor and/or taste-generating substances present in water flowing in a network The invention relates to a device (10) for capturing odor- and/or taste-generating substances present in water flowing continuously in a water distribution network via a pipe (12). In characteristic manner, the device comprises: capture means (22) for capturing said substances; at least one chamber (18) containing said capture means (22) and suitable for having network water flow therethrough; and hydraulic link and connection means (14; 42) between said chamber (18) and said pipe (12). The invention is applicable to networks for distributing drinking water.
US08449763B2	Nozzle reactor and method of use Embodiments of a nozzle reactor of the type useable to inject a first material feed stock and a second material feed stock to cause interaction between the first material feed stock and second material feed stock are described herein. According to some embodiments, the nozzle reactor may crack residual oil produced by other processing units in a refinery process. Furthermore, nozzle reactors may replace traditional processing units of a refinery process, such as cokers, hydrocrackers and deasphalting units.
US08449759B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a gas sensor A gas sensor control apparatus including internal resistance detection means for detecting an internal resistance value of one of cells of a gas sensor, concentration detection means for detecting a concentration value of a specific gas component in a gas to be measured and outputting the detected concentration value, heater current supply control means for controlling a current to be supplied to a heater of the gas sensor such that the detected internal resistance value becomes a target value, determination means for determining whether or not the detected internal resistance value is within a permissible range including the target value, nullification information generation means for generating nullification information to nullify the detected concentration value, when it is determined that the target value is out of the permissible range, and nullification information output means for outputting the nullification information to an external device connected to the gas sensor control apparatus.
US08449758B2	Small volume in vitro analyte sensor and methods of making A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry; and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08449755B2	Process for the anodic dehydrodimerization of substituted phenols The invention relates to a process for preparing biaryl alcohols, in which anodic dehydrodimerization of substituted phenols is carried out in the presence of partially fluorinated and/or periluorinated mediators and a supporting electrolyte at a graphite electrode.
US08449752B2	Trailing plated step Methods for fabrication of magnetic write heads, and more specifically to fabrication of magnetic poles and trailing magnetic pole steps. A write pole may first be patterned on a substrate. Then a side gap material may be patterned along sidewall portions of the write pole. Thereafter, a masking layer may be deposited and patterned to expose a portion of the write pole. A trailing magnetic pole step may be formed on the exposed portion of the write pole.
US08449751B2	Copper electrolytic solution containing amine compound having specific skeleton and organosulfur compound as additives, and electrolytic copper foil produced using the same The invention has an object of obtaining a low-profile electrolytic copper foil made by electrolytic copper foil manufacturing using a cathode drum such that the surface roughness on the rough surface side (the opposite side to the lustrous surface) is low. In particular, the invention has an object of obtaining an electrolytic copper foil that can be finely patterned and have an excellent elongation and tensile strength at normal and high temperatures. This object is attained by using a copper electrolytic solution containing, as additives, an organosulfur compound, and an amine compound having a specific skeleton obtained by additively reacting an amine compound and a compound having one or more epoxy groups in a molecule thereof to an addition reaction.
US08449750B2	Fluid separator with smart surface A separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.
US08449748B2	Sample separation/adsorption appliance A sample separation/adsorption appliance (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a first buffer solution tank (103) equipped with a first electrode (101) and used for holding a first buffer solution; a second buffer solution tank (104) equipped with a second electrode (102) and used for holding a second buffer solution; a sample separation section (110) that holds a sample separation medium (131) for separating a sample; and a conductive section (120) that holds a conductive medium (133), wherein: the sample separation medium (131) and the conductive medium (133) are in contact with the sample adsorption member (132), respectively, on the opposite sides thereof; an end of the sample separation medium (131) opposite to an end being in contact with the sample adsorption member (132) is connected to an inside of the first buffer solution tank (103); and an end of the conductive medium (133) opposite to an end being in contact with the sample adsorption member (132) is connected to an inside of the second buffer solution tank (104). With this arrangement, a sample separation/adsorption appliance that enables efficient transfer of a sample is offered.
US08449745B2	Monolithic electrophoresis flat gel system Apparatus, systems and methods for performing gel electrophoresis using a horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit that at least includes first and second buffer chambers containing buffer solution and a gel chamber containing a pre-cast flat gel, whereby all of these chambers are integrated into a pre-fabricated single unit that is ready for use. In performing gel electrophoresis, a top seal of this monolithic electrophoresis unit is removed, target samples are loaded into the pre-cast gel, interior walls of the unit are broken to allow buffer from anode and cathode chambers to combine within the gel chamber and cover the loaded gel matrix, a reusable lid is attached to the top surface of the unit, and an electrical connection is provided through the reusable lid into the horizontal monolithic electrophoresis unit for performing electrophoresis on the flat pre-cast gel.
US08449742B2	Gas sensor and method of manufacturing same The gas sensor includes a sensor element having electrode pads formed in its electrode forming surfaces at the proximal end portion thereof, an insert-holding insulator insert-holding the sensor element, a housing insert-holding the insert-holding insulator, and a terminal unit. The proximal end portion of the sensor element is held by the terminal unit which includes a pair of proximal end insulators formed with metal terminals at their inner surfaces, and a spring member pressing the proximal end insulators in a direction that they approach each other. Each of the proximal end insulators includes an insulator contact portion in contact with one of the electrode forming surfaces. The insulator contact portion is located closer to the proximal end of the sensor element than a terminal contact portion at which the metal terminal contacts a corresponding one of the electrode pads.
US08449741B2	Method for influencing the properties of cast iron, and oxygen sensor A method is provided for influencing the properties of cast iron by adding magnesium to the cast iron melt and measuring the oxygen content of the cast iron melt. Magnesium is added to the cast iron melt until the oxygen content of the cast iron melt is approximately 0.005 to 0.2 ppm at a temperature of approximately 1,420° C. A sensor for measuring the oxygen content in cast iron melts contains an electrochemical measuring cell containing a solid electrolyte tube.
US08449739B2	Metal-coated carbon surfaces for use in fuel cells A method of coating a carbon article with a metal by reductively electropolymerizing the metal via cyclic voltammetry on the carbon article, thereby forming a metal coating on the carbon article and the polymerized metal-coated carbon article made by the method. A polymerized metal-coated carbon article having a carbon article and a metal coating disposed on an exterior surface of the carbon article, the coating being present in an amount less than about 0.1 mg/cm2. A method of using a fuel cell by forming a fuel cell with a polymerized metal-coated carbon article as a working electrode and reducing oxygen, thereby providing power to a vehicle. A fuel cell including a polymerized metal-coated carbon article as a working electrode.
US08449736B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08449731B1	Method and apparatus for increasing local plasma density in magnetically confined plasma Local plasma density, e.g., the plasma density in the vicinity of the substrate, is increased by providing an ion extractor configured to transfer ions and electrons from a first region of magnetically confined plasma (typically a region of higher density plasma) to a second region of plasma (typically a region of lower density plasma). The second region of plasma is preferably also magnetically shaped or confined and resides between the first region of plasma and the substrate. A positively biased conductive member positioned proximate the second region of plasma serves as an ion extractor. A positive bias of about 50-300 V is applied to the ion extractor causing electrons and subsequently ions to be transferred from the first region of plasma to the vicinity of the substrate, thereby forming higher density plasma. Provided methods and apparatus are used for deposition and resputtering.
US08449723B2	Shoe press belt A shoe press belt includes a substrate, a wet paper web-side layer provided on the outer side of the substrate; and a shoe-side layer on the inner side; the wet paper web-side layer and the shoe-side layer are made from a high-polymer elastic material. The surface layer of the wet paper web-side layer includes concave water catching parts and land parts which are projecting parts occurring due to formation of the water catching parts. The occurrence of cracks in the surface part of the land part and the bottom part and corner parts of the water catching part of the shoe press belt is suppressed by setting the hardness of the surface part of the land part at a relatively higher value than the hardness of the bottom part of the water catching part. Thereby, occurrence of cracks in the surface part of the land parts and the bottom part of the water catching part in a shoe press belt having water catching parts and land parts in the surface layer of the wet paper web-side layer can be suppressed.
US08449722B2	Used paper recycling apparatus and its constitutent devices A used paper recycling apparatus being installed in a room of a small shop or the like, friendly to the environment, low in running cost, and capable of maintaining a high confidentiality. The apparatus includes, in an apparatus case of furniture size, a pulp making section for manufacturing used paper pulp by macerating and mashing used paper, a paper making section for manufacturing recycled paper by making the used paper pulp manufactured in the pulp making section, and a control section for driving and controlling the pulp making section and paper making section, in which the pulp making section comprises a macerating unit for macerating the used paper by agitating and tearing, and a mashing unit for mashing the used paper macerated in the macerating unit, and the mashing machine of the mashing unit has mashing members rotating relatively being disposed oppositely across a slight mashing clearance, and the opposing faces of these mashing members cooperate to form a mashing action surface, and the used paper passing the mashing clearance is pressurized and mashed by the mashing action surface, and the inks forming characters and patterns on the used paper are pulverized.
US08449721B2	Aqueous suspensions of fine-particulate fillers, method for the manufacture thereof and use thereof for the manufacture of fluid-containing papers Aqueous slurries of finely divided fillers which are at least partly covered by anionic latices, the slurries being obtainable by treating aqueous slurries of finely divided fillers with at least one anionic latex which comprises, incorporated in the form of polymerized units, at least one monomer comprising phosphonic and/or phosphoric acid groups, preparation of the aqueous slurries and their use as an additive to the paper stock in the production of filler-containing paper, filler-containing cardboard or filler-containing board by draining the paper stock.
US08449717B2	Method for preventing clogging in a strainer construction for a continuous digester The method is for influencing the flow from a strainer construction in a continuous digester. In order to avoid clogging of the withdrawal compartment in the strainer construction, an additive that counteracts precipitation processes is added directly to the withdrawal compartment while the cooking fluid is withdrawn from the withdrawal compartment. The addition of chemicals can take place at the same time as the withdrawn cooking fluid is withdrawn from the digester and the strainer construction, or while the withdrawn cooking fluid is fully or partially re-circulated back to the withdrawal compartment.
US08449716B2	Device and method for separating a substrate from a carrier substrate Device for separating a substrate from a carrier substrate which is connected to the substrate by an interconnect layer. The device includes a carrier substrate holder with a holding surface for holding the carrier substrate, and a substrate holder which is located opposite the carrier substrate holder with a substrate holding surface which can be located parallel to the holding surface for accommodating the substrate. There are separating means for parallel displacement of the substrate relative to the carrier substrate in the interconnected state of the substrate and carrier substrate.
US08449712B2	Electrode bonding method and part mounting apparatus An electrode bonding method according to the present invention includes: a plasma cleaning step of irradiating an electrode surface to be cleaned of at least either one of a part, such as a semiconductor device, and a substrate with atmospheric pressure plasma for cleaning; an inert gas atmosphere maintaining step of covering the electrode surface to be cleaned and its vicinity with a first inert gas before the irradiation of the atmospheric pressure plasma is ended, and maintaining that state even thereafter; and a bonding step of bonding an electrode of the part and an electrode on the substrate before the inert gas atmosphere maintaining step is ended. The electrode surface is thereby plasma-cleaned without the possibility of damaging the part to be bonded to the substrate, and the cleaned state is maintained while bonding the electrodes to provide an electrode bonding state of high bonding force and high reliability.
US08449709B2	Method of fabricating fiber reinforced composite structure having stepped surface Fiber reinforced composite structures having curved stepped surfaces are fabricated by laying up plies of fiber reinforced material over a tool having a stepped tool feature. The plies are rotated about a fixed axis as they are laid up to substantially form a fixed axis rosette pattern. The plies are angularly oriented such that at least certain of the plies have fiber orientations other than 0, +45, −45 and 90 degrees. Potential bridging of the fibers over the stepped tool features is reduced or eliminated by cutting slits in the plies in the area of the stepped features, so that the plies can be fully compacted.
US08449707B2	Method of manufacturing a structural polymer core assembly A composite structure, and method of manufacturing it, having a specified width, length, and height defining a top and bottom the composite structure. The composite structure includes a three dimensional structural core constructed of a polymer with a first series of a geometric pattern repeated along its length. The structural core also has a second series of the geometric pattern repeated along the width thereof. The geometric patter may be a sinusoidal curve or a substantially pyramidal shape. The composite structure also includes a first reinforcement layer made of a polymer positioned above the structural core and bonded thereto. It also includes a second reinforcement layer made of a polymer that is positioned below the structural core and bonded thereto. The composite structure may also include a decorative layer above the first reinforcement layer, an acoustical batting layer positioned between the first reinforcement layer and the structural core, and may include fire retardant chemicals.
US08449706B2	Process for manufacturing deaerating hollow fiber module A process for manufacturing a deaerating hollow fiber module with no core, including the steps of wrapping a sheet containing a multiplicity of hollow fibers around a temporary core; retaining in tubular form the sheet wrapped around the temporary core; and removing the temporary core from the sheet retained in tubular form.
US08449704B2	Method of making a coated glass article, and intermediate product used in same A temporary protective coating is provided over a coated glass substrate. The temporary protective coating includes a hot melt adhesive and is preferably applied in liquid form then solidified on the substrate. Moreover, the temporary protective coating can be easily removed by simply peeling it off. In certain example embodiments, the temporary protective coating is applied after heat treatment and is removed by peeling it off before the coated substrate is coupled to another substrate to form a window unit such as an IG window unit or a laminated vehicle windshield.
US08449703B2	Predictable bonded rework of composite structures using tailored patches A patch for reworking an inconsistent area in a composite structure includes a composite laminate patch and a layer of adhesive for bonding the laminate patch to the composite structure. The laminate patch has at least first and second regions for releasing strain energy around the inconsistent area respectively at different rates.
US08449701B2	Acoustic baffle members and methods for applying acoustic baffles in cavities An uncured acoustic absorbing member for cavity sealing comprises a thermally inert carrier (8, 28) and a thermally expandable material (6, 26) applied to the carrier (8, 28). The carrier (8, 28) contains openings (3) which become covered when the thermally expandable material (6, 26) is expanded to seal the cavity. The thermally expandable material (6, 26) may be in the form of substantially discontinuous segments (25) having an area in the range of 0.25 to 400 mm2. The substantially discontinuous segments (25) provide a highly uniform expansion of the material when it is thermally expanded. The acoustic absorbing members are particularly useful for sealing automotive cavities to provide acoustical abatement and to prevent the entry of fluids into the cavity.
US08449694B2	Method for producing a surface-decarburised hot-rolled strip Disclosed is a method which allows steel strip to be produced in which high hardness and good formability are combined. The following steps of operation are followed: making the steel strip from the heat-treatable steel, heating the steel strip, when coiled into the open coil, to a decarburising annealing temperature which may be up to 20° C. below the Ac1 temperature of the given heat-treatable steel and which does not exceed the Ac3 temperature of the given heat-treatable steel, annealing the steel strip, in the open coil, in a decarburising atmosphere for a decarburising annealing time of at least 90 minutes, the decarburising gas which forms the decarburising atmosphere flowing through the gaps which exist between the layers of the open coil, accelerated cooling the steel strip, the depth of decarburisation, as measured from the given surface of the steel strip, being limited to a range which is less than a quarter of the thickness of the steel strip.
US08449691B2	Liquid solvent abutment unit In order to provide a liquid solvent abutment unit for accelerating the reaction of a liquid solvent against an adhesive member existing between a perforated support plate and a wafer, a liquid solvent abutment unit includes a supply part for supplying a support plate surface with a liquid solvent, a retention part for retaining the supplied liquid solvent in the hole-formed region on the support plate surface; a recovery part for recovering the liquid solvent retained in the hole-formed region, and a vibration unit for vibrating the liquid solvent.
US08449688B2	High-pressure liquid atomisation nozzle for a machine for cleaning optical lenses or other substrates High-pressure washing liquid spray intended for use in a washing machine for ophthalmic glass or other substrates, consisting of an entry opening (11) for washing liquid and an exit opening (12) for liquid in a jet, connected by a channel. The channel (1) has a rectangular channel in cross section which introduces a constriction, in particular in the center, giving that channel an X shape, so as to form, on one hand, downstream of the above-mentioned constriction, an expanded exit cavity (13) ending in a slit forming the exit opening (12) and, upstream of the above-mentioned constriction on the other hand, an entry cavity (14) in the base cone where the rectangular base forms the entry opening (11) of the channel (1).
US08449685B2	Automatic sanitation system A cover for a pedicure spa containing an automatic sanitation apparatus is disclosed. When activated, the cover automatically sprays disinfectant in a circular motion from a nozzle on the bottom of the cover. The interior surfaces of the pedicure basin are treated with the disinfectant solution. The pedicure basin is thereby efficiently and thoroughly sanitized.
US08449684B2	Substrate cleaning method, substrate cleaning system and program storage medium The present invention provides a substrate cleaning method capable of removing particles from the entire surface of a substrate to be processed at a high removing efficiency. In the substrate cleaning method according to the present invention, a substrate to be processed W is immersed in a cleaning liquid in a cleaning tank 12. Then, ultrasonic waves are generated in the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning tank 12, so that the substrate W is subjected to an ultrasonic cleaning process. The step of generating ultrasonic waves includes a step of generating ultrasonic waves in the cleaning tank while the cleaning liquid is being supplied into the cleaning tank. A supply rate at which the cleaning liquid is supplied into the cleaning tank at a certain timing in the step of generating ultrasonic waves differs from a supply rate at which the cleaning liquid is supplied into the cleaning tank at another timing in the step of generating ultrasonic waves.
US08449683B2	Apparatus and method for picking up stickers in grassy and other areas An apparatus and method for picking up stickers in grassy or other ground areas. A roller is rotatably mounted on a frame and a stretchable fabric is removably mounted and stretched on an outer surface of the roller. The fabric is of a construction and thickness to pick up stickers as the roller is moved by the frame and rotated in engagement with a grassy or other ground surface. When the fabric is full of stickers, it is removed from the roller and replaced with a new unused stretchable fabric that is removably mounted on the roller.
US08449682B2	Swivel broom A broom comprises a head supporting bristles. A handle is connected to the head at a swivel joint where the swivel joint allows the handle to feely rotate relative to the head. A lock is movable to a locked position to fix the position of the handle relative to the head when the head is in a first position relative to the handle and an unlocked position where the head is free to rotate relative to the handle. A method of operating a broom comprises providing a head supporting bristles connected to a handle at a lockable swivel joint; locking the lockable swivel joint to fix the position of the handle relative to the head in a first position; and unlocking the lockable swivel joint to allow the handle to rotate relative to the head.
US08449678B2	Combinatorial process system A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
US08449672B2	Method of growing group III nitride crystals This disclosure pertains to a process for making single crystal Group III nitride, particularly gallium nitride, at low pressure and temperature, in the region of the phase diagram of Group III nitride where Group III nitride is thermodynamically stable comprises a charge in the reaction vessel of (a) Group III nitride material as a source, (b) a barrier of solvent interposed between said source of Group III nitride and the deposition site, the solvent being prepared from the lithium nitride (Li3N) combined with barium fluoride (BaF2), or lithium nitride combined with barium fluoride and lithium fluoride (LiF) composition, heating the solvent to render it molten, dissolution of the source of GaN material in the molten solvent and following precipitation of GaN single crystals either self seeded or on the seed, maintaining conditions and then precipitating out.
US08449668B2	Method and composition for priming wood and natural fibres This invention relates to a primer composition for wood comprising a waterborne composition comprising polyamine and having a pH of at least 11.5 and a method of improving the bonding of wood with coatings such as electrostatic coatings, and adhesives using the primer.
US08449667B2	Sealing reagent for aluminum alloy A nickel-free sealing reagent comprises an alkyl sodium sulfonate compound, a dispersing agent, and a siloxane defoaming agent. A method of sealing an alloy comprises applying a nickel-free sealing reagent to the alloy, wherein the sealing agent comprises an alkyl sodium sulfonate compound, a dispersing agent, and a siloxane defoaming agent.
US08449663B2	Wax composition, method for manufacturing, and method for waxing A wax composition is provided according to the invention. The wax composition includes a wax component, a double tail surfactant component, and water. The weight ratio of the wax component to the double tail surfactant component, on a solids basis, is about 0.1 to about 1.25. A foam wax composition and a method for waxing are provided.
US08449661B2	Filter arrangement To connect and disconnect a filter in a gas flow system, a filter unit has a filter housing wherein an adsorption/absorption filter is movably arranged. The filter housing has two tube connectors for connecting the filter unit in a gas conducting passage. The filter unit also has a shifting element which is movable from a first to at least a second position. The first position allows the filter to substantially fill the gas conducting passage in a way that forces the gas in the gas flow system to pass through the filter, whereas the second position substantially removes the filter from the gas conducting passage, allowing the gas to pass through the filter unit without passing the filter.
US08449660B2	Polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane, method for producing same, and waterproof air-permeable filter A first unsintered sheet made of PTFE having a standard specific gravity of 2.16 or more and a second unsintered sheet made of PTFE having a standard specific gravity of less than 2.16 are laminated, and a pressure is applied to a resulting laminated body so as to obtain a pressure-bonded article. The pressure-bonded article is stretched in a specified direction at a temperature lower than a melting point of PTFE, and then the pressure-bonded article is stretched further in the specified direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of PTFE or heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of PTFE. Thereafter, the pressure-bonded article stretched in the specified direction is stretched in a width direction perpendicular to the specified direction at a temperature lower than the melting point of PTFE.
US08449648B2	Method for drying a compressed gas Method for drying compressed gas using a dryer with pressure vessels. The method having the steps of guiding a first part of the gas to a cooler via a regulating valve, and of subsequently drying this first part of the gas in the drying pressure vessel; and of heating a second part of the gas so as to regenerate the regenerating pressure vessel. When the temperature in the regenerating pressure vessel rises above an upper limit value, the regulating valve will be gradually moved in the direction of the shut position and, when the temperature in the regenerating pressure vessel drops under a predetermined bottom limit, the regulating valve will be gradually moved in the direction of the entirely open position, which adjustment allows to set the compressed gas at a desired temperature.
US08449646B1	Method for preparing titanium powder with low oxygen concentration Disclosed is a method for preparing low-oxygen titanium powders. The method includes (a) separately placing titanium base powders and calcium in a deoxidation container, (b) deoxidizing the titanium base powders by heating an inner part of the deoxidation container at a temperature of 850° C. to 1050° C. so that the calcium is evaporated to make contact with the titanium base powders, (c) removing calcium oxide from surfaces of titanium powders, which are obtained by deoxidizing the titanium base powders in step (b), by washing the titanium powders, and (d) drying the titanium powders subject to the removing of the calcium oxide in step (c).
US08449643B2	Exhaust gas cleaner An exhaust gas cleaner which can attain an improvement in the efficiency of particulate filter regeneration and has excellent durability. The exhaust gas cleaner, which purifies an exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine, comprises: a gas channel through which the exhaust gas flows; and a DPF (17) disposed in the gas channel and having many pores. The DPF (17) has an introduction surface (171) which comes into contact with the exhaust gas, the surface (171) having been almost wholly coated with a microporous material (18) having micropores with a smaller pore diameter than the pores. This microporous material (18) comprises a support made of an oxygen-storing/releasing oxide having one or more elements selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal elements, transition metal elements, Group-12 elements, and Group-13 elements and a silver-containing catalyst deposited on the support.
US08449635B2	Abrasive articles and methods for making same The disclosure is directed to an abrasive article. The abrasive article includes a backing having a major surface and a make layer. The make layer is disposed over the major surface of the backing. The make layer includes abrasive grains and a photoinitiator that increases the depth of ultraviolet cure of the make layer by at least about 50% compared to bis(2,4,6-trimethyl benzoyl) phenyl phosphine oxide. The disclosure is also directed to a method for forming the abrasive article.
US08449633B2	Steam-hydrocarbon reforming with limited steam export A steam-hydrocarbon reforming process and apparatus wherein reformate from a prereformer is reacted in a gas heated reformer which is heated by reformed gas from a primary reformer. Reformate from the gas heated reformer is passed to the primary reformer as feed gas.
US08449629B2	Production of biodiesel fuels which are low in glycerin and sulfur The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of carboxylic acid esters and/or biodiesel fuel from feedstocks containing fatty acids, glycerated fatty acids, and glycerin by reactive distillation. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of biodiesel fuels having low glycerin, water, and sulfur content on an industrial scale.
US08449625B2	Methods of measuring heart valve annuluses for valve replacement A device for measuring an expanded internal orifice of a patient includes an orifice-expanding device, a pressure measuring device, and a size-measuring device. The size-measuring device measures a dimension of the orifice after it has been expanded by the orifice-expanding device.
US08449624B2	Arm prosthetic device A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user.
US08449623B2	Self-aligning prosthesis with hydraulic actuators A hydraulic device includes a first plate that pivots in a first direction, a second plate that pivots in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a first hydraulic system comprising a first cylinder and piston, a second cylinder and piston and, channels connecting the first cylinder to the second cylinder, the first hydraulic system filled with hydraulic fluid, wherein the transfer of fluid between the first cylinder and second cylinder pivots the first plate, and a second hydraulic system comprising a third cylinder and piston, a fourth cylinder and piston and, channels connecting the third cylinder to the fourth cylinder, the second hydraulic system filled with hydraulic fluid, wherein the transfer of fluid between the third cylinder and fourth cylinder pivots the second plate.
US08449619B2	Hip stem instrument with releasable connection A surgical device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are releasably connected together by cooperating first and second formations. The first formation may be formed on the first portion. The second formation includes a resilient arm which is formed on the second portion and engages the first formation on the first portion. The resilient arm may be integrally formed with the second portion.
US08449612B2	Graft pulley and methods of use A placement assembly used for positioning and holding a ligament graft within a selected bone tunnel. The assembly includes a graft pulley, a surgical suture, and a graft pulley placement instrument. The graft pulley includes a pulley portion and a bone anchoring portion. The pulley portion is adapted to receive the surgical suture and for surgical suture to be drawn through it, to act as a pulley. The bone anchoring portion comprises at least one flexible wing that is adapted to selectively fix the graft pulley within a bone tunnel. At least one wing is adapted to flex during insertion into a bone tunnel and then resist flex and thereby resist movement back out of the tunnel and hence wedge itself within the tunnel. The graft instrument may be selectively attached to the graft pulley and includes a handle and elongate body, adapted to insert the graft pulley into the selected bone tunnel. Once the graft pulley is in place, the placement instrument may then be detached and withdrawn leaving the graft pulley firmly fixed within the bone tunnel and can then be used to position a ligament graft.
US08449611B2	Intraocular lens An intraocular lens comprises an optic portion having a peripheral edge and at least two haptics. Each haptic is integrated with the peripheral edge of the optic portion by a corresponding haptic integration region. Also, each haptic comprises a distal segment region and a deformation segment region. The distal segment region has an outer distal length bounded by a proximate endpoint and a distal endpoint on an outer surface of the haptic, and is scribed by a distal segment angle α of 20° to 30°. The distal segment angle has a segment origin that lies within a radial segment bound by a radial distance 1.5 mm to 1.9 mm from an optic center and a segment angle θ of from 30° to 45° from a vertical axis. The vertical axis extends through the distal endpoint of at least one haptic and the optic center.
US08449610B2	High refractive index, acrylic ophthalmic device materials with reduced glistenings High refractive index copolymers with reduced glistenings are disclosed. The copolymers, which are particularly suitable for use as ophthalmic device materials, comprise a high molecular weight, reactive, linear polyethylene glycol component.
US08449603B2	Endoprosthesis coating An endoprosthesis, e.g., a stent (e.g., a drug eluting stent), that includes a porous surface and hollow elements integrated with a coating on the surface and a method of making the same are disclosed.
US08449602B2	Methods for using a stent having nanoporous layers Implantable medical devices having at least one porous layer, and methods for making such devices, and loading such devices with therapeutic agents are described. A mixture or alloy is placed on the surface of a medical device, then one component of the mixture or alloy is generally removed without generally removing the other components of the mixture or alloy to create the pores of the porous layer. The porous layer may be adapted for bonding non-metallic coating, including drug eluting polymeric coatings. A porous layer may have a random pore structure or an oriented or directional grain porous structure. The medical device may be a vascular stent having at least one porous layer adapted to resist stenosis or cellular proliferation.
US08449600B2	Iliac extension with flared cuff A leg extension (10) for a stent grafting system to connect between an aortic graft and an iliac graft. The leg extension is a tubular body (12) of a biocompatible graft material with self-expanding stents connected along the length of the tubular body and the tubular body having a distal end with a connection region. The connection region has a flared stent defining an external frusto-conical surface to provide a connection arrangement to engage within an internally flared portion of an iliac graft.
US08449599B2	Prosthetic valve for replacing mitral valve Embodiments of prosthetic valves for implantation within a native mitral valve are provided. A preferred embodiment of a prosthetic valve includes a radially compressible main body and a one-way valve portion. The prosthetic valve further comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body. A space is provided between an outer surface of the main body and the ventricular anchor for receiving a native mitral valve leaflet. The prosthetic valve preferably includes an atrial sealing member adapted for placement above the annulus of the mitral valve. Methods and devices for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.
US08449597B2	Longitudinally flexible expandable stent Segmented articulatable stent of open structure comprised of end-connected struts of first and second lengths making up first and second segments with angular interconnects between adjacent first and second segments.
US08449593B2	Stent and stent delivery system for side-branch locations in a conduit A method for the placement of medical devices within a body lumen defined by a vessel wall is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a first and second medical device each having a tubular body with a plurality of slits extending through the side wall to form a plurality of sidewall segments, disposing the first medical device within the body lumen . . . initiating radial expansion of the second medical device such that flared second wall segments at least partially cover the slits of the first medical device. Medical devices and a system of medical devices capable of performing the method are also disclosed.
US08449592B2	Stent with expandable foam A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.
US08449591B2	Chemically based vascular occlusion device deployment A vascular occlusion device deployment system for placing an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system employing a pusher having a lumen with an opening at the distal end of the pusher. A vascular occlusion device is connected to the distal end of the pusher by a portion that is removeably disposed within the opening. The portion of the occlusion device is forced out of the opening by an expandable reaction chamber, thereby deploying the occlusion device. The expandable reaction chamber, prior to deployment, has multiple chambers separated by a heat-dissolvable membrane. When the membrane is dissolved, components from the chambers react and expand, leading to deployment.
US08449590B2	Apparatus and method for preventing brain damage during cardiac arrest, CPR, or severe shock Apparatuses and methods for the cooling of the cranial and extracranial portions of a patient in need thereof. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention preferably employ a head cooling apparatus which includes a watertight shroud for the head and which needs no refrigeration. In certain preferred embodiments, the apparatuses of the present invention are collapsible and possess a reduced profile. In some presently preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a hammock that supports the head. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a shroud that lies behind the head with optional portions that may be drawn over the patient's neck and cranial area. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention also provide an improved mechanism for cooling the cranial and extracranial areas through the use of a novel distribution of endothermic solids (e.g. ammonium nitrate). The present invention provides a novel distribution of ammonium nitrate pellets that preferably includes multiple populations solid ammonium nitrate, preferably including small diameter (e.g., powdered) and larger diameter (e.g., 7 millimeter) ammonium nitrate to allow water initially to be cooled very quickly, thereby facilitating the rapid cooling of the cranial and extracranial areas, while at the same time producing extended hypothermia.
US08449589B1	Portable thermal therapeutic apparatus and method A portable thermal therapeutic apparatus, adapted to transfer heat between a creature and the atmosphere by circulating heat transfer fluid within a conduit held in contact with the creature. The apparatus includes a housing with a support structure that is particularly adapted for portable use. A heat pump is disposed within the housing, and operates to transfer heat between a first portion and a manifold. A heat sink is thermally coupled to the first portion, and transfers heat between the first portion and the atmosphere. A pump is disposed within the housing and circulates the fluid through the manifold and the conduit. A power supply is disposed within the housing and drives the pump, thereby causing the fluid to circulate within the manifold and the conduit. The power supply is also provides direct current to the heat pump, thereby causing heat to flow from the manifold to the first portion.
US08449585B2	Semi-constrained bone screw A bone screw for attaching a bone plate to bone includes a shank defining a lumen extending at least partially therethrough from a proximal end thereof, a head defining a lumen therethrough, and a rod member. The rod member is configured for insertion through the lumen of the head and into the lumen of the shank. The rod member is fixedly engageable with the shank and moveably coupled to the head such that both the rod member and the shank are moveable with respect to the head.
US08449584B2	Absorbable bone anchor A bone anchor is provided that can toggle in two planes for secure anchorage within a bone cavity. The bone anchor includes an oblique suture channel configured such that a suture strand extending through the bone anchor can be tensioned to toggle the bone anchor inside the bone cavity. The suture strand can be located on the same side of the anchor body to maximize the area of the anchor surface which engages bone, resulting in increased engagement into bone and resistance to tensile forces.
US08449580B2	Methods and devices for expanding a spinal canal Devices and methods are disclosed for expanding a spinal canal. An implantable device having a shaft with a first cross-sectional dimension distinct from a second cross-sectional dimension can be inserted into an opening in a lamina and rotated 90 degrees to hinge the lamina away from the spinal canal. The implant can have one or more radiused edges, a bulleted tip, one or more lateral extensions for fastening the implantable device to bone, one or more hinged lateral extensions, one or more arcuate protrusions for biting into adjacent bone, an enlarged proximal head to prevent over-insertion, and/or a sleeve disposed therearound to reduce friction. Various embodiments of an insertion apparatus that can be selectively coupled to the implantable device are also disclosed, along with methods of expanding a spinal canal in minimally-invasive procedures using an implantable device and/or an insertion apparatus.
US08449579B2	Linked bilateral spinal facet implants and methods of use Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.
US08449575B2	Advanced intra-spinal decompression implant A new Intra-spinal decompression implant is introduced that comprises of two plate attachments to a titanium metal implant that fits between the spinous processes of the vertebrae in the lower back, decompressing the neuro elements. The invention has a number of new design features including: double axis adjustable side plates, stepped conical tipped body and piercing tips on side plates, among many mentioned in this disclosure, that improves the quality of the surgery and the result for the patient. More examples are given in this application.
US08449574B2	Elastic element for the use in a stabilization device for bones and vertebrae and method for the manufacture of such elastic element A stabilization device for bones or vertebrae comprises a substantially cylindrical elastic element. The elastic element has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. An elastic section extends between the first end and the second end. The elastic section includes at least first and second helical coils. The first and second helical coils are arranged coaxially so that the first helical coil extends at least in a portion between the second helical coil. The elastic element may form, for example, a portion of a rod, bone anchoring element, or plate.
US08449573B2	Insertion device and method for delivery of a mesh carrier An insertion device includes an elongate member and a stylet. The elongate member has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and defines a lumen therethrough. The stylet has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and is slidably coupled to the elongate member. The stylet is configured to move from a first position to a second position with respect to the elongate member. The proximal end portion of the stylet is configured to removably couple a mesh carrier thereto. A portion of the proximal end portion of the stylet is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate member when the stylet is in its first position and is disposed within the lumen when the stylet is in its second position.
US08449571B2	Extraluminal sealant applicator and method An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.
US08449570B2	Forceps for endoscope A forceps for endoscope includes: a pair of first and second forceps members that is supported by a forceps rotary shaft so as to be relatively rotatable; an opening and closing wire that is moved forward and backward in the direction of the axis so that the first forceps member and the second forceps member are rotated relatively; a stopper that switches an angle in which the first forceps member and the second forceps member rotate relatively at first and second positions different from each other in the direction of the axis; an adjusting wire is moved forward and backward in the direction of the axis; and a sheath through which the opening and closing wire and the adjusting wire are inserted and in which the first forceps member, the second forceps member, and the stopper protrude from the front end thereof.
US08449567B2	Tattoo needle housing and assembly The present invention provides a tattoo needle housing, including: a substantially hollow structure configured to surround a plurality of tattoo needles, wherein the substantially hollow structure includes a bottom edge portion at one end thereof that has a shape that substantially matches a collective shape of the tips of the plurality of tattoo needles, and wherein the substantially hollow structure includes an opening manufactured into one or more of a top surface and a bottom surface thereof. Optionally, the substantially hollow structure includes a plurality of openings manufactured into one or more of the top surface and the bottom surface thereof. Preferably, the substantially hollow structure includes an end wall that, along with the bottom edge portion, forms a port by which access to the plurality of tattoo needles is had from the exterior of the substantially hollow structure.
US08449566B2	Thrombus removal system and process A device captures and assists in the removal of a thrombus in arteries, even in small arteries. The device uses a soft coil mesh to engage the surface of a thrombus, and a guidewire is used to retract the soft coil mesh with the captured thrombus. The soft coil is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical element forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls.
US08449563B2	Fragmentable device for the anastomosis of hollow organs Fragmentable compression device for the anastomosis of hollow organs consisting of a pot-shaped body composed of two elements (1, 2), inserted one into the other and consisting of a plurality of composable sectors (5, 6), a third ring-shaped or hollow cylinder-shaped element (3) intended to be inserted into said pot-shaped body to clamp the edges of the organs to be anastomized, and a fourth element (4) also ring-shaped or hollow cylinder-shaped which is pressure-inserted into element (3) to compress said edges. Also elements (3, 4) consist of a plurality of composable sectors (7, 8). The axial dimension of the device is notably short so that, when it is applied in the vicinity of the anal canal of the patient, tenesmus is considerably reduced.
US08449562B2	System for providing fluid flow to nerve tissues Provided is an apparatus that includes a nerve conduit, a manifold and a support structure for providing a reduced pressure. Also provided is a system that includes a source of reduced pressure, a nerve conduit, a manifold, a support structure and a conduit for providing fluid communication between the manifold support and the source of reduced pressure. Additionally provided is a method that includes implanting the above nerve conduit, manifold and support structure at a site of damaged nerve tissue and applying a reduced pressure to the manifold thereby stimulating repair or regrowth of nerve tissue.
US08449561B2	Graft fixation device combination A graft fixation device combination. The device is useful for affixing a tissue graft to a bone or other body surface. The combination has a fixation device having two implantation members connected by a connecting member. The implantation members have longitudinal passageways therethrough. The combination also has an insertion member in engagement with the distal end of each implantation member.
US08449558B2	Device and method for endoluminal therapy A device and method for selectively engaging or penetrating a layer of a luminal organ wall where the luminal organ wall has a plurality of layers including an outermost layer and an innermost layer adjacent to the lumen of the organ. The device and method select one of the plurality of layers of the organ wall other than the innermost layer and deploy from within the lumen of the organ a tissue device through the innermost layer to a specific depth to engage or penetrate the selected one of the plurality of layers. The device and method may be employed to create luminal pouches or restrictive outlets. In a stomach organ, the device and methods may be employed to treat obesity by forming a gastric pouch with or without a restrictive outlet.
US08449557B2	Vacuum extractor cup for delivery A vacuum extractor cup 2 for vacuum extractor delivery is provided which includes a cup portion 11 formed with a foldable and flexible material such as a sheet made of, for example, a vinyl material and in a cup-like shape with a sucking hole 13 on its bottom side and an extracting hole 14 on its opening side and includes a porous elastic member 12 formed with sponge. An extracting ring portion 16 has elastic force being larger than elastic force of a surrounding wall 15 in the cup portion 11. A convex/concave portion 17 is formed in an inner surface of the surrounding wall 15 in the cup portion 11 and the convex/concave portion 17 serves as a slipping-stop device between the cup portion 11 and porous elastic member 12.
US08449554B2	Intervertebral implant and instrument with removable section An intervertebral instrument includes a shaft having distal and proximal ends. The proximal end of the shaft includes an attaching feature connected to handle. The shaft defines a pair tracks disposed along a portion of the surface thereof. The distal end includes a pair of wings. Each track guides instruments and implants along the intervertebral instrument. The implants are configured to receive bone graft or bone enhancers. The distal end of the shaft may include a removably attachable tip configured to engage the implants. The implants and the removably attachable tip form an implantable intervertebral disk. An intervertebral instrument and implant kit is also disclosed. A method of inserting intervertebral implants is also disclosed.
US08449548B2	Broach handle with flexure spring An instrument for holding a surgical tool or bone implant includes a handle with a bearing surface formed in one end for engaging the surgical tool. An elastically deformable plate is mounted on the handle body the plate having a catch element formed on a leading end thereof adapted to engage a coupling element formed on the surgical tool. The elastically deformable plate includes a cam follower formed in a recess thereon and includes a deformable spring section intermediate the can elements and the plate end with the catch element. An elongated pivotable loading member is rotatably mounted on the handle body. The loading member includes a cam surface for engaging the cam follower surface on the deformable plate. The cam surface on the loading member is shaped to elastically deform the elastically deformable plate section in a direction away from the plate catch element to thereby load and maintain a connecting force between the plate and the surgical tool or bone implant.
US08449546B2	Spine cutter A cutter for spine surgery is provided, especially for use in the area of the delicate cervical spine. The cutter includes a cylindrical cutter shank with cutter teeth formed at the distal end thereof. The cutter teeth at the distal end of the cutter shank are formed by grooves in the wall of the cutter shank. The grooves become deeper and expand from the outer radius of the cutter shank towards the distal end such that teeth narrowing towards the distal end with increasing height are formed between them. This guarantees especially gentle cutting in the area of the cervical spine, without surrounding delicate tissue being additionally jeopardized.
US08449545B2	Low cost modular tapered hollow reamer for medical applications An easy-to-assemble modular reamer for medical applications includes a shaft portion, a disposable tapered hollow reamer and a modular pilot. The shaft portion has a proximal end for attachment to a drill, two or more torque transmitting tabs and a distal threaded end. The disposable tapered hollow reamer has an integrally attached cutter sleeve with externally protruding cutters, apertures through the sleeve thickness for discharging bone fragments and cement debris and inwardly protruding anchoring projections. A central molded polymeric portion attaches to the anchoring projection and is fixed to the shaft through central holes and slots in the polymeric portion, which engage torque transmitting shaft tabs. Channels in the polymeric portion collect bone fragments and bone debris. A threaded modular pilot coaxially secures the disposable tapered hollow reamer to the threaded distal end of the shaft, permitting rotation of the tapered hollow reamer without wobbliness.
US08449542B2	Implant assembly device An implant assembly device for use in inserting a bone fixation implant includes: (a) a handle portion for manipulation by a user and (b) a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the shaft connected to the handle portion. The distal end of the shaft includes a screw engaging portion configured and adapted to engage and rotate a connecting screw. The device also includes (c) an elongated rod extended through the shaft from a proximal end to a distal end thereof The proximal end of the elongated rod is non-movably coupled to the shaft and the distal end of the elongated rod extending distally past of the distal end of the shaft. The elongated rod is configured and dimensioned to simultaneously pass through an interior portion of, and support, an implant insertion handle, the connecting screw and the bone fixation implant.
US08449541B2	Surgical glove system A surgical system including a surgical glove having support systems such as, but not limited to, lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation. The surgical glove may include one or more lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation positioned on distal ends of fingers of the surgical glove. The support systems may be controlled with switches positioned on the fingers upon which each support system is positioned. The switches may be operable with the thumb on the human hand upon which the surgical glove is attached. The surgical system may also include a surgical gown having a connection system for attaching support conduit to the surgical gown. The surgical system enables a surgeon to have a plurality of support systems immediately available and reduces entanglement problems endemic with conventional systems.
US08449540B2	Electrosurgical pencil with improved controls An electrosurgical pencil is provided and includes an elongated housing having an electrocautery blade supported therein and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil further includes a plurality of activation switches supported on the housing for activating electrocautery blade. Each activation switch is configured and adapted to selectively complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy upon actuation thereof. In use, actuation of at least one of the plurality of activation switches produces a dividing with hemostatic effect at the electrocautery blade. The electrosurgical pencil further includes at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy and controls the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.
US08449536B2	Electrode device Neutral electrodes (used for introducing a high frequency treatment current via a skin section of a human or animal body) that include, in addition to known components, at least one measuring electrode spaced from the main electrode, and at least one measuring current generator that is connected to the main electrode and to the measuring electrode generating a high frequency measuring current, which flows between the measuring electrode and the main electrode. The neutral electrodes thus allow for monitoring of the contact of the neutral electrode with the skin and for monitoring of the high frequency current flow and its spatial distribution. This allows for increased safety during use of the neutral electrode for treatment.
US08449528B2	Enteral feeding extension set connector A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly including a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may include a conduit defining a fluid pathway through the connector. Each release button has a finger contact zone and a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess. The connector is coupled by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub. The connector is decoupled from the hub by pressing the release buttons to reversibly displace the respective catches radially to disengage from the circumferential recess.
US08449526B2	Torqueable soft tip medical device and method of usage A medical device or intravascular device, and methods of use. The devices may be tubular and may have a flexible polymer tip. The body may be nitinol and may have cuts part way through along its length to facilitate bending. The device may have a liner which may extend through the tip or form the tip. The device may have markers readily visible on an X-ray viewer during insertion. The tip may have an anti-collapsing structure and may be shaped before use to perform a medical procedure such as treating an aneurysm. The device may have a strong fiber through it for complete removal. The method may include selecting the device, bending the tip, setting the shape, and inserting the device into the patient's anatomy. The shape of the tip may be set by heating with steam and then removing a mandrel.
US08449525B2	Dialysis catheter assembly A catheter assembly includes an elongated main body defining two or more longitudinal lumens including distally positioned openings. One or more side-ports are defined in the main body communicating with at least one of the two or more longitudinal lumens. The catheter assembly also includes an inflatable balloon disposed around a portion of the main body. The inflatable balloon includes a distal end disposed substantially adjacent to a proximal side of one or more side-ports. The inflatable balloon in the inflated state is adapted to extend at partially over the one or more side-ports.
US08449518B2	Disposable nappy with separate belt or leg guards formed from laminate outer cover A disposable nappy includes a disposable nappy body portion (3) and a separate belt (5) to secure the nappy body to the person. The belt includes a number of Velcro-type fastener portions that attach to a cover stock material of the nappy. The cover stock material is of a material that includes fibers that can retain the Velcro-type fasteners. Also defined are leg guards (19) formed from outer edges of a laminate cover layer.
US08449514B2	Conductive wound dressings and methods of use Wound treatment dressings comprising combinations of at least one conductive layer, at least one absorbent layer or a moisture regulation layer, and methods of making and methods of use are disclosed for treatment of wounds in humans and animals. The novel dressings aid in healing by helping restore the transepithelial potential of the skin, providing a functional anti-microbial barrier, and allowing for regulation of the moisture content of the wound without disturbing the wound.
US08449512B2	Stoma stabilitating device and method A method and device may be used to avoid surgically re-opening a stoma or the like in an animal, including human beings. The stoma stabilitating device comprises an anchoring portion, preferably flat, that includes an opening configured to surround a stoma. The anchoring portion preferably includes an inner tension ring attached to an inner edge to define the opening and a tension ring attached to an outer edge. The anchoring portion may include additional structural rings. The device may be of a mesh construction and used to maintain, for example, a stoma, a fistula, a tracheotomy and any other pathway from outside the body to the inner part of the body. The device may be used to maintain an open pathway for air and to maneuver devices within a cavity. The device may also be used internally.
US08449511B2	Activity ostomy bag The ostomy receiving bag comprises a front wall (2) and a rear wall and has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the rear wall is provided with an inlet to receive a stoma, and one wall is provided with at least one first half of a fixation pair (A), and the same effective wall after closure of the bag, if available, is provided with at least one second half of a fixation pair (B), such that when the first half and the second half of the fixation pair are attached, the volume of the receiving bag is reduced.
US08449510B2	Lid assembly for a medical waste fluid collection and disposal system A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system includes a medical waste fluid collection cart including first and second fluid collection canisters. A valve assembly selectively communicates with the canisters and a valve drive system controls the valve assembly. A liquid level sensor is positioned within each of the canisters. A cart processor communicates with the liquid level sensors and the valve drive system. A cart drain line communicates with the valve assembly and a receptacle, a cart flushing line communicates with the valve assembly and the receptacle and a cart data line and a cart power line communicate with the cart processor and the cart receptacle. A station includes a drain pump that communicates with a drainage system and a station drain line, a flushing pump that communicates with a source of washing liquid and a station flushing line and a station processor in communication with the drain and flushing pumps. A station data line communicates with the station processor. A coupler communicates with the station drain line, flushing line and the station data line and a station power line. The station coupler removably engages the cart receptacle so operation of the cart and station components can be coordinated by the processors for drainage and flushing of the cart canisters.
US08449501B2	Enteral feeding pump system An enteral pump system for delivering medical fluids unidirectionally includes a disposable fluid delivery set having a repeatable compression portion and an enteral feeding pump. The repeatable compression portion is helically coiled around a central axis to define a cylindrical shape. The compression portion is configured to pump a large volume of medical fluids per stroke. The compressing portion includes at least two adjacent tubing walls joined around the central axis for repeatable compression. The enteral feeding pump is configured to repeatedly and reliably compress the compression portion of the fluid delivery set along the central axis. In operation, the compression portion is repeatably compressed without distortion along the central axis by the enteral feeding pump to flow unidirectionally through the fluid delivery set.
US08449497B2	Catheter having an improved balloon-to-catheter bond A balloon catheter assembly includes a first tubular member with a proximal portion and a distal portion and a lumen extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A balloon has a proximal waist length, a distal waist length and an expandable region therebetween disposed about the distal portion. A tie layer is disposed between the proximal waist length or distal waist length and the first tubular member. The tie layer comprises a polyester polymer and a polyamide polymer.
US08449496B2	Method for testing peritoneum function and a peritoneal dialysis planning apparatus The present invention is a peritoneal function testing method characterized by using a ratio MTACun/MTACc calculated using MTACun and MTACc as an index for a peritoneal function test, where MTACun is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for urea nitrogen and MTACc is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for creatinine. The use of MTACun/c of the present invention in this way enables examination of the future peritoneal function of a patient (a mechanism of deterioration in peritoneal function). To be specific, MTACun and MTACc can be obtained by computing Pyle-Popovich model. In addition, the peritoneal function testing method may further calculate a permeability coefficient for cell pores (LPSC) and an overall permeability coefficient (LPS) from Three-Pore Theory model while obtaining a ratio LPSC/LPS calculated using the LPSC and the LPS, and may use the LPSC/LPS ratio and the MTACun/MTACc ratio as indexes for the peritoneal function test.
US08449494B2	Apparatus and method for preparing foam A device and a method for preparing foam are provided. The device includes a first housing having a first chamber therein and a first movable member positioned at least partially within the first housing. The device also includes a second housing having a second chamber therein, the second chamber being selectively and operably connectable to the first chamber. The second housing further includes a biasing member and a second movable member therein, the biasing member biasing the movable member toward a first end portion of the second housing. The device includes a valve operably connected to the first chamber and the second chamber and movably positionable to selectively control the connection between the first chamber and the second chamber and a handle operably connected to the first movable member and movable to bias the first movable member toward a first end portion of the first housing.
US08449489B2	Method and means for treating inflammatory bowel disease A method of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises providing an intestinal biopsy sample obtained from inflamed tissue of a patient; mechanically treating the sample to obtain a cell suspension; identifying cell surface markers of activated leukocytes selected from T lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes, and eosinophil granulocytes in the suspension; raising antibodies against one of more of the activated cells and immobilizing them on a support; providing a column loaded with the support; diverting a portion of the patient's peripheral blood to make it pass through the column before re-infusing it to the patient to make the activated leukocytes couple with antibodies on the support, thereby eliminating them from the blood stream. Also disclosed are corresponding columns and supports, and their use in the method.
US08449488B2	Blood component collection apparatus and method A blood component collection apparatus comprises a blood component collecting circuit which includes an anticoagulant line for feeding an anticoagulant and a line for collecting an initial flow of collected blood. In the blood component collection apparatus, air is intermediately present between the anticoagulant and the blood in the passage of a blood collection needle side line, after a priming operation is performed in which anticoagulant is supplied from the anticoagulant line toward the side of a centrifugal separator in the blood collection needle side line through a branch connector and after an initial flow collecting operation is performed in which the initial flow of blood is collected.
US08449487B2	Blood treatment apparatus A blood treatment apparatus (1) comprising a degassing unit (15) receiving gas-containing fluid and supplying degassed fluid to a fluid chamber (3) of a blood treatment unit (2). The degassing unit has a gas separator (16), a degassing pump (18) to circulate fluid in a degassing line (12), a flow restrictor (17) for reducing the pressure in the degassing line (12), an absolute pressure sensor (19), and a control unit (20) designed to control the speed of said degassing pump from the absolute pressure signal emitted by the pressure sensor. The apparatus comprises a dialysis machine provided with a device for preparing on-line a dialysis liquid from water and concentrates. The apparatus achieves an accurate and reliable regulation of a desired concentration of gas in the dialysis liquid.
US08449485B2	Cervical collar with cable reel adjustment system A cervical collar having a vertically adjustable chin support, the collar including a chin support adjustably connected to a collar body, a cable reel for adjusting the length of a cable cable, a cable stop connecting between the collar body and the chin support and slidingly positionable along a slot on the collar body and a pulley located on the collar body adjacent to the elongate slot. Adjustment of the length of the cable adjusts the position of the cable stop along the slot and adjusts the vertical position of the chin support relative to the collar body.
US08449483B2	Compression device and control system for applying pressure to a limb of a living being A device to compress the limb of a living being includes a user interface, a programmable logic controller, a power source, a source of fluidic pressure, valves with ports in fluidic connection with the source of fluidic pressure, other valves, and a first and second inflatable bladders, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to cause the repeating sequence of inflating the first inflatable bladder by manipulating the ports of the valves, after a first preset period of time, deflating the first inflatable bladder and allowing the pressure within the first inflatable bladder to inflate partially the second inflatable bladder by manipulating the ports of the valves. The source of fluidic pressure can be a self-contained pump, a connection to fluidic pressure in a health care facility, or a pressurized canister. The power source can be a battery. The device may extend the life of the power source.
US08449479B2	Squeeze activated medical puncturing device The medical puncturing device (10) includes a housing (12) having a proximal end (18) and a distal end (16) and a skin puncturing assembly (14) within the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier (50) and a skin puncturing element (52). The skin puncturing element is adapted to puncture the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein a distal tip of the skin puncturing element is disposed within the housing, to a puncturing position wherein the distal tip is exposed to puncture the skin of the patient. The carrier is moved from the retracted position to the puncturing position upon radial deformation of the housing. An internal guide (42) may be provided within the housing for guiding the movement of the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position.
US08449476B2	Multiple configuration electronic thermometer A plurality of custom thermometer models are manufactured from a universal clinical thermometer core. The thermometer core includes a housing, a controller storing a software program, a power source, a probe, a probe cord, and a display. A plurality of model selection devices are produced, each corresponding to a different thermometer model. One of the model selection devices is selected and connected to the controller. The controller operates the thermometer as a function of the connected model selection device such that the thermometer is configured with the features and default settings of the thermometer model corresponding to the connected model selection device.
US08449473B2	Gas sensor A method of determining the respiratory function of a subject is disclosed, the method comprising measuring the concentration of water vapor in the gas stream exhaled by the subject, and from the measured water vapor concentration determining the respiratory function of the subject. Mathematical techniques for analyzing the data obtained from the measurement of concentrations of gaseous components in an exhaled gas stream are also disclosed and their use in determining the lung function of a subject.
US08449472B2	Neurostimulation and neurosensing techniques to optimize atrial anti-tachycardia pacing for prevention of atrial tachyarrhythmias Implantable systems and method for use therewith are provided that take advantage of various neuromodulation and neurosensing techniques for either preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) or terminating AF. Specific embodiments are for use with an implantable device that includes one or more atrial electrode for sensing atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or delivering Atrial Anti-Tachycardia Pacing (AATP) and one or more electrode for monitoring and/or stimulating atrial vagal fat pads.
US08449471B2	Health monitoring appliance A heart monitoring system for a patient includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless network; a wearable appliance having a wireless transceiver to communicate with the one or more wireless nodes; and an analyzer to determine vital signs, the analyzer coupled to the wireless transceiver to receive patient data over the wireless network.
US08449470B2	System for repetitive measurements of cardiac output in freely moving individuals A system for evaluating the cardiovascular system parameters using indicator dilution and non-invasive or minimally invasive detection and calibration methods are disclosed. Intravascular indicators are stimulated, and emissions patterns detected for computation of cardiac output, cardiac index, blood volume and other indicators of cardiovascular health.
US08449469B2	Two-part patch sensor for monitoring vital signs A two-component monitoring device and system for monitoring blood pressure from a patient is disclosed herein. The two-component monitoring device includes a disposable component and a main component. The disposable component features: i) a backing structure having a first aperture; and ii) first and second electrodes, each electrode connected to the backing structure and including an electrical lead and a conductive electrode material, and configured to generate an electrical signal that passes through the electrical lead when the conductive electrode material contacts the patient. The main component includes: i) first and second connectors configured to connect to the first and second electrical leads to receive the first and second electrical signals; and ii) an optical component comprising a light source that generates optical radiation and a photodetector that detects the optical radiation. The optical component inserts into the first aperture of the disposable component. The main component optionally includes an acoustic sensor. The system utilizes a processing device, connected to the monitoring device by a cable which receives and processes a plurality of signals to determine real-time blood-pressure values for the patient.
US08449467B2	Helical acoustic array for medical ultrasound An acoustic array is helical or twisted about or around an azimuth axis. For example, one end of the array has an emitting face at 0 degrees, but the other end has an emitting face at 20 degrees. The elements in between gradually transition between the different rotations. Different apertures of the twisted array may be used to scan different generally radial diverging planes for three-dimensional imaging. The different amount of relative rotation associated with each aperture cause angular elevation spacing of the planes. For use in a catheter, a single row of elements may be used to scan electrically a volume.
US08449465B2	System and method for characterizing vascular tissue A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter and/or substantially synchronizing the acquisition of blood-vessel data to an identifiable portion of heartbeat data. In one embodiment, a computing device and catheter acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. The backscattered ultrasound data is then used to estimate at least one transfer function. The transfer function(s) can then be used to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. Another embodiment includes an IVUS console connected to a catheter and a computing device that acquires RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. Based on the backscattered data, the computing device estimates the catheter's transfer function and to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. The response data and histology data are then used to characterize at least a portion of the vascular tissue.
US08449463B2	Lateral access system and method of use A surgical access device including a frame, first and second supports, and first and second retractor blades releasably coupled with the first and second supports, respectively. The frame has first and second arms. The first support is releasably coupled with the first and second arms. The second support is slidably mounted on the first and second arms. The second support is movable between a first position with the retractor blades in close cooperative position and a spaced apart position with respect to the first support. The first and second retractor blades each have a distal end portion configured and adapted to engage a vertebral body. In one method of use, the retractor is inserted through an incision in first orientation with the blades in close approximation and rotated approximately 90°, before spreading the retractor blades to retract tissue.
US08449462B2	Speculum A speculum insertable into a body cavity of a person including a support member having an opening, provided with elongated arm sections each disposed in a plane including a centerline of such opening, blade members each lying in the plane of an arm section and having an intermediate section pivotally connected to the support member, a first end section displaceable into and out of engagement with the end section of another blade member and a second end section displaceable relative to one of the arm sections, means for releaseably biasing the first end sections of the blade members into engagement, permitting such end sections to be inserted into and removed from a body cavity, and means mounted on each arm member, engageable by a second end section of a blade member, for caroming such blade member to pivot about the axis thereof.
US08449461B2	Surgical retractor Provided is a surgical retractor capable of preventing an organ of a human body from being damaged when the organ of the human body positioned over a surgical area in the human body is lifted up. The surgical retractor includes a support body including a plurality of support members that are inserted below an organ of a human body which is positioned over a surgical area in the body of a patient to lift the organ of the human body in an upward direction, the plurality of support members being fastened to a joint, and a protective film member joined to the support body to cover a region between the support members, and configured to enclose and protect a lower surface of the organ of the human body.
US08449458B2	Body-insertable apparatus and radio in-vivo information acquiring system A body-insertable apparatus that is used in a state of being introduced inside the body of a subject and that executes a predetermined function inside the body of the subject, comprises a driving controller that controls the driving condition of the predetermined function.
US08449456B2	Endoscope Lead screws and nut members screwed to the respective lead screws are provided on a wire operation section for operating wires for operating a bending section in a bending manner, and a driving force generating section, a drive coupling shaft rotationally driven in a spin direction by a driving force from the driving force generating section, and drive couplings are provided on a drive source unit separably coupled to the wire operation section. The lead screws are rotationally driven in a spin direction from the driving force generating section via the drive coupling shaft to move the nut members in the axial direction thereby performing pulling operation of the wires during coupling of the drive source unit and the wire operation section.
US08449453B2	Endoscopic image processing apparatus and endoscope system An endoscopic image processing apparatus includes an endoscope information reading section that reads endoscope information that is information relating to an endoscope from the endoscope, a synchronizing signal detecting section that is given an image pickup signal that includes a synchronizing signal outputted by an image pickup device provided in the endoscope from the endoscope, performs detection processing of the synchronizing signal, outputs the detected synchronizing signal when the synchronizing signal can be detected, and generates and outputs a synchronizing signal based on the endoscope information read by the endoscope information reading section when the synchronizing signal cannot be detected, and an image signal generating section that generates an image signal based on the synchronizing signal outputted from the synchronizing signal detecting section and the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup device of the endoscope.
US08449451B2	Method and apparatus that enables remote operation of a pleasuring device through a communications network A method and apparatus that enables remote operation of a pleasuring device through a communications network is disclosed. The method may include receiving one or more text strings at a first communication device from a second communication device through the communications network, recognizing one or more words or phrases from the received one or more text strings, determining if the recognized one or more words or phrases are found in a lexicon, matching the recognized one or more words or phrases with its corresponding action stored in the lexicon, and signaling the pleasuring device to perform the corresponding action.
US08449449B2	Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.
US08449448B2	Fecal incontinence device, systems and method A device for treating fecal incontinence in a subject is provided. The device includes a plug configured for positioning mostly within an anal canal of the subject.
US08449440B2	Apparatus for automatic tracking and identification of device components Embodiments of an apparatus and method to track and identify radioactive sources are described. In one embodiment, a device includes first housing for a radioactive source having a first electronic tag, a second housing for the radioactive source having a second electronic tag, and a guide tube that couples the first housing with the second housing. The guide tube includes a third electronic tag. The first, second, and third electronic tags communicate with each other to confirm automatically a delivery path for the radioactive source. In one embodiment, the electronic tags may be a radio frequency identification device (RFID).
US08449439B2	Blood processing apparatus with robust automated process control A centrifuge for separating blood having a camera observing fluid flow, and a controller controlling the flow. The location of an interface is detected by image processing steps, which may comprise the steps of “spoiling” the image, “diffusing” the image, “edge detection”, “edge linking”, “region-based confirmation”, and “interface calculation”. “Spoiling” reduces the number of pixels to be examined preferentially on orthogonal axis oriented with respect to the expected location of the interface or phase boundary. “Diffusing” smoothes out small oscillations in the interface boundary, making to the location of the interface more distinct. “Edge detection” computes the rate of change in pixel intensity. “Edge linking” connects adjacent maxima. “Region-based confirmation” creates a pseudo image of the regions that qualify as distinct. “Final edge calculation” uses the points where the shade changes in the pseudo image, averages the radial displacement of these points for the interface position.
US08449435B2	Guiding exercise based on fat oxidation rate Disclosed is An exercise guide apparatus comprising: a sensing unit configured to obtain a heart rate of a subject; a strength determining unit configured to determine a maximal oxygen uptake of the subject; an exercise intensity measurement unit configured to determine a current exercise intensity of the subject based on the heart rate obtained by the sensing unit; and an exercise guide unit configured to estimate a fat oxidation rate of the subject, determine whether or not fat oxidation of the subject occurs, generate guide information according to a result of the determination of the occurrence of fat oxidation, and display the guide information generated, wherein the fat oxidation rate is estimated based on a ratio of fat being oxidized at the current exercise intensity to the maximal oxygen uptake, and wherein the occurrence of fat oxidation is determined by checking whether or not the fat oxidation rate estimated is greater than a threshold.
US08449425B2	Electric tool One aspect of the invention includes a speed changing device which can be switched from a high-speed low-torque output state to a low-speed high-torque output state. In the high-speed low-torque state, a second stage internal gear rotates together with a first stage carrier. The low-speed high-torque output state is caused as the second stage internal gear is disconnected from the first stage carrier so as to be restricted from rotating. The timing of resetting the speed changing device is shifted relative to the timing of stopping the electric motor by an OFF operation of the switch lever with a delay mechanism, so that the second stage internal gear is engaged with the first stage carrier after the rotation through inertia is stopped, whereby its impact is reduced.
US08449423B2	Selectable one-way clutch with breakaway feature A selectable overrunning clutch and breakaway, i.e., energy absorbing, cone clutch is disposed in series between two elements of a planetary gear automatic transmission. An annular piston is received within a complementary cylinder and includes a male cone clutch member that mates with a stationary female cone clutch member. Also carried by the annular piston is an annular drive ring which engages a planetary gear assembly element such as a ring gear. Disposed between the drive ring and the piston is a selection ring having a plurality of circumferential apertures or ports that receive a like plurality of struts. The face of the annular piston includes pockets or recesses that receive the struts and the face of the drive ring includes notches or surfaces against which the struts engage. Tangentially disposed in the annular piston is a small selection piston which rotates the selection ring between two positions to either allow overrunning in one direction between the annular piston and the annular drive ring or lock the two components together.
US08449421B2	Transmission for motor and controlling device thereof A transmission is adapted to have a deceleration structure while generating an output in the same direction as when a motive power is rotated forwardly when the motive power is rotated reversely. The transmission includes a motor, an output cover, fixed shafts, and a transmission. The transmission is selectively connected according to the rotational direction of the driving shaft. The transmission provides a constant speed output in the forward direction since the driving shaft and the output cover are directly connected to each other when the driving shaft is rotated forwardly, but provides a decelerated output in the forward direction since a reduction planetary gear is geared between the driving shaft and the output cover when the driving shaft is rotated reversely.
US08449417B2	Football including indicia to improve visibility A prolate spheriodal ball includes first and second ends and first and second mid regions between the first and second ends and the tranverse axis, respectively. The ball is colored with a first color. First and second tips at first and second ends are colored to contrast with the first color. First and second mid regions include colored regions that are colored to contrast with the first color. The peripheries of the contrasting colored regions are continuous around the ball.
US08449415B2	Mechanical broadhead A mechanical broadhead including rearwardly deploying and/or sliding blades. The broadhead includes a ferrule defining a bore joined with a penetrating tip. A connector body, such as a carriage element or a pin, is slidably and moveably disposed within the bore, distal from the tip. One or more cutting blades is joined with the connector body. The connector body moves together in unison with the cutting blades as they expand from a retracted, in flight mode to a deployed, target penetrating mode. The connector body and blades can be joined with the ferrule so that the broadhead converts from a deployed mode to an unbarbed mode to facilitate broadhead removal. Optionally, the broadhead can include an internal retainer element that is resilient and durable enough to be used for multiple deployments. A related method of operating the broadhead also is provided.
US08449414B2	Apparatus, system and method for electronic archery devices According to one aspect, an apparatus is configured to couple to an arrow-mounted electronic device where the apparatus includes a housing, a receptacle included in the housing and at least one electrical contact configured to couple to a contact included in the arrow-mounted electronic device. According to one embodiment, the receptacle is configured to receive at least a portion of the arrow-mounted electronic device, the at least one electrical contact includes a spring-bias in a first direction and the spring bias is opposed with the arrow-mounted electronic device inserted within the receptacle.
US08449413B1	Non-lethal arrow A non-lethal arrow is disclosed that includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. A nock is located on a first end of the shaft and a flight is positioned at approximately the first end of the shaft. A tip connector is included that has a foam tip connection end and a shaft connection end. The shaft connection end is connected with a second end of the shaft. The foam tip connection end includes a plurality of securing ribs extending circumferentially about the foam tip connection end. The securing ribs taper upwardly toward a back surface thereby allowing the securing ribs to grip a foam tip connected with the foam tip connection end. The shaft connection end includes an elongate cylindrical portion defining a hollow tube that is sized and configured to receive the second end of the shaft.
US08449409B1	Golf green reader and putting aid A golf green reading device capable of displaying graphical putting aid to a user. The device captures both a plurality of distance measurements between the device and a putting green, and an angular orientation of the device. Using those measurements, the device computes the topography of a putting green. With the computed topography, the device constructs and displays graphical putting aid to a user.
US08449408B2	Iron-type golf clubs The present invention is directed to an iron-type golf club that may be included in a set. In particular, the inventive golf club includes an adjustable hosel coupling and a mechanism for altering the sole configuration. The golf club may be included in a set having a progressive sole configuration that provides desired bounce for each club within the set.
US08449406B1	Golf club head A golf club head is provided having a club body and a contact plate secured to the club body. The contact plate defines at least a portion of a striking surface having a plurality of striking surface grooves. A plurality of soft portions is provided that are coupled to a rear surface of the contact plate. The plurality of soft portions also corresponds to the plurality of striking surface grooves.
US08449404B2	Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so they may be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft orientation with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include a shaft adapter and a head adapter. The shaft adapter may have an exterior surface extending along a first axis and a bore having a cross-sectional shape along a second axis configured to attach to a shaft member. The second end of the shaft adapter has a cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon. The head adapter has a first end and a second end along a first axis and a bore having a shape of a regular polygon along a second axis that is shaped to receive the second end of the shaft adapter in a plurality of orientations.
US08449398B2	Secure, parallel, and independent script execution In examples presented herein, a game server and a client device may perform parallel execution of scripts for a computer-implemented virtual game. In one example, in response to determining that a user of a virtual game has performed an in-game action, a first event script to execute is determined based on the in-game action. The first event script is executed to present an in-game effect to the user. After the execution of the first event script, an update notification is sent to a server computer. The update notification indicates the in-game action and client-side state information. An update response is received from the server computer based on execution of a second event script responsive to the in-game action.
US08449392B2	Storage medium having game program stored therein, game apparatus, control method, and game system using a heartbeat for performing a game process in a virtual game world A player object is caused to perform a motion in a virtual game world in accordance with information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a player. Biological signal acquisition means acquires the biological signal from the player. Pulse detection means detects pulse or heartbeat of the player in accordance with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquisition means. Player object motion control means causes the player object to discharge a discharge object in the virtual game world when the pulse detection means detects the pulse or the heartbeat.
US08449391B2	Game program, storage medium, game device and game system In a game program for a multiplayer game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.
US08449390B2	Gaming device having a multi-trigger bonus A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
US08449387B2	Progressive game eligibility and winning A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes both enhanced as well as new ways of winning a progressive jackpot. New ways of becoming eligible for a progressive jackpot are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the reset amount, startup value, and funding percentage may be selected as needed to improve player excitement and anticipation. Players may also customize various aspects of the progressive game upon payment of a fee.
US08449384B2	Systems and methods for player rewards Players in a player loyalty scheme are awarded points based on their point-generating activity and are then ranked in order of generated points. Rank-based points are then associated with each rank according to a predefined mapping scheme. The rank-based point totals may be updated periodically. Rank-based points may also be used in tournament play.
US08449383B2	Gaming machine with loyalty bonus A gaming machine is provided, which awards loyalty points to players playing the game who have identified themselves to the machine. The machine is arranged to award loyalty points to the player and to play two game means wherein, the first or base game may be provided by the slot machine game as a stand alone function with no dependence upon a supporting communications network, the second game may be linked game in which a plurality of network connected machines (50) participate with control of the game being provided by a central game controller (60), while the communications network (62) is controlled by a network controller (61). A first game mode is available to all players and a second enhanced game mode is made available to players who have reached a predetermined threshold of loyalty points.
US08449379B2	Wide area loyalty access through independent bonus network Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing wide area bonusing over a gaming network from a gaming machine provider. Player identification information associated with a player is received. Gaming machine data is also retrieved. The gaming machine data is associated with the player identification information, and includes information particular to one or more gaming machines played by the player. One or more criteria are applied to the retrieved gaming machine data. A player bonus is issued according to the application of the one or more criteria to the retrieved gaming machine data. The gaming machine data can identify a brand of gaming machines played by the player. The gaming machine data can also include data selected from the group consisting of total number of machines played, gaming machine play history, games played, number of plays per machine, number of plays per game, amounts wagered per machine, amounts wagered per game, and gaming machine location. The gaming machine data can be stored on a portable device carried by the player.
US08449378B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for utilizing bitcoins The gaming system may enable a player to wager an amount of bitcoins on one or more plays of one or more primary or base games. If a player wagers an amount of bitcoins on a play of a game, the gaming system may determine and display an outcome for the play of the game. The gaming system then may determine if any award may be associated with the determined outcome. If an award having a value greater than zero is associated with the determined outcome, the gaming system may provide the determined award to the player, such as an amount of bitcoins.
US08449376B2	Gaming device for determining a re-drawing group for following games To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.
US08449375B2	Gaming machine and method providing a multi-play high-low game A gaming machine and method having a high-low game including a plurality of ranked symbols. The gaming machine enables the player to select a number of ranked symbols to play in the game and to make a wager. The gaming machine displays the number of ranked symbols. For each of the displayed ranked symbols, the gaming machine associates another one of the ranked symbols, a comparison symbol, with the displayed ranked symbol and enables the player to make an input to indicate whether the comparison symbol will be of a higher rank or a lower rank than the displayed ranked symbol. After the player makes the input, the gaming machine generates the comparison symbol and determines if the player's input was correct. The gaming machine provides an award to the player if the player makes a predetermined number of correct inputs.
US08449371B2	Card selection game with feature A gaming machine and method are disclosed. A selected symbol is displayed in a non-revealed manner, for example on a display, a player having nominated at least one characteristic of the symbol. If the selected symbol is revealed to have the nominated characteristic a prize is awarded to the player, and if the symbol is revealed to be a special symbol a game controller awards the player a feature outcome that comprises a plurality of bonus plays of a feature game that includes at least one special symbol. Progression to the next bonus play in the plurality of bonus plays is dependent on selection of the special symbol.
US08449368B2	Methods and system for providing paper-based outcomes Gaming devices may generate outcomes to be sold in printed form. Representations of the outcomes, corresponding payouts, and other information are printed on sheets of paper. Multiple printed outcomes are assembled into books, wrapped, and sold to consumers. Consumers may purchase the books and browse through the printed outcomes at their leisure. When finished with a book, a consumer may submit a portion of the book to the casino that sold the outcomes. The casino may then pay the player based on the payouts associated with the outcomes in the book.
US08449367B2	Gaming machine capable of being played by a plurality of players and dividing the prize among them When one player acquires a qualification for playing a scramble bonus game, another player can participate in the scramble bonus game by paying a predetermined amount of participation charge. In addition, in a case where a fellow character could be acquired as a fellow of the player characters, the amount of prize to be paid to the players is increased according to features of that fellow character. Further, items of equipment of the player characters become more gorgeous, as the prizes acquired by the players increase in amount. A damage imparted to an enemy character varies depending on weapons that the player characters use. A prize is awarded when a hit point of the enemy character becomes 0.
US08449365B2	System and method of increasing poker tournament pools and number of payout positions A second optional poker tournament fee allows participating players a chance to receive a payout when finishing the poker tournament in one of one or more extra bubble spots. So, if the player finishes close to the conventional bubble position the player may receive a payout if he or she paid the second optional fee. The number of extra spots is based on the number of second optional fees paid. In one version, if no players finish in the extra bubble spots the house collects the second optional fees as profits. In another version, the second optional fees, or a portion thereof, are used to increase the payouts associated with the conventional payout scheme independent of the second optional fees.
US08449362B2	Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games A video poker-type wagering game in which a wager is made to play an underlying draw poker game consisting of at least a single hand of poker. An additional bet is required to utilize a wild card play option. A predetermined amount of initial cards are randomly dealt from a standard deck of 52 cards to form the initial player's hand. If the player has made a side bet wager, at least one up to the predetermined amount of player's hand cards are simultaneously dealt from a separate deck to a house hand. Any cards in the player's hand that match any cards in the house hand by rank, suit and/or position are automatically changed to be wild cards. The player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the player's hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the player's hand deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any wins are provided to the player.
US08449361B2	Systems and methods for scoring competitive strategy predictions of users on a play-by-play basis The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method that includes receiving, by a first computing device, an identity of an event that has occurred in a sporting competition, the sporting competition comprising a plurality of events. The method includes determining, by a processor of the first computing device, a probability that the event would occur. The method includes determining, by the processor of the first computing device, a number of points based at least in part on the probability that the event would occur. The method includes receiving, by the first computing device, a prediction of an event from a second computing device in communication with the first computing device. The method includes increasing, by the processor of the first computing device, a score of a user of the second computing device by the number of points if the prediction of the event matches the identity of the event.
US08449360B2	Displaying song lyrics and vocal cues Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for displaying song lyrics and vocal cues in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a vocal cue. The vocal cue moves on the display in synchronization with a timing component of a musical composition towards a target marker. Lyrics are also displayed, but instead of moving with the movement of the vocal cue the lyrics are displayed in a fixed position. The lyrics maintain their position until the vocal cue has moved to a particular position with respect to the target marker.
US08449353B2	Hard finish machine for hard finishing of a workpiece The invention relates to a hard finish machine (1) for hard finishing of a workpiece (2), comprising at least two different hard finish tools (3, 4) which are arranged on a tool spindle (5), wherein the tool spindle (5) is arranged movable in the direction (Y) of its axis (6) on a tool carrier (7), wherein the tool carrier (7) is translational movable relatively to a machine bed (8) and wherein the hard finish machine furthermore comprises cooling lubricant supplying means (9) for the supply of cooling lubricant to the machining region between the workpiece (2) and the hard finish tool (2, 3). To work in all possible tool and method combinations with optimized cooling lubricant supply conditions the invention proposes that the cooling lubricant supplying means (9) comprise at least a first cooling lubricant nozzle (9′) having at least one opening for a stream of cooling lubricant and at least a second cooling lubricant nozzle (9″) having at least one opening for a stream of cooling lubricant, wherein the two cooling lubricant nozzles (9′, 9″) are arranged movable relatively to another in the direction (Y) of the axis (6) of the tool spindle (5).
US08449352B2	Carbon electrode grinding apparatus A carbon electrode grinding apparatus for shaping a front end of an arc discharge carbon electrode is provided with front end grinding blades configured to grind a front end surface of the carbon electrode, lateral surface grinding blades configured to grind a surface from the front end surface to a base end of the carbon electrode, and rotation means configured to rotate and drive the front end grinding blades and the lateral surface grinding blades around a rotation axis line coincident with an axis line of the carbon electrode.
US08449348B2	Techniques for debris reduction when performing edge deletion on coated articles having temporary protective coatings applied thereto Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques for edge deleting coatings supported by coated articles while a temporary protective coating is applied thereto. More particularly, a stationary, enlarged, and higher powered aspirator is connected to flexible tubing, which itself has an enlarged diameter, that has a nozzle located proximate to a grinding wheel on an edge deletion unit is provided in connection with an edge deletion table. Advantageously, the edge deletion table and aspirator of certain example embodiments are capable of performing edge deletion and removal of a temporary protective coating substantially simultaneously (e.g., from a common area of interest), during which process the debris produced when edge deletion is performed is controlled and removed from the substrate of interest.
US08449343B2	Discharge lamp having a heat resistant film and method for producing same A discharge lamp includes an arc tube and a boron oxide film formed on an inner surface of the arc tube.
US08449341B2	Floating support comprising a drum equipped with two buoys to which to fasten tethers and pipes connecting between the sea bed and the surface An oil production floating support having a mooring device for mooring anchor lines anchoring to the bottom of the sea and bottom-to-surface connection pipes. The device has two mooring buoys having the anchor lines and the bottom-to-surface connection pipes moored respectively thereto. The said two mooring buoys being connectable and disconnectable to a turret under which they are fastened, independently of each other.
US08449340B1	Personal propulsion apparatus and method associated therewith A personal propulsion apparatus for controllable gliding a rider over a water surface includes a buoyant body unit, a power unit and a thrust assembly with at least two independently pivotable thrust nozzles. An intake unit having receiving and directing portions. A height adjusting arrangement is formed with the directing portion. During motion over the surface of water, the intake unit with the height adjusting arrangement, remains submerged. Upon excessive lifting force being generated the height adjusting arrangement is elevated above the water surface, causing entry of air into the power unit, resulted in decreasing the thrust and lowering the height adjusting arrangement below the water surface into the submerged position, so that the rider assumes the longitudinal motion over the water surface.
US08449338B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector has at least two contact assemblies spaced apart from each other by a first distance to receive corresponding one of at least two plug conductors being spaced apart from each other by a second distance. Each of the at least two contact assemblies includes a pair of contact members for contacting one corresponding plug conductor, and a clamping member configured to clamp the pair of contact members to apply a holding force onto the pair of contact members and the corresponding plug conductor. The clamping member is inserted through the pair of contact members in a direction opposite to a mating direction, and the clamping member and the pair of contact members are adapted to swing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mating direction in order to compensate for a difference between the first and second distances.
US08449335B2	Electrical connectors and receptacle assemblies having retention inserts An electrical connector including a connector housing having opposite mating and loading faces and a mating axis extending therebetween. The connector housing has interior walls that oppose each other with a contact cavity therebetween. The electrical connector also includes a retention insert that is sized and shaped to be advanced through the loading face and positioned within the contact cavity. The retention insert has an outer engagement surface. The electrical connector also includes first and second rows of mating contacts that are separated by the retention insert. The contact cavity has a component-receiving region that exists between the first and second rows of mating contacts and is accessible through the mating face. The mating contacts of the first and second rows are oriented to extend lengthwise along the mating axis and are held between the engagement surface of the retention insert and respective interior walls.
US08449334B2	Card edge connector A card edge connector includes an insulating body having a base body, multiple first terminals, and multiple second terminals. A first body and a second body extend from a front end of the base body sequentially from bottom to top. Multiple recessed first receiving slots are disposed at the first body. A recessed first retaining slot is disposed at the first body and a side wall of each of the first receiving slots. Each of the first terminals has a first retaining portion retained in the first retaining slot with a first connecting portion bent and extends laterally thereof. A first elastic section extends forwards from the first connecting portion and located in the first receiving slot. A first contact arm extends forwards from the rear end of the first elastic section and has a first contact portion which enters the first insertion space.
US08449333B2	Battery connecting structure The present invention is to provide a battery connecting structure to prevent a joint between a terminal and an electric wire from getting wet with water. The battery connecting structure includes a plurality of bus bars connecting a plurality of batteries in series by connecting a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the adjacent battery, said batteries overlapped with each other in a manner that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are arranged in the straight line alternately; a plurality of terminals respectively overlapped with each bus bar; a plurality of electric wires respectively connected with each terminal; and a plate receiving them. The plate includes a plurality of first receiving portion for receiving each bus bar and each terminal overlapped with the bus bar, a second receiving portion for receiving the electric wires connected to each terminal, and a plurality of third receiving portion for leading each electric wire connected to each terminal from each first receiving portion to the second receiving portion. Further, a bus bar connecting and a wire connecting portions of each terminal are received in each first receiving portion.
US08449332B2	Filtering assembly and modular jack using same A magnetic jack assembly includes a housing, circuit boards, shields and various filtering components. Multiple aspects of the assembly enhance manufacturability and facilitate automated manufacturing.
US08449330B1	Cable header connector A cable header connector includes a contact module having a support body and a plurality of cable assemblies held by the support body and arranged in a column. The cable assemblies include a contact sub-assembly configured to be terminated to a cable, and a ground shield coupled to and providing electrical shielding for the contact sub-assembly. The contact sub-assembly has a pair of signal contacts extending between mating ends and terminating ends. The signal contacts are terminated to corresponding signal wires of the cable at the terminating ends. A ground bridge is coupled to the support body and is electrically conductive. The ground bridge includes intercolumn bridges arranged between corresponding cable assemblies. The intercolumn bridges engage and are electrically connected to the ground shields of corresponding cable assemblies on both sides of the intercolumn bridges. The ground bridge electrically connects corresponding cable assemblies engaged by the intercolumn bridges.
US08449325B2	Connector assembly for corrugated coaxial cable A compression connector for connecting to a coaxial cable is provided. The compression connector is provided in a first state for fitting onto an end of the cable, after which it may be compressed to a second state, thereby joining the connector to the cable to make a coaxial cable assembly. The connector is comprised of a tubular connector body and a compression cap structured to slidably engage the second end of the tubular body. The connector is further internally configured with means for collapsing the first exposed corrugation of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable in the axial direction when the compression cap is compressed onto the tubular connector body.
US08449324B2	Coaxial connector having detachable locking sleeve A connector is provided for terminating coaxial cable. The connector includes a connector body having a cable receiving end and an opposed connection end. A locking sleeve is provided in detachable, re-attachable snap engagement with the insertion end of the connector body for securing the cable in the connector body. The cable may be terminated to the connector by inserting the cable into the locking sleeve or the locking sleeve may be detachably removed from the connector body and the cable inserted directly into the cable body with the locking sleeve detached subsequently.
US08449323B2	Watertight shield connector An object of the present invention is to provide a watertight shield connector able to waterproof successfully without an effect of a parting line, and surely preventing an annular packing or a shield shell from falling out with a plain structure. For attaining the object, there is provided a watertight shield connector 1 including: an insulating connector housing 4 having a terminal attaching portion 9 projected outward from a flange wall 2, and an annular hole 19 disposed around the terminal attaching portion 9; a terminal 10 configured to be inserted into the terminal attaching portion 9 and having a step portion 11a in a middle thereof; a conductive shield shell 6 having a flange plate 5 abutting on the flange wall 2; an annular packing 8 having an annular packing main body 30 attached to the annular hole 19, and a flange-shaped projection 7 disposed on an outer periphery of the packing main body 30 and abutting on the flange plate 5; and a spacer 12 configured to be engaged with the step portion of the terminal and to abut on an outer end wall 8a of the annular packing 8.
US08449321B2	Power connectors and electrical connector assemblies and systems having the same A power connector including a connector housing having an interior cavity and a mating face. The connector housing is configured to be mounted to a circuit board. The power connector also includes a contact assembly that has anode and cathode contacts that are configured to electrically engage power contacts of a mating connector. The contact assembly also includes anode and cathode terminals that are disposed in the interior cavity. The anode and cathode terminals are electrically coupled to the anode and cathode contacts, respectively, and are configured to be electrically coupled to the circuit board. The power connector also includes a power cable that has substantially flat anode and cathode conductive layers that are surrounded by an insulative jacket. The anode and cathode conductive layers are electrically coupled to the anode and cathode contacts, respectively, and are electrically parallel to the anode and cathode terminals, respectively.
US08449318B2	Plug system for surgical devices A plug system for surgical devices includes a plurality of sockets into which connecting plugs of electrosurgical instruments can be inserted, and a switching matrix having a plurality of switches for connecting at least one of the sockets to at least two different outputs or inputs of an electrosurgery device. A control system having a preselection device for controlling the switching matrix is arranged in the plug system. The switching matrix connects predetermined sockets to predetermined inputs or outputs, depending on data input into the preselection device. The control system includes a storage element for storing a basic configuration of a connection between the sockets and the inputs or outputs of the electrosurgery device. The basic configuration is set if no data is entered into the preselection device, and all switches are open in the basic configuration.
US08449315B2	Linkage device and programmable control unit using the same A linkage device cooperating with a casing, which has a connecting port, is disclosed. The linkage device includes a barrier and a push bar. The barrier is pivotly disposed on the casing and is positioned at a first position or a second position with respect to the connecting port of the casing. When the barrier is at the first position, the barrier covers at least a part of the connecting port; otherwise, when the barrier is at the second position, the barrier does not cover the connecting port. The push bar is slidingly disposed on the casing and abuts against the barrier. When the push bar pushes the barrier, the barrier rotates from the first position to the second position. A programmable control unit using the linkage device is also disclosed. The programmable control unit is assembled with a bottom board. The bottom board pushes the push bar to rotate the barrier from the first position to the second position.
US08449309B1	USB port protector A Universal Serial Bus port protector having a top piece and a tongued planar surface, where the top piece includes a rectangular surface, a rectangular planar surface, a box having an open bottom and an open top, and a shim-like piece, and where the tongued planar surface includes a tongued portion and an untongued portion, where the tongued portion includes one dado and two rabbet cuts and two projections, where the top piece and the tongued planar surface are slideably insertable into and extractable from a Universal Serial Bus port to ensure that no electrical connection is made to the Universal Serial Bus port when the top piece and the tongued planar surface are so inserted.
US08449308B2	Electric ground clamp with pivoted jaws and single attached adjusting bolt and terminal block An adjustable ground clamp for easy positioning onto electric conduits of different diameters and grounding multiple electrical devices. A first and a second jaw are pivotally connected and have differently angled jaw surfaces. A distal end of the first jaw has an elongated hole and a distal end of the second jaw has a curved fork having a slot for receiving a bolt with a cylindrical nut. A fastener connects a ground conductor or wire to the ground clamp. A terminal block accepts ground conductors from multiple different electrical devices. The jaws may be easily separated for placement of an electrical conduit without separating or detaching any parts from the ground clamp, making attachment to an electrical conduit quick, easy, and secure. The terminal block permits different electrical devices to be grounded with a single ground clamp.
US08449303B2	Methods and apparatus enabling meeting notes to be inscribed on electrostatic film and retained A meeting attendee brings into a meeting room a kit which includes a container possessing a supply cylinder on which conventional electrostatic or electret film/paper is wound, a retention cylinder, and, optionally, writing implements. A sheet of the electrostatic film is unwound from the supply roll and is applied to a vertical surface to which it clings by electrostatic attraction. The exposed side of the sheet is written-on by conventional writing tools. Following the meeting, one or more of the sheets is peeled from the surface and retained by being wound up and placed into the retention cylinder. The retention cylinder can then be removed from the meeting room within the container or separately therefrom.
US08449300B2	Method and apparatus for personal awareness and growth An presentation generator is disclosed for generating presentations for interacting with a user on a personal topic of, e.g., the user's selection, wherein the presentations assist the user in obtaining a greater awareness of his/her motivations and/or behaviors relating to the topic. In one embodiment, the presentation generator generates and presents to the user textual observations, questions, and/or statements for the user's consideration. Such presentations use and/or are consistent with textual descriptions obtained from: (a) the results of one or more personality/motivation test results, and (b) user inputs, e.g., regarding the selected topic together with his/her confidence in the validity of such inputs. The invention organizes the textual descriptions so that outputs to the user can be generated from various personality/motivational perspectives thereby assisting the user in viewing the topic of discussion from different perspectives and thereby becoming more aware of his/her biases, motivations, and/or concerns relating to the topic.
US08449299B1	Teaching device and method A multielement linear array for teaching a person to count comprises a first set of four linearly arranged elements of first and second types A and B, arranged in a first pattern A-B-A-B. In the description herein, the term “linear” is intended to be construed to mean that the elements are arranged sequentially, and therefore are topologically linear, not that the device itself must assume a linear form. A third element C is positioned to follow the first set. A second set of four linearly arranged elements of the first and the second types A and B are arranged in a second pattern B-A-B-A, and are positioned to follow the third element. A fourth element D is positioned to follow the second set. Preferably the elements A, B, C, and D are mutually distinguishable, for example, by at least one of color and shape.
US08449298B2	Optical alignment device for a weapon simulator using an optical simulation beam An alignment device for a weapon that generates a simulation beam and an alignment beam used to align the simulation beam with the weapon's sight. The device can be secured to the weapon during the alignment process, after which it can be removed. The device includes a housing that can be mounted on the weapon so that its optical receiving port intersects both the optical alignment beam generated by the optical transmitter and the sighting axis of the weapon's sight. The optical receiving port includes an optical arrangement for receiving the alignment beam and focusing it on a projection screen located inside the housing. An image of the alignment beam on the projection screen can be viewed through the sight. The alignment beam is parallel to the simulation beam. Thus, by centering the alignment beam in the sight, the alignment beam, and hence the simulation beam, will be properly aligned.
US08449296B2	Dental appliance An appliance fabricated to improve the appearance of a patient's smile includes a plurality of simulated teeth. The interior surfaces of each of the teeth closely fits and conforms to the surface of a patient's real teeth while the outer surfaces of each of the simulated teeth has an ideal surface configuration. The dental appliance provides the patient with the appearance of a perfect set of teeth and an ideal smile without a need to alter the dental structure of the patient's teeth.
US08449284B2	Optical element molding die and method for molding optical element An optical element molding die is designed for molding an optical element having a concave-convex structure. The optical element can be manufactured by a wet system that enables element formation over a large area and a curved surface, without using a lithographic process, and is advantageous in terms of mass production and equipment cost. The optical element molding die includes a substrate having a surface with a negative standard electrode potential in the oxidation reaction and an anodic oxidation layer provided on the substrate. A protective layer with the positive standard electrode potential is provided between the substrate and the anodic oxidation layer.
US08449281B2	Method and device for separating and removing rigid core for building tire A device for separating and removing a rigid core when building a tire, including a slide table and positioning means which are provided on a support table of the separation/removal device. The slide table is slidable to convey the tire, whose inner surface is held by the rigid core body and a core holding mechanism, to a central position on the support table. An elevating device is provided on the central axis of the support table, and includes a clamping means to elevate the rigid core body and the tire from which the core holding mechanism is removed, to a position where the rigid core body and the tire do not interfere with the core holding mechanism. A pair of core separation/removal mechanisms are disposed below the center of the support table, capable of elevating movement, and radially contracting and removing each type of the segment groups.
US08449279B2	Hot isostatic pressing device A hot isostatic pressing device according to the present invention includes an inner casing, an outer casing, and a heating means which are provided inside a high-pressure container. The device further includes a first cooling means for forcedly circulating pressure medium gas in such a manner that pressure medium gas guided upwardly between the inner casing and the outer casing is guided to the outside of the outer casing through an upper part of the outer casing, cooled while being guided downwardly along an inner circumferential surface of the high-pressure container, and then returned to between the inner casing and the outer casing through a lower part of the outer casing; and a second cooling means for guiding pressure medium gas within a hot zone formed inside the inner casing to the outside of the hot zone, cooling the pressure medium gas guided to the outside by merging it with the pressure medium gas forcedly circulated by the first cooling means, and returning the cooled pressure medium gas into the hot zone. According to such a structure, a high cooling efficiency can be attained while maintaining the hot zone in a thermally uniform condition.
US08449278B2	Mould lining comprising a sacrificial connecting element The invention relates to a lining assembly (14) comprising a plurality of lining elements (18) intended to be attached to a support block (12) of a segment (10) of a mold for a tire, the lining elements (18) being intended to form tread blocks of part of a tread band of a tire, the assembly (14) further comprising at least one sacrificial connecting element (24) joining the lining elements (18) together.
US08449276B2	Variable-speed scroll-type refrigeration compressor The compressor includes a sealed housing defining a suction volume and a compression volume respectively provided on either side of a body contained in the housing, an oil injection circuit supplied with oil from an oil contained in a casing and adapted for injecting oil into the compression volume, the oil injection circuit comprising an electrovalve including a body attached to the wall of the sealed housing and a core movable under the action of a magnetic fluid between a closing position for injecting oil into the compression volume and an opening position preventing or limiting the injection of oil into the compression volume. The compressor includes a control system for moving the core of the electrovalve between the opening and closing positions based on the compressor speed and/or on the cooling gas discharge temperature.
US08449275B2	Rotor drive mechanism, eccentric shaft sealing structure, and pump apparatus A pump apparatus includes a first rotor drive mechanism configured to transfer rotation of an input shaft portion to an output shaft portion coupled to an external screw type rotor of a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, the input shaft portion being rotated with a central axis thereof kept in a certain position, and a uniaxial eccentric screw pump. The output shaft portion is rotatably provided via a bearing at a position eccentrically located with respect to the input shaft portion. The rotation of the input shaft portion is transferred through a first power transmission mechanism, including an inner gear, to the output shaft portion to cause the output shaft portion to carry out an eccentric rotational movement. The input shaft portion and the output shaft portion are arranged inside a pitch circle of the inner gear.
US08449273B2	Fluid transporting device using conductive polymer A fluid transporting device is provided with a pump chamber that has a pump function for sucking and discharging a fluid, and is filled therein with the fluid, a casing unit which forms one portion of a wall surface of the pump chamber, a diaphragm which is formed by a conductive polymer film that is subjected to electrochemomechanical expansion and contraction, and forms one portion of the wall surface of the pump chamber, an electrolyte chamber that contains an electrolyte therein, with one portion of the electrolyte being made in contact with the diaphragm, a power supply that applies a voltage to the diaphragm, and a pressure maintaining unit that maintains a pressure of the diaphragm within a predetermined range by moving or deforming the one portion of the wall surface of the electrolyte chamber.
US08449272B2	Sealed compressor with easy to assemble oil pump A sealed compressor has a lower end cap secured to a center shell, and defines a sealed chamber. An electric motor is received within the sealed chamber. The electric motor drives a shaft that drives a compressor pump unit. A lower bearing housing includes a bearing for supporting the shaft, and an oil pump. The oil pump includes a pump housing including one of a slot and a leg, with the bearing housing including the other of a slot and a leg. The leg is received in the slot to position the pump housing within the bearing housing. The oil pump further includes a piston to be driven by the shaft to drive the lubricant from a sump in the sealed chamber upwardly into a passage in the shaft.
US08449271B2	Engine assembly including camshaft with integrated pump A camshaft assembly may include a shaft and a mechanical vacuum pump. The shaft may define first and second ends and include first and second lobes and first and second bearing support structures distributed between the first and second end. The shaft may define a first vane opening. The mechanical pump may be coupled to the shaft between the first and second ends. The mechanical vacuum pump may include a cover, a housing coupled to the cover to define a cavity therebetween and a vane. The cover may define a cover opening that rotatably receives the shaft. The housing may define a housing opening that rotatably receives the shaft. The vane may be arranged within the cavity and slidably received within the first vane opening such that the vane rotates with the shaft.
US08449269B2	Electric pump and electric pump mounting structure An electric pump includes: a second housing and a first housing separated from each other in an axial direction; a stator portion that accommodates an annular coil portion; an outer rotor portion that is rotated based on a magnetic field generated by the coil portion, at a position on the inner side of the housings; and an inner rotor that is rotatably supported by a support shaft portion having an axis that is offset from that of the outer rotor portion, and that has an outer peripheral surface that is engaged with an inner peripheral surface of the outer rotor portion. The second housing is fitted onto the support shaft portion, to which the first housing has been fixed, from one side of the support shaft portion in the axial direction. As a result, the outer rotor portion and the stator portion are clamped between the first housing and the second housing from both sides in the axial direction.
US08449268B2	Fan and method for manufacturing the same A fan includes a shaft, a hollow, approximately cylindrical rotor yoke that rotates around the shaft as a rotation axis and is open toward one of its axial ends, a rotor magnet secured to an inner circumference of the rotor yoke, and an impeller secured to an outer circumference of the rotor yoke and arranged to rotate together with the rotor yoke to generate an air flow. One of the impeller and the rotor yoke is provided with an index used for circumferentially positioning the impeller or the rotor yoke.
US08449265B2	Hydraulically actuated reciprocating pump A hydraulically driven reciprocating pump. In some embodiments, the pump includes a housing including a hydraulic chamber, a cylinder coupled to the housing, a piston assembly adapted for reciprocal motion within the housing and the cylinder, the piston assembly separating the hydraulic chamber into three subchambers, and a hydraulic system fluidicly coupled to each of the subchambers. The hydraulic system is actuatable to deliver hydraulic fluid to a first of the subchambers, whereby the piston assembly strokes back and a working fluid is drawn into the cylinder, to deliver hydraulic fluid to a second of the subchambers, whereby the piston assembly strokes out and the working fluid is exhausted from the cylinder, and to adjust a volume of hydraulic fluid within a third of the subchambers, whereby the piston assembly translates to bring a pressure of the working fluid in the cylinder to within a pre-selected range.
US08449264B2	Method for delivering fluids using a centrifugal pump A method for delivering a fluid using a centrifugal pump (11). Machines (1, 6) and/or apparatus (3, 8), which influence the pressure and/or the temperature of the fluid, are disposed upstream of the centrifugal pump (11). At the inlet to the centrifugal pump (11), the fluid is regulated to achieve a specific entry state. According to the invention, the entry state of the fluid is regulated by using the machines (1, 6) or apparatus (3, 8) such that, in the centrifugal pump (11), the fluid only takes on states in which the compressibility factor of the fluid has already reached or exceeded the minimum thereof.
US08449262B2	Nickel-based superalloys, turbine blades, and methods of improving or repairing turbine engine components Nickel-based superalloys, turbine blades, and methods of improving or repairing turbine engine components are included. A nickel-based superalloy includes, by weight, about 5% to about 12% cobalt, about 3% to about 10% chromium, about 5.5% to about 6.3% aluminum, about 5% to about 10% tantalum, about 3% to about 10% rhenium, about 2% to about 5% of one or more of elements selected from a group consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, and iridium, about 0.1% to about 1.0% hafnium, about 0.01% to about 0.4% yttrium, about 0.01% to about 0.15% silicon, and a balance of nickel.
US08449258B2	Turbomachine impeller An impeller is provided that may be used in compressors or turbines. In another aspect of the present invention, a fiber or a bundle of fibers is woven to form at least two blades of an impeller. Yet another aspect of the present invention employs a peripheral component woven around impeller blades. An additional conductive fiber or bundle of fibers is woven into the impeller in a further aspect of the present invention. Moreover, an aspect of the present invention provides a chilling system that includes at least one compressor, at least one wave rotor, and a refrigerant.
US08449257B2	Wind generator with folding mast Wind generator comprising a folding mast (1) pivotally mounted about an articulation (5) positioned at a location some way between the lower (Ia) and upper (Ib) ends of the mast, a counterweight (19) is movably connected to the lower part of the mast and the wind generator comprises a control device (V2) adapted to move the counterweight so that the center of gravity (G) of the counterweight is moved toward and away from the articulation along the longitudinal axis (A) of the mast.
US08449255B2	Wind turbine blade system with air passageway In this presentation, we study various aspects of the wind turbines or wind mills. We optimize the performances of both a single wind turbine and a wind farm, collectively. We study the nozzles on the blades and all the variations and accessories for the operation of a nozzle. We also explore flow patterns around the blades, the mechanisms to get air or other gasses to the blades, the couplers for the electrical connections and the gas connections, and the gaps, holes, channels, conduits, or openings on the body or structure of a tower. We also present various mathematical models and formulations for optimizations.
US08449250B2	Duct for changing direction of flow, particularly for turbocharger compressor inlet A direction changing flow duct, for example, a compressor inlet duct (34) for a turbocharger compressor cover, wherein the direction of flow is made to change abruptly in a short distance. The direction changing segment is designed to provide a balanced output, optimize air flow, minimize pressure drop, and maintain compressor efficiency. This can be accomplished by providing a bulge (81, 83, 84) extending radially inwards into a first duct segment, outward bulges perpendicular to the inward bulge, for promoting flow attachment along the walls of the duct.
US08449248B2	Casing arrangement Asymmetric loading within such machines as gas turbine engines can cause distortion of a casing surrounding a rotating assembly. Such distortion may cause rub and therefore inefficient energy usage and shorter operational life. By providing driver arms 112, 212, 312 which extend from radially extending links 113, 213 in a first or high pressure compressor inner casing 101, 201 to a second outer casing 108, compensation for asymmetric loading can be achieved. The casings 101, 201, 108, 208 are presented upon relatively stable bearing supports 102, 110 and therefore, reaction loads are compensated for in order to retain concentricity of the casing 101, 201.
US08449241B2	Grapple for a skid steer loader A hydraulically-operated grapple attachment for the scoop bucket of a skid steer loader comprises a mounting bar running the length dimension of the bucket along a top rear edge thereof and pivotally attached to the mounting bar by tubular steel arms is a crossbar member having perpendicularly oriented tines projecting downward therefrom where at least one of the tines is hydraulically displaceable in a direction forward from the crossbar. Actuation of the hydraulically-movable tine serves to prevent the skid steer loader from becoming mired.
US08449234B2	Blind rivet A blind rivet design has an exposed mandrel portion modified from the conventional and standardized mandrel to reduce amount and cost of materials required to produce the mandrel, while also minimizing costs related to production, use, and spent mandrel disposal, all while still making use of conventional riveting tools for rivet setting and maintaining rivet performance. The blind rivet also facilitates feeding of a shortened spent mandrel through conventional riveting tools and into mandrel collection devices.
US08449233B2	Clamp sleeve A clamp sleeve for an indexing device is provided, the clamp sleeve being capable of providing a desirable clamping force without greatly increasing a fluid pressure, and having a long life. A clamp sleeve 34a has a through hole 34a7 and an annular groove 34a1 continuously provided around an outer periphery of the clamp sleeve 34a and defining a part of a pressure chamber 34d. The annular groove 34a1 includes a pair of inner end surfaces 34e6, 34e6′, a groove bottom surface 34e0 extending in parallel to the through hole 34a7, and arcuate first transition surfaces 34e1, 34e1′ provided between the inner end surfaces 34e6, 34e6′ and the groove bottom surface 34e0. The annular groove 34a1 is provided such that a thickness t1 in a region provided with the groove bottom surface 34e0 is a thickness to allow the region to be deformable. A second transition surface 34e2, 34e2′ is provided between at least one of the first transition surfaces 34e1, 34e1′ and the groove bottom surface 34e0, the second transition surface 34e2, 34e2′ having a further reduced curvature than a curvature of the first transition surfaces.
US08449231B2	Milling cutter for dressing resistance welding electrodes The milling cutter includes blades each having a cutting edge and a rear face. The cutting edges extend radially outwards from a longitudinal axis so as to create, during the rotation of the milling cutter, one or two concave surfaces for receiving the ends of one or two electrodes. The rear face has a concave profile in a section plane perpendicular to the cutting edge.
US08449226B2	Throw-away cutting insert and cutting tool with replaceable cutting edge using the same The present invention includes a first ridge line positioned at an intersection between a first surface and an upper side section of a side surface along the first surface; and a second ridge line positioned at an intersection between a second surface and a lower side section along the second surface of the side surface. A cutting section is formed at the first ridge line with the first surface forming a rake face. A second cutting section is formed at the second ridge line with the lower side section along the second surface of the side surface forming a rake face. Selective use can be made of the first cutting section and the second cutting section.
US08449225B2	Cutting tool and cutting insert therefor A metal cutting tool having an insert holder and a cutting insert releasably secured therein. The insert holder has upper and lower blocks and upper and lower jaws, each jaw projects from the front end of each respective block. The cutting tool has a cutting portion support projecting transversely from the front end of the lower clamp at an angle α. The cutting insert has a shaft and a first cutting portion projecting transversely from the shaft at the angle α. The cutting insert has non-planar abutment surfaces formed to mate with corresponding, non-planar support surfaces located on the lower and upper jaws and on the cutting portion support.
US08449222B2	System for and method of installing foundation elements in an underwater ground formation The invention relates to a system for installing tubular foundation elements having open ends, in particular (mono)piles, in an underwater ground formation, comprising an hydraulic driver, an anvil, and an adaptor for transmitting energy from the anvil to the toe of the foundation element, which adaptor fits inside the tubular foundation element.
US08449216B2	Manhole cover safety device A manhole cover assembly includes a frame that includes a central opening and a safety stop portion, and a cover hingedly attached to the frame such that the cover is pivotable between a closed position covering the central opening and an open position providing access to the central opening. A safety device is connected to the frame and the cover for locking the cover in the open position. Movement of the cover to the open position automatically moves the safety device to a locked position in which said safety device engages the safety stop portion and prevents movement of the cover to the closed position. When the cover is open, the safety device is manually movable between the locked position and an unlocked position in which the safety device is disengaged from the safety stop and permits movement of the cover to the closed position.
US08449215B2	Hub-shaft assembly A hub and shaft assembly includes a shaft having a portion with an enlarged diameter outer surface, a hub having an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface of the shaft, and a first fastening device positioned within a first opening formed in the engaged outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the hub along lengths of the shaft and the hub.
US08449212B2	Floor maintenance tool and method A floor tool including a handle, a mop head, and a fluid reservoir. The handle includes first and second opposite ends through which a longitudinal axis of the handle extends. The mop head is coupled to the second end of the handle. The fluid reservoir is coupled to and carried by the handle at a location between the first and second ends of the handle and has a center of mass offset from the longitudinal axis. A portion of the handle is offset from the longitudinal axis more the center of mass of the fluid reservoir. Additionally, the portion of the handle is located between the fluid reservoir and the first end of the handle such that the portion of the handle is located above the fluid reservoir.
US08449211B2	Oral care toothbrush An oral care toothbrush includes a head mounted to one end of the handle containing a plurality of oral care elements. An oral care accessory is mounted to the opposite end of the handle. An oral care material dispenser is mounted in the head within the cleaning field defined by the oral care elements. The toothbrush is preferably made of small size and of lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.
US08449210B2	Drawer mechanism and image forming apparatus equipped with the same A drawer mechanism includes a plate-shaped frame, a first roller and a second roller disposed in a rotatable manner on a surface of the frame at a specific interval, and a rail movable between a first state where the rail is mounted on the surface of the frame and a second state where the rail is pulled out from the frame in a predetermined pull-out direction. Each roller includes a guide peripheral surface formed in an outer peripheral portion in a radial direction and a lower surface opposing the surface of the frame at a specific interval. The rail includes a first pinched portion and a second pinched portion extending linearly in the pull-out direction and pinched between the surface of the frame and one of the lower surfaces and the guide peripheral surfaces of the first roller and the second roller, respectively.
US08449209B2	Image recording apparatus including cutting unit and supporting member with friction member The image recording apparatus includes conveying unit configured to convey a roll-shaped recording medium, a recording head adapted to record an image on the recording medium, a guide member configured for guiding the recording medium, and a cutting unit configured to cut the recording medium, wherein the guide member is provided with at least one friction member on a surface of the guide member, the at least one friction member configured to come into contact with the recording medium.
US08449208B2	Ramped-key keyboard for a handheld mobile communication device Wireless handheld mobile communication device and keyboard therefore having a keyfield including a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows that are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the keyboard. Each depressible key has a top engagement surface with an upper inboard portion that is raised relative a lower outboard portion thereof. The top engagement surface of each depressible key is ramped from the lower outboard portion toward the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is generally crest shaped, with the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across the respective key with a remaining surface falling away from the crest toward the upper outboard portion and the lower inboard portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge down from which the balance of the respective top engagement surface slopes.
US08449200B2	Resin composition for sliding member and rolling bearing A resin composition for a sliding member is difficult to peel and whose component is difficult to elute when the resin composition is formed as a film on a surface of a mechanical part, even though the resin composition is used in environment where the sliding member contacts lubricating oil containing a sulfur-based additive or in atmosphere containing a sulfur-based compound. A resin composition for a sliding member to be used for a mechanical part having a surface thereof formed of said sliding member. The resin composition contains polyamide-imide resin having an elongation percentage of 60% to 120%, fullerene, and at least one disulfide selected from among molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide. 0.1 to 10 vol % of the fullerene and 0.5 to 20 vol % of the disulfide are contained in an entirety of the resin composition.
US08449193B2	Crankshaft bearing for internal combustion engine Disclosed is a crankshaft bearing for an internal combustion engine. At the inner periphery of the semicircular thrust bearing, two impact load receiving projections are projected besides the two tabs. Each of at least the two impact load receiving projections is between each of the two tabs and each of the circumferential end surfaces of the semicircular thrust bearing. The two impact load receiving projections are at line-symmetrical positions with each other with respect to the center line of the semicircular thrust bearing. A height of the impact load receiving projection is set at a dimension such that a top portion of the impact load receiving projection is not in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical sliding bearing in a static state in which the pair of semi-cylindrical sliding bearings is assembled into the bearing housing of the crankshaft and restrained.
US08449189B2	Motor with aerodynamic pressure bearing mechanism In a gas dynamic pressure bearing mechanism (1) for smoothing rotary motion of a shaft (10) by feeding gas to the bearing clearance between the shaft (10) and a fixed sleeve (20) for supporting the shaft (10) through a herring bone groove (10a), the herring bone groove (10a) is provided in the shaft (10) such that pressure distribution generated in the bearing clearance moves at a high speed. The herring bone groove (10a) consists of N grooves such that N minimal pressure values appearing alternately with maximal pressure values at the positions where the maximal pressure values of dynamic pressure variation appear in the bearing clearance when the shaft (10) rotates have such an interval as it becomes lower than the condensation pressure value.
US08449182B2	Temperature sensing module A temperature sensing module includes a thermal sensor and an auxiliary fixture member. The thermal sensor includes a sensing head and plural pins. The pins and respective wires are connected with each other to form plural connecting regions. The auxiliary fixture member includes a fixing part, an extension part, a receiving part and a covering part. The extension part includes plural grooves for partially accommodating the pins of the thermal sensor, the wires and the connecting regions. The receiving part is arranged between the fixing part and the extension part for accommodating the sensing head of the thermal sensor. The covering part is disposed over the extension part for covering the extension part so that the pins, the wires and the connecting regions accommodated within the grooves of the extension part are fixed between the extension part and the covering part.
US08449179B2	Temperature detection system Provided is a temperature detection system which is low in cost. The temperature detection system includes a plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) for detecting an abnormal temperature and a resistor (20). Each of the plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) includes a reference voltage terminal connected to an output terminal of one of the plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) located at a preceding stage. The resistor (20) is provided between an output terminal of one of the plurality of temperature detection ICs (10) located at the final stage and a ground terminal.
US08449177B2	Vacuum sensor A micro mechanical vacuum sensor for determining the pressure within a cavity of a micro mechanical device is provided. The sensor comprises a substrate, at least one electrically conductive support member connected to the substrate, and a thermally resistive layer supported by the at least one support member and spaced from the substrate by the support member to provide a space between the thermally resistive layer and the substrate. The sensor is arranged such that the thermally resistive layer is substantially thermally insulated from the substrate. The sensor is further arranged to be driven such that the pressure within the cavity is determined by a temperature value sensed by the sensor.
US08449173B1	Method and system for thermal testing of computing system components Some embodiments provide a system that tests a computing system. During operation, the system monitors a temperature of a component in the computing system while running a series of calibrated workloads on the component. Next, the system analyzes a fluctuation of the temperature resulting from the calibrated workloads to determine a thermal performance of the component. The system then uses the determined thermal performance to improve the reliability of the computing system.
US08449171B2	Method for microfluidic mixing and mixing device A method of mixing (10), including: providing a fluid (10) in a well (6) so as to establish an acoustic field gradient; and applying an acoustic signal to cause mixing within a fluid (3).
US08449168B2	Intelligent and energy-saving LED lamp with glimmer and full light emission An intelligent and energy-saving LED lamp with glimmer and full light emission includes a lamp holder and a LED substrate disposed in the lamp holder. A plurality of LEDs is provided on the LED substrate. An infra-red sensing device with an infra-red detecting head is disposed inside the lamp holder. A lampshade is connected to a top end of the lamp holder and includes a protruding cover corresponding to the infra-red detecting head. The LEDs do not light up when there is enough light from external surrounding. The LEDs radiates a glimmering light when there is not enough light from external surrounding and the infra-red detecting head does not sense any movements of objects. The LEDs radiates a full light when there is not enough light from external surrounding and the infra-red detecting head senses movements of objects.
US08449165B2	Backlight module having housing provided with groove structure The present invention relates to a backlight module having housing provided with groove structure, wherein the backlight module comprises: a housing, a plurality of LED chips, a thermal conductive layer, a reflector, and a light guide plate. In which, the housing has a groove formed on a housing bottom thereof, and the circuit layer is disposed in the groove through a first thermally conductive insulating layer. In addition, the plurality of LED chips are disposed in the housing and welded on the circuit layer. In the present invention, the circuit layer and the LED chips are disposed in the groove of the housing, therefore, when mass producing the backlight module, it is able to ensure that the position of LED chips would correspond to the circuit layer in the housing, such that each the backlight module manufactured by mass production can be used for providing a stable light source.
US08449163B2	Backlight module A backlight module includes at least one light emitting device capable of emitting a light beam, a light guide plate, and a thermal insulation light guide element. The light guide plate has two surfaces opposite to each other and a side surface connecting the two surfaces. The light emitting device is disposed beside the side surface. The light beam enters the light guide plate through the side surface. The thermal insulation light guide element has a light incident surface and a light emitting surface. The light incident surface having at least one first recess is located in a transmission path of the light beam and between the light emitting device and the side surface. The light emitting surface is disposed between the light incident surface and the side surface. The glass transition temperature of the thermal insulation light guide element is higher than that of the light guide plate.
US08449162B2	Backlight module with optical film having notches A backlight module includes a light guide plate, an optical film set, and at least one light emitting element. The light guide plate has a first light-emitting surface, a bottom surface, and a first light incident surface. The optical film set on the first light-emitting surface includes at least one optical film having a second light incident surface, a second light-emitting surface, and a side surface. The side surface of the optical film and the first light incident surface of the light guide plate are at the same side, and at least one notch is disposed on the side surface. The light emitting element is adjacent to the first light incident surface and capable of emitting a light beam. The light beam is capable of entering the light guide plate through the first light incident surface and being transmitted to the optical film set via the first light-emitting surface.
US08449161B2	Luminous decorative vehicle trim insert A luminous decorative vehicle trim insert having an opaque carrier structure. A reflective layer is disposed over the opaque carrier structure. A light pipe is adjacent the reflective layer and operably connected to a light source. An optic layer is disposed in the light pipe. A total internal reflection (TIR) protective layer is disposed over the light pipe. A diffusing layer is disposed over the TIR protective layer. A decorative transmitting layer is disposed over the diffusing layer. An optic layer creates a luminous effect in the trim insert visible only when the light source is activated. An environmental layer is disposed over the transmitting layer.
US08449154B2	Illumination device including a light-emitting module fastened to mount member with a constant orientation A mount member (5) has a contact surface (27a) touching the bottom surface of an LED module (3) and protrusions (5a) protruding from the periphery of the contact surface (27a) in the thickness direction of the LED module (3) and regulating sliding motions thereof. A fixing member (6) made of a resilient, plate-like member comprises an opposing pair of flat portions (43) near the contact surface (27a) of the mount member (5) and flat tabs (44) projecting from the flat portions (43) toward the contact surface (27a) touching the upper surface of a substrate (17). The flat portions (43) of the fixing member (6) are fastened to be lower than the top surface of the substrate (17) of the LED module (3). Thus, elastically deformed areas extending from the fastened parts of the flat portions (43) through the flat tabs (44) press the substrate (17) into the mount member (5).
US08449147B2	Ophthalmic endoillumination with thermally isolated phosphor An illuminator configured to deliver white light into an optical fiber includes a pump light source and a white phosphor. The pump light source configured to emit short-wavelength light. The white phosphor is disposed to receive the short-wavelength light from the pump light source and to output white light in response to the pumping light. The white phosphor is thermally isolated from the pump light source.
US08449146B2	LED lamp assembly for use in a long passage A LED lamp assembly for use in a long passage includes an elongated rectangular housing carrying multiple power-output electric connectors, a power-input electric connector and a power switch, a flat rectangular light source having a light-emitting face and selectively fastened to a rectangular top end of housing in one of four angular positions that spaced from one another at 90° angle, and a mounting plate extending perpendicularly from one side of the rectangular end wall of the housing having a plurality a plurality of equiangularly spaced and smoothly arched mounting slots for mounting.
US08449143B2	Metal base circuit board Provided is a metal base circuit board having a new function of a light reflection in addition to the conventional printed circuit board function for mounting electronic parts. The metal base circuit board has a circuit arranged on a metal plate via an insulation layer. A white film is arranged at least one the insulation layer.
US08449142B1	Reinforced housing structure for a lighted sign or lighting fixture A lighted sign or lighting fixture includes a housing that contains a series of LEDs. The housing has a pair of side walls and a series of spaced apart reinforcing members that extend between and interconnect the side walls. The reinforcing members may be formed integrally with the side walls, or may be in the form of separate members that are securely attached to the side walls. An LED mounting structure, such as a PCB, may be attached to the reinforcing members, or alternatively a separate bottom wall may be secured to the reinforcing members.
US08449138B2	Lighting device A lighting device including a housing, a coupling member being coupled to an inner upper surface of the housing, having an insertion groove formed in the middle part thereof in a direction of the inner upper surface of the housing, and having a first connection terminal provided in the middle of the insertion groove, at least one reflector coupled between an inner wall surface of the housing and an outer wall surface of the coupling member; and a light source unit having an upper part thereof attachable to and removable from the coupling member by using the insertion groove, having a second connection terminal provided in the upper part thereof, the second connection terminal being electrically connected to the first connection terminal when connected to the coupling member, and having a lower part thereof emitting light toward the reflector.
US08449136B2	Long-range, handheld searchlight A handheld searchlight for producing a high intensity beam of light output has an elongated housing including a handle portion for gripping by a user. A head has a window opening for transmitting a light beam. There is a mechanical coupling between the housing and the head. A parabolic reflector is mounted in the head facing the window and has an aperture for accommodating a high intensity lamp. The reflector has a longitudinal optical axis. The rotation of the head about the coupling causes movement of the parabolic reflector relative to the lamp along the optical axis thereby changing a spread of the high-intensity light beam. The searchlight further includes a rotatable bezel ring mounted on the head and a filter ring mount connected to the rotatable bezel. An optical filter is mounted in the filter ring mount.
US08449130B2	Solid state lighting panels with limited color gamut and methods of limiting color gamut in solid state lighting panels Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.
US08449127B2	Endoscope objective lens and endoscope using the same An endoscope objective lens includes, in sequence from an object side, a front group which includes a negative first lens having a concave surface faces at image side, a filter, and a positive second lens having a convex surface at the object side and a flat surface or concave surface at the image side; an aperture stop; and a back group which includes a positive third lens having a convex surface at the image side, and a combined lens formed of a plano-convex lens or a biconvex lens and a negative meniscus lens, and satisfies the Conditional Expression (1) and (2): n3>−ν3/12+5.5, (1) 2.0>df/Ih>1.5. (2)
US08449125B2	Light-absorbing structure and methods of making A critically coupled optical resonator absorbs greater than 95% of incident light of the critical wavelength with an absorber layer less than 10 nm thick.
US08449122B2	Image marking method and apparatus In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for marking an image projected onto a surface includes capturing a second image from the surface, detecting the existence of a marking point in the second image, and modifying the first image by placing a graphic element at a location corresponding to a location of the marking point in the second image.
US08449116B2	Electro-oculography estimating device, electro-oculography calculating method, eye-gaze tracking device, wearable camera, head-mounted display, and electronic eyeglasses An electro-oculography estimating device includes: a distance obtaining unit which obtains a right-eye corneal distance, a right-eye retinal distance, a left-eye corneal distance, and a left-eye retinal distance; and an electro-oculography theoretical value calculating unit which calculates an electro-oculography theoretical value generated at the given three-dimensional positions, based on the right-eye corneal distance, the right-eye retinal distance, the left-eye corneal distance, and the left-eye retinal distance that are obtained by the distance obtaining unit, as an input into an electro-oculography model that is a function for calculating the electro-oculography theoretical value generated in the given three-dimensional spatial position, based on the right-eye corneal distance, the right-eye retinal distance, the left-eye corneal distance, and the left-eye retinal distance.
US08449111B2	Method of making prescription lens In one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a prescription lens includes obtaining information of a prescription lens and a frame to accommodate the prescription lens, the information of the prescription lens comprising a lens power, an optical zone and a spherical front base curve, and the information of the frame comprises a frame curve; calculating the maximum lens thickness of the prescription lens at the optical zone according to the information of the prescription lens; selecting a lens according to the calculated maximum lens thickness at the optical zone, the information of the prescription lens and the frame; and processing the selected lens so as to obtain the prescription lens having an intermediate zone surrounding the optical zone and an edge zone surrounding the intermediate zone such that the thickness of the edge zone is substantially thinner than the maximum lens thickness of the optical zone.
US08449108B2	Method and system for providing evidence of printing in event of print head failure Systems and methods for providing evidence of printing in metering systems even in the event of a print head failure are provided. Along with generating a primary image for an indicium that evidences payment, a secondary image for the indicium, identical to a corresponding portion of the primary image but at a lower density, with physical boundaries that are within the boundaries of the primary image, is also generated. The primary image is printed by a first nozzle array, and the secondary image is printed by a second nozzle array. Because the primary image completely overlaps the secondary image, the secondary image is undetectable if the primary image is properly printed. The secondary image provides evidence of printing of the indicium that can be used to obtain a refund for the indicium in the event that the primary image was not printed due to failure of the first nozzle array.
US08449105B2	Printing apparatus and method of installing printing apparatus A printing apparatus includes a first housing at least a sheet feeding unit is provided therein and a second housing at least a printing unit is provided therein. The first housing and the second housing are individually supported on a floor. The first housing and the second housing are separable for the purpose of maintenance.
US08449104B2	Conveyance apparatus and recording apparatus A conveyance apparatus includes a holding unit configured to hold a roll sheet, a conveyance unit configured to convey the roll sheet in a first direction in which the roll sheet is unrolled and a second direction opposite from the first direction, and a control unit configured to control the drive of the conveyance unit. The amount of drive per unit conveyance distance at the time when the conveyance unit conveys the roll sheet is controlled so as to be larger in the conveyance in the first direction than in the conveyance in the second direction.
US08449101B2	Ink composition and method of producing a processed product of printed matter An active radiation curable ink composition is disclosed. The ink composition includes a compound having a persulfide bond, at least one end of the persulfide bond being bonded to a ring structure directly or via a carbonyl group or a thiocarbonyl group; one or more radical polymerizable compounds; and a photopolymerization initiator.
US08449094B2	Liquid ejection head unit and liquid ejection apparatus Ink solvent having reached a buffer chamber through a manifold and a flexible portion is discharged in a direction different from the direction in which a holder opening is provided. Accordingly, the ink solvent is less likely to reach a connecting portion of a lead electrode and a COF substrate through the holder opening, a through-hole, and a support hole, through which the COF substrate extends. Thus, it is possible to make the solvent take a long time to reach the connecting portion, achieving an ink jet recording head in which the time taken to cause poor contact between the lead electrode and the COF substrate occurs is longer than that in the case where the solvent is discharged in the same direction as the direction in which the holder opening is provided.
US08449087B2	Liquid circulating apparatus, computer-readable medium, and liquid discharging apparatus A liquid circulating apparatus includes a liquid discharging unit for having a nozzle, a supply path, a recovery path, first and second pressure adjusting units, an opening/closing valve and a circulation controlling unit. The circulation controlling unit controls the first and second pressure adjusting units and the opening/closing valve to circulate the liquid by causing a differential pressure between the liquid at a supply side and at a recovery side with respect to the nozzle while the liquid maintains a meniscus in the nozzle. The circulation controlling unit (i) makes a differential pressure between the liquid of the supply path and the recovery path to be lower than the differential pressure in middle of the circulation while the opening/closing valve is closed when the liquid starts circulating, (ii) opens the opening/closing valve, and (iii) changes the differential pressure to the differential pressure in middle of the circulation.
US08449080B2	Base for liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge head using the same A base for a liquid discharge head includes a heat element which forms an exothermic portion, an electrode wire that is electrically connected with the heat element, an insulative protective layer provided above the heat generating resistive element and the electrode wire and an upper protective layer provided on the protective layer. The upper protective layer is made from a TaSi alloy containing 22 at. % or more Si.
US08449076B2	Ink jet printer and an ink jet printing process The invention provides a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus for printing inks comprising water or a volatile solvent onto a continuous web substrate, the printing apparatus comprising: a print head, a chamber for retaining water or solvent vapor in the vicinity of the print head, the chamber having an inlet for the continuous web substrate and an outlet for the printed continuous web substrate, and means for feeding the continuous web substrate through the chamber inlet into the chamber, past the print head and out of the chamber outlet.
US08449073B2	Wide format printer with printhead carriage connected to ink supply from a single side A wide format printer that has a print zone, a media path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide and extending through the print zone along a paper axis, a printhead carriage with a plurality of printhead mounting sites for mounting a plurality of printhead modules adjacent the print zone such that the printhead modules collectively span the media path, the printhead carriage having a long side extending transverse to the paper axis, the long side having access formations for ink conduits and a plurality of interfaces for connection to the ink conduits to supply ink to each of the printhead modules respectively. All ink for the plurality of printhead modules is supplied by ink conduits extending through the access formations on the long side of the printhead carriage.
US08449071B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a common array base member; and plural head modules each formed of a module base member and plural heads configured to discharge droplets arranged in an array on the module base member. The plural head modules are attached on the common array base member. The heads of at least two of the head modules discharge liquid droplets of the same color. The at least two of the head modules are positioned relative to a same reference point provided by a reference member on the common array base member.
US08449070B2	Managing fluid waste solids Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, managing substantially solid materials in fluid waste can be performed by collecting the fluid waste in an accumulator. In various embodiments, the accumulator can be configured by positioning a number of input orifices for the fluid waste in a top region of a vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator, and positioning a number of output orifices in a bottom region of the vertically oriented cavity in the accumulator. As such, a flow of the fluid waste can contribute to transport of substantially solid material in the fluid waste from the top region into the bottom region and from the bottom region into at least one output orifice.
US08449065B2	Image forming apparatus A detection unit that detects the width of a medium on a placement surface is mounted on a carriage, a reflection plate is formed on one end of the placement surface while the reflection plate is inclined at the placement surface, and the carriage is moved to a position in which the carriage faces the reflection plate, so that the thickness of the medium is determined based on the output of the detection unit while moving the carriage. Therefore, the thickness of the medium is detected with high accuracy without using a dedicated sensor.
US08449064B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus, method and program of controlling fluid ejecting apparatus, and target Provided is a fluid ejecting apparatus ejecting a fluid in a set ejection area of a target, including: a transport unit transporting the target; a fluid ejection unit moving in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the target and being capable of ejecting the fluid from a nozzle to the target; a mark detection unit moving in the perpendicular direction together with the fluid ejection unit and being capable of detecting a predetermined mark formed in the target; a before-ejecting distance acquisition unit acquiring a before-ejecting distance; and a control unit controlling the transport unit and the fluid ejection unit based on the acquired before-ejecting distance so that the target is transported by the transport unit and the fluid is ejected from the nozzle to the set ejection area while the fluid ejection unit moves in the perpendicular direction.
US08449063B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a potential controller that is capable of switching states between a same potential state where potentials at a predetermined portion at the side of the liquid ejecting unit and a predetermined portion at the side of the ejected medium supporting unit are the same and a potential difference generation state where a potential difference is generated between the predetermined portion at the side of the liquid ejecting unit and the predetermined portion at the side of the ejected medium supporting unit. The potential controller forms the same potential state while the ejected medium is transported by the ejected medium transportation unit, and the potential controller forms the potential difference generation state in at least appropriate period while the ejected medium is not transported by the ejected medium transportation unit.
US08449054B2	Ink jet printer An ink jet printer comprising a printing fluid cartridge receiving portion arranged to receive a printing fluid cartridge (2) and to allow passage of printing fluid from a received printing fluid cartridge to printing fluid conduits of the ink jet printer; a data reader arranged to read data indicating a quantity of fluid within a received cartridge from an electronic data storage device associated with the received printing fluid cartridge; and a controller arranged to generate update data usable to modify data stored on said electronic data storage device and to modify data stored on said electronic storage device based upon said update data such that data stored on said electronic data storage device indicates an updated quantity of fluid in said printing fluid cartridge.
US08449049B2	Redundant hardware architecture for the power stage of the braking system of a vehicle in which each of the wheels are connected to at least one rotary electrical machine An electric braking system for a vehicle includes first and second sub-systems connected to each other by an electric line. The first sub-system, which includes a first dissipation device, controls braking in a first wheel set. The second sub-system, which includes a second dissipation device, controls braking in a second wheel set different from the first wheel set. The electric line is arranged such that: if the first dissipation device becomes inoperative, electrical power produced by the first sub-system is channeled towards the second dissipation device, and if the second dissipation device becomes inoperative, electrical power produced by the second sub-system is channeled towards the first dissipation device.
US08449048B2	Redundant hardware architecture for the low-voltage power supply stage of the braking system of a vehicle in which each of the wheels is connected to at least one rotary electric machine An electric braking system is provided for a road vehicle that includes at least two wheels (1) each connected for rotation to at least one rotary electric machine (2), and one electronic wheel control module (23) controlling an electric machine of a corresponding wheel, with each electronic control module enabling a control torque of determined amplitude and sign to be imparted selectively to a corresponding wheel. The electric braking system includes at least two sub-systems (A and B) each including: at least one of the electronic wheel control modules (23), a central electric line (40), and a low-voltage electrical supply stage for supplying electronics for controlling and driving power elements. The low-voltage electrical supply stage includes a first low-voltage electrical supply and at least one second low-voltage electrical supply. The first supply and the second supply are interconnected by a low-voltage electric line (43) that includes a first section (43A) and a second section (43B), with the first and second sections being connected by a device (430) that electrically separates the two sections, and that interrupts an interconnection on demand in an event of one of the two sections experiences an undervoltage or an overcurrent. Each electronic wheel control module (23) of one (A) of the sub-systems is supplied by the first section and each electronic wheel control module (23) of the other (B) of the sub-systems is supplied by the second section.
US08449047B2	Braking system for motor vehicles A brake system with a master cylinder, a first piston which is coupled to a brake pedal via a push rod transmitting actuating forces, a second piston which can be actuated by the first piston and which can be brought into force-transmitting connection to a third piston, via which the master cylinder is actuated, at least one elastic element which forms a pedal travel simulator which, in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode, gives the vehicle driver a pleasant pedal sensation, an interspace capable of being acted upon with hydraulic pressure, between the second and the third piston, the action of pressure upon the interspace loading the second and the third piston in opposite directions, a pressure supply device which has a high-pressure source and which allows both a filling of the interspace with pressure medium and emptying thereof, and a valve device for varying pressure fed in the interspace.
US08449045B2	Solid forming quick release bicycle axel The present invention teaches a novel axle apparatus for a driven bicycle hub that when used in conjunction with contemporary hubs eliminates the need for a user to become involved in any way with the cogset or chain. The axle of the apparatus is comprised of three main sub-assemblies: a non-driven side lever and shaft, a non-driven side hub insert and a driven side freewheel insert. The design of the present invention is such that it may be adapted for use with most of the contemporary hubs/freewheels available. The three sub-assemblies act in concert to form a solid axle in a two stage action. The mating action is such that misalignment of the wheel is impossible.
US08449037B2	Seating structure with a contoured flexible backrest A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
US08449036B2	Headrest for cars The present invention generally relates to a headrest for vehicles, and more particularly to a headrest for cars which may be easily folded manually or electrically, thereby providing other passengers with a wider prospect. A headrest of the present invention comprises a pivotable housing member comprising a pair of housing halves and rotatably coupled to the horizontal portion of the stay rod, a ratchet member fixed to the horizontal portion of the stay rod adjoining the inner side wall of one of the housing halves, a return spring wound around the horizontal portion of the stay rod between the ratchet member and the other of the housing halves, a check member pivotably arranged above the ratchet member to engage with or be disengaged from the ratchet member and keep the upright position of the pivotable housing member when the ratchet member engages with the check member, a check spring for maintaining the engagement of the ratchet member with the check member, a release member for disengaging the check member from the ratchet member.
US08449035B2	Chair A chair, in particular an office chair, comprises a pedestal for supporting relative to the floor, a seat support connected to the pedestal, a seat arranged on the seat support, and a backrest support supporting a backrest, which is detachably connected to the seat support.
US08449033B2	Track release mechanism A track release system for a vehicle seat includes a device for selectively engaging a track to prevent sliding movement of a vehicle seat, a cable coupled to the device, and a track release mechanism coupled to the cable for actuating the device. The track release mechanism includes a drive arm configured for movement between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is configured to cause the device to disengage the track when moved from the first position to the second position. The track release mechanism also includes a trigger arm configured for rotational movement and configured to cause the device to engage the track when the drive arm is in the second position. The trigger arm is configured to reset the track release system such that sliding movement of the vehicle seat is prevented when the drive arm is in the second position.
US08449030B2	Child safety seat with side impact protection Child safety seats are used for the safe transport of children in vehicles. The child safety seats known from prior art often offer only insufficient protection in the case of a side impact. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a child safety seat that improves the protective effect of the child safety seat in the case of a side impact. This object is solved by a child safety seat with side impact protection according to the invention. Such a child safety seat comprises at least one element absorbing and/or transmitting energy which is arranged and designed to be transferred from a rest position to a functioning position to absorb a laterally impacting energy in the functioning position.
US08449023B2	Vehicle emergency egress system A vehicle emergency egress system. In one embodiment, an emergency egress system for providing an opening for egress from a vehicle includes a frame configured to be directly attached to the vehicle, the frame having a cavity formed therein and defined on a first side by a back surface facing an exterior of the vehicle, the back surface having an opening formed therethrough; a panel removably received in the cavity for covering the opening, the back surface retaining the panel in a first direction; and at least a bracket removably attached to the frame on the exterior of the vehicle and retaining the panel in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the bracket is detachable from the frame by an occupant inside the vehicle for removal of the panel to the exterior of the vehicle in the second direction.
US08449020B2	Structural reinforcements The present invention is predicated upon the provision of systems and methods for reinforcement of a structural member. More particularly, the present invention is predicated upon unique carrier configurations and application of reinforcing material thereto. In one configuration, the application of reinforcing material is achieved without the use of fasteners, adhesives, or both, for placement, locating and restrictive movement of the reinforcing material onto the carrier.
US08449016B2	Sealing arrangement for fixed vehicle panes, method for the production and use thereof A sealing arrangement for vehicle panes is presented. The sealing arrangement has a mounting rail, a pane, and a cover connected by a connection point to a latching rail.
US08449015B2	Method of controlling a dual hinged vehicle door A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.
US08449013B2	Automotive vehicle instrument panel construction An automotive vehicle including a passenger compartment and an instrument panel is provided. The instrument panel includes a beam disposed at a forward end of the compartment and extending across the width of the compartment. A driver's side instrument panel module is secured to the beam. A passenger's side instrument panel module is also secured to the beam. A defrost module is located adjacent at least one of the driver's side module and said passenger side module and positioned to provide forced air flow over the windshield of the vehicle. A driver's side vent module is disposed between the driver's side module and the sidewall of the compartment. In addition, a passenger side vent module is disposed between the passenger side module and the opposed compartment sidewall.
US08449012B2	Collapsible seat A collapsible seat assembly providing a compact size in the stowed position. The seat assembly has a reduced overall height in the stowed position, and an articulated bolster and lumbar supports which provides a reduced compact size of the seat in the stowed position. A cover may extend over the seat in the stowed position.
US08449010B2	System and method for vehicle insulation According to one or more embodiments, an insulated liner structure for a vehicle includes a number of lightweight, potentially reusable insulated panels that may be attached to form an insulated enclosure, chamber, shell or other similar interior space. In some embodiments, the panels may be constructed with a lightweight single-layer or multi-layer core covered or surrounded by a flexible fabric skin. The panels may be shaped to substantially conform to the interior cargo area of a vehicle, and may include a floor panel, a roof panel, right and left wall panels, and a rear door panel, each of which may include multiple panels or structures.
US08449008B2	Dumpster Several embodiments of plastic dumpsters with improved strength and durability are disclosed. In one embodiment, gussets connect pockets to bevel walls, connecting the side walls to front and rear walls of the dumpster. The bevel walls are stronger than the side walls of the dumpster. Other embodiments disclose gussets integral with front and rear walls of the dumpster for improved strength. Other embodiments disclose removable, separately formed sleeves that are secured to the sides of the dumpster to form pockets for receiving the forks of a truck.
US08449004B1	Retractor for a cylindrical lock A cylindrical lock includes a retractor mounted between inner and outer operational devices and operably connected to a latch. The retractor includes an upper surface having an upper recess. The retractor further includes a lower surface having a lower recess. Two upper compartments are defined in two sidewalls of the upper recess and extend to two lateral surfaces of the retractor, forming two upper tongues. Two lower compartments are defined in two sidewalls of the lower recess and extend to the lateral surfaces of the retractor, forming two lower tongues. First and second rollers are rotatably received in the upper and lower recesses, respectively. A size of an opening of each of the upper and lower compartments is reduced by pressing a distal end of each upper tongue downward and by pressing a distal end of each lower tongue upward, retaining the first and second rollers in place.
US08449002B2	Closure mechanism for pressure test chambers for testing electronic components, in particular ICs A closure mechanism for pressure test chambers for testing electronic components, in particular ICs, has a plurality of pivoting jaws. At least some of the pivoting jaws have at least one lifting apparatus which can be advanced to two interacting cavity elements, which surround a cavity, by means of the pivoting jaws. Furthermore, at least some of the pivoting jaws have at least one locking device in order to move spacer elements into an intermediate space between the associated pivoting jaws and the compressed cavity element, as a result of which the tightness of the cavity is maintained even when the lifting apparatuses are retracted.
US08448993B2	Pipe coupling A pipe coupling for connecting pipes of the same or different diameters. The coupling has a barrel sleeve with clamping rings on each end. The clamping rings each carry nested seals. An inner portion of each nested seal may be removed so as to adapt the clamping ring to different pipe diameters. Each clamping ring is hinged, but becomes iron-bound upon tightening, so that each ring eventually bends as a unitary ring member.
US08448992B2	Sterile docking device, medical fluid flow system with sterile docking device and method of using same Method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a sealed communication between conduits or conduit subassemblies, each of which has a wall with an exterior surface, and at least one of the walls includes an electrically conductive portion. The exterior surfaces may be brought into a facing relationship, and each conductive portion is heated sufficiently to sterilize the exterior surfaces of the walls by generating electrical current in the conductive portion, such as by application of a voltage or by induction. An aperture is then provided, as by an aperture-forming member, through the facing walls to provide communication between the conduits or conduit subassemblies.
US08448990B2	Apparatus and method for ramping and/or canting a skier An apparatus and method for balancing a skier comprises a Heel Mounting (“HMP”) that locks on to the heel bearing surface of a ski binding. The HMP has a specified thickness to increase the height of the heel portion a ski boot over the toe portion when mounted in the ski binding. Thus, the HMP plate alters the ramp angle at which a boot supports a skier's foot and lower leg.
US08448989B2	Composite trailer The present invention relates to a trailer comprising a trailer bed which is at least 5 partly made of a composite material and at least one axle which extends in cross direction of the trailer and is connected to the trailer bed for suspending the wheels. The trailer bed comprises an upper and a lower load absorbing surface, wherein the upper load absorbing surface comprises in longitudinal direction a front and a back area and a connection area between them. Between the upper 10 and lower load absorbing surface, at least one reinforcing member is mounted which is resilient and which is provided to function as a support for the upper load absorbing surface in a loaded state of the upper load absorbing surface.
US08448986B2	Device for adjusting a steering column A device for adjusting a steering column includes a body and a cap assembled by a pivot and a connection element enabling the displacement of the body with respect to the cap under the action of a motor-reduction unit mounted on the body. The device is characterized in that the connection element includes at least one arm of which a first end is attached to the cap and a second end is connected to a threaded rod with vertical displacement cooperating in rotation with the drive shaft of a motor-reduction unit so that the arm forms a hinge enabling the reversible angular displacement of the body with respect to the cap.
US08448984B2	Airbag device Gas supplied from gas discharge ports is guided without providing a metal guide tube on the inflator of an airbag device, and the airbag is protected from the gas. An inner tube (50) is connected to a gas inlet (13) formed in an airbag (10), and an inflator (40) around which a fabric member (60) is wound is inserted into and attached to a gas passage (54) formed in the inner tube (50). The fabric member (60) is wound around the inflator (40) several times into a tubular shape such that it covers a plurality of gas discharge ports (42) provided in the inflator (40) and such that one end thereof opens to the inside of the airbag (10), and the fabric member (60) is inserted into the inner tube (50). When the inflator (40) is activated, gas from the gas discharge ports (42) is guided to the inside of the inner tube (50) by the fabric member (60) and is guided and supplied to air chambers (31) and (32) through the gas passage (54), thereby inflating and deploying the airbag (10).
US08448981B2	Side airbag device for vehicle An object is to be able to more appropriately restrain respective portions of an upper body, including a waist portion, of a passenger by a side airbag at a time of a side collision. At a time of a side collision, a side airbag receives a supply of gas and deploys between a passenger and a vehicle body side portion, and an upper bag portion restrains from a head portion to a shoulder portion, and a lower bag portion restrains a waist portion, and an intermediate portion, that connects a lower edge portion of the upper bag portion and an upper edge portion of the lower bag portion, restrains a chest portion. Load, that is imparted toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side from the upper bag portion to the shoulder portion of the passenger at this time, decreases at a latter stage of restraint of the shoulder portion by the upper bag portion, and therefore, an amount of movement of the shoulder portion toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side is suppressed to an appropriate degree.
US08448980B1	Active bolster with unsymmetric pleated inflation An active bolster for protecting an occupant during a crash event of a motor vehicle includes a back wall and a front wall forming an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes a stationary central mounting section and a pleated section with generally-circumferential pleats that unfold during bladder inflation. The pleats provide a transverse curve length that is radially variable with a greatest transverse curve length toward a first end of the wall and a smallest transverse curve length toward an opposite end of the wall so that expansion of the wall is biased toward the to first end.
US08448977B2	Storage latch and reversible handle for a stroller A storage latch mechanism (160) is disclosed for a foldable stroller. The stroller has a frame assembly with a chassis (52) and a handle (54). The frame assembly is reconfigurable between an in-use configuration and a folded configuration and the handle (54) is movable between a normal use position and a stowed position relative to the chassis. The storage latch mechanism (160) has first and second storage latch parts carried on the frame assembly and which are latched to one another with the frame assembly in the folded configuration and which are unlatched from one another in the in-use configuration. Movement of the handle (54) to the stowed position frees the storage latch mechanism (160) to latch and movement of the handle from the stowed position to the normal use position unlatches the storage latch mechanism.
US08448973B2	Trailer hitch apparatus for use with gooseneck trailers The apparatus comprises an attachment member for securing the apparatus to a gooseneck trailer. A rectangular housing is secured to the attachment member, and has a front wall, a back wall, and at least one side wall. A cavity is formed by these walls. A ball receiver is pivotably secured internal to the housing and has an opening for the passage of a spring rod. A shock absorbing mechanism is provided, which is secured generally perpendicularly to the housing, and includes at least one spring element. When the ball receiving member pivots towards the front wall, it pushes a bushing disposed on the central rod into the spring element, causing the spring element to compress. When the ball receiving member pivots towards the back wall, it pulls a back plate that causes the spring element to compress.
US08448972B1	Towing device for an all-terrain vehicle A towing device for towing an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) behind a vehicle featuring two parallel support bars for cradling rear wheels of the ATV; a first wheel connected to the first ends of the support bars via a first wheel axle connector and a second wheel connected to the second ends of the support bars via second wheel axle connector; eye rings disposed on the support bars adapted to receive ends of straps, the straps being for securing rear wheels of the ATV; an undercarriage bracket pivotally attached to the first support bar for supporting and securing the rear axle of the ATV; and a curved towing arm having a ball hitch tongue for connecting the towing arm to a hitch of the vehicle and two connecting brackets for engaging and securing a front axle of the ATV.
US08448968B1	Adaptable vehicle step assembly A vehicle step assembly for mounting on a vehicle adjacent to the body of the vehicle may include an elongated step having opposite ends and a hollow space formed in the step and extending between the ends, and at least one support bracket with a mounting portion configured to mount on the vehicle and a support portion configured to support the elongated step, with the support portion having a support surface on which the elongated step rests. The assembly may also include at least one clamp mounting the step on the at least one support bracket, with the at least one clamp being configured to engage the step at substantially any location along the length of the step between the opposite ends.
US08448962B2	Systems and methods providing variable spring stiffness for weight management in a rail vehicle Systems and methods provide variable spring stiffness for weight management in a vehicle. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of spring retainers configured to adjust a number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Additionally, a motor is provided that is connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to motor to control the motor to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs.
US08448948B1	Vertically arranged arcade game An amusement game such as those found in arcades is disclosed having a housing, player controls, and a playing area surrounded by a transparent housing, the game comprising a vertical array of targets; an actuator movable in X, Y, and Z directions, player controls for moving the actuator in the X and Y directions, means for extending the actuator in the Z direction toward the vertical array of targets, a suction device for adhering the actuator to a target. The actuator moves toward the targets and can remove a target from its position if properly aligned by the player.
US08448945B2	Three dimensional random number generator A method and apparatus for generating three dimensional random numbers using three separate number generators for the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis. The present invention aims to further randomize number generation making use of the human intuitive sense. The number generators for each axis are the same apparatus. The random number generator apparatus makes use of disks that rotate at different rates with digits that are evenly distributed in a radial fashion. A reading sensor scans digits at certain positioned when a user intuitively triggers for a scan.
US08448944B2	Game machine A prize-displaying apparatus includes a wall, two mounts, two boards, two axles and a motor. The wall includes two apertures defined therein. Each mount includes a horizontal section between two vertical sections. Each vertical section of each mount includes an aperture defined therein. Each board includes a sleeve formed thereon. Each axle is inserted in a related aperture of the wall, the apertures of a related mount and the sleeve of a related board. The motor is operatively connected to one of the axles so that the related board can be pivoted between a supporting position where it supports the other board and a releasing position where it leaves and allows the other board to fall.
US08448941B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus including a pair of rollers that rotate, that selectively carries out forward direction transport and switchback transport, including a guide member provided at a downstream side from the rollers in the forward direction transport that moves to either a first position or a second position, and a control portion causing the guide member to move to the first position during the forward direction transport and causing the guide member to move to the second position during the switchback transport. The first position is a position in which the guide member is retracted from a path of the recording paper on a downstream side from the rollers in the forward direction transport. The second position is a position in which the recording paper sandwiched between the rollers can be received on the guide member.
US08448931B2	Work pallet positioning and fixing device In a work pallet positioning and fixing device that positions a work pallet over a base member in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction and fixes it thereto by pressing forces of clamp bolts, the base member is provided with first and second reference members for positioning, and a reference seating surface and, by making bolt head accommodation holes of bolt holes for four fitting bolts fitting flange portions of the reference members partially overlap with protruding engagement portions as seen in plan view, a plurality of tapered engagement surfaces on the external peripheries of the protruding engagement portions being segmented into four sections.
US08448930B2	Pallet system comprising a setup pallet and a setup pallet receptacle A pallet system with a setup pallet (3) for receiving a test component (70) and with a setup pallet receptacle (4) includes a pallet docking plate (64) with a number of pallet media connections (65, 66) on the setup pallet (3), and a receptacle docking unit (10) having a receptacle docking plate (20) with a number of matching receptacle media connections (30, 32) on the setup pallet receptacle (4). The pallet docking plate (64) and/or the receptacle docking plate (20) are/is arranged movably and a movable docking plate (20, 64) can be fed toward the other docking plate (64, 20).
US08448927B1	Shock attenuation device and method An item assembly and a shock attenuation method for protecting an item comprising providing an item internal to an assembly and encasing the item in a fluid material such that the material and the item are approximately in hydrostatic balance upon an impact event.
US08448923B1	Elevated surface safety base and post apparatus A safety apparatus for use on an elevated surface, for providing fall protection for multiple elevated surface configurations, so as to adaptably secure a safe work environment, the safety apparatus comprising a base member, wherein the base member includes a vertical mounting surface and a horizontal mounting surface, a stanchion, a first vertical clamping surface near the base of the stanchion, an adjustable clamp arm having a second clamping surface, wherein the clamp arm is operable to be attached to the stanchion in a horizontal slab clamp configuration, and at least one bracket operable to receive a horizontal fall protection barrier.
US08448918B2	Gate valve for a vacuum chamber and vacuum chamber A gate valve for a vacuum chamber comprises two carriers (5a) each connected to a frame structure providing an essentially plane front by two parallel links (6) and to an actuating rod (12a) by parallel levers (14). Upward motion of the actuating rods (12a) by a piston (17) causes, via the levers (14), upward motion of the carriers (5a) which is transformed into a circular motion by the links (6) where the carriers (5a) at the same time approach the front while remaining parallel to it, moving sealing plates (9) which are fixed to the carriers (5a) to an active position where they press against the front and seal openings (3) therein. Retraction of the piston (17) effects an inverse motion, whereby the sealing plates (9) are completely removed from the openings (3) and the latter made easily accessible.
US08448915B2	Increased shear power for subsea BOP shear rams The method of providing a desired motive force for one or more rams of a subsea blowout preventer as a function of a desired pressure differential across one or more pistons on the subsea blowout preventer when the desired pressure differential is higher than the gauge pressure of the accumulators supplying the pressure, comprising providing one or more pistons connected to the one or more rams, the pistons having a distal side and a proximate side with respect to the rams, providing a first pressure from the accumulators to the distal side of the pistons, providing a tank to contain a second pressure less than the ambient pressure of seawater at the location of the subsea blowout preventer, providing a pressure reducing valve which exhausts into the tank and reduces the pressure on the proximate side of the one or more pistons to proximately the difference between the desired pressure differential and the first pressure further comprising that the pressure differential across the one or more pistons is proximately equal to the maximum working pressure of the one or more cylinders plus an amount to provide a force towards the bore of the blowout preventer stack to offset the force of the pressure in the bore acting on the exposed end of rods of the one or more piston.
US08448907B2	Medical tray having telescoping leg A medical tray having a telescoping leg that selectively telescopes in to be out of the way so as to enable the medical tray to be placed on a flat supporting surface or stored, or that telescopes out to provide a secure and stable support that places the medical tray contents in an elevated position. The telescoping of the telescoping leg is controlled by a one hand operated, dual action release mechanism.
US08448902B2	Satellite having multiple aspect ratios A high capacity satellite having multiple aspect ratios is configured to have at least two modules. Each module includes a first panel and a third panel facing, in an on-orbit configuration, respectively, toward north and south and having a width in an east-west direction (EW width); and a second and a fourth panel oriented, in the on-orbit configuration, respectively, east and west and having a width in the north-south direction (NS width). Each module has a respective aspect ratio of EW width to NS width, a first module is configured with a first aspect ratio, a second module is configured with a second aspect ratio; and the second aspect ratio is substantially larger than the first aspect ratio. At least one antenna reflector is disposed, during launch, proximate to at least one of the first and third panel of the second module.
US08448899B2	Torque link with shimmy damper A torque link includes a spring-damper system structurally incorporated into the design and functionality of the torque link. The spring portion may take the form of a structurally rigid beam while the damping portion may take the form of a damping mechanism or assembly. The damping mechanism is configured to damp out deformations in the beam and also configured to bottom out and become a structural tension/compression member when the load through the torque link exceeds a threshold load. The method damping may take a number of forms, such as, but not limited to, solid media damping, fluid damping with or without an orifice, a hydraulic or magnetic circuit, coulomb damping, etc.
US08448897B2	Rear part of an aircraft comprising a structure for supporting engines, connected to the fuselage by at least one blocking element under compression loading A rear part of an aircraft including a support structure for supporting engines, passing through the fuselage, through first and second openings. The rear part includes a connection structure connecting the support structure to the fuselage, including a first connection mechanism connecting the support structure to a first casing forming the first opening and a second connection mechanism connecting the support structure to a second casing forming the second opening. The first and second connection mechanisms each include at least one blocking element of the support structure, under compression loading by being applied to the casing and to the support structure.
US08448894B2	Method and apparatus for a mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant The mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant (MASP) provides an improved method and device for the highly efficient collection, storage, transport, and wireless delivery of renewable energy from an airborne platform. This energy can be used to supply electrical power to clients or be used to power directed energy weapons.
US08448888B2	Ball tube mill trunnion seal A trunnion seal assembly for joining a stationary inlet/outlet box of a ball tube mill to a rotational interior of the ball tube mill includes an outer ring component configured to be mounted to an outer wall of the stationary inlet/outlet box. An inner ring component is joined to the outer ring component substantially concentrically with the outer ring component. A flexible pad seal is configured to be joined to the outer wall of the stationary inlet/outlet box proximate outer ring component. The pad seal includes a first annular sealing surface. A mill head extension ring configured to be joined to a rotational mill head is located proximate to and substantially concentric with the inner ring component. The mill head extension includes a second annular sealing surface sealingly engaged with the first annular sealing surface of the flexible pad seal.
US08448884B2	Eggshell membrane separation process A system and process for separating eggshell membranes from eggshells. The system and process may utilize airflow through a venturi to pulverize the eggshell and thereby separate the eggshell from the membrane. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the process may also extract moisture from the membrane and eggshell. The system may further be configured to collect the pulverized eggshell particles separately from the membrane material.
US08448883B2	Electrostatically atomizing device An electrostatically atomizing device includes an emitter electrode, an opposed electrode disposed in an opposed relation to the emitter electrode, liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the emitter electrode, and high voltage generating means for applying a high voltage across the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode. The liquid supplied onto the emitter electrode is electrostatically charged through application of the high voltage, as a result of which charged minute liquid particles are discharged from a discharge end of the emitter electrode. The device includes detecting means for detecting a discharge condition developed between the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode, and a controller for controlling the high voltage generating means to regulate its voltage output so as to maintain a predetermined discharge condition, based on detection results by the detecting means. Charged minute particles can be continuously generated in an amount corresponding to the predetermined discharge condition, by adjusting the discharge voltage that is applied to the emitter electrode.
US08448875B2	Secure use of externally stored data A smart card reader is adapted to extract and store authentication data from a response APDU received from a smart card before generating a filtered response APDU, wherein the filtered response APDU does not include the authentication data. Beneficially, when the smart card reader transmits the filtered response APDU toward a destination, the biometric template data is less susceptible to interception, thereby providing a more secure solution.
US08448870B2	Transponder and method of producing a transponder In a method of producing a transponder (1) an integrated circuit (2, 72, 82) is produced. The integrated circuit (2, 72, 82) is produced by applying a photoresist layer (11) on a surface (8) of a semiconductor device (4), generating a patterned mask (14) by lithographically patterning the photoresist layer (11) so that the photoresist layer (11) comprises at least one aperture (12, 13), and filling the aperture (12, 13) with a bump (15, 16, 75, 76) by depositing the bump (15, 16, 75, 76) on the surface (8) utilizing the patterned mask (14). Finally, the integrated circuit (2, 72, 82), with the patterned mask (14), is attached to a substrate (3), which comprises an antenna structure (18). The bump (15, 16, 75, 76) is connected electrically to the antenna structure (18).
US08448867B2	Illumination apparatus for an imaging-based bar code system An imaging-based barcode system including a scanning arrangement and an illumination apparatus is shown. The scanning arrangement includes a sensor assembly for capturing an image from a target object, the sensor assembly having a field-of-view focused by an optical arrangement onto a sensor array located within the sensor assembly. The illumination system includes a first illumination assembly and a second illumination assembly, each of the first and second assemblies including an illumination source directing illumination through a light pipe and a focusing lens to generate an illumination pattern directed towards a target object, wherein the light pipe includes an input surface and an output surface, the light pipe is configured to change the light intensity distribution at its output surface.
US08448864B2	Multi-modal one-dimensional barcodes An apparatus for reading a multi-modal barcode is provided. The apparatus includes a camera, an edge detector, wherein the edge detector comprises a filter to read a secondary image, a quantization component, and a barcode processor. Also provided is a multi-modal barcode including a single-dimensional grayscale structure, wherein the structure is stretched in a perpendicular direction to its single-directional axis.
US08448859B2	System and method for preventing cashier and customer fraud at retail checkout Systems and methods for preventing fraud during retail checkout are described. A system includes: item identifier acquisition devices to acquire identifiers (e.g., barcodes) of items to be transacted; cameras or imagers to acquire images of the items to be transacted; an object recognition component to perform visual recognition of the acquired items through comparison of the acquired images of the items with a database and obtain identifiers of items represented in the database that correspond to an acquired image according to a correspondence criterion; a comparison component to compare a set of identifiers acquired through the item identifier acquisition devices with a set of identifiers obtained through the object recognition component; and an alerting component to provide an alert in case of discrepancies between the two sets.
US08448857B2	Radio frequency identification system for inventory handling, tracking, and checkout One embodiment provides a method of handling for-sale items while shopping at a brick-and-mortar store, including inventorying, tracking, and scanning the for-sale items at checkout. Customers select and bag items while they shop. Each item includes an RFID tag uniquely identifying the item or category of item. The customer brings the shopping cart to an unloading zone of a checkout station. Another, empty shopping cart is positioned in an unloading zone. The customer may receive electronic guidance in positioning the shopping carts. As the customer moves the bags from the shopping cart in the unloading zone to the shopping cart in the loading zone, the bags are scanned by the RFID scanner without removing the items from the bags. Redundant RFID scanners may be provided to increase reliability, and a UPC scanner may be provided as a backup. The shopping carts at the loading zone and unloading zone may be weighed and the weights compared, to guard against possible theft of goods.
US08448855B1	Method and apparatus for funding an electronic purse Techniques for funding an electronic purse (e-purse) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a mechanism is provided to enable a portable device to conduct transactions over an open network with a payment server without compromising security. In one embodiment, a device is loaded with an e-purse manager. The e-purse manager is configured to manage various transactions and functions as a mechanism to access an e-purse therein. The e-purse is funded by interactions among the e-purse manager, a payment server and a financial institution (its server) that maintains an account therefor.
US08448850B1	Banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine operates to carry out financial transfers responsive to data read form data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser. The machine is operative to dispense cash to an authorized user based on identifying data including card data, and to cause a financial transfer from an account corresponding to card data through communication with at least one remote computer. The machine is operative to authorize the installation, use, and/or configuration of automated banking machine software applications and components.
US08448842B1	Advanced copper bonding (ACB) with ceramic substrate technology An advanced copper bonding with ceramic substrate technology includes the steps of (1) forming a copper film of thickness <1 μm on a ceramic substrate by sputtering deposition under 1.33×10−3 torr and 150° C., (2) plating a copper layer of thickness 10˜50 μm at room temperature, and (3) bonding a copper foil to the ceramic substrate by diffusion bonding under environments of high temperature, vacuum, and negative pressure inertia gas or H2 partial pressure.
US08448840B2	Methods of joining metallic protective layers In various embodiments, protective layers are bonded to a steel layer and connected by a layer of unmelted metal powder produced by cold spray.
US08448837B2	Method for manufacturing a one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert of composite material A method for manufacturing a one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert of composite material includes forming a blank of the part by superimposing, around a rotating cylindrical mandrel, layers of metal wire and layers of coated fiber, the layers of coated composite fiber being arranged in the blank according to the positioning of the insert in the part; placing the blank in a receiving tool, and applying a hot isostatic pressing treatment to the blank; and extracting the treated blank from the receiving tool and, as required, machining the treated blank to obtain the one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert.
US08448836B2	Torsional ultrasonic welding Connection of an aluminum stranded lead 2 to a connection part 10, comprising a stripped end 4 of the aluminum stranded lead 2 and a metal connection part 10 which is materially connected to the stripped end 4 of the aluminum stranded lead 2. An inexpensive welded connection can be produced in that an end face of the stripped end 4 of the aluminum stranded lead 2 is welded to the connection part 10 by means of torsional ultrasonic welding.
US08448827B2	Liquid food dispenser system and method An embodiment of a nozzle comprising a nozzle adapter, a nozzle tip, and a plunger is provided. The nozzle adapter comprises an inner and outer surface, the inner surface having a helical groove, and a top end rotatably coupled to the nozzle adapter inner surface. The plunger comprises an outer surface, a top end, and a lower end that mates with the nozzle tip inner surface. At least one projection is along the body outer surface between the top end and the lower end keyed to fit within the helical groove of the nozzle tip, wherein the plunger and the nozzle tip are configured so that rotational motion of the nozzle tip causes axial motion of the plunger relative to the nozzle adapter without appreciable axial motion of the nozzle tip relative to the nozzle adapter.
US08448826B2	Dosage-dispensing unit for free flowing substances A dosage-dispensing head has a body with an end surface and an area that couples the head to a source container. The end surface has an outlet opening connected to the coupling area. The head also has a slider, constrained to a guided linear sliding movement parallel to the end surface. An aperture-setting member of the body turns about a rotary axis, orthogonal to the end surface, to actuate the slider. An orifice opening of the aperture-setting member is configured so that the outlet opening is always within the area of the orifice opening. A passage opening of the slider is between the body and the aperture-setting member. By turning the aperture-setting member, the slider moves in a linear path, linearly displacing the passage opening relative to the outlet opening and varying the aperture width of the dosage-dispensing head. This regulates the flow rate of the free-flowing dosage material.
US08448820B2	Poppet seal fitment for a collapsible bag Disclosed herein is a fitment for use with a collapsible bag for dispensing liquids or semi solids comprising a spout having a generally cylindrical body attached to a collapsible bag, a cap attached to the spout having positioned therein a flexible poppet that allows for the flow of fluid when engaged with a probe assembly.
US08448813B2	Collapsible coolers An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration by bending of the membrane along the hinge lines. Each configuration is a stable configuration of the cooler. The collapsible cooler wall includes peripheral portions thereof that nest within each other when the collapsible cooler wall is fully collapsed. The collapsible cooler wall tapers in extending from the upper rim.
US08448808B2	Pressure vessel having improved sealing arrangement In a pressure vessel (1) comprising a resin liner (2) provided with a tubular extension (22) defining a through hole therein for receiving and expelling the gas or liquid, a tubular member (100, 200, 300) fitted in the through hole of the tubular extension, a mouthpiece (4) threaded into the tubular extension, a fiber reinforced resin layer (3) placed around an outer surface of the resin liner, and a valve (60) fitted into the central bore of the tubular member, the valve include a section (62) having a smaller outer diameter than an opposing inner circumferential surface of the tubular member defining a gap between the valve and tubular member, and a resilient seal member (80) is placed in the gap. The tubular member is made of a material such as metallic material which is stiffer than the resin liner. Thereby, the resilient seal member is interposed between the tubular member and valve which are both highly stiff or free from deformation when the interior of the pressure vessel is placed under various pressure conditions so that the sealing performance of the resilient seal member can be ensured under all pressure conditions.
US08448801B2	Storage device having a cover fitting inner and outer containers A spin lock container comprising a container member having a bottom, an upper annular rim and a substantially continuous side wall extending from the bottom and terminating at the rim, the bottom and side wall defining a first member cavity, the rim including a first member skirt having a plurality of first threads, the plurality of first threads having substantially equidistant engagement points; and a closure member having a peripheral sealing portion and an inner sealing portion, the peripheral sealing portion including a sealing liner and a skirt having a plurality of second threads adapted and positioned to cooperate with the first threads, wherein sealable engagement of the container member and closure member is effectuated when the first and second threads are fully aligned and the inner sealing member is adapted to sealingly engage an inner container member, the inner container member fitting inside the outer container member when the peripheral sealing member is engaged with the outer container member.
US08448799B2	Self sealing bag in box cap assembly A cap assembly comprising a body, a sealing membrane and a retaining ring. An opening is provided through the body and includes a recessed circumferential channel and a membrane engaging flange positioned proximate the recessed circumferential channel. The sealing membrane covers the opening and includes a body engaging flange and a pierceable surface. The retaining ring is positioned with the sealing membrane engagement surface in overlying engagement with the sealing membrane. Extension of the tab into the recessed circumferential channel of the body releasably maintains the overlying engagement and biases the retaining ring against the membrane. The inner wall structure of the retaining ring extends radially inward beyond the membrane engaging flange of the sealing membrane, to in turn, protect the membrane.
US08448790B2	Surface charge enabled nanoporous semi-permeable membrane for desalination A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. A first surface charge material is deposited on an end portion of the nanochannels. The first surface charge material includes a surface charge to electrostatically influence ions in an electrolytic solution such that the nanochannels reflect ions back into the electrolytic solution while passing a fluid of the electrolytic solution. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.
US08448789B2	Apparatus for washing and dewatering pulp Apparatus for washing and dewatering pump comprising a pair of rotatable press rolls with permeable outer surfaces, a casing comprising a vat in which the rolls are installed, and a feed for feeding the pulp to the gap formed between the vat and the press roll is disclosed. The vat includes a first side vat segment partially enclosing the first press roll and a second side vat segment partially enclosing the second press roll and casing members for each of the vat segments, the first casing member being pivotable about an axis of rotation and between closed and open positions, pulp distribution devices for distributing pulp onto the press rolls, at least one of the pulp distribution devices being mounted on the casing member whereby it is moved away from the press roll together with the casing member when it is opened.
US08448786B2	Catheter tray, packaging system, instruction insert, and associated methods A tray (100) for accommodating a coiled medical device, such as a catheter assembly (700), includes a first compartment (101), a second compartment (102), and a third compartment (103). The catheter assembly (700) and devices associated with a catheterization procedure, such as syringes (701,702) containing sterile water and lubricating jelly and a specimen container (703) can be disposed within the tray. Printed instructions (1001) can be included with the tray (100). One or more layers of wrap material (2200) can be folded about the tray (100) to enclose the tray (100) and other items, such as an additional layer of wrap material (2701), packaged liquid hand sanitizer (2401), and packaged gloves (2402). When a health care services provider (3101) unfolds the wrap material, the same can be used to create a sterile field beneath a patient (3201).
US08448784B2	Cigarette package A cigarette package includes a box (2) having an opening (4) at an upper end thereof, a lid (8) joined to one side edge of the opening (4) by means of a hinge (6), and a pull flipper (18) capable of being pulled out from inside the box (2). When the lid (8) is opened, the pull flipper (18) forms a pop-up wall (20) extending from the lid (8) to the opening (4) of the box (2).
US08448783B2	Packet and corresponding blank A packet for smoke articles has an external enclosure (2) including a containing body (3) and a closing body (4) that is rotatable around a hinge (35) obtained on an external wall of said packet (1). The packet (1) includes closing elements (50) associated with main wall means (22, 23, 24) of the internal enclosure (2) for closing a base portion (6) and a top portion (7) of the packet (1). The external enclosure (2) further includes a secondary base wall (31) and a secondary top wall (11) connected to the main wall means (22, 23, 24) and arranged for abutting on and supporting said closing elements (50).
US08448782B2	Drink caddy A drink caddy has an assembled mode and a deployed mode and includes a lower bucket, a sealed beverage held within the lower bucket, a liner having a liner upper edge and a liner lower edge, a lid connected to the liner upper edge and a lid handle disposed on the lid. The liner is held to the lower bucket at a liner lower edge. The liner separates from the bucket when a user deploys the product in a deployed mode. An intermediate separator can be fitted inside the liner and a pair of glassware retained on the intermediate separator. The sealed beverage can be a bottle of alcoholic beverage. The lower bucket is preferably made of a clear transparent plastic to allow viewing of the bottle.
US08448781B2	Conveyor chain for mining machinery A conveyor chain includes a plurality of chain links connected together in a chain, each including a pair of forward arms having a space therebetween and a rearward arm extending in a rearward direction. The forward arms of one link are configured to receive the rearward arm of an adjacent link to form a continuous chain. The rearward arm of each link extends a distance from the forward arms so that when adjacent links are coupled together, an engagement space is created between the forward arms of the links. The engagement space is configured to receive portions of sprockets that would engage the forward arms of the link for driving the chain.
US08448777B2	Methods and apparatus for slip sheet metering for indexing product Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) including first and second supports (42A, 42B) each in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106, 206) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the second support (42B) to the sweep conveyor (22) and from the first support (42A) to the second support (42B) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52B) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a metering bar (52A) which prevents unmetered product from tipping downstream. A sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22).
US08448772B2	Apparatus and method for water bottle return An apparatus and method for receiving a recyclable product is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the apparatus includes: an enclosed structure defining an interior cavity; a bottle return mechanism for determining when a bottle has been received within the interior cavity; and a mechanism coupled to the bottle return mechanism, the mechanism being configured to provide an output when the bottle return mechanism has determined that a bottle has been inserted into the interior cavity.
US08448770B2	Multiplate clutch A multiplate clutch has an assistive cam mechanism comprising a first cam member having a first recess and a second cam member having a first tooth inserted in the first recess, wherein at least one of abutment surfaces of the first recess and the first tooth in a power transmitting state for transmitting power from an input member to an output member comprises a slanted surface for increasing an urging force of a clutch spring upon acceleration in the power transmitting state. The multiplate clutch is prevented from being connected abruptly while sufficiently reducing a load with which to operate the clutch. The angle of intersection between the slanted surfaces and a plane perpendicular to a clutch central axis is set to a range from 80 degrees to 85 degrees.
US08448762B2	Hydraulic brake lever apparatus A hydraulic brake lever apparatus is provided with a brake lever housing, a piston, a mounting structure, a brake lever, a fluid reservoir and a diaphragm. The brake lever housing includes a cylinder having the piston movably disposed within the cylinder. The mounting structure mounts the brake lever housing to a bicycle handlebar. The brake lever pivots relative to the brake lever housing to move the piston within the cylinder. The fluid reservoir fluidly communicates hydraulic fluid with the cylinder via a port. The fluid reservoir has a cylindrical shape and lies in a side by side relationship with the cylinder. The diaphragm is disposed within the fluid reservoir, and includes a substantial arrowhead shaped portion that allows the volume of the diaphragm to change smoothly while ensuring the volume of the hydraulic fluid chamber within the fluid reservoir.
US08448759B2	Single cylinder type hydraulic shock absorber for vehicle A single cylinder type hydraulic shock absorber for a vehicle (100) includes a cylinder (1), a free piston (2) that is inserted slidably into the cylinder (1) and delimits a fluid chamber (7) and a gas chamber (8) in the cylinder (1), a piston (3) that is inserted slidably into the cylinder (1) and delimits the fluid chamber (7) into two pressure chambers (7a, 7b), a rod (4), one end of which is connected to the piston (3), and an elastic member (9) that is accommodated in the gas chamber (8) and biases the free piston (2) in the direction of the fluid chamber (7). The elastic member (9) is set such that a spring constant thereof increases during contraction.
US08448756B2	Procedure for actuating a hydraulic parking brake A procedure for actuating a parking brake is described, the parking brake comprising a brake piston which is received in a hydraulic chamber and is displaceable within the hydraulic chamber by means of a hydraulic actuator on the one hand and a mechanical actuator on the other. During operation of the parking brake the mechanical actuator is activated in a first step in order to displace the brake piston in the hydraulic chamber in such a way that a volume of a hydraulic fluid contained in the hydraulic chamber is increased. At a subsequent time the hydraulic actuator is activated in order to build up or increase a clamping force of the parking brake. The hydraulically generated or increased clamping force is then maintained by means of the mechanical actuator.
US08448750B2	Lubrication system level control A machine lubrication system that includes an assembly for sensing the level of lubricant in the reservoir, the reservoir including a follower that travels axially within the reservoir and substantially conforms to an inner cross-sectional dimension thereof, a magnet being attached to the follower for actuation of a plurality of magnetically actuated switches. The system may include a first and second level sensor, which may be independently connected to one or more power sources, where the first level sensor may be associated with an operator station, and the second level sensor may be associated with a remote indicator.
US08448743B2	Tire noise reduction device and pneumatic tire provided therewith Provided are a tire noise reduction device allowing rapid and reliable puncture-repair of a pneumatic tire provided with an annular sound absorbing member on the inner surface of a tread portion of the tire, and a pneumatic tire provided with the tire noise reduction device. The tire noise reduction device includes: the annular sound absorbing member made of a porous material; and a repair liquid permeable layer stacked on an outer peripheral surface of the sound absorbing member. The repair liquid permeable layer has many continuous pores and has a flow resistance lower than that of the porous material. The tire noise reduction device is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of a tread portion of the pneumatic tire.
US08448739B2	In-vehicle smell notification system An in-vehicle smell notification system including a vehicle operating computer. A detector is operably connected with the vehicle operating computer and adapted to identify multiple external stimuli. A scent emitter includes multiple scent reservoirs. A controller is operably connected with the detector and the scent emitter and adapted to identify each of the multiple external stimuli and release a predetermined scent from the scent emitter upon identification of a predetermined stimulus.
US08448738B2	Electrical component mounting structure of motorcycle In a motorcycle in which an electrical component including an engine control unit is mounted, a bridge bent to protrude upward is bridged between each of coupling portions in which a right and left pair of main frames and a right and left pair of body frames are coupled, and the engine control unit is disposed in an inner space of the bridge thereby to cover right and left sides of the engine control unit.
US08448737B2	Saddle-ride type vehicle A saddle-ride type vehicle is provided which arranges a canister therein, taking heat from an engine into consideration. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a storage box which has a bulging portion; an engine; a fuel tank; and a canister, the engine is arranged behind the bulging portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the fuel tank and the canister are arranged in front of the bulging portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The fuel tank and the canister are arranged with respect to the engine such that the bulging portion of the storage box is sandwiched between the fuel tank canister and the engine. It is possible to arrange the canister away from the engine by a distance corresponding to the bulging portion and hence, it is possible to reduce influence of heat from the engine exerted on the canister.
US08448733B2	Automobile over-bulkhead air intake system An automobile air intake system is provided that channels air from outside the automobile engine compartment to the engine. The automobile air intake system according to an embodiment of the invention includes an intake enclosure coupled to a bulkhead across the front of the engine compartment. The automobile grille, radiator, and a front portion of the hood in front of the bulkhead form a flow channel to an intake port of the intake enclosure. Aspects of the invention include a screen extending from the bulkhead to the grille for inhibiting the flow of water and particles through the flow channel. Other aspects provide an alternative air path for channeling air from the engine compartment to the intake enclosure.
US08448732B2	Vehicle driving apparatus In a vehicle in which side covers are disposed at the underfloor sides of a vehicle body, a totally enclosed main motor is disposed outside a frame of a chassis. The totally enclosed main motor includes an outside air ventilating flue through which the outside air is suctioned from a suction inlet, circulated and then exhausted from an exhaust outlet. The totally enclosed main motor uses the outside air ventilating flue to release heat generated internally to the outside. One end of a ventilating duct is connected to the suction inlet and the other end opens toward the outside of the vehicle at the side covers. With this, it is possible to supply the outside air from the outside of the vehicle thereby enhancing the cooling efficiency. Moreover, it is possible to use the totally enclosed main motor of a high capacity by disposing outside the frame of the chassis.
US08448728B2	Wheelchair safety, power and shade device and method The Safety, Power and Shade Device is a system usable with wheelchairs providing an upright and horizontal frame attachable by brackets to a wheelchair seat back. The frame allows for the installation of safety and illumination lights, a solar panel for supplemental recharging of an electric wheelchair battery and a means of shelter or shade. The frame assembly is constructed to allow the horizontal frame to fold over and behind the wheelchair for a vertical relationship with the frame upright.
US08448721B2	Directional drilling system A directional drilling system comprises a main drill bit 24 rotatable about a main bit axis 26, a pilot drill bit 34 rotatable about a pilot bit axis 36 substantially parallel to the main bit axis 26, and adjustment means 28 for adjusting the position of the pilot bit axis 36 relative to the main bit axis 26.
US08448719B2	Key exchange device The present invention includes a section (102) for generating a plurality of contributing random numbers using a random number, a section (110) for generating a plurality of contributing data using a plurality of contributing random numbers, a section (103) for selecting a number designating contributing data, a section (104) for generating a commitment of the number, a section (126) for saving a contributing random number of the number and disclosure information of the commitment, a section (125) for sending the plurality of contributing data and the commitment, section (134) for generating auxiliary data using a contributing data set and the contributing random number, wherein the auxiliary data and the disclosure information of the commitment are sent from the section (125), and a section (139) for generating a shared key using the contributing data set, the disclosure information of the commitment, the auxiliary data, and the contributing random number.
US08448717B2	Manual backup system for controlling fluid flow to cylinders within an agricultural implement An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a down force cylinder configured to apply a downward force to a row unit, a depth control cylinder configured to vary a penetration depth of a ground engaging tool of the row unit, a press wheel cylinder configured to vary contact force between a press wheel and a soil surface, a closing disk cylinder configured to vary contact force between a closing disk and the soil surface, a residue manager cylinder configured to vary contact force between a residue manager and the soil surface, or a combination thereof. The agricultural implement system also includes an electronic control unit configured to automatically regulate a pressure within the cylinders, and a manual backup system configured to facilitate manual pressure adjustment of the cylinders.
US08448716B2	Fire extinguisher gas ejector For an automobile there is provided a fire extinguisher which is rapidly activatable in combination with a device for cutting a seatbelt and a device for breaking open a windshield.
US08448713B2	Inflatable tool set with internally generated gas An inflatable packer contains a reactive metal in an annular space between the mandrel and the element. A fluid is admitted into the annular space to start a reaction that gives off gas. The generated gas fills the annular space and inflates the element in the process. The actuating fluid can be water and the off gas can be hydrogen. The volume of the reactants can also increase as they swell in the reaction that generates the gas. A valve arrangement associated with the mandrel retains the gas pressure and prevents over-pressurization. The packer can be set in a surrounding tubular or in open hole.
US08448706B2	Delivery of particulate material below ground A wellbore fluid comprises an aqueous carrier liquid, hydrophobic fibers suspended therein, hydrophobic particulate material also suspended in the carrier liquid, and a gas to wet the surfaces of the particles and fibers and bind them together as agglomerates. The wellbore fluid may be a slickwater fracturing fluid and may be used for fracturing a tight gas reservoir. Using a combination of hydrophobic particulate material, hydrophobic fibers and gas inhibits settling out of the particulate material from an aqueous liquid. Because the gas acts to wet the surfaces of both materials and agglomerates them, the particulate material is made to adhere to the fibers; the fibers form a network which hinders settling of the particulate material adhering to them, and the agglomerates contain gas and so have a bulk density which is less than the specific gravity of the solids contained in the agglomerates.
US08448703B2	Downhole formation tester apparatus and methods A method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprises disposing a tool in a wellbore, the tool comprising a displacement unit for pumping a fluid at least partially through the tool, a first flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a valve network, and a second flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit; pumping a fluid from the first flowline to the second flowline; monitoring a pressure at a chamber of the displacement unit; and monitoring flowing pressure in the first flowline across the valve network from the displacement unit.
US08448702B2	Methods of enhancing biogenic production of methane from hydrocarbon-bearing formations The present invention describes methods of identifying stimulants for the biogenic production of methane in hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Methods involve the use of microbial nucleic acid sequence information for the determination of gene products that are enzymes in a variety of pathways involved in the conversion of hydrocarbons to methane. Enzymes and stimulants identified by invention methods can be used in processes for enhancing biogenic methane production, for example, by addition to coal seams and coalbed methane wells.
US08448696B2	Coolant de-aeration reservoir A coolant de-aeration system is provided that includes a coolant reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chambers within the reservoir, a plurality of de-aeration chamber apertures that direct coolant flow through the de-aeration chambers, a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet that share a common coolant flow pathway that allows the majority of coolant to flow directly between the reservoir inlet and the reservoir outlet, and a reservoir inlet aperture that directs a portion of coolant passing along the common coolant flow pathway through the reservoir's de-aeration chambers for de-aeration prior to being returned to the common coolant flow pathway.
US08448695B2	Heat dissipating apparatus A heat dissipating apparatus includes a heat sink, a fan, and an airflow guide. The heat sink includes a conducting base board and a number of parallel fins vertically extending from the conducting base board. An air intake and an air outlet are defined in opposite ends of the heat sink. The airflow guide includes a mounting cover accommodating the heat sink, and a guiding element connected to the mounting cover. The fan is mounted to the mounting cover and at the air intake of the heat sink. The guiding element is arranged at the air outlet of the heat sink. The guiding element includes a guiding board. An angle between the guiding board and the fins at the air outlet is less than 90 degrees and more than 0 degrees.
US08448686B2	Tire bead setting apparatus and related methods A tire seating apparatus has an air chamber with a sealing edge. A compression device is capable of reciprocating through the air chamber, a wheel, and a tire to seat the tire on the wheel. The air chamber receives the wheel's distal flange and the sealing edge receives the tire's distal surface. The compression device is operable to resiliently compress the wheel's proximal flange against the tire and seat the tire's proximal bead in the proximal flange and to compress the tire against the sealing edge to seal the air chamber. The compression device controls wheel and tire movement away from the air chamber as the air chamber and tire are filled with compressed air through the wheel to seat the tire's distal bead in the wheel's distal flange.
US08448684B2	Tire with component containing polybenzobisoxazole short fiber and epoxidized polyisoprene The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.
US08448679B2	Water treatment device for producing bottled water A water treatment device for filling at least one bottle with treated tap water includes a housing unit having a reservoir, and at least one valve arranged in fluid communication with the reservoir, the valve having a water inlet/air exit port arranged adjacent to the housing unit, and a water exit/air inlet port arranged opposite the water inlet/air exit port, whereby when the valve is actuated to its open condition, water flows through the valve and into the bottle, and air entrapped in the bottle flows through the valve and into the surrounding environment. When the valve is in its closed condition, air and water do not flow through the valve.
US08448678B2	Water collection apparatus and method An apparatus and method for passively collecting water in an environment where dew forms are disclosed. The apparatus has a radial body which includes a hydrophobic surface that is supported at a slope of about 10 to 80 degrees from the direction of gravity. The apparatus may also include ridges which increase the surface area of the body thus increasing dew collection and provide shade which reduces the temperature increase of the body when the apparatus is exposed to sunlight. The method includes supporting a hydrophobic radial surface at a slope of about 10 to 80 degrees from the direction of gravity and waiting for dew or condensation to form on the hydrophobic surface and run down the hydrophobic surface to either a reservoir or a beneficiary of the passively collected water, such as the roots of a plant.
US08448673B2	Transporting and transferring fluid A method and system for transporting fluid is described. The method includes coupling a transit vessel to a terminal vessel associated with at least one terminal. The transit vessel and the terminal vessel are coupled at an open sea or lightering location, which may be selected based upon operational conditions. Then, cryogenic fluid is transferred between the transit vessel and the terminal vessel, while the transit vessel and terminal vessel are moving in substantially the same direction. Once the transfer is complete, the terminal vessel decouples from the transit vessel and moves a terminal to provide the cryogenic fluid to the terminal. The cryogenic fluid may include liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2).
US08448670B2	Bio-pharmaceutical hose A hose for use in bio-pharmaceutical applications includes an innermost tubular layer made from a fluoropolymer material. The tubular layer has an inner, relatively smooth and pure surface that defines an opening for transfer of various media. A layer of silicone is disposed next to an outer surface of the innermost tubular layer through use of, for example, an extrusion method. The outer surface of the tubular layer may first be modified by various treatments or chemicals to facilitate the adhesion of the silicone layer thereto. The silicone material may be solid or foamed. A reinforcement layer may be disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the silicone layer. The reinforcement layer may be formed of a wire braid having gaps. An outer jacket of silicone may be attached to the reinforcement layer and to the inner silicone layer through the gaps in the reinforcement layer.
US08448666B2	Water supply system for a linearly moving sprinkler irrigation system A water supply system is described for supplying water to a linearly moving irrigation system. The water supply system is able to take water from a stationary water supply conduit (either a collapsible conduit or a rigid conduit) and feed it into one end of a feed pipe for the irrigation system. The water supply system includes a pickup shoe which extends into the water supply conduit through a traveling opening in the top side of the conduit. The pickup shoe intercepts substantially all of the water in the supply conduit and pumps it upwardly through the traveling opening to the feed pipe for the irrigation system. The pump is located in the portion of the shoe which extends into the supply conduit.
US08448660B2	Gas fuel supply apparatus A gas fuel supply apparatus includes: first and second mouthpiece attachment sections capable of detachably attaching thereto mouthpieces of first and second gas containers and provided in communication with each other; and first and second check valves provided in a communication passage, communicating between the mouthpiece attachment sections, in corresponding relation to the first and second gas containers. The first and second check valves prevent a gas fuel, let out from any one of the first and second gas containers, from flowing into the other of the gas containers.
US08448658B2	Rescue device for leakage of dangerous chemicals A rescue device for treating leakage of dangerous chemical includes a first container having a closed negative pressure chamber and an intake which allows outside dangerous chemicals to enter the first container and a second container installed and fixed in the first container. The second container contains a substantially harmless liquefied gas and has an opening which controllably communicates with the external environment. When the dangerous chemicals are leaking, the rescue device can be used to reduce the loss of dangerous chemical, alleviate the harm to the environment and human, and avoid the possible disastrous consequences.
US08448656B2	Roof connecting mechanism of foldable tent The present invention provides a roof connecting mechanism of a foldable tent wherein a connecting hub is pivotally connected to roof strut rods so that the roof strut rods are movable in a compact manner relative to the connecting hub. The connecting hub includes pivoting cabinets in radial arrangement for pivoting the ends of each roof strut rod which has sufficient space to accommodate the ends of the roof strut rods when the tent is both in an open and folded configuration. The connecting hub also includes a stopper to limit the movement of the roof strut rods when in the open configuration. Such construction allows for a simple and compact opening and folding of the tent.
US08448655B2	Ultrasonic cleaning device An ultrasonic cleaning device is provided which can easily cope with an increase in a diameter of a cleaning surface of an object to be cleaned. An ultrasonic cleaning device according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer 13 for providing ultrasonic energy to a propagation liquid 15, an ultrasonic propagation tube 12 for flowing the propagation liquid provided with the ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic transducer, a holding mechanism disposed below the ultrasonic propagation tube for holding an object to be cleaned 21, and a cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid to a cleaning surface of the object to be cleaned held by the holding mechanism, and the ultrasonic propagation tube 12 is disposed so that a side surface thereof may contact a liquid film 19 of the cleaning liquid formed on the cleaning surface by supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning surface by the cleaning liquid supply mechanism.
US08448653B2	Spray-type car wash system with breakaway spray arms A car wash system comprising at least one rotatable spray arm depending from an overhead carriage. The arm is equipped with a detent-type compound breakaway knuckle which permits the arm to be displaced upwardly from a lowest potential energy orientation by disengaging the detent but thereafter permitting a smooth essentially unresisted movement whereby when the force tending to cause angular displacement and the arm is removed, the arm returns to the normal operating, low potential energy position. A shaker function or a high pressure spray burst may be used to complement the gravitational resetting function as needed.
US08448652B2	Solar system cleaning apparatus Solar system cleaning apparatuses and methods of cleaning solar systems are described. A solar system cleaning apparatus includes a vehicle. A first basin is mounted on the vehicle, the first basin to supply a cleaning medium to a solar module. A second basin is mounted on the vehicle, the second basin to collect the cleaning medium from the solar module. A filter is coupled to the first basin and the second basin, the filter to transfer the cleaning medium from the second basin to the first basin.
US08448650B2	Cosmetic applicator An applicator is provided for applying a composition to a user's eyelashes. The applicator includes an applicator element having a large section, a medium section, and a small section, which are adapted to cover the outer, middle, and inner portions of a user's eyelashes, respectively, with a composition (e.g., mascara). The three sections of the applicator element include bristles sized and spaced in such a way as to facilitate even application of the composition without clumping.
US08448648B2	Artificial nail and method of forming same An injection molded artificial nail is formed by forming a first section using a runner system method, forming a second section using a runner system method and forming a third section by a hot tip gate process. The second and third sections are disposed under the first section. The second section has a second section end and the third section has a third section end adjoining the second section end. The first section forms a top surface of the artificial nail extending from a front distal tip of the artificial nail to a back proximal end of the artificial nail and completely covers the second section and the third section.
US08448645B2	Methods for treating eye conditions Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.
US08448643B2	Medical breathing apparatus A medical breathing apparatus incorporating a regulator for supplying breathing gas to a patient from an air hose (11). The regulator supplies breathing gas on demand to the patient via a mouthpiece or similar attached to an output connector (55). The connector forms part of a removable output unit (4) incorporating a filter (53) and an exhale flap valve (57/58) on the patient side of the filter. When the patient exhales, exhaled gas entering the connector (55) exits to atmosphere via the exhale valve without passing through the filter into the interior of the regulator, thus reducing cross-contamination between patients. Also described is an improved valve seat (16)/valve member (18) assembly in which multiple spaced pivot points (22, 23) are defined to cause the mechanical advantage for operating the valve member to reduce as the valve opens, thus reducing the force needed to operate the valve at lower flow rates.
US08448632B2	Toy gun compressed air firing shell A compressed air firing shell for a toy gun includes a firing chamber for receiving a soft projectile and a pressure chamber to store a high-pressure charge of air. A release port delimits the pressure chamber from the firing chamber. A piston within the pressure chamber seals the release port and unseals the release port upon triggered activation of the activation member to allow the charge to pass from the pressure chamber to the firing chamber to effect firing of the soft projectile.
US08448629B2	Fuel vapor processing apparatus A fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a device that can restrict or prevent flow of gas from a vapor passage into a canister during recovering of fuel vapor from the canister into a fuel tank.
US08448625B2	Method of pilot injection control and system thereof A method of pilot injection control which avoids a change in the number of pilot injections in a transient response of an engine to improve driving and handling feeling. When pilot injection is performed, it is determined whether fuel injection amount Q immediately before the pilot injection is more than a maximum value Qmax and, if so, number of pilot injections is fixed to a predetermined value. When fuel injection amount Q is determined to be not more than the maximum value Qmax, it is determined whether fuel injection amount Q is lower than a minimum value Qmin, and, if so, the number-fixed control of the pilot injections is released and map control is started where the pilot injection number is determined based on a map.
US08448623B2	Internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase unit forming a crank chamber, a cylinder having a cylinder bore and a projecting portion extending toward the crankcase unit so as to be coupled thereto, a piston that reciprocates in the cylinder bore of the cylinder provided with the projecting portion. The crankcase unit has a wall section and a space is formed between the projecting portion of the cylinder and the wall section of the crankcase unit when the crank case unit and cylinder having the projecting portion is coupled, and the space formed between the projecting portion of the cylinder and the wall section of the crankcase unit and an outside space of the crank chamber are communicated by a communicating groove which is provided to at least either one of the cylinder and the crankcase unit.
US08448620B2	Ignition device attachment structure for internal combustion engine An ignition device attachment structure for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition plug tube inserted between a cylinder head cover and an ignition device insertion hole formed in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The ignition plug tube bulges from an upper end of the ignition plug tube to an intermediate portion of the ignition plug tube on a lateral surface of the ignition plug tube.
US08448617B2	Engine including camshaft with partial lobe An engine assembly may include a camshaft rotationally supported on an engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located in and rotatable relative to the first shaft and a partial cam lobe located on the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may include a peak region and may define a partial bore. A radial distance defined by the partial bore between first and second circumferential ends of the partial bore may be greater than or equal to a radial width of the first shaft. The partial cam lobe may define a recess extending in a radial direction through the partial bore and into the partial cam lobe. The camshaft may include a sleeve located within a radial passage defined by the second shaft and the recess in the partial cam lobe and radially locating the partial cam lobe relative to the second shaft.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10