最新美国发明专利第2013-07-02期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08476408B2	Unacylated ghrelin and analogs as therapeutic agents for vascular remodeling in diabetic patients and treatment of cardiovascular disease The present invention relates to a method for treating a cardiovascular disease, for increasing the number of circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) and/or improving the function of CAC and a method for improving vascular remodeling and/or neovascularisation. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of unacylated ghrelin or a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment or analog thereof having the biological activity of SEQ ID NO: 1; and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising unacylated ghrelin or a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment or analog thereof having the biological activity of SEQ ID NO: 1.
US08476401B2	Resist polymer, process for production thereof, resist composition, and process for production of substrated with patterns thereon A resist polymer (Y′), which is used as a resist resin in DUV excimer laser lithography, electron beam lithography, and the like, contains a polymer (Y) comprising: a constituent unit (A) having a lactone skeleton; a constituent unit (B) having an acid-eliminable group; a constituent unit (C) having a hydrophilic group; and a constituent unit (E) having a structure represented by the following formula (1), wherein a content of the constituent unit (E) is 0.3 mol % or more based on the total number of the constituent units of the resist polymer (Y′): in the formula (1), L is a divalent linear, branched, or cyclic C1-20 hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent and/or a heteroatom; R11 is a g-valent linear, branched, or cyclic C1-20 hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent and/or a heteroatom; and g represents an integer of 1 to 24.
US08476396B2	Allophanate modified polyisocyanates A composition that includes isocyanate group containing compounds that include on average i) a NCO functionality less than or equal to 3.5; and ii) from 1.5 to 8 percent by weight, based on the isocyanate containing compound, of allophanate groups; and which is substantially free of uretdione groups. The composition can be used in two component elastomeric coating compositions that include a component A the above-described composition and a component B that includes a compound containing one or more functional groups that are reactive with isocyanate groups. The elastomeric coating compositions can be used to coat substrates.
US08476395B2	Polypropylene composition with improved optics for film and moulding applications The present invention relates to a polypropylene composition comprising a propylene homopolymer or a propylene random copolymer having at least one comonomer selected from alpha-olefins with 2 or 4-8 carbon atoms and a comonomer content of not more than 8.0 wt %, wherein the propylene homo- or copolymer is polymerized in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, and the polypropylene composition has a MWD of 2.0 to 6.0 and an MFR (2.16 kg/230° C.) of 4.0 g/10 min to 20.0 g/10 min, characterized in that the polypropylene composition has not been subjected to a vis-breaking step, the use of the inventive polypropylene composition for the production of a film and/or injection molded articles, a process for preparing a film wherein the inventive polypropylene composition is formed into a film, and wherein the polypropylene composition has not been subjected to a vis-breaking step and a film comprising the inventive polypropylene composition.
US08476394B2	Polymer resins having improved barrier properties and methods of making same A polymeric resin having a lower molecular weight (LMW) component and a higher molecular weight (HMW) component and the resin having a density of from about 0.955 g/cc to about 0.967 g/cc, a melt index of from about 0.5 dg/min to about 4.0 dg/min, and a zero shear viscosity of from about 3.0×103 Pa-s to about 4.0×104 Pa-s. A method comprising providing a catalyst system comprising at least one transition metal complex, an activator support, and a cocatalyst; contacting the catalyst system with an olefin under conditions suitable to form a polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin has a HMW component and a LMW component; and recovering the polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin has a melt index of from about 0.5 dg/min to about 4.0 dg/min, and a zero shear viscosity of from about 3.0×103 Pa-s to about 4.0×104 Pa-s.
US08476393B2	Ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers containing low crystallinity hard blocks The invention is related to an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer having at least a hard segment and at least a soft segment. The soft segment contains a higher amount of comonomers than the hard segment. The hard segment has low crystallinity. The copolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed herein. ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers containing low crystallinity hard blocks.
US08476391B2	Anionic water-in-water polymer dispersion, method for the production thereof and its use The invention relates to a method for producing anionic water-in-water polymer dispersions containing at least one finely dispersed, water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymer A and a continuous aqueous phase. This phase has a partial quantity of at least one polymeric dispersing agent B in which monomers dispersed in this aqueous phase are subjected to a radical polymerization, and after the polymerization is completed, the reaction mixture is subsequently diluted with the remaining amount of dispersing agent B. The invention also relates to the polymer dispersions obtained according to the method and to their use, particularly in the paper industry.
US08476389B2	Silicone hydrogel, lens for eye and contact lens The present invention provides transparent silicone hydrogels with high acrylamide monomer content and an excellent balance between moisture content.The silicone hydrogels may be obtained by polymerizing a monomer mix containing a plurality of monomers, wherein the monomer mix comprises about 30 to about 98% by weight of at least one type of silicone monomer which is, and about 1 to about 50% by weight of at least one type of non-silicone type (meth)acrylamide monomer containing two or more hydroxyl groups within a molecule; wherein the weight percents are based upon the total amount of monomer components and polymer components in the monomer mix.
US08476388B2	Polymeric acid catalysts and uses thereof Polymers useful as catalysts in non-enzymatic saccharification processes are provided. Provided are also methods for hydrolyzing cellulosic materials into monosaccharides and/or oligosaccharides using these polymeric acid catalysts.
US08476381B2	Method for producing crystalline polyoxyalkylene polyol, and resin obtained by using the same as raw material The present invention has its object to produce a highly reactive crystalline polyoxyalkylene polyol with a very high isotacticity at low cost, and provide polyurethane resins, and polyester resins which are excellent in sharp meltability. The present invention relates to a method for producing a crystalline polyoxyalkylene polyol having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 20,000 including performing ring-opening polymerization of an alkylene oxide (a) in the presence of a salen complex (B), the crystalline polyoxyalkylene polyol (A), and a polyurethane resin and a polyester resin produced by the crystalline polyoxyalkylene polyol (A).
US08476380B2	Room temperature curable silicon group-containing polymer composition Room temperature curable silicon group-containing polymer compositions comprising (A) a reactive silicon group-containing polymer obtained through a reaction between a polyoxypropylene polyol and a y-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, (B) a curing catalyst, and (C) amino group-substituted alkoxysilane or a hydrolyzed and condensed product of an amino group-substituted alkoxysilane.
US08476376B2	Heat-curing powder-lacquer compositions yielding a matte surface after curing of the coating, as well as a simple method for production of same The invention relates to heat-curing powder-lacquer compositions exhibiting a matte surface after curing of the coating, as well as to a simple method for production of the same.
US08476374B2	Activated silane compound, rubber composition using the same and tire The present invention relates to an activated silane compound obtained by reacting a hydrocarbyloxysilane compound with an organic metal compound in an organic solvent, and enhancing interaction of silica with carbon black and improving the fracture characteristic, the abrasion resistance and the low heating property provide an activated silane compound which can be reduced in a blending amount, a rubber composition prepared by blending it as a silane coupling agent and a pneumatic tire prepared by using the above rubber composition, which is excellent in a durability, a low heating property and the like.
US08476373B2	Branched and star-branched styrene polymers, telomers, and adducts, their synthesis, their bromination, and their uses New branched or star-branched styrene polymeric, telomeric, and monomeric product distributions, their preparation, their use as raw materials for bromination to produce flame retardants, the flame retardants themselves, and their use as flame retardants in various polymeric substrates are described.
US08476371B2	Interpolymer resin particles Interpolymer resin particles that include from about 20% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the particles of uncross-linked polyolefin resin particles having a VICAT softening temperature greater than 85° C. and from about 40% to about 80% by weight based on the weight of the interpolymer particles of polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer composition particles that have been polymerized in the uncross-linked polyolefin resin particles to form an interpenetrating network of polyolefin resin particles and polystyrene particles. The interpolymer resin particles have a gel content ranging from about 0 to about 1.5% by weight based on the weight of the interpolymer resin particles, a VICAT softening temperature ranging from about 90° C. to about 115° C., and a melt index value ranging from about 0.2 to about 35.0 g/10 minutes (Condition G).
US08476366B2	Block compositions in thermoplastic vulcanizate applications Embodiments of the invention provide block composites and their use in thermoplastic vulcanizate compounds.
US08476365B2	Method for gas phase polymerization Disclosed is a catalyst injection nozzle that comprises an outer tube with an open end, a nozzle tip with a diameter connected to the outer tube open end, an orifice connected to the nozzle tip internal to the outer tube, an internal mixing zone connected to the orifice internal to the outer tube, an inner tube residing within the outer tube further comprising an open end connected to the internal mixing zone, where a steady-state, uniform two-phase flow regime between an atomizing gas and at least one liquid catalyst feed does not form in the internal mixing zone at an atomizing gas to liquid catalyst feed flow ratio of about 0.05 to about 10.
US08476364B2	Polymer manufacturing process Embodiments relate to a relatively rapid transesterification process including transesterifying condensation polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or other polyesters used in commerce, with a modifying monomer mix containing other monomers to manufacture new polymers containing the pre-condensed moieties. The process preferably only involves transesterification as a reaction mechanism. The process preferably produces a rapid buildup of molecular weight and/or polymer uniformity by the high temperature transesterification of the condensation polymer with the modifying monomer mixture. The process can be performed in any suitable vessel including an extrusion line, and it has the advantage of greatly reduced cycle times over currently used condensation polymer utilization processes such as the recycling of PET into other materials.
US08476361B2	Fine pattern transfer material A transfer material that can favorably form a fine pattern by nanoimprinting. The nanoimprinting transfer material is a fine pattern resin composition that includes an organosilicon compound and a metal compound of a metal from groups 3 through 14 of the periodic table.
US08476356B2	(Per)fluoroelastomeric compositions A (per)fluoroelastomeric composition curable by peroxidic way comprising for 100 phr of (per)fluoroelastomer: as filler, from 2 to 70 phr of carbon black having a surface area between 25 and 35 m2/g; as crosslinking agent, from 0.5 to 10 phr of a bis-olefin having general formula: wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, equal to or different from each other, are H or C1-C5 alkyls; Z is selected between a linear or branched C1-C18 alkylene or cycloalkylene radical, optionally containing oxygen atoms, preferably at least partially fluorinated, or a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene radical.
US08476355B2	Long glass fiber reinforced resin composite and method for preparing the same A long glass reinforced resin composite of the present invention may comprise two kinds of thermoplastic matrix resin (a1, a2) which have different viscosities and a long glass fiber (B). The method of preparing the long glass reinforced resin composite comprises preparing a LFT (Long fiber thermoplastic) master-batch composition by impregnating the long glass fiber (B) of continuous phase into the low viscosity thermoplastic resin (a2), and compounding the LFT (Long fiber thermoplastic) master-hatch composition with high viscosity thermoplastic resin. The long glass fiber reinforced resin composite of the present invention has excellent mechanical properties such as impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural modulus.
US08476353B2	Amorphous polyamide resin composition and molded product Provided are an amorphous polyamide resin composition having high transparency, and is excellent in heat resistance and stiffness, and a molded product thereof. The glass filler contains, expressed in terms of oxides by mass %, 68 to 74% of silicon dioxide (SiO2), 2 to 5% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), 2 to 5% of boron oxide (B2O3), 2 to 10% of calcium oxide (CaO), 0 to 5% of zinc oxide (ZnO), 0 to 5% of strontium oxide (SrO), 0 to 1% of barium oxide (BaO), 1 to 5% of magnesium oxide (MgO), 0 to 5% of lithium oxide (Li2O), 5 to 12% of sodium oxide (Na2O), and 0 to 10% of potassium oxide (K2O), where a total amount of lithium oxide (Li2O), sodium oxide (Na2O), and potassium oxide (K2O) is 8 to 12%.
US08476350B2	Triglyceride plasticizer and process of making Provided are compositions, processes for making, and processes for using triglycerides as plasticizers. Triglyceride plasticizers can be produced by recovery of linear or branched C4 to C10 aldehydes from a hydroformylation product, oxidation to the acid with oxygen and/or air, recovery of the resulting acid, and esterification with glycerol, wherein the total carbon number of the triester groups is from 20 to 25 for greater than or equal to 45 wt % of the plasticizer. Such plasticizers can be phthalate-free and provide outstanding properties including a suitable melting or glass transition or pour point, low volatility, increased compatibility, and excellent low temperature properties in a range of polymeric resins.
US08476348B2	Protein-free natural rubber, latex thereof, and method for manufacturing said rubber and latex Provided is a protein-free natural rubber for which the risk of inducing allergic reactions is extremely low. Also provided are a latex of said rubber and a method for efficiently manufacturing said rubber and latex. In the provided manufacturing method, a urea compound, a surfactant, and a polar organic solvent are added to a natural rubber latex, and the proteins in said latex are denatured and then removed. This results in a protein-free rubber latex having a nitrogen content of at most 0.001% as measured by an RRIM test. Also, the amount of protein in a solid rubber obtained by drying the provided natural rubber latex is at most 0.5 μg/g as measured by an improved Lowry method.
US08476345B2	Use of oily soft waxes as hydrophobizing agents in timber products, timber products thus produced, and processes for introducing soft waxes into timber products An aqueous wax dispersion comprising a soft wax having an oil content of greater than 20 wt % and from 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % urea for use as a hydrophobizing agent in the production of timber products. The soft wax has a softening point of less than 65° C. and is solid at about 10° C. and below.
US08476343B2	Toy putty material compositions A putty material primarily used as a toy which is solid and capable of flowing for forming, preferably by manual manipulation, onto various pleasing shapes. This putty material is used primarily by children as an amusement device. The putty material is formed from a homogeneous mixture of primarily water, polyvinyl alcohol, gum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a small amount of borax wherein the ratio by weight of borax to polyvinyl alcohol is preferably in the range of between 1:12 to 1:22. The toy modeling composition can be formed opaque or translucent and can be dyed, particularly when clear, to create various overall artistic effects, and glitter can be applied on the paste to create unusual aesthetic effects, particularly when using white glitter. Coloration can be applied to the materials with translucent ink or with a marker.
US08476339B2	Method and apparatus for making composite solid surface article and composite solid surface article containing large particles A method and apparatus for producing a composite solid surface article are disclosed. The method includes feeding a first composition toward a mixing point and feeding solid particles toward the mixing point. The method further includes mixing at the mixing point the first composition and the solid particles fed to the mixing point to form a second composition, and transferring the second composition away from the mixing point. The method further comprises polymerizing the polymerizable compound in the second compound so as to form a curable composition comprising the solid particles. The apparatus includes a solid particle feeder, a slurry feeder and a blender configured to blend and transfer a mixture of the solid surface forming slurry and solid particles away from the blending area. The composite solid surface article produced using the method and apparatus contain particles with a size greater than 5 mm.
US08476338B2	Dental curable composition and composite resin using the same The present invention provides a dental curable composition exhibiting both excellent light diffusion and excellent transparency, and having high mechanical strength and surface smoothness and gloss after polishing as a cured product as well as good handling properties as a paste. The present invention is a dental curable composition including: a polymerizable monomer (A) having a refractive index of 1.52 to 1.58 after polymerization; inorganic particles (B) having a refractive index of 1.43 to 1.50; and inorganic particles (C) having a refractive index of 1.52 to 1.58. The inorganic particles (B) are aggregates of inorganic fine particles having an average primary particle size of 2 to 50 nm, and the content of the inorganic particles (B) is 0.1 to 10% by weight.
US08476336B2	Ophthalmologic composition and ophthalmologic lens The invention relates to an ophthalmologic composition including a dye of the general formula I in which R1=substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical, R2=substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical with at least one polymerizable double bond, R3═H or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical, R4═H, electron-withdrawing substituent or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical and X═O, S, NH or NR5, wherein R5 is a substituted and/or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical. Moreover, the invention relates to another ophthalmologic composition and an ophthalmologic lens.
US08476333B2	Photocurable composition The present invention relates to a photocurable composition which exhibits excellent adhesiveness not only to thermoplastic resins such as PET and polyimide but also to adherends of metal oxides such as IZO and metals such as gold, more particularly to a photocurable composition which comprises a urethane oligomer (A) having two or more allyl ether and/or vinyl ether groups and a polythiol (B) having two or more thiol groups.
US08476331B2	Photosensitive resin composition and preparation method A photosensitive resin composition comprises: 0.01 wt %-10 wt % of reflective particles; 0 wt %-12 wt % of pigment; 1 wt %-10 wt % of dispersant; 1.5 wt %-5 wt % of dispersion resin; 2 wt %-25 wt % of optically active polymer; 1 wt %-22 wt % of optical active monomer; 0.4 wt %-5 wt % of epoxy resin; 5 wt %-85 wt % of solvent; 0.1 wt %-3 wt % of photoinitiator; and 0.01 wt %-3.5 wt % of additives.
US08476328B2	Polishing pad A method for manufacturing a polishing pad that has high level of optical detection accuracy and is prevented from causing slurry leak from between the polishing region and the light-transmitting region includes preparing a cell-dispersed urethane composition by a mechanical foaming method; placing a light-transmitting region at a predetermined position on a face material or a belt conveyor, continuously discharging the cell-dispersed urethane composition onto part of the face material or the belt conveyor where the light-transmitting region is not placed; placing another face material or belt conveyor on the discharged cell-dispersed urethane composition; curing the cell-dispersed urethane composition to form a polishing region including a polyurethane foam, so that a polishing sheet is prepared; applying a coating composition containing an aliphatic and/or alicyclic polyisocyanate to one side of the polishing sheet and curing the coating composition to form water-impermeable film; and cutting the polishing sheet.
US08476327B2	Extruded polymer foam process with staged forming Prepare an extruded polymeric foam by extruding a foamable polymer composition through a foaming die and allowing the foamable polymer composition to expand into a polymer foam as it travels through and is constrained in its thickness dimension by at least two constraining sections, the first having opposing essentially parallel forming plates and the second constraining section having forming plates spaced further apart than the first constraining section.
US08476325B2	Styrene-modified polyethylene-based resin beads, styrene-modified polyethylene-based expandable resin beads, production method therefor, pre-expanded beads and expanded molded article A method for producing styrene-modified polyethylene-based resin beads, including the steps of: dispersing 100 parts by weight of polyethylene-based resin beads which contain an inorganic nucleating agent and have a melting point of 95° C. to 115° C., 20 parts by weight or more and less than 300 parts by weight of a styrene-based monomer and a polymerization initiator into an aqueous suspension containing a dispersant; impregnating the polyethylene-based resin beads with the styrene-based monomer under heating the resulting dispersion at such a temperature that the styrene-based monomer does not substantially polymerize; and performing polymerization of the styrene-based monomer at a temperature of (T)° C. to (T+25)° C. (where T° C. is a melting point of the polyethylene-based resin beads.)
US08476324B2	Method for manufacturing anion exchange resin, anion exchange resin, method for manufacturing cation exchange resin, cation exchange resin, mixed bed resin, and method for manufacturing ultrapure water for washing electronic component material A method for manufacturing an anion exchange resin, in which remaining of impurities and generation of decomposition products are suppressed and leachables are reduced, the method including the following steps (1-a) to (1-e) of: (1-a) obtaining a cross-linked copolymer by copolymerizing a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linkable aromatic monomer; (1-b) specifying the content of a specific leachable compound to be 400 μg or less relative to 1 g of the cross-linked copolymer; (1-c) haloalkylating the cross-linked copolymer so as to introduce 80 percent by mole or less of haloalkyl group relative to the monovinyl aromatic monomer; (1-d) removing a specific leachable compound from the haloalkylated cross-linked copolymer; and (1-e) subjecting the haloalkylated cross-linked copolymer to a reaction with an amine compound.
US08476323B2	Fluorocarbon polymer material and method for synthesizing The invention relates to a fluorocarbon polymer material comprising a backbone with the following unit: wherein: Z is a quaternary ammonium group, Y1 and Y2 are each independently an oxygen heteroatom or a sulphur heteroatom, A is a fluorinated or perfluorinated straight chain having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R1 represents a phenyl or aryl group or a —CR2R3— group, and R4 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched, cyclic or acyclic, alkyl or halogenated alkyl group, and a group represented by the following formula: m is an integer comprised between 0 and 10, preferably between 0 and 3; m′, n and r are integers, each independently equal to 0 or 1; and s is equal to 0 or 1, provided that when s is equal to 0, then R4 is different from the hydrogen atom.
US08476322B2	Microphase-separated structure membrane and process for producing the same Provided is a microphase-separated structure membrane including a block copolymer in which a hydrophilic polymer component and a hydrophobic polymer component are coupled to each other via a structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye. In the microphase-separated structure membrane, a cylinder structure composed of the hydrophilic polymer component lies in a matrix composed of the hydrophobic polymer component and is oriented in the direction perpendicular to the membrane surface, and the structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye lies between the matrix and the cylinder structure.
US08476321B2	Fischer-Tropsch catalyst The present invention is directed to a catalyst suitable for catalyzing a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, said catalyst comprising cobalt metal supported on zinc-oxide and an amount of zirconium(IV)oxide and/or aluminum oxide of between 0.5 and 2.5 wt. % calculated as metal, based on the weight of the calcined catalyst.
US08476318B2	Polyethylene glycol esters and cosmetic and/or dermatological preparations The invention relates to polyethylene glycol esters and blends of the polyethylene glycol esters with polyethylene glycol ethers, together with in particular cosmetic and/or dermatological preparations containing them, methods for the production thereof and use thereof.
US08476316B2	3-methanesulfonylpropionitrile for treating inflammation and pain The present invention relates to purified 3-methanesulfonylpropionitrile or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a method for preparing such compound. The compound has at least 90% (w/w) purity. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprises the purified compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention is further directed to a method for treating inflammation, inflammatory-related disorders, or pain, by administering 3-methanesulfonylpropionitrile or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof to a subject in need thereof.
US08476312B2	Composition comprising (−)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol A composition comprising a tetrahydrocannabinol compound, a solvent and an acid, wherein the tetrahydrocannabinol compound may be Δ8 tetrahydrocannabinol, (−)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol or a side chain alkyl derivative of either compound, the solvent may be an oil or C1-C4 alcohol (e.g. sesame oil or ethanol), and the acid may be an organic acid or a mineral acid.
US08476311B2	Composition for treating influenza A (H1N1) virus and a preparation method therefor New pharmaceutical compositions extracted from Ferula assa-foetida are confirmed to effectively treat influenza A (H1N1) virus. The extraction method of the new pharmaceutical compositions mainly includes steps of (a) extracting F. assa-foetida with methanol to obtain a crude extract; (b) fractioning the crude extract with n-hexane-methanol to obtain a methanol extract; (c) fractioning the methanol extract with chloroform-water to obtain a chloroform extract; and (d) chromatographing the chloroform extract to obtain the pharmaceutical compositions, which can be further fractioned and chromatographed to obtain various sesquiterpene coumarins.
US08476310B2	Docetaxel formulations with lipoic acid Pharmaceutical formulations comprising docetaxel, solubilizer, and α-lipoic acid, wherein the formulation is substantially free of polysorbates and polyethoxylated castor oil. The solubilizer may comprise glycofurol, acetic acid, benzyl alcohol, or ethanol. The α-lipoic acid, at certain concentrations, may impart stability and prevent degradation of docetaxel while the formulations are in storage. The formulations may be combined with a diluent, which comprises one or more hydrotropes such as tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate and polyethylene glycol. The formulations combined with the diluent also exhibit stability after storage. Methods of administering docetaxel comprise preparing the formulation comprising docetaxel, solubilizer, and α-lipoic acid; mixing the formulation with a diluent; diluting the resulting formulation in saline, water for injection, or the like; and then injecting the formulations into patients in need thereof.
US08476303B2	N-aminopyrrolylmethyltetrahydropyridines as anti-cancer agents The compounds herein disclosed are N-aminopyrrolylmethyltetrahydropyridine analogs that have modifications on the phenyl rings by introducing groups with various electronic properties. These derivatives of N-aminopyrrolylmethyltetrahydropyridines have been shown to have anti-proliferative activity against cells. In particular, the compounds have been found to be effective in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells, such as cancer cells that originated in breast tissue. Additionally, it has been shown that the novel compounds have IC50 values against the breast cancer cells that are 6-10-fold less than the IC50 of tamoxifen.
US08476300B2	Selective estrogen receptor modulator for the treatment of osteoarthritis The present invention is directed to a compound of the formula (A): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and also to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08476299B2	Crystalline form of a biphenyl compound The invention provides a crystalline 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid salt of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-[2-(2-chloro-4-{[(R)-2-hydroxy-2-(8-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin-5-yl)ethylamino]methyl}-5-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)ethyl]piperidin-4-yl ester or a solvate thereof. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such a salt or prepared using such a salt; processes and intermediates for preparing such a salt; and methods of using such a salt to treat a pulmonary disorder.
US08476295B2	Bridged bicyclic RHO kinase inhibitor compounds, composition and use The present invention is directed to synthetic bridged bicyclic compounds that are inhibitors of rho-associated protein kinase. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention is additionally directed to a method of preventing or treating diseases or conditions associated with cytoskeletal reorganization. The method comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a Rho kinase inhibitory compound of Formula I, wherein said amount is effective to influence the actomyosin interactions, for example, by leading to cellular relaxation and alterations in cell-substratum adhesions. In one embodiment, the method treats increased intraocular pressure, such as primary open-angle glaucoma. In another embodiment, the method treats diseases or conditions of the lung associated with excessive cell proliferation, remodeling, inflammation, vasoconstriction, bronchoconstriction, airway hyperreactivity and edema.
US08476293B2	Tricyclic compound and use thereof The present invention relates to the compound represented by formula (I): (wherein, all the symbols have the same meaning as that of the specification), a salt thereof, a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof. Since the compound of the present invention has an anti stress action, it is useful for preventive and/or therapeutic agent for a disease caused by stress, especially a digestive system disease caused by stress and is superior to oral absorption.
US08476292B2	Amide and carbamate derivatives of N-{2-[4-amino-2-(ethoxymethyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c] quinolin-1-Yl]-1,1-dimethylethyl}methanesulfonamide and methods Amide and carbamate derivatives N-{2-[4-amino-2-(ethoxymethyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-1-yl]-1,1-dimethylethyl}methanesulfonamide, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of making the compounds, and methods of use of these compounds in modulating the immune system, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.
US08476291B1	Opioid salts and formulations exhibiting anti-abuse and anti-dumping properties A drug substance with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid addition salt of an opioid wherein said organic acid is selected from Structure A: wherein R1-R4 are independently selected from H, alkyl or substituted alkyl of 1-6 carbons, adjacent groups may be taken together to form a cyclic alkyl, cyclic alkyl-aryl, or cyclic aryl moiety; R5 is selected from H, or an alkali earth cation; R6 and R7 are independently selected from H, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, an alkali earth cation, and aryl of 6 to 12 carbons, in a number sufficient to complete the valence bonding of X, and wherein X is selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; and wherein the drug substance has a morphology selected from amorphous and crystalline.
US08476287B2	3-hydroxy-5-arylisothiazole derivative [Problem]To provide a GPR40 activating agent having, as an active ingredient, a novel compound having a GPR40 agonist action, a salt of the compound, a solvate of the salt or the compound, or the like, particularly, an insulin secretagogue and a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent against diabetes, obesity, or other diseases.[Means of solving the problem]A compound of Formula (I): (where n is 0 to 2; p is 0 to 4; j is 0 to 3; k is 0 to 2; a ring A is an aryl group which is optionally substituted with L or a heterocyclic group which is optionally substituted with L; a ring B is a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, or a pyrimidine ring; X is O, S, —NR7—; and R1 to R7 are specific groups),a salt of the compound, or a solvate of the salt or the compound.
US08476286B2	Quinazoline derivatives which promote the release of parathyroid hormone Use of compound of formula (I), wherein, is, or, and wherein the symbols are as defined, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable and -cleavable ester, or acid addition salt thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for promoting the release of parathyroid hormone, e.g. for preventing or treating bone conditions which are associated with increased calcium depletion or resorption or in which stimulation of bone formation and calcium fixation in the bone is desirable.
US08476280B2	Compositions and methods for combating lower urinary tract dysfunctions with delta opioid receptor agonists Compositions and methods for treatment of a urinary tract dysfunction by administering to a subject in need of such treatment a pharmaceutical composition including a delta opioid receptor agonist in an amount effective to reduce the effects of the urinary tract dysfunction. The compositions may further include an additional active agent that is used to treat urinary tract dysfunctions, e.g., alpha-adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, alpha-adrenergic antagonists and tricyclic antidepressants.
US08476270B2	Dihydropyrido[4,3-b]pyrazine-3-ones as modulators of toll-like receptors The present invention relates to novel dihydropyrido[4,3 -b]pyrazin-3(4H)-ones of the general formula: useful as modulators of toll-like receptors, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08476269B2	Pyridine and pyrazine derivative for the treatment of CF The present invention provides pyridine and pyrazine derivatives which restore or enhance the function of mutant and/or wild type CFTR to treat cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory tract infections, lung carcinoma, xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sire, or constipation (IBS, IBD, opioid induced). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.
US08476268B2	Pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxamide derivatives The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof, wherein the substituents are as defined in the description, to compositions and use of the compounds in the treatment of diseases ameloriated by inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.
US08476267B2	Imidazo-, pyrazolopyrazines and imidazotriazines and their use The invention relates to substituted imidazo-, pyrazolopyrazines and imidazotriazines and processes for their preparation, and their use for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular of hematological disorders, preferably of leukopenias and neutropenias.
US08476266B2	Phenylacetic acid compound A compound represented by formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, etc., R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, optionally oxidized C1-4 alkyl group or optionally protected hydroxyl group, or R2 and R3 taken together represent optionally oxidized C2-5 alkylene group, R4 represents an optionally oxidized C1-6 alkyl group, etc., R5 represents an optionally oxidized C1-6 alkyl group, etc., R6 represents an optionally oxidized C1-6 alkyl group, etc., m represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, n represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 4, and i represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 7.
US08476264B2	N-(3-(2-amino-6,6-difluoro-4,4A,5,6,7,7A-hexahydro-cyclopenta[E][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)-phenylamides as BACE1 inhibitors The present invention provides N-(3-(2-amino-6,6-difluoro-4,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-cyclopenta[e][1,3]oxazin-4-yl)-phenyl)-amides of formula I having BACE1 inhibitory activity, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as therapeutically active substances. The active compounds of the present invention are useful in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of e.g. Alzheimer's disease.
US08476263B2	Prodrugs of 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses The present disclosure provides prodrugs of biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, compositions comprising the prodrugs, intermediates and methods for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs in a variety of applications.
US08476262B2	Cyanopyrroles This invention provides a progesterone receptor antagonist of formula 1 having the structure wherein, T is O, S, or absent; R1, and R2 are each, independently, hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl; or R1 and R2 are taken together form a ring and together contain —CH2(CH2)nCH2—, —CH2CH2CMe2CH2CH2—, —O(CH2)pCH2—, —O(CH2)qO—, —CH2CH2OCH2CH2—, or —CH2CH2NR7CH2CH2—; n=1-5; p=1-4; q=1-4; R3 is hydrogen, OH, NH2, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, or CORA; RA is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, aminoalkyl, or substituted aminoalkyl; R4 is hydrogen, halogen, CN, NH2, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, aminoalkyl, or substituted aminoalkyl; R5 is hydrogen, alkyl, or substituted alkyl; R6 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, or CORB; RB is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, aminoalkyl, or substituted aminoalkyl; R7 is hydrogen or alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08476256B2	Diazonamide analogs Novel diazonamide analogs having anti-mitotic activity, useful for the treatment of cancer and other proliferative disorders are provided.
US08476255B2	Histone deacetylase inhibitors Provided herein are novel, stilbene like compounds of the general formula (I), their derivatives, analogs, tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, polymorphs, hydrates, metabolites, prodrugs, solvates, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions thereof. These compounds can inhibit HDACs and are useful as a therapeutic or ameliorating agent for diseases that are involved in cellular growth such as malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, infections, inflammation, etc.
US08476251B2	Skin care compositions comprising substituted diamines Skin care compositions comprising certain substituted diamines, which are particularly beneficial for skin lightening and achieving evenness of color, especially for face and underarm skin.
US08476249B2	Method of treating thrombocytopenia Invented is a method of treating thrombocytopenia in a human, in need thereof which comprises the in vivo administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide or a non-peptide TPO receptor agonist and an anti-clotting agent or agents, and optional further active ingredients, to such human.
US08476247B2	Method of reducing intraocular pressure in humans Provided herein is a method of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in humans using N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), CPA derivatives or prodrugs or enhanced cornea permeability formulations of CPA. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to CPA derivatives or prodrugs that are permeable to the cornea. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to uses of certain compounds in human subjects for reducing and/or controlling elevated or abnormally fluctuating IOPs in the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT).
US08476241B2	Effective treatment of esophogeal adenocarcinoma using triciribine and related compounds The inventors have determined, contrary to the prior art and experience, how to successfully use triciribine to treat esophogeal adenocarcinoma by one or a combination of (i) administering triciribine only to patients which according to a diagnostic test described below, exhibit enhanced sensitivity to the drug; (ii) use of a described dosage level that minimizes the toxicity of the drug but yet still exhibits efficacy; or (iii) use of a described dosage regimen that minimizes the toxicity of the drug.
US08476240B2	Histidine related compounds for identifying and blocking amyloid beta ion channels The present disclosure relates to amyloid beta (Aβ) channels and the diseases and disorders caused by abnormal activity in these channels, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, inclusion body myositis, or cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The disclosure provides compositions and methods that block Aβ channel activity and/or reduce Aβ-induced toxicity in a cell. Compositions comprised of compounds having histidine coordinating capacity are used in methods to prevent, reduce, or eliminate damage caused by Aβ ion channels.
US08476239B2	Stable protein formulations The present invention relates generally to stable formulations comprising CTLA4Ig molecules, including lyophilized, and liquid formulations for administration via various routes including, for example, routes such as intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) for treating immune system diseases and tolerance induction.
US08476238B2	Uses of an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum The invention provides a method for inhibiting EGF receptor activity comprising contacting an EGF receptor with an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum, or a recombinant thereof. Also provided is a method for treating invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, comprising administering an effective amount of an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum, or a recombinant thereof, to a subject in need of such treatment.
US08476234B2	Long-acting coagulation factors and methods of producing same Polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding same comprising at least one carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a carboxy terminus of a coagulation factor and not to an amino terminus are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed.
US08476228B2	Insulin derivatives The present invention relates to insulin derivatives having a side chain attached either to the α-amino group of the N-terminal amino acid residue of the B chain or to the ε-amino group of a Lys residue present in the B chain of the parent insulin via an amide bond which side chain comprises at least one aromatic group; at least one free carboxylic acid group or a group which is negatively charged at neutral pH, a fatty acid moiety with 4 to 22 carbon atoms in the carbon chain; and possible linkers which link the individual components in the side chain together via amide bonds.
US08476227B2	Methods of activating a melanocortin-4 receptor pathway in obese subjects Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by activation of melanocortin signaling pathways. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can induce activation of melanocortin receptor signaling to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for performing a diagnostic procedure can be chosen, energy expenditure then assess in light of the diagnostic procedure and a definitive procedure(s) can be selected dependent on the outcome of the energy assessment. In another embodiment, a diagnostic procedure can be chosen to activate melanocortin receptor pathways, energy expenditure can be assessed and a definitive procedure(s) can be chosen that selectively and optimally activate melanocortin receptor pathways.
US08476226B2	DIG-10 insecticidal cry toxins DIG-10 Cry toxins, polynucleotides encoding such toxins, use of such toxins to control pests, and transgenic plants that produce such toxins are disclosed.
US08476219B2	Laundry scent additive A laundry scent additive having polyethylene glycol and perfume. The laundry scent additive enables consumers to control the amount of scent imparted to their laundry.
US08476216B2	Colored speckles having delayed release properties This invention relates to non-bleeding and controlled color-releasing speckles for use in granular laundry detergents and other consumer products. The speckles are comprised of a salt or salt-containing carrier, a coloring agent, and a water-insoluble (or minimally water-soluble) salt coating.
US08476213B1	Scrub bars and methods for making same Scrub bars and methods for making scrub bars are disclosed. In some embodiments, the scrub bars comprise multiple layers.
US08476211B2	Porous, dissolvable solid substrates and surface resident starch perfume complexes The present invention relates to personal care compositions, especially those personal care compositions in the form of a personal care article that is a porous dissolvable solid substrate. The porous dissolvable solid substrate has a surface resident coating comprising the starch perfume complex that can provide a consumer benefit.
US08476210B2	Composition for compressor working fluid for applications with soluble gas or gas condensates A composition of compressor working fluid including a dissolved gas or a condensate from a dissolved gas, and a base fluid including at least a first base stock and a second base stock, wherein the viscosity difference between the first base stock and the second base stock is greater than 125 cSt, Kv 100° C. A composition of compressor working fluid including a dissolved gas or a condensate from a dissolved gas, and a base fluid including a first base stock and a second base stock, wherein the viscosity difference between the first and second base stock is greater than 40 cSt, Kv 100° C., and wherein the first and second base stocks are each polyglycol or polyalkylene glycol base derived from propylene oxide. A method of achieving favorable viscosity index for a compressor working fluid. A method of reducing dilution from gas being compressed for a compressor working fluid.
US08476209B2	Aminic antioxidants to minimize turbo sludge A turbo-charged, sump-lubricated internal combustion engine which is susceptible to contamination of lubricant with liquid fuel, is lubricated with a lubricant which contains an amount of an aminic antioxidant, optionally in the absence of a phenolic antioxidant, thereby reducing the deterioration of said lubricant and formation of turbo sludge.
US08476207B2	Quaternary ammonium salt detergents for use in lubricating compositions A quaternary ammonium salt detergent made from the reaction product of the reaction of: (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound having an oxygen or nitrogen atom capable of condensing with said acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group; and (b) a quaternizing agent suitable for converting the tertiary amino group to a quaternary nitrogen and the use of such quaternary ammonium salt detergents in a lubricating composition, a fuel composition.
US08476205B2	Chromium HVI-PAO bi-modal lubricant compositions The invention relates to oil compositions containing chromium catalyzed high viscosity index polyalphaolefins (HVI-PAO). In one embodiment the oil formulation comprises a chromium catalyzed HVI-PAO with a viscosity greater than 125 cSt kv 100° C. and a viscosity index greater than 100, a second base stock with a viscosity of at least 2 cSt kv 100° C. and less than 60 cSt kv 100° C. wherein the second base stock is at least 120 cSt kv 100° C. less than the chromium HVI-PAO, an ester with a viscosity of at least 2 and less than 6, the ester chosen from the group consisting of monoester, di-octyl sebacate and any combination thereof comprising more than 10 weight percent and less than 30 weight percent of the oil formulation, the oil formulation having a viscosity index of greater than 180.
US08476204B2	Lubricant and use of a lubricant A Lubricant comprises a carboxylic-acid-amide which is based on aliphatic unbranched, alicyclic and/or aromatic chains with chain length from 2 to 60 carbon atoms.
US08476202B2	Carboxylic acid and oxidizer clean-up compositions and associated methods of use in subterranean applications Methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid; providing a clean-up composition comprising a carboxylic acid; a chlorite-based breaker system comprising an alkali metal compound and an activator wherein the activator comprises a metal and an amine. Placing a viscosified treatment fluid in a subterranean formation via a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; first contacting the viscosified treatment fluid with the chlorite-based breaker; and then contacting the viscosified treatment fluid with the clean-up composition; and, allowing the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid to reduce.
US08476201B2	Drilling fluids having reduced sag potential and related methods Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential are described herein. The drilling fluids comprise an invert emulsion, a weighting agent, and a plurality of colloidal particles. The invert emulsion comprises an oleaginous fluid continuous phase, an aqueous fluid internal phase, and a surfactant. At least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent. In some embodiments, the weighting agent comprises barite particles, particularly barite particles that are less than about 45 μm in size. Methods for placing the invert emulsion drilling fluids in a subterranean formation via a wellbore are also disclosed.
US08476195B2	Uses of thaxtomin and thaxtomin compositions as herbicides There is a need for a selective, low-risk herbicide that can be used to control weeds in cereal cultures and turf. The present invention discloses that a bacterial secondary metabolite, thaxtomin and optionally another herbicide is an effective herbicide on broadleaved, sedge and grass weeds. Thaxtomin A and structurally similar compounds can be used as natural herbicides to control the germination and growth of weeds in cereal, turf grass, Timothy grass and pasture grass cultures with no phytotoxicity to these crops. As a natural, non-toxic compound, thaxtomin can be used as a safe alternative for weed control in both conventional and organic farming and gardening systems.
US08476188B2	Cloth-like radioactive material adsorbent and its manufacturing method A renewable adsorbent enabling to adsorb cesium selectively and efficiently, and to reuse cesium by eluting adsorbed cesium, and its manufacturing method are provided. Polyethylene (PE)/polypropylene (PP) based non-woven fabric may be exposed with electron beam, PE/PP based non-woven fabric to which electron beam was exposed is contacted to the monomer solution containing acrylonitrile (AN), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Tween80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) as a surfactant, and AMP (ammonium molybdophosphate n-hydrate) as an inorganic ion exchanger, and then the inorganic ion exchanger (AMP) is supported directly by the non-ionic graft chain.
US08476185B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing manganese oxide-titania catalyst Disclosed are an apparatus and method for preparing a manganese oxide-titania catalyst. The apparatus for preparing a manganese oxide-titania catalyst includes: a vaporizer vaporizing a manganese precursor and a titanium precursor; a carrier gas supply line supplying a carrier gas, which carries precursor vapors vaporized by the vaporizer to a reactor, to the vaporizer; an oxygen supply line supplying an oxygen source to the reactor; the reactor reacting the precursor vapors with the oxygen source to synthesize a manganese oxide-titania catalyst; and a collector condensing and collecting the manganese oxide-titania catalyst synthesized in the reactor. And, the method for preparing a manganese oxide-titania catalyst includes: 1) vaporizing a manganese precursor and a titanium precursor; 2) carrying precursor vapors (vapors of the manganese precursor and the titanium precursor) and an oxygen source to a reactor; 3) reacting the precursor vapors and the oxygen source to synthesize a manganese oxide-titania catalyst; and 4) condensing and collecting the manganese oxide-titania catalyst. According to the present disclosure, mass production of manganese oxide-titania catalysts with high decomposition efficiency of organic compounds can be prepared through fewer and continuous processes.
US08476184B2	Bulk catalyst composition and a process preparing the bulk catalyst composition The invention relates to a bulk catalyst composition comprising metal oxidic particles comprising one or more Group VIII metals and two or more Group VIB metals, which bulk catalyst composition comprises first metal oxidic particles comprising one or more first Group VIII metals and one or more first Group VIB metals and separately prepared second metal oxidic particles comprising one or more second Group VIII metals and one or more second Group VIB metals, wherein the composition of Group VIB and Group VIII metals in the first and second metal oxidic particles are different, wherein the first and second oxidic bulk particles-are separately shaped to separate first and second shaped bulk catalyst particles, which are combined, preferably into a homogeneous blend, to form the bulk catalyst composition. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of the bulk catalyst composition and to hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed using the bulk catalyst composition.
US08476164B1	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device with silicide A method of manufacturing semiconductor device is provided. A substrate at least with a patterned silicon-containing layer on the substrate and spacers adjacent to the patterned silicon-containing layer is provided. A metal layer is formed on the substrate and covers the patterned silicon-containing layer and spacers. Then, a capping layer is formed on the metal layer. A first rapid thermal process is performed to at least make a portion of the metal layer react with the substrate around the spacers to form transitional silicides. The capping layer and the unreacted portions of the metal layer are removed. A first nitride film with a first tensile stress S1 is formed on the substrate. A second rapid thermal process is performed to transfer the transitional silicide to a silicide and transfer the first nitride film to a second nitride film with a second tensile stress S2, wherein S2>S1.
US08476159B2	Substrate structure with compliant bump and manufacturing method thereof A substrate structure with compliant bump comprises a substrate, a plurality of bumps, and a metallic layer, wherein the substrate comprises a surface, a trace layer, and a protective layer. The trace layer comprises a plurality of conductive pads, and each of the conductive pads comprises an upper surface. The protective layer comprises a plurality of openings. The bumps are formed on the surface, and each of the bumps comprises a top surface, an inner surface and an outer surface and defines a first body and a second body. The first body is located on the surface. The second body is located on top of the first body. The metallic layer is formed on the top surface, the inner surface, and the upper surface.
US08476149B2	Method of manufacturing single crystal silicon wafer from ingot grown by Czocharlski process with rapid heating/cooling process A silicon wafer produced from a silicon single crystal ingot grown by Czochralski process is subjected to rapid heating/cooling thermal process at a maximum temperature (T1) of 1300° C. or more, but less than 1380° C. in an oxidizing gas atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 20% or more, but less than 100%. The silicon wafer according to the invention has, in a defect-free region (DZ layer) including at least a device active region of the silicon wafer, a high oxygen concentration region having a concentration of oxygen solid solution of 0.7×1018 atoms/cm3 or more and at the same time, the defect-free region contains interstitial silicon in supersaturated state.
US08476146B2	Reducing wafer distortion through a low CTE layer Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first layer on a first side of a first silicon wafer. The first silicon wafer has a second side opposite the first side. The first layer has a coefficient-of-thermal-expansion (CTE) that is lower than that of silicon. The method includes bonding the first wafer to a second silicon wafer in a manner so that the first layer is disposed in between the first and second silicon wafers. The method includes removing a portion of the first silicon wafer from the second side. The method includes forming a second layer over the second side of the first silicon wafer. The second layer has a CTE higher than that of silicon.
US08476145B2	Method of fabricating a semiconductor device and structure A method to fabricate a semiconductor device, including the sequence of: implanting one or more regions on a semiconductor wafer forming a doped layer; performing a first transfer of the doped layer onto a carrier; and then performing a second transfer of the doped layer from the carrier to a target wafer; and then etching said one or more regions of the doped layer to form transistors on the doped layer.
US08476144B2	Method for providing a continuous motion sequential lateral solidification for reducing or eliminating artifacts in edge regions, and a mask for facilitating such artifact reduction/elimination An arrangement, process and mask for implementing single-scan continuous motion sequential lateral solidification of a thin film provided on a sample such that artifacts formed at the edges of the beamlets irradiating the thin film are significantly reduced. According to this invention, the edge areas of the previously irradiated and resolidified areas which likely have artifacts provided therein are overlapped by the subsequent beamlets. In this manner, the edge areas of the previously resolidified irradiated areas and artifacts therein are completely melted throughout their thickness. At least the subsequent beamlets are shaped such that the grains of the previously irradiated and resolidified areas which border the edge areas melted by the subsequent beamlets grow into these resolidifying edges areas so as to substantially reduce or eliminate the artifacts.
US08476142B2	Preferential dielectric gapfill Aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of preferentially filling narrow trenches with silicon oxide while not completely filling wider trenches and/or open areas. In embodiments, dielectric layers are deposited by flowing a silicon-containing precursor and ozone into a processing chamber such that a relatively dense first portion of a silicon oxide layer followed by a more porous (and more rapidly etched) second portion of the silicon oxide layer. Narrow trenches are filled with dense material whereas open areas are covered with a layer of dense material and more porous material. Dielectric material in wider trenches may be removed at this point with a wet etch while the dense material in narrow trenches is retained.
US08476138B2	Semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same, a method of manufacturing a vertical MISFET and a vertical MISFET, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device Vertical MISFETs are formed over drive MISFETs and transfer MISFETs. The vertical MISFETs comprise rectangular pillar laminated bodies each formed by laminating a lower semiconductor layer (drain), an intermediate semiconductor layer, and an upper semiconductor layer (source), and gate electrodes formed on corresponding side walls of the laminated bodies with gate insulating films interposed therebetween. In each vertical MISFET, the lower semiconductor layer constitutes a drain, the intermediate semiconductor layer constitutes a substrate (channel region), and the upper semiconductor layer constitutes a source. The lower semiconductor layer, the intermediate semiconductor layer and the upper semiconductor layer are each comprised of a silicon film. The lower semiconductor layer and the upper semiconductor layer are doped with a p type and constituted of a p type silicon film.
US08476136B2	Method and a structure for enhancing electrical insulation and dynamic performance of MIS structures comprising vertical field plates In an MIS structure a field plate electrode is incorporated below a buried gate electrode by using an insulating oxide layer, which is formed concurrently with the gate dielectric layer. In order to obtain superior dynamic behavior and enhanced dielectric strength the oxidation behavior of the field plate electrode is modified, for instance by incorporating a desired high concentration of arsenic.
US08476115B2	Semiconductor device and method of mounting cover to semiconductor die and interposer with adhesive material A semiconductor device has an interposer with a die attach area interior to the interposer and cover attach area outside the die attach area. A channel is formed into a surface of the interposer within the cover attach area. A dam material is formed over the surface of the interposer within the cover attach area between the channel and edge of the interposer. A semiconductor die is mounted to the die attach area of the interposer. An adhesive material is deposited in the cover attach area away from the channel and dam material. A cover, such as a heat spreader or shielding layer, is mounted to the die and interposer within the cover attach area. The cover presses the adhesive material into the channel and against the dam material to control outward flow of the adhesive material. Alternatively, ACF can be formed over the interposer to mount the cover.
US08476109B2	Semiconductor workpiece carriers and methods for processing semiconductor workpieces Semiconductor workpiece carriers and methods for processing semiconductor workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor workpiece carrier assembly includes (a) a support structure having an opening sized to receive at least a portion of a semiconductor workpiece, and (b) a replaceable carrier positioned at the opening. The replaceable carrier includes a base and an adhesive layer on the base. The base has a surface, and the adhesive layer covers only a section of the surface of the base. The adhesive layer releasably attaches the replaceable carrier to the support structure.
US08476108B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor device A method and apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed, which is capable of realizing an extension of a cleaning cycle for a processing chamber, the method comprising preheating a substrate; placing the preheated substrate onto a substrate-supporting unit provided in a susceptor while the preheated substrate is maintained at a predetermined height from an upper surface of the susceptor provided in a processing chamber; and forming a thin film on the preheated substrate, wherein a temperature of the preheated substrate is higher than a processing temperature for forming the thin film in the processing chamber.
US08476101B2	Method of fabricating patterned CZT and CdTe devices A method of making a semiconductor radiation detector includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having front and rear major opposing surfaces, forming a solder mask layer over the rear major surface, patterning the solder mask layer into a plurality of pixel separation regions, and after the step of patterning the solder mask layer, forming anode pixels over the rear major surface. Each anode pixel is formed between adjacent pixel-separation regions and a cathode electrode is located over the front major surface of the substrate. The solder mask can be used as a permanent photoresist in developing patterned electrodes on CdZnTe/CdTe devices as well as a permanent reliability protection coating. The method is very robust and ensures long-term reliability, outstanding detector performance, and may be used in applications such as medical imaging and for demanding other highly spectroscopic applications.
US08476098B2	Method for fabricating solar cell comprising condenser lens and photoelectric conversion element The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for disposing a photoelectric conversion element accurately on the focal point of a condenser lens.The method of the present invention comprises a step of forming a focal point on the reverse surface of the condenser lens to be a hydrophilic region, a step of removing the remained photoresist to obtain the condenser lens having the reverse surface where the hydrophilic region is surrounded by a water-repellent region formed of the fluoroalkylsilane film and a step of disposing the photoelectric conversion element on the hydrophilic region to obtain the solar cell comprising the condenser lens and the photoelectric conversion element.
US08476097B2	Method for manufacturing and scribing a thin-film solar cell A method for manufacturing a thin-film solar cell includes providing a first conducting layer on a substrate that has an area at least 0.75 m2. The first conducting layer is located in a deposition portion of the area. An ultraviolet laser beam is applied through a lens to the first conducting layer. Portions of the first conducting layer are scribed form a trench through the layer. The lens focuses the beam and has a focal length at least 100 mm. The focused beam includes an effective portion effective for the scribing and an ineffective portion ineffective for the scribing. The substrate sags and the first conducting layer remains in the effective portion of the focused beam across the area during the step of applying. One or more active layers are provided on the first conducting layer. A second conducting layer is provided on the one or more active layers.
US08476094B2	Method for making light emitting diode A method for making light emitting diode, the method includes the following steps. First, a substrate having an epitaxial growth surface is provided. Second, a carbon nanotube layer is suspended above the epitaxial growth surface. Third, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer are grown on the epitaxial growth surface in that order. Fourth, a portion of the second semiconductor layer and the active layer is etched to expose a portion of the first semiconductor layer. Fifth, a first electrode is prepared on the first semiconductor layer and a second electrode is prepared on the second semiconductor layer.
US08476091B2	Methods of selectively applying luminous material to light emitting devices based on measured output thereof A light emitting apparatus is fabricated by measuring light output of a semiconductor light emitting device, and selectively applying luminous material to the light emitting device based on the measured output of the light emitting device. An amount of luminous material, different compositions of luminous material and/or different doping levels of luminous material may be selectively applied based on the measured output of the light emitting device.
US08476090B2	Method forming a semiconductor light emitting device with perforations formed within A circuit board for a light emitting diode package improved in heat radiation efficiency and a manufacturing method thereof. In a simple manufacturing process, insulating layers are formed by anodizing on a portion of a thermally conductive board body and plated with a conductive material. In the light emitting diode package, a board body is made of a thermally conductive metal. Insulating oxidation layers are formed at a pair of opposing edges of the board body. First conductive patterns are formed on the insulating oxidation layers, respectively. Also, second conductive patterns are formed in contact with the board body at a predetermined distance from the first conductive patterns, respectively. The light emitting diode package ensures heat generated from the light emitting diode to radiate faster and more effectively. Additionally, the insulating layers are formed integral with the board body by anodizing, thus enhancing productivity and durance.
US08476085B1	Method of fabricating dual trench isolated epitaxial diode array The present invention discloses a method of fabricating dual trench isolated epitaxial diode array. This method starts with the formation of heavily-doped first conductivity type regions and heavily-doped second conductivity type regions on the substrate, followed by epitaxial growth, then the formation of the isolations between diode array word lines by deep trench etch and the formation of the isolations between bit lines vertical to deep trenches by shallow trench etch, and finally the formation of separate diode array cells in the regions enclosed by deep and shallow trench isolations by ion implantation. This invention also provides a method of preventing the crosstalk current between adjacent word lines and bit lines of epitaxial diode arrays isolated by foregoing dual shallow trenches. This invention can be used for diode-driven, high-density, large-capacity memory, such as phase change random access memory, resistive memory, magnetic memory and ferroelectric memory; the method thereof is completely compatible with conventional complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, and because the diode arrays can be formed before the formation of peripheral circuits, no drift of peripheral circuits will be caused by the thermal process thereof, thereby solving the technical challenge of fabricating high-density, large-capacity embedded phase change random access memory.
US08476080B2	Tapered cuvette and method of collecting magnetic particles A vessel for use in clinical analysis including an open top, a closed bottom, and at least four tapered sides. A method for collecting magnetic particles in a fluid comprising the steps of providing a magnet and a vessel containing magnetic particles in a fluid, attracting the magnetic particles to the magnet, and moving the magnetic particles with the magnet out of the fluid.
US08476069B2	Cells useful for immuno-based botulinum toxin serotype A activity assays The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.
US08476064B2	Inhibition assay method and device for detection of antibiotics An aspect of the disclosure is a method and device for the detection of antibiotics in a sample. Embodiments include a microbial culture with growth indicators and sensitivity adjustment reagents. Adjustment reagents include a variety of antibiotic binders that can be added to microbial culture to reduce sensitivity to certain antibiotics. Some embodiments include multiple buffers with a variety of pKa ranges. Some embodiments also include a complete self-contained apparatus for sampling and testing.
US08476062B2	Biosensor method and system based on feature vector extraction A system for biosensor-based detection of toxins includes providing at least one time-dependent control signal generated by a biosensor in a gas or liquid medium, and obtaining a time-dependent biosensor signal from the biosensor in the gas or liquid medium to be monitored or analyzed for the presence of one or more toxins selected from chemical, biological or radiological agents. The time-dependent biosensor signal is processed to obtain a plurality of feature vectors using at least one of amplitude statistics and a time-frequency analysis. At least one parameter relating to toxicity of the gas or liquid medium is then determined from the feature vectors based on reference to the control signal.
US08476059B2	Sucrose feedstock utilization for oil-based fuel manufacturing The invention provides methods of manufacturing oils and oil-based products such as transportation fuels, industrial chemicals, edible oils, lubricants and plastics using sugar cane, sugar beets, and cane/beet agricultural processing byproducts as a feedstock for bioproduction processes. The disclosed processes utilize oil-bearing microbes as a conversion technology to convert chemical energy produced by sugar cane and sugar beets into energy-containing oils and oil derivatives. Also provided herein are oil-bearing microbes containing one or more exogenous sucrose utilization genes.
US08476057B2	Antagonistic bacteria for preventing and eliminating the bacterial wilt of continuous cropping tobacco and their microbial organic fertilizer The present invention relates to the antagonistic bacteria that are used to prevent and eliminate tobacco bacterial wilt and their microbial organic fertilizer, which belong to the technology for agricultural intensive production. The present invention separates two antagonistic bacteria (Brevibacillus brevis NJL-25 and Bacillus cereus NJL-14) that have remarkable antagonistic action against the pathogens of tobacco bacterial wilt. Microbial organic fertilizer is produced from these antagonistic bacteria and organic compost. Wherein, the content of each of NJL-25 and NJL-14 is above 1×1010 cfu/g, the content of total nitrogen is 4˜5% (above 90% of the nitrogen is organic nitrogen), the content of total nitrogen-phosphorus-kalium nutrient is 6˜10% and the content of organic matter is 30˜35%. As indicated by experiments, after the microbial organic fertilizer is applied into soil, it will enable rapid multiplication of the antagonistic bacteria into a dominant microflora in the soil and achieve more than 97.6% of biocontrol rate of tobacco bacterial wilt in the soil suffering from tobacco bacterial wilt. If the microbial organic fertilizer is applied in the soil without continuous cropping obstacle in a long time, it can prevent the occurrence of the bacterial wilt of continuous cropping tobacco to a great extent.
US08476056B2	Thermotolerant actinomadura strain capable of degrading polyesters A new thermotolerant Actinomadura sp., which is capable of degrading polyesters, is provided. Compositions comprising the species for use in degrading polyesters are also provided. The invention also relates to methods for degrading polyesters by using the strain and the composition.
US08476054B2	Thrombin-like enzyme of Agkistrodon acutus A thrombin-like enzyme isolated from Agkistrodon acutus venom, comprising an alpha subunit having the sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 and a beta subunit having the sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, which are linked by seven disulfide bonds, is provided. The hemocoagulase of Agkistrodon acutus in the present invention is a serine proteinase having a molecular weight of 29.3-29.5 kD and an isoelectric point of 5.5, and is able to hydrolyze the alpha chain of human fibrinogen. The invention also provides methods of purifying the thrombin-like enzyme from snake venom, which comprise removing insoluble substance by pretreatment, conducting twice of anion-exchange column chromatography, collecting active eluting peak, dialyzing, ultra-filtrating and desalinating so as to obtain a snake venom thrombin-like enzyme.
US08476052B2	Enzyme for the production of long chain peracid The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one perhydrolase enzyme for cleaning and other applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for generation of long chain peracids. Certain embodiments of the present invention find particular use in applications involving cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.
US08476050B2	Conjugate preparation methods and related kit Methods for preparing conjugates including enzyme conjugates and especially alkaline phosphatase (ALP) conjugates, and a kit are provided. The methods include: blocking an amino group on a molecule surface of a first substance to be conjugated containing an amino group and a carboxyl group (for example, an enzyme) with a carboxyl compound; adding a carbodiimide to activate the first substance to be conjugated with the amino group blocked; inactivating or removing the carbodiimide; and adding a second substance containing an amino group (for example, a substance to be labeled). Conjugates (for example, enzyme conjugates) are obtained.
US08476047B2	Extraction solvents derived from oil for alcohol removal in extractive fermentation In an alcohol fermentation process, oil derived from biomass is hydrolyzed into an extractant available for in situ removal of a product alcohol such as butanol from a fermentation broth. The glycerides in the oil can be catalytically (e.g., enzymatically) hydrolyzed into free fatty acids, which form a fermentation product extractant having a partition coefficient for a product alcohol greater than a partition coefficient of the oil of the biomass for the product alcohol. Oil derived from a feedstock of an alcohol fermentation process can be hydrolyzed by contacting the feedstock including the oil with one or more enzymes whereby at least a portion of the oil is hydrolyzed into free fatty acids forming a fermentation product extractant, or the oil can be separated from the feedstock prior to the feedstock being fed to a fermentation vessel, and the separated oil can be contacted with the enzymes to form the fermentation product extractant. The fermentation product extractant can be contacted with a fermentation broth for in situ removal of a product alcohol.
US08476045B2	Methods of using improved polymerases This invention provides for methods of sequencing and performing polymerase reactions using an improved generation of nucleic acid polymerases. The improvement is the fusion of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the processivity of the polymerase.
US08476043B2	Inhibitors for the soluble epoxide hydrolase Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.
US08476042B2	Bacillus strain for increased protein production The present invention provides host cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an enhanced capacity to produce proteins of interest. In particular, the invention relates to modified Bacillus sp. Host cells that have at least one inactivated phr gene. The enhanced production of proteins of interest by the modified Bacillus sp. Host cells is further increased in modified Bacillus sp. Host cells that overexpress YmaH. Methods for producing proteins of interest in the modified host cells are also provided.
US08476040B2	Eukaryotic signal sequences for polypeptide expression and polypeptide display libraries The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for expressing proteins or polypeptides in prokaryotic hosts using eukaryotic signal sequences.
US08476039B2	Hot spring bacterial strain BKH1 and protein isolated therefrom, concrete compositions, and uses thereof Disclosed is a Thermoanaerobacter sp. bacterial strain (BKH1) isolated from a hot spring, a purified protein (bioremediase) isolated from bacterial strain BKH1, as well as concrete compositions comprising BKH1 and/or the protein, and methods of using the protein and/or composition. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the protein isolated from BKH1, as well as expression vectors, host cells, cell lines, and methods for generating and purifying the bioremediase protein.
US08476034B2	Methods and compositions for assaying homocysteine This invention relates generally to the field of homocysteine detection. In particular, the invention provides a method for determining homocysteine presence or concentration in samples, which method comprises: contacting a sample containing or suspected of containing Hcy with a Hcy co-substrate and a Hcy converting enzyme in a Hcy conversion reaction to form a Hcy conversion product and a Hcy co-substrate conversion product; and assessing the Hcy co-substrate conversion product to determine the presence, absence and/or amount of the Hcy in the sample. The Hcy co-substrate conversion product may be assessed directly, or it may be assessed by further conversion of the Hcy co-substrate conversion product into another material by the action of one or more additional enzymes. A kit for assaying homocysteine based on the same principle is also provided.
US08476033B2	Glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and methods for their use in the detection of ovarian cancer Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed monoclonal glycodelin antibody and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of glycodelin antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.
US08476031B2	Methods for protein labeling based on acyl carrier protein A method for labeling acyl carrier protein (ACP) fusion proteins with a wide variety of different labels is disclosed. The method relies on the transfer of a label from a coenzyme A type substrate to an ACP fusion protein using a holo-acyl carrier protein synthase (ACPS) or a homologue thereof. The method allows detecting and manipulating the fusion protein, both in vitro and in vivo, by attaching molecules to the fusion proteins that introduce a new physical or chemical property to the fusion protein. Examples of such labels are, among others, spectroscopic probes or reporter molecules, affinity tags, molecules generating reactive radicals, cross-linkers, ligands mediating protein-protein interactions or molecules suitable for the immobilization of the fusion protein.
US08476029B2	MCPP immunoassay The invention describes a practical and robust multi-antibody approach to the sensitive immunodetection and determination of the drug of abuse m-chlorophenyl piperazine (mCPP). The invention also describes methods and kits for mCPP detection in an in vitro sample.
US08476023B2	Methods relating to aromatase inhibitor pharmacogenetics Methods for aiding in determining therapeutic efficacy of an aromatase inhibitor in a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include detecting expression and/or function of at least one UDP-glucuronosyltransferase having activity to modify at least one aromatase inhibitor and/or metabolite of the aromatase inhibitor by glucuronidation, wherein detection of expression and/or function of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase is correlated with therapeutic efficacy of the aromatase inhibitor in the subject. Detection of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase expression and/or function includes detection of a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene deletion polymorphism in the subject.
US08476022B2	Method of making an array of nucleic acid colonies A method of making an array of nucleic acid colonies, by (a) providing a substrate having a patterned surface of features, wherein the features are spatially separated from each other on the surface of the substrate; (b) contacting the substrate with a solution of different target nucleic acids to seed a subset of the features that contact the solution, wherein each feature in the subset is seeded with a single nucleic acid from the solution, wherein a plurality of the features that contact the solution are not seeded with a nucleic acid from the solution; (c) amplifying the nucleic acids to form a nucleic acid colony at each of the features in the subset; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) to increase the number of the features on the surface that have a nucleic acid colony, thereby making an array of nucleic acid colonies.
US08476019B2	Enhanced gene expression in algae The invention provides a system of enhancing the expression of transgenes in algae. Transgenes are engineered to have a binding site for certain proteins in proximity to their promoter, for example a LexA binding site. The algae is also engineered to express a nucleosome alteration protein fused to a protein with affinity to the DNA binding site acting in coordination. An example is a LexA-p300 fusion protein, where the p300 is derived from Chlamydomonas. The LexA binding domain guides the p300 to the binding site and the p300 loosens the nucleosome structure by acetylating histones within proximity of the transgene, thus remodeling the local chromatin structure to allow for high-level expression.
US08476015B2	Method for separating and detecting an analyte A method for separating and analyzing an analyte is provided which comprises, in a first position, transferring a liquid sample to a multiwell plate with a pipette tip, replacing the tips in the tip rack in the same position, and re-using the pipette tips for aspirating and dispensing liquid.
US08476014B2	Probe and method for DNA detection A hybridization probe containing two linear strands of DNA lights up upon hybridization to a target DNA using silver nanoclusters that have been templated onto one of the DNA strands. Hybridization induces proximity between the nanoclusters on one strand and an overhang on the other strand, which results in enhanced fluorescence emission from the nanoclusters.
US08476011B1	Construction and use of catalogued nucleic acid libraries that contain advantageously adjusted representations of defined components A process for constructing a catalogued nucleic acid library in which the proportional representation of the constituents is adjusted to advantage through the use of disclosed technologies for positive and negative selection. The resultant benefit is that significantly fewer library constituents will need to be screened in order to identify a potentially desired constituent. Moreover, library constituents that previously would have been essentially “lost” are now recoverable. Preferred embodiments of this invention include the cataloguing, normalization, and enrichment of library constituents. By way of example, but not limitation, this technology is serviceable for constructing a library that contains an adequate representation of desirable constituents that (1) are initially found in low-copy numbers within a sample source or (2) originate from an organism that is problematic to culture. Applicable uses of this invention include any library-screening endeavor previously hindered by logistical impediments.By expanding previous logistical frontiers this invention allows for a novel generation of previously unattainable molecules—particularly molecules that are “unclonable” from conventional, unadjusted libraries—to now be detected, cloned, manipulated, expressed, studied, and used. By disclosing the construction and screening of high yielding nucleic acid libraries from mixed and uncultivated organisms, the instant technology eclipses former boundaries in the area of biological discovery and enables the full breadth of biological diversity to be accessed in the search for previously undiscovered genes and gene products. The benefits of the present invention are seen to extend to areas of diagnosis, medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and academia.
US08476005B2	Microfluidic embedded polymer NEMS force sensors A method of screening one or more cells is described; the method includes: (i) providing one or more cells to a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) force sensor; (ii) applying at least one reagent to the one or more cells; and (iii) observing a response of the one or more cells to the reagent with the force sensor, thereby screening the one or more cells.
US08476001B2	Pattern forming method A pattern forming method, includes: (i) a step of applying a resist composition whose solubility in a positive tone developer increases and solubility in a negative tone developer decreases upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, the resist composition containing a resin capable of increasing a polarity by the action of an acid; (ii) an exposure step; (iii) a step of performing development by using a negative tone developer to form a resist pattern; and (iv) a step of causing a crosslinked layer-forming material to act on the resist pattern to crosslink the resin constituting the resist pattern and the crosslinked layer-forming material, thereby forming a crosslinked layer. According to the present invention, a method for forming a pattern having an effectively micro-dimensioned trench or hole pattern without generation of a scum is provided.
US08475996B2	Photosensitive resin composition There is provided a photosensitive resin composition comprising:(a) 100 parts by weight of a polyorganosiloxane obtained by a method of combining at least one silanol compound represented by the following formula (1): R12Si(OH)2 (1) {the groups in the formula being defined in the claims}, at least one alkoxysilane compound represented by the following formula (2): R2aR3bSi(OR4)4-a-b (2) {the groups in the formula being defined in the claims} and a catalyst, and polymerizing them without active addition of water; (b) 1-50 parts by weight of a photopolymerization initiator; (c) 40-600 parts by weight of a fluorene compound represented by the following formula (3): {the groups in the formula being defined in the claims}; and (d) 20-300 parts by weight of a compound other than component (c), having one or two (meth)acryloyl groups in the molecule.
US08475993B2	Toner and method for producing the same A method for producing a decolorable toner comprising: forming particles containing a color former compound, a color developing agent, and a binder resin; forming first aggregated particles by aggregating and fusing the particles containing the color former compound, the color developing agent, and the binder resin in a dispersion medium; and forming second aggregated particles by aggregating and fusing the first aggregated particles and a binder resin in a dispersion medium.
US08475992B2	Toner comprising polyester, process for making the toner and uses thereof A process for preparing a toner comprising a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the binder resin comprises a polyester resin having an acid value (AV) greater than 5 mg KOH/g, the process comprising: providing an aqueous dispersion of self-dispersed polyester resin particles and associating the polyester resin particles by means of a change in the pH of the dispersion.
US08475989B2	Carrier, method for preparing the carrier, developer using the carrier, developer container, and image forming method and process cartridge using the developer The carrier is used for a two-component developer for developing an electrostatic latent image, and includes a particulate magnetic core material; and a cover layer located on a surface of the core material and including a crosslinked material and barium sulfate. The cover layer is formed by applying a coating medium including barium sulfate, a copolymer including a unit (A) having a specific acrylic siloxane structure including a tris(trialkylsiloxy)silanyl group and a unit (B) having a specific acrylic silicone structure having a crosslinking ability, and a condensation reaction catalyst, heating the applied medium to a temperature of from 100° C. to 230° C. so that the copolymer is hydrolyzed to produce a material having a silanol group, and the material and the catalyst are subjected to a condensation reaction to form the crosslinked material.
US08475987B2	Yellow toner A yellow toner is provided which can form high-quality images and has high offset resistance and excellent charging performance while being a capsule-type toner having excellent low-temperature fixability. The yellow toner satisfies, in DSC measurement, 40.0≦Tg(0.5)≦60.0 and 2.0≦Tg(4.0)−Tg(0.5)≦10.0, wherein when the concentration of the yellow toner in an ethyl acetate dispersion is Cy1 (mg/ml) and the light absorbance at a wavelength of 422 nm of the dispersion is A(ethyl acetate)422, the relationship between Cy1 and A(ethyl acetate)422 satisfies A(ethyl acetate)422/Cy1<0.45, and when the concentration of the yellow toner in a chloroform solution is Cy2 (mg/ml) and the light absorbance at a wavelength of 422 nm of the solution is A(chloroform)422, the relationship between Cy2 and A(chloroform)422 satisfies 6.00
US08475986B2	Toner The invention is to provide a toner with a small difference of charging properties and an excellent cleaning property. The toner includes toner particles of cylindrical bodies.
US08475983B2	Imaging members having a chemical resistive overcoat layer The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to imaging members used in electrostatography. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to electrophotographic imaging members which have an added-on protective overcoat layer formulated to comprise of a novel A-B diblock copolymer comprising two segmental blocks of a bisphenol polycarbonate and an organic acid terminal which provides chemical vapor contaminant resistive property. The overcoat layer may further be formulated to include small quantity of charge transport compound. The present embodiments provide superior copy printout quality.
US08475980B2	Methods of forming semiconductor devices using photolithographic shot grouping A method of forming a semiconductor device can include determining a shot set including a plurality of shots, based on a final pattern used to form a mask. Shots included in the plurality shots can be classified as being in a first pass shot set or in a second pass shot set, where each can include a plurality of non-directly neighboring shots. A first pass exposure can be performed to radiate a reticle to provide the first pass shot set and a second pass exposure can be performed to radiate the reticle to provide the second pass shot set.
US08475975B2	Method of recording data in an optical data storage medium and an optical data storage medium In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for recording holographic data in an optical data storage medium is provided. The method includes (i) providing an optical data storage medium including: (a) a thermoplastic polymer matrix, (b) a latent acid generator, (c) a non-linear sensitizer, and (d) a reactant including a latent chromophore. The method further includes (ii) irradiating a volume element of the optical data storage medium with an interference pattern, said interference pattern including an incident radiation having a wavelength and an intensity sufficient to cause upper triplet energy transfer from the non-linear sensitizer to the latent acid generator, thereby generating an acid, wherein the latent acid generator is substantially non-responsive to said incident radiation. The method furthermore includes (iii) reacting at least one protected chromophore with the acid generated to form at least one chromophore, thereby causing a refractive index change within the volume element; and (iv) producing within the irradiated volume element refractive index variations corresponding to the interference pattern, thereby producing an optically readable datum. An optical data storage medium is also provided.
US08475974B2	Membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell A membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, anode catalyst layers, and cathode catalyst layers provided counter to the anode catalyst layers, respectively. An insulating layer is provided on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent anode catalyst layers. An insulating layer is provided on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent cathode catalyst layers. The resistivity of the insulating layer is preferably identical to or higher than that of the electrolyte membrane.
US08475973B2	Mechanically joined bipolar plates and method therefor Exemplary embodiments include a product and a method of a bipolar plate assembly having a pair of plates, the bipolar plate assembly being a part of a fuel cell stack. The pair of plates may be joined together at their respective borders by a mechanical forming process.
US08475971B2	Membrane treatment method A method of enhancing electrical performance of a membrane for a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer in an aqueous hydroxylated hydrocarbon aqueous solution. The PFSA dispersion or solution has an acid number the same or higher than an acid number of the membrane. The membrane is immersed in the solution such that the high acid number PFSA dispersion diffuses into the membrane. After immersion, the removed membrane is then dried under tension.
US08475964B2	Membrane-electrode assembly, fuel cell, and fuel cell system A membrane electrode assembly includes solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and cathode. The cathode has a stacked body formed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer, which contains catalyst metal-supporting carbon particles and an ion conductor, further contains a mesoporous humidity control agent whose amount of water adsorption rises steeply as a relative humidity increases in a specific relative humidity region.
US08475959B2	Lithium doped cathode material Lithium dopant is introduced into lithium rich high capacity positive electrode active materials as a substitution for manganese within the complex metal oxides. In some embodiments, the lithium doped compositions can be written in a two component notation as x.Li2MnO3.(1−x)LiNiu+ΔMnu−Δ−dLidCowO2, where d ranges from about 0.004 to about 0.25 and 2u+w is approximately equal to 1. The materials are believed to form a layer-layer composite crystal structure that has very good cycling properties at high voltages, although the materials exhibit significant first cycle irreversible capacity loss.
US08475958B2	Nickel hydrogen storage battery and method for manufacturing negative electrode thereof A nickel hydrogen storage battery is provided which includes an electrode assembly formed by winding spirally a strip-like negative electrode (4) and a strip-like positive electrode with a separator interposed therebetween, the strip-like negative electrode (4) having a mixture layer containing a hydrogen storage alloy disposed on a core material. The electrode assembly is contained in a bottomed cylindrical container such that the negative electrode (4) forms the outermost peripheral portion. A portion corresponding to an outermost peripheral portion (5) of the negative electrode is a thin portion, and the thin portion is bent in advance in the winding direction of the electrode assembly to form an arc shape. In this manner, when the spirally wound electrode assembly is configured, the outermost peripheral portion of the negative electrode is prevented from peeling from the electrode assembly, and thus the insertability into the bottomed cylindrical container is improved.
US08475957B2	Negative electrode structure for non-aqueous lithium secondary battery The present invention relates to a negative electrode structure for use in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and a method of making such negative electrode structure. The negative electrode structure comprises: a monolithic anode comprising a semiconductor material, and a uniform ion transport structure disposed at the monolithic anode surface for contacting a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the uniform ion transport structure serves as a current collector and the negative electrode structure does not contain another current collector. The present invention also relates to a battery comprising the negative electrode structure of the present invention, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte.
US08475951B2	Battery unit for vehicles A battery unit for vehicles comprises a plurality of battery, bus bars, and insulating plates. The plurality of batteries is installed with the terminals facing in the same direction, where the direction to which the pairs of terminals are facing is arranged in the same direction and the batteries are electrically connected by the bus bars. A refrigerant flows in the direction to which the pairs of terminals are connected, and cools the terminals and the bus bars. The insulating plates are disposed between the bus bars connected with different batteries. In addition, the insulating plates and are disposed extending in the direction to which the pairs of terminals are connected.
US08475940B2	Anthracene derivative and light-emitting device According to the invention, there is provided a compound represented by a formula (1) below: wherein X represents a residue derived from an aryl ring or a heteroaryl ring, or a single bond, Ar1 and Ar2 respectively represent a phenyl group or heteroaryl group, Ar3 represents a group having 60 or less carbon atoms, the group represents a structure in which six or less aryl or heteroaryl groups which may have one or more substituents are conjugatedly linked, or the same group as a substituent at the ninth or tenth position on the anthracene ring, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1.
US08475935B2	Anthracene derivative, and light-emitting material, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device using the same Novel anthracene derivatives, novel materials capable of blue light emission with high color purity, and a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic device using any of the novel materials. The anthracene derivative represented by general formula (1) is provided. With the anthracene derivative, a light-emitting element with high emission efficiency can be provided. With the anthracene derivative, a light-emitting element emitting blue light with high color purity can be provided. In the formula, A1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, B1 represents any of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, α represents any of a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl-4,4′-diyl group, and R1 to R9 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group.
US08475933B2	Interpolymers suitable for multilayer films The present invention relates to compositions and processes of making and using interpolymers having a controlled molecular weight distribution. Multilayer films and film layers derived from novel ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers are also disclosed.
US08475932B2	Compositions of organic acid modified ionomers filled with silica Disclosed is a composition comprising, or produced from, an organic acid-modified ionomer and silica filler having oil absorption greater than 100 g oil/100 g silica. Also disclosed are articles produced from the composition such as golf balls.
US08475931B2	Polarizer protective film, polarizing plate, and image display apparatus Provided are a polarizer protective film containing a (meth)acrylic resin as a main component and being excellent in adhesion with a polarizer, a polarizing plate including the polarizer protective film and a polarizer which are unlikely to peel off from each other, and an image display apparatus of high quality using the polarizing plate. The polarizer protective film of the present invention includes a coating layer containing a (meth)acrylic resin (B) as a main component on at least one surface of a film containing a (meth)acrylic resin (A) as a main component.
US08475930B2	Composite coated metal sheet, treatment agent and method of manufacturing composite coated metal sheet A composite coated metal sheet comprising a coated film having a low environmental impact prepared free from hexavalent chromium, and having good corrosion resistance equivalent to that provided by chromate treatment and excellent adhesiveness between the coated film and a resin layer formed on the coated film. Also, a treatment agent and a method of manufacturing the composite coated metal sheet with the treatment agent is described. The composite coated metal sheet comprises a coated film formed on a surface of a plated metal sheet or metal sheet, the coated film contains an oxide and/or a hydroxide of metal other than chromium, and an organic component comprising modified and/or unmodified functional group(s).
US08475926B2	Intermediate transfer member and imaging apparatus and method An intermediate transfer member for electrophotography includes a substrate and a non-ceramer polyurethane compliant layer. Disposed directly on the compliant layer is an outermost surface layer consisting essentially of a non-particulate, non-elastomeric ceramer or fluoroceramer and nanosized inorganic particles that are distributed within the non-particulate ceramer or fluoroceramer in an amount of at least 5 and up to and including 50 weight % of the outermost surface layer. This intermediate transfer member can be incorporated into a suitable imaging apparatus for forming a toned image on a receiver element.
US08475923B2	Heat transfer film, semiconductor device, and electronic apparatus A heat transfer film includes a heat transfer layer formed of a first constituent material containing C (carbon) for transferring heat in an in-plane direction thereof and a layer thickness direction thereof; and a strain relaxation layer formed of a second constituent material and laminated on the heat transfer layer for relaxing a strain in the heat transfer layer. The first constituent material includes a graphite, and the second constituent material includes an amorphous material.
US08475917B2	Fluororubber-metal laminate sheet A fluororubber-metal laminate sheet, which comprises a metallic sheet and a vulcanized fluorocarbon layer, provided on the metallic sheet by applying thereto a fluororubber composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a polyol-vulcanizable fluororubber, (B) 10-50 parts by weight of amorphous graphite, (C) 1-15 parts by weight of a phenol resin, (D) 1-4 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent, (E) 0.5-8 parts by weight of a polyol-based vulcanizing agent, and (F) 0.5-6 parts by weight of a vulcanizing accelerator, followed by vulcanization of the fluororubber composition to form laminate, where the metallic sheet is free from either a chromating treatment or a chromating substitute treatment, is distinguished in characteristics such as sealability, compression resistance, air-heated aging resistance, anti-freezing liquid resistance, oil resistance, sticking resistance, abrasion resistance, etc.
US08475916B2	Antireflection film and method for manufacturing the same An antireflection film that requires neither a special vacuum chamber nor other expensive instruments and can be formed on a substrate of any size, and a method for manufacturing such an antireflection film are provided. The antireflection film is configured as follows: to the surface of a substrate coated with a film composed of a first film compound having a first functional group, is bound and fixed a layer of transparent fine particles through a bond formed by a coupling reaction between the first functional group and a first coupling reactive group of a first coupling agent that forms a film coating each of the transparent fine particles. Furthermore, alternating layers that consist of transparent fine particles each coated with a film composed of a film compound reactive with the first coupling reactive group and the reactive transparent fine particles may be bound and fixed thereonto.
US08475913B2	Titanium/titanium alloy-and-resin composite and method for making the same A titanium/titanium alloy-and-resin composite includes a titanium/titanium alloy substrate, a nano-porous oxide film formed on the substrate, and resin compositions coupled to the surface of the nano-porous oxide film. The nano-porous oxide film has nano pores and includes at least two layers of different three dimensional meshed structures. The resin compositions contain crystalline thermoplastic synthetic resins. A method for making the titanium/titanium alloy-and-resin composite is also described.
US08475911B2	Device housing and manufacturing method for fabricating the same A device housing and a manufacturing method for fabricating the device housing are provided. The device housing includes a transparent substrate, a first decorative coating formed on the transparent substrate, a second decorative coating formed on the first decorative coating and the transparent substrate, and a third decorative coating formed on the first decorative coating and the second decorative coating. The first decorative coating has a grid pattern appearance. The second decorative coating is light reflective. The third decorative coating has a color that contrasts against the first decorative coating.
US08475904B2	Hollow article with covering A hollow article is provided having a first wall, a second wall and a plurality of edge walls interconnecting the first wall and second wall. A covering is bonded to the hollow article, wherein the covering is bonded to the first wall, and is dimensioned to partially wrap around the hollow article.
US08475903B2	Information recording/reproducing device According to one embodiment, an information recording/reproducing device includes a recording layer, and a recording circuit configured to record information by generating a phase change in the recording layer while applying a voltage to the recording layer. The recording layer comprises a compound including at least one type of cationic element, and at least one type of anionic element, at least the one type of cationic element is a transition element including a d orbital incompletely filled with electrons, and the average shortest distance between adjacent cationic elements is 0.32 nm or less, and the recording layer is provided with a material selected from (i) AxMyX4 (0≦x≦2.2, 1.8≦y≦3), (ii) AxMyX3 (0≦x≦1.1, 0.9≦y≦3), and (iii) AxMyX4 (0≦x≦1.1, 0.9≦y≦3).
US08475901B2	Secure pharmacy dispensing uni-form for digital printers A method and resulting multi-layered media product including a printed layer and a liner layer having inner surfaces adhered together with a clear poly material sandwiched therebetween. The multi-layered media product includes a first section separable from a remainder of the product and containing printed indicia thereon, a second section separable from a remainder of the product and having a removable printed label thereon, and a third section convertible to an envelope. The third section contains printed indicia on one side thereof and a window of the clear poly material on another side thereof. In operation, the sections of the multi-layered media product are separated and a labeled container can be placed in the envelope and the envelope sealed to prevent tampering.
US08475899B2	Process for producing broader molecular weight distribution polymers with a reverse comonomer distribution and low levels of long chain branches The present invention provides a polymerization process which is conducted by contacting an olefin monomer and at least one olefin comonomer in the presence of hydrogen and a metallocene-based catalyst composition. Polymers produced from the polymerization process are also provided, and these polymers have a reverse comonomer distribution, low levels of long chain branches, and a ratio of Mw/Mn from about 3 to about 6.
US08475894B2	Engineered molded fiberboard panels, methods of making the panels, and products fabricated from the panels A honeycomb-shaped panel is formed from a plurality of generally sinusoidally shaped strips of molded fiberboard material each having spaced, oppositely directed flat peaks, the peaks of adjacent strips being secured together to form a plurality of hexagonally shaped cells extending perpendicular to the surfaces of the sheet. The strips may be cut from a single sheet of corrugated fiberboard sheet material and then secured together to form the honeycomb panel, or a plurality of such panels may be secured together face to face with their ribs aligned to form a stack, and selected cuts may be made through the secured, stacked panels to form a plurality of honeycomb panels of desired surface shape and height dimensions. The strips forming the cells are substantially rigid and resistant to collapse of the cells, and form a substantially rigid core when assembled between two flexible fiberboard skins, while the panel is bendable to adopt a desired panel curvature.
US08475889B2	Liquid-crystalline medium Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium of negative dielectric anisotropy based on a mixture of polar compounds, which contains at least one compound of formula IA and at least one compound of formulae IB, IC and/or ID and the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the ECB, PALO, FFS or IPS effect.
US08475886B2	Methods for producing surfaces that resist non-specific protein binding and cell attachment A method is disclosed herein for treating a polymeric surface to resist non-specific binding of biomolecules and attachment of cells. The method includes the steps of: imparting a charge to the polymeric surface to produce a charged surface; exposing the charged surface to a nitrogen-rich polymer to form a polymerized surface; exposing the polymerized surface to an oxidized polysaccharide to form an aldehyde surface; and exposing the aldehyde surface to a reducing agent. Advantageously, a method is provided which produces surfaces that resist non-specific protein binding and cell attachment and that avoids the use of photochemical reactions or prior art specially designed compounds.
US08475884B2	Coatings with organic polymeric fillers for molded SMC articles Filler particles of a moisture-permeable, organic polymeric material are used in a polymeric coating composition, and this composition can be applied to a surface of a molded, fiber-reinforced polymeric material, such as sheet molding compound (SMC), to enable the electrostatic application of a layer of a powder primer to the same surface overlying the polymeric coating. And, when the molded SMC is heated to cure the powder primer layer, the out-gassing of moisture from the heated SMC does not result in defects on the surface of the molded SMC.
US08475877B2	Method for counteracting curling tendency of gas barrier film, method for producing gas barrier film, and method for producing electronic device A method for counteracting the curling tendency of a gas barrier film having a tendency to curl up with a support side thereof facing inside, comprising (1) heating the gas barrier film from the support side thereof to thereby control the support temperature to fall between Tg and Tg+40° C., and (2) conveying the film in the roller circumferential direction within one second after the temperature of the support has reached Tg, while a part of the gas barrier layer of the gas barrier film is kept in contact with a film surface center part noncontact roller wherein Tg means the glass transition temperature of the support.
US08475874B2	Method for continuously operating acid or alkaline zinc or zinc alloy baths The invention provides a process for depositing metallic layers from acidic or alkaline zinc or zinc alloy baths containing organic additives selected from brighteners, surfactants and complexing agents, a soluble zinc salt and optionally further metal salts selected from Fe, Ni, Co, Sn salts, wherein the bath can be purified continuously so that the process can be operated without interruption, as well as apparatus for carrying out this process.
US08475868B2	Foam-like structures based on reactive composite materials Articles having porous or foam-like elements are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the articles exploit properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and their reaction products. In particular, fluids generated by reacting RCM are utilized to create or fill voids in the porous or foam-like elements.
US08475867B2	Method for forming electrical traces on substrate A method for forming electrical traces on a substrate includes the steps of: providing a substrate; printing an ink pattern using an ink on the substrate, the ink including a aqueous medium containing silver ions and a heat sensitive reducing agent; heating the ink pattern to reduce silver ions into silver particles thereby forming an semi-finished traces; and forming a metal overcoat on the semi-finished traces by electroless plating thereby obtaining patterned electrical traces.
US08475865B2	Food emulsion Aspects of the invention relate to a food emulsion, such as a water-in-oil emulsion. In some aspects the fat phase of the emulsion has a first fat and a second fat, where the melting point of the second fat is lower than that of the first fat. The first fat can exist in several crystal forms, but is present in the emulsion substantially in a single crystal form. The emulsion may be useful as a filling for confectionery compositions. Other aspects relate to confectionery compositions incorporating the emulsions, and to methods of making the emulsions.
US08475857B2	Method for the energy-saving control of a food processing process or a processing chamber cleaning process and cooking device used therefor Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for the energy-saving control of at least one process in a food processing device including a processing chamber, at least one processing device, and a control or regulating device. The control or regulating device can reduce the duration of at least the first process step or the duration of regulation in the first processing step or switch off the processing device during at least a part of the processing step to save energy, based on at least one first variable relating to the climate in the processing chamber or at least one second variable relating to the processing device or at least one third variable relating to the food item to be processed or at least one fourth variable relating to a degree of soiling of the processing chamber, during at least one second processing step directly after the first processing step.
US08475855B2	Confectionery product A confectionery product comprises first and second confectionery mass layers arranged in contact with each other as a laminate. At least one of the inner surfaces of the first and second confectionery mass layers is provided with at least one depression, and preferably a plurality of depressions arranged in a regular two-dimensional array. The inner surfaces of the confectionery mass layers define at least one pocket in the confectionery product, the or each pocket being located in an area corresponding to a respective depression. The pockets may provide aeration on a macro scale, and they may be at least partially filled with a liquid, semi-solid or solid material.
US08475854B2	Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
US08475845B2	Method of particle formation A method of co-formulating two or more pharmaceutically active compounds into a particulate product including contacting a dense, supercritical or near-critical fluid With a suspension of a first active compound in a medium that is miscible with the dense fluid and a solution of a second active compound in a solvent that is miscible with the dense fluid. The product may be the first active agent coated with the second active agent. The method may use coaxial nozzles for the fluid, media or solvents. The method may be applied to production of dry powders for inhalation including beta-agonists and corticosteroids. Apparatus for use in the method comprising means for streams of solvents, media and dense fluids to enter a precipitation chamber at substantially the same point and means for collection of particles under gravity in one or more collection chambers.
US08475841B2	Controlled release metformin formulations Sustained release pharmaceutical formulations comprising an antihyperglycemic drug or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are disclosed. The formulations provide therapeutic plasma levels of the antihyperglycemic drug to a human patient over a 24 hour period after administration.
US08475837B2	Abuse potential reduction in abusable substance dosage form The potential for substance abuse involving residual amounts of abusable substances remaining in used skin-worn patches is reduced by the provision of a system and method for combining the abusable substance with a separate anti-abuse substance agent as part of a removal or disposal procedure.
US08475828B2	Medical apparatus and method for producing same A medical device that includes at least one antibiotic in a macromolecular substance that swells upon contact with a solvent. Also, a method for preparing an antibiotic-containing medical device that involves contacting a medical device having at least a portion of the surface formed from a swellable macromolecular substance, with a solvent that swells the macromolecular substance, contacting the swollen macromolecular substance with at least one antibiotic, and removing the solvent from the swollen macromolecular substance.
US08475827B2	Tissue implants for implantation and methods for preparing the same A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes treating a pericardium tissue material, which has been harvested from a donor and rendered essentially acellular, with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution; and thereafter treating the pericardium tissue material with an antioxidant solution, which comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.
US08475822B2	Room temperature-curable polymers Methods of making room temperature-curable polymers. Reactants include siloxane-terminated polymers and silanols. The reactants are mixed, and the polymerization allowed to proceed in air at room temperature. The polymers are exceptionally useful because they allow for the incorporation into the polymers themselves of one or more therapeutic compounds. Thus, medical devices from which controlled drug release is desirable (for either local or systemic delivery) can be coated with therapeutic compound-containing polymers of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, a polymer of poly(MPCw:LAMx:HPMAy:TSMAz) where w, x, y, and z represent the molar ratios of monomers used in the feed for preparing the polymer; MPC represents the unit 2-methacryoyloxyethylphosphorylcholine, LMA represents the unit lauryl methacrylate, HPMA represents the unit 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and TSMA represents the unit 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate is reacted with polydimethylsiloxane. In another preferred embodiment, a therapeutic compound is incorporated into the polymer, such as dexamethasone.
US08475820B2	Method of manufacturing an implantable device Described herein are implantable devices, formulations and methods of making implantable devices for the release of a polypeptide from an implantable device, and methods of use thereof.
US08475818B2	Local topical administration formulations containing indoxacarb The present invention provides formulations and methods useful in the control of ectoparasites on a domestic animal, using a formulation comprising Indoxacarb and a veterinarily acceptable carrier that is applied topically to 10% or less of the total surface area of a domestic animal. Other embodiments include these formulations also including one or more additional pesticides such as fipronil.
US08475816B2	Emulsion lipstick composition The present invention is directed to a hydrating and moisturizing solid emulsion lipstick composition, capable of imparting enhanced shine and coverage, containing: (a) at least one polyamine; (b) at least one polar modified polymer; (c) water; (d) at least one non-volatile solvent; (e) at least one wax having a high melting point; and (e) optionally, at least one colorant.
US08475808B2	Immunogenic reagents from west nile virus Recombinant production of immunogenic West Nile Virus (WNV) proteins is described. These proteins, heterodimers comprising the proteins, fusions thereof, polynucleotides encoding the proteins, and combinations thereof, as well as antibodies produced therefrom, can be used in immunogenic compositions for preventing, treating and diagnosing WNV infection. Also described are highly sensitive ELISA and strip immunoassay methods for detecting the presence of WNV in biological samples.
US08475807B2	Avian influenza virus live attenuated vaccine and uses thereof Described in this application are attenuated strains of avian influenza virus containing temperature sensitive mutations in addition to a genetic tag in the PB1 gene. The attenuated viruses are useful as avian and mammalian vaccine for protective immunity against homologous and heterologous lethal challenges with influenza virus. A genetically modified avian influenza virus backbone is described which can be used as a master donor strain for the generation of live attenuated vaccines for epidemic and pandemic influenza.
US08475804B2	Compositions and methods for treatment of filovirus-mediated diseases The invention features compositions, methods, and kits useful for the treatment of filovirus-mediated diseases, e.g., hemorrhagic fever caused by Ebola virus, in an animal.
US08475799B2	HIV-1 GP41 neutralization domain and use thereof The invention relates to isolated monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to the C-terminal heptad repeat region of gp41 (HR2) and neutralize an HIV-1 primary isolate.
US08475798B2	Monoclonal antibodies recognizing a coagulase-negative staphylococcal protein Monoclonal antibodies which can bind to the SdrF protein of Staphylococcus epidermidis are provided which can be useful in the treatment and protection against infection from staphylococcal bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention are advantageous in that they can also recognize binding domains and subdomains of the S. epidermidis SdrF protein in addition to the protein itself. Suitable compositions and passive vaccines based on the monoclonal antibodies of the invention, as well as methods for their use, are also provided.
US08475788B2	Methods of treating spinal cord injury and minimizing scarring The invention is directed to methods of promoting the healing of spinal cord injury. The invention is further directed to methods of minimizing the extent of scarring following spinal cord injury. Such methods utilize novel compositions, including but not limited to extraembryonic cytokine secreting cells (herein referred to as ECS cells), including, but not limited to, amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells (herein referred to as AMP cells) and conditioned media derived therefrom (herein referred to as amnion-derived cellular cytokine solution or ACCS), each alone or in combination with each other and/or other agents.
US08475783B2	Apparatus and method for generating carbon dioxide as an attractant for biting arthropods Disclosed and claimed herein is a device and method for generating carbon dioxide as an attractant for biting arthropods in combination with a trap, comprising: a reaction chamber charged with an aqueous acid solution when in use; a gas outlet from the reaction chamber connecting between the reaction chamber and the trap; a feeder reservoir containing a powder when in use, said powder comprising a bicarbonate salt; and means for controllably adding the powder to the reaction chamber; whereby carbon dioxide is generated in the reaction chamber, passed through the outlet and into the trap.
US08475781B2	Cyclodextrin-based polymers for therapeutics delivery The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein.
US08475774B2	Sunscreen compositions comprising an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing polymer Aqueous compositions including a discontinuous oil phase containing an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing polymer stabilized in a continuous aqueous phase, an oil-gelling polymer, and which are substantially free of non-polymeric ultraviolet radiation-absorbers.
US08475773B2	Oral hygiene method and formula The present invention generally relates to oral compositions such as toothpastes, toothpowders, liquid dentrifices, mouthwashes, rinses, dental floss, denture cleansers, chewing gums, lozenges and the like. In particular, it relates to such oral compositions that include cesium and rubidium salts. In one aspect of the present invention, a composition for oral use is provided. The composition includes a cesium or rubidium salt and water having a surface tension ranging between 45 and 70 dynes per cm2. In another aspect of the present invention, a method for improving oral hygiene in a mammal is provided. The method involves taking a volume of a solution into the mammal's mouth, where the solution includes a cesium or rubidium salt and water having a surface tension ranging between 45 and 70 dynes per cm2, swishing the solution around and expelling the solution.
US08475772B2	Peptide-based oral care surface reagents for personal care Peptides have been identified that bind to tooth enamel. Compositions and methods comprising peptide-based oral care reagents having at least one tooth enamel-binding peptide and an oral care benefit agent are provided to adhere the benefit agent to the oral surface.
US08475770B2	Foamable suspension gel The present subject matter provides foamable suspension gels that foam after release from a container. The foamable suspension gels contain at least one pharmaceutically active agent that is sparingly soluble to insoluble in water, a second pharmaceutically active agent, and optionally a third active agent.
US08475766B2	Dual specificity antibodies and methods of making and using Antibodies having dual specificity for two different but structurally related antigens are provided. The antibodies can be, for example, entirely human antibodies, recombinant antibodies, or monoclonal antibodies. Preferred antibodies have dual specificity for IL-1α and IL-1β and neutralize IL-1α and IL-1β activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting two different but structurally related antigens (e.g., IL-1α and IL-1β) and for inhibiting the activity of the antigens, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which IL-1α and/or IL-1β activity is detrimental.
US08475765B2	Hydroxyalkyl starch derivatives The present invention relates to a method of producing a hydroxyalkyl starch derivative comprising reacting hydroxyalkyl starch of formula (I) at its reducing end which is not oxidized prior to said reaction, with a compound of formula (II) R′NH—R″ (II) wherein R1-R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or a linear or branched hydroxyalkyl group, and wherein either R′ or R″ or R′ and R″ comprise at least one functional group X capable of being reacted with at least one other compound prior to or after the reaction of (I) and (II), as well as to the hydroxyalkyl starch derivative as such, obtainable by said method, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said hydroxyalkyl starch derivative.
US08475764B2	Labelled adrenomedullin derivatives and their use for imaging and therapy The present invention relates to an adrenomedullin derivative including an adrenomedullin peptide, or a fragment thereof chelated or otherwise bound to at least one active agent. Examples of active agents include a paramagnetic element, a radioactive element and a fibrinolytic agent, among others. Paramagnetic agents have a distribution that is relatively easily shown through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Radioactive agents have applications in imaging and delivery of radiations, depending on the specific element included in the active agent. Delivery of fibrinolytic agents mainly to a specific organ, such as for example to the lungs, allows to substantially improve the specificity and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy by allowing local delivery of the fibrinolytic agent, thereby reducing the risks of major bleeding in the therapy of the organ. If the organ is the lungs, a non-limiting example of pathology treatable with the fibrinolytic agent is pulmonary embolus.
US08475759B2	Effervescent composition for improved carbon dioxide generation in insect monitor devices The present invention relates to a chemical composition and method of generating carbon dioxide for use with an insect monitor and/or capture device comprising: i) an effervescent agent; ii) a solid acid; iii) a deliquescent agent; and optionally iv) an anti-clumping agent.
US08475757B2	Agents for carbon dioxide capture, agents for amine stabilization and methods of making agents for carbon dioxide capture and amine stabilization Amine stabilizing agents containing an azeotrope comprising water, an alcohol, and sodium hydride. Amine stabilizing agents containing water and a liquid silica hydroxide compound. Methods of making of amine stabilizing agents where solid silicon rock and sodium hydroxide are mixed with an ammonium/water solution to produce a green liquid in a first stage of the reaction. Alcohol is added and the alcohol fraction is separated from the non-alcohol fraction to produce an alcohol fraction product and a bottom fraction that is not soluble in alcohol or organics. The agents can be added to amines for stabilizing amines in anime processing of gases, in CO2 capture, in CO2 abatement systems and in other systems where amines are utilized to remove contaminants.
US08475754B2	Apparatus and method for purifying exhaust gases for combustion engines An engine exhaust gas purification device comprising control unit having successively arranged switching device (1), counter-current heat exchanger (3) and at least one exhaust gas purification component (2). The switching device (1) has a first position where a flow path (6) of the exhaust gas to the exhaust gas purification component (2) is opened and a second position where a flow path (6) of the exhaust gas to the exhaust gas purification component (2) is blocked and the exhaust gas flows along a further flow path (7) where the exhaust gas is heated and conveyed, via a flow path (20) of the exhaust gas purification component (2), and exits the exhaust gas purification unit (5) through outlet channels (4) of the counter-current heat exchanger (3). The switching device, the exhaust gas purification component, the counter-current heat exchanger and the flow paths are integrated in a compact exhaust gas treatment unit.
US08475753B2	Exhaust-gas aftertreatment system with catalytically active wall-flow filter with storage function upstream of catalytic converter with identical storage function The present invention relates to an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system which comprises a preferably catalytically active particle filter (wall-flow filter) which is followed in turn by a throughflow monolith (flow-through monolith) which is preferably provided with a catalytically active function. Both components have the same storage functions for gaseous substances present in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines. The system is suitable in particular for the simultaneous removal of particles and pollutants from the exhaust gas of both predominantly lean-operated internal combustion engines and also of internal combustion engines operated predominantly with a stoichiometric air/fuel mixture. Likewise described is a process for the production and the use of such a system for exhaust-gas aftertreatment.
US08475752B2	NOx adsorber catalyst with superior low temperature performance The lean NOx trap catalyst composition of the present invention comprises distinct layers, or zone configuration or multi-brick arrangement. The top layer, front zone or front brick is free of any alkali or alkaline earth NOx trapping components. The under layer, rear zone or rear brick may contain any desirable NOx trapping component in contact with a precious metals group catalyst (e.g., Pt). Catalysts of this invention show wide temperature operation window with superior low temperature performance.
US08475749B2	Process for recovery of noble metals from functionalised, noble metal-containing adsorption materials A method recovers noble metals from noble metal-containing compositions and includes steps of (i) providing a noble metal-containing composition containing an adsorption agent that is based on an inorganic material and is functionalized by organic groups and has at least one noble metal adsorbed to it, and (ii) ashing of the noble metal-containing composition provided in step (i) in order to adjust a residual carbon content of at most 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the noble metal-containing composition after ashing, to obtain an ashed composition.
US08475746B2	Uranium ion exchange adsorption method using ultrasound Disclosed herein is a uranium ion exchange adsorption method using ultrasound. The method includes placing a slurry obtained by mixing uranium ions, sulfuric acid and an ion exchange resin into a reaction bath, and stirring the slurry in the reaction bath while simultaneously applying ultrasound to the reaction bath to allow the uranium ions to be adsorbed to the ion exchange resin through ion exchange adsorption. The method has an improved ion exchange adsorption rate of the uranium ions.
US08475745B2	Apparatus for hydroprocessing hydrocarbons An apparatus and process is disclosed for hydroprocessing hydrocarbon feed in a hydroprocessing unit and hydrotreating a second hydrocarbon. The hydrotreating effluent is mixed with hydroprocessing effluent and together fractionated.
US08475740B2	Liquid dispensing apparatus A liquid dispensing apparatus is provided which makes it possible to correctly and easily detect a dispensing operation judgment failure with high accuracy without particularly using a complicated detection mechanism or means. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a nozzle which sucks a solution in a cassette and dispenses the sucked solution into another cassette; and a cassette holder which holds the another cassette, and the nozzle is used as a first electrode and the cassette holder as a second electrode. Further, the liquid dispensing apparatus has measurement means for measuring a capacitance between the first and second electrodes during a solution dispensing operation.
US08475739B2	Systems and methods for fluid handling Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.
US08475734B2	Filtering apparatus for filtering a fluid A filtering apparatus for filtering a fluid includes a filter element for filtering the fluid and an adhesive capillary structure for generating capillary forces. The adhesive capillary structure is attached to the filter element by using an adhesive property of the adhesive capillary structure. The adhesive capillary structure is preferentially made of a double-sided tape, which is adhesive on two sides. The filtering apparatus further includes a filtering location where the filter element is located, and a detection location where a property of the fluid is detectable. The capillary structure is formed such that the filtered fluid is guided from the filtering location to the detection location.
US08475732B2	Analyte measurement devices and systems, and components and methods related thereto In some aspects, a modular analyte measurement system having a replaceable strip port module is provided to permit contaminated modules to be replaced. Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to barriers for strip ports or the sealing of strip ports and/or analyte measurement devices to maintain a clean strip port and/or enable the strip port to be cleaned for reuse. Cleaning tools are also provided. Also provided are strip port interfaces that guide fluid away from the strip port opening, as well as absorptive elements that prevent fluid from entering a strip port. Analyte measurement devices with gravity sensors or accelerometers are also provided, along with methods related thereto. Also provided is a docking station that serves as an information server and provides storage and recharging capabilities.
US08475728B2	Device for mixing gas and for distributing the resulting mixture to the inlet of a catalytic reactor A device for mixing and distributing two gases upstream of the catalytic zone of a reactor by producing a homogeneous mixture and a profile of velocities which are as flat as possible. The device uses a plurality of internal chambers (I) enclosed in an external chamber (II), the external chamber communicating with each of the internal chambers via orifices pierced in the wall of said internal chambers (I) at a well-defined height. The external chamber (II) is provided with a perforated plate placed at a distance H2 from the inlet pipe for said chamber (II). The device is applied to the inlet of an autothermal reactor.
US08475727B2	Pressure and temperature control system for at least one chemical reactor This invention relates to a new system for controlling temperature and pressure in, at least, one chemical reactor, characterized in that it includes, at least, the following devices: a) a deposit with at least one pressure regulation device; b) a connecting duct between said deposit and the reactor; c) a device for injecting condensates into the reactor. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of said control system to control the pressure and temperature of at least one chemical reactor, being especially applicable to a chemical reactor in which a hydrothermal biomass carbonization reaction takes place.
US08475724B2	Method and apparatus for plasma-treating porous body A method for plasma-treating a porous body, comprising the steps of generating plasma using an inert gas or a mixed gas of an inert gas and a reactive gas, (a) blowing the resultant plasma gas to the porous body at a flow rate per a unit area of the porous body of 0.002 to 2 L/minute/cm2, (b) sucking the porous body in a plasma gas atmosphere, or (c) sucking the porous body while blowing the plasma gas to the porous body at said flow rate, thereby treating the plasma the surfaces and pores of said porous body with plasma.
US08475722B2	Hydrogen generation device and method of using same The present invention provides a hydrogen generation device using a photocatalyst to generate hydrogen from liquid water or water vapor and a method of using the same. The hydrogen generation device of the present invention has a water channel through which liquid water or water vapor flows, and which has an outer circumferential wall made at least in part of a transparent material; a hydrogen channel through which hydrogen flows and which is located at the inner circumference side of the water channel; a hydrogen separating membrane forming at least part of a wall between the water channel and hydrogen channel, separating hydrogen from the liquid water or water vapor in the water channel, and providing the hydrogen to the hydrogen channel; and a photocatalyst layer arranged on least at part of the water channel-side surface of the hydrogen separating membrane.
US08475716B2	Chemical and biological sensors, systems and methods based on radio frequency identification An embodiment of the invention described herein is directed to a detection system utilizing at least one radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor comprising: an RFID sensor comprising: a substrate; an antenna; a sensor material selected to be sensitive to one of chemical or biological environment; and a reader, wherein said reader is configured to measure a signal in the form of a complex impedance from said RFID tag wherein said signal comprises a plurality of frequencies and a frequency shift of the maximum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the minimum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the maximum of the real part of the complex impedance, and changes in magnitude of the real part of the complex impedance; and, wherein said complex impedance is related to a nature and a concentration of analyte species derived from multivariate analysis.
US08475714B2	Method and system for selective ultraviolet disinfection According to embodiments of the invention, a selective ultraviolet disinfection method is provided. The method includes selecting operating parameters for an ultraviolet disinfection process of flowing liquid carrying first and second types of entities to affect the first type of entities while the second type of entities remains intact, illuminating the liquid with ultraviolet light according to the operating parameters and continuously adjusting the operating parameters based on real-time measurements of ultraviolet transmission and flow rate of the liquid.
US08475709B2	Powder metal polymer composites A method for producing a composite part is provided. The method comprises compacting a powder composition comprising a lubricant into a compacted body; heating the compacted body to a temperature above the vaporization temperature of the lubricant such that the lubricant is substantially removed from the compacted body; subjecting the obtained heat treated compacted body to a liquid polymer composite comprising nanometer-sized and/or micrometer-sized reinforcement structures; and solidifying the heat treated compacted body comprising liquid polymer composite by drying and/or by at least one curing treatment.
US08475700B2	Oriented polymer composition with a deoriented surface layer Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 80 microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.
US08475697B2	Method to manufacture reinforcement insertion type mascara brush and manufacturing for transfer mold A transfer molding box and a method to produce a plurality of brushes with an applicator is provided. The transfer molding box includes a pressing plate 30, an upper molding box 10 where at least a brush molding groove is formed and a lower molding box 20 where at least another brush molding groove corresponding to the brush molding groove of the upper molding box is formed and placed under the upper molding box 10. A wick 1 is settled in horizontal direction between the brush molding groove of the upper molding box and the brush molding groove of the lower molding box. Further material inserting portion 11 and a projected pressing portion 31 which has corresponding shape to the material inserting portion 11 are provided at the top of the upper molding box 10 and at the top of the lower molding box 20, respectively.
US08475691B2	UV-absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials Novel UV absorbing monomers are disclosed. The UV absorbers are particularly suitable for use in intraocular lens materials.
US08475688B2	Lithium batteries using poly(ethylene oxide)-based non-aqueous electrolytes Lithium-air cells using poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) siloxane-based or poly(ethyleneoxide) phosphate-based electrolytes may be prepared and exhibit improved charge carrying capacity. Such PEO silioxanes and phosphates generally have the formulas Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, IIa, IIb, IIc, where:
US08475687B2	Hydrogen storing carbon material Provided is a hydrogen-storing carbon material with improved hydrogen storage capacity. The hydrogen-storing carbon material has a total pore volume of 0.5 cm3/g or more, and a ratio of a total mesoporous volume to a total microporous volume per unit weight of 5 or more. In addition, the hydrogen-storing carbon material may have a nitrogen content of 0.5 wt % or more and less than 20 wt %. In addition, the hydrogen-storing carbon material may have a stable potential of −1.28 V or more when a cathode current with respect to the hydrogen-storing carbon material is held at 1,000 mA/g in electrochemical measurement by chronopotentiometry involving using the hydrogen-storing carbon material in a working electrode in a three-electrode method.
US08475684B2	Composite oxide for hydrocarbon reforming catalyst, process for producing the same, and process for producing syngas using the same A composite oxide for a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst which maintains the catalytic activity at a high level over a long period of time, a process for producing the catalyst, and a process for producing syngas using the catalyst, are provided. The composite oxide for a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst is obtained by a process including preparing a mixed solution for impregnation which contains catalytic active components of Co, or Co and Ni, one or more oxidation resistance enhancing components selected from the elements of Group 3B and the elements of Group 6A of the Periodic Table, and one or more additive metal components selected from Ca and Mg; impregnating a carrier formed from a porous molded body selected from magnesia and a composite of magnesia and calcia, with the mixed solution for impregnation; drying the impregnated carrier; and calcining the dried carrier in an oxidizing atmosphere.
US08475680B2	Luminescent material and light-emitting device A luminescent material which is featured in that it exhibits an emission peak at a wavelength ranging from 490 to 580 nm as it is excited by light having a wavelength ranging from 250 to 500 nm and that it has a composition represented by the following general formula (2): (M1-xRx)a2AlSib2Oc2Nd2 (2) (In the general formula (2), M is at least one metallic element excluding Si and Al, R is a luminescence center element, and x, a2, b2, c2 and d2 satisfy the following relationships: 0
US08475679B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics; and is to provide a AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth, wherein the liquid crystal composition has negative dielectric anisotropy and includes a two-ring compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and having at least three fluorines or chlorines at the lateral positions as a first component, a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component, a specific compound having a small viscosity as a third component, and a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.
US08475675B2	Polymer dispersions for fire prevention and firefighting The present invention relates to water-in-oil polymer dispersions comprising of a continuous organic phase and therein finely dispersed and cross-linked, water-swellable polymerizates, where these have a residual monomer content of less than 1,000 ppm. The present invention relates further to a process for the production of polymer dispersions according to the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to devices for fire prevention and firefighting and to the use of the polymer dispersions according to the invention.
US08475674B2	High-temperature selective dry etch having reduced post-etch solid residue Methods of dry etching silicon-containing dielectric films are described. The methods include maintaining a relatively high temperature of the dielectric films while etching in order to achieve reduced solid residue on the etched surface. Partially or completely avoiding the accumulation of solid residue increases the etch rate.
US08475670B2	Method for manufacturing a patterned magnetic media with offset data and servo regions A method for manufacturing a patterned magnetic media. The method allows both a data region and a servo region to be patterned without the patterning of one region adversely affecting the patterning of the other region. The method results in a patterned data region a patterned servo region and intermediate regions between the servo and data regions. The intermediate regions, which are most likely, but not necessarily, asymmetrical with one another indicate that the method has been used to pattern the media.
US08475662B2	Modified HIMS process The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material using magnetic particles with which the at least one first material agglomerates.
US08475658B2	Water purification device for arsenic removal Arsenic is removed from water and other aqueous feeds by (1) treating the feed with a compound containing cerium in the +4 oxidation state, preferably cerium dioxide, to oxidize arsenic in the +3 oxidation state to arsenic in the +5 oxidation state and (2) removing the arsenic in the +5 oxidation state from the aqueous phase, normally by contacting the treated feed with alumina or other precipitating agent containing cations in the +3 oxidation state.
US08475656B1	Floating surface skimmer A floating skimmer that is adapted to float on the surface of the water to collect surface debris. The skimmer comprises an inlet connected to a substantially tubular body having an intake port. The substantially tubular body connects to a conduit assembly having an outlet port connecting to the hose of an external suction pump. The conduit assembly may have a plurality of ports such as an intake pipe for connection to an underwater vacuum and a tubing input assembly. The tubing input assembly connects to flexible inlet tubes of various lengths to allow the flow of water and debris from various depths of the pool into the skimmer. In operation, the debris collected from the various intake pipes and ports is removed from the skimmer through suction provided from the external suction pump. This skimmer allows debris to be collected from the surface of the pool as well as from various depths in the pool.
US08475652B2	Method for purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels from metal ions by means of at least one hemeprotein and use of the at least on hemeprotein A method for purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels in liquid state from metal ions by removing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of natural occurring contaminating porphyrins, metalloporphyrins, chlorins and naturally occurring degradations products of these compounds, such as petroporphyrins, containing said metal ions from the fuels. At least one hemeprotein in apo-form selected from the group consisting of globins, peroxidases, pyrrolases and cytochromes having high affinity for porphyrins is added to the fuels. The hemeprotein is mixed with the fuels in such a way that the porphyrins is bounded to the hemeprotein. The hemeprotein with bound contaminating porphyrins is removed so as to obtain purified fuels. The invention relates also to the use of at least one hemeprotein selected from the group consisting of globins, peroxidases, pyrrolases and cytochromes having high affinity for porphyrins for the purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels in liquid state from metal ions.
US08475651B2	Systems, methods, and catalysts for producing a crude product Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The one or more catalysts may include a catalyst that has a median pore diameter of at least 90 Å. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US08475650B2	Pre-passivation process for a continuous reforming apparatus, and passivation process for a continuous reforming apparatus during the initial reaction The present invention relates to a pre-passivation process for a continuous reforming apparatus prior to the reaction, or a passivation process for a continuous reforming apparatus during the initial reaction, comprising loading a reforming catalyst into the continuous reforming apparatus, starting the gas circulation and raising the temperature of a reactor, injecting sulfide into the gas at a reactor temperature ranging from 100-650° C., controlling the sulfur amount in the recycle gas within a range of 0.5-100×10−6 L/L so as to passivate the apparatus.
US08475649B2	Magnetic removal of material from a mixture based on sulfided diluent in the mixture Methods and apparatus relate to processing of petroleum with a bed having a sorbent based diluent that the petroleum contacts upon passing through the bed. Magnetic properties of the sorbent and any other material, such as zeolite, used in the bed enable separation of such bed constituents based on a sulfided form of the sorbent being magnetic in contrast to a non-sulfided form of the sorbent being non-magnetic. Dividing the bed constituents into first and second portions by magnetic separation facilitates in selective replacing and/or regenerating the first portion independent of the second portion.
US08475646B2	Biosensor, thin film electrode forming method, quantification apparatus, and quantification method Methods are disclosed for measuring substrate content in a specimen using a biosensor that includes two pairs of electrodes in a specimen supply path, where the methods include the steps of: (a) a first detecting step for detecting an electrical change in the first pair of electrodes; (b) a second detecting step for detecting an electrical change in the second pair of electrodes after the first detecting step; (c) a judging step for judging a shortage of specimen amount that is needed for measurement, when an electrical change is not detected in the second detecting step within a prescribed period of time after the first detecting step; (d) an indicating step for indicating a shortage of the specimen amount; and (e) a stopping step for stopping measurement of substrate content in the specimen once the shortage of specimen amount is indicated in the indicating step.
US08475645B2	Cooling water circulation apparatus and method of removing scale from cooling water circulation apparatus A cooling water circulation apparatus is capable of limiting attachment of microorganisms and scale in an environmentally friendly manner. An electrolytic device 10 is provided on a cooling water circulation route R1. In the arrangement, mineral contents such as calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in cooling water W are deposited as scale S on an electrode 12A or 12B in an electrolytic step, thereby enabling the mineral contents to be removed from the cooling water W. Even if the hardness of the cooling water W is increased by evaporation of the water with elapse of time, the hardness can be reduced by the electrolytic processing. Thus, the deposition of the scale S in the circulation route R1 can be reduced. Further, the scale S deposited on the electrode 12A or 12B can be easily separated by operating while reversing the polarities of the electrodes 12A and 12B at predetermined time intervals.
US08475643B2	Anodic oxidation method and production for titanium oxide coating and method of supporting catalyst To provide an anodic oxidation method, a titanium oxide film manufacturing method and a catalyst carrying method which is suitable, for example, for anodic oxidation of aluminum, titanium and catalyst carrying on the surface of alumite (registered trademark), capable of generating an oxide film at a low cost and rapidly by eliminating the use of a strongly acid or strongly basic electrolytic solution and using a carbonated water as an electrolytic solution, capable of controlling the sealing treatment of oxide film through a simple method, capable of effecting the oxide film dyeing and catalyst carrying rationally and easily, and capable of effecting the catalyst carrying safely and surely without eroding a base material.An object (3) to be treated is electrolyzed in an electrolytic solution received in a treatment vessel (1) serving the object (3) as an anodic electrode.It is an anodic oxidation method in which an oxide film is generated on the surface of the object (3).A carbonated water of a predetermined acid concentration generated by dissolving a pressurized carbon dioxide in a predetermined quantity of water (7) is used as the electrolytic solution.
US08475642B2	Systems and methods for monitoring plating and etching baths Methods and systems for monitoring electrolyte bath fluids are provided. The electrolyte bath fluids can be electroplating, electroless plating or etching solutions. The monitoring systems employ microfluidic devices, which have built in microfluidic channels and microfabricated thin-film electrodes. The devices are configured with fluid pumps to control the movement and mixing of test fluids through the microfluidic channels. The microfabricated thin-film electrodes are configured so that the plating or etching bath fluid composition can be characterized by electrochemical measurements. The monitoring methods and system provide faster measurement times, generate minimal waste, and occupy dramatically reduced physical space compared to conventional bath-monitor systems. The monitoring systems and method also provide low-cost system and methods for measuring or monitoring electroless plating bath rates.
US08475640B2	Method for multiplexed capillary electrophoresis signal cross-talk correction The present invention provides a simple method to correct cross-talk, after the data have been generated. Adjacent signals are simply subtracted from the original observed signal with a repeating process. The data processing is stopped when a predefined condition is met. By this technique, cross-talk can be reduced from >5% to less than 0.1%. And as an additional advantage, this method provides a way to correct the cross-talk without the need to know which peaks are caused by the adjacent capillary signal.
US08475637B2	Electroplating apparatus with vented electrolyte manifold Embodiments related to increasing a uniformity of an electroplated film are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an electroplating apparatus comprising a plating chamber, a work piece holder, a cathode contact configured to electrically contact a work piece, and an anode contact configured to electrically contact an anode disposed in the plating chamber. A diffusing barrier is disposed between the cathode contact and the anode contact to provide a uniform electrolyte flow to the work piece, and electrolyte delivery and return paths are provided for delivering electrolyte to and away from the plating chamber. Additionally, a vented electrolyte manifold is disposed in the electrolyte delivery path immediately upstream of the plating chamber, the vented electrolyte manifold comprising one or more electrolyte delivery openings that open to the plating chamber and one or more vents that open to a location other than the plating chamber.
US08475635B2	Processes and device for the deposition of films on substrates Deposition processes and devices for the fabrication of multilayer systems to better control the energy contribution at different stages of the deposition. This is achieved by depositing films by sputtering in a scheme providing for thermalized particles. Thermalized particles are obtained by choosing the working gas pressure and the distance between target and substrate to result in a mean free path of particles smaller than the distance between target and substrate or to result in a product of pressure and distance being larger than 2.0 cmPa.
US08475633B2	Production method for a nanopatterned epoxy substrate Provided is a method for preparing an epoxy substrate having a nanopattern, including: (a) forming a titanium oxide film by anodizing a titanium substrate; (b) obtaining a titanium substrate having a concave shape formed on the surface by removing the titanium oxide film from the titanium substrate on which the titanium oxide film has been formed; (c) coating an epoxy resin onto the titanium substrate on which the concave shape has been formed; and (d) obtaining an epoxy substrate having a nanopattern of convex surfaces by removing the titanium substrate.
US08475630B2	Retention systems and methods for papermaking Compositions and methods of producing an optically-enhanced paper-based material are disclosed. The composition can include an optical brightening agent and an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion is associated with an optical brightening agent. The paper-based material can exhibit a higher capacity for the optical brightening agent relative to a paper-based material that lacks the additive. Techniques for increasing optical brightening agent retention in a paper-based material are also disclosed. The techniques include using an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion associates with an optical brightening agent so that the retention of the optical brightening agent is improved.
US08475629B2	Coating compositions comprising alkyl ketene dimers and alkyl succinic anhydrides for use in paper making Additives for paper making are disclosed herein. Specifically, the additives are wax-free alternatives to conventional coatings, including ASA, AKD and optionally an acrylic containing composition. Other additives may be included in the coating, such as cationic particles or compositions. The coatings may be used at a variety of points during the paper making process, including on the calender stack and in the wet end.
US08475627B2	Process of treating a lignocellulosic material A process of treating a lignocellulosic material includes a pre-extraction step in which hemicellulose is extracted from the lignocellulosic material. In one embodiment, the pre-extraction step involves contacting the lignocellulosic material with an aqueous solution under conditions that release acidic material from the lignocellulosic material into the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution includes a basic material that at least partly neutralizes the acidic material so that the aqueous solution at the end of the pre-extraction step has a pH within a range of from 4.5 to 11. The process also includes a pulping step, after the pre-extraction step, in which the lignocellulosic material is separated into pulp. The process further includes an adsorption step, after the pulping step, in which hemicellulose is adsorbed on the pulp.
US08475625B2	Apparatus for etching high aspect ratio features Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus, such as a processing chamber, suitable for etching high aspect ratio features. Other embodiments include a showerhead assembly for use in the processing chamber. In one embodiment, a processing chamber includes a chamber body having a showerhead assembly and substrate support disposed therein. The showerhead assembly includes at least two fluidly isolated plenums, a region transmissive to an optical metrology signal, and a plurality of gas passages formed through the showerhead assembly fluidly coupling the plenums to the interior volume of the chamber body.
US08475621B2	Adhesion promotion to difficult substrates for hot melt adhesives Hot melt adhesive compositions which have enhanced adhesion to difficult substrates, particularly at refrigerator/freezer temperatures or at elevated temperatures. The inventive compositions require a base polymer comprising at least one metallocene ethylene-containing polymer or at least one non-metallocene, amorphous, propylene containing polymer; a tackifier; an optional wax; and an adhesion promoting additive comprising at least one semi-crystalline polymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 daltons or less. It has been found that the adhesion promoting additive of this invention enhances the adhesion properties of a hot melt adhesive composition having a metallocene ethylene-containing base polymer or non-metallocene, amorphous, propylene containing base polymer, particularly at elevated temperatures or at low refrigerator and freezer temperatures where other conventional adhesives have been unsuccessful.
US08475620B2	Bag member for compression prebonding, holding tool for producing laminated glass, and device of producing laminated glass and method of producing the same A holding tool 2 for use in producing of laminated glass includes a frame 3, a bag member 4 and a supporting member 6b for suspending the bag member 4 from the frame 3. The bag member 4 is made of a film with flexibility and airtightness, is provided with a sealable opening and has evacuating ports 7a and 7b in the vicinity of an periphery of a flat shape thereof having the periphery sealed. The frame 3 has a first frame member 3w and a second frame member 3y opposing each other and disposed outside the periphery of the bag member 4, and the bag member 4 is suspended by the supporting member 6b movably against the frame 3 on a holding face formed at least by the first frame member 3w and the second frame member 3y inside an area formed by connecting ends of these frame members.
US08475619B2	Process for improving the adhesion of a UV-crosslinkable material to a substrate The invention relates to a process for improving the adhesion of a layer made of a material that is crosslinkable by exposure to UV rays to a substrate, and also to a process for manufacturing a transistor comprising at least one step of performing such a process.This process for improving the adhesion of a layer made of a material M to the surface of a substrate S is characterized in that: the material M is a material that is crosslinkable by exposure to UV rays, and in that it comprises the following steps: a) deposition, on at least one surface of the substrate S, of a nonpolymerized polymerizable composition P, comprising at least one molecule F comprising a first reactive group F1 that is capable of reacting, by exposure to UV rays, with a reactive group M1 of the surface of the material M, and a second reactive group F2 that is capable of forming bonds with the material(s) constituting the surface of the substrate S, b) deposition, onto the layer of the nonpolymerized composition P obtained in step a), of a layer made of a noncrosslinked material M, and c) exposure to UV rays of the three-layer structure obtained in step b). The invention finds application in particular in the field of manufacturing transistors.
US08475617B2	Device for production of drip irrigation tubes A device for producing a drip irrigation tube comprising an extrusion apparatus for extruding a tube body made from a thermoplastic synthetic material is provided. Metering elements are inserted in the extruded tube body and connected to the tube body. A calibrating device adjusts the tube body to the desired outer shape, and a cooling device cools the tube body. Outlet holes are made in the tube body in the vicinity of the metering elements to permit the passage of water from the tube body during use. A control unit for controlling the device for making outlet holes is provided, and a sensor which upon lifting of the roller during passage of a metering element emits a signal to the control unit which emits a signal to the device for making outlet holes.
US08475616B2	Reactors for forming foam materials from high internal phase emulsions, methods of forming foam materials and conductive nanostructures therein An RF inductor such as a Tesla antenna splices nanotube ends together to form a nanostructure in a polymer foam matrix. High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) is gently sheared and stretched in a reactor comprising opposed coaxial counter-rotating impellers, which parallel-align polymer chains and also carbon nanotubes mixed with the oil phase. Stretching and forced convection prevent the auto-acceleration effect. Batch and continuous processes are disclosed. In the batch process, a fractal radial array of coherent vortices in the HIPE is preserved when the HIPE polymerizes, and helical nanostructures around these vortices are spliced by microhammering into longer helices. A disk radial filter produced by the batch process has improved radial flux from edge to center due to its area-preserving radial vascular network. In the continuous process, strips of HIPE are pulled from the periphery of the reactor continuously and post-treated by an RF inductor to produce cured conductive foam.
US08475612B2	Method for molecular adhesion bonding with compensation for radial misalignment A method for bonding a first wafer on a second wafer by molecular adhesion, where the wafers have an initial radial misalignment between them. The method includes bringing the two wafers into contact so as to initiate the propagation of a bonding wave between the two wafers while a predefined bonding curvature is imposed on at least one of the two wafers during the contacting step as a function of the initial radial misalignment.
US08475611B2	Method and device for application of a strip material The present invention relates to a method and a device for the application of a strip material to a substrate. Particularly, the present invention relates to a automatic application of an elongate strip of elastic material to a substrate. The present invention further relates to a device and a method for applying a seal strip such as a weatherstrip seal to a substrate. The elongate strip is advanced by drive means and positioned on a substrate by means of an application unit. The stress of the elongate strip is controlled by a stress control unit which is positioned in the area between the drive means and the application unit.
US08475605B2	Surface layer-hardened steel part and method of manufacturing the same In the steel for a surface layer hardening which is treated with carburizing in a temperature range of 800° C. to 900° C., chemical composition thereof contains, by mass %, C: 0.10% to 0.60%, Si: 0.01% to 2.50%, Mn: 0.20% to 2.00%, S: 0.0001% to 0.10%, Cr: 2.00% to 5.00%, Al: 0.001% to 0.50%, N: 0.0020% to 0.020%, P: 0.001% to 0.050%, and O: 0.0001% to 0.0030%; the remaining portion thereof includes Fe and unavoidable impurities; and the total amount of Cr, Si, and Mn satisfies, by mass %, 2.0≦Cr+Si+Mn≦8.0.
US08475601B1	Apparatus and process for decontaminating oil boom A rapid and effective means for decontaminating fouled oil-control booms is provided. The process involves washing the boom with pressured washing fluid, reorienting the boom to facilitate full inspection, and drying the boom. This can be performed in an assembly-line manner, using one or more conveyors to transport the boom sequentially to a washing area, an inspection area, and a drying area. Consequently, contaminated oil-control booms can be cleaned and redeployed rapidly and inexpensively during an oil release accident.
US08475598B2	Strip process for superalloys A process for forming a coated substrate comprises providing a nickel base alloy substrate, depositing a chromium coating onto the nickel base alloy substrate and diffusing chromium from said coating into the substrate, applying a MCrAlY coating onto the nickel base alloy substrate and heat treating the substrate with the deposited chromium and the MCrAlY coating so that chromium diffuses into an outer region of the substrate. Further, in accordance with the present invention, a strip process for removing a coating from a substrate broadly comprises the steps of providing a nickel base alloy substrate having chromium diffused into an outer region and a MCrAlY coating deposited over the substrate with the diffused chromium and removing the MCrAlY coating by immersing the nickel base alloy substrate in an acid solution containing a sulfuric acid-hydrochloric acid mixture in water.
US08475597B2	Process and equipment for sugar crystallization by controlled cooling A process is proposed for crystallizing, by progressively cooling, in multiple stages arranged in series in a crystallization vessel (10), a descending continuous flow of a saturated sucrose solution at a temperature from about 78° to about 120° C., each stage maintaining the sucrose solution being crystallized at a predetermined temperature, until reaching a temperature from about 25 to 40° C., obtaining substantially pure sucrose crystals. A suspension containing sugar seeds is introduced in the crystallizing equipment, in the first stage, jointly with the saturated sucrose solution of 1.05-1.15. In another embodiment of the invention, the saturated solution is fed and its temperature is controlled, already in the first stage of the vessel (10), to obtain a supersaturation between 1.05 and 1.15, inducing the formation of small crystals used as crystallization seeds.
US08475596B2	Apparatus to process coating material using flame nozzle and evaporation deposition device having same An apparatus for processing coating material includes a crucible having a receptacle for receiving coating material, a drive member having a drive shaft, a cover coupled to the drive shaft, and a flame nozzle opposing the receptacle. The cover includes an inner chamber, a first through hole and a number of second through holes. The first through hole and the second through holes communicate with the inner chamber. The cover has a flat surface with the second through holes exposed at the flat surface. The drive shaft drives the cover to rotate between a closed position where the cover covers the receptacle and the flat surface presses against the coating material to flatten the coating material, and an open position where the cover is moved away from the receptacle. The flame nozzle sprays flame from the second through holes through the first through hole to heat the coating material.
US08475594B2	Galvanizing bath apparatus A continuous galvanizing line uses a coating pot containing a molten zinc bath having bottom dross and further comprises a pump. The pump agitates the bottom dross so the bottom dross interacts with aluminum and converts to top dross, which can be removed without needing to stop the galvanizing line. A reaction vessel may also be used to provide a higher concentration of aluminum to react with the bottom dross.
US08475588B2	Wafer structure and epitaxial growth method for growing the same A wafer structure and epitaxial growth method for growing the same. The method may include forming a mask layer having nano-sized areas on a wafer, forming a porous layer having nano-sized pores on a surface of the wafer by etching the mask layer and a surface of the wafer, and forming an epitaxial material layer on the porous layer using an epitaxial growth process.
US08475587B2	Method of improving the product properties of clinker in the firing of raw meal Method of improving the product properties of clinker in the firing of raw meal in a clinker or cement furnace in which at least part of the fuels used are low-heating-value or alternative fuels, waste products containing organic substances or low-heating-value or alternative fuels are subjected to thermal dissociation and reaction of the dissociation products using radiant energy. The product gas or synthesis gas formed in this way is fed to the burners of the main firing facility to increase the flame temperature.
US08475585B2	Stable foamed cement slurry compositions and methods for making and using same A foamed cement composition is disclosed for utilization in performing a variety of well cementing operations, and to methods for making and using same. The foamed cement composition basically includes a cement, water sufficient to form a pumpable slurry, a gas sufficient to foam the slurry, a foaming agent and optionally a foam stabilizing agent.
US08475582B2	Process for making a water dispersible titanium dioxide pigment useful in paper laminates The present invention relates to a process for making a titanium dioxide pigment consisting of titanium dioxide and single layer of inorganic surface treatment consisting of aluminum phosphate wherein the pigment is characterized by and isoelectric point which is greater than pH 6 and a negative zeta potential of at a pH of 7.5 or more.
US08475576B2	Component for producing vacuum insulation systems The present invention relates to a component for producing vacuum insulation systems, comprising at least one insulation layer which is surrounded by a casing, wherein the gas pressure in the insulation layer can be reduced by means provided in the component, wherein the means for reducing the gas pressure is embodified as activatable. The present invention further describes a vacuum insulation system comprising a component according to the invention.
US08475570B2	Process for producing purified gas from gas comprising H2S, CO2 and HCN and/or COS The invention provides a process for producing purified gas from feed gas comprising H2S, CO2 and HCN and/or COS, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting feed gas comprising H2S, CO2 and HCN and/or COS with a HCN/COS hydrolysis sorbent in the presence of water in a HCN/COS hydrolysis unit, thereby obtaining gas depleted in HCN and/or COS; (b) contacting the gas depleted in HCN and/or COS with absorbing liquid in an H2S/CO2 absorber to remove H2S and CO2, thereby obtaining the purified gas and absorbing liquid rich in H2S and CO2; (c) heating and de-pressurizing at least part of the absorbing liquid rich in H2S and CO2 to obtain hot flash gas enriched in CO2 and absorbing liquid enriched in H2S; (d) contacting the absorbing liquid enriched in H2S at elevated temperature with a stripping gas, thereby transferring H2S to the stripping gas to obtain regenerated absorbing liquid and stripping gas rich in H2S; and (e) leading at least part of the flash gas enriched in CO2 to the HCN/COS hydrolysis unit and/or to the H2S/CO2 absorber.
US08475568B2	Process for the enrichment of isotopes This invention relates to a process for the enrichment of isotopes by chromatography on a saturated stationary phase. The process provides a more efficient method than the existing methods.
US08475567B2	Process for separating propane and propylene using a distillation column and a membrane separation column Process for separating propane and propylene using a distillation column and at least one membrane separation unit constituted by one or more modules operating in series, said membrane separation unit being placed either upstream, or downstream, or upstream and downstream of the distillation column.
US08475565B2	Apparatus, systems, and methods for sampling and conditioning a fluid A system of sampling a fluid comprises a fluid separator having a central axis. The fluid separator includes an insulating sleeve. In addition the fluid separator includes a separator assembly coaxially disposed within the sleeve. Further, the fluid separator includes an annulus radially disposed between the sleeve and the separator assembly. The separator assembly includes a conduit, a support rod coaxially disposed within the conduit, and a plurality of separator members coupled to the support rod within the conduit.
US08475558B2	Preparation of a potassium phosphate based composition Provided is a freely flowing particulate fertilizer essentially consisting of potassium phosphate of the formula K3H3(PO4)2 and of less than 8 wt % water. The stable and not caking fertilizer is characterized by an XRD signal corresponding to 2-theta of about 70°. An economic process for making the fertilizer is also provided consisting in reacting KOH and monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4) in water, heating the mixture under vacuum and cooling it down, thereby obtaining the particulate fertilizer.
US08475557B2	Cellular ceramic articles with coated channels and methods for making the same Cellular ceramic articles are manufactured from a green cellular ceramic body that includes a binder material and a plurality of channels. At least one of the channels is coated with a slurry that includes a green coating composition and a solvent to form a coating layer. The binder material is insoluble in the solvent.
US08475550B2	Self-optimizing odorant injection system A method for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid-containing system such as a natural gas or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below pipeline pressure. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline. Flow-control apparatus located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline is either (a) drip-style metering valve adjustable between a drop-wise setting and a steady-flow setting or (b) a pair of valves one of which is a flow valve allowing larger volumes to be injected and the other which is a drop-wise flow valve for metering smaller volumes of the chemical.
US08475549B2	Process for generating methane and/or methane hydrate from biomass To generate methane from biomass, a biomass pulp is produced from the biomass with a desired dry mass content being set, and the biomass pulp is placed under pressure. The biomass pulp is heated under pressure in order to liquefy the solid organic components of the biomass pulp. The pressurized and heated biomass pulp is heated further to at least the critical temperature of the biomass pulp. Solids precipitated under pressure and increased temperature are separated from the fluid phase. At least a part of the remaining fluid phase is gasified under pressure and increased temperature by means of a reactor to form a methane-rich gas.
US08475544B2	Combustible article Disclosed is an apparatus for burning comprising a combustible body having an exterior surface and an axis extending between opposed top and bottom surfaces. The body has an interior surface defining a cavity extending from the top surface and a first blind bore extending radially from the cavity to the exterior surface wherein the interior surface includes a plurality of slots extending longitudinally therein.
US08475543B2	Two-stage process for producing oil from microalgae A process for production of biofuels from algae can include cultivating an oil-producing algae by promoting sequential photoautotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The method can further include producing oil by heterotrophic growth of algae wherein the heterotrophic algae growth is achieved by introducing a sugar feed to the oil-producing algae. An algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae, and can be converted to form biodiesel.
US08475537B2	Airflow regulation system for artificial limb and associated methods The airflow regulation system is to be attached to a residual limb of an amputee. The device includes an airflow liner to define a regulated environment between the residual limb and the airflow liner. The liner has a plurality of airflow passageways defining inflow air channels and an outflow air channel in fluid communication with the defined regulated environment. An airflow control system is connected inline with the outflow and inflow air channels. The airflow control system includes an airflow regulation device, such as a vacuum pump, and an airflow initiating device, such as a solenoid.
US08475536B2	Methods and devices for implants with improved cement adhesion Biomedical implants (e.g., orthopedic implants) with modified surfaces that can enhance a cement bond's strength (e.g., tensile, shear, and/or fatigue) are disclosed, along with methods of manufacturing and using such implants. The implants can exhibit a variety of physical, chemical, or process-derived features which can enhance cement bonding. For instance, the implant surface can exhibit particular roughness values, and/or be substantially free of non native material. Processes for producing such implants can include providing a first roughened implant surface, which can be produced, for example, by particle blasting. A treatment formulation can be applied to the first roughened surface to create a second roughened surface that exhibits enhanced cement bonding properties relative to the first roughened surface. In some instances, the first roughened surface and the second roughened surface can exhibit substantially similar Ra values. The second roughened surface can exhibit a negative Rsk value.
US08475535B2	Multi-compartmental prosthetic device with patellar component transition A prosthetic device for forming at least a portion of a joint may have a plurality of segmented components fixed relative to a femur of a body including: a patellofemoral component and a condyle component. Each segmented component may be configured such that a placement at which the segmented component will be fixed relative to the femur is not constrained by a connection to another of the segmented components that is fixed relative to the femur. In an installed configuration, the patellofemoral and condyle components may be fixed relative to the femur such that: a gap is provided between an edge of the patellofemoral component and an opposing edge of the condyle component, and a transition region is provided that extends from a first femoral coronal plane that intersects the patellofemoral component to a second femoral coronal plane that intersects the condyle component.
US08475532B2	Method and apparatus for implanting a hydrogel prosthesis for a nucleus pulposus An instrument for inserting an elongated hydrogel prosthesis into an intervertebral disc includes an insertion cannula that is inserted through the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc to provide access to the nucleus region of the disc, an elongated hydrogel prosthesis packaged within a tubular container adapted to be coupled to a proximal end of the insertion cannula, and a source of fluid pressure adapted to be coupled to a proximal end of the tubular container. Auxiliary instruments for use in convenient insertion of the insertion cannula through the nucleus pulposus and providing for a complete and controlled passage of the hydrogel prosthesis through the insertion cannula are provided in a kit with the insertion cannula. A sizing apparatus for determining the volume of prosthesis to be inserted includes a catheter or cannula capable of being inserted through the insertion cannula into the nucleus region of the intervertebral disc and having at its distal end a balloon capable of being inflated within the intervertebral disc with a measurable volume of a fluid in order to determine the amount of hydrogel prosthesis to be injected.
US08475531B1	Anchored multi-phasic osteochondral construct Disclosed are osteochondral constructs that can be utilized to encourage both bone and articular cartilage tissue repair in synovial joints. Disclosed constructs are composites including a hydrogel portion for implant in a cartilage defect site and an adjacent portion for implant in a bone defect site. The portion to be implanted in a bone defect site can include a polymeric/ceramic composite material. Disclosed constructs also include a polymeric anchor that can secure the construct at the desired site. Disclosed constructs can also include capillary channeled fibers within the bone portion of the construct that can provide improved nutrient flow to and waste flow from cells growing and developing on and in the construct.
US08475526B2	Apparatus and methods for loading of an IOL injector An IOL injector body including an injector body segment defining a portion of a lumen, and a first loading chamber component coupled to the injector body segments and a second loading chamber component hingedly coupled to the first loading chamber component. The second loading chamber component is capable of rotating about an axis that is parallel to the lumen. An IOL vial including a vial base and an injector guide rotatably mounted in said base, whereby an injector can be inserted along the injector guide and rotated such that a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. A method of loading an IOL injector with an IOL the method that comprises inserting the IOL injector body into a vial and rotating the IOL injector body relative to the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.
US08475525B2	Tricuspid valve repair using tension A method is provided, including implanting at least a first tissue-engaging element in a first portion of tissue in a vicinity of a heart valve of a patient, implanting at least a second tissue-engaging element in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium of a heart of the patient, and drawing at least a first leaflet of the valve toward at least a second leaflet of the valve by adjusting a distance between the portion of the blood vessel and the first portion of tissue in the vicinity of the heart valve of the patient. Other applications are also described.
US08475524B2	Monitoring of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty During a minimally invasive deployment of a mitral valvuloplasty device into the coronary sinus near realtime tracking of the device is monitored to determine whether the device is compressing the left circumflex coronary artery or is likely to do so. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more position sensors are included in the catheter that is used to deploy the constricting implant and or in the implant itself. The position of the device is determined during deployment, and compared to the location of the left circumflex coronary artery, which may be determined by mapping relative to a pre-acquired image or by simultaneous intracardiac ultrasound imaging.
US08475522B2	Transapical delivery system for heart valves A delivery system for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic annulus in an antegrade fashion through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the annulus. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher. A pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.
US08475521B2	Streamlined delivery system for in situ deployment of cardiac valve prostheses A system for implanting a heart valve prosthesis in a patient's heart includes a balloon expandable, tissue, stented heart valve and a transfemoral valve delivery device for delivering the stented heart valve to a target site in the patient's heart. The delivery device includes an inflation balloon module for expanding the stented heart valve prosthesis, markers on to assist in location of the delivery device at an appropriate location; and a streamlined cap.
US08475518B2	Stent with anchors to prevent vulnerable plaque rupture during deployment A stent for implantation in a body lumen for protecting from rupture a fibrous cap in order to treat vulnerable plaque. One embodiment of the stent achieves staged expansion through stronger and weaker circumferential regions, and includes optional anchors positioned at the circumferential transition between the stronger and weaker regions. During the first stage expansion, the weaker region expands moving the anchors laterally apart. The anchors straddle the fibrous cap and embed into the vessel wall. The second stage expansion of the stent exerts gentler stresses by the weaker region against the fibrous cap while the stronger region exerts greater stresses on the remainder of the vessel wall to open the vessel.
US08475517B2	Stent customization system and method Methods and systems are described for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient, and for customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient or for customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient.
US08475516B2	Low profile support frame and related intraluminal medical devices A low profile support frame for use as an or in an expandable intraluminal medical device includes first and second wire members that define arcuate paths having opposing curves. Connectors join the wire members, and barbs can be disposed on the connectors. The support frame has radially compressed and radially expanded configurations. When the support frame is in the radially expanded configuration, substantially no portion of the support frame is disposed on a first transverse axis of the frame opposite one end of the frame and substantially no portion of the frame is disposed on a second transverse axis of the frame opposite the other end of the frame. The support frame can be used as an intraluminal medical device by itself or as a component in a medical device that includes other components, such as a stent, prosthetic valve, occluder, or filter.
US08475509B2	Devices and methods for using endovascular cooling to treat septic shock and other disorders Apparatus, systems and methods for cooling or warming the temperature of all or a portion of the body of a human or animal subject to treat disorders including but not limited to sepsis, septic shock or other inflammatory or infectious conditions which can result in shock, hypoxia, ischemia and/or multiple organ failure in human or animal subjects.
US08475507B2	Handheld apparatus for use by a non-physician consumer to fractionally resurface the skin of the consumer A handheld apparatus for delivering optical energy to fractionally resurface skin of a consumer is configured to be used by the non-physician consumer. The handheld apparatus includes a housing dimensioned for manual grasping and manipulation. The housing encloses a laser and an optical pattern generator having a rotatable component with a plurality of reflective segments that rotate through an optical beam from the laser to deflect and divide the optical beam into pulses that propagate from the housing and form a fractional pattern at the skin surface. The handheld apparatus also includes a transducer associated with fins on the rotatable component to generate signals for each pulse of electromagnetic radiation, the signals being monitored by a controller to enable an end of dose indication for the consumer when the treatment is completed.
US08475504B2	Method of bone fixation with slender spanning members disposed outside bone System, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components, for bone fixation using a pair of slender spanning members to span a fracture outside bone.
US08475503B2	Methods for forming implants with selectively exposed mesh for fixation and related implants Methods for forming molded orthopedic implants with at least one mesh substrate having opposing upper and lower primary surfaces. At least a major portion of the mesh substrate lower primary surface is integrally moldably attached to the molded implant body. The methods are carried out so that the mesh substrate has at least one selectively exposed region devoid of molded material that exposes at least a portion of the mesh substrate upper surface to at least a partial thickness of the mesh substrate so as to allow for tissue in-growth in the at least one exposed region of the mesh substrate.
US08475499B2	Rod to rod connectors and methods of adjusting the length of a spinal rod construct A connector for connecting a first spinal rod to a second spinal rod includes a body having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The first end of the body has a first rod opening formed therein for receiving the first spinal rod and the second end has a second rod opening formed therein for receiving the second rod. The body of the connector has a passage extending between the first opening and the second opening. The body of the connector has a plurality of spaced apart adjustment openings oriented along the length of the body between the first end and the second end, the adjustment openings communicating with the passage to facilitate adjustment of the first and second spinal rods within the passage.
US08475496B2	Stackable spinal support system A method for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine. In one embodiment, the method involves the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts having a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface; and (b) successively introducing into a spine the plurality of spinal inserts such that the generally planar top and bottom surfaces are generally parallel to the two tissue surfaces, wherein the beveled surface are configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.
US08475495B2	Polyaxial screw The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US08475494B2	Oral stimulatory device for soothing gums An aspect of the invention includes an oral stimulatory device. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device is configured for soothing gums, for instance, the gums of a teething infant. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the oral stimulatory device includes a tubular body. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is configured for being partially positioned in an oral cavity of a user, such as an infant, and is adapted for being deformed. Although the oral stimulatory device may be fabricated from any suitable material, in certain embodiments, the tubular body of the oral stimulatory device is fabricated from a material comprising silicone. For instance, in one embodiment, the tubular body comprises a material that is at least about 50%, that is at least about 60%, that is at least about 70%, that is at least about 80%, that is at least about 90%, such as 95%, or even 99% or 100% food grade silicone. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device includes at least one stimulatory element, for example, a plurality of stimulatory elements, which elements may be adapted for soothing the gums of an infant when positioned in an oral cavity (e.g., mouth) of the infant.
US08475492B2	Methods for venous occlusion for the treatment of venous insufficiency Methods, devices and systems are described for treating venous insufficiency in which the vein is compressed at least partially along a treatment zone. A system can be provided including an injection device, such as a glue gun, that is operably connected to a delivery catheter that can be advanced across a treatment zone in the vein. The delivery catheter can be used to deliver one, two, or more boluses of media (e.g., cyanoacrylate) to occlude the vein along different spaced-apart sections of the treatment zone. External compression can also be applied to the vein by a compression element, such as a hand or multifunctional ultrasound transducer, to occlude portions of the vein along the treatment zone prior to or during the introduction of the boluses of media.
US08475489B2	Apparatus for occluding body lumens A luminal occlusion device comprises a tension member, an elongate shaft, and a flat film having an axial receptacle which is received over a distal portion of the tension member. The flat film has proximal and distal ends which are attached to the distal ends of the tension member and the elongate shaft, respectively. Thus, distal advancement of the tension member relative to the shaft will cause the flat film to assume a low profile configuration, while proximal retraction of the tension member relative to the elongate shaft will cause the flat film to assume a foreshortened, compacted configuration. The film usually includes one or more radioopaque markers which help shape the compacted film.
US08475486B2	Optical penetrating adapter for surgical portal An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.
US08475485B2	Medical instrument with a flexible sealing system A medical instrument has a cannula, a seal disposed in the cannula. An expansion device serves for expanding the opening in the seal for guiding shafts of other instruments of greater diameter in a sealed manner through the expanded opening. The expansion device has an expansion cone with a plurality of slats mounted pivotably on an annular body at a first end thereof, a second end of the slats, being connected to the seal in an area of the opening. The slats can either be connected at its first ends to the annular body via spherical heads engaged into corresponding openings in the annular body or the slats are connected at their ends via film hinges to the annular body.
US08475480B2	Multi-sleeved surgical ultrasonic vibrating tool suited for phacoemulsification in a manner that prevents thermal injury to ocular tissue A multi-sleeve handpiece for performing phacoemulsification with a vibratory, ported needle and for cooling an exterior of an incision. The vibratory, ported needle breaks up and aspirates broken eye tissue. The handpiece has at least one inner sleeve that guides irrigation fluid to the eye and/or reduces friction between the vibrating tool and the surrounding rigid sleeve or tissues. The handpiece has an outer, cooling sleeve that is concentric with the inner sleeve and the needle and whose distal end has peak and valley formations. The cooling sleeve is collapsible to engage incision tissue with the peak formations and allow the cooling fluid to flow across the valley formations to cool the tissue via heat transfer.
US08475476B2	System and method for accessing a body cavity A device and method for accessing the interior of a cavity of a patient is described. The transmural access system includes an overtube for use with an endoscope, a safety trocar, suture anchors, and a suture exchanger. The overtube is deployed in conjunction with an endoscope through a selected body passageway of a patient to locate a sight for an access portal. The distal end of the multi-lumen overtube is secured to an interior body wall of the selected access portal. A safety trocar is advanced through the main lumen of the overtube to form the access portal to the body cavity. Upon completion of the desired medical procedure, the access portal can be closed by deploying a suture exchanger.
US08475468B2	Method and apparatus for providing intra-pericardial access A method and apparatus for accessing the pericardial space which provides for stable short term or long term placement of a delivery catheter or cannula having its distal most end located in the pericardial space. The catheter or cannula may be introduced into the pericardial space either transvenously through the wall of a heart chamber or transthoracically by penetrating the chest wall and the pericardium. Some embodiments are provided with a mechanism for stabilizing the distal end of the catheter or cannula, which mechanism may employ an extensible elastic, generally tubular member located at the distal end of the catheter or cannula. The device may be provided with a mechanism for extending the tubular member longitudinally, causing its diameter to diminish substantially. The tubular member may be passed through the wall of the heart or the pericardium in its extended configuration and thereafter, the distal-most portion of the tubular member may be moved proximally, causing its diameter enlarge, anchoring the distal end of the catheter or cannula to the pericardium or to the wall of a heart chamber. In these embodiments, the device is preferably provided with a shoulder or flange located proximal to the extendible tubular member, for location on the opposite side of the heart wall or pericardium from the distal end of the catheter or cannula.
US08475467B2	Derotation apparatus for treating spinal irregularities Treatment of spinal irregularities, including, in one or more embodiments, derotation apparatus and systems that can be used to reduce the rotation of vertebral bodies. Derotation apparatus that may comprise a tube assembly comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed over the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve may have a distal end for attachment to an implant. The tube assembly may further comprise a handle assembly. The tube assembly may further comprise a ball joint assembly disposed between the tube assembly and the handle assembly. The ball joint assembly may comprise a ball joint configured for attachment to a coupling rod.
US08475462B2	Adjustable excision device for bones The present invention provides a device for segmenting a bone. The bone is segmented in two cuts i.e. an initial cut and a final cut. While segmenting the bone, the device is clamped to the bone directly or with the help of a block attached to the bone. An initial cut is taken after the clamping is performed. An upper part of the device is then moved to a predetermined length and the final cut is taken. Thus, the device enables an accurate length of cut to be taken while segmenting the bone. The device also enables varied length of cuts to be taken while segmenting the bone.
US08475460B1	Angled reamer spindle for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery A reamer for use in minimally invasive hip replacement surgical approaches is provided. The reamer spindle includes an elongate housing portion that extends along a first axis and a neck or distal portion that extends along a second axis, wherein the second axis extends at an angle of between about 35 degrees and about 65 degrees relative to the first axis. A reamer head is removably connectable to the distal neck portion and has a surface configured to cut bone.
US08475458B2	Miniature shredding tool for use in medical applications and methods for making The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices are used in procedures to removal spinal tissue and in other embodiments, similar devices are used to remove thrombus from blood vessel.
US08475456B2	Intramedullar osteosynthetic device of two bone parts, in particular of the hand and/or foot An intramedullar osteosynthetic device includes a body with an elongated shape and a flat cross-section having, in succession, from one of its ends, a first fixation zone cooperating with one of the bone parts to be immobilized, a median zone suitable for withstanding the shear and bending stresses, and a second fixation zone in the other bone part to be immobilized. Each of the fixation zones is made from a material suitable for enabling their deformation by thermal action (tepid memory) or mechanical action (superelasticity), to permit an introduction into the bone parts without pulpar approach, followed by a fixation in the bone parts, while avoiding any rotational movement, withstanding the tensile stresses, and maintaining a compressive force. At least one of the fixation zones has two tabs or fins and which are separable under the effect of the deformation.
US08475454B1	Electrosurgical midline clamping scissors The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors includes a pair of elongate arms pivotal about each other at a common axis. Each arm includes a finger loop at one end and a jaw at the opposite end. Each jaw includes a midline cutting section and a grasping section on either side of a cutting blade in the cutting section. A wire is operatively connected from a generator to each arm to transmit electricity or radio frequency through electrical conductors inside the arms. The electrical conductors extend into the jaws to form a bipolar configuration. During use, as the jaws close, the jaws complete the circuit and simultaneously clamp, cut and electrocoagulate the target tissue.
US08475447B2	System and method for closed loop monitoring of monopolar electrosurgical apparatus An electrosurgical system is disclosed comprising a generator configured to electrosurgical coagulation waveforms. The generator includes a closed loop control system for controlling the electrosurgical coagulation waveforms. The closed loop control system includes a sensor configured to sense a tissue property and/or an energy property and to transmit the tissue property and/or the energy property as one or more sensor signals having an amplitude. The control system also includes a gain controller configured to process the at least one sensor signal to reduce the amplitude of the sensor signals and to obtain a signal to noise ratio of the at sensor signals within a predetermine range. A microprocessor coupled to the generator and is configured to adjust the electrosurgical coagulation waveforms as a function of the sensor signals.
US08475444B2	Heated hemostatic surgical blade system and method A hemostatic surgical blade is described which is formed of five symmetrically disposed layers. A martensitic stainless steel core is provided with oppositely disposed faces which are bonded to hard pure copper thermal transfer layers which, in turn, are supported by buttressing layers of austenitic stainless steel. The blade is heated by a blade heater circuit which is provided as a flexible circuit carrying one or more resistor heaters and associated leads supported by a polyimide substrate. A thermally conductive and electrically insulative adhesive is used to bond the flexible circuit to a blade blank. The system employs a multi-lead cable which is removable from an instrument handle. One blade embodiment involves an elongate stem for accessing body cavities and another embodiment incorporates a controller function within an instrument handle.
US08475440B2	Wide area ablation of myocardial tissue The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body having a substantially fixed diameter, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen for permitting passage of a cooling fluid from the proximal end to the distal end; a second lumen permitting return of the cooling fluid from the distal end to the proximal end; and an ablation element expandable from a first diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the catheter body to a second diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the catheter body, the ablation element having a surface portion that conforms to the uneven surface topography of the cardiac tissue. The ablation element can include one or more balloon and/or a flexible element that is deformed by moving the distal end of the catheter toward the proximal end of the catheter. The surface of the balloon can further be shaped by regulation of pressure within the one or more balloons. In an exemplary method a tissue ablation device is provided and tissue in the antrum of the left atrium is ablated with the device. In an exemplary method, only tissue in the antrum is ablated, and the ablation is created by freezing tissue.
US08475439B2	Integrated surgical microscope and wavefront sensor A wavefront sensor is integrated with a surgical microscope for allowing a doctor to make repeated wavefront measurements of a patient's eye while the patient remains on an operating table in the surgical position. The device includes a wavefront sensor optically aligned with a surgical microscope such that their fields of view at least partially overlap. The inclusion of lightweight, compact diffractive optical components in the wavefront sensor allows the integrated device to be supported on a balancing mechanism above a patient's head during a surgical procedure. As a result, the need to reposition the device and/or the patient between measuring optical properties of the eye and performing surgical procedures on the eye is eliminated. Many surgical procedures may be improved or enhanced using the integrated device, including but not limited to cataract surgery, Conductive Keratoplasty, Lasik surgery, and corneal corrective surgery.
US08475436B1	Surgical instrument with steerable directional shaft A steerable surgical instrument provides a steerable tip guided through tissue in a pathway other than linear, the steerable surgical instrument having a fixed handle and a trigger which, when pushed downward, elevates the tip in an upward direction and when pulled towards the fixed handle, lowers the top in a downward allowing the steerable surgical instrument to be guided through tissue in a bi-directional curved pathway, resulting in a reduction of damage to collateral tissue during the surgical procedure.
US08475435B2	Partial-length indwelling urinary catheter permitting selective urine discharge A partial-length catheter, or an extendable tube or sleeve member of the catheter, is selectively movable within the prostatic urethra to open a urine drainage passageway through and obstructed portion of the prostatic urethra or to open the external urinary sphincter muscle and thereby discharge urine from the bladder. A control element is manipulated at a position exterior of the urinary canal to selectively move the catheter or the extendable tube or sleeve member, thereby selectively controlling urine discharge.
US08475434B2	Urinary catheter with one way check valve A catheter and catheter assembly are disclosed comprising a urinary catheter comprising an insertion end, a rearward end, and a one way check valve arrangement. The check valve arrangement comprises a tubular part of a flexible material, connected to the rearward end of the catheter and extending past the rearward end in a direction opposite to the insertion end, thereby substantially limiting the flow through the catheter to a single direction from the insertion end to the rearward end. Hereby, a very effective anti-reflux function is achieved, and at the same time the construction is relatively simple and inexpensive, and does not require any essential modifications of the other parts of the urinary catheter.
US08475431B2	Introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture The present embodiments provide an introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture. The introducer sheath comprises an inner tube, a braided member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tube, and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube and the braided member. In one embodiment, the braided member comprises a plurality of intersecting first and second wire segments at least partially covered with a coating. At least a portion of the first and second wire segments are bonded together at one or more intersections, for example, by melting the coating, to reduce movement of at least one of the first and second wire segments with respect to one another. Optionally, a coiled member having a plurality of turns may be disposed over a portion of the braided member and the inner tube.
US08475426B2	Male incontinence protector An incontinence protector for males intended for disposable use, including a fastening pocket for fastening the genitalia during use.
US08475425B2	Tampon with clean appearance post use A catamenial tampon comprises a compressed absorbent member having an inner region and an exterior surface, the compressed absorbent member comprising an absorbent material. An overwrap substantially covers the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member. The overwrap comprises an apertured fluid pervious material that is hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic relative to the compressed absorbent member. The fluid pervious overwrap therefore tends to remain free of fluid as the fluid is preferentially partitioned into the absorbent member.
US08475419B2	Automated body fluid drain control apparatus and method Described herein is an automated fluid drain control apparatus and method which comprises a first collection chamber which is connected to a drain that has been inserted into the subarachnoid area in lumbar region of the body. The volume of fluid into the first collection chamber is controlled as a function of time by being constantly measured such that too much fluid will not be drained from the body.
US08475410B2	Externally triggerable cannula assembly According to one embodiment, a cannula assembly may include a cannula module and an inserter module. In the pre-operational state the cannula is retracted with respect to the skin-contacting surface. In operational state the cannula projects beyond the skin-contacting surface. The inserter module may include an energy store and an activation mechanism. When the energy store is at least partially discharged, the stored potential energy is transformed to kinetic energy that moves the cannula from the pre-operational state to the operational state. The activation mechanism is triggerable from outside the cannula assembly with a trigger device. The activation mechanism prevents the energy store from being discharged before it is triggered by the trigger device, and enables the energy store to be discharge after it is triggered by the trigger device to force the cannula from the pre-operational state into the operational state.
US08475403B2	Aspirating and injecting device with biased closed distal opening A medical device for aspirating and injecting fluid into a body cavity for use with first and second syringes is provided. The medical device includes an outer needle having an outer lumen formed therethrough. A distal end of the outer needle is configured to puncture tissue for insertion of the needle into the body cavity. An inner cannula is disposed within the outer lumen and has an inner lumen formed therethrough. A distal end of the inner cannula is disposed within the outer lumen. A hub has a first hub opening for fluidly connecting the first syringe to the outer lumen and a second hub opening for fluidly connecting the second syringe to the inner lumen. The inner cannula extends from at least one of the first and second hub openings to the distal end of the inner cannula. A method for treating a cyst is also provided.
US08475401B2	Systems and methods for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and/or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, a bypass device includes gastric and duodenal anchors coupled to each other and positioned on either side of the pylorus and a hollow sleeve designed to extend from the pylorus through at least a proximal portion of a patient's small intestine. The gastric and duodenal anchors are movable between collapsed configurations for advancement through the esophagus and an expanded configuration for inhibiting movement of the anchors through the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.
US08475399B2	Methods and systems for measuring and verifying additives for use in a dialysis machine The present application discloses a portable dialysis system for conducting a dialysis treatment. The portable dialysis system has a controller unit that includes a display, a scale, a bar code reader, and a memory storing a plurality of programmatic instructions. Upon execution, the instructions generate a first graphical user interface, a second graphical user interface, and a third graphical user interface for presentation on the display. The first graphical user interface displays each additive required for use in the dialysis treatment. The second graphical user interface prompts a user to submit additives to scanning using the bar code scanner. The third graphical user interface prompts a user to submit additives to measurement using the scale.
US08475397B2	Plantar fasciitis rehabilitation controlling device The present invention relates to a plantar fasciitis rehabilitation controlling device. It mainly comprises a securing portion, a rotatable portion, a torque pivoting portion, a pulling portion, and a controller. The securing portion and the rotatable portion are provided for securing a user's shank and foot. This torque pivoting portion can create a torque causing the rotatable portion moving back. The pulling portion has a controller so as to pull the rotatable portion to rotate between a first angle and a second angle so that it can reduce possibility of the plantar fasciitis and ease pain of the plantar fasciitis. Hence, this invention can achieve an active rehabilitation exercise. The belt's pulling interval time can be adjusted. It has a safety switch to ensure its product safety. It is convenient that the user can use a wireless device to operate this system. In addition, the user can be informed about current condition via an audio device.
US08475390B2	Method for assessing mechanical properties of vocal tissue A method for assessing mechanical properties of a selected tissue includes defining an expansion chamber adjacent to the selected tissue and passing pressurized air into the expansion chamber. The method also includes providing an opening through which the pressurized air can escape the expansion chamber, the opening being disposed such that, while escaping from the expansion chamber, air passes by the selected tissue, thereby causing the selected tissue to vibrate.
US08475381B2	Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of setting sound velocity In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image creating unit, an image-creation control unit and a display control unit. The image creating unit creates an ultrasound image from data created by adding a reflected wave signal of an ultrasound wave transmitted to an imaging target portion of a subject by using a reception delay time calculated from a set sound velocity set as a sound velocity in the imaging target portion. The image-creation control unit switches a set sound velocity set at a present moment in a variable range, and controls the image creating unit so as to create a plurality of ultrasound images each using a reception delay time corresponding to each of the set sound velocities to be switched. The display control unit controls display such that the ultrasound images created are displayed on a certain display unit.
US08475379B2	Systems and methods for ablating body tissue A transducer subassembly with combined imaging and therapeutic capabilities is disclosed. The subassembly includes heat sinks that are configured to maintain the transducer at a low operating temperature so that the transducer operates at high efficiency and also can handle a wider range of frequencies. The subassembly is also configured to allow cooling fluid to flow past the transducer element. One heat sink in the subassembly also acts as an acoustic matching layer and another heat sink acts as a backing. Alternatively, the second heat sink which acts as a backing is optional. The transducer is configured to transmit at one power level for imaging, and at a second power level for ablating. The transducer may comprise sub-elements transmitting at different power levels. The subassembly may be operated at one power level for imaging and a second power level for ablating.
US08475378B2	Method and apparatus for performing transesophageal cardiovascular procedures An apparatus for performing a transesophageal cardiovascular procedure includes an elongated tubular main access device having a first lumen with an open proximal end and a distal side opening, and a second lumen with a rigid outer wall and a collapsible inner wall. The second lumen is adapted to receive an elongated probe or surgical device. The apparatus further includes an inflatable sealing means on the outside of the main access device above and below the side opening, and a first fluid conduit extending along the main access device for inflating the sealing means so that when the main access device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the sealing means are inflated. The portion of the esophagus opposite the side opening is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus above and below the side opening.
US08475377B2	Multi-modality breast cancer test system A multi-modality breast cancer test assembly (20) of the type for detecting the position of potential breast cancer by performing thermography and optical spectroscopy and ultrasound tests (64). A contour recorder (108) takes and stores a contour-shape of the breast and a first contour analysis program (110) analyzes the contour-shape to generate and store a 3D model (112) of the breast having at least one testing coordinate (114) relative to a mass of the breast. At least one diagnostic program (122, 124, 126) initiates the diagnostic tests (60, 62, 64) at the at least one testing coordinate (114) and a data analysis program (128) analyzes the spatial interrelationship of the tests (60, 62, 64) at the testing coordinate (114) to detect the spatial position of a potential breast cancer within the breast.
US08475376B2	Medical imaging apparatus In a medical imaging apparatus for imaging mammary gland and breast while compressing the breast with a compression plate, the posture of an ultrasonic probe relative to the compression plate is kept constant and the moving motion of the ultrasonic probe is stabilized. The apparatus includes: an imaging stage; a compression plate; an ultrasonic probe provided to maintain acoustic connection to the compression plate, for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to drive signals and receiving ultrasonic echoes to output reception signals; an ultrasonic imaging unit for supplying the drive signals to the ultrasonic probe and generating image data based on the reception signals; a detecting unit for detecting a location and/or a posture of the ultrasonic probe relative to the compression plate; and a control unit for controlling the location and/or the posture of the ultrasonic probe based on a detection result of the detecting unit.
US08475375B2	System and method for actively cooling an ultrasound probe An ultrasound system is provided for imaging an object. The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe for acquiring ultrasound data and a cooling subsystem for actively removing heat from the ultrasound probe. The cooling subsystem includes a pump disposed within a reservoir containing a coolant and configured to circulate the coolant through the ultrasound probe via a conduit.
US08475373B2	Transcutaneous analyte sensor The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08475370B2	Method for measuring patient motion, activity level, and posture along with PTT-based blood pressure The invention provides a system and method for measuring vital signs (e.g. SYS, DIA, SpO2, heart rate, and respiratory rate) and motion (e.g. activity level, posture, degree of motion, and arm height) from a patient. The system features: (i) first and second sensors configured to independently generate time-dependent waveforms indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart; and (ii) at least three motion-detecting sensors positioned on the forearm, upper arm, and a body location other than the forearm or upper arm of the patient. Each motion-detecting sensor generates at least one time-dependent motion waveform indicative of motion of the location on the patient's body to which it is affixed. A processing component, typically worn on the patient's body and featuring a microprocessor, receives the time-dependent waveforms generated by the different sensors and processes them to determine: (i) a pulse transit time calculated using a time difference between features in two separate time-dependent waveforms, (ii) a blood pressure value calculated from the time difference, and (iii) a motion parameter calculated from at least one motion waveform.
US08475366B2	Articulation joint for a medical device A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.
US08475363B2	Coil arrangement for guiding a magnetic element in a working space A coil arrangement for contact-free guidance of a magnetic element such as an endoscopy capsule, has a number of individual coils arranged in pairs by which the components of a guidance field are generated. By arranging the individual coils to include coils corresponding to blades at an exterior of a cylindrical surface, the number of degrees of freedom required for guidance can be obtained with fewer individual coils and fewer power amplifiers to operate the coils.
US08475359B2	Medical apparatus A medical apparatus according to the present invention is a medical apparatus used in a state in which the medical apparatus is led into a body and fixed. The medical apparatus includes: a fixing section that fixes the medical apparatus on a body wall in the body; an image pickup section that picks up an image of a subject in the body and is provided pivotably around a first axis; and a holding section that includes the fixing section and holds the image pickup section pivotably around a second axis different from the first axis. Therefore, the medical apparatus can change a photographing range and a visual field direction as desired to photograph the subject by performing magnified observation and photographing the subject from different directions without using a zoom function in the state in which the medical apparatus is fixed in a limited space in the body.
US08475357B2	Sling delivery system and method of use An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a handle, needle, dilator and sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the sling to be adjusted during and/or after implantation. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced, thereby improving patient quality of life.
US08475356B2	Implantable device for controlling defecation and related method An implantable device for selectively controlling defecation has an outer body defining on one end a flange that is surgically attachable to the person's anus and/or tissue adjacent to the anus. A connector is mounted on the other end of the outer body and is secured to the distal end of the person's large intestine for connecting the large intestine in fluid communication with the device. An inner body is slidably received within the outer body. A macerator-type pump is mounted within the inner body and an inlet valve is mounted between the pump and the connector. An actuator in the form of an RF receiver is electrically coupled to the inlet valve and the pump and a remote transmitter is operatively coupled to the receiver. The receiver is responsive to control signals received from the transmitter to open the inlet valve and operate the pump in order to move fecal matter through the device.
US08475354B2	Systems and methods for neuro-EEG synchronization therapy Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
US08475348B2	Apparatus and method for assembly of multi-segment rod-like articles An apparatus for assembly of multi-segment rod-like objects, such as, for example, components of a composite cigarette filter, is disclosed. The apparatus may include an intercalating unit and an assembly unit, linked by a transfer unit. Intercalating unit may include at least one rod supply unit and a conveyor. In one embodiment, intercalating unit may include a plurality of independent rod supply units. Each rod supply unit may include a hopper and a rod delivery mechanism comprising a rotary drum, a cutting device, a transfer wheel and a delivery wheel.
US08475344B1	Exercise extensions and methods Exercise devices that can be worn on the hand or foot utilizing resistance from the air to perform the exercises. The exercise device comprises a fitting member and a resistance member connected to the fitting member. The fitting member is configured to be worn on a limb, such as the hand or foot so that the user does not have to hold anything during the exercise. Additional weights can be added to the exercise device, but the overall apparatus remains small and relatively lightweight so that it may be easily carried in luggage and used on the go.
US08475340B2	Hypoxic conditioning in patients with exercise limiting conditions Patients having exercise limiting conditions and those at risk of developing such conditions are exposed to a regimen of hypoxic conditions that simulate various altitude conditions. The exposure is of a temporary nature, being from a few hours to most of a day or night in any one day and repeated on a personally worked out regimen of from a series of consecutive days to a regular number of “on” and “off” days, to a random number of days. An alternate regimen is such exposure for a few minutes at a time followed by normoxic rest period of a few minutes, with the cycle repeated multiple times over the course of a treatment session. The conditioning treatment strengthens the cardiac tissue and skeletal muscle and the results extend beyond the treatment periods whereby the patient's condition is substantially improved.
US08475336B2	Hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
US08475334B2	Load-sensitive automatic transmission system for agricultural electric vehicle A load-sensitive automatic transmission system for an agricultural electric vehicle is provided, which includes a drive motor for generating a rotational power using electric power of a battery; a transmission for changing a rotational speed of the drive motor in multiple stages and outputting the changed rotational speed; a forward/reverse differential gear for transmitting the power of the transmission to wheels; a control unit for detecting a running state of the vehicle and a load state of the drive motor and determining a speed change time; and an actuator for operating the transmission in response to a signal from the control unit. Accordingly, it is possible to selectively provide high speed and torque to meet the needs of different situation, beyond the limitations of the motor drive performance of a conventional electric vehicle.
US08475332B2	Rotary meshing engagement apparatus In a locking mechanism provided with: a sleeve which is fixed in the circumferential direction and which can be stroked in the shaft line direction; a hub which can rotate in the circumferential direction orthogonal to the shaft line direction; and an actuator which can apply a driving force for displacing the sleeve in the shaft line direction, dog teeth are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, and dog teeth are formed in the hub. Here, the engagement surfaces of the dog teeth are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the shaft line such that the hub performs relative rotation with respect to the sleeve in a process in which the sleeve is stroked in the shaft line direction. The ECU estimates the stroke volume of the sleeve on the basis of the rotation amount of the hub and the predetermined angle.
US08475330B2	Method and device for controlling a creep mode of a vehicle having a hybrid drive system The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a creep mode of a vehicle having a hybrid drive system (1, 1′), having a parallel hybrid drivetrain (2, 2′) comprising an internal combustion engine (3), at least one electrical machine (5), a first switching element (4) designed as a frictional element and disposed between the internal combustion engine (3) and the electrical machine (5), by means of which the internal combustion engine (3) can be connected to the electrical machine (5), a gearbox (7), an output (26), and at least one second switching element (6) designed as a frictional element and disposed between the electrical machine (5) and the output (26), by means of which the electrical machine (5) can be operationally connected to the output (26). In order to allow low-cost, effective long-term creeping that is gentle on the components, and thereby ensures reliable availability of electrical energy for electrical loads of the vehicle, the creep mode is alternately implemented by an internal combustion engine creep mode generated by means of operating at least one switching element (6, 27) in slip, and an electrical motor creep mode at least supported by means of the electrical machine (5).
US08475327B2	Accelerating system for improving the running speed of a bicycle An accelerating system for improving the running speed of a bicycle including: a main hub housing, a hub bush engaged with the main hub housing and having a sun gear, a gear cover having latches and having fixed shafts for rotatably supporting planetary gears in a meshing engagement with the sun gear, a gear housing having a ring gear with a gear-type engaging portion positioned on the hub shaft such that the planetary gears engage with the ring gear, a locker threadedly engaged with the gear-type engaging member, a hollow cylindrical auxiliary hub housing having an inner stage portion for receiving an outer periphery surface of the gear housing, and an auxiliary hub housing cover having a gear latch portion for engaging with the latches of the gear cover such that the auxiliary hub housing cover only rotates in one direction.
US08475314B2	Differential assembly with features for improved lubrication An axle assembly includes an axle housing assembly including a housing structure having an interior cavity with a sump, a lubricant disposed in the sump having a liquid lubricant level, and a differential mounted in the axle housing assembly for rotation about a first axis. The differential includes a ring gear generating an annular stream of lubricant adjoining the ring gear above the liquid lubricant level during operation of the differential at a rotational speed greater than a predetermined rotational speed. The housing structure includes an interior surface on which a deflector is coupled. The deflector extends into the interior cavity and has a first face having an impingement portion and a first edge adjacent the impingement portion. The impingement portion extends into the stream and deflects a portion of the stream towards the first edge. The first edge disperses the portion of the stream into the cavity.
US08475313B2	Bicycle with output in constant rotating direction and having internal rocker arm epicycle wheel set The present invention is applied to pedal vehicles, or mixture of electric and pedal vehicles, or combination of electric and pedal auxiliary vehicles, especially to a bicycle capable of being pedaled bidirectionally and driven to move in unidirectional.
US08475310B2	Friction transmission belt In a friction transmission belt in which a compression rubber layer provided to an inner circumferential side of the belt body is wrapped over pulleys such that the compression rubber layer contacts the pulleys, such a configuration that both of a noise reduction and durability while the belt is running can be achieved is obtained. The compression rubber layer is configured so as not to include short fibers and so as to have a surface roughness, i.e., an Ra of at least a pulley contact surface of the compression rubber layer equal to or more than 3 μm.
US08475309B2	Toothed belt and timing control system Toothed belt comprising a body, a plurality of resistant inserts or cords and a plurality of teeth extending from at least one surface of the body; the teeth are coated with a coating fabric. The body is made of a first elastomeric material formed. The fabric is treated with a fabric treatment comprising a second elastomeric material. The resistant inserts or cords are treated with cord treatment comprising a third elastomeric material. The first, second and third elastomeric material are formed of a mixture of one or more copolymers obtained from diene monomers and monomers containing nitrile groups, in which the nitrile groups are between 30 wt % and 39 wt %.
US08475302B1	Broad tail hunting arrow A hunting arrow has a wound-enhancing accessory which has at least one pair of pivoting knife blades which deploy upon striking the targeted prey. Unlike existing broad head devices, the blades of the present invention are positioned at the tail of the arrow between the fletching and the nock where there is less impact on the aerodynamics of the arrow. In one embodiment, the restraining force resisting deployment of the knife blades can be adjusted using a set screw.
US08475299B2	Low lift golf ball A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas with dimples such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules, the plural areas configured such that the golf ball exhibits a lift coefficient (CL) of less than about 0.230 over a range of Reynolds Number (Re) from about 120,000 to about 180,000 and at a spin rate of about 3,500 rpm.
US08475296B2	Golf club having hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions A golf club or component thereof has a surface, wherein at least one area of the surface has a level of hydrophilicity which is less than the level of hydrophilicity in at least one surrounding portion, causing moisture to be preferentially attracted to the surrounding portion. In one aspect, the surface is a striking face and the surrounding portion is one or more grooves formed in the striking face. In another aspect, the surface is a grip and the surrounding portion is one or more channels formed in the grip. In some examples, hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces on golf club components repel water and, in some instances, also offer self-cleaning functionality.
US08475295B2	Golf club head A high forgiveness wood-type golf club head comprises a body and a face. The body defines an interior cavity and comprises a sole that forms a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown that forms a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt that forms a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. The face place is positioned at a front portion of the golf club head opposite a rear portion of the golf club head. The body defines an outer periphery having a generally triangular shape in plan.
US08475290B2	Golf training system A golf training system includes a wedge training aid adapted to help the user control the hitting range of each wedge accurately so that the user can drive the ball to the green easily for putting into the hole when playing a golf game at a golf course. The golf training system further includes a putting green training aid, a mat arranged between the wedge training aid and the putting green training aid, a ball collector arranged at the rear side of the wedge training aid, a track connected between the putting green training aid and the ball collector, and a guard net mounted at the putting green training aid. Thus, each ball been hit onto the putting green training aid or intercepted by the guard net can be collected by the ball collector for a next hitting practice.
US08475285B2	Swinging motherboard for amusement device An amusement device having a display, a memory and a controller. The amusement device includes a housing defining an internal cavity and a chassis secured to the housing and defining a chassis plane. The chassis is positioned at least partially within the internal cavity. A control board support defines a board plane and the control board support has a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the board plane is generally perpendicular to the chassis plane and in the open position, the board plane is generally parallel to the chassis plane. The control board support is slidably and rotatably movable between the closed position and the open position. The control board support is positioned within the internal cavity in the open and closed positions and when moving therebetween.
US08475284B1	Dynamic views within gaming environments Systems and methods for providing dynamic views for video game programs are provided herein. Exemplary methods for providing a dynamic view of a gaming environment may include continually calculating a bounding area of a gaming environment, the bounding area being defined by locations of a plurality of players relative to one another within the gaming environment, the bounding area changing as the plurality of players move relative to one another, as well as continually generating a top down view of the bounding area of the gaming environment, the top down view being dynamically altered as the bounding area is dynamically adjusted.
US08475283B2	Player incentives for wagering game transfers A method includes receiving a request, from a device, to play a light version of a wagering game based on communications over a network. The method includes transmitting, to the device, wagering game content associated with execution of the light version of the wager game. The method includes prompting download of a full version of the wagering game over the network from a remote server during the executing of the light version of the wagering game, wherein the full version of the wagering game has more game features than the light version of the wagering game. The method includes responsive to acceptance of the download of the full version of the wagering game to the device, downloading the full version of the wagering game and providing a reward for the downloading of the full version of the wagering game.
US08475281B2	Application-centric user interface techniques Various application-centric user interface techniques are described. A user can easily launch, add, or update applications. An application-centric activity center can be presented as part of a user interface for an operating system shell. A file defining metadata for an application can be defined. The techniques can be applied to game-related software.
US08475275B2	Interactive toys and games connecting physical and virtual play environments Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that connects both physical and virtual play environments and includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a physical gaming item from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase that provides virtual play via computer animation. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant's experience in other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use and improve the physical gaming item to help achieve special effects or complete one or more adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel or other face-off challenge.
US08475273B2	Video switcher and touch router system for a gaming machine A Display Manager is placed between the Master Gaming Controller and its Main Game Display and any Secondary Display and between the Player Tracking Unit connected to the casino system network (e.g., player tracking device) and its System display. The Display Manager receives one or more video signals from the Master Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on one or more shared displays. One of the video signals may be presented alone on one of the displays, with the other signal absent from that shared display, or multiple signals may be simultaneously displayed on one of the shared displays. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. Also, the overlaid signal may provide different levels of transparency in different areas of the display, effectively superimposing an image on top of the background signal. The Display Manager receives commands from a device, directing it how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.
US08475271B2	Gaming apparatus A gaming system includes a control and management device which determines a link attraction based on gaming information sent from each of a plurality of gaming apparatuses. The control and management device identifies a target gaming apparatus in which a prize is generated and at least one neighboring gaming apparatus, based on the gaming information. The control and management device judges whether the link attraction for the plurality of gaming apparatuses has already been determined, when the gaming information is winning information. Further, the control and management device determines the link attraction by reference to a link attraction mode lottery table stored in a memory, if it is determined the link attraction has not yet been determined. The control and management device determines a unit number and, subsequently, sends the link attraction to the target gaming apparatus with the unit number and the at least one neighboring gaming apparatus.
US08475270B2	Game system and game terminal There is provided a game system where only states effective as a play state of a quasi-player are reproduced in a game.The game terminal 1 has a history information accumulating portion 14b for generating play history information PHI where, with respect to each of positions M obtained by player P, each of operations performed until the position M was obtained and a timing when the operation was performed are associated with each other, a excerpt information generating portion 14c for obtaining the play history information PHI from the server 2 to excerpt only pieces of play information PI which affects the game, and an other-player display controlling portion 14c for, by using the excerpted pieces of information as the play history information of the other player P′, displaying a predetermined indicator in sequence at the position M obtained by the other player P′ at the timing when the position M was obtained last.
US08475269B2	Gaming machine having a function of changing the number of free games according to the result of a role playing game A controller is provided which includes: a function whereby a video image is randomly determined with respect to a mini game to be displayed on a display each time the mini game is executed; a function whereby the determined video image is extracted from memory and displayed on the display; a function whereby determination is randomly made as to whether the points associated with the displayed video image are to be added to the accumulated points; a function whereby, in a case that determination has been made that the points are to be added to the accumulated points, the points are added to the accumulated points, thereby updating the accumulated points; and a function whereby, after the mini game has been executed a predetermined number of times, the number of free games is determined according to the updated accumulated points.
US08475266B2	Enriched game play environment A gaming system is provided. The gaming system provides players a rich (i.e. akin to leading home- and arcade-based video games) single-player, multi-player cooperative and/or head to head environment in which the participant(s) win cash and credits as a result of their play activity within the environment, based on the wagers which they make entering and playing a game of the gaming system.
US08475264B2	Wagering game machine upgrade and rollback Systems and methods provide for the selective backup and rollback of software, firmware and data components of a wagering game machine.
US08475263B2	Gaming machine system and method having a perceived skill component Disclosed are a gaming machine system and method including a perceived skill component comprising a skill-based award and a supplemental award that, when summed, are equal in value to a predetermined award.
US08475262B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing a player an opportunity to win a designated award based on one or more aspects of the player's skill In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and method disclosed herein maintains a designated award which is associated with a variable score for a skill-based game. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to play a game, wherein the gaming system forms a score for the player. The player's formed score is based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based game (i.e., which tends to measure one or more aspects of that player's skills). If the player's score does not reach the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system modifies the variable score associated with the designated award of that skill-based game. If the player's score reaches or exceeds the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system provides the player a designated quantity of opportunities to win the maintained designated award.
US08475258B2	Gaming machine that can move chip bet to another region A gaming machine is configured so as to have a function of allowing a bet raise operation to be input by a simple operation in a case where a player bets different bet amounts on a plurality of bet regions within a bet time that is time limited.In particular, if a double bet button 81 having been touched by a player is detected, all of the bet amounts stored in memory are changed with one operation by a predetermined multiple, so that players, who decide immediately before the bet time end that they would like to raise, can raise with one operation.
US08475256B2	Gaming machine with buy feature games A gaming machine including a display. The display includes a plurality of display positions for displaying combinations of symbols. A controller controls operation of the machine. The controller includes a processor for processing data and displaying selected data on the display. A selector is operable by the player of the machine for enabling the player to select at least one feature which can be added to a base game played on the machine.
US08475255B2	Multi-play card game gaming system with predetermined game outcomes A gaming system which provides the player a plurality of playing cards to form an initial primary card hand and also displays one or more other card hands. The player selects one or more of the initially dealt cards in the primary card hand to hold or to discard. The held cards are also held in one, more or each of the other simultaneously displayed hands. The gaming device evaluates the held cards and determines which card game outcomes are possible based on the held cards and the remaining cards in the deck. The gaming device utilizes a stored table of different distributions of card game outcomes which would result in each payout amount and a table regarding which card game outcomes are possible based on the player's held cards to determine a distribution of outcomes that provides a total payout equal to the payout of the predetermined game outcome.
US08475249B2	Fantasy sport auction draft application roster preview grid Methods and system for presenting a plurality of attributes of a plurality of players from a plurality of teams that are part of a league includes obtaining a plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams. The plurality of attributes of the plurality of the players and of the teams is populated in one or more databases along with any updates to these attributes. The databases are queried to retrieve updated plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams. A roster grid is generated for the plurality of teams for rendering at a client in substantial real time. The roster grid displays the updated status of the plurality of attributes of the plurality of players and the plurality of teams simultaneously in a clean, concise and effective manner.
US08475243B2	Coin dispensing and storing device A coin dispensing and storing device includes a body, coin collecting tubes, a left rotatable support, a pivotal plate and a right rotatable support. Coins are received in the coin collecting tubes. The left rotatable support is pivotally connected to one side of the body. The left rotatable support allows a portion of the coin collecting tubes to be disposed therein. The pivotal plate is pivotally connected to the other side of the body. The right rotatable support is connected to the pivotal plate. The right rotatable support allows the remaining portion of the coin collecting tubes to be disposed therein. The left and the right rotatable supports can be pivotally received in or rotated to the outside of the body. With this arrangement, the operation is labor-saving. Further, the force exerting on the respective rotatable supports can be distributed efficiently to reduce the generation of damage and deformation.
US08475241B1	Field dressing knife A field dressing knife suitable for all aspects of field dressing small and large game is disclosed. Various novel aspects of the knife include: a large butt-end of the handle and a groove near the butt-end of the handle, both to spread the normal stress over a larger surface area when striking the butt-end of the handle with a free hand for splitting pelvis and brisket bones; and a configurable handle, permitting the double-edged field dressing knife to be used in knife mode or in a hatchet mode.
US08475240B2	Poultry de-feathering apparatus and methods Apparatus for de-feathering (i.e. picking or plucking) poultry. More particularly, picking apparatus employing a plurality of elongated picking elements which are resistant to cracking and/or micro-poring, and which are preferably flexible and/or bendable and which are of sufficiently low mass such as to decrease poundage yield loss (e.g., decrease fat loss and poultry wing damage). In some embodiments, apparatus comprised of a plug and elongated picking element combination which is removably installable to a conventional picking disk structure. In other embodiments, picking element kits for converting existing picking line machinery. In still other embodiments, methods and/or apparatus for improving feather picking ability and/or efficiency and/or cleanliness.
US08475239B2	Method for controlling a robotic device cooperating with different storage frames The present invention relates to a method for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, e.g. sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of providing at least a first storage frame for temporarily storing rod-like elements, moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up by the robotic device a rod-like element on which at least one sausage-like product is hung up, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device. Moreover, the method comprises the steps of providing at least a first dataset including at least an information as to at least one geometric characteristic of the first storage frame, being used for controlling the robotic device, and by providing the first storage frame with a first identification mark for individually identifying the first storage frame and for providing a link between the first storage frame and the first dataset.
US08475237B2	Optical grade surfacing tool An optical-grade surfacing tool includes: a rigid holder (60); an elastically compressible interface (12) secured to the rigid holder (60); and a flexible pad (13) that can be applied against a surface to be machined (71) and secured to the interface (12) opposite the rigid holder (60). The pad (13) is carried by an elastically extensible membrane (14) including: a central plate (15); and a plurality of straps (18) each radially protruding from the periphery of the plate (15) and each having a distal portion engaged with a fastening element (38), each strap (18) rotating about the side surface (28) of the interface (12) and extending up to the fastening element, each strap (18) being taut.
US08475233B2	Device for grinding spinning cots A device for grinding spinning cots has a rotating grinding roller and a carriage that is linearly movable relative to the grinding roller. A pivot arm is pivotably supported on the carriage and movable between a loading position and a grinding position. A workpiece receptacle is mounted on the pivot arm and adapted to receive a spinning cot to be ground. A feed device is provided that is actuatable in accordance with progression of a grinding process performed on the spinning cot toward a grinding surface of the grinding roller. The pivot arm is moveable by the feed device relative to the carriage. A device is provided that is actuatable independent of the feed device for manual adjustment of the carriage into a desired linear position relative to the grinding roller.
US08475229B2	Method and grinding machine for the complete grinding of short and/or rod-shaped workpieces Short and/or rod-shaped workpieces are completely machined by grinding two parallel end faces and the longitudinal sides of the workpiece with very short cycle times. The grinding machine includes two grinding spindles that are arranged in a tandem arrangement with parallel rotational axes on a shared grinding headstock and that are jointly moved in the X direction. In cooperation with a special holding and transport device for the workpieces, two workpieces are each ground, at least partly concurrently, the end faces of the one workpiece being ground in one machining position and the final non-circular grinding of the exterior contour of a second workpiece occurring in a second machining station, the end faces of the second workpiece having already been ground.
US08475223B2	Method of manufacturing display device and display device A method of manufacturing a display device includes the steps of: forming a positive type photoresist above a surface of a first transparent substrate having a transistor formed on the surface thereof so as to cover the transistor; radiating a light from a back surface side of the first transparent substrate to the first transparent substrate having the positive type photoresist formed thereabove, for exposing the positive type photoresist; developing the positive type photoresist thus exposed to selectively leave the positive type photoresist located above the transistor, for forming a spacer; and laminating a second transparent substrate above the surface of the first transparent substrate through the spacer.
US08475214B2	Adaptor for a router blade An apparatus for connecting a router blade to a router chassis is provided. The apparatus includes an engagement portion; a first side portion coupled with the engagement portion; and a second side portion coupled with the engagement portion. The engagement portion includes a connector system that is operable to couple a router blade with a router chassis. The first side portion is operable to engage the router blade and the router chassis. The second side portion is operable to engage a router blade and the router chassis. The engagement portion, first side portion, and second side portion are sized to engage the router chassis and receive the router blade.
US08475212B1	Charging connector A charging connector adapted for connecting between a mated connector and a cable includes an insulating housing, a terminal and a shielding shell surrounding the insulating housing. The insulating housing has a base body, and a protruding portion protruding upward from a top surface of the base body. The insulating housing defines a terminal groove. The terminal has a locating piece located on the top surface of the base body. A front of the locating piece defines a contact piece disposed in the terminal groove with a front thereof electrically contacting with the mated connector. A rear of the locating piece defines a soldering piece disposed to a rear of the insulating housing to be soldered with the cable. A side of the shielding shell defines a soldering plate disposed to one side of the insulating housing to be soldered with the cable.
US08475208B2	Electrical connector configured to shield cable-termination regions An electrical connector including a dielectric body and electrical contacts held by the dielectric body. The electrical contacts have a pair of signal contacts with respective mating ends configured to engage a communication connector and also with respective wire-terminating ends. The wire-terminating ends are located proximate to each other in a cable-termination region and are configured to mechanically and electrically couple to corresponding signal conductors of a cable. The electrical connector also includes a ground shield having a cover extension that extends over the cable-termination region. The cover extension is configured to shield the cable-termination region.
US08475204B2	Electrical connector having shaped dielectric insert for controlling impedance Electrical connector that includes a connector housing having mating and terminating ends. The connector housing has a housing cavity and a leading edge at the mating end that defines an opening to the housing cavity. A central axis extends through the housing cavity between the mating and terminating ends. The electrical connector also includes a dielectric insert within the housing cavity and an electrical contact that is held by the insert along the central axis. The insert has a recess surface that faces the mating end and extends a radial distance, outward from the electrical contact. The insert includes a dielectric rim that projects from the recess surface toward the mating end. The dielectric rim surrounds: and is radially spaced from at least a portion of the electrical contact. The dielectric rim and the recess surface define an impedance-control space that surrounds at least the portion of the electrical contact.
US08475203B2	Cable assembly having indicating device A cable assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a top side, and a cavity (111) is defined in the top side; a plurality of contacts (2) received in insulative housing, said the contacts including two power contacts partially disposed under the cavity; a plurality of wires (3) electrically connected to the contacts, respectively; a printed circuit board assembly (5) received in the cavity, the printed circuit board assembly (5) having a substrate (50) with a light emitting diode (504) thereon, the lighting emitting diode electrically connected with the two power contact; and a light guide member (6) assembled to the cavity and located above the light emitting diode.
US08475202B1	Detection terminal with a concave surface and a convex surface both facing a side wall of a tongue of a housing An electrical connector socket includes an insulation base, a tongue piece and a detection terminal. The insulation base includes a stopping surface. The tongue piece includes a side wall vertically extending from the stopping surface. The detection terminal includes a fixed end embedded into the insulation base, an elastic arm extending from the fixed end in a curved manner with its concave surface facing the side wall, and a contact section continuously extending from the elastic arm in a curved manner with its convex surface facing the side wall.
US08475199B2	Plug connector having an improved releasing mechanism A plug connector (100) mating with a complementary connector has a housing (1) defining a latching recess (117), a cover (3) and a releasing mechanism including a puller (5) and a latch (4) operable by the puller. The latch has a latching portion (42). The latching portion includes a resisting portion (423) for engaging the cover and a claw (424) in front of the resisting portion and projecting toward a first direction. The resisting portion, in response to a rearward movement of the puller, is movable to engage the cover and to pivot the claw from a latched position to a released position where the claw is received in the latching recess along a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08475198B2	Plug connector having an improved latching mechanism A plug connector (100) mating with a complementary connector includes a housing (1) and a latching mechanism (4) having a latch (41) and a puller (42). The latch includes a latching portion (411) provided with a claw (4110), a bar section (412) secured in the base, and a connecting portion (413) having a forwardly extending abutting portion (4133). The puller includes an actuator (422) and an operator (421) supported on the bar section and having an engaging portion (4217) engaged with the abutting portion. The operator slides rearwardly, in response to a rearward movement of the actuator, to upwardly and rearwardly move the engaging portion together with the abutting portion to thereby lift the claw from a latched position to a released position.
US08475195B2	Latch for a card edge connector system A latch for securing a circuit card assembly to a circuit board mounted card edge connector includes first and second arms disposed on opposite ends of the card edge connector. The first and second arms define a reception space that receives the circuit card assembly. The first arm has a deflectable spring latch that is movable between a released position and a latched position. The circuit card assembly is secured by the spring latch in the latched position. The second arm has a latch hook that is configured to hook around and engage a portion of the circuit card assembly during mating of the circuit card assembly and the card edge connector. The latch hook defines a pivot point for pivoting the circuit card assembly into the card edge connector during mating of the circuit card assembly and the card edge connector.
US08475186B1	Guest connector assembly A guest connection assembly for a surface having a grommet hole comprises an extension cord having a first end adapted to be interconnected to a source and a second end having at least one socket, the first end interconnected with the at least one socket by a cord. A grommet can be received on the cord and have an inner dimension greater than an outer dimension of the at least one socket and a grommet cap can be coupled with the extension cord and adapted to be selectively mounted to the grommet. When the first end of the cord is connected to the source and the grommet is mounted within the grommet hole, the at least one socket on the second end of the extension cord can be selectively exposed and positioned for use by removing the grommet cap from its mounting to the grommet.
US08475183B2	Electrical connector with improved impedance continuity An electrical connector (100) includes a middle board (4) defining a plurality of receiving holes (41, 42), a first insulative housing (1) mounted on one side of the middle board and defining a first receiving room (13), and a number of contacts (3) mounted on the first insulative housing. The contacts include a number of signal contacts (S) and a number of grounding contacts (G). Each of contacts includes a first mating portion (31), a second mating portion (32), and a middle portion (33) between the first and the second mating portions. The middle portions extend beyond the first insulative housing and are received in the receiving holes. Each of the middle portions of the signal contacts is solid. Each of the middle portions of the grounding contacts has a through hole (331) and has an outer profile wider than that of middle portion of the signal contact.
US08475180B2	Conductive component A conductive component includes a tubular body having at least one of at least one through-hole which penetrates the tubular body from outside to inside thereof; and at least one notch which is cut in from an edge of the tubular body, which are formed at least one predetermined portion on the tubular body. The tubular body includes a first portion, which includes a solder joint portion, and a second portion, which includes a contact portion. The first portion and the second portion are located on the opposite sides from one another with the at least one predetermined portion sandwiched therebetween. The tubular body further includes at least one spring portion which includes the at least one predetermined portion.
US08475179B2	Electrical connector capable of interconnecting electronic devices having different conductive leads arrangements An electrical connector includes an upper housing formed with a plurality of upper through holes therein, and a lower housing located under the upper housing and formed with a plurality of lower through holes therein corresponding to the upper through holes, respectively. A plurality of contacts are received within the upper housing and the lower housing, and respectively has an upper contacting portion and a lower contacting portion. At least some of the contacts extend with angles of inclination varying in sequence so that a distance defined by two neighboring lower contacting portions is larger than that defined by corresponding two neighboring upper contacting portions.
US08475175B2	Reorientable electrical receptacle There is provided systems and methods for a reorientable electrical outlet. In one embodiment, a system includes a housing configured to be coupled to an electrical power source, the housing having a first rotation stop, and an electrical plug receptacle, mountable within the housing, the insert having a second rotation stop, the first and second rotation stops configured to cooperate with each other to limit rotation of the insert within the aperture at a number of degrees, wherein the plug receptacle is configured to receive an electrical plug.
US08475174B2	Learning method and system using detached sensor One embodiment includes a computer-implemented method using a window environment of a display, with a detached sensor, to teach a user. Another embodiment includes a computer system helping teach a user using a detached imaging sensor. In yet another embodiment, a computer-aided-educational system considers a user's concentration level when teaching the user. The system monitors automatically more than once a user's concentration-sensitive behavior while the user is working on study materials. Through monitoring the user's volitional or involuntary behavior, the system provides an indication on the user's concentration level. Based on the indication, the system could react such as by providing rewards, punishments, and stimulation; or changing the study materials. The system can also react by asking the user a question to stimulate the user or to assess the user's understanding. Based on the user's response, the system may change to more appropriate study materials, or different presentation styles.
US08475173B2	System and method for educating using multimedia interface A method of educating using a virtual workstation. The method includes the steps of: providing the virtual workstation; allowing a person to access the virtual workstation to generate multimedia product; and requiring that the person complete at least one educational project to continue accessing the virtual workstation to generate multimedia product.
US08475170B2	Tool for realizing the Korean alphabet using a consonant and vowel combination system A tool for implementing Korean characters using a consonant-vowel combination system, in which a simple and concise combination system capable of implementing all Korean characters 5 using only six consonants and vowels is constructed, and thus users of the tool may realize originality, superiority, and convenience of Korean letters in daily life. The tool for implementing Korean characters using a consonant-vowel combination system is configured to implement the Korean characters using six consonant and vowel plates. Therefore, users of the Korean letters may recognize value of the Korean letters from the heart and be proud of the Korean letters.
US08475165B2	Apparatus and method for treating a product, for example a food product, and relative plant An apparatus for treating a product comprises movement means able to move the product in a direction of feed through at least a treatment sector, the treatment being temporally defined by a predetermined duration. The movement means comprise at least a conveyor belt closed in a ring that supports the product and extends along a path between an entrance and an exit of the treatment sector. The conveyor belt is at least partly made of flexible material and is able to be disposed along the path in a plurality of loops, which develop in a direction substantially transverse with respect to the direction of advance, so that the product follows the loops along the path.
US08475163B2	Heating device and method for its operations This invention relates to a heating device consisting of at least one burner for the combustion especially of a gaseous fuel, at least one radiant tube connecting to the burner, at least one fan generating a negative pressure or an excess pressure in the radiant tube, and at least one exhaust gas recirculation system with at least one exhaust gas recirculation passage through which an exhaust gas produced during the combustion of the primary fuel can be recirculated from the radiant tube to a transition zone from the burner into the radiant tube. In order to further develop a heating device of this type as well as a method for its operation the burner is adapted for being operated in at least two power stages and the exhaust gas recirculation system is controlled in dependence of the power stages of the burner in such a way that the volume flow of the recirculated exhaust gas is reduced with an increasing power stage of the burner.
US08475158B2	Edge-gated nozzle An injection molding system is disclosed that includes a hot runner manifold for providing a melt stream of moldable material to at least one hot runner nozzle that is in fluid communication with one or more mold cavities via at least one injection manifold disposed proximate a downstream end of the nozzle. The at least one injection manifold has a substantially U-shape with at least one mold cavity being disposed between opposing arm segments thereof. Each mold cavity is fed by a pair of nozzle seals, wherein one of the pair of nozzle seals extends inwardly from one of the opposing arm segments while the other of the pair of nozzle seals extends inwardly from the other of the opposing arm segments for directing a melt stream into the mold cavity.
US08475157B2	Injection nozzle with enhanced heat transfer characteristics An injection nozzle that can be used in an injection blow molding system without use of an external heat source comprises a two-piece structure broadly including a structural outer body for coupling the nozzle to a resin manifold and a thermally conductive insert. At least a portion of an axial length of the insert has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of a coinciding coaxial portion of the outer body, such that the differences in the inner and outer diameters present an insulating air gap along at least a portion of the nozzle length. A sufficient operating temperature for hot melt resin can then be obtained without use of the external heat source.
US08475151B2	Compressor A compressor is provided with a substantially cylindrical housing. Inside the housing is a motor housing having a substantially cylindrical shape and a compressor housing having a substantially cylindrical shape. The motor housing and the compressor housing are connected or fit into the housing with a frictional connection to prevent axial movement of the motor housing and the compressor housing.
US08475150B2	Internal gear pump for a brake system The invention relates to an internal gear pump for a brake system, in the pump housing of which an internally toothed ring gear and a pinion meshing with the toothing of the ring gear are pivotally supported about parallel axes. As a result the toothing thereof limits an approximately crescent-shaped tapering annular space, in which a filler piece supported toward the intake side of the pump is arranged. The circumferential sides of the filler piece are bent in accordance with the addendum circle of the ring gear toothing or of the pinion toothing. The sides rest against several tooth tips in a sealing manner under a spring force. According to the invention, one of the two circumferential sides of the filler piece is formed by a radially resilient circumferential wall, which is nestled against the tooth tips of the pinion or the ring gear due to the deflection based on the inherent spring force thereof.
US08475149B2	Scroll fluid machine having multiple discharge ports A scroll fluid machine that suppresses fluctuations in a port aperture area during each revolution of an orbiting scroll. Suction ports for sucking in a working fluid are disposed on a second base plate to have openings in a vicinity of a winding start end portion of a second spiral tooth, and near an inward facing surface of the second spiral tooth at a position separated by an involute angle approximately 90° from the winding start end portion of the second spiral tooth. Discharge ports for discharging the working fluid are disposed on a first base plate to have openings in a vicinity of a winding start end portion of a first spiral tooth, and near an inward facing surface of the first spiral tooth at a position separated by an involute angle approximately 90° from the winding start end portion of the first spiral tooth.
US08475143B1	Wind driven machine A wind driven machine with a furling system to move the machine to between an active position and an inactive position in response to a predetermined condition. The wind driven machine includes a propeller section and a tail section, the tail section hinged to the propeller section to direct the propeller section into the wind. The furling system includes a first portion to rotate with one of the respective sections and a second portion that is generally rotationally fixed and moves axially between an active position and an inactive position corresponding to the active and inactive positions of the wind driven machine.
US08475137B2	Electric-motor-driven oil pump control system In an electric-motor-driven oil pump unit with automatic engine-stop system interaction, in which an electric-motor-driven oil pump is driven by an electric motor for hydraulic pressure supply to a transmission of an automotive vehicle employing an automatic engine-stop system, at least in a stopped state of a mechanical oil pump driven by the engine, a motor current/speed detector is provided for detecting a motor current and/or a motor speed of the electric motor. Also provided is a controller configured to output an inhibiting signal to the automatic engine-stop system for inhibiting a mode shift to an automatic engine-stop mode, when a change in the motor current and/or the motor speed during a preliminary operation of the electric-motor-driven oil pump executed from a point of time when an automatic engine-stop condition of the vehicle becomes satisfied, is out of a specified characteristic.
US08475134B2	Method for fitting and protecting a sensor on a substrate The method consists in depositing, by alumina spraying, an electrically insulating sublayer on the substrate, then in placing the sensor on the electrically insulating sublayer and finally in depositing, by alumina spraying, a cover layer on the sensor and the electrically insulating sublayer. It further includes, before the cover layer is deposited, a step in which an impermeable and thermally insulating cement is applied locally on wires of the sensor.
US08475133B2	Efficient wind turbine blades, wind turbine blade structures, and associated systems and methods of manufacture, assembly and use Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
US08475132B2	Turbine blade assembly A turbine blade assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turbine blade assembly may generally include a turbine blade having a root portion and an airfoil. The airfoil may extend radially from the root portion to an airfoil tip. Additionally, the turbine blade assembly may include a composite rod extending within the turbine blade. The composite rod may include a first end coupled to the airfoil at the airfoil tip and a second end coupled to the root portion. Moreover, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite rod may be designed to be less than or equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the airfoil.
US08475131B2	Centrifugal compressor A centrifugal compressor provided with an impeller which is configured to have a plurality of blades arranged at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction of a hub rotating together with a rotation shaft, in which a blade angle on a shroud side of the blade distributes to have a minimum value at a position between a leading edge of the blade and a midpoint of a camber line on the shroud side, and a maximum value at a position between the midpoint of the camber line on the shroud side and a trailing edge of the blade, and a blade angle of the blade on a hub side distributes so as to have a maximum value at a position between a leading edge and a midpoint of a camber line on the hub side.
US08475130B2	Axial flow fan An axial flow fan comprises a central hub (2) and a plurality of blades (3), each fixed to the central hub (2) and extending from a respective first end (3a) proximal to the hub (2) to a respective second end (3b) distal from the hub (2); the blades (3) are inclined at a keying angle (β) to a rotation plane (R) of the fan which also comprises a plurality of aerodynamic protrusions (11), each extending from a first lateral edge (6) of a corresponding blade (3) in the vicinity of its second end (3b); each protrusion (11) lies in a plane (PP) perpendicular to an axis (A) of fan rotation.
US08475117B2	Gas turbine compressor and method of operation The present application provides a compressor for a gas turbine. The compressor may include a number of rotor wheels positioned about a compressor aft section having a low alloy material, a number of inlet guide vanes positioned about a compressor inlet section, and a wet compression system positioned about the compressor inlet section.
US08475116B2	Anti-rotation feature for air turbine starter A turbine balance assembly has a turbine rotor and shaft. Bearings are positioned radially outwardly of the shaft. A bearing sleeve is positioned radially outwardly of the bearings, and supports the bearings. The bearing sleeve extends along an axial length defined by a rotational axis of the shaft, and has a turbine rotor end adjacent to the turbine rotor, and a remote end. A radially outwardly extending flange on the bearing sleeve extends radially outwardly of a support portion of the bearing sleeve at the turbine rotor end. The flange has a nominal outer diameter, and includes a slot for receiving an anti-rotation tab from a gear cage over a first circumferential extent. A bearing sleeve incorporates the anti-rotation feature, and a gear cage incorporates its portion of the anti-rotation feature. An air turbine starter, and a method of installing components of a turbine balance assembly are also disclosed.
US08475111B2	Ring fan and shroud air guide system A ring fan and shroud guide system which includes a rotating fan member with a conical outer ring and a cylindrical shroud member overlapping at least a portion of the outer ring. A plurality of guide vanes are provided in the shroud which minimize the tangential velocity component of the air flow entering the tip-gap region and provide improved air flow through the system. The guide vanes can have a curved configuration.
US08475108B2	System and method for moving large objects A system for moving a large object is provided that includes one or more wheels in contact with a ground surface and two pedals coupled to at least one wheel such that a downward force on at least one of the pedals by an operator seated on the system causes the wheels to move in a forward direction. The system further includes a gearing element that includes a gearbox that translates the downward force to the wheels. The system also includes a loading element that receives at least a portion of the large object such that it can be transported when the wheels move in the forward direction, where the large object weighs at least 300 pounds. In more specific embodiments, the system includes a steering component that includes one of the wheels, where the steering component allows a direction of the system to be guided by the operator.
US08475107B2	Paper-sheet handling device A paper-sheet handling device relating to the present invention has a configuration such that a binder paper alignment unit for temporarily reserving a plurality of paper-sheets perforated at predetermined positions, a movement mechanism for binding the bundle of paper-sheets thus aligned owing to the above by means of a binding component, and a binder cassette for storing the binding components for being transferred thereto, wherein the movement mechanism is arranged on the downstream side of the binder paper alignment unit and the binder cassette and also, the binder paper alignment unit and the binder cassette are arranges radially on the upstream side to form an approximately V-shape by making the aforesaid movement mechanism to be a reference. It is possible depending on this configuration to concentrate the necessary constructional elements at the periphery of the movement mechanism, so that the arrangement of the component members in the horizontal direction of the device can be restricted and the aforesaid device can be miniaturized.
US08475106B2	Bookbinding apparatus and image forming system A bookbinding apparatus for producing a booklet by coating an adhesive onto a back side of a bundle of sheets and by pasting a book cover onto the back side of the bundle of sheets, comprises: an oblique cutout portion forming section to form a cutout on an edge of each sheet of the bundle of sheets in such a way that an oblique cutout portion is formed along the width of the back side of the bundle of sheets; a sheet bundle accommodating section to accommodate the bundle of sheets on which the oblique cutout portion is formed; a coating section to coat an adhesive on the back side of the bundle of sheets accommodated in the sheet bundle accommodating section; and a bookbinding section to paste a book cover on the adhesive-coated back side of the bundle of sheets so as to produce the booklet.
US08475105B2	Binding system with binding machine and binding elements A binding system for binding a stack of sheets with a binding element includes a binding machine having an indicia associated with an operation to be performed in binding the stack of sheets, and at least one binding element having an indicia corresponding to the indicia on the binding machine.
US08475103B2	Sealing washer assembly for large diameter holes on flat surfaces A sealing washer assembly includes a main washer with a bottom annular groove for a removable O-ring and a top recess for a sealing washer. A fastener such as a screw or bolt passes through the sealing washer and the main washer, into a hole in a mounting surface. When the fastener is tightened, the main washer is clamped to the mounting surface to create a metal-to-metal seal, the O-ring is deformed to create a seal between the main washer and the mounting surface, and the sealing washer is deformed to create a seal between the fastener and the main washer.
US08475101B2	Locking screw A locking screw for connecting two or more articles together is provided. The screw includes an externally threaded shaft, a head, and an elastic member. The head defines a chamber in which a spiral groove is defined. The shaft extends from the bottom of the chamber; and the elastic member is arranged around the shaft and one end of the elastic member is received in the spiral groove of the chamber and another end abuts against an article. The elastic member can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the shaft, to change the length of the elastic member, so that enough tension is created to ensure locking the screw in place and prevent any rotation, thus maintain a tight engagement among the articles.
US08475098B2	Accessory retaining device Systems, apparatus and methods for an accessory retaining device are described. According to various embodiments, a handle, shaft and fastener are configured to provide a rotational interface. With the assistance of a cam bushing, threading between the shaft and the fastener or other components, rotation of the handle causes axial movement of the shaft or fastener and compression of a grommet located about the shaft or fastener. Compression of the grommet results in radial expansion. In this way, the accessory retaining device is adapted to secure an accessory to a mounting aperture located on a vehicle or other device when the handle is in a closed position. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08475097B2	Cargo barrier net A cargo barrier net for an aircraft includes a net mesh, defined by a plurality of net strands, a securing members coupled to one of the net strands, for securing the cargo barrier net across an internal space of an aircraft; and a tear webbing located between the securing members and the net strand. The tear webbing is configured to tear progressively when a load is applied to it, thereby increasing the effective length of net strand to which it is coupled and redistributing the load to other net strands in the cargo barrier net.
US08475096B2	Tonneau cover cargo containment track rail system A tonneau cover cargo containment track rail system including a cargo hold down and at least one tonneau cover rail. The cargo hold down has a base portion and a handle portion. The handle portion is operably attached to the base portion for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The tonneau cover rail has a first attachment mechanism attached thereto. The first attachment mechanism is adapted to receive a portion of the cargo hold down to retain the cargo hold down in engagement with the tonneau cover rail while permitting the cargo hold down to move with respect to the tonneau cover rail.
US08475093B2	Clamping unit with canister sleeve retention device A clamping unit for releasably holding a tubular toolholder shank has a base member with a canister sleeve mounted therein. To secure the canister sleeve within the base member and to minimize movement caused by tolerances, retention bolts are threadably mated within the base member to engage a slot within the canister, wherein the relationship between the retention bolt and the slot is such that the retention bolt is intentionally misaligned, so that when engaged with the canister slot, the retention blot resiliently deflects and provides both an axial force and a lateral force upon a canister sleeve.
US08475092B2	Cutting insert, cutting tool and cutting method using the same A cutting insert provided with an upper surface, side surfaces, and cutting edges provided at portions at which the upper surface and the side surfaces intersect with each other. Each side surface has grooves reaching the upper surface so as to divide the cutting edge into small cutting edges. Projections are provided on the upper surface at positions to which the grooves extend.
US08475089B2	Indexable milling insert for milling tools An indexable milling insert for milling tools, including a bottom surface, an opposite chip surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the bottom surface and the opposite chip surface, two of the side surfaces being primary clearance surfaces and two of the side surfaces being secondary clearance surfaces. A plurality of cutting edges are formed between the opposite chip surface and the primary and secondary clearance surfaces. Two of the cutting edges that connect to the primary clearance surfaces are primarily parallel and constitute main cutting edges. At least one lock structure is provided and includes a locking surface arranged on one of the secondary clearance surfaces so that the locking surface and the primary clearance surface form an acute angle, α, in a section that is parallel to the bottom surface and intersects the locking surface. A coupling structure is arranged on the opposite chip surface and at least partly projects from a plane that is parallel to the bottom surface and passes through points of the main cutting edges situated closest to the bottom surface. The coupling structure comprises at least one flank surface, which is arranged in such a way that the flank surface, in a section that is parallel to the primary clearance surface and intersects the flank surface, forms an acute angle, β, with the bottom surface so that the flank surface slopes in the direction from the secondary clearance surface on which the locking surface is arranged.
US08475088B2	Device for milling of materials A device and a method of making thereof includes a milling cutter body that is connectable to a rotatable spindle or holder. The milling cutter body is provided with at least one series of a plurality of tangentially spaced-apart cutting edges or a plurality of tangentially spaced-apart seats intended for milling inserts having at least one cutting edge. The cutting edges or seats of the series are arranged such that, within the series, a first angle between a radius that intersects a first cutting edge and a radius that intersects another cutting edge, which is situated closest to the first cutting edge in a direction of rotation around the rotation axis, is smaller than a second angle between the radius that intersects the first cutting edge and a radius that intersects another cutting edge, which is situated closest to the first cutting edge in a direction opposite the direction of rotation.
US08475086B2	Tool cassette A tool cassette having a receptacle for an interchangeable cutting insert, wherein at least one setting element for setting the position of the tool cassette with respect to a seat for the cassette of a carrier tool is provided on the tool cassette.
US08475084B2	Tidal flow power generation A structure for a tidal flow energy generation system is fabricated from tubular framework having tubular modules with mounts for respective tidal flow turbine nacelles. The node modules include tubular limbs extending in transverse directions and elongate tubes and provided to interconnect with the tube limbs of the node modules. The structure can be pre-fabricated and transported to a location for deployment. The structure can be deployed by means of hovering the assembled structure to the seabed, for example by means of flooding the structure.
US08475082B2	Spring loaded J bar T handle Spring loaded J-Bar T Handle was created to eliminate time and effort spent loading and unloading material in the Vibratory Plow Blade. Spring mounted J-Bar T handle increases productivity and eliminates need for wrenches and other tools such as wing nuts etc. Invention also eliminates the need of a separate cable guide device allowing material to be fed directly into the chute from larger spools of material thus eliminating kinked and severed wiring and cabling.
US08475080B2	Method for remediating arsenic-contaminated soil Provided is a method for remediating arsenic-contaminated soil, including: a collection step of collecting arsenic-contaminated soil; a washing step of adding the collected soil to a washing solution, which is acidic in nature and provides reducing conditions to the soil, so as to remove arsenic from the soil and transfer the removed arsenic to the washing solution; a solid-liquid separation step of separating the soil and the washing solution from each other after the washing step; and a post-treatment step of removing arsenic from the washing solution, which was separated in the solid-liquid separation step, and employing the soil for remediation.
US08475077B2	Nonlethal barrier A nonlethal barrier system includes a first base having a frame, a shaft and a brake. The brake includes a stationary magnet physically coupled to the frame such that the shaft passes through the stationary magnet. Further, the brake includes an adjustable magnet that creates a magnetic field with the stationary magnet, where the strength of the magnetic field is alterable by rotating the adjustable magnet. A slab physically coupled to the shaft is disposed in the magnetic field. A net is furled around the shaft of the first base such that when an external force is applied to the net, the shaft of the first base rotates and unfurls at least a portion of the net. The slab applies a resistance, based on the strength of the magnetic field, to the shaft of the first base to control the rate at which the net unfurls from the shaft.
US08475074B1	Variable stiffness joint mechanism In some embodiments, a variable stiffness joint is provided which has a plurality of structural members with a variable stiffness material coupled between the plurality of structural members. The variable stiffness material may be selectively activated/inactivated to control the stiffness of the joint. Additional embodiments and implementations are disclosed.
US08475073B1	Pivot connector for modular platform assemblies A pivot connector has a first connecting part and a second connecting part. The first connecting part has a male pivot member and a first mounting member that is connected to the male pivot member. The second connecting part has a female pivot member and a second mounting member that is connected to the female pivot member. The first connecting part is connectable to the second connecting part such that a first engagement surface of the male pivot member is in engagement with a second engagement surface of the female pivot member. Each tab of a plurality tabs of the male pivot member is receivable in a respective slot of a plurality arcuate slots of the female pivot member such that the first connecting part is pivotable with respect to the second connecting part over a limited range of motion.
US08475071B2	Conical nib and writing instrument incorporating the same A nib of a writing instrument is made of a carbon-resin mixture obtained by mixing a plastic material with carbon fiber. An ink feed core is provided with a nib cover. The nib cover is disposed on an outer periphery of the ink feed core between the nib and the ink feed core. The nib cover is configured to closely adhere at least to an inner periphery of the nib at the tip of the nib. A space defined between the nib and the ink feed core is filled up with the nib cover. The nib is made of a carbon-resin mixture obtained by mixing a plastic material with carbon fiber. With this configuration, a nib having high wear resistance can be obtained and duration of the nib and the writing instrument can be prolonged.
US08475070B1	Hard surface cleaning tool A cleaning implement comprises a cleaning body assembly, a trigger assembly, at least one aerosol-cleaning container, a brush assembly, and a squeegee assembly whereby fluid from the cleaning container is dispensed by the trigger assembly. In one embodiment, the squeegee assembly is rotatably mounted to the cleaning body assembly. In another embodiment, the squeegee assembly is removably mounted to the cleaning body assembly.
US08475067B2	Printer with force transmitting path selecting mechanism A printer has a carriage being movable between a first end and a second end of a reciprocating path; and a driving force transmitting path selecting mechanism provided at the second end of the reciprocating path. The selecting mechanism has: a common driving force outputting member; a plurality of force receiving members; a selecting member; and a position retainer for keeping the position of the selecting member. The selecting member connects the force outputting member to one of the plurality of force receiving members, and moves in association with the carriage when the carriage moves in a vicinity of the second end in a first direction extending from the first end to the second end. The position retainer keeps the position of the selecting member when the carriage moves in a second direction extending from the second end to the first end. The force receiving member connected to the force outputting member via the selecting member is selected in accordance with a movement of the carriage along the reciprocating path.
US08475066B2	Printing apparatus An apparatus includes a reverse unit configured to wind a sheet printed at a print unit around the reverse unit and to reverse the sides of the sheet, and the reverse unit includes a winding rotary member having a cylindrical shape, and a skew correcting unit configured to correct skewing of sheets to be led into the winding rotary member.
US08475063B1	Lens cap A lens cap includes a ring detachably mounted onto a lens of an optical apparatus and a pair of linkage sets pivotally connected to the ring, wherein the two linkage sets are diametrically corresponding to each other and respectively connected to a covering structure. A sleeve is longitudinally and slidably sleeved on the ring and the covering structure is connected to sleeve. As a result, the covering structure selectively opens/closes the sleeve when the sleeve is reciprocally moved relative to the ring. The covering structure and the sleeve are used as a lens cap when the covering structure closing the sleeve, and used as a lens hood when the covering structure is opened.
US08475062B2	Shutter drive device, shutter device, and imaging device A shutter drive device includes a base member, an actuator, a first drive member, and a second drive member. The actuator is fixed to the base member and produces a driving force to drive the shutter mechanism. The first drive member is rotatably supported by the base member and configured to be rotated by the driving force. The second drive member is supported by the base member so as to be linearly movable in a first direction and configured to transmit the driving force of the actuator to the shutter mechanism. The first drive member has a gear component to drive the second drive member in the first direction, and a cam component configured to hold the second drive member in a specific position. The second drive member has a rack gear configured to mesh with the gear component, and a cam follower configured to contact the cam component.
US08475057B2	Optical module with ceramic package An optical module with an arrangement is disclosed in which the module has the LD, the TEC, and the lens with the lens carrier also mounted on the TEC. The signal light from the LD is concentrated by the lens and reflected by the mirror each assembled with the lens carrier mounted on the TEC. The TEC is mounted on the bottom metal that covers the bottom of the ceramic package, the first layer of which is widely cut to set the TEC therein. The FPC is coupled in at least two edges of the first ceramic layer left from the cut.
US08475056B2	Semiconductor device assembly A fiber coupled semiconductor device having an improved optical stability with respect to temperature variation is disclosed. The stability improvement is achieved by placing the platform holding the semiconductor chip and the optical fiber onto a spacer mounted on a base. The spacer has an area smaller than the area of the platform, for mechanical decoupling of thermally induced deformation of the base from a deformation of the platform of the semiconductor device. Attaching the optical fiber to a vertical mounting surface of a fiber mount, and additionally attaching the fiber mount to a submount of the semiconductor chip further improves thermal stability of the packaged device.
US08475042B1	Thermal shield system for high temperature environment XRF metrology tools A thermal shield for an XRF measurement tool is formed from a heat shield and a heat shield cowling. These components protect the X-ray head assembly that includes the x-ray generation and detection columns and the head control electronics, communications and cooling systems. The heat shield is directly below the X-ray head, parallel to the x-ray head plane and plane of the PV substrate, and perpendicular to the primary beam output from the x-ray head. The heat shield is fabricated of machined copper with several ports machined through the shield. These ports provide a path for primary beam x-rays through the heat shield and for the return of fluoresced X-rays from the PV substrate back to the detector in the X-ray head, while preventing damage to the X-ray head due to the heat emitted from the PV substrate.
US08475040B2	X-ray apparatus for tomosynthesis X-ray apparatus that allows performing tomosynthesis as well as lateral thoracic radiographs from the stretcher itself, for which is comprises a fixed column and a revolving base that can move vertically along the fixed column, as well as rotate. Associated to this revolving base is a folding board and a support base for an arm of the x-ray tube and collimator assembly, with the specific property that the x-ray tube arm can turn independently of the detector, and the rotation of the revolving base is performed about an axis adjoining one of the sides of the fixed column, so that when the assembly is rotated it is possible to perform lateral thoracic radiographs without having to move patients from the stretcher on which they have been brought.
US08475035B1	Mountable timepiece for hunting A wrist watch-style timepiece includes a means for secure mounting onto a variety of common hunting weapons, such as a rifle, a crossbow, a shotgun or a bow. The mounting members are envisioned to include a variety of straps and closures configured to accommodate the selected type of weapon and to be connected to the timepiece by mounting collars. The timepiece is intended to show the time in a glow-in-the-dark display in a user's line of sight, thereby avoiding any rustling sounds associated with consulting a wrist watch or pocket timepiece.
US08475031B1	LED backlight module structure for increasing process yield LED backlight module structure for increasing process yield comprises a housing, a copper circuit layer, a plurality of LED chips, a plurality of solder paste overflow prevention members, a light guide plate, and a bottom reflector. In the present invention, it mainly disposed the solder paste overflow prevention members between the LED chips and the copper circuit layer, therefore, the solder paste overflow phenomenon is prevented when using a pressing fixture to assist in executing the welding process of LED chips, and it ensures that the soldering pins of the LED chips would not electrically connect to each other due to the solder paste overflow phenomenon. Moreover, a position limiting band can be further disposed on the copper circuit layer for receiving and fixing the LED chips, in addition, the position limiting band is helpful to the LED chips in heat dissipation when the LED chips emit light.
US08475024B2	Emergency lighting A photoluminescent track for an emergency lighting system comprises an elongate holder and an elongate photoluminescent insert received in a channel extending lengthwise of the holder. The insert is a push-fit in the channel and is retained by engagement of opposed inwardly directed lips at the mouth of the channel with the upper side edges of the insert so that the upper surface of the insert is exposed within the opening.
US08475015B2	LED lamp having lamp holder fixed with heat sink An LED lamp includes a heat sink, an LED module received in the heat sink, a lamp holder disposed on a top end of the heat sink and covering the LED module, and a clip coupled to the lamp holder for securing the lamp holder to the heat sink. An annular fixing portion extends from a bottom of the lamp holder and surrounds a periphery of the top end of the heat sink. The clip hoops the fixing portion of the lamp holder and has a plurality of engaging portions extending through the fixing portion and inserted into the engaging slots of the heat sink correspondingly.
US08475013B2	Light emitting device and method for manufacturing same A light emitting device has: a light emitting element; a metal member having a first face on which the light emitting element is mounted, and a second face that is on the opposite side from the first face; and a translucent member that seals part of the metal member and the light emitting element, the metal member has an element placement portion on which the light emitting element is placed, and a flat portion disposed around the element placement portion, a covering member is disposed on the second face side of the flat portion, and the top and side faces of the covering member are covered by the translucent member.
US08475011B2	Lens member and optical unit using said lens member A lens member includes at least one of the annular prisms including a facet at an edge between an inner annular surface and an outer surface of the at least one of the annular prisms. The prisms with facets may be provided at a central portion of the lens member and the facets are configured to refract light toward a light-exit side of the lens member.
US08475009B2	Tailored side-emitter perimeter beacon An optical element for a side emitting light that emits light from a light source at side directions relative to the horizon is disclosed. The optical element has an internal recess adapted to fit over a light source. The internal recess includes a collimating surface and interior refractive surfaces. An exterior refractive surface corresponding to the interior refractive surfaces is provided. A faceted prismatic reflecting surface corresponding with the collimating surface is provided. Light at a substantially horizontal angle relative to the horizon is emitted through the interior refractive surface through the exterior reflective surface to a side direction and light at a substantially vertical angle relative to the horizon is collimated by the collimating surface and reflected by the reflecting surface in the side direction.
US08475006B2	Dark field illuminator and a dark field illumination method A dark field illuminator that includes: (i) a light source adapted to provide ring of light characterized by uniform intensity distribution; (ii) a collimating ring adapted to receive the ring of light and to direct collimated light beams towards an area of an inspected object such that different points within the area are illuminated by identical cones of light characterized by an incidence angle; and wherein the collimating ring and the light source are co-centric to an optical axis of the dark field illuminator.
US08475001B2	Lamp and light emitting diode tube thereof A lamp including a tube holder and a light emitting diode tube is disclosed. The tube holder includes a first terminal socket and a second terminal socket. The first terminal socket is electrically connected to a power source. The light emitting diode tube is installed onto the tube holder. One end of the light emitting diode tube has two first conductive terminals plugging in the first terminal socket so as to provide the power source to the light emitting diode tube. Alternatively, one end of the light emitting diode tube includes at least one first conductive terminal and the other end includes at least one second conductive terminal so as to conduct an alternate current power or a direct current power to the light emitting diode tube via the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal of two ends of the light emitting diode tube, respectively.
US08475000B2	Connector, and LED lighting apparatus using the connector A connector includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector which connect a circuit board to a connecting object and allow relative movement therebetween in a common plane or in mutually parallel planes. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle contact including a pair of holding portions and a pair of guide portions which are spaced from each other with the pair of holding portions positioned therebetween, wherein each guide portion includes a support groove. The plug connector includes a plug contact and a plug insulator which holds the plug contact. The plug contact is linearly elongated and resiliently deformable in a direction of thickness thereof and includes a contact portion that is engaged in the support grooves of the pair of guide portions. The plug insulator includes an opening facing the circuit board, and an accommodation space for accommodating the receptacle contact and the plug contact.
US08474994B2	Multi purpose visual and audible signaling baton A multi purpose visual and audible signaling baton having applicability to fire scenes, traffic and crowd control, police operations, military procedures, search and rescue operations, and event parking has a whistle and LED assembly. A controller and power assembly controls and powers the baton by directly responding to a plurality of modes including an audible sound generating mode as well as an audio voice button. The baton provides a high intensity colors that illuminate much like a neon tube. The baton can function as a flashlight or strobe light. Also, each light that is selected can be accompanied by a loud 100 dbA whistle, merely by pressing a button. The baton permits a user to select up to ten colors with a capability of five different sounds including verbal commands and the baton, with a radio transmitter, can communicate with a remote radio receiver due to a programmable microprocessor.
US08474991B2	Photographic lighting apparatus and systems Light apparatus and systems to produce a diffused light source for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. A tube constructed from selected proportions of diffusion material and reflective material is secured at opposite ends to light reflectors or light reflecting umbrellas with light sources. The light generated by the light sources is reflected off of the reflectors and is also reflected off of the reflective material of the tube to produce a desirable light dispersion pattern across the length of the diffusion material of the tube.
US08474988B2	Projector A projector to which a ceiling suspension attachment is fixed. The projector accommodates an internal device. The projector is provided with an outer case including a bottom wall that defines an outer bottom surface and an inner bottom surface of the outer case. Insert nuts are arranged on the bottom wall. Each insert nut includes a threaded hole to which a first coupling screw is fastened and a second coupling screw can be fastened. The first coupling screw couples the attachment to the outer bottom surface of the bottom wall, and the second coupling screw is fastened to the threaded hole from a side opposite to the first coupling screw. The second coupling screw is fastened at least one of the insert nuts to couple the inner device to the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall.
US08474983B2	Light-source cooling device and projection display device provided with same A light-source cooling device is provided that, without adopting a complex configuration, is capable of reducing the temperature difference between the top portion and bottom portion of a light source despite change of the installation orientation. The light-source cooling device of the present invention for cooling a light source (11) is provided with: two ventilation ducts (4and 5) for guiding cooling airflows (13a and 13b) to strike against the light source (11) from opposite directions, and two fans (2and 3) for impelling the cooling airflows (13a and 13b) to two airflow guide units (4and 5).
US08474981B2	Illumination optical system having a light combining portion that combines light beams from a plurality of lamp units and projection display apparatus An illumination optical system includes first and second lamp units, a light combining portion that combines a light beam from the first lamp unit and a light beam from the second lamp unit, at least one light returning portion disposed between the first lamp unit and the light combining portion, or between the second lamp unit and the light combining portion, or both, the or each of the at least one light returning portion dividing a part of light emitted from the corresponding lamp unit into a light beam to be returned to the lamp and a light beam to be led to the light combining portion, and a condenser lens that condenses light from the light combining portion.
US08474980B2	Projection autostereoscopic display and stereo screen A projection autostereoscopic display including an image projector and a stereo screen is provided. The image projector projects an image. The image includes multiple viewing-zone images. The stereo screen receives the image and reflects the image to an observing direction. The stereo screen includes a linear polarizer layer, for receiving and polarizing the image. A first microretarder layer is disposed behind the linear polarizer layer. A second microretarder layer is disposed behind the first microretarder layer by a distance. A reflection-type polarization-reserved diffuser layer is disposed behind the second microretarder layer for reflecting and diffusing the image into various directions while maintaining the polarization state of the image. A switching layer is switched between a transparent state which maintains the polarization state of the image and an opaque state which changes the polarization states of the image to a non-polarization state, to switch between 2D and 3D display modes.
US08474979B2	Production of customized progressive ophthalmic lens A method makes a customized progressive ophthalmic lens intended for an identified wearer that includes measurements of the inclination of the wearer's head. These measures are made when the wearer performs visual tasks in far-vision conditions, by consecutively looking horizontally, then towards the ground. A variation of the optical power of the progressive lens, below a reference direction for the far vision, is adjusted on the basis of the measure results. The habituation period of the wearer to the progressive lens can thus be reduced.
US08474977B2	Fixed optical system having an adjustable target A fiber optic illuminator is provided comprising an optics bed, a light source, a collimating lens, and a condensing lens. The light source is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the optics bed. The collimating lens is mounted in a fixed position with respect to the optics bed and collimates at least a portion of the light from the light source. A condensing lens receives the substantially collimated light output and focuses the collimated light output to optically couple to an optical fiber. The condensing lens may be mounted on an adjustable mount. The tolerances of the fixed optical elements i.e. light source and collimating lens allow the fixed optical elements to be positioned with a minimal amount of variation where the variation is determined by manufacturing tolerances associated with these individual elements and their mounts and couple them to the optics bed.
US08474973B2	Infrared absorbing polarized eyeglass lens An infrared absorbing polarized eyeglass lens substrate includes a polarizing element including a polarizing film and a polyurethane resin material containing an infrared absorbing agent and covering both surfaces of the polarizing film, and an eyeglass lens substrate made of a polyurethane resin not containing an infrared absorbing agent and configured to be ground for adjusting lens power. The polarizing element is superposed on one side of the eyeglass lens substrate and integrated therewith by insert molding which accompanies polymerization reaction of the polyurethane resin material.
US08474972B2	Rib profile for reduced contact pressure in a printing device A printing device component may include a base surface and a plurality of ribs extending away from the base surface. Each rib may include a nominal guiding surface, one or more primary transition surfaces, one or more secondary transition surfaces, and one or more angled surfaces. Each primary transition surface may begin at a top surface and end at a secondary transition surface. Each secondary transition surface may begin at a primary transition surface and end at an angled surface. Each angled surface may begin at a secondary transition surface and end at the base surface.
US08474968B2	Inkjet apparatus and heating device In a stopped state where a sheet is not moving, control is performed so that at a location, the sheet is heated by a heating unit and cooled by a cooling unit at the same time. When the sheet starts moving after the stopped state in order for the inkjet head to apply ink to the sheet, control is performed so that at the location, the sheet continues to be heated by the heating unit and is cooled by the cooling unit at a lower power than in the stopped state.
US08474967B2	Ink jet recording process Recording onto a non-ink-absorbing recording medium is performed using an aqueous ink composition containing a first solvent composed of at least one selected from 2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-imidazolidinone, and N,N′-dimethylpropylene urea, a second solvent composed of at least one selected from 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-pentanediol, and a third solvent composed of at least one selected from glycol diethers and heating the non-ink-absorbing recording medium at 40 to 60° C.
US08474960B1	Fluid cartridge An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a bottom face and a front face; interfaces on the front face for connection to a cartridge receiving structure, the interfaces including an ink interface; a guide interface in the bottom face for guiding the cartridge along a straight line during insertion in the cartridge receiving structure for connecting the interfaces, where the guide interface comprises a guide track for guiding a T-rail guide of the cartridge receiving structure, said guide track extending parallel to said straight line; and a latch track and a latch strop disposed in the bottom face of the ink cartridge to guide and retain, respectively, a latch of the cartridge receiving structure. The guide track and the latch track are formed by one integral cut out in the bottom face of the cartridge.
US08474959B2	Liquid container and liquid ejecting apparatus Provided is a liquid container containing a liquid which is to be supplied to a liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a containing portion containing the liquid and including a liquid out-flowing hole for out-flowing the liquid to an external portion and an air introducing hole for introducing external air into the containing portion, and a deforming portion being deformed in such a direction that a volume of the containing portion is reduced according to a decrease in an internal pressure of the containing portion; wherein the air introducing portion includes: a first sealing portion disposed in a circumference of the air introducing hole inside the containing portion; a second sealing portion displaceably disposed inside the containing portion and capable of closing the air introducing hole by pressing the first sealing portion outwards; and a biasing portion pressing the second sealing portion toward the first sealing portion.
US08474957B2	Ink tank and recording apparatus An ink tank includes a stirrer supported in a freely moveable manner near an inner wall of an ink storage chamber. When the stirrer moves closest to the inner wall, a predetermined gap is formed between opposing surfaces of the inner wall and the stirrer.
US08474951B2	Liquid ejection head A liquid ejection head includes: a first and a second common liquid chamber formed in a substrate; a first nozzle array in which short and long nozzles are connected to the first common liquid chamber and alternately arranged on one side of the chamber; a second nozzle array in which short and long nozzles are connected to the first common liquid chamber and alternately arranged on the other side; a third nozzle array in which short and long nozzles are connected to the second common liquid chamber and alternately arranged on one side of the chamber; and a fourth nozzle array in which short and long nozzles are connected to the second common liquid chamber and alternately arranged on the other side; wherein the long and short nozzles formed on the one side and the long and short nozzles formed on the other side are disposed within a pitch P.
US08474949B2	Printing apparatus, cleaning device of ink-jet head and cleaning method of ink-jet head According to one embodiment, a printing apparatus includes an ink-jet head including a nozzle plate with a nozzle string in which a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging ink are arranged, and a cleaning device including an ink-repellent surface with ink repellency which is configured to come in contact with the nozzle plate in a state in which the ink-repellent surface is opposed to the ink-jet head, an ink-affinitive surface with ink affinity which is configured to create a gap between the ink-affinitive surface and the nozzle plate in a state in which the ink-repellent surface is in contact with the nozzle plate, and to have a smaller ink contact angle than the ink-repellent surface, and a plurality of suction ports formed in the ink-affinitive surface.
US08474946B2	Image forming apparatus and foam application device An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium to be recorded; and a foam application unit that applies a foam generated from at least any one of a liquid and a gel to the medium to be recorded or an intermediate member for applying the foam to the medium to be recorded. The foam application unit has a foam generation unit that generates the foam, an application unit that applies the generated foam to the medium to be recorded or the intermediate member, a foam supplying path through which the generated foam is supplied to the application unit, and a unit that increases a volume of the foam supplying path. The foam application unit increases the volume of the foam supplying path when stopping the supply of the foam to the application unit.
US08474942B2	Image correction system and image correction method Every time density correction information corresponding to a colorimetric value of a patch is acquired, the time when the density correction information is acquired and the type of a printing medium on which the patch is printed are accumulated in association in a memory. The type of a medium for printing is specified by a user; density correction information acquired at the most up-to-date time for each chromatic color ink available for the medium of that type is read from the memory; it is determined whether or not the most up-to-date time when the density correction information is acquired for each of the chromatic color inks available for the specified medium is the same time; if the most up-to-date times are the same, density correction is performed on image data, using a correction table that corresponds to the density correction information acquired at the most up-to-date time.
US08474941B2	Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method There are provided an inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method, whereby, the temperature of a print head is controlled and the ejection volume of ink to be ejected is stabilized to print a high-quality image, even at a high printing duty. Based on print data, an ejection number of ink to be ejected into a unit printing area is counted. The print head is heated to a target temperature that is raised in consonance with an increase in the count value.
US08474940B2	Image recording apparatus and image recording method An image recording apparatus including: a controller including a position storing section storing a first position which is a position of a recording portion at a point in time earlier by a rotation required period than a point in time when the recording portion is positioned at a second position at which ejection of liquid droplets has been completed, the rotation required period being a period from a point in time when a drive command is outputted to a second motor for rotating a feeding roller to a point in time when an amount of the rotation of the feeding roller reaches a preset threshold amount; and a drive command outputting section configured to output the drive command to the second motor when the position of the recording portion has reached the first position.
US08474936B2	Ink jet printing apparatus, ink jet printing method, and data generating apparatus An ink jet printing apparatus, an ink jet printing method, and a data generating apparatus are provided in which an image performance such as an abrasion resistance can be improved and a printing head can have a longer life by ejecting processing liquid at an appropriate time. The processing liquid is ejected, to a predetermined area on a printing medium in which the formation of a image by ink is completed, from a printing head in two or more scannings in five scannings of the printing heads.
US08474928B2	Articulated freezer drawers The invention relates generally to an articulating drawer for a bottom mount freezer refrigerator. The drawer can be slidably mounted in the freezer compartment on slides that can include pivots to pivotally mount a drawer front on the slides. A support mechanism can mount a food storage basket for movement with the drawer front and movable slides and can move the food storage basket upward when the door is moved to the open position. The support mechanism can include a pair of guide plates connected to the slides having a guide surface arranged to be engaged by a food storage basket guide surface follower and a pair of links each connected to the drawer front at one end and having a first link pivot at a distal end arranged to pivotally connect to a food storage basket pivot.
US08474925B2	Lockable ejector device for a furniture part movably supported in piece of furniture The invention relates to a lockable ejector device for a furniture part that is movably supported in a piece of furniture, including a fixing device for locking the movable furniture part in place in a closed end position, and at least one ejector element for moving the movable furniture part from the closed end position into an open position, wherein the fixing device comprises at least two locking units, which are coupled to each other and each have a receiving element for an engagement element. The at least two locking units are operatively connected to each other by way of a synchronization mechanism, which has at least two coupling elements, each associated with different locking units, and at least one synchronization unit. The coupling elements are coupled by way of the synchronization unit with respect to the movements thereof.
US08474923B2	Safes with rotating inner supports Gun safes according to various embodiments include a secure housing and a rotatable gun support assembly that is disposed at least partially within an interior portion of the secure housing, and that is adapted to support rifles in a substantially upright position adjacent a perimeter of a portion of the gun support assembly.
US08474918B2	Method and device for monitoring a cutting extraction machine A method and a device can be used to monitor the travel path of a cutting extraction machine (1), particularly one used in coal mining, which can be moved along the working front (10) equipped with a face conveyor (9) and an advancing support (12, 13) in longwall mining. Despite extremely poor viewing conditions, the method and device determine hindrances that might be present in the travel path of the extraction machine, in the form of shield caps that are standing low, or extendible cantilevers, sliding roof bars, or other attachments of the advancing support that are hanging down, or overloading of the conveyor, in order to be able to take measures to avoid disruptions in operation, in timely manner. The travel path of the extraction machine (1) is scanned by a radar measurement device (14) assigned to the extraction machine (1), and if a hindrance is determined, an alarm is triggered and/or intervention into the control of the extraction machine (1) takes place.
US08474917B2	Modular front seat back panel A seat assembly having a seat and a seat back that is pivotally connected to the seat. A back cover is disposed on a rear portion of the seat back. The back cover includes an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side includes a plurality of laterally-extending ribs aligned with a plurality of engagement members. At least one vertically-extending channel is disposed on the exterior side of the back cover.
US08474913B2	Structural head restraint guide sleeve A guide sleeve for a vehicle seat having a body portion adapted for insertion into a horizontal support of a vehicle seating assembly. The body portion includes a plurality of engagement members that extend radially outward from a center of the body portion.
US08474912B2	Seating arrangement with seat and back rest that adjust together to recline Subject matter described herein includes a seat assembly (e.g., chair, bench, sofa, vehicle seat, etc.) having a seat and a back rest that adjust together to facilitate reclining. The seat assembly includes a base coupled to a back-rest frame. The base remains substantially fixed relative to synchronized adjustment of the seat and the back rest, and the back-rest frame includes a pivot on which the back rest rotates to adjust a back-rest recline position. The assembly also includes the seat hingedly coupled to the back rest and a fore-and-aft adjuster that couples the seat to the base. A movement restrictor attaches to the seat and the base and biases the seat in a rearward orientation. The assembly further includes a pivot receiver coupled to the back rest, the pivot receiver providing a path along which the pivot travels when the seat moves forward and rearward.
US08474908B2	Seat element and seating system Disclosed is a seat element (1) for a seat system, which extends substantially across an entire zone of a backrest and/or a seat area of a seat in a mounted state. Said seat element (1) comprises devices (12-21) for receiving functional elements in order to provide additional seat functions. Such a modular seat system makes it possible to create in a simple manner different fittings of a seat, especially a vehicle seat.
US08474906B2	Roof apparatus A roof apparatus includes a functional bracket supporting a movable panel, a guide rail, a drive shoe moving along the guide rail, a front link connected to the functional bracket to move in conjunction with the movement of the drive shoe, a rear link connected with the drive shoe to support the functional bracket, front and rear restriction portions arranged at the front link, front and rear restriction portions arranged at the rear link, a first distance defined between the front restriction portion of the front link and the rear restriction portion of the rear link, and a second distance defined between the rear restriction portion of the front link and the rear restriction portion of the rear link, wherein the front link and the rear link are arranged at different positions on a plain surface extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the guide rail extends.
US08474905B2	Roof assembly for a vehicle A roof assembly for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof comprising a movable closure element for closing and opening the roof opening. A stationary part comprises guide rails extending transversely of the roof opening in vehicle longitudinal direction. A closure moving mechanism comprises an electric motor fixed to the stationary part, flexible drive cables guided in a guide through a defined path at least partly within said guide rails and being engaged by the electric motor in order to be moved through the guide and along the guide rails. The guide is constructed such that, when an excessive force is exerted on the cable by the closure element in the event of a crash, it allows the respective guide cable to deviate from the defined path dictated by the guide during normal use, to allow limited longitudinal movement of the closure element.
US08474903B2	Serpentine section stabilizer for vehicle pillar A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle roof member, a first panel, a second panel, and a serpentine-shaped reinforcement structure. The first panel connects with and depends downwardly from the vehicle roof member. The second panel connects with the first panel. The first panel and the second panel form, when connected, a vehicle pillar. The serpentine-shaped reinforcement structure includes a plurality of peak sections and a plurality of valley sections and is disposed in the vehicle pillar between the first panel and the second panel. The reinforcement structure is fixed to the first panel via a weld at a peak section. The reinforcement structure is closest to the second panel at a valley section. A method for manufacturing a vehicle body structure is also disclosed.
US08474899B2	Retractable top for off-road vehicles A retractable top is disclosed for off-road vehicle such as Jeep® Wrangler® and CJ® brand vehicles. The top includes a frame and a fabric cover designed to cover and move with the frame. The frame includes a base plate that is secured to the belt rail surrounding the rear compartment of the vehicle. The top is deployable between a stowed configuration folded upon itself over the rear compartment of a vehicle and a deployed configuration covering the passenger and rear compartments of the vehicle. During deployment, the top unfolds in a substantially vertical direction over the rear compartment substantially to its full extent. This avoids collision with the rear doors and roll bars of the vehicle. Once so deployed, the entire top pivots downwardly into place covering the passenger and rear compartments of the vehicle.
US08474897B1	Storage assembly for use in vehicles A storage assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The storage assembly includes a body that includes at least one surface, at least one sidewall, and at least one recess portion defined within the surface. The recess portion is sized to contain at least one object therein. At least one holder is coupled to the sidewall, wherein the holder includes at least one opening defined therein that is sized to receive a container therein. At least two legs extend from the body for supporting the body a predefined distance above a floor of the rear portion of the vehicle. The two legs are spaced a predefined distance apart such that a passageway is defined therebetween. A receptacle is removably coupled within the passageway such that at least a portion of at least one item transported within the vehicle may extend through the passageway when the receptacle is removed.
US08474891B2	Zipper pull tool A tool is disclosed herein for facilitating the opening and closing of mail bags, money bags, tool bags, and other large bags for carrying heavy loads utilizing large zippers. For instance, mail bags have a large zipper closure. Mail workers open and close these zippers dozens of times a day. Frequently, the zippers are hard to operate. Sometimes, the zipper handle may be missing. In both of these cases, a tool of some sort would facilitate the opening and closing of the bag. The present invention provides a zipper pull tool comprising a handle with a hook disposed at a selected optimal angle with a wedge shaped distal end and an eyelet or loop disposed at the other end. The handle is economically designed to provide good grip yet not require the user to squeeze the handle minimizing risk of injury to the wrist due to repetitive motions. The hook is disposed at such an angle as to provide optimum ease for hooking to the zipper or zipper handle. The loop on the end of the tool is attached to one end of an elastic safety laniard which is removably attached to the user's clothing. A safety clip attached to the other end of the laniard will allow the laniard and tool to be safely pull loose from the clothing in the event of an emergency.
US08474890B2	Animal waste disposal tool A tool for retrieving animal waste is effective in complete removal as it deploys at its end a row of tines that are inserted beneath the solid waste so that is can be lifted from the ground as the first step for proper disposal. The waste is then removed from the tines by a plate that pushes it off into a waste receptacle.

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