最新美国发明专利第2013-10-01期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08546264B2	Etching radical controlled gas chopped deep reactive ion etching A method for silicon micromachining techniques based on high aspect ratio reactive ion etching with gas chopping has been developed capable of producing essentially scallop-free, smooth, sidewall surfaces. The method uses precisely controlled, alternated (or chopped) gas flow of the etching and deposition gas precursors to produce a controllable sidewall passivation capable of high anisotropy. The dynamic control of sidewall passivation is achieved by carefully controlling fluorine radical presence with moderator gasses, such as CH4 and controlling the passivation rate and stoichiometry using a CF2 source. In this manner, sidewall polymer deposition thicknesses are very well controlled, reducing sidewall ripples to very small levels. By combining inductively coupled plasmas with controlled fluorocarbon chemistry, good control of vertical structures with very low sidewall roughness may be produced. Results show silicon features with an aspect ratio of 20:1 for 10 nm features with applicability to nano-applications in the sub-50 nm regime. By comparison, previous traditional gas chopping techniques have produced rippled or scalloped sidewalls in a range of 50 to 100 nm roughness.
US08546254B2	Mechanisms for forming copper pillar bumps using patterned anodes The mechanisms of preparing bump structures described by using patterned anodes may simplify bump-making process, reduce manufacturing cost, and improve thickness uniformity within die and across the wafer. In addition, the mechanisms described above allow forming bumps with different heights to allow bumps to be integrated with elements on a substrate with different heights. Bumps with different heights expand the application of copper post bumps to enable further chip integration.
US08546253B1	Self-aligned polymer passivation/aluminum pad The invention provides a semiconductor chip structure having at least one aluminum pad structure and a polyimide buffering layer under the aluminum pad structure, wherein the polyimide buffering layer is self-aligned to the aluminum pad structure, and a method of forming the same. The method includes forming a polyimide buffering layer on a substrate, forming an aluminum pad structure on the buffering layer, and, using the aluminum pad structure as a mask, etching the substrate to remove the polyimide buffering layer from the substrate everywhere except under the aluminum pad structure.
US08546251B1	Compact read only memory cell A method of manufacturing a read only memory cell includes connecting electrically a drain of the transistor to the bit line with a first conductor and a via. The method also includes generating a logic zero at a source of the transistor by electrically connecting the source of the transistor to a ground line with the first conductor. Further, the method includes, programming the read only memory cell to logic zero. A method of manufacturing a read only memory cell includes connecting electrically a drain of the transistor to the bit line with a first conductor and a via. The method also includes, connecting electrically a source of the transistor to the drain with the first conductor. Further, the method includes programming the read only memory cell to logic one.
US08546250B2	Method of fabricating vertical integrated semiconductor device with multiple continuous single crystal silicon layers vertically separated from one another A vertically integrated semiconductor device includes multiple continuous single crystal silicon layers vertically separated from one another by a dielectric layer or layers. Semiconductor devices are disposed on an underlying single crystal silicon substrate and the continuous single crystal silicon layers. The individual devices are interconnected to one another using tungsten or doped polysilicon leads that extend through openings formed in the continuous single crystal silicon layers. The method for forming the structure includes forming a dielectric material over the single crystal silicon layer or substrate and forming an opening extending down to the surface of the single crystal silicon material to act as a seed layer. An epitaxial silicon growth process begins at the seed location and laterally overgrows the openings. Growth fronts from the various seed locations meet to form a continuous single crystal silicon layer which is then polished.
US08546249B2	Selective growth of polycrystalline silicon-containing semiconductor material on a silicon-containing semiconductor surface A method of depositing polycrystalline silicon exclusively on monocrystalline first silicon surface portions of a substrate surface which besides the first surface portions additionally has insulator surface portions, comprising the steps of depositing boron on the first silicon surface portions in an amount which in relation to the first silicon surface portions respectively corresponds to more than a monolayer of boron, and depositing silicon on the first silicon surface portions treated in that way.
US08546245B2	Method for manufacturing composite substrate comprising wide bandgap semiconductor layer Provided is a method for manufacturing a low-cost bonded wafer (8) which allows bulk crystals of a wide bandgap semiconductor (1) to be transferred onto a handle substrate (3) as thinly as possible without breaking the substrate. More specifically, provided is a method for manufacturing a bonded wafer (8) by forming a wide bandgap semiconductor film (4) on a surface of a handle substrate (3), the method comprising a step of implanting ions from a surface (5) of a wide bandgap semiconductor substrate (1) having a bandgap of 2.8 eV or more to form an ion-implanted layer (2), a step of applying a surface activation treatment to at least one of the surface of the handle substrate (3) and the ion-implanted surface (5) of the wide bandgap semiconductor substrate (1), a step of bonding the surface (5) of the wide bandgap semiconductor substrate (1) and the surface of the handle substrate (3) to obtain bonded substrates (6), a step of applying a heat treatment to the bonded substrates (6) at a temperature of 150° C. or more and 400° C. less, and a step of subjecting the ion-implanted layer (2) of the wide bandgap semiconductor substrate (1) to irradiation of visible light from the semiconductor substrate (1) side of the bonded substrates (6) to embrittle an interface of the ion-implanted layer (2) and transfer the wide bandgap semiconductor film (4) onto the handle substrate (3).
US08546239B2	Methods of fabricating non-volatile memory with air gaps Air gap isolation in non-volatile memory arrays and related fabrication processes are provided. Electrical isolation can be provided, at least in part, by bit line air gaps that are elongated in a column direction and/or word line air gaps that are elongated in a row direction. The bit line air gaps may be formed in the substrate, extending between adjacent active areas of the substrate, as well as above the substrate surface, extending between adjacent columns of non-volatile storage elements. The word line air gaps may be formed above the substrate surface, extending between adjacent rows of non-volatile storage elements.
US08546230B2	Bipolar transistor with a collector having a protected outer edge portion for reduced based-collector junction capacitance and a method of forming the transistor Disclosed are embodiments of a transistor (e.g., bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT)) and a method of forming the transistor with a collector region having a protected upper edge portion for reduced base-collector junction capacitance Cbc. In the embodiments, a collector region is positioned laterally adjacent to a trench isolation region within a substrate. Mask layer(s) cover the trench isolation region and further extend laterally onto the edge portion of the collector region. A first section of an intrinsic base layer is positioned above a center portion of the collector region and a second section of the intrinsic base layer is positioned above the mask layer(s). During processing these mask layer(s) prevent divot formation in the upper corner of the trench isolation region at the isolation region-collector region interface and further limit dopant diffusion from a subsequently formed raised extrinsic base layer into the collector region.
US08546228B2	Strained thin body CMOS device having vertically raised source/drain stressors with single spacer A method of forming a transistor device includes forming a patterned gate structure over a semiconductor substrate; forming a spacer layer over the semiconductor substrate and patterned gate structure; removing horizontally disposed portions of the spacer layer so as to form a vertical sidewall spacer adjacent the patterned gate structure; and forming a raised source/drain (RSD) structure over the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the vertical sidewall spacer, wherein the RSD structure has a substantially vertical sidewall profile so as to abut the vertical sidewall spacer and produce one of a compressive and a tensile strain on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate below the patterned gate structure.
US08546227B2	Contact for high-K metal gate device A method of making an integrated circuit includes providing a substrate with a high-k dielectric and providing a polysilicon gate structure over the high-k dielectric. A doping process is performed on the substrate adjacent to the polysilicon gate structure, after which the polysilicon gate structure is removed and replaced with a metal gate structure. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) is deposited over the metal gate structure and the doped substrate, and a dry etch process forms a trench in the ILD to a top surface of the metal gate structure. After the dry etch process, a wet etch process forms an undercut near the top surface of the metal gate structure. The trench and undercut are then filled with a conductive material.
US08546226B2	SONOS non-volatile memory cell and fabricating method thereof A method for fabricating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory cell, wherein the method comprises steps as following: a pad oxide layer and a first hard mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The pad oxide layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched through to form an opening exposing a portion of the substrate. Subsequently, an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) structure with a size substantially less than or equal to the opening is formed to coincide with the portion of the substrate exposed from the opening.
US08546220B1	Method for fabricating buried bit lines A method for fabricating buried bit lines comprises steps of: defining a plurality of parallel masked regions and a plurality of first etched regions each forming between any two neighboring masked regions on a surface of a substrate, and wherein the masked region is wider than the first etched region; etching the first etched regions to form a plurality of first trenches and a plurality of first pillars; forming two bit lines respectively on two sidewalls of each first trench; etching the first pillars to form a plurality of second pillars corresponding to the bit lines. The present invention uses a two-stage etching process to prevent pillars from bending or collapsing due to high aspect ratio. Moreover, the present invention has a simple process and is able to reduce cost and decrease cell size.
US08546214B2	P-type control gate in non-volatile storage and methods for forming same Non-voltage storage and techniques for fabricating non-volatile storage are disclosed. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the control gates of non-volatile storage elements are formed from p-type polysilicon. In one embodiment, a lower portion of the control gate is p-type polysilicon. The upper portion of the control gate could be p-type polysilicon, n-type polysilicon, metal, metal nitride, etc. P-type polysilicon in the control gate may not deplete even at high Vpgm. Therefore, a number of problems that could occur if the control gate depleted are mitigated. For example, a memory cell having a control gate that is at least partially p-type polysilicon might be programmed with a lower Vpgm than a memory cell formed from n-type polysilicon.
US08546210B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of separating a thin film transistor, and circuit or a semiconductor device including the thin film transistor from a substrate by a method different from that disclosed in the patent document 1 and transposing the thin film transistor, and the circuit or the semiconductor device to a substrate having flexibility. According to the present invention, a large opening or a plurality of openings is formed at an insulating film, a conductive film connected to a thin film transistor is formed at the opening, and a peeling layer is removed, then, a layer having the thin film transistor is transposed to a substrate provided with a conductive film or the like. A thin film transistor according to the present invention has a semiconductor film which is crystallized by laser irradiation and prevents a peeling layer from exposing at laser irradiation not to be irradiated with laser light.
US08546209B1	Replacement metal gate processing with reduced interlevel dielectric layer etch rate A method of forming a semiconductor device structure includes forming an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer over a semiconductor substrate and a dummy transistor gate structure formed on the substrate; infusing a shallow gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) layer in a top portion of the ILD layer; and removing at least one layer from the dummy transistor gate structure, wherein the at least one layer comprises a same material as the ILD layer and wherein the GCIB layer has a slower etch rate with respect to the ILD layer.
US08546202B2	Manufacturing method for semiconductor structures A manufacturing method for semiconductor structures includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region defined thereon, forming a plurality of first patterns in the first region and at least a second pattern in the second region, forming a plurality of first spacers respectively on sidewalls of the first patterns and at least a second spacer on a sidewall of the second pattern, forming a patterned protecting layer in the second region, removing the first patterns from the first region to form a plurality of first masking patterns in the first region and at least a second masking pattern in the second region, and transferring the first masking patterns and the second masking pattern to the substrate.
US08546200B2	Thin film semiconductor device, display device using such thin film semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A thin film semiconductor device formed as integrated circuits on an insulating substrate with bottom gate type thin film transistors stacked with gate electrodes, a gate insulating film and a semiconductor thin film in the order from below upward. The gate electrodes comprise metallic materials with thickness less than 100 nm. The gate insulating film has a thickness thicker than the gate electrodes. The semiconductor thin film comprises polycrystalline silicon crystallized by a laser beam. By reducing thickness of metallic gate electrodes, thermal capacity becomes small and difference in thermal condition on the metallic gate electrodes and on the insulating substrate made of glass or the like becomes small. This invention relates to the task of uniforming and optimizing recrystallization by a laser anneal treatment provided for the semiconductor thin film which works as an active layer of the bottom gate type thin film transistors.
US08546199B2	Method of manufacturing transparent transistor with multi-layered structures A method of manufacturing a transparent transistor including a substrate, source and drain electrodes formed on the substrate, each having a multi-layered structure of a lower transparent layer, a metal layer and an upper transparent layer, a channel formed between the source and drain electrodes, and a gate electrode aligned with the channel. The lower transparent layer or the upper transparent layer is formed of a transparent semiconductor layer, which is the same as the channel.
US08546195B2	Semiconductor package having semiconductor die with internal vertical interconnect structure and method therefor A semiconductor wafer is made by forming a first conductive layer over a sacrificial substrate, mounting a semiconductor die to the sacrificial substrate, depositing an insulating layer over the semiconductor die and first conductive layer, exposing the first conductive layer and contact pad on the semiconductor die, forming a second conductive layer over the insulating layer between the first conductive layer and contact pad, forming solder bumps on the second conductive layer, depositing an encapsulant over the semiconductor die, first conductive layer, and interconnect structure, and removing the sacrificial substrate after forming the encapsulant to expose the conductive layer and semiconductor die. A portion of the encapsulant is removed to expose a portion of the solder bumps. The solder bumps are sized so that each extends the same outside the encapsulant. The semiconductor die are stacked by electrically connecting the solder bumps.
US08546194B2	Integrated circuit packaging system with interconnects and method of manufacture thereof A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a base carrier; forming a conductive post on the base carrier, the conductive post having a top protrusion with a protrusion top side; mounting a base integrated circuit over the base carrier; and forming a base encapsulation over the base integrated circuit, the base encapsulation having an encapsulation top side and an encapsulation recess with the conductive post partially exposed within the encapsulation recess, the encapsulation top side above the protrusion top side.
US08546193B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming penetrable film encapsulant around semiconductor die and interconnect structure A semiconductor device has a plurality of bumps formed over a carrier. A semiconductor die is mounted to the carrier between the bumps. A penetrable film encapsulant layer having a base layer, first adhesive layer, and second adhesive layer is placed over the semiconductor die and bumps. The penetrable film encapsulant layer is pressed over the semiconductor die and bumps to embed the semiconductor die and bumps within the first and second adhesive layers. The first adhesive layer and second adhesive layer are separated to remove the base layer and first adhesive layer and leave the second adhesive layer around the semiconductor die and bumps. The bumps are exposed from the second adhesive layer. The carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die and second adhesive layer. A conductive layer is formed over the second adhesive layer electrically connected to the bumps.
US08546184B2	Package substrate having die pad with outer raised portion and interior recessed portion A method of forming an electronic assembly includes dispensing a die attach material on a substrate into a recessed portion that includes an inner recessed portion of including a die pad. The die attach material is not dispensed on an outer raised flat portion of the die pad. A semiconductor die is attached directly on the outer raised flat portion and affixed to the die pad with said die attach material in said interior recessed portion but not on said outer raised flat portion.
US08546180B2	Method for manufacturing oxide semiconductor device An object is to provide a semiconductor device having a structure with which parasitic capacitance between wirings can be sufficiently reduced. An oxide insulating layer serving as a channel protective layer is formed over part of an oxide semiconductor layer overlapping with a gate electrode layer. In the same step as formation of the oxide insulating layer, an oxide insulating layer covering a peripheral portion of the oxide semiconductor layer is formed. The oxide insulating layer which covers the peripheral portion of the oxide semiconductor layer is provided to increase the distance between the gate electrode layer and a wiring layer formed above or in the periphery of the gate electrode layer, whereby parasitic capacitance is reduced.
US08546178B2	Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a translucent electrode. The substrate includes a first region provided along periphery of a first major surface and a second region provided on center side of the first major surface as viewed from the first region. The first semiconductor layer is provided on the first major surface of the substrate. The light emitting layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is provided on the light emitting layer. The translucent electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer. A reflectance in the second region is higher than a reflectance in the first region.
US08546177B2	Methods of manufacturing phase-change memory device and semiconductor device Methods of manufacturing a phase-change memory device and a semiconductor device are provided. The method of manufacturing the phase-change memory device includes forming a switching device layer, an ohmic contact layer, and a hard mask layer on a semiconductor substrate, patterning the hard mask layer to form a hard mask pattern, etching the ohmic layer and the switching layer using the hard mask pattern to form a pattern structure including an ohmic contact pattern, a switching device pattern, and the hard mask pattern, selectively oxidizing a surface of the pattern structure, forming an insulating layer to bury the pattern structure, and selectively removing the hard mask pattern other than the oxidized surface thereof to form a contact hole.
US08546176B2	Forming chalcogenide semiconductor absorbers Sulfur-containing chalcogenide absorbers in thin film solar cell are manufactured by sequential sputtering or co-sputtering targets, one of which contains a sulfur compound, onto a substrate and then annealing the substrate. The anneal is performed in a non-sulfur containing environment and avoids the use of hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas. A sulfurized chalcogenide is formed having a sulfur concentration gradient.
US08546172B2	Laser polishing of a back contact of a solar cell Provided herein are methods of polishing, cleaning and texturing back contacts of thin-film solar cells. According to various embodiments, the methods involve irradiating sites on the back contact with laser beams to remove contaminants and/or smooth the surface of the back contact. The back contact, e.g., a molybdenum, copper, or niobium thin-film, is smoothed prior to deposition of the absorber and other thin-films of the photovoltaic stack. In certain embodiments, laser polishing of the back contact is used to enhance the diffusion barrier characteristics of the back contact layer, with all or a surface layer of the back contact becoming essentially amorphous. In certain embodiments, the adhesion of the absorber layer is enhanced by the textured back contact and by the presence of the amorphous metal at the deposition surface.
US08546171B2	Method of fabricating thin film solar cell Disclosed is a method of fabricating a thin film solar cell. A separation process (‘P4’ process) of insulating a thin film solar cell from the outside is integrally performed with a transparent electrode patterning process (‘P1’ process) and a metallic electrode patterning process (‘P3’ process). This may reduce the fabrication costs and enhance spatial efficiency as the ‘P4’ process and equipment for the ‘P4’ process are not required.
US08546170B2	MEMS process and device A method of fabricating a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) transducer comprises the steps of forming a membrane (5) on a substrate (3), and forming a back-volume in the substrate. The step of forming a back-volume in the substrate comprises the steps of forming a first back-volume portion (7a) and a second back-volume portion (7b), the first back-volume portion (7a) being separated from the second back-volume portion (7b) by a step in a sidewall of the back-volume. The cross-sectional area of the second back-volume portion (7b) can be made greater than the cross-sectional area of the membrane (5), thereby enabling the back-volume to be increased without being constrained by the cross-sectional area of the membrane (5). The back-volume may comprise a third back-volume portion. The third back-volume portion enables the effective diameter of the membrane to be formed more accurately.
US08546168B2	Method and apparatus for detecting nucleotides A system and method employing at least one semiconductor device, or an arrangement of insulating and metal layers, having at least one detecting region which can include, for example, a recess or opening therein, for detecting a charge representative of a component of a polymer, such as a nucleic acid strand proximate to the detecting region, and a method for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. The system and method can thus be used for sequencing individual nucleotides or bases of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The semiconductor device includes at least two doped regions, such as two n-typed regions implanted in a p-typed semiconductor layer or two p-typed regions implanted in an n-typed semiconductor layer. The detecting region permits a current to pass between the two doped regions in response to the presence of the component of the polymer.
US08546166B2	III nitride crystal substrate, and light-emitting device and method of its manufacture Toward making available III nitride crystal substrates advantageously employed in light-emitting devices, and light-emitting devices incorporating the substrates and methods of manufacturing the light-emitting devices, a III nitride crystal substrate has a major face whose surface area is not less than 10 cm2 and, in a major-face principal region excluding the peripheral margin of the major face from its outer periphery to a 5 mm separation from its outer periphery, the total dislocation density is from 1×104 cm−2 to 3×106 cm−2, and the ratio of screw-dislocation density to the total dislocation density is 0.5 or greater.
US08546161B2	Manufacturing method of thin film transistor and liquid crystal display device Etching of a semiconductor layer including a part over a gate wiring and formation of a contact hole for connection between a pixel electrode and a drain electrode are performed by one-time photolithography step and one-time etching step; thus, the number of photolithography steps is reduced. The exposed part of the gate wiring is covered by an insulating layer, and this insulating layer also functions as a spacer for maintaining a space for a liquid crystal layer. By the reduction in the number of photolithography steps, a liquid crystal display device can be provided at lower cost and higher productivity. Using an oxide semiconductor for the semiconductor layer can realize a liquid crystal display device with low power consumption and high reliability.
US08546159B2	Phosphor film, method of forming the same, and method of coating phosphor layer on LED chips Phosphor films, methods of forming the phosphor films, and methods of coating a phosphor layer on light-emitting chips are disclosed. The phosphor film includes: a base film; a phosphor layer that is formed on the base film and comprises an incompletely cured resin material and phosphor particles mixed with the incompletely cured resin material; and a cover film that is formed on the phosphor layer and protects the phosphor layer.
US08546157B2	Bifacial solar cell using ion implantation An improved bifacial solar cell is disclosed. In some embodiments, the front side includes an n-type field surface field, while the back side includes a p-type emitter. In other embodiments, the p-type emitter is on the front side. To maximize the diffusion of majority carriers and lower the series resistance between the contact and the substrate, the regions beneath the metal contacts are more heavily doped. Thus, regions of higher dopant concentration are created in at least one of the FSF or the emitter. These regions are created through the use of selective implants, which can be performed on one or two sides of the bifacial solar cell to improve efficiency.
US08546154B2	Apparatus and method to inspect defect of semiconductor device An apparatus and method to inspect a defect of a substrate. Since a recess of an under layer of a substrate is darker than a projection of a top layer, a ratio of a value of a secondary electron signal (of an SEM) of the under layer to a value of the top layer may be increased to improve a pattern image used to inspect an under layer defect. Several conditions under which electron beams are irradiated may be set, and the pattern may be scanned under such conditions. Secondary electron signals may be generated according to the conditions and converted into image data to display various pattern images. Scan information on the images may be stored with positional information on the substrate. Each of scan information on the pattern images may be calculated to generate a new integrated image.
US08546152B2	Enhanced endpoint detection in non-volatile memory fabrication processes A method of fabricating non-volatile memory is provided for memory cells employing a charge storage element with multiple charge storage regions. A first charge storage layer is formed over a tunnel dielectric layer at both a memory array region and an endpoint region of a semiconductor substrate. The first charge storage layer is removed from the endpoint region to expose the tunnel dielectric region. A second charge storage layer is formed over the first charge storage layer at the memory array region and over the tunnel dielectric layer at the endpoint region. When etching the second charge storage layer to form the stem regions of the memory cells, the tunnel dielectric layer provides a detectable endpoint signal to indicate that etching for the second charge storage layer is complete.
US08546151B2	Method for manufacturing magnetic storage device and magnetic storage device Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a magnetic storage device comprising a TMR element, which comprises a step for forming an insulting film on an interlayer insulating film provided with a wiring layer, an opening formation step for forming an opening in the insulating film so that the wiring layer is exposed therefrom, a metal layer formation step for forming a metal layer on the insulating layer so that the opening is filled therewith, a CMP step for polishing and removing the metal layer on the insulating layer by a CMP method and forming the metal layer remaining in the opening into a lower electrode, and a step for forming a TMR element on the lower electrode. Also disclosed is a magnetic storage device comprising an interlayer insulating film provided with a wiring layer, an insulating film formed on the interlayer insulating film, an opening formed in the insulating film so that the wiring layer is exposed therefrom, a barrier metal layer provided so as to cover the inner surface of the opening, a lower electrode formed on the barrier metal so as to fill the opening, and a TMR element formed on the lower electrode.
US08546146B2	Process for evaluating a refinery feedstock Process for evaluating a plurality of refinery feedstocks, by providing an array of refinery feedstocks, the array having at least a plurality of different refinery feedstocks, and fractionating each of the refinery feedstocks in the array, either in parallel or in a rapid serial fashion, to produce a further array having a plurality of fractions with different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery. Each of the plurality of fractions is analyzed to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, the analyzes being performed at least partially in parallel.
US08546145B2	Fast screening of clones The invention relates to a method of fast identification and isolation of cells featuring a desired phenotype. The phenotype is coupled to the amount of gas-liberating enzymes or increased growth. The cells are encapsulated into microcapsules allowing exchange of solvents through the microcapsule wall, but retaining some or all of the gas formed by gas-liberating enzymes on contact with corresponding substrates. Microcapsules containing increased amounts of gas-liberating enzymes are starting to float and can be separated. The cells are then isolated from the microcapsules according to standard procedures.
US08546140B2	Methods for the production of iPS cells using non-viral approach Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells and other desired cell types are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells are described. Furthermore, the invention provides induced pluripotent stem cells and desired cell types essentially free of exogenous vector elements with the episomal expression vectors to express differentiation programming factors.
US08546135B2	In vivo genome-wide mutagenesis Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for deleting or duplicating DNA in a mammalian genome. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for generating a random genome-wide chromosome rearrangement. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for streamlined construction of gene targeting vectors.
US08546134B2	Method for isolating nuclei This invention relates to methods of isolating cell nuclei from the other cell components in cell samples, e.g., cell samples from cell cultures or tissue samples. The method does not comprise ultracentrifugation or super-centrifugation rather the method comprises centrifuging cell samples in a table-top conventional centrifuge or microfuge. The method also comprises the use of buffers that are substantially devoid of protease inhibitor or enzyme treatments. The methods facilitate separation of nuclei from nuclear outer membranes leaving the cellular structures and inner membranes of nuclei intact. The method also provides for rapid and consistent results.
US08546130B2	Oligomer probe array with improved signal-to-noise ratio fabrication method thereof An oligomer probe array with improved signal-to-noise ratio includes a substrate, a plurality of probe cell active regions formed on or in the substrate, with each of the plurality of probe cell active regions having a substantially planar surface and being coupled with at least one oligomer probe with own sequence, and a probe cell isolation region defining the probe cell active regions and having no functional groups for coupling with the oligomer probes on a surface.
US08546124B2	Infectious clones of RNA viruses and vaccines and diagnostic assays derived thereof An infectious clone based on the genome of a wild-type RNA virus is produced by the process of providing a host cell not susceptible to infection by the wild-type RNA virus, providing a recombinant nucleic acid based on the genome of the wild-type RNA virus, transfecting the host cell with the recombinant nucleic acid and selecting for infectious clones. The recombinant nucleic acid comprises at least one full-length DNA copy or in vitro-transcribed RNA copy or a derivative of either. The infectious clones can be used in single or dual purpose vaccines and in viral vector vaccines.
US08546116B2	Method for fractionating lignocellulose-based biomass A method and apparatus for fractionating a lignocellulose-based biomass are provided. The method includes providing a lignocellulose-based biomass, extracting lignin from the biomass by adding a first solvent capable of dissolving the lignin, extracting xylose by adding a second solvent capable of dissolving hemicellulose to the biomass treated with the first solvent, and extracting the cellulose remaining in the biomass. In this method, a continuous process can be performed instead of a low efficiency batch-type process and components of the biomass can be obtained at high yield.
US08546114B2	Processes for the preparation of optically active cyclopentenones and cyclopentenones prepared therefrom The present invention relates to novel processes for preparing optically active Cyclopentenones of Formula (R)-1, which are useful for the preparation of Prostaglandins and analogs thereof. The invention also relates to novel Cyclopentenones prepared from the processes.
US08546099B2	Processes for preparing a dough or a baked product using maltogenic alpha-amylase variants The inventors have modified the amino acid sequence of a maltogenic alpha-amylase to obtain variants with improved properties, based on the three-dimensional structure of the maltogenic alpha-amylase Novamyl. The variants have altered physicochemical properties, e.g. an altered pH optimum, improved thermostability, increased specific activity, an altered cleavage pattern or an increased ability to reduce retrogradation of starch or staling of bread.
US08546098B2	Biomarkers for monitoring insulin resistance and methods using the same Biomarkers relating to insulin resistance are provided, as well as methods for using such biomarkers as biomarkers for insulin resistance. These biomarkers may be used to monitor the progression or regression of insulin resistance or to monitor the efficacy of insulin resistance treatment. Also provided are suites of small molecule entities as biomarkers for insulin resistance.
US08546094B2	Ubiquitin ligase and use thereof Provided is a novel ubiquitin ligase which has linear polyubiquitination activity and can be efficiently expressed and purified. It was found out that a complex of (a) a protein having a part of HOIP and at least having a UBA region and a RING-IBR-RING region thereof, and (b) One or more kinds of proteins which individually form a complex with the above (a) is a novel ubiquitin ligase which has linear polyubiquitination activity and can be efficiently expressed and purified.
US08546089B2	CMYBP-C and MLC2 as diagnostic markers of cardiac injury The invention relates to markers for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly markers that may be used in the rapid and accurate diagnosis of AMI or reinfarction. A method of diagnosing cardiac injury comprising identifying an elevated concentration of cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C) or a fragment thereof or myosin regulatory light chain 2 (MLC2) or a fragment thereof in a sample obtained from a subject.
US08546086B2	Use of neuregulin-β as an indicator and/or target The invention relates, inter alia, to the use of neuregulin-β as an indicator in a method for detecting a neuronal process. The invention furthermore relates to the use of neuregulins, preferably a neuregulin isoform having an isoelectric point in the range from pH 4.3 to 5.0, as a target for detecting and/or exerting an influence on neuronal processes, in particular for exerting an influence on long-term memory. Neuregulins, in particular neuregulin-β and also substances which exert an influence on the status, i.e. the expression and/or post-translational modification, of neuregulin-β, can therefore be used as agents for controlling the course of, treating and/or alleviating neuronal diseases, e.g. Alzheimer's disease.
US08546085B2	Methods of identifying modulators of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R44 Steviol glycosides have been discovered to bind the bitter taste receptor TAS2R44. Novel methods of identifying modulators and in particular inhibitors to the bitter taste of steviol glycosides and an inhibitor of steviol glycosides are provided.
US08546083B2	Molecular accessibility assay Methods and compositions are provided for determining polypeptide-nucleic acid interactions.
US08546082B2	Methods for identification of sepsis-causing bacteria The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for rapid identification and quantification of sepsis-causing bacteria by molecular mass and base composition analysis.
US08546080B2	Molecular dispensers A method for dispensing charged particles includes applying a bias voltage to promote motion of charged molecules through a nanopore, detecting passage of at least one charged molecule through the nanopore, and manipulating an electrostatic potential barrier inside the nanopore, so as to prevent movement of additional charged molecules through the nanopore.
US08546075B2	Method of detecting hepatitis C virus A method of treating samples containing hepatitis C virus (HCV) which method comprises treating HCV-containing samples with a treating agent containing (1) an acidifying agent, and (2) a protein-denaturing agent, or an amphoteric surfactant or a cationic surfactant having both a straight chain alkyl group of 10 or more carbon atoms and a tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt in the same molecule, to effect the release of the HCV antigen and the inactivation of antibodies that bind to the HCV antigen, and the like.
US08546074B2	Sir2 activity Methods for screening a compound, by providing a test mixture comprising a transcription factor, Sir2, and a Sir2 cofactor with the compound, and evaluating an activity of a component of the test mixture in the presence of the compound are described.
US08546072B2	Substrate for assaying β-glucan and/or endotoxin and assay method An object of the present invention is to provide a peptide derivative for determining β-glucan or endotoxin which allows high sensitivity measurement, and a method for determining β-glucan and/or endotoxin using the same. The present invention relates to (1) a peptide derivative represented by the following general formula [1]: X-A1-Gly-Arg-A2-E-D [1], (2) a reagent for determining β-glucan and/or endotoxin comprising the above-described peptide derivative, (3) a method for determining β-glucan and/or endotoxin, characterized in that a sample containing β-glucan and/or endotoxin, an amebocyte lysate of a horseshoe crab and the above-described peptide derivative are reacted each other, then the resulting released compound represented by the following general formula [2]: H-A2-E-D [2] is separated from unreacted substance and quantified, and the determination is made based on this value, and (4) a reagent kit for determining β-glucan and/or endotoxin, comprising an amebocyte lysate of a horseshoe crab and the above-described peptide derivative as constituents thereof.
US08546062B2	Self-forming top anti-reflective coating compositions and, photoresist mixtures and method of imaging using same A composition of matter. The composition of matter includes a polymer having an ethylenic backbone and comprising a first monomer having an aromatic moiety, a second monomer having a base soluble moiety or an acid labile protected base soluble moiety, and a third monomer having a fluoroalkyl moiety. Also a photoresist formulation including the composition of matter and a method of imaging using the photoresist formulation including the composition of matter.
US08546061B2	Photo-curing polysiloxane composition and protective film formed from the same A photo-curing polysiloxane composition includes a polysiloxane, an o-naphthoquinonediazidesulfonate compound, and a solvent. The polysiloxane contains 25 wt % to 60 wt % of a polysiloxane fraction having a molecular weight ranging from 10,000 to 80,000 based on a total weight of the polysiloxane when calculated from an integral molecular weight distribution curve obtained by plotting cumulative weight percentage versus molecular weight falling within a range between 400 and 100,000 measured by gel permeation chromatography. The amount of oligomers in the polysiloxane having a molecular weight less than 800 is from 0 wt % to 10 wt % based on a total weight of the photo-curing polysiloxane composition. A protective film formed from the photo-curing polysiloxane composition and an element containing the protective film are also disclosed.
US08546059B2	Photoresist composition The present invention provides a photoresist composition comprising a resin, an acid generator and a compound represented by the formula (C1): wherein Rc1 represents an aromatic group which can have one or more substituents, Rc2 and Rc3 independently each represent a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which can have one or more substituents or an aromatic group which can have one or more substituents, Rc4 and Rc6 independently each represent a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which can have one or more substituents, or Rc4 and Rc6 are bonded each other to form an alkanediyl group, Rc5 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which can have one or more substituents or an amino group which can have one or two substituents, Rc7 represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which can have one or more substituents, or Rc5 and Rc7 are bonded each other to form an alkanediyl group.
US08546057B2	Carbon based black toners prepared via limited coalescence process A black toner composition comprising toner particles prepared by a chemical process of manufacture comprising carbon black pigment, a first addition polymer comprising carboxylic acid groups along the polymer backbone, and a thermoplastic second polymer binder distinct from the first polymer, wherein the first polymer has an Acid Value of from 30 to 220 and is present at a weight ratio of greater than 1:2 relative to the amount of carbon, and at a relatively lower weight percent than the second polymer. A process for preparation of such toner particles comprising: preparing a masterbatch comprising a carbon black and a first addition polymer comprising carboxylic acid groups along the polymer backbone and having an Acid Value of from 30 to 220, where the first polymer is present at a weight ratio of greater than 1:2 relative to the amount of carbon; dissolving a thermoplastic second polymer binder in an organic solvent; adding the masterbatch to the solution of second polymer binder to form an organic phase, wherein the first polymer is present at a lower weight percent than the second polymer; dispersing the organic phase in an aqueous phase comprising a particulate stabilizer to form a dispersion; and removing the solvent from the organic phase to form toner particles comprising the first polymer, the second polymer binder and carbon black.
US08546055B2	Toner and developer A toner containing at least a binder resin, releasing agent, and colorant, wherein the binder resin contains polyester resin (A), polyester resin (B), and polyester resin (C), which is prepared by condensation-polymerizing (i) an alcohol component containing an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol compound and (ii) a carboxylic acid component; at least one of the polyester resin (A) and polyester resin (B) is a polyester resin prepared by condensation-polymerizing (i) the alcohol component substantially composed of only aliphatic alcohol and containing 1,2-propanediol in an amount of 65 mole % or more of a divalent alcohol component and (ii) the carboxylic acid component; and a softening point Tm(A) of the polyester resin (A) is 10 C or more higher than Tm(B) of the polyester resin (B), and the absolute difference between Tm(C) of the polyester resin (C) and the Tm(B) is 5° C. or less.
US08546051B2	Developer bearing member and process for producing same, development apparatus and development method A developer bearing member is provided which can charge a toner stably and uniformly during the period from the initial stage to the terminal stage of extensive operation even in various environments. The developer bearing member includes a substrate and an electrically conductive resin coating layer formed on the surface thereof. The electrically conductive resin coating layer is formed from a resin composition containing a phenolic resin having in its structure at least one of an —NH2 group, an ═NH group and an —NH— linkage, a quaternary phosphonium salt and electrically conductive fine particles and the resin composition contains 1 part by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less of the quaternary phosphonium salt with respect to 100 parts by mass of the phenolic resin.
US08546044B2	Polymer electrolyte, membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell The present invention easily provides a polymer electrolyte that exhibits high proton conductivity under low humidity conditions and has a high level of durability and mechanical strength. The polymer electrolyte is produced by mixing proton-conducting sulfonated polyethersulfone C1, sulfonated polyphenylene sulfide C2 or sulfonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene) C3 having a sulfonic acid group A as a protic acid group with 1,4-benzenedimethanol B as a crosslinking agent having a methylol group and heat-treating the mixture so that a reaction can be carried out. The polymer electrolyte includes a plurality of proton-conducting sulfonated polyethersulfone moieties C chemically bonded at their aromatic ring moieties other than the sulfonic acid group A to one another through a residue B′ of 1,4-benzenedimethanol.
US08546042B2	Membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cell In a membrane electrode assembly of the present invention, at least one of a catalyst layer of an oxygen electrode and a catalyst layer of a fuel electrode includes a supported catalyst supporting a metal catalyst containing a platinum group element, a proton conductive polymer electrolyte, and at least one selected from (a) a complex-forming agent having a ligand that forms coordinate bonds with ions of the platinum group element and forms a complex, the ligand containing oxygen as a coordinating atom, (b) a complex of the platinum group element, a ligand of the complex containing oxygen as a coordinating atom, and (c) carbon that has a BET specific surface area of 100 m2/g or greater, satisfies at least one of (i) an R value of Raman spectrum of 0.5 or less and (ii) a lattice spacing d002 between (002) planes of 0.35 nm or less, and does not support the metal catalyst. With the use of the membrane electrode assembly of the present invention, it is possible to provide a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that has high durability and a long service life.
US08546039B2	Solid polymer fuel cell A solid polymer fuel cell that utilizes liquid fuel such as methanol should prevent generated water from residing in a ventilation port close to an anode, to thereby suppress degradation of a MEA. The fuel cell includes an anode, an anode-side collecting electrode, a sealing material located along a perimeter of a solid polymer electrolytic membrane and interleaved between the electrolytic membrane and the anode-side collecting electrode, and a discharging device that discharges a product generated through electric reaction on the anode. The sealing material is provided in a frame-shape around the anode. The discharging device is a ventilation port formed on the sealing material, and a water repellent material is provided at least one of inside the ventilation port and between the ventilation port and the anode.
US08546036B2	Fuel cell and fuel cell stack A fuel cell includes separators sandwiching electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the separators includes a fuel gas supply section, four first bridges extending radially outwardly from the fuel gas supply section, sandwiching sections connected to the first bridges, and flow rectifier members provided between adjacent sandwiching sections. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the center of the fuel gas supply section. Each of the sandwiching sections has a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel. The flow rectifier members rectify the flow of the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply passage to the electrolyte electrode assemblies.
US08546030B2	Hydrogen generator, fuel cell system comprising hydrogen generator, and operation method of hydrogen generator, and operation method of fuel cell system A hydrogen generator comprises a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction in an internal space thereof using a material gas and steam; a material gas supply passage through which the material gas is supplied to the reformer; a material gas supplier which is provided at the material gas supply passage to supply the material gas to the reformer; a first valve configured to open and close the material gas supply passage; an evaporator configured to generate a steam supplied to the reformer; a water supplier configured to supply water to the evaporator; a communicating passage for allowing the reformer to communicate with atmosphere; a second valve configured to open and close the communicating passage; and a controller configured to stop the material gas supplier and the water supplier and close the first valve and the second valve at shutdown of the hydrogen generator; and open the second valve prior to opening the first valve when the material gas supplier resumes supply of the material gas to the reformer after the shutdown.
US08546028B2	Electrochemical cell, and particularly a cell with electrodeposited fuel The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
US08546025B2	Lithium ion secondary battery Disclosed is a lithium ion secondary battery, in which comprises a vinyl alcohol polymer or a derivative thereof in an amount of 0.3 mg or more per 1 mAh of battery capacity in terms of a vinyl alcohol unit moiety content. The lithium ion secondary battery can decrease the battery voltage under high-temperature conditions and cannot be recharged after being exposed to high-temperature conditions.
US08546020B2	Nucleation and growth of tin particles into three dimensional composite active anode for lithium high capacity energy storage device Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to lithium-ion batteries, and more specifically, to a system and method for fabricating such batteries using thin-film processes that form three-dimensional structures. In one embodiment, an anodic structure used to form an energy storage device is provided. The anodic structure comprises a flexible conductive substrate, a plurality of conductive microstructures formed on the conductive substrate, comprising a plurality of columnar projections and dendritic structures formed over the plurality of columnar projections and a plurality of tin particles formed on the plurality of conductive microstructures. In another embodiment, the anodic structure further comprises a tin nucleation layer comprising tin particles formed on the flexible conductive substrate between the flexible conductive substrate and the plurality of conductive microstructures.
US08546018B2	Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, process for producing the same, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention relates to Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles comprising Mn, and Co and/or Al, wherein Co and Al are uniformly dispersed within the particles, and Mn is present with a gradient of its concentration in a radial direction of the respective particles such that a concentration of Mn on a surface of the respective particles is higher than that at a central portion thereof. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles can be produced by allowing an oxide and a hydroxide comprising Mn to mechanically adhere to Li—Ni-based oxide comprising Co and/or Al; and then heat-treating the obtained material at a temperature of not lower than 400° C. and not higher than 1,000° C. The Li—Ni-based composite oxide particles of the present invention are improved in thermal stability and alkalinity.
US08546015B2	Battery can and alkaline battery This invention provides a battery can allowing for a reduced amount of gas forming therein, thus realizing lower production cost. The cathode can 11 of an alkaline battery is cylindrically shaped and closed-bottomed, comprising an opening 15, a body 17 and a bottom 18, with the body 17 being divided into an opening sealing section 31 and an electrode mixture container section 33 which are arranged in order from the opening 15, with the plate thickness t0 set for the electrode mixture container section 33, which is not less than 80% of the plate thickness t1 of the opening sealing section 31, with the plate thickness t3 of the electrode mixture container section 33 gradually reducing in the region starting at the topmost point of the electrode mixture container section 33 and ending at the set plate thickness t0.
US08546012B2	Battery pack with electronic monitoring device integrated in the housing cover A battery pack for an electric power tool has a housing and a housing cover that closes off the housing. Battery cells are arranged in the housing and electrically conductingly connected to one another. An electronic circuit for monitoring operating parameters of the battery cells is provided wherein the electronic circuit is mounted on a circuit board and is arranged in the housing. The housing cover has an inner side facing the battery cells. The inner side has a receptacle that is delimited by an outer receptacle rim. The circuit board is received in the receptacle and is spaced from a bottom of the receptacle so that a filling space is provided between circuit board, bottom of the receptacle, and the receptacle rim. A cured potting compound fills out the filling space.
US08546010B2	Assembled battery and toroidal cell used in the same An assembled battery with a high capacity, comprising a plurality of unit cells electrically connected with one another in parallel, the unit cells each having a through-hole and being of toroidal shape, and the plurality of unit cells are arranged in a nested manner such that one unit cell is disposed within another unit cell. The problem that toroidal batteries with high capacity, high power density and small thickness may have a large volume and low energy density is solved by connecting in parallel a plurality of unit cells nested within one another, and heat dissipation of the battery is also further improved. A toroidal cell having heat dissipating fins is also provided.
US08546001B2	Fabricating magnetic recording media on patterned seed layers Patterned media and associated methods of fabrication are provided in which vertical magnetic grains are grown on a patterned seed layer. The patterned seed layer includes a matrix of islands of a first seed material. Each island of first seed material is separated from other islands by a region of second seed material. The first seed material is selected to initiate growth of magnetic material, and the second seed material is selected to initiate growth of non-magnetic material. Subsequently, magnetic material is grown on the first seed material and non-magnetic material is grown on the second seed material. Deposition may be simultaneously. The magnetic and non-magnetic materials form well-defined vertical columns over the first and second seed materials respectively. Thus, each island behaves as an isolated magnetic unit, which switches independently from its neighbor units, which are magnetically separated by the non-magnetic material.
US08545999B1	Method and system for providing a magnetoresistive structure A method and system for providing a magnetoresistive structure are described. The magnetoresistive structure includes a first electrode, an insertion layer, a crystalline tunneling barrier layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode includes at least a first magnetic material and boron. The crystalline tunneling barrier layer includes at least one constituent. The insertion layer has a first boron affinity. The at least one constituent of the crystalline tunneling barrier layer has at least a second boron affinity that is less than the first boron affinity. The second electrode includes at least a second magnetic material.
US08545996B2	Ion-pairing soft salts based on organometallic complexes and their applications in organic light emitting diodes Organometallic soft salt compounds are provided. In particular, the compounds comprise mononuclear Ir-based soft salts. The compounds may be used in organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and light emitting cells (LEC).
US08545993B2	Composite material with a ballistic protective effect A composite material with a ballistic protective effect having a first, outer layer made of a first steel alloy and at least one second layer which is arranged under the first layer and is made of a second steel alloy. The composite material with a ballistic protective effect allows for a reduction in the weight or the wall thicknesses of the composite material in comparison to conventional composite ballistic materials, by utilizing a first steel alloy of the first layer that has the following alloy constituents in percent by weight (% by weight): 0.06%≦C ≦1.05%, 0.05%≦Si≦1.65%, 0.3%≦Mn≦2.65%, 0.015%≦Al≦1.55%; Cr≦1.2%, Ti≦0.13%, Mo≦0.7%, Nb≦0.1%, B≦0.005%, P≦0.08%, S≦0.01%, Ni≦4.0%, and V≦0.05%, the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities. The second layer of the composite material having a higher elongation than the first layer.
US08545985B2	Coated article with absorbing layer A coated article is provided with an absorbing layer(s). The coating is, in certain example embodiments, designed so that significant changes in visible transmission can be made by adjusting thickness of the absorbing layer without significantly affecting certain other characteristics such as certain color values. Such coated articles may be used monolithically or in the context of insulating glass (IG) units in different embodiments of this invention, and may or may not be heat treated.
US08545982B2	Hexagonal type barium titanate powder, producing method thereof, dielectric ceramic composition and electronic component To provide a hexagonal type barium titanate powder having a fine and uniform particle size and contributing to a thinner dielectric layer. A hexagonal type barium titanate powder according to the present invention has the following characteristics that a maximum particle diameter is 1.0 μm or less, a ratio of 90% accumulated particle diameter and 50% accumulated particle diameter is 3.0 or less, and a hexagonal ratio is 50% or more.
US08545976B2	Fibrous structures Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Modulus (GM Modulus) of less than 1402.4 g/cm at 15 g/cm as measured according to the Modulus Test Method described herein and a Geometric Mean Elongation (GM Elongation or GM Elong) of less than 10.2% measured according to the Elongation Test Method described herein are provided.
US08545975B2	Articles comprising a polyimide solvent cast film having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and method of manufacture thereof A solvent cast film comprises a polyimide comprising structural units derived from polymerization of a dianhydride component comprising a dianhydride selected from the group consisting of 3,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride, 3,3′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride, 4,4′-oxydiphthalic dianhydride, and combinations thereof, with a diamine component comprising 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone; wherein the polyimide has a glass transition temperature from 190° C. to 400° C.; and wherein the film has a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 60 ppm/° C., a thickness from 0.1 to 250 micrometers, endless than 5% residual solvent by weight.
US08545970B2	Optical compensation film and retardation film To provide a retardation film and an optical compensation film which have excellent optical properties and are useful as a compensation film for compensating the contrast and viewing-angle characteristics of liquid-crystal displays and as an antireflection film.
US08545966B2	Vibration dampening material and uses for same The present invention is directed to a material adapted to reduce vibration and, more specifically, to a material adapted to dissipate and evenly distribute transmitted vibrations. The material is particularly suited for impact and/or heavy load vibration resistance.
US08545964B2	Roll-form shock and drainage pad for outdoor field installations A unitary roll-form shock and drainage pad for an outdoor field installation is formed by a continuous length of shock-absorbing polymer foam sheet. The sheet has a plurality of grooves in its lower surface, the grooves extending continuously along the length of the foam sheet and being spaced apart across the width of the foam sheet, each groove having a crest defining a maximum penetration of the groove through the thickness of the foam sheet. The foam sheet further defines a plurality of rows of vertically extending holes extending from the upper surface of the sheet toward the lower surface, the holes in each row being spaced apart along the length of the foam sheet and being aligned with a respective one of the grooves such that the holes extend into the crest of the groove. A plurality of elongate through-going slots radiate out from each of at least some of the holes.
US08545963B2	Flame-resistant composite materials and articles containing carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials Flame-resistant composite materials containing carbon nanotubes are described herein. The flame-resistant composite materials contain an outer layer and at least one inner layer, containing a first polymer matrix and a second polymer matrix, respectively. The outer layer has an exterior surface and a first carbon nanotube-infused fiber material that contains a first fiber material and a first plurality of carbon nanotubes greater than about 50 μm in length. In some embodiments, the at least one inner layer also contains a second fiber material and/or a second carbon nanotube-infused fiber material containing a second fiber material and a second plurality of carbon nanotubes. When present, the second plurality of carbon nanotubes are generally shorter in length than the first plurality of carbon nanotubes. Alignment of the carbon nanotubes in the outer layer can transfer heat away from the composite material's inner layer(s). Flame-resistant articles containing carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials are also described.
US08545961B2	Ballistic resistant articles comprising elongate bodies A ballistic-resistant molded article comprising a compressed stack of sheets comprising reinforcing elongate bodies and an organic matrix material, the direction of the elongate bodies within the compressed stack being not unidirectionally, wherein the elongate bodies are tapes with a width of at least 2 mm and a thickness to width ratio of at least 10:1 with the stack comprising 0.2-8 wt. % of an organic matrix material.
US08545959B2	Composite articles comprising protective sheets and related methods Methods of the invention include those for applying protective sheets to composite articles. According to these methods and resulting composite articles, a protective sheet is applied to at least a portion of an exterior surface formed from a composite material and where protection is desired. At least one exterior surface of the composite article to be protected can be integrally formed in the presence of the protective sheet. Improved bonding of the protective sheet to the composite article and improved processing efficiency are advantageously achieved according to the invention.
US08545951B2	Endotracheal tubes and other polymer substrates including an anti-fouling treatment Anti-fouling treatments are applied to polymer substrates for preventing bacterial adhesion. The polymer substrate may comprise a medical device, such as a catheter. The treatment generally comprises a polymer layer graft polymerized to the surface of the polymer substrate. An anti-biofilm agent is contained in the polymer layer or applied to the surface. A polymer over-layer is then applied that encapsulates the anti-biofilm agent. The anti-biofilm agent prevents bacterial adhesion through the polymer over-layer.
US08545948B2	Transparent ink-jet recording films, compositions, and methods Transparent ink-jet recording films, compositions, and methods are disclosed. Such films do not exhibit excessive ink drying times. These films exhibit high maximum optical densities and have low haze values. These films are useful for medical imaging.
US08545947B2	Transparent substrate with optical compensation ability and liquid crystal display using the same A transparent substrate with optical compensation ability comprises polyimide having the following chemical formula: wherein A and A′ are cyclic aliphatic or aromatic compounds, B and B′ are cyclic aliphatic or aromatic compounds. In particular, the refractive index of the transparent polyimide is nx=ny>nz, that is, it has ability of adjusting the negative type c-plate phase difference, wherein nx represents the lateral refractive index, ny represents the longitudinal refractive index, nz represents the vertical refractive index along the thickness direction, and m and n are between 10 and 10,000.
US08545944B2	Method for producing solar grade films from semiconductor powders The present invention relates generally to production of photoelectric grade films or cells from semiconductor powders or dust. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a photoelectric grade film from a semiconductor powder. The method includes providing a substrate, coating the substrate with a layer of the semiconductor powder and moving the substrate with the layer of the semiconductor powder under an energy source at a predefined rate, wherein the predefined rate is sufficient to melt the semiconductor powder by the energy source and to cool the substrate such that substantially all impurities are moved to an edge of the substrate.
US08545942B2	Method for producing clathrate compounds The present invention relates a method for producing clathrate compounds, comprising producing a homogeneous melt containing the desired elements in the desired ratio, and subsequently solidifying said melt to obtain the clathrate compound by quickly cooling the melt.
US08545940B2	Atomic layer deposition apparatus A reactor configured to subject a substrate to alternately repeated surface reactions of vapor-phase reactants is disclosed. The reactor may include a reaction chamber that defines a reaction space and a gas flow control guide structure; and a substrate holder. The gas flow control guide includes one or more channels. Each of the channels widens as the channel extends from the inlet to the reaction space. At least one of the channels is configured to generate a non-uniform laminar flow at a first portion of the periphery of the reaction space such that the laminar flow includes a plurality of flow paths that provide different amounts of a fluid. The reaction chamber may include a reactor base and a reactor cover detachable from each other; and a driver configured to independently adjust at least three portions of the reactor base to provide a substantially perfect seal to the reactor space.
US08545938B2	Method of fabricating a ceramic component A method of fabricating a ceramic component includes using vapor infiltration to deposit a ceramic coating within pores of a porous structure to form a preform body with residual interconnected porosity. Transfer molding is then used to deposit a heated, liquid glass or glass/ceramic material into the residual interconnected porosity. The liquid ceramic or ceramic/glass material is then solidified to form a ceramic component.
US08545931B2	Thin line conformal coating method A coating system with an applicator that has an air cylinder with a needle valve. A control has a timer that provides a string of electrical pulses to a solenoid. With each pulse, the solenoid applies pressurized air to a cylinder piston, thereby opening the needle valve and permitting coating material to flow past the needle valve. The needle valve is closed for durations of time between pulses, and the coating material is ejected from a dispensing needle in response to closings of the needle valve.
US08545928B2	Double layer UV variable data text A method and system for including a double layer security mark in digital document data defining an image of a document to be printed and in the printed document. A fluorescence mark region including a fluorescence mark is defined using first and second metameric colorant mixtures. Variation in colorant spatial coverage between the first and second metameric colorant mixtures results in colorant-free areas that define the fluorescence mark due to substrate fluorescence under UV illumination. The fluorescence mark region is modified to define a double layer fluorescence mark region including the fluorescence mark and also including at least one visible light object defined by a third colorant mixture. The third colorant mixture is added to the fluorescence mark region by masking the colorant-free areas of the fluorescence mark region to prevent writing of the third colorant mixture data to the colorant-free areas to avoid disturbing the colorant-free areas.
US08545920B2	Human milk compositions and methods of making and using same The disclosure features human milk fortifier compositions, standardized human milk, and methods of making and using same. In one embodiment, a pasteurized human milk composition includes a human protein constituent of about 35-85 mg/mL; a human fat constituent of about 60-110 mg/mL; and a human carbohydrate constituent of about 60-140 mg/mL.
US08545915B2	Method and apparatus for vitamin D enhancement in mushrooms An apparatus and method for increasing Vitamin D content in mushrooms irradiates the mushroom(s) for a duration of up to six seconds with one or more pulses of light with wavelengths in the range of about 200 to about 1000 nanometers. The light is emitted by an electric glow discharge lamp, such as a xenon lamp, that emits ultra-violet light. The intensity of the light is such that after irradiation the mushrooms have a Vitamin D2 content of at least about 400 IU/84 g of mushrooms, which is 100% Daily Value of recommended Vitamin D for human consumption.
US08545914B1	Food product carrier set A carrier for food products such as muffins and cupcakes includes a pan and a cover. The pan including multiple pan wells that project from an upper surface thereof. At least some of the pan wells each includes an opening in respective bottom surfaces thereof. The cover includes multiple cover wells or supports projecting from a surface thereof, each corresponding to one of the pan wells. At least some of the cover wells each includes a support extending from a bottom surface thereof. The cover secures to and substantially covers the pan in a first configuration. The pan nests on the cover in a second configuration such that the supports project through a respective one of the openings.
US08545913B2	Process for preparing, prior to filling, a wafer cornet, cornet thus obtained and installation for implementing the process Process for preparing a cornet consisting of a substantially conical wafer (22) prior to the filling of said cornet with an ice-cream; in order to preserve the crunchy nature of the wafer, the inner wall of the cornet is sprayed with liquid chocolate (23); this chocolate solidifies rapidly in order to form a coating layer for separating the wafer and the ice-cream. The process is characterized in that the inside of the cornet is sprayed with an excess quantity of chocolate to guarantee that no coating-gap zone remains on the inner wall of the wafer, the excess liquid chocolate collecting, under gravity, at the bottom tip of the corner; prior to solidification of said excess, the excess is sucked out of the cornet, subsequent solidification of the coating layer thus making it possible to establish a continuous barrier over the inner wall of the wafer.
US08545911B2	Method for removing phorbol ester in organic substance, method for producing high-protein organic substance, high-protein organic substance, method for producing feed and feed A phorbol ester is decomposed by mixing an organic substance containing a phorbol ester and Bacillus substilis var. natto and subjecting the resulting mixture to fermentation. At this time, 4 parts by mass of organic substance containing a phorbol ester is mixed with 0.5 to 3 parts by mass of water, and the resulting mixture is subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization. Then, a solution obtained by dissolving 0.004 to 0.2 part by mass of Bacillus subtilis var. natto in 0.5 to 1 part by mass of water is added, and the resulting mixture is subjected to fermentation at 30 to 50° C. for two to four weeks.
US08545908B2	Method of producing yeast fermented beverages The present invention relates to a method of producing yeast fermented beverages, which method comprises the following consecutive continuous processing steps: a. introducing wort into a series of one or more propagation vessels in which it is combined with a recirculated stream of yeast-containing residue and in which the yeast is allowed to propagate under aerobic conditions while being kept suspended; b. transferring the yeast-containing wort from the propagation vessel into a series of one or more fermentation vessels in which the yeast is kept suspended under anaerobic conditions and is allowed to metabolize carbohydrates present in the wort; c. transferring at least a part of the fermented wort from the series of one or more fermentation vessels to one or more separators to remove a yeast-containing residue; d. recirculating part of the yeast-containing residue to the series of one or more propagation vessels; and e. feeding the remainder of the fermented wort to subsequent processing steps; wherein the wet yeast content of the wort in the series of one or more fermentation vessels is maintained at more than 100 g/l. The utilization of very high yeast concentrations offers the advantage that fermentation times and/or fermenter volume can be reduced substantially. Furthermore, continuous fermentations conducted at high yeast concentrations are less vulnerable to microbial infections.
US08545904B1	Topical composition containing Carapa (andiroba) oil for psoriasis and other related dermatological disorders The subject of the invention is the use of a topical composition for the relief of dermatological disorders, with a primary intention or focus of treating symptoms associated with psoriasis and similar dermatological disorders and/or diseases.
US08545903B2	Composition for the prevention and treatment of influenza virus infection and composition for suppressing neuraminidase activity comprising turmeric extract Disclosed is a composition comprising a turmeric extract for preventing and treating influenza virus infection and for inhibiting neuraminidase activity. A turmeric extract, its fraction, and a curcuminoid-based compound separated therefrom may inhibit neuraminidase activity and have antiviral and cell degeneration inhibitory effects on influenza virus, and may be useful in preventing and treating influenza virus infection.
US08545902B2	Dosage forms of plant-derived cathartics Compositions for improved delivery of plant-derived cathartics are disclosed. In one aspect, the compositions comprise a plant-derived cathartic and an effervescence coupling system that, when dissolved into an aqueous medium such as water, produce an effervescent liquid cathartic composition. In another aspect, the compositions comprise a solid dosage form that dissolves or disperses in an aqueous medium to produce a liquid composition that is administered to an individual. The liquid compositions are not only more appealing to a consumer, but also improve the amount and bioavailability of active cathartic components. The cathartic composition is administered to an individual alone or in combination with one or more agents that promote additional laxation, digestion or gastrointestinal health, and/or improve the effectiveness of the plant-derived cathartic composition.
US08545896B2	Compositions, kits and methods for nutrition supplementation The present invention relates to compositions, kits and methods for the administration of various vitamin, mineral and nutrient compositions, and in a specific embodiment, the compositions, kits and methods may utilize or include twelve carbon chain fatty acids and/or twelve carbon chain acylglycerols, vitamin D, iodine, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, vitamin B9, vitamin B3, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
US08545895B2	Silicate-substituted hydroxyapatite An inorganic silicate-substituted calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite, useful as a biomaterial, has a Ca/P molar ratio in the range 2.05 to 2.55 and a Ca/(P+Si) molar ratio less than 1.66. The hydroxyapatite can be substantially free of carbonate ions. The material has relatively high solubility and is able to release silicon into solution.
US08545894B2	Porous bioceramic composition for bone repair The present invention relates to a porous bioceramic composition for bone repair and method of fabrication of the same. 3D-scaffolds were fabricated with a novel micro- and macro-architecture. Porous scaffolds based on dextrin, dextran, gelatin and biomineral (CaCO3) powder were fabricated by heating and freeze-drying methods. Fabrication of different compositions of porous scaffolds (20, 30 wt % of gelatin, 20, 40 wt % dextrin, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt % dextran bounder with the constant quantity of CaCO3 50 g). The scaffolds properties were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests.
US08545889B2	Co-processed carbohydrate system as a quick-dissolve matrix for solid dosage forms The present invention comprises a co-processed carbohydrate system, and formulations produced therefrom, which formulations are directly compressible into solid dosage forms, some of which rapidly and completely dissolve or disintegrate in the oral cavity within 60 seconds. The invention also comprises the solid dosage forms produced by directly compressing the co-processed carbohydrate system, some of which, when placed in the oral cavity, shall dissolve or disintegrate, preferably within about 60 seconds.
US08545888B2	Tendon stem cells The invention relates to tendon stem cell useful for treating a variety of diseases and conditions, including tendon repair and attachment of tendon to bone. The invention is also directed to treatment and/or inhibition of bone formation by use of biglycan and/or fibromodulin.
US08545879B2	Fast disintegrating compositions of meloxicam The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of meloxicam, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the pharmaceutical compositions are in the form of a fast disintegrating dosage form suitable for releasing meloxicam rapidly in the oral cavity. Also provided are processes for preparing a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Further provided are methods of treating arthritis or pain in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising orally administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention.
US08545874B2	Method for making nanolipidic particles Nanolipidic Particles (NLPs) having average mean diameters of 1 nm to 20 nm are made from a precursor solution. NLPs can be loaded with a desired passenger molecule. Assemblies of these particles, called NLP assemblies, result in a vehicle population of a desired size. Single application or multifunction NLP assemblies are made from the loaded NLPs and range in size from about 30 to about 200 nm. A method of using preloaded NLPs to make larger carrier vehicles or a mixed population provides increased encapsulation efficiency. NLPs have application in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries.
US08545873B2	Percutaneous absorption type plaster A transdermal patch comprising a backing 2 and an adhesive layer 3 laminated on the backing 2, wherein the adhesive layer 3 comprises a rosin-based resin and petroleum resin as a tackifier, the total compounding amount of the rosin-based resin and the petroleum resin is in a range of 15% by mass to 50% by mass, and compounding amount of the petroleum resin is ⅓ times by mass to 4 times by mass as that of the rosin-based resin.
US08545869B2	Controlling resorption of bioresorbable medical implant material through dispersed responsive particles The resorption of a medical implant can be controlled with the use of particles embedded in a resorbable bulk material forming the implant or portion thereof. The implant can be removed from a body of a mammal by natural biological mechanisms after use. The resorption of the implant can involve swelling and/or hydrolyzing of the particles within the implant upon contact with a body fluid such that porosity and flow of fluid within the bulk material of the implant is increased. Resorption of the implant may also involve the use of particles with magnetic properties embedded within the implant such that an applied magnetic field causes the particles to vibrate within the bulk material thereby increasing the porosity and thus the flow of fluid, hence facilitating resorption of the implant. The resorption rate of the implant can be controlled by modulating swelling, hydrolysis, or movement of the embedded particles.
US08545867B2	Medical devices having improved performance According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided that contain at least one polymeric region which contains (a) at least one block copolymer that contains at least three polymer blocks that differ from one another and (b) at least one therapeutic agent.
US08545864B2	Hemostatic bone graft The present invention provides a hemostatic bone graft product and method. Hemostatic bone grafts may include demineralized bone matrix in combination with additives. In one embodiment, the graft comprises demineralized bone and polyethylene glycol. Methods for producing the hemostatic bone graft may include mixing demineralized bone with additives to facilitate protein precipitation, surface tension reduction in blood, and/or a cytolytic effect on cells at a bleeding site.
US08545858B2	Porous calcium phosphate bone material Porous calcium phosphate implant compositions that approximate the chemical composition of natural bone mineral are provided. In addition to calcium phosphate, the compositions include an effervescent agent to promote the formation of interconnected pores and a cohesiveness agent to maintain the shape and hardness of the hardened composition. When introduced at an implant site, the calcium phosphate compositions are remodeled into bone. Methods for using the calcium phosphate compositions, e.g., to repair or replace bone, are also provided.
US08545854B2	Tuberculosis vaccine with improved efficacy The present invention relates to novel recombinant vaccines providing protective immunity against tuberculosis. Further, the present invention refers to novel recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors containing said nucleic acid molecules, cells transformed with said nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides encoded by said nucleic acid molecules.
US08545853B2	Recombinant alpha-hemolysin polypeptide of Staphylococcus aureus, having a deletion in the stem domain and heterologous sequences inserted It refers to a recombinant alpha-hemolysin polypeptide of Staphylococcus aureus, comprising a deletion in the stem domain, wherein at least one heterologous sequence is inserted in a region selected from the group consisting of regions defined by amino acid position of 108 to 151, 1 to 5, 288 to 293, 43 to 48, 235 to 240, 92 to 97, 31 to 36,or 156 to 161 of SEQ ID NO: 1, with the proviso that, if the heterologous sequence contains five or more consecutive histidines the moiety of the heterologous sequence other than the moiety of five or more consecutive histidines has a minimum length of 11 amino acids; or a variant thereof comprising 1-50 amino acids added, substituted or deleted in SEQ ID NO. 1 and the activity to form oligomers and to bind to lipidic bilayers. It also provides a medicament and vaccine comprising said recombinant polypeptide.
US08545850B2	Anti-CD79B antibodies and immunoconjugates and methods of use The present invention is directed to compositions of matter comprising immunoconjugates comprising an anti-CD79b antibody comprising: (i) an HVR-L1 sequence of KASQSVDYEGDSFLN (SEQ ID NO: 194), (ii) an HVR-L2 sequence of AASNLES (SEQ ID NO: 195), (iii) an HVR-L3 sequence of QQSNEDPLT (SEQ ID NO: 196), (iv) an HVR-H1 sequence of GYTFSSYWIE (SEQ ID NO: 202), (v) an HVR-H2 sequence of GEILPGGGDTNYNEIFKG (SEQ ID NO: 203), and (vi) an HVR-H3 sequence of TRRVPIRLDY (SEQ ID NO: 204) and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the treatment of hematopoietic tumor in mammals.
US08545847B2	Human antibodies to the human glucagon receptor and methods of use thereof The present invention provides antibodies that bind to the human glucagon receptor, designated GCGR and methods of using same. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to human GCGR. The antibodies of the invention are useful for lowering blood glucose levels and blood ketone levels and are also useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with one or more GCGR biological activities, including the treatment of diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis and long-term complications associated with diabetes, or other metabolic disorders characterized in part by elevated blood glucose levels.
US08545845B2	Antibodies against domains of laminin-332 Antibodies against various domains of laminin-332 are discussed herein. The antibodies reduce the adhesion and matrix binding properties of laminin-332, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the antibodies for diagnostic, prophylactic, and/or therapeutic purposes are disclosed.
US08545843B2	Treatment of vasculitis The present invention concerns treatment of autoimmune diseases with antagonists which bind to B cell surface markers, such as CD19 or CD20.
US08545835B2	Human prostate cell lines in cancer treatment The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of primary, metastatic, and residual cancer in mammals, and more particularly, the use of materials such as whole cells and derivatives and portions thereof to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer.
US08545833B2	Treatment of radiation injury using placental stem cells The present invention provides a method of extracting and recovering embryonic-like stem cells, including, but not limited to pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, from an exsanguinated human placenta. A placenta is treated to remove residual umbilical cord blood by perfusing an exsanguinated placenta, preferably with an anticoagulant solution, to flush out residual cells. The residual cells and perfusion liquid from the exsanguinated placenta are collected, and the embryonic-like stem cells are separated from the residual cells and perfusion liquid. The invention also provides a method of utilizing the isolated and perfused placenta as a bioreactor in which to propagate endogenous cells, including, but not limited to, embryonic-like stem cells. The invention also provides methods for propagation of exogenous cells in a placental bioreactor and collecting the propagated exogenous cells and bioactive molecules therefrom.
US08545832B2	Lipid depot formulations The present invention relates to pre-formulations comprising low viscosity, non-liquid crystalline, mixtures of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid and/or at least one tocopherol; b) at least one phospholipid; c) at least one biocompatible, oxygen containing, low viscosity organic solvent; wherein at least one bioactive agent is dissolved or dispersed in the low viscosity mixture and wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The preformulations are suitable for generating parenteral, non-parenteral and topical depot compositions for sustained release of active agents. The invention additionally relates to a method of delivery of an active agent comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention, a method of treatment comprising administration of a preformulation of the invention and the use of a preformulation of the invention in a method for the manufacture of a medicament.
US08545830B2	Multi-functional polymeric materials and their uses Multifunctional polymers are disclosed having a smart segment and a biodegradable segment. Advantageously, the biodegradable segment includes a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. Embodiments include combining the multifunctional polymeric material with a biologically active substance in an aqueous loading environment and administering the composition as a drug delivery vehicle to a human subject.
US08545828B1	High viscosity heat-treated xanthan gum The present invention is directed to heat treated xanthan gums, which have improved solution viscosity over other xanthan gums heat-treated under the same processing conditions while maintaining the improved ease of use and the short, non-stringy gel texture of heat treated xanthan gums. Such high solution viscosity xanthan gums are suitable in a variety of applications, including cosmetic and personal care compositions.
US08545826B2	Cosmetic composition Present invention is on styling composition comprising at least one film forming polymer, at least one polyol at a concentration of 5% by weight or higher and polyacryloldimethyltaurate and/or its salts. The composition of the present invention improves curl retention, curl separation, shine and manageability of hair.
US08545824B2	Glycerol ether mixture, cosmetic composition containing this mixture and process for its production The invention relates to a glycerol ether mixture which consists essentially of a) at least one C12-22 glycerol monoalkyl ether, b) at least one C12-22 glycerol dialkylether and optionally c) at least one C12-22 glycerol trialkyl ether and/or d) at least one C12-22 fatty alcohol, components a) and b) together making up at least 50% by weight of the glycerol ether mixture and the ratio by weight of component a) to component b) being in the range from 3:1 to 1:2. The invention also relates to a process for producing the glycerol ether mixture and to cosmetic compositions containing the glycerol ether mixture.
US08545822B2	Long wear topical composition This disclosure relates to a long wear topical composition for keratinous surface. The composition includes at least one coupling agent having at least two reactive functional groups and at least one performance ingredient.
US08545818B2	Hair care compositions and methods of treating hair using same The present invention provides kits and methods for treating hair on the scalp comprising non-toxic compositions providing beneficial effects on hair without employing high temperatures, free radical initiators or rinsing hair after applying the compositions.
US08545811B2	Solid composition for the oral administration of dyes and diagnostic use thereof The present application discloses solid compositions for the oral administration of dyes, and diagnostic use thereof. Preferably, such diagnostic use is aimed at the diagnostic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract.
US08545810B2	Methods and compositions for treatment of ADD/ADHD, depression, memory problems and other conditions Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating a variety of mood and behavioral disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, memory loss, as well as other conditions. Also disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing certain conditions, such as ADHD, using these compositions.
US08545809B2	Methods and compositions for improved 18F labeling of proteins, peptides and other molecules The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of 18F or 19F-labeled molecules of use in PET, SPECT and/or MR imaging. Preferably, the 18F or 19F is conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a complex with a group IIIA metal and binding of the complex to a bifunctional chelating agent, which may be directly or indirectly attached to the targeting molecule. In other embodiments, the 18F or 19F labeled moiety may comprise a targetable construct used in combination with a bispecific antibody to target a disease-associated antigen. The disclosed methods and compositions allow the simple and reproducible labeling of molecules at very high efficiency and specific activity in 30 minutes or less. In preferred embodiments, the labeled molecule may be used for imaging in a subject without purification after labeling.
US08545804B2	Method for preparing LTA-type zeolites using a novel structure directing agent This disclosure relates to LTA-type zeolites which are synthesized using tris[2-(isopropylamino)ethyl]amine as a structure directing agent.
US08545803B2	Modified molecular sieve characterized by improved sodium-contamination-resisting activity and preparation method thereof Modified molecular sieve characterized by improved sodium-resisting contamination activity and preparation method thereof are provided. The method comprises: adding molecular sieve in phosphorus-containing organic solution, and reacting for 10-200 minutes at temperature of 70-200° C. and pressure of 0.2-1.2 MPa, and then filtering, drying and calcining. The said modified molecular sieve contains 90-99 wt. % molecular sieve as dry basis and 1-10 wt. % phosphorus as oxide. The said method can improve the capability of sodium-resisting contamination effectively, and its technology is simple and fits the existing catalyst production apparatus and process. The said modified molecular sieve has high sodium-resisting contamination activity, and the model catalyst by sodium contamination has high activity retention.
US08545802B2	Process for production of DDR-type zeolite There is provided a process for producing a DDR-type zeolite having: a raw material solution preparation step of preparing a raw material solution containing 1-adamantaneamine hydrochloride, silica (SiO2), and water at a 1-adamantaneamine hydrochloride/SiO2 molar ratio of 0.002 to 0.5 and a water/SiO2 molar ratio of 10 to 500, and a crystal growth step of subjecting the raw material solution and a DDR-type zeolite powder to a heat treatment in a state that both the raw material solution and the DDR-type zeolite powder are brought into contact with each other to grow crystals of the DDR-type zeolite by the use of the DDR-type zeolite powder as seed crystals.
US08545799B2	EMM-11, a synthetic crystalline microporous material, its preparation and use EMM-11 is a novel synthetic crystalline microporous material having a single crystalline phase with a unique 3-dimensional channel system comprising three sets of channels, namely a first set comprising 10-ring channels, and a second set and third set comprising 8-ring channels, having a unique T-atom connectivity and X-ray diffraction pattern which identify it as a novel material, and may be prepared with an organic structure directing agent, preferably, 3-isopropyl-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium. EMM-11 may be used in organic compounds conversion and absorptive processes.
US08545795B2	Continuous process for the preparation of sodium titanate nanotubes The invention relates to a process carried out continuously in one or more reactors connected in series for the preparation of sodium titanate nanotubes and their derivatives obtained by ion exchange and/or thermal treatment, by reacting titanium oxides with sodium hydroxide under suitable hydrothermal conditions to obtain or control the morphology of nanostructural titanates. The reaction mixture is introduced continuously into the reactor at a feed rate that is the same as the rate of discharge of the product. When more than one reactor is used, the material leaving the first reactor is used to feed the next reactor, and a differential of temperature is applied between the reactors in such a way as to obtain in the average, a temperature of between 60° C. and 180° C.
US08545794B2	Powder NiaMbOx(OH)γcompounds, processes for making the same, and uses thereof in batteries The invention relates to a powder compound of the formula NiaMbOx(OH)y, wherein M represents Co and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Zn, Al, Sr, Mg, or Ca and mixtures thereof, or M represents Co Mn and Fe, wherein 0.6≦a<1.0, 0
US08545792B2	Method for making carbon nanotube structure A method for making a carbon nanotube structure is introduced. The method includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube precursor including a number of carbon nanotubes is provided. The carbon nanotube precursor is placed in a chamber with low oxygen environment. The carbon nanotube precursor is heated in the chamber.
US08545789B2	Method for manufacturing hydroxylamine Provided is a method for manufacturing hydroxylamine. In this method, an aqueous reaction medium containing acidic buffer agent and nitrate ions in the presence of a limited amount of metal impurities such as Fe or Cu is introduced into a hydroxylamine synthesis reactor in the presence of catalyst to proceed hydroxylamine synthesis by reduction of nitrate ions with hydrogen gas as reducing agent in the aqueous reaction medium to produce hydroxylamine. The reaction is processed in the aqueous reaction medium with a limited amount of metal impurities or even without metal impurities, such that the selection rate of the hydroxylamine product is increased.
US08545787B2	Method of treating an aqueous suspension of kaolin A method of treating a kaolin particulate material to improve one or more of its properties by removal of impurity particles therein which includes: producing a dispersed aqueous suspension of a kaolin particulate material containing at least 0.1% by weight, based on the dry weight of the kaolin particulate material of separable particulate impurity; diluting said dispersed aqueous suspension by adding a diluent thereto; adding a selective flocculation polymer to the diluted suspension; allowing the suspension containing the polymer to separate in a selective flocculation separator into layers comprising a flocculated product layer and a deflocculated impurity layer containing the separable impurity; and extracting the separated layers from the separator, wherein at least a portion of said deflocculated impurity layer is recirculated for use as at least a portion of the aforementioned diluent.
US08545784B2	Method for the production of rare earth containing phosphates A method for the synthesis of rare earth containing phosphates of the LaPO4:Ce,Tb type comprising providing an initial charge of phosphate having a pH above 2 to a reactor; subsequently commencing introduction of a rare earth solution to the reactor, and subsequently, continuing to introduce both the phosphate and the rare earth solution to the reactor to form a mixture; whereby a rare earth phosphate precipitate is produced, at least a portion of which is precipitated while the pH of the mixture is less than 2.
US08545781B1	Carbon dioxide adsorbent composition The carbon dioxide adsorbent composition relates to a material that will adsorb carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere and that is made by the treatment of oil fly ash with ammonium hydroxide. In order to make the carbon dioxide adsorbent, oil fly ash is first mixed with ammonium hydroxide. This mixture is then refluxed and cooled. Additional ammonium hydroxide is added to the cooled mixture of oil fly ash and ammonium hydroxide to form a secondary mixture. This forms an amine-functionalized fly ash composition, which is then filtered from the secondary mixture to be used as a carbon dioxide adsorbent composition. The carbon dioxide adsorbent composition is then dried and may be used as a carbon dioxide adsorbent for gas streams, such as flues and exhaust systems, containing carbon dioxide.
US08545779B2	Sulfur-tolerant perovskite NOx oxidation catalysts A method for catalytic oxidation of NO to NO2 in the sulfur-containing exhaust gases of lean-burn engines, such as diesel engines is disclosed. The catalysts are oxide perovskites with a credible likelihood of being sulfur-tolerant.
US08545777B2	Method of making an acid-absorbing biosolid composition The method of making an acid-absorbing biosolid composition provides a method for the use of recycled materials to produce an acid-absorbing composition that may then be recycled as a fertilizer after absorbing the acid. The method includes the steps of: collecting sewage sludge; drying the sewage sludge to remove water therefrom to form dried sludge; adding hydrochloric acid to the dried sludge to form a liquid intermediary product; heating the liquid intermediary product to produce a dried porous biomass; and mixing inorganic waste material with the dried porous biomass to produce the acid-absorbing biosolid composition. Thereafter, the acid-absorbing biosolid composition may be placed in a gas flow to absorb an acidic component therefrom; and then recycled for use as fertilizer following absorption of the acidic component from the gas flow.
US08545774B2	Electrical connection system for an electrochemical analysis system An electrical connection system for an analysis system and a method for analysis of a liquid sample on an analytical test element using the described analysis system are disclosed. The analysis system provides an evaluation appliance for evaluation of electrical signals, a test element holder for holding and positioning of an analytical test element in a measurement position, and an electrical contact element which makes electrical contact with an electrical contact surface of an analytical test element to produce an electrical connection between the contact surface and the evaluation appliance. The contact element is moved by means such that contact with the electrical contact surface of the test element is made when the test element holder is in the measurement position.
US08545773B2	Versatile multichannel capillary biosensor system The multichannel capillary biosensor system includes a selecting valve system for selection of the sample or a reagent. The selecting valve system is connected to a second valve system accommodating a sensing channel and a first bypass channel. The second valve system is connected to a directing valve system having at least two positions, with a first position being connected to a second bypass channel and a second position being connected to a detector for detecting the analyte. The device has a pump connected at one end to the second bypass channel and the detector and at a second end to a waste vessel. The device also has a control system for controlling the device. The analyte can be selected from the group of microorganisms, macromolecules, and small molecules.
US08545771B2	Fluidic devices having incorporated electrodes The invention provides fluidic devices having incorporated electrodes. One device comprises a card and first and second caddy segments. The first caddy segment comprises first and second electrodes. The second caddy segment comprises first and second reservoirs disposed on a first surface of the second segment, a channel disposed on a second surface of the second segment, and first and second vias extending between the first and second surfaces. The first caddy segment is attached to the first surface of the second caddy segment. The card is attached to the second surface of the second caddy segment such that the card provides a closed surface for the device.
US08545770B2	Method for improving the bonding properties of microstructured substrates, and devices prepared with this method A method for treating the surface of a polymerio substrate, including the following steps: providing a first polymeric substrate; contracting at least one part of one face of the first substrate with some liquid solvent system, the liquid solvent system containing at least a first volatile compound and at least a second compound having a low molecular weight and able to swell and/or soften the polymeric material forming the face; letting at least the volatile compound to evaporate from the face of the first substrate and; contracting the so-treated face of first substrate with a third material.
US08545765B2	Plasma treating apparatus A first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode are provided in a middle of a passage. The second electrode is provided on an upstream side of the first electrode, and the third electrode is provided on a downstream side of the first electrode. A connecting line connects the first electrode to a first pole of a pulsed power supply, and connects the second electrode and the third electrode to a second pole of the pulsed power supply. The first electrode crosses a first gas passing surface and occupies a part of the first gas passing surface. The second electrode and the third electrode cross a second gas passing surface and a third gas passing surface and occupy a part of the second gas passing surface and the third gas passing surface respectively.
US08545764B2	Microplasma array A microplasma array for the production of low-temperature plasmas at or near atmospheric pressures is described. The walls of holes made in a substrate at regular intervals with respect to one another form hollow electrodes and are coated with metal. The hollow electrodes are supplied individually or as a group from one side of the substrate with an electrical excitation in the GHz-region.
US08545759B2	Noninvasive bioreactor monitoring A pair or receptacles capable of housing an emitter probe and a detector probe are installed inside a bioreactor to monitor the properties of the nutrient media without contacting the nutrient media.
US08545758B2	Microparticle sorting apparatus, flow cytometer using the same and microparticle sorting method Disclosed herein is a microparticle sorting apparatus, including: a discharge direction confirming section configured to confirm a discharge direction of a discharged liquid discharged from a discharge outlet of a flow path; opposite electrodes disposed downstream with respect to the discharge outlet; an opposite electrode position controlling section configured to control positions of the opposite electrodes in accordance with the discharge direction confirmed by the discharge direction confirming section; a droplet generating section configured to generate a droplet from the discharge outlet; and a charging section configured to electrically charge the droplet with electric charges.
US08545752B2	Cooling plate for a metallurgical furnace A cooling plate (10) for a metallurgical furnace in accordance with the present invention has a panel-like body (12) with a front face (14) and an opposite rear face (16), an upper edge (22) and an opposite lower edge (24), and a first side edge (18) and an opposite second side edge (20). The front face (14) is provided with grooves (32) extending between the first and second edges (18, 20), the grooves (32) forming lamellar ribs (34) on the front face (14), each rib (34) having a crest (37) and adjoining sidewalls (39, 39′), a base (38) being arranged in the groove (32) between two neighboring ribs (34). In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, at least one of the grooves (32) is provided with a metal insert (40) arranged against at least one of the sidewalls (39, 39′).
US08545751B2	Refractory nozzle A refractory nozzle assembly comprising a vessel operable to contain a molten metal and having at least one outlet. The assembly includes an inner assembly having an aperture extending therethrough and an outer assembly having an aperture extending therethrough. The inner and outer assemblies are arranged in the outlet of the vessel and are arranged for relative lateral movement such that inner and outer assemblies are operable to move between an open configuration, where the apertures therethrough are generally overlapping, and a closed configuration, where the apertures are not overlapping. The junction between the inner and outer assemblies is located within a periphery of the vessel.
US08545746B2	Method of making a substrate having multi-layered structures A method of making a substrate having multi-layered structures thereon, the method comprising the steps of (a) applying a mold having an imprint forming surface to the substrate to form an array of imprint structures that projects from the substrate; and (b) applying a lateral force that is substantially normal to said projecting imprint structures to cause said imprint structures to move angularly towards said substrate and thereby form a pattern of multi-layered structures thereon.
US08545743B2	Method of manufacturing an article of footwear with multiple hardnesses A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.
US08545742B2	Method of fabricating a low crystallinity poly(L-lactide) tube Methods of fabricating a low crystallinity polymer tube for polymers subject to strain-induced crystallization. The low crystallinity tube may be further processed to make an implantable medical device.
US08545740B2	Releasable fastening arrangement The present disclosure provides embodiments of a releasable fastening arrangement that can include a first fastening strip secured to and extending over a substrate surface and having a first surface carrying first fastening elements extending from the surface. The releasable fastening arrangement can also include a second fastening strip having a second surface carrying second fastening elements that are engageable by the first fastening elements to form a releasable fastening. The first surface can include a flexible flap that is formed therein, and that is surrounded by other portions of the first surface. The flap can carry at least one of the first fastening elements, and can flap have a distal edge that is displaceable from the substrate surface under peel loads applied to the at least one first fastening element carried by the flap.
US08545735B2	Material of phosphorus-doped lithium titanium oxide with spinel structure and method of manufacturing the same A material of phosphorus-doped lithium titanium oxide with spinel structure includes a plurality of lithium titanium oxide particles, wherein a portion or the entirety of the surface layer of the lithium titanium oxide particle is doped with phosphorus. The surface layer is from 1 to 10 nanometers in thickness. Alternatively, the entire lithium titanium oxide particle can be doped with phosphorus. The material can be in powdered form, including a plurality of micro-scale particles each constituted by a plurality of the lithium titanium oxide particles.
US08545732B2	Electrode film for polymer actuator element, and polymer actuator element comprising the same An electrode film for a polymer actuator element contains a fluororesin, a fluorine rubber, an ionic liquid, and a conductive filler.
US08545730B2	Electroconductive carbon fibril-based inks and coatings Provided are inks and coatings including carbon nanotubes.
US08545727B2	Process for producing ammonia synthesis gas A process for producing ammonia synthesis gas, where a natural gas feedstock (10) is reformed in a primary steam reformer (12) and in a secondary reformer (14) at a pressure of at least 35 bar; the product syngas (16) at the output of the secondary reformer is cooled and subject to catalytic medium-temperature shift, converting the CO into CO2 and H2; downstream said medium-temperature shift, the carbon dioxide is removed from the syngas by physical absorption.
US08545725B2	Method and facility for converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, with the removal of at least one product gas A process for carrying out a carbon monoxide shift reaction is provided. In the implementation of the carbon monoxide shift reaction, including the conversion of carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, this conversion takes place in the liquid phase and involves separation of the product gases carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen, where as a first solvent dry methanol is used, for the absorption of carbon monoxide with simultaneous formation of a methyl formate, as a second solvent, in the area of release of the product gases, water is used, for avoiding hydrogen losses in a carbon dioxide area.
US08545722B2	Illumination system comprising a radiation source and a luminescent material An illumination system, comprising a radiation source and a luminescent material comprising at least one phosphor capable of absorbing a part of light emitted by the radiation source and emitting light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light; wherein said at least one phosphor is a yellow red-emitting cerium(III)-activated alkaline earth oxonitridoaluminosilicate of general formula Ca1−x−yAxAl1+a−bBbSi1−aN3−aOa:Cey, wherein A selected from the group comprising beryllium, magnesium, strontium, barium, zinc, manganese, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, praseodymium, samarium, europium, and B selected from the group comprising boron, gallium, scandium and wherein 0
US08545719B2	Liquid crystal polyester composition and process for producing the same The present invention provides a liquid crystal polyester composition, comprising (i) 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystal polyester, and (ii) 65 to 100 parts by weight of a combination of a fibrous filler with a plate-like filler, wherein the fibrous filler has a number-average fiber diameter of 5 to 15 μm, and a number-average aspect ratio of 20 to 40, and a content ratio by weight of the fibrous filler to the plate-like filler is more than 1.0 and 1.6 or less; and a process for producing the liquid crystal polyester composition comprising a step of melt-kneading the above respective components with one another.
US08545712B2	Semiconductor wafer manufacturing method In a method of manufacturing semiconductor wafers, front and back surfaces of the semiconductor wafers are simultaneously polished with a double-side polishing machine that includes: a carrier for accommodating the semiconductor wafer; and an upper press platen and a lower press platen for sandwiching the carrier. The method includes: accommodating the semiconductor wafer in the carrier while a thickness of the semiconductor wafer is set to be larger than a thickness of the carrier by 0 μm to 5 μm; and polishing the semiconductor wafer while feeding a polishing slurry to between the surfaces of the semiconductor wafer and surfaces of the press platens. In the polishing, an allowance of both surfaces of the semiconductor wafer is set at 5 μm or less in total.
US08545710B2	Ion radiation damage prediction method, ion radiation damage simulator, ion radiation apparatus and ion radiation method An ion radiation damage prediction method includes a parameter computation step of computing the collision position and the incidence angle of an incident ion hitting a fabricated object by considering a transport path of the ion and by adopting the Monte Carlo method which takes distributions of flux quantities, incidence energies and angles of incident ions as input parameters; and a defect-distribution computation step of searching for data by referring to information found at the parameter computation step and databases created in advance, the databases storing distributions of quantities of crystalline defects having an effect on the fabricated object, ion reflection probabilities and ion penetration depths, finding the penetration depth and location of the incident ion based on the data found in the search operation, and the incidence energy and angle of the incident ion, and computing a distribution of defects in the fabricated object from the penetration depth and location.
US08545709B2	Critical dimension control during template formation Thickness of a residual layer may be altered to control critical dimension of features in a patterned layer provided by an imprint lithography process. The thickness of the residual layer may be directly proportional or inversely proportional to the critical dimension of features. Dispensing techniques and material selection may also provide control of the critical dimension of features in the patterned layer.
US08545708B2	Mold and manufacturing method therefor A mold of the present invention includes: a flexible polymer film; a curable resin layer provided on a surface of the polymer film; and a porous alumina layer provided on the curable resin layer, the porous alumina layer having an inverted moth-eye structure in its surface, the inverted moth-eye structure having a plurality of recessed portions whose two-dimensional size viewed in a direction normal to the surface is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm. According to the present invention, a method for easily forming a flexible moth-eye mold which can be deformed into the form of a roll is provided.
US08545706B2	Apparatus and process for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a first drier and a second drier adapted to receive a fluid including at least one reactant; and a reaction zone communicating with the first drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant and with the second drier to receive the regenerant. Generally, the first drier operates at a first condition to dry the fluid including at least one reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration with a regenerant. The regenerant can pass through a fluid tapering device for regulating the flow of the regenerant to the reaction zone.
US08545702B1	Production of biodiesel from feedstock Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.
US08545701B2	Induced symbiotic osmosis [ISO] for salinity power generation A method comprising providing a power train comprising a plurality of cells, each cell forming a hydraulic loop; producing a power train cycle comprising a controlled concentration-pressure loop wherein the concentration field: (a) osmotically induces a continuous and constant flow rate of substantially salt-free permeate flux throughout the power train; (b) maintains a salt concentration difference across the semipermeable membrane shared by the adjacent cells in the plurality of cells; (c) defines a salt concentration ratio within each cell that ensures a net positive power generation; and, (d) discharges the concentrated brine at the opposing end cell; and operating the power train under conditions effective to generate net positive power at an efficiency of 35% or more.
US08545700B1	Reduction and control of pH and soluble CO2 for optimal nitrification of wastewater The invention includes a method for the optimization of the soluble CO2 concentration in the aeration basin of an activated sludge system, which significantly improves the specific growth rate of the nitrifying bacteria. The result is a reduction in capital and energy costs for municipalities. The rate of nitrification is a product of the nitrifying bacteria biomass concentration and the specific growth rate of the bacteria. In the activated sludge system, the biomass concentration is maintained at high concentrations by reducing the wasting rate. The specific growth rate is a function of the ammonium concentration and the environmental conditions. Here, the inventors show that growth of nitrifying bacteria is inhibited when the soluble CO2 concentration is elevated beyond certain parameters. Elevated soluble CO2 concentration also reduces the pH, which also impacts the rate of growth of nitrifying bacteria.
US08545699B2	Filter assembly for frying oil or other liquids and an associated valve assembly A filter assembly is provided. Embodiments of the filter assembly allow for the continuous filtering of the frying oil, while the fryer is on-line. The filter assembly may include a dirty chamber, a clean chamber, a pump configured to suck the frying oil through the chambers, and a toggle clamp configured to move the filter assembly between a closed configuration and an opened configuration. In the closed configuration, the filter assembly is configured to seal a filter media portion between the two chambers. The pump is configured to suck oil into the dirty chamber and through the filter media and into the clean chamber in order to filter dirt from the oil. In the opened configuration, the filter assembly is configured to allow the removal of now dirty filter media portion from between the chambers and the insertion of a new clean filter media portion.
US08545697B2	Water-dissolvable device for treatment of waste material A device for the treatment of waste material in a waste water collection system includes an inner core and an outer portion partially surrounding the inner core such that at least one surface of the inner core is exposed. The inner core has a greater water solubility than the outer portion.
US08545696B2	Sediment and detention basin drainage system and method A fluid drainage system configured for draining a basin impounding fluid and sediment, solids or the like of varying density and turbidity. The system includes a first conduit and a second conduit within or adjacent to the first conduit to form a fluid receiving chamber between the first and second conduits, each conduit having apertures therethrough, with the apertures of the first and second conduits being sized and arranged relative to one another and so configured as to preferentially discharge fluid from the top of a basin, thus providing flow conditions which inhibit the entry of sediment into the system so as to maximize the retention of sediment within the basin and reduce turbidity and Total Suspended Sediment in the discharged fluid.
US08545694B2	Aromatics saturation process for lube oil boiling range feedstreams An improved aromatics saturation process for use with lube oil boiling range feedstreams utilizing a catalyst comprising a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation component selected from the Group VIII noble metals and mixtures thereof on a mesoporous support having aluminum incorporated into its framework and an average pore diameter of about 15 to less than about 40 Å.
US08545691B2	Aqueous medium management via super absorbent materials A super absorbent polymer material is contacted with an aqueous medium to absorb at least a portion of the aqueous medium. At least portion of the aqueous medium absorbed super absorbent material is subsequently regenerated to release water therefrom and to form a regenerated super absorbent material suitable for the contacting with a second quantity of an aqueous medium. Also disclosed are layered composites including an electrically conductive metal support layer, a layer of super absorbent material disposed thereon, and a layer of a selective semi-permeable material disposed adjacent the layer of the super absorbent material and spaced apart from the electrically conductive metal support layer.
US08545690B1	Purification method of zinc sulfate leachate A purification method of zinc sulfate leachate is provided. The purification method of zinc sulfate leachate comprises contacting the zinc sulfate leachate with a zinc powder under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form solution containing a precipitate of impurity metal; and removing the precipitate of impurity metal from the solution and getting a purified zinc sulfate leachate. A purified zinc sulfate leachate may be prepared with a higher purification efficiency and a lower energy consumption than prior art.
US08545688B2	Method for electrochemically depositing carbon nitride films on a substrate Dense carbon nitride films are electrochemically formed on a conductive substrate by placing the substrate acting as cathode in a molten salt electrolyte bath and applying DC current across the substrate and a counter electrode acting as anode also placed in the molten salt electrolyte bath. Carbonate ion and nitrate ion are concurrently reduced to deposit carbon nitride films on the substrate.
US08545684B2	Sensing element and method of making the same Disclosed herein is a method of making a sensing element comprising forming an electrically conductive element, wherein the sensing element comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd and alloys and combinations comprising Pd; and wherein the electrically conductive element is thermally stable at temperatures as high as 1,200° C.
US08545680B2	Center feed system A center feed system for use within a delayed coking system, or any other similar system is described. The center feed system features an inlet sleeve which slidably engages a retractable nozzle, with inlet and outlet, in fluid connection with a feed source of residual byproduct, allowing residual byproduct to flow from the feed source into the interior of a vessel, thus effectuating or inducing even thermal distribution throughout the vessel.
US08545677B2	Calender for treating a product web Calender (1) for calendering a paper or board web (2), having at least one nip (3), which is formed between a heatable roll (4) and a mating element (5), a device (6) for producing a predetermined pressure in the nip (3), and a web treatment device (7) arranged upstream of the nip (3) and having two contact surfaces (9, 10) forming a treatment nip (8), one of which is a circulating contact surface (9) which is formed by a belt (14) circulating on guide rolls (11, 12, 13), the other contact surface (10) is formed by the circulating surface of the heatable roll (4), and the treatment nip (8) extends along an angle (15) of the wrap of the heatable roll (4), wherein, in order to increase the thermal efficiency of the transfer of heat, the circulating belt (14) uses a resilient surface to press the paper or board web (2) onto the heatable roll (4), and the guide rolls (11, 12, 13) control sectional forces of the circulating belt (14) in the treatment nip (8).
US08545674B2	Method to use heat energy from black liquor The method is for retrieving heat from black liquor wherein the black liquor is withdrawn from a digester in association with the production of cellulose pulp. The black liquor at the withdrawal stage maintains a first withdrawal temperature. At least a part of the black liquor is led to a heat exchanger. An exchange of heat takes place in the heat exchanger between the black liquor and a bleaching filtrate that has been obtained from the bleaching plant. The exchange of heat results in the bleaching filtrate experiencing a raise in temperature of at least 5° C., after which the heated bleaching filtrate is used in the bleaching plant.
US08545673B2	Process for recovering molybdate or tungstate from aqueous solutions Process for recovering molybdate or tungstate from an aqueous solution, in which molybdate or tungstate is bound to a water-insoluble, cationized inorganic carrier material from the aqueous solution at a pH in the range from 2 to 6, the laden carrier material is separated off and the bound molybdate or tungstate is liberated once again into aqueous solution at a pH in the range from 6 to 14. The process is suitable for recovering molybdate or tungstate in the delignification of pulp with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of molybdate or tungstate as catalyst. The recovered molybdate or tungstate can be recycled to the delignification.
US08545670B2	Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method A plasma processing apparatus for processing a substrate using plasma includes a first electrode configured to mount the substrate, a second electrode disposed to face the first electrode with a predetermined space, a chamber containing the first electrode and the second electrode, the chamber being capable of adjusting an inside atmosphere, a first electric power source device configured to apply a first RF voltage for controlling a self-bias voltage generated on the substrate to the first electrode, the first electric power source device applying a substantially constant width and a substantially constant value in a peak-to-peak voltage of an RF voltage of a first frequency at intervals, and a second electric power source device configured to apply a second RF voltage of a second frequency for generating plasma between the first and second electrodes to one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08545668B2	Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method A substrate processing apparatus comprises a substrate holding mechanism, a process liquid supplying mechanism supplying a process liquid, a first guide portion around the substrate holding mechanism having an upper edge portion extending toward the rotation axis for guiding scattered process to flow down, a second guide portion provided around the substrate holding mechanism outside the first guide portion and having an upper edge portion extending toward the rotation axis as vertically overlapping with the upper edge portion of the first guide portion for further guiding the scattered process liquid to flow down, a recovery channel provided outside and integrally with the first guide portion for recovering the process liquid guided by the second guide portion, and a driving mechanism for moving up and down the first guide portion and the second guide portion independently of each other.
US08545667B2	Pumpable epoxy paste adhesives resistant to wash-off This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of heat-curable epoxy-based adhesive compositions that are capable of being easily pumped under high shear at temperatures around room temperature but are resistant to being washed off substrate surfaces prior to being cured.
US08545663B2	Process for manufacturing semiconductor devices In a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising heating a wiring board on which a chip and an uncured adhesive layer are laminated for curing the adhesive layer, the improvement includes performing a statically pressurizing step before the adhesive layer is cured, in which step the wiring board on which the chip and the uncured adhesive layer are laminated is subjected to a static pressure greater than atmospheric pressure by not less than 0.05 MPa. According to the process, voids are easily eliminated irrespective of the design of the wiring board, and the adhesive is prevented from curling up on the chip.
US08545662B2	Swing out mold insert device on lay up molds An apparatus and method in which an insert with an undercut is mechanically coupled to a lay up mold for translated movement between an engaged position for molding with an undercut engaging the material to be molded and a remote position in which a resultant molded product maybe removed and the material may be laid up without interference with the undercut, preferably with the mechanical coupling allowing for hinged movement of the insert relative the lay up mold.
US08545661B2	Manufacture of organically developable, photopolymerizable flexo-graphic elements on flexible metallic supports A process for the manufacture of organically developable, photopolymerizable flexographic elements on flexible metallic supports by coating a flexible metallic support with a tack-free adhesive coating composition which is insoluble and non-swelling in printing inks and organic developers, attaching an elastomeric, photopolymerizable layer to a protective film, and laminating the photopolymerizable layer to the metallic support coated with said adhesive coating composition. A photopolymerizable flexographic element comprising a photopolymerizable layer which is attached to a metallic support by means of a tack-free adhesive film that is non-swelling and insoluble in printing inks and organic developers.
US08545656B2	Method of manufacturing resin pipe Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a resin pipe, including: heating a sheet member after winding the sheet member around a bar desired multiple times and holding the sheet member, wherein the sheet member is melted and molded into a resin pipe by the heating, and the bar is removed from the resin pipe after the heating.
US08545654B2	Pant-type absorbent article and a method for producing pant-type absorbent articles A method for producing pant-type absorbent articles, each article including a chassis structure having at least one elastic panel and an integrated absorbent core component, the method including a continuous pant-forming process including forming the chassis structure and incorporating the absorbent core component into the chassis structure. The at least one elastic panel is formed by a) separately producing a two-layer laminate having a first non-elastic fibrous nonwoven web and an elastic film, b) activating the two-layer laminate by incremental stretching in at least one activation direction to render the two-layer laminate (elastically stretchable, c) stretching the activated two-layer laminate by 35-200% in the activation direction, d) introducing the two-layer laminate in the pant-forming process, and e) laminating the elastic film of the stretched two-layer laminate to an elastic or nonwoven chassis component. An absorbent pant-type article produced in accordance with the method.
US08545644B2	Method for producing a vacuum-insulated double container The present invention is aimed at providing a method for producing a vacuum-insulated double container that exhibits a remarkable and heretofore unobtainable operating effect. The invention provides a method for producing a vacuum-insulated double container by placing a titanium internal cylinder (2) into a titanium external cylinder (1) via a space section (S), and using the space section (S) between the external cylinder (1) and the internal cylinder (2) as a vacuum-insulating space section, the method comprising the steps of degassing the space section (S) of a workpiece (3) that includes the external cylinder (1) and the internal cylinder (2), and vacuum sealing a degassing hole while the workpiece (3) is heated in a vacuum heating furnace (6); and then providing concavoconvex portions (4, 5) to a surface of the recrystallized external cylinder (1) and the internal cylinder (2) by placing the workpiece (3) in an atmospheric-pressure environment.
US08545643B2	High temperature low thermal expansion Ni-Mo-Cr alloy An alloy designed for use in gas turbine engines which has high strength and a low coefficient of thermal expansion is disclosed. The alloy may contain in weight percent 7% to 9% chromium, 21% to 24% molybdenum, greater than 5% tungsten, up to 3% iron, with a balance being nickel and impurities. The alloy must further satisfy the following compositional relationship: 31.95
US08545641B2	Method and system for manufacturing sintered rare-earth magnet having magnetic anisotropy A method for manufacturing a sintered rare-earth magnet having a magnetic anisotropy, in which a very active powder having a small grain size can be safely used in a low-oxidized state. A fine powder as a material of the sintered rare-earth magnet having a magnetic anisotropy is loaded into a mold until its density reaches a predetermined level. Then, in a magnetic orientation section, the fine powder is oriented by a pulsed magnetic field. Subsequently, the fine powder is not compressed but immediately sintered in a sintering furnace. A multi-cavity mold for manufacturing a sintered rare-earth magnet having an industrially important shape, such as a plate magnet or an arched plate magnet, may be used.
US08545640B2	Substrate processing method, storage medium storing computer program for performing substrate processing method, and substrate processing apparatus In a substrate processing method according to the present invention, a cleaning liquid nozzle supplies a rinsing liquid to a central portion of a substrate and thereafter moves from a position corresponding to the central portion of the substrate to a position corresponding to a peripheral, edge portion thereof while supplying the rinsing liquid before stopping at the position corresponding to the peripheral edge portion. Next, a drying liquid nozzle moves from the position corresponding to the peripheral edge portion to the position corresponding to the central portion while supplying a drying liquid. Then, the drying liquid nozzle is kept stationary at the position corresponding to the central portion for a predetermined period of time while supplying the drying liquid. Thereafter, a gas nozzle moves from the position corresponding to the central portion to the position corresponding to the peripheral edge portion while supplying an inert gas.
US08545639B2	Method of cleaning aluminum plasma chamber parts A method of cleaning a surface of a component of a plasma chamber, wherein the component has an aluminum or anodized aluminum surface, the method including the steps of: soaking the surface of the component in a diluted sulfuric peroxide (DSP) solution; spray rinsing the surface with water following removal of the surface from the DSP solution; soaking the surface in a dilute nitric acid (HNO3) solution; spray rinsing the surface with water following removal of the surface from the dilute nitric acid solution; and repeating at least twice the steps of soaking the surface in dilute nitric acid followed by spray rinsing the surface.
US08545635B1	Hard floor surface care process A hard floor surface care process comprising a process of identifying, cleaning, polishing, and protecting manmade and natural stone hard floor surfaces having a single surface or multi-surface quality. The hard floor surface care process comprising an acid reactive or nonreactive hard floor surface identifying process; an emulsifying solution, agitating, and toweling cleaning process; a polishing process utilizing a lubricating solution with a polishing chemistry or pad, and a protecting process utilizing a protecting chemistry selected as a function of the identifying process.
US08545632B2	Coating holder and coating device having same A coating holder for holding a plurality of workpieces includes a rotating shaft, a first driving member, a plurality of hanging arms, a plurality of supporting trays, and a plurality of second driving members. The first driving member is configured for driving the rotating shaft to rotate. The hanging arms extend from the rotating shaft. Each hanging arm includes a free end distal from the rotating shaft. The supporting trays are configured for holding the workpieces. The second driving members are fixed in the respective free ends and are connected to the respective supporting trays. The second driving members are configured for driving the supporting trays to rotate.
US08545630B2	Coating apparatus A coating apparatus includes a chamber device and a transporting device. The chamber device defines two coating chambers, two parallel coating channels, and a transportation channel communicating with the coating channels. The coating chambers are separated from each other. The coating chambers and the coating channels are alternately arranged. Each coating chamber defines at least one coating slot communicating with the respective coating channel. The transporting device includes a shaft rotatable with respect to the chamber device and a carrying board fixed on the shaft. The shaft is axially movable in the transportation channel. The carrying board is receivable in each of the coating channels for exposing a substrate to the corresponding coating chamber via the associated coating slot. The carrying board is rotatable about the shaft in each of the coating channels and jointly movable with the shaft in and along the transportation channel between the coating channels.
US08545623B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the growth process of a monocrystalline silicon ingot The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the growth of a silicon ingot in which the diameter of the growing silicon ingot can be accurately measured. A camera captures an image of the interface ring between the growing silicon ingot and the silicon melt. An image processor extracts local intensity maxima from the captured image, which are then digitized into an image data which comprises attributes of the pixels forming the local intensity maxima. An analyzer statistically analyzes the image data to derive parameters of an equation statistically simulating the interface ring. A probabilistic filter conducts the statistical analysis on the equation in which the respective pixels are weighted by their weight factors. The weight factor functions to attenuate the effect of noises caused by pixels which do not represent the interface ring. The statistical analysis may be repeated, using the renewed parameters, to progressively attenuate the effect of the noises to thereby obtain a satisfactorily accurate diameter of the silicon ingot.
US08545622B2	Annealed wafer and manufacturing method of annealed wafer An annealed wafer in which oxygen precipitation is uniform in the substrate plane and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A nitrogen-doped silicon single crystal substrate pulled at the cooling rate of 4° C./minute or more during crystal growth between 1100 and 1000° C. wherein the nitrogen concentration is 1×1014 to 5×1015 atoms/cm3 and V/G satisfies predetermined conditions serves as a substrate, and the substrate is subjected to heat treatment in a non-oxidative atmosphere.
US08545611B2	Release agent formulas and methods A release agent and method for using the same is provided. The release agent may have a high viscosity and gravity measurement and allowing for incorporation of a plurality of alternative oils and greases to be used as coating agent. Additionally, the release agent is adaptable for multiple uses by an end user as a coating agent without the need for reapplication of the release agent after every use. Moreover, the release agent may have additives such as anti-oxidants, preservatives, and emulsifiers that may allow for longer shelf life, easier coating and the like. Still further, the release agent may incorporate coloring and fragrances to make the agent more user friendly and easier to identify for coating purposes by the end user. The release agent may also incorporate freezing point depressants, anti-oxidants, emulsifiers, fragrances and solvent additives to increase shelf life and efficacy of the release agent.
US08545610B2	Fuel vapor treating apparatuses having a high thermal conductive honeycomb core An adsorbent canister has a housing defining an adsorption chamber therein, an adsorbent filled in the adsorption chamber, and a honeycomb core. The honeycomb core is made from a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the adsorbent, defines therein a plurality of cells passing through the honeycomb core and is disposed in the adsorption chamber. The adsorbent canister can further have a heater for heating the honeycomb core or the honeycomb core can be made from a material, which produce heat when current is applied.
US08545609B2	Microwave reactivation system for standard and explosion-proof dehumidification system The Microwave System and method of reactivation is designed to provide an indirect, safe and energy efficient source of heat and temperature rise required in the reactivation section of the desiccant unit for the release into atmosphere of the water vapors which are accumulated in the desiccant rotor. This microwave reactivation system and method is based on heat transfer produced from a heated fluid which is pumped through a closed loop coil assembly. This closed loop coil assembly is located and runs through both the isolated heating chamber of the microwave section and the reactivation / regeneration section in the dehumidification system. The airstream passing through the reactivation intake section comes in contact with the coil assembly and is heated to the desired temperature prior to reaching the desiccant rotor.
US08545606B2	Treatment of molecular sieve particles for mixed matrix membranes The present invention relates to a method for treating molecular sieve particles for use in a mixed matrix membrane useful in, for example, gas separations. Membranes employing treated molecular sieve particles may exhibit enhanced permeabilities and selectivities in regard to, for example, the separation of carbon dioxide and methane.
US08545602B2	Removal of CO2, N2, and H2S from gas mixtures containing same The removal of one or more of the gases CO2, N2 and H2S from gas mixtures containing at least one of said gases with use of an 8-ring zeolite having a Si:Al ratio from about 1:1 to about 1000:1. The preferred gas mixture is a natural gas feedstream and the preferred 8-ring zeolite is DDR.
US08545599B2	Electrohydrodynamic device components employing solid solutions A thermal management apparatus includes an electrohydrodynamic fluid accelerator in which an emitter electrode and another electrode are energizable to motivate fluid flow. One of the electrodes includes a solid solution formed of a solvent metal having a first performance characteristic and a solute material having a second performance characteristic. The first and second performance characteristics are exhibited substantially independently in the electrode as the solvent metal and solute material remain substantially pure within the solid solution. A method of making an EHD product includes providing an electrode with such a solid solution and positioning the electrode relative to another electrode to motivate fluid flow when energized.
US08545589B2	Filtration media pack, filter element, and methods A filtration media pack is provided having a plurality of layers of single facer media. The layer of single facer media includes a fluted sheet, a facing sheet, and a plurality of flutes extending between the fluted sheet and the facing sheet and having a flute length extending from a first face of the filtration media pack to a second face of the filtration media pack. A first portion of the plurality of flutes are closed to unfiltered fluid flowing into the first portion of the plurality of flutes, and a second portion of the plurality of flutes are closed to unfiltered fluid flowing out of the second portion of the plurality of flutes so that fluid passing into one of the first face and the second face of the media pack and out the other of the first face and the second face of the media pack passes through media to provide filtration of the fluid. The filtration media pack can be provided with increased filtration media compared with commonly used z-media packs. Techniques for increasing the amount of filtration media available for filtration include increasing the flute density, reducing masking, adjusting flute width height ratio, increasing flute density, adjusting flute shape, and reducing plug length. Techniques for increasing performance while reducing initial pressure drop are also provided. A filter element containing the filtration media pack is provided, and the filter element includes a seal member extending around a periphery of the filtration media pack. A method for manufacturing a filtration media pack and a method for using a filtration media pack are provided.
US08545587B2	Multi-phase filter medium Multi-phase filter media, as well as related articles, components, filter elements, and methods, are disclosed.
US08545582B2	Abrasive articles including fused zirconia alumina grain having an improved shape A coated abrasive article includes a backing and fused alumina-zirconia abrasive grains attached to the backing with a binder. The fused alumina-zirconia abrasive grains include between about 35 wt % and about 45.5 wt % ZrO2+HfO2, between about 43.7 wt % and about 65 wt % Al2O3, less than about 0.8 wt % SiO2 and less than about 10 wt % other oxides. The fused alumina-zirconia abrasive grains simultaneously satisfy both a granulometric and densimetric condition.
US08545579B2	Gasification furnace structure in gasification facility A gasification furnace 2 is divided into a plurality of gasification furnace units 2a and 2b each of which has an inlet 15a, 15b on a lower portion at a longitudinally upstream end in a direction of travel of raw and bed materials and has an outlet 16a, 16b on an upper portion at a longitudinally downstream end in the direction of travel. The outlet 16a is connected to the inlet 15b. The inlet 15a is fed with a raw material and a hot bed material from a materials separator 8. The inlet 15b is also fed with the hot bed material from the material separator 8. The outlet 16b is connected to a combustion furnace 5.
US08545574B2	Methods for treating fibrous structures Methods for treating a fibrous structure in need of treatment with a chemical additive, such as a chemical softener, and products produced therefrom, are provided.
US08545573B2	Spiral occluding device with an occlusion sail An occluding device designed for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a coil having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending longitudinally from the proximal portion. The coil has an initial tension along the distal and proximal portions and is configured have a general helical shape in an expanded state. The device further comprises a first set of fibers attached to the coil and extending therefrom for occlusion of the body cavity. The device further comprises a second set of fibers attached to the coil at a plurality of areas longitudinally along the coil, defining an occlusion sail disposed longitudinally along the coil at the plurality of areas therealong. The second set of fibers is configured have the general helical shape when the coil is in the expanded state for enhanced occlusion of the body cavity.
US08545572B2	Subtalar implant One embodiment of the invention includes a sinus tarsi implant with an inverted thread profile having a lip or lips at the thread crest. The lips may help hold tissue in-growth and give greater purchase to the implant. The implant may also include voids that traverse threads. The voids may create an open area for soft tissue to grow into. The voids may be relatively small and consequently promote faster tissue in-growth. Thus, the lips and/or voids limit migration. They do this without creating sharp edges or pressure points (or at least limiting such creation) that are typically associated with techniques (e.g., cutting deep negative thread spaces) used to prevent migration. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention limit migration while also limiting patient discomfort. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08545571B2	Stabilized knee prosthesis A knee prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial component, and a coupling component interconnecting the femoral component and the tibial component. The tibial component includes ball. The femoral component is configured to move relative to the tibial component. The coupling component defines an internal cavity including a first spherical end portion and a second spherical end portion. The internal cavity is dimensioned to receive the ball of the tibial component. The ball is repositioned between the first spherical end portion and the second spherical end portion of the internal cavity upon movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component.
US08545570B2	Hinged joint system Methods, systems, and devices for replacement of a joint with a prosthetic system that replicates the natural kinematics of the joint is disclosed. A prosthetic system according to one embodiment includes a tibial component having a tibial plateau and a tibial stem portion, the tibial plateau having a top side and a bottom side, a tibial insert, with a bearing surface, adapted to be positioned on the top side of the tibial plateau, a femoral component having a base portion and a central housing, the femoral component having an axis of extension-flexion rotation, the base portion having a pair of condyles, a mechanical linkage component linking the tibial component with the femoral component and with the tibial insert in between the tibial component and the femoral component, so that there is a center of contact between the condyles and the bearing surface, the mechanical linkage component adapted to allow the center of contact to move posteriorly during flexion, provide for the movement of the axis of extension-flexion rotation in the superior-inferior direction, and allow rotation of the tibial component, the bearing surface, and the femoral component about a superior-inferior axis in order to provide and control the natural kinematics of the knee joint.
US08545569B2	Patient selectable knee arthroplasty devices Disclosed herein are methods and devices for repairing articular surfaces in a knee joint. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable for each patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. Kits are also provided to enable customized repairs to be performed.
US08545568B2	Method of using instruments and interbody spinal implants to enhance distraction A method of using an interbody spinal implant by implanting the spinal implant into a patient in need of the spinal implant. The method includes accessing the disc space of the patient and locating the center of the disc space. The disc space is incised by making a window in the annulus of the disc space for insertion of the spinal implant. The endplates are cleaned of all cartilage and the disc structure, which is encapsulated by the annulus, is removed while avoiding damage to the endplate structure of the vertebrae. Optionally a size-specific rasp is selected and the disc space is cleared of all soft tissue and cartilage. Optionally the disc space is distracted by sequentially expanding it with distractors of progressively increasing heights. A spinal implant having a pre-determined size sufficient to balance frictional fit and elongation of the annulus is selected and seated in the disc space.
US08545566B2	Articulating spacer Spinal implants are disclosed. One spinal implant includes a support body, an articulating element, a blocking member and a motion limiting member. The support body includes a superior end surface and a lower end surface having teeth. In between the superior end surface and the lower end surface is a recess formed in a sidewall of the support body for receiving the articulating element. The blocking member can be received in the recess to prevent inadvertent back-out of the articulating element from within the recess. The articulating element can articulate in one or more directions, thereby allowing articulation of the spinal implant into a desired position within a disc space.
US08545561B2	Orthopaedic medical device An artificial disc having a pair of opposing plates (100) for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces separated by an inner stress distributor and spacer device (300) called in this specification a supporting element, functioning as both a spacer and structural support. Various plate geometries are disclosed including ones with flat outer faces and ones with convex outer faces to conform to the adjacent vertebral mating surface geometry. Inner surfaces are described as comprising two sloping substantially flat or curved surfaces meeting at an ridgeline with a radius. Various inner device embodiments are disclosed including circular ones and non-circular ones, plate flat ones, ones with a raised rim or circular recess, ones with raised hubs and ones with an elastomeric planar core to perform a shock-absorbing function, ones with central bore and ones with no central bore. Inner spacers comprising various combinations of these features are disclosed. The inner spacer/support devices are dispersed between the plates, through various disclosed couplings, so that the plates compress, rotate and angulate freely relative to one another, enabling the artificial disc to mimic a healthy natural intervertebral disc.
US08545558B2	Flipping-type graft fixation device and method A buckle useful for cortical fixation has a graft retention loop slidably affixed thereto for movement from a first position adjacent a first end of the buckle to a second position at about the midpoint of the buckle. The buckle, with a graft over the loop, is drawn up lengthwise through a bone tunnel through a tibia and then flipped sideways to rest against the surface of the bone with the loop and graft depending back into the tunnel. The sliding attachment of the loop permits flipping of the buckle minimizes the flipping distance, which is the excess amount of the loop which must be pulled free of the tunnel to allow the buckle to be flipped sideways.
US08545556B2	Capsular intraocular lens implant An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material (40, 102) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye (10). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors.
US08545548B2	Radiopaque markers for implantable stents and methods for manufacturing the same Radiopaque markers for use with stents implantable within a body vessel are provided with one or more through-holes. Each through-hole extends through the thickness of the marker to expose a portion of the stent underlying the marker. The marker is welded to the stent through each through-hole. Also provided are stents incorporating a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes suitable for receiving a weld. Methods are provided for securing a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes to a stent.
US08545547B2	Expandable slide and lock stent An expandable slide and lock stent is provided that comprises a plurality of radial elements interconnected to form a tubular member. Each radial element can comprise a helical backbone and at least one elongate member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. Each backbone can have at least one slot that can be configured to receive an elongate member of an adjacent radial element.
US08545546B2	Bioabsorbable scaffolds made from composites Bioabsorbable scaffolds made at least in part of a poly(L-lactide)-based composite are disclosed. The composite includes poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) or poly(L-lactide)-b-polycaprolactone block copolymer, which increases the fracture toughness or fracture resistance of the scaffold. The composite can further include bioceramic particles, L-lactide monomer, or both dispersed throughout the composite. The bioceramic particles improve the radial strength and stiffness of the scaffold. The L-lactide monomer is used to control the absorption rate of the scaffold.
US08545544B2	Delivery catheter with constraining sheath and methods of deploying medical devices into a body lumen A delivery catheter includes a constraining sheath coupled to a distal end of the catheter, and a medical device, such as an embolic protection device (EPD) or a stent, constrained by the sheath. A wire may extend proximally from the constraining sheath and be coupled thereto. A proximal pulling force on the wire causes the wire to tear the constraining sheath, thereby releasing the medical device from a constrained configuration to an expanded configuration.
US08545543B2	Methods and apparatus for microstructure lightguides This invention may be implemented as a microstructure probe for delivering light of variable color and/or power, via a set of integrated lightguides, from an optical source (or set of sources) to regions spatially arranged 3-dimensionally, with a length scale of microns to millimeters. In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a microstructure probe comprises many lightguides and is adapted to be inserted into neural or other tissue. The lightguides run in parallel along at least a portion of the axis of the probe. The probe may deliver light to many points along the axis of insertion of the probe. This invention may be implemented as an array of two or more such probes (each of which comprises multiple lightguides). This array may be used to deliver light to neural tissue in a complex 3D pattern.
US08545542B2	Tanning device and method therefor A tanning device has one or more reflective surface areas. The reflective surface areas may be used for redirecting light rays toward one or more parts of a user's body. A pair of speakers are positioned in the tanning device.
US08545541B2	System and method for wire-guided pedicle screw stabilization of spinal vertebrae An improved system and method for positioning screws and rods to immobilize bones is provided. Specifically, the system and method is optimal for performing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and other interbody fusions in the spine. The system involves pedicle screws detachably connected to wires that guide rods down to the screws. The wires are strong, narrow, flexible, adjustable in tension, and easily disconnected from the screws after rod placement via a process such as cutting, radiating, burning, dissolving, etc.. The use of wires to place the rods avoids the conventional bulky tower apparatuses of the prior art while at the same time enhancing the accuracy of placement. One of the preferred methods involves relying upon the natural lordotic curvature of the spine and the narrow diameter of the wires to insert many elements through a single minimally invasive incision.
US08545539B2	Proximal humeral fracture reduction and fixation device An apparatus and method for reducing and fixing fractures, for example, a proximal humeral fracture. A jacking device releasably attached to a locking plate presses against an inferior aspect of the head to rotate the head into anatomic alignment. Suture material stitched into the soft tissue superior to the head pulls the superior end of the head and guides and steers the head. The suture material passes through suture holes in the superior end of the plate. The jacking device positions and holds the head in an anatomic neck/shaft angle, thereby allowing the head to be fixed to the locking plate. In one such embodiment, a swivel bushing in the plate receives the jacking device and allows the angle of the device to be adjusted as desired. To aid in the fluoroscopic visualization during surgery, a radiolucent retractor is used to avoid blocking the surgeon's view.
US08545537B2	Developmental pacifier A Developmental Pacifier is provided to help infants with functional feeding development and to assist with specific developmental problems in young children such as developmental delays, prematurity, gastro-esophageal reflux, autism spectrum disorder, hypotonicity, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, microcephaly, and other sensory integrative dysfunctions. The developmental pacifier of the present invention encourages acceptance of food textures and stimulates oral-motor awareness, and reduces or eliminates functional feeding problems in children. The Developmental Pacifier has a nipple with an upper portion and a base portion, a base, and sensory elements. A series of Developmental Pacifiers with varying sensory elements may be used for certain treatment regimens as prescribed by a medical practitioner, pediatric occupational therapist, or other pediatric specialist.
US08545531B2	Guidewire and method for surgical procedures A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site.
US08545530B2	Implantable aneurysm closure systems and methods An implantable closure structure is delivered using minimally invasive techniques and inhibits the migration of liquid and particulate matter from inside a physiological cavity or opening, such as an aneurysm, as well as inhibiting the flow of liquid and particulate matter, such as from an associated blood vessel, into a physiological cavity or opening. The device has a flexible patch supported by a framework structure that covers the neck or opening of a cavity such as an aneurysm and may have anchoring structures for supporting the flexible patch in place across the opening.
US08545527B2	Control for a powered surgical instrument A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The instrument includes a housing. A plurality of sensors is located in the housing in a spaced apart orientation from each other. A collar is moveably mounted to the housing into a plurality of different collar orientations on the housing. A lever comprising an actuator is moveably coupled to the collar and, with the collar located in any one of the plurality of different collar orientations, the lever is operable to move the actuator relative to one of the plurality of sensors in order to vary a signal produced by that sensor.
US08545523B2	Tissue repair method and kit A method for tissue repair including providing a kit including a mesh placer, mesh stitcher and mesh tacker, placing the mesh at a tissue repair site with the mesh placer, holding the mesh in place with the mesh placer, and fastening the mesh to tissue with at least one of the mesh tacker and mesh stitcher.
US08545520B2	Tissue suturing method A method of suturing tissue includes engaging tissue with a suturing head, driving a needle from a proximal end portion of the suturing head through the tissue, and engaging a capsule disposed in a distal end portion of the suturing head with the needle, the capsule comprising a length of suture attached thereto.
US08545519B2	Medical devices with detachable pivotable jaws Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for engaging tissue, e.g. for clipping tissue, closing a perforation or performing hemostasis. Generally, the medical system including a housing, first and second jaws rotatable relative to the housing, a driver, and an elongate drive wire. The elongate drive wire may be disconnected from the driver, first and second jaws, and the housing, which are left in vivo engaged with the tissue.
US08545518B2	Hybrid epilator device The present invention is a hybrid epilator device comprising an epilation unit for gripping and plucking hairs from a skin surface and at least one razor blade edge to shave off hairs growing on the skin surface. The blade edge defines a use direction along which it is effectuated that hairs are shaved off when the razor blade is drawn over the skin surface during operation. The razor blade is arranged behind the epilation unit with respect to the use direction. The epilation unit and the razor blade are mounted for simultaneous contact with the skin surface, where during operation the epilation unit grips and plucks out hairs from the skin surface and subsequently the razor blade shaves off remaining hairs growing on the same skin surface in a single stroke.
US08545516B1	Waterproof motorized device having rotating dermabrasion apparatus to peel calluses and hardened skin cells from locations on a person's foot A device including a body having a bottom wall and a cover including a top wall and a sidewall which enclose an interior chamber so that the interior chamber is waterproof to enable the device to be placed in an enclosure where water comes in contact with the device, the interior chamber housing a mechanism by which a shaft or axle supporting a dermabrasion wheel is caused to rotate, the body further including an activation member which when activated causes the shaft and the dermabrasion wheel to rotate in either a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction, so that the dermabrasion wheel will peel hardened skin cells from a location on a foot when the location on the foot is placed against the dermabrasion wheel while the dermabrasion apparatus is rotating.
US08545514B2	Monorail neuro-microcatheter for delivery of medical devices to treat stroke, processes and products thereby Devices, processes and systems facilitate and enable treatment of acute stroke conditions, providing reperfusion while therapy is made available by preserving structure in the arterial tree. Using a Rapid Exchange approach with at least dual lumens in a microcatheter facilitates embolus/clot removal without damaging sensitive vasculature.
US08545511B2	Expandable reverse shoulder trial Described herein is an expandable shoulder trial for a reverse shoulder system including a rotatably adjustable insert housed within a humeral cup. The insert has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end having a concave recess therein adapted to receive a glenosphere prosthesis. The distal end of the insert includes a shaft, the shaft having a helical groove disposed on at least a portion thereof. A distal end of the humeral cup is inserted in a humeral stem. The humeral cup has a proximal end including a recess therein, the recess defined by a circular wall. A guide pin protrudes from the circular wall and is adapted to engage the helical groove of the insert shaft. The proximal end of the insert may rotate along an axis toward the proximal end of the humeral cup and along the same axis away from the proximal end of the humeral cup.
US08545508B2	High tibial osteotomy guide A cutting block for use in a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed, and includes a first cutting guide surface, a second cutting guide surface, and a third cutting guide surface. The first, second, and third cutting guide surfaces are adapted to be temporarily affixed to a bone having a first side and a second side such that the first cutting guide surface is disposed on the first side of the bone, and such that the second cutting guide surface and third cutting guide surface are disposed on the second side of the bone forming an angle therebetween.
US08545507B2	Prosthesis removal cutting guide, cutting tool and method A kit (10) for removal of bone (12) adjacent to an implanted prosthesis (14), said kit (10) comprising: a guide (16) for cooperation with the prosthesis (14); and a tool (20) constrainable by said guide (16) for removal of the bone (12).
US08545500B2	Bone fixation assembly A fixation assembly and methods for its use are provided. The fixation assembly includes two or more fixation elements, at least one connection means adapted to engage with the fixation elements to connect them to one another, and a locking means that is actuated after engagement of the fixation elements with the connection means to simultaneously lock the fixation elements in place relative to one another and to the connection means.
US08545498B2	Cardiac ablation devices and methods Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.
US08545496B2	Catheter with remotely extendible instruments A method for performing a surgical procedure within lungs of a patient. The method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of surgical instruments and providing a housing. Attaching a flexible, elongated shaft with distal and proximal ends to the housing. Engaging at least one working end to the distal end of the housing, the working end including a plurality of tubes disposed therein that define a corresponding plurality of working channels for housing a corresponding plurality of surgical instruments. Controlling an actuator to engage at least one of the corresponding plurality of surgical instruments, wherein rotation of the working end with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft engages at least one of the plurality of surgical instrument with the actuator to deploy the at least one surgical instrument to the lung as needed during a surgical procedure.
US08545490B2	Apparatus, a method and a computer program for applying energy to an object The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for applying energy to an object (2), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises an energy emitting element, a temperature sensor and a tube (6), in which the energy emitting element and the temperature sensor are locatable. The energy emitting elements is adapting for applying energy to the object (2) and the temperature sensor is adapted for sensing the temperature of the object (2). Both, the energy emitting element and the temperature sensor can be guided to a location of the object (2), at which the energy is to be applied.
US08545489B2	Method and apparatus for skin reduction A method for reducing skin is disclosed, in which a plurality of incisions or removals are made to collectively form a patch of skin to be reduced, instead of making a single large treatment of the patch. Thus, scarring after healing is less noticeable. Preferably, the treated regions of skin are arranged such that a total area of all removed skin segments taken in a direction perpendicular to an axis of said patch changes gradually along said axis. The removed regions of skin are preferably navicular in shape, and the patches are preferably navicular in shape in the event an elongated incision is made. The removal of skin regions can be realized by proper treatment methods such as incisions and laser treatment. The mask may be attached to the patch of skin to be treated after said skin is stretched.
US08545476B2	Assembly to facilitate user reconstitution A reconstitution assembly includes a housing including a lower sleeve and an upper sleeve, including a first container and a second container disposed vertically opposite the first container. A transfer set assembly is disposed within the housing between the first container and the second container. The transfer set assembly includes an upper spike housing and a lower spike housing, with a flow path defined through the upper spike housing and the lower spike housing. The transfer set assembly is configured to access contents of the first container and then upon the activation of a triggering mechanism, create a fluid pathway between the first container and the second container. The triggering mechanism includes trigger fingers which ensure the transfer set assembly sequentially accesses the contents of the first container before accessing the contents of the second container. The disposition of the first container activates the triggering mechanism.
US08545475B2	Coupling component for transmitting medical substances A coupling component is disclosed for transmitting medical substances, comprising two channels for conveyance of medical substances in two substantially opposite directions and a means for releasable connection to a second coupling component having a further channel for creating a coupling. The connecting means is a thread. A method for conveying medical substances to and from a container is also disclosed.
US08545473B2	Wearing article with corrugated fasteners A wearing article having a front waist region provided along a pair of opposite side edges with first fastening members, and a rear waist region provided along a pair of opposite side edges with second fastening members adapted to be engaged with the associated first fastening members. Each of the second fastening members is formed with an uneven structure having a plurality of crests extending in a transverse direction and spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction. A degree of engaging force between the uneven structure and the first fastening member is extremely weak and the uneven structure can be easily disengaged from the first fastening member. The uneven structure may be unfolded in the longitudinal direction and put in close contact with the first fastening member to achieve firm engagement over an area as large as possible between the flattened uneven structure and the first fastening member.
US08545472B2	Absorbent product having a middle elastic member In a pants-type absorbent product, a first middle elastic member is located along a horizontal direction in a middle front part between a pair of leg openings in an outer covering sheet. The first middle elastic member contracts a first sheet and a second sheet, and middle gathers are formed. Thus, it is possible to improve fitting of a middle part to a wearer. In the middle front part, both ends of the first middle elastic member are apart from edges of the pair of leg openings, and a pair of non-contracted parts are provided between the both ends of the first middle elastic member and the edges of the pair of leg openings, to thereby improve flexibility of portions in the vicinities of the leg openings in the outer covering sheet.
US08545471B2	Array of disposable absorbent articles having a sequence of graphics corresponding to a wearer's stages of development An array of disposable absorbent articles comprising a sequence of graphic designs corresponding to a wearer's stage of development. For a disposable diaper, the array of disposable absorbent article graphic designs may comprise a first absorbent article graphic design for newborns and infants, a second absorbent article graphic design for toddlers, and a third absorbent article graphic design for older wearers, and other absorbent article graphic designs.
US08545469B2	Component for securing attachment of a medical device to skin A component for securing attachment of a medical device, such as a wound dressing or an ostomy bag is disclosed, to the skin of a patient, said component including a first plastic film coated with a skin-friendly adhesive on the lower side thereof. According to the invention a body of soft, compressible and elastic material is disposed between the first plastic film and a second plastic film, said first and second films extending beyond the compressible body around the circumference thereof and are affixed to each other in parts extending around the circumference of the compressible body so that a closed space containing said compressible body is formed, said closed space being in contact with the surrounding atmosphere by a non-return valve, and in that the first plastic film includes through-going openings in a region delimited by the compressible body.
US08545468B2	Component for forming a seal around an opening in the skin A component is suitable for protecting skin around an opening in the skin or around a stoma. The component can be formed from a carrier (2; 2′) that is enclosed between layers of soft and skin-compatible adhesive (3; 3′), and the adhesive has a softness of 8-22 mm. The adherence of the adhesive to dry skin can be 0.2-3 N/25 mm.
US08545464B2	Reduced pressure treatment system A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also can include a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. One or more sensors can be positioned under the cover to provide feedback to a suction pump controller. The apparatus can have a miniature and portable vacuum source connected to the wound cover.
US08545462B2	Patch for irrigation/aspiration tip In various embodiments, an ophthalmic surgical instrument may include an aspiration tube, an irrigation/aspiration tip (formed of a first material such as plastic), and a patch, coupled to the irrigation/aspiration tip, made of a second material (e.g., silicone) having a higher coefficient of friction than the first material. In some embodiments, the patch may be placed on the irrigation/aspiration tip in a position to allow a user of the irrigation/aspiration tip to manipulate an intraocular lens (IOL) through contact between the patch and the IOL. For example, the patch may be positioned on a side of the irrigation/aspiration tip opposite an aspiration port or on a distal end of the irrigation/aspiration tip. In some embodiments, the patch may be formed separately and coupled to the irrigation/aspiration tip through an adhesive or may be molded onto the irrigation/aspiration tip. In some embodiments, the patch may include features to increase friction.
US08545460B2	Infusion apparatuses and related methods Assemblies for identifying a power injectable vascular access port are described. One assembly includes a vascular access port, a first identifiable feature, a second identifiable feature, and a third identifiable feature. The first identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The second identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least 35 psi. The third identifiable feature is separated from the access port and confirms that the implanted access port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port and for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least 35 psi.
US08545459B2	Stabilized enzyme compositions A medical device includes a base material having an immobilized fibrinolytic enzyme and dextran sulfate. The dextran sulfate has a molecular weight that is less than 40 kilo dalton (kDa). The medical device is formed from at least a base material. A fibrinolytic enzyme is immobilized on the base material. The fibrinolytic enzyme is stabilized with a dextran sulfate having a molecular weight of less than 40 (kDa).
US08545458B2	Pinch clamp assembly for an infusion cassette A pinch clamp assembly for engaging a tube with an enteral feeding or infusion pump adapted to feed nutritionals or to infuse medical solutions to a patient, is provided comprising a base (1) comprising holding means (3) for holding a pumping section (10) of the tube in operative engagement with the base (1) and supporting means (5) for supporting a connector (6), a clamping element (7) having clamping surfaces engageable with the pumping section (10) and moveable between an open position allowing flow of fluid through the pumping section (10) and a closed position, a cover element (8) for slidable engagement with the clamping element (7) and the connector (6), the cover element (8) being removable from the pinch clamp assembly, wherein the cover element (8) is mountable to or dis-mountable from the clamping element (7) and the connector (6) only when the clamping element (7) is in the closed position, wherein in the mounted position of the cover element (8) the clamping element (7) can be brought into the open position and the connector (6) cannot be removed from the assembly.
US08545457B2	Sprayer A sprayer which inhibits or prevents clogging from occurring in a nozzle when a liquid is ejected from the nozzle includes a nozzle having a first internal tube through which a first liquid passes, and a second internal tube through which a second liquid passes. An external tube is provided in which the first internal tube and the second internal tube are positioned so that the gas passes therebetween. In the sprayer, each distal end part of the first internal tube and the second internal tube includes a gas permeable film impermeable to each liquid, and permeable to the gas.
US08545456B2	Administering apparatus comprising a rotational block An administering apparatus including a rotational block which, in the end position of the dosage setting member, permits the rotational dosing movement in a first rotational direction and blocks the rotational dosing movement in a second rotational direction, wherein the rotational block comprises at least one first rotational stopper and at least one second rotational stopper, the first rotational stopper and the second rotational stopper abutting against one another in the end position of the dosage setting member, wherein the at least one first rotational stopper is secured against rotating by the dosage setting member and the at least one second rotational stopper is secured against rotating by the casing.
US08545455B2	Needle shield for injections A needle shield for hiding a needle from a patient during an injection is disclosed. The needle shield comprises an attaching portion for attaching the needle shield to a syringe and an opaque collapsible element extending from the attaching portion, the collapsible element having an orifice extending therethrough and being of a sufficient length to conceal a needle from view when the needle is disposed in the orifice, and wherein the collapsible element collapses and conceals the needle as the needle is inserted into a patient's skin and expands to retain its original shape as the needle is withdrawn from the patient's skin so that the patient does not see the needle during an injection.
US08545454B2	Needle tip guard for percutaneous entry needles A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.
US08545452B2	Covered suction device A suction device which can protected before and after use. The suction device includes an elongated suction tube having a suction tip at one end. A retractable, protective sheath is connected to the tube and extends over the exposed length of the suction tube. A tip protector extends from the free end of the sheath, and includes an interference structure in the form of a plurality of spaced ribs protruding inwardly to engage and grip the suction tip. A hollow sheath housing is secured to the free end and a sheath inserter is secured to the suction tube proximate the connection end, with the sheath housing and the sheath inserter being shaped to insert the retractable sheath in the hollow sheath housing when the sheath is in a retracted position. The tip protector and the sheath housing can be portions of a unitary structure.
US08545447B2	Mechanical pump for removal of fragmented matter and methods of manufacture and use Material transport catheters and methods for their use rely on rotation of an impeller within a catheter body and a clearing element for preventing buildup of materials at the opening of the catheter body. The impeller preferably comprises an inner tube or shaft having a helical rotor fainted over an outer surface thereof. The clearing element may comprise a free end of a structure near the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting clot, wherein the free end of the structure extends into the distal opening of the catheter body to break up materials as the impeller is rotated. Alternatively, the clearing element may comprise a cutting member disposed at the distal opening of the catheter body.
US08545442B2	Mechanically assisted inflation device handle An inflation device including a handle mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage threads within the device. In some instances the threads are configured to couple a plunger to a syringe body. The handle mechanism may be configured to (1) provide a mechanical advantage and (2) change the location and direction of the input force, thereby making the device easier to use.
US08545440B2	Injection system for delivering multiple fluids within the anatomy Devices and systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, a joint or intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a needle extending from its distal end, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medicaments, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to a cassette or other portion of the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.
US08545434B2	Catheter port configuration A catheter for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids comprises a catheter body having a withdrawal port, an infusion port, and a plurality of lumens therein. One of the lumens comprises a withdrawal lumen for transport of fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. Another lumen comprises an infusion lumen for infusion of treated fluids from the extracorporeal treatment unit through the infusion port into the vessel. The withdrawal port is positioned proximally from the infusion port along a length of the catheter body, and includes a generally helical profile.
US08545433B2	Apparatus and method for treating spider veins There is provided herein a system, device and methods for performing minimally invasive spider vein treatments. In some embodiments an apparatus for eliminating spider veins comprises a dual syringe mechanism that includes a pusher for pushing sclerosant materials into a target vein, and an extractor for extracting debris from a target vein; a needle for application into a target vein; and a Y-connector connecting each exit of the dual syringe mechanism to the needle. In some implementations the apparatus's dual syringe mechanism includes a locking mechanism to enable controlled advancing of the syringe pusher.
US08545426B2	System and method for controlling patient fluid balance and/or flow rate for a therapeutic plasma exchange procedure Systems and methods for controlling fluid flow during a fluid exchange procedure. In one aspect, a system is provided for controlling a net fluid volume difference of a patient during and/or after a fluid exchange procedure. The system comprises a first flow path for flowing at least a first fluid from the patient and a second flow path for flowing at least a second fluid to the patient. First and second reservoirs are respectively associated with the first and second flow paths. A controller is associated with the first and second flow paths for controlling first and second flow rates and operable to determine an actual flow rate for each first and second fluid and to change a first or second flow rate in response to a difference between at least one of such flow rates and its respective actual flow rate.
US08545420B2	Methods and apparatus for rehabilitation and training The invention relates to a rehabilitation device which guides a patient to perform a motion with a correct spatial trajectory, by the device applying one or more pushing, assisting, reminding, responding and/or resisting forces during a motion (or intent to move) by the patient. The forces are applied by an actuator, for example, a robotic articulated arm or a spherically jointed lever. The applied forces act as a force fields, optionally continuous, which impeded and/or guides a patient. The device can be programmable with various trajectories (paths and/or velocities) and/or forces. The forces at one point in the trajectory can vary responsive to an actual trajectory by the patient and/or responsive to a rehabilitation plan and/or improvement of the patient. The device can learn a motion entered by a physiotherapist and replay it for the patient.
US08545415B2	Portable alveolar gas meter A portable alveolar gas measurement device and method of determining at least one alveolar gas level are disclosed. The device includes a structure that receives a sample portion of breath, and a gas sensor in communication with the structure that detects a gas level of a gas within the sample portion and provides a first signal indicative of the level. The device further includes circuitry coupled at least indirectly to the gas sensor, where the circuitry receives at least one of the first signal and a second signal related to the first signal, and where the circuitry provides at least some assistance in determining whether a portion of information provided by the at least one signal is used as an indication of an alveolar gas level. Additionally, the device includes an output device coupled to the circuitry that provides an output indicative of the first alveolar gas level.
US08545403B2	Medical device insertion Devices and methods for inserting at least a portion of a medical device in a patient are provided. Embodiments include medical device insertions that employ a plurality of insertion stages. Also provided are systems and kits for use in analyte monitoring.
US08545394B2	Selective cannulation method for luminal tissue having branch section A selective cannulation method for a lumenal tissue's branch section includes: a first step for guiding an endoscope having a channel to an aperture section of the lumenal tissue; a second step for inserting a distal end of an endoscopic treatment instrument through the channel into the aperture section of the lumenal tissue; a third step for having the distal end of the endoscopic treatment instrument make contact with a pipe wall extending from the aperture section of the lumenal tissue to the branch section at two opposed points on the pipe wall by deforming the distal end of the endoscopic treatment instrument; a fourth step for sliding and moving the distal end of the endoscopic treatment instrument to the branch section while having the distal end of the endoscopic treatment instrument make contact with the pipe wall; and a fifth step for inserting the distal end of the endoscopic treatment instrument into a predetermined branch lumen divided from the branch section.
US08545392B2	Sexual stimulation device A sexual stimulation device which provides simultaneous stimulation to male and female partners during intercourse includes a hollow elastomeric shaft portion dimensioned to receive a penis and for vaginal insertion. The shaft includes a longitudinal rib forming an interior channel, the rib functioning to stiffen the shaft and the channel providing sufficient resilience to allow insertion and removal of a penis. The shaft terminates at a closed end in a hemispherical tip and at an opposite open end in a pair of spaced annular retaining rings. A plurality of raised rings spaced axially along the shaft enhance the pleasure of the female partner. The retaining rings provide a resilient retaining force to maintain the device in position during intercourse. An electric motor with an eccentric weighted flywheel mounted in a chamber extending between the annular rings provides vibratory stimulation. An electrical wire for powering the vibratory motor extends through a conduit connecting the chamber to an attached housing enclosing rechargeable batteries. The housing also includes a second motor operably connected for rotating caged massage balls positioned to provide simultaneous stimulation to a female partner during intercourse. An elastomeric shell encloses and substantially seals the housing, while still allowing user actuation of two HIGH-LO-OFF switches providing independent control of the two motors and connection of an AC adapter for recharging the batteries. In an alternative embodiment, the hollow shaft may be omitted.
US08545390B2	Sexual stimulation device A sexual stimulation device comprises a casing (2) in which is contained a vibrator unit and connection means in the form of gripping limbs (6, 7) for holding the device to the penis. The connection means extend about the penis in a connection place (P) and a longitudinal axis (c) of the casing (2) is inclined to the connection plane (P) whereby, in use, the casing (2) extends along and away from the penis.
US08545385B2	Implantable reservoir body An implantable reservoir body is provided which, as and when required, makes available a working medium that serves at least to inflate an implantable unit. An elastic hollow body is provided whose wall encloses a reservoir volume, and an induction coil arrangement is provided inside the reservoir volume and/or an induction coil arrangement is connected to the wall of the hollow body. The induction coil arrangement is connected to a pump/electronics unit provided inside or outside the hollow body, and a fluid channel is provided which leads out of the hollow body and which is connected to the pump unit and/or directly to the implanted unit that is to be inflated.
US08545384B2	Anal incontinence disease treatment with controlled wireless energy supply A anal incontinence disease treatment apparatus and method include and use an operable restriction device implanted in a patient and engaging the colon or engaging the rectum to form a restricted fecal passageway in the colon or the rectum. A source of energy external to the patient's body and a control device for releasing wireless energy from the source of energy from outside the patient's body are provided. The released wireless energy is used in connection with the operation of the restriction device, to enlarge or contract the restricted fecal passageway.
US08545383B2	Light activated hearing aid device The invention relates to a hearing aid device for humans with impaired hearing, who have an at least partially functional cochlea and a functional nervous signalling pathway from the cochlea via the auditory nerve to the brain. The hearing aid device contains a receiver, a transducer of the sound or other acoustic signals into electrical current serving as a signal representing a sound, a pulsed irradiation source connected to the transducer for receiving the electrical current and for generating modulated pulsed irradiation in dependence from the electrical current, and preferably one or more optical fibers optically coupled to the exit of the pulsed irradiation source, wherein the optical path for conduction of irradiation within the device ends directly opposite a functional element of the natural vibration transduction pathway, e.g. adjacent the skull, the tympanic membrane, the hammer, the incus, the stapes, the outside of the cochlea, the otic capsule, the round window membrane, or the oval window membrane.
US08545382B2	Method of balloon pumping and a balloon pump driving apparatus A balloon pumping method of inflating and deflating a balloon includes the steps of setting a pressure in the balloon at a first pressure value, which is higher than a minimum pressure value and is substantially equal to or lower than a maximum pressure value, when the balloon is shifted from a deflated condition to an inflated condition, and setting the pressure in the balloon at a second pressure value, which is substantially equal to or higher than the minimum pressure value and lower than the first pressure value, when the balloon is estimated to have completely inflated at the first pressure value.
US08545381B2	Auxiliary artificial heart pump drive device and auxiliary artificial heart system An auxiliary artificial heart pump drive device for driving an auxiliary artificial heart pump includes first and second pump control parts which are arranged in duplexed configuration. Each pump control part controls the auxiliary artificial heart pump by outputting a drive signal to the auxiliary artificial heart pump. Each pump control part has a means which, when a failure is detected in the pump control part, electrically cuts off a path through which the drive signal is outputted to the auxiliary artificial heart pump. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an auxiliary artificial heart pump drive device and an auxiliary artificial heart system which exhibit high availability even when a serious failure occurs by any chance without duplexing a pump device.
US08545378B2	Systems and methods for inducing electric field pulses in a body organ Systems and methods for providing controllable pulse parameter magnetic stimulation are described. One aspect is directed to a magnetic stimulation system for inducing approximately rectangular electric field pulses in a body organ, comprising an electrical energy storage device, a stimulating coil, and a switching means for electrically coupling said electrical energy storage device to said stimulating coil to produce current pulses in said stimulating coil which generates, in response to the current pulses, magnetic field pulses that can induce approximately rectangular electric field pulses in the body organ.
US08545377B2	Magazine for chain components for a chain with radiation sources and a system consisting of a chain component and a magazine for chain components for a chain with radiation sources A magazine for chain components of a chain with radiation sources comprises a housing as well as a first means for receiving chain components that is mounted in a pivotal manner in the housing and has recesses for receiving the chain components, a tension spring for driving the means for receiving the chain components, a sprocket being coupled in a pivotal manner to the means for receiving the chain components and being mounted in a pivotal position in the housing, and an ejector for ejection of the radiation sources. Furthermore, the magazine comprises an ejection lever which is mounted in a pivotal manner in the housing, whereby, in a first position, the ejection lever engages the sprocket, and in a second position it blocks the ejector.
US08545376B2	Punched out tabs A system and method are provided for creating tabs from regular cut-sheet stock after printing by partially punching out a section of a sheet and folding the punched out section back on itself at the remaining side. The location of the punched out section is such that when folded back, a portion of the punched out section sticks out beyond the border of the original paper size. Tab labels may be printed on the back side of the sheet so that when folded out, the tab label is in the correct orientation, i.e., facing front on the folded out tab. The punch head, which is used to punch out the section of the sheet, may be oriented flexibly and moved outboard or inboard. Tabs may be cut and folded to produce a readable set of tabs along any of the top, bottom, lead or trail edges of a sheet.
US08545373B2	Shoulder stretcher and method of use A human shoulder stretcher and method of use for gradual, progressive posterior capsular stretching to rehabilitate the shoulder, in particular to address tightness of the posterior capsule of the glenohumeral joint through use of a lever arm and ratcheting mechanism that permits a patient to stretch his or her shoulder without the need for a therapist present.
US08545372B2	Rehabilitation exercising equipment that can extend a user's arms and legs Rehabilitation exercising equipment includes a main frame, a first geared member rotatably mounted on the main frame, a second geared member rotatably mounted on the main frame, a connecting mechanism mounted between the first geared member and the second geared member so that the first geared member and the second geared member are movable in concert with each other, a first idle geared member rotatably mounted on the main frame and connected with the connecting mechanism, a second idle geared member rotatably mounted on the main frame and connected with the connecting mechanism, and two handlebars secured on the first geared member and the second geared member respectively. Thus, a user's hands can hold the handlebars to pivot the handlebars in two opposite directions by connection of the connecting mechanism so as to achieve an exercising or rehabilitating function.
US08545366B2	Shiftable clutch device, particularly friction wet clutch, drive train for a hybrid system and method for operating the drive train and vehicle including the drive train A shiftable clutch device for disconnecting a first drive machine from a drive train and connecting it thereto, including a control device that can be actuated by a pressure medium, is characterized according to the invention in that the shiftable clutch device includes two partial clutches, a first partial clutch forming a main clutch and a second partial clutch forming a drag clutch, which are disposed and configured such that each is adapted to produce a drag torque in an end position of the control device, a first opening end position characterized by an open state of the main clutch and a second closing end position characterized by a closed state of the main clutch.
US08545363B2	Switchable planetary gear set in a handheld machine tool A switchable planetary gearbox in a hand-held power tool includes multiple planet carriers having associated planet wheels, and is to be displaced between at least two gear ratios, such that the gear ratios are to be engaged via a displaceable switching ring gear. At least three planet carriers having associated planet wheels are provided axially behind one another, such that in a position fixed with respect to the housing, the switching ring gear is rotationally coupled to the planet wheels on the second-stage planet carrier and simultaneously to the planet wheels on the third-stage planet carrier.
US08545360B2	Variable ratio transmission A variable ratio transmission having an infinitely variable ratio, for enabling a tidal turbine (10) or the like running at relatively low but continuously varying speeds, to drive smoothly a constant speed machine, such as a synchronous generator or the like, without excessive transient torques. A preferred transmission includes a primary differential gear train (120), having a driven input (50), and a driving output, wherein the ratio of the input speed to output speed is variable, and wherein said ratio is governed by the reaction torque provided by speed controlling gearing (150) within the primary differential (120), the transmission including a secondary differential gear train (220), which is in rotational communication with the input (50) via a first route (115), and is in rotational communication with the speed controlling gearing (150) via a second different route (125), wherein the secondary differential gear train includes two parallel power paths.
US08545354B2	Method and apparatus for hydraulically deactivating a torque transfer clutch A torque transfer apparatus for a transmission includes a rotatable friction clutch pack including a first friction plate that is contiguous to a second friction plate, with the first friction plate coupled to a first transmission element and the second friction plate coupled to a second transmission element. A Belleville spring device is configured to urge the first friction plate to engage the second friction plate to effect torque transfer therebetween when a hydraulically-activated piston is deactivated. The hydraulically-activated piston is configured to urge the second periphery of the Belleville spring device away from mechanical contact of the first friction plate when the hydraulically-activated piston is activated.
US08545353B2	Drive configurations for high hybrid series/parallel high speed motor drive systems A motor drive system configuration for a vehicle. The motor drive system includes an engine operable for providing power to the vehicle, a motor operable for providing power to a first wheel and a second wheel of the vehicle. The motor drive system also includes a first transmission mounted between the engine and the motor and in operative engagement with the motor and the engine. The first transmission includes a first clutch for coupling and decoupling the motor with the engine. The motor drive system also includes a differential in operative engagement with the transmission and coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel, and a clutch for disabling the connection between the motor and the wheels.
US08545351B2	Belt tensioner with high damping rubber device “BELT TENSIONER WITH HIGH DAMPING RUBBER DEVICE”, the present invention refers to the technical field of belt tensioners in general, more specifically a belt tensioner (1) with high damping and with a rubber device (2), designed to generate higher rigidity and high damping to belts in combustion engines. The object of the tensioner is to reduce manufacturing costs, wearing and noise, both of the tensioner itself and the belt.
US08545346B2	Multi-piece solid golf ball The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core, a cover, at least one intermediate layer interposed therebetween, and a plurality of dimples on a surface of the ball. The diameter of the solid core, the deflection of the core when compressed under a final load of 130 kgf from an initial load of 10 kgf, the hardness at the center of the core, the hardness in a region 5 mm to a region 10 mm from the center of the core, the hardness in a region 15 mm from the center of the core, and the surface hardness are set within specific ranges. The intermediate layer is composed primarily of a material obtained by mixing under applied heat a specific resin composition.
US08545343B2	Golf club head or other ball striking device with slotted face mask A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a head that includes a face having an outer surface located at a front of the head, a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face, and a face mask connected to the outer surface of the face, the face mask having a first surface configured for forming at least a portion of a ball striking surface of the head configured for striking a ball, a second surface opposite the first surface and confronting the outer surface of the face, and a plurality of elongated slots extending completely through the face mask, from the first surface to the second surface. The slots combine with the outer surface of the face to form a plurality of face grooves on the ball striking surface.
US08545335B2	Toy with memory and USB ports A system and method for a toy with memory (flash memory) storage capabilities and a method for the toy to connect to other like toys and to a computer and he internet for online virtual play and simulation. Connection to a computer system allows the user the ability connect to the internet and register the toy allowing the user access to interact with a virtual activities and scenarios including a virtual computer image and animation of the toy connected to a computer which is connected to the Internet. User may also purchase or win a USB (Universal Serial Bus) node or dongle with codes that attach to the USB connection on the toy to allow access to special rooms and events in the virtual world on the website. The status of the game is saved back to the memory storage in the toy.
US08545334B2	Method of linking devices to gaming machines Gaming software interfaces to hardware through high level drivers loaded in resource repositories. The high level drivers can be software or hardware drivers. Software drivers can simulate hardware, connect to other parts of the gaming software, or combine functions by calling other software and hardware drives. New drivers can be added easily, allowing gaming software to use new hardware with little or no changes.
US08545330B2	Contextual in-game messaging system A method of enabling in-game contextual chatting is disclosed. A request for information about an online game currently being played by a first player and a second player is received. A previous online game that was previously played by the first player and the second player is determined. A chat transcript is generated that pertains to the online game in response to the request for the information, the chat transcript spanning from the online game currently being played by the first player and the second player to the previous online game that was previously played by the first player and the second player.
US08545329B2	Gaming machine which determines whether common game start condition is met for each gaming terminal, and gaming method thereof A gaming machine: determines, for each slot machine 10, whether a common game start condition is met, based on an accumulated value relative to bet amount information transmitted from each slot machine 10 for each unit base game; and when the common game start condition is met at any one of the slot machines 10, executes a common game at each of the slot machines 10.
US08545328B2	Portable electronic charge device for card devices Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.
US08545327B2	Amusement device including means for processing electronic data in play of a game in which an outcome is dependant upon card values Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.
US08545325B2	Communication game system A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which can be communicated via a network and functions as a parent machine and as a child machine, for example. In the child machine, a moving track of an object to be operated is obtained in response to an input with a pointing device by a player, and transmitted to the parent machine. In the parent machine, a movement of the object is controlled by the moving track, and drawing information to draw a virtual game space including the moved object is transmitted to the child machine. In the child machine, a game screen including the object to be operated is generated and displayed on the basis of the received drawing information.
US08545316B2	Gaming system and method for providing a progressive award multiple times before resetting the displayed value of the provided progressive award In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein maintains a progressive award that is associated with a plurality of different progressive award trigger values or progressive award hit values. In such embodiments, the displayed value of the progressive award does not reset to a reset value or reset amount until the displayed value of that progressive award has incremented to each of the plurality of progressive award hit values associated with that progressive award. In these embodiments, the gaming system provides a plurality of displayed incremented values of a progressive award a plurality of times before the displayed value of that progressive award is reset to the reset value. Such a configuration provides that after the gaming system provides a currently displayed value of a progressive award to a player at least a first time, the displayed value of that progressive award continues incrementing from the provided value.
US08545312B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method changing awards available to be won in pending plays of a game based on a quantity of concurrently pending plays of the game Gaming systems, devices, and methods configured to change winnable awards of a pending play of a game based on a quantity of concurrently pending plays of the game are provided. The gaming system enables a player to sequentially initiate multiple plays of a game such that a plurality of plays are concurrently pending. Each play of the game includes one or more awards available to be won in that play. When a quantity of concurrently pending plays of the game is greater than or equal to a designated quantity of plays of the game, the gaming system changes one or more of the awards available to be won in one or more of those concurrently pending plays of the game, and they remain changed as long as the quantity of concurrently pending plays of the game is greater than or equal to the designated quantity of plays of the game.
US08545308B2	Gaming system and method for providing and redeeming partial wagering game outcomes Methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. One example method includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. This example method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.
US08545307B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game with multi-component symbols and awards based on common components The gaming system receives a wager from a player for a play of a game including a plurality of multi-component symbols. Each of the multi-component symbols includes a plurality of symbol component locations. A plurality of the multi-component symbols include at least one of the symbol components in at least one of the symbol component locations. The gaming system randomly generates and displays a plurality of the multi-component symbols. The gaming system determines, for a first one of a designated number of the displayed multi-component symbols, a quantity of symbol component locations of the first one of the displayed multi-component symbols that display one of the symbol components and that correspond to a symbol component location of each of the other displayed multi-component symbols of the designated number of the displayed multi-component symbols that each display one of the symbol components. Any awards are determined based on the determined quantity.
US08545305B2	Devices, systems, and methods for dynamically simulating a component of a wagering game Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device for receiving wagers from players to play a wagering game, and a display for displaying outcomes of the wagering game. The gaming device also includes a multi-layer composite lighting assembly with a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a spacer. The first light-emitting layer emits light of a first color in a first direction, whereas the second light-emitting layer emits light of a second color in a second direction. The spacer, which is interposed between the first and second light-emitting layers, diffuses and focuses light emitted by the second light-emitting layer through the light emitted by the first light-emitting layer to thereby create a three-dimensional simulation of a component of the wagering game.
US08545304B2	Wagering game with bonus game triggered by linked terminal The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game, whereby a player at one gaming terminal is allowed to link to other gaming terminals via a player-selectable option. The wagering game may include a basic game and a bonus game. Once linked, the player can enter a bonus game that is triggered by an outcome at a linked terminal.
US08545302B2	Electronic paper game systems and related methods for updating game interface, and computer program product thereof Electronic paper (E-paper) game systems are provided. The E-paper game system at least includes a chessboard and a plurality of chessmen. The chessboard at least includes a first E-paper display unit for displaying a graphical data of a first chessboard for a first game interface. Each of the chessmen includes a second E-paper display unit for displaying a graphical data of a first chessman which corresponds to the graphical data of the first chessboard. The chessboard and the chessmen respectively update the graphical data of the first chessboard displayed by the first E-paper display unit and the graphical data of the first chessman displayed by the second E-paper display unit to a graphical data of a second chessboard corresponding to a second game interface and a graphical data of a second chessman which corresponds to the graphical data of the second chessboard.
US08545294B1	Field dressing apparatus and system A field dressing apparatus and system preferably includes a plurality of ground stabilizing components, a plurality of a tethering members and a plurality of engaging components. Each ground stabilizing component includes a shaft element that extends from a handle element. A proximal end of the tethering member is secured to the ground stabilizing component and a distal end is secured to the engaging component. The engaging component preferably includes a hook section, a gripping section and a ring section. The hook section extends from one end of the gripping section and the ring section is disposed on the other end of the gripping section. The distal end of the tethering member is secured to the ring section of the engaging component. A second embodiment of the dressing apparatus and system includes the plurality of a tethering members, a plurality of engaging components and a compacting securing panel.
US08545293B2	Stick feeding unit in a suspension device for sausage-type packaging units The invention relates to a smoking stick feeding unit (10) which comprises lifting device (12) that allow a plurality of smoking sticks (15) to be lifted simultaneously. In the top position of lift, the top smoking stick is transferred to a transport means for a horizontal movement into the loading position. The smoking stick feeding unit can be used to feed smoking sticks for loading with very long packaging units or sausages in a suspension device.
US08545277B2	Terminal block A terminal block includes a first end, a second end, a top surface and a bottom surface. A first connection socket is disposed on the top surface in proximity to the first end of the terminal block. A second connection socket is disposed on the top surface in proximity to the second end of the terminal block. A thermocouple connector is disposed on the top surface and is coupled to the first connection socket and the second connection socket. In one embodiment, the thermocouple connector is a miniature type SMP thermocouple connector. In one embodiment, a system of interconnected components employs the terminal blocks at a plurality of control points. A meter is selectively coupled to the terminal blocks for measuring, sensing and collecting at least one of data and information at the plurality of control points.
US08545275B2	Electrical connector with touch-safety contact structures An electrical connector with touch safety contact structure. The connector includes an insulative housing, a contact and at least one protecting insulator. The insulative housing defines a mating direction, a mating face and a receiving cavity recessed from the mating face along the mating direction. The contact is received in the insulative housing and includes a contacting portion exposed into the receiving cavity, a retaining portion extending from one end of the contacting portion to be interferentially received in the insulative housing, and a forward end extending from the other end of the contacting portion to locate more closely to the mating face of the insulative housing than the contacting portion, and a connecting portion extending from the retaining portion to be exposed beyond the insulative housing. The protecting insulator covers the forward end of the contact. An additional grounding contact assembled to the insulative housing may be included.
US08545273B1	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an electrically insulative holder member, a signal module formed of a circuit board with longitudinal terminal holes, circuit lines, electrical contacts and via-holes, metal contact terminals and metal mounting terminals, and a metal shield. The metal contact terminals have rear soldering end portions thereof respectively soldered to respective circuit lines, front contact portions thereof positioned in front ends of the longitudinal terminal holes of the circuit board and middle suspension arms thereof connected between the rear soldering end portions and the front contact portions and suspending below the longitudinal terminal holes. The electrical contacts of the circuit board are positioned in respective bottom contact holes of the tongue plate. The circuit lines electrically connect the electrical contacts and the metal contact terminals to the via-holes. The surface area of each circuit line may be modified to adjust impedance, reducing interference.
US08545268B2	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly includes a shielding cage member having an upper port and a lower port. A separator member extends between side walls of the cage member between the upper and lower ports. The separator member has a channel between upper and lower plates. The upper plate has an upper inner pocket facing the channel and an upper outer pocket facing the upper port. The lower plate has a lower inner pocket facing the channel and a lower outer pocket facing the lower port. An upper inner RF absorber is positioned within the upper inner pocket. An upper outer RF absorber is positioned within the upper outer pocket. A lower inner RF absorber is positioned within the lower inner pocket. A lower outer RF absorber is positioned within the lower outer pocket.
US08545267B2	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly includes a shielding cage member having an upper port and a lower port configured to receive pluggable modules therein with side walls along the sides of the upper and lower ports. A separator member extends between the side walls between the upper and lower ports. The separator member has an upper plate and a lower plate with a channel therebetween. The upper and lower plates have interior surface facing the channel and exterior surfaces facing the upper and lower ports, respectively. RF absorbers are positioned along the exterior surfaces and are exposed along the upper and lower ports. The RF absorbers reduce an amount of EMI propagation through the cage member. A divider wall is positioned in the channel and extends between the interior surfaces of the upper and lower plates.
US08545265B2	Device connector and method of manufacture A terminal block in which a plurality of metal conductive plates (10) to be connected to device-side busbars provided in a motor are made integral by a connector housing (50) includes a primary molded article (60) in which the plurality of conductive plates (10) are made integral by a connector housing (50); a metal plate (30) to be attached and fixed to a motor case; and a secondary molded portion (70) integrally forming the primary molded article (60) and the metal plate (30). The secondary molded portion (70) is formed by a secondary molding die including both upper and lower dies (90, 91) and a slide die (92). Pairs of tight holding portions (69, 69) for tightly holding the slide die (92) are provided on the primary molded portion (61) before the secondary molded portion (70) is formed.
US08545263B2	Clamp and grip coaxial connector A coaxial connector with a connector body is provided with a connector body bore. An annular coupling groove is provided in the connector body bore open to a cable end of the connector body. A clamp sidewall of the coupling grove is angled inward from a bottom of the coupling groove. A slip ring seated within the coupling body bore is provided with a grip surface. An annular compression body is positioned between the slip ring and the clamp sidewall. The connector body and the coupling body are coupled together via threads. The slip ring is dimensioned for axial advance of the coupling body along the threads to exert a compression force against the compression body to clamp a leading edge of the outer conductor between the compression body and the clamp sidewall.
US08545262B2	Shorting clip for an airbag ignition system Shorting clip for an ignition system adapted to be mounted in a retainer insert, including two contact members adapted to each contact a pin of a squib to short-circuit the pins and a first grounding contact adapted to contact a ground contact of a squib connector and at least one second grounding contact adapted to contact an electroconductive part of a squib. The clip further includes a support structure connecting the contact members and the first and second grounding contact with each other, which support structure is adapted to be arranged essentially parallel to the plug-in direction of the retainer insert.
US08545256B2	Electrical connector for use with NATO equipment To attach a cable to a NATO slave receptacle, a wire from the cable may be passed through an opening in a cable receiving member and connected to a tab formed on a NATO plug. The cable receiving member may then be attached to the NATO plug. The NATO plug may then be engaged to a NATO slave receptacle to create an electrical connection between the NATO slave receptacle and the cable. If desired, the NATO plug and receiving member can be easily detached from the cable and used with another cable.
US08545255B2	Subcutaneous device for electrical percutaneous connection The invention concerns an electrical connection system for a percutaneous electrical connection between an electrical device (2) inside an animal body and an electrical device (3) outside said body, comprising a subcutaneous device (10) designed to be connected to internal electrical device (2), said subcutaneous device (10) comprising: an open housing (11) having at least one inner compartment (12), said compartment (12) being filled with a conductive material into which an electrical connection plug can be inserted, the conductive material of compartment (12) being further connected to connection means (5) designed to be connected to internal electrical device (2); a sealing membrane (13) for sealing housing (11), said sealing membrane (13) being formed of an insulating and flexible material designed for insertion of electrical connection plugs from outside housing (11) through said sealing membrane (13) to the conductive material of compartment (12); characterized in that housing (11) comprises alignment means (14) to facilitate positioning and to guide the insertion of electrical connection plugs into the corresponding conductive materials.
US08545254B2	Releasably engaging high definition multimedia interface plug A releasably engaging high definition multimedia plug comprises a plug body and an actuator operable with the plug body to move a locking tab of the plug and facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. A corresponding method of releasably securing a high definition multimedia interface plug into standard high definition multimedia interface receptacle is also provided.
US08545253B2	Releasably engaging high definition multimedia interface plug A high definition multimedia interface connector comprising a connector body having an extension configured to be inserted into a high definition multimedia interface receptacle, and at least one projection on an outer surface of the extension to facilitate releasable engagement of the plug with a standard high definition multimedia receptacle. A corresponding method of releasably securing a high definition multimedia interface plug to a standard high definition multimedia interface receptacle is also provided.
US08545247B2	Dock for a portable electronic device A dock for receiving a portable electronic device, including a housing comprising an aperture; a support coupled to an inner wall of the housing, a portion of the support being elastically deformable; and a connector received in the support and extending through the aperture for electrically communicating with the portable electronic device, wiring of the connector for transferring data to an electronic device; wherein the portion of the support elastically deforms in response to non-axial movement of at least a portion of the connector.
US08545246B2	High connectivity platform An apparatus, in accordance with particular embodiments, includes a shell comprising two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus further includes a plurality of connector housings mounted between the two substantially parallel surfaces. The apparatus also includes a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of connector housings. Each connector is configured to move along at least one axis within its respective connector housing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cables. Each cable is configured to couple together at least two connectors. The plurality of cables are arranged between the two substantially parallel surfaces.
US08545237B2	Connector for interconnecting conductors of circuit boards A connector comprises a generally cylindrical dielectric body with a central bore in the dielectric body. The dielectric body has a first end and second end opposite the first end. Conductors extend axially through the cylindrical dielectric body and are spaced apart from each other in a generally circular or elliptical arrangement. Each conductor comprises an embedded portion in the dielectric body and mating portions extending from the first end and the second end.
US08545234B2	Electrical connector for a pluggable transceiver module A pluggable module includes a housing having a locating opening that is at least partially defined by a wall of the housing. A circuit board is at least partially disposed within the housing and includes an edge and a mating contact. An electrical connector is mounted to the circuit board and includes an electrical contact having a mounting segment that is configured to be electrically connected to the mating contact of the circuit board. The electrical connector includes a dielectric connector body that holds the electrical contact. The body has a base that is coupled to the edge of the circuit board and a locating boss that extends outwardly on the base. The locating boss is received within the locating opening of the housing and includes a crush rib that extends outwardly from the locating boss. The crush rib is deformed and engaged with the wall of the housing.
US08545233B2	Laptop-based machine control simulator A machine tool control simulator for a machine tool control having a plurality of first user-actuatable devices and a first display screen is disclosed. The machine tool control simulator may include a console and a laptop computer. The console may include a plurality of second user-actuatable devices each corresponding to a respective one of the first user-actuatable devices, and having a layout substantially similar to a layout of the first user-actuatable devices. The laptop computer includes a keyboard and an attached second display screen. The keyboard may be placed between a tabletop and the second user-actuatable devices. The computer receives user inputs from the second user actuatable devices and displays images on the second display screen to simulate images that would be displayed on the first display screen of the machine tool control in response to the user inputs.
US08545232B1	Computer-based student testing with dynamic problem assignment The system automatically personalizes the assignment of problems to students in learning situations to enable every student to learn as efficiently and effectively as possible. Students are continuously tracked on their individual learning curve so that both they and their teachers can immediately see their progress and growth, and assess their need for additional support or instruction. Further, the system can immediately grade each exercise and provide instant feedback to both students and teachers without burdening the teacher with the grading of homework. Still further, the system incorporates a teacher settable mastery level control and a student learning efficiency meter that returns the “locus of control” over learning back to the student to enhance their concentration and motivate effective, efficient learning by enabling them to do just the number of problems that it takes to reach mastery of the topic or lesson. The system does this with problems from any source and for any discipline at every age level. It further links student assignments to other content either provided by the system or linked to the system to support instruction in the classroom, in labs, or on-line.
US08545230B2	Method and apparatus for a non-nutritive suck entrainment pulse generator This document discusses, among other things, method and apparatus for a non-nutritive suck (NNS) entrainment pulse generator. An embodiment includes a valve assembly in communication with a first pressure and a second pressure to change a pressure of a baglet. A controller can switch the valve assembly to selectively couple the first and second pressures to the baglet to produce a series of pressure pulses within the baglet. In an embodiment, the pulse generator is substantially self-contained. In an embodiment, the valve assembly includes a reciprocating piston assembly to generate the series of pressure pulses. In an embodiment, the NNS entrainment pulse generator is portable.
US08545226B2	Firearm shooting simulator A firearm shooting simulator includes an image capturing device fitted to a firearm and configured to capture at least one image of a target, once activated. The system further includes a processor which is configured to determine any variance between a center point of the image captured and a point on the target sighted by the firearm when the image is captured. This is achieved by sighting the firearm at a particular point on the target and programming the processor with the location of this sighted point. Once the processor is aware of which point is sighted by the firearm, the image is captured and the processor determines a center point of the image captured.
US08545225B2	Redox-curing type composition The present invention provides a redox-curing type composition that penetrates into a wet body, particularly into a tooth structure (dentin), is cured in an accelerated manner by the moisture contained in the wet body, thereby exhibits a higher bond strength than those of conventional redox-curing type compositions, and has satisfactory storage stability. The present invention is a redox-curing type composition including a polymerizable monomer (a) having an acidic group, a polymerizable monomer (b) having no acidic group, a powdery inorganic peroxide (c) with an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 50 μm, an amine-based reducing agent (d), and a polymerization accelerator (e). The amine-based reducing agent (d) includes an aromatic amine (d−1) and an aliphatic amine (d−2), and a weight ratio (d−1):(d−2) therebetween is 5:1 to 1:50.
US08545224B2	Method for improving productivity and personalization for dental prostheses A method for increasing the speed in setting artificial teeth in full dentures or dental prostheses. The method provides premade tooth segments, the premade tooth segments including at least one tooth that may be preset into a gingival roll manufactured with either the individual teeth connected together in the gingival roll or by a mid-tooth connection at the mesial and distal surfaces of each tooth in the segment. The method further includes setting the premade tooth segments into a wax bite rim and fitting the wax bite rim to the patient's mandibular or maxillary arch. Another aspect is a method for individualizing the denture or dental prosthesis whereby the incisors can be manipulated to create a personal and natural appearance.
US08545221B2	Smile designer Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.
US08545220B2	Orthodontic treatment tube Provided is an orthodontic treatment including a main tube, and a pair of caps provided at both ends of the main tube to form an adhesion space therebetween in which an adhesive is accommodated and the adhesive is prevented from flowing into the main tube through an insertion hole of the main tube.Since the adhesive is applied to the adhesion space formed by fitting the pair of caps onto the outer circumference of the main tube, the caps can prevent the applied adhesive flowing into the main tube and the wire can be easily inserted into the main tube.
US08545212B2	Mold-tool system having melt splitting device including uninterrupted melt channels extending from inlet and outlets A mold-tool system is provided which includes a melt distribution device and a melt splitting device configured to interact with the melt distribution device. The melt splitting device includes a single inlet and multiple outlets spaced from the single inlet. The outlets are configured for fluid communication with the melt distribution device. The melt splitting device further includes a plurality of uninterrupted melt channels, where each melt channel extends from the inlet to an associated one of the outlets.
US08545211B2	Method for manufacturing and attachment of wing fairings A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a fairing on an aircraft. In one advantageous embodiment, a composite fairing is installed on the aircraft. A composite sheet having a form of the composite fairing is formed. A plurality of cured composite tiles is created from the composite sheet, wherein spaces are present between the plurality of composite tiles. The plurality of composite tiles is cured to form the composite fairing. The composite fairing is attached to a surface of the aircraft. The spaces between the plurality of composite tiles are filled with a flexible filler.
US08545209B2	Three-dimensional object forming apparatus and method for forming three-dimensional object A three-dimensional object forming apparatus is provided, which at least comprises: a construction stage, a printing module, plural temporary storage tanks, plural powder supplying tanks, a construction tank, a printing quality inspection component for forming a pattern to determine whether the printing module is blocked or not, a maintenance device, and a dust-proof device.
US08545204B2	Mold having movable plate-shaped cores A mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber connector includes a blind hole for accommodating an optical fiber and an aspherical lens portion for optically coaxial with the optical fiber. The mold includes a rod-shaped core for forming the blind hole and a plate-shaped core. The plate-shaped core includes an aspherical recess for forming the lens portion. The aspherical recess faces the rod-shaped core, and is adjustably movable relative to the first core so as to achieve alignment between the aspherical recess and the rod-shaped core.
US08545202B2	Mould system for manufacturing a container A mould system for manufacturing a container which includes a movable mould half and a stationary mould half which are positioned opposite to each other, wherein the movable mould half includes a core plate provided with a core, a plate-like seal ring that is movable relative to the core, a seal surface which surrounds the core, and a collar ring that is movable relative to the core and the stationary mould half includes a mould plate provided with a mould cavity and a seal surface, wherein in the mould system, a plate-like insert is connected to the seal surface of the seal ring, the insert including a recess which is in contact with a front edge of the seal surface, so that it is in flow communication with molten plastic material flowing from the direction of the collar ring.
US08545201B2	Curing system using electromagnetic force A system for forming a composite structure comprises an electromagnetic press including an upper die, a lower die and an electromagnet. The lower die may be mounted in spaced relation to the upper die for receiving a composite layup therebetween. The electromagnet is energizable such that the upper and lower dies apply a compressive force to the composite layup.
US08545200B2	Variable displacement oil pump Variable displacement oil pump includes a: rotor; vanes; cam ring; housing; biasing member biasing the cam ring in a direction enlarging an eccentricity between centers of the rotor and inner circumferential surface of the cam ring; a contact surface to contact with a cam ring outer circumferential surface via a biasing force applied to the cam ring by the biasing member; a control chamber separately formed by the contact surface and a swing fulcrum of the cam ring on a cam ring outer circumference when the contact surface contacts the cam ring outer circumferential surface, and causing the cam ring to swing against the biasing force of the biasing member by a pressure from a discharge portion to the control chamber; and a choking portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cam ring to maintain a pressure of the control chamber even when the cam ring swings.
US08545199B2	Regulatable vane-cell pump with a sealing web curving in an arc The invention relates to a vane pump (1), in particular a regulatable oil pump for a lubricating system, with a pump housing (2) with at least one housing tank (6) and with a vane rotor (11) disposed in the housing tank (6) mounted so that it can be rotated by means of a drive shaft (10) in the pump housing (2) constituting an axis of rotation (23) which provides a mount for vanes (15) in approximately radially extending fitting slots (14). An adjusting ring (27) is provided enclosing the vane rotor (11) and circumferentially bounding pump cells (26) which, by means of a cylindrical internal wall surface (31), can be displaced between a concentric position with respect to the vane rotor (11) and an eccentric position relative thereto, to which pressured is applied by positioning torques caused by the medium pressure and a positioning mechanism (47) in order to regulate a pressure level.
US08545197B2	Pump, especially for blood treatment The invention relates to a pump, especially usable as a peristaltic pump in an apparatus for blood treatment, wherein it is provided with at least a hammer element which interacts with at least one tube portion in which a fluid to be pumped flows and with motion means for said hammer element which push the hammer element against said tube portion so as to press it, the value of the stroke executed by said element not allowing the complete crushing of the tube itself.
US08545196B2	Hose pump A hose pump for delivering fluids includes a housing having a base body and a cover. A pump body for delivering a fluid is rotatably disposed in the interior of the base body about an axis. A locking device is disposed on the housing in order to release and lock the cover. The pump body comprises a plurality of rollers disposed at the circumference of the pump body and delivering a fluid present in a hose by rotating the pump body. The rollers clamp the hose against an inner surface of the cover, and the locking device is attached captively to the base body and displaceably relative to the base body, and can be actuated single-handedly. The cover is attached captively to the base body and displaceably relative to the base body of the housing, and can be actuated single-handedly.
US08545189B2	Method and arrangement for controlling a pumping station A method and an arrangement for controlling a pump station includes measurement of the surface level of a liquid (465) by means of a sensor (452) and controlling the electric drive (401, 420, 430) of the pump (440) to a predetermined speed of rotation when a specific surface level value has been reached. This predetermined rotation speed value is preferably the rotation speed at which the ratio of the flow rate to the consumed power, i.e. the efficiency, is optimal. The measurement of the surface level and the related data processing for control of the pump are performed in a frequency converter (420) in conjunction with the control.
US08545188B2	Controller and the use thereof A hydraulic controller having at least one input for a hydraulic fluid for controlling the speed of a hydraulic pump driven by an internal combustion engine is characterized in that the controller has at least two inputs, that at least two pressure chambers each connected to one of the inputs are provided, that each of the same has a piston displaceable under pressure from a rest position against the force of a spring into a switched position and that the piston rod thereof engages at the end of a rod or a pull in the switched position.
US08545185B2	Turbine engine components with environmental protection for interior passages Turbine airfoil components with protective layers and methods therefore. The components are each formed to have a platform, an airfoil extending upwardly from the platform, and a shank extending downwardly from the platform. The shank has an exterior wall and an internal passage, and the airfoil has a cooling flow channel inside the airfoil for flowing a cooling flow therethrough. The component has an interior chromide coating contacting at least a portion of an interior surface of the shank and interdiffused with a base metal thereof, and an exterior chromide coating contacting at least a portion of an exterior surface of the shank and interdiffused with the base metal thereof. The interior and exterior chromide coatings do not have an aluminide coating deposited thereon.
US08545184B2	Locking spacer assembly The present application describes a locking spacer assembly for use with a groove in a rotating disk. The locking spacer assembly may include a locking spacer with a leg and a wedge tool in contact with the leg so as to pull the leg inward and into the groove.
US08545177B2	Radial compressor with a diffuser for use in a turbocharger A radial compressor, in particular for a turbo-charger, has a spiral housing and a diffuser. The diffuser is constructed such that a low-pressure region in the area of the transition between the spiral housing and the tongue is at least reduced.
US08545176B2	Wobble plate motor A wobble plate motor comprises a rotatable shaft having a bent end rigid with the shaft and an inclined plate journalled on the bent end. When only one side of the inclined plate is directly subjected to high pressure, the plate rolls on a base in the manner of a spinning coin as it decays, i.e. as its spin rate falls to a value where the coin is inclined to the axis of rotation. As the plate rotates, torque is generated on the rotatable shaft so the shaft may drive a work consumer such as a generator, pump or compressor.
US08545171B2	Rotor for a gas turbine A rotor of a thermal fluid flow machine, especially a gas turbine, is provided. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor components that are held together by a common tie-bolt that extends through the center of the rotor components. The tie-bolt is fixed in at least one of the rotor components using at least one star spring that surrounds the tie-bolt in a circumferential direction.
US08545170B2	Turbo machine efficiency equalizer system A system for a turbo machine is provided, including one or more channels that redirect steam that leaks through the root and/or the tip regions of a stage of the turbine to mix with the high efficiency main steam flow at the pitch region of the turbine where efficiency is the highest. This redirection of the steam results in a significant performance improvement that evens out the efficiency profile resulting in higher average efficiencies.
US08545168B2	Two-dimensional array of turbines Arrangements of turbines are described. The turbines are staggered or aligned in the downwind direction.
US08545166B2	System and method for controlling leak steam to steam seal header for improving steam turbine performance A turbine system is provided wherein during self-sealing operating conditions, excess leakoff steam is restricted from being dumped to a steam seal header and is diverted into the working steam flow path, hence increasing net output and efficiency for the turbine system. A related method is also provided.
US08545164B2	Systems and methods for repositioning row bars used for manufacturing magnetic heads A system for repositioning row bars includes a base support including a top surface, and a support arm positioned on the top surface and configured to rotate from a first position to a second position, a tray assembly coupled to the support arm, the tray assembly including a first tray including a plurality of first channels, each configured to retain one of the row bars in an initial position, a transfer substrate including a plurality of transfer channels, each configured to receive one of the row bars from the first tray as the support arm moves from the first position to the second position, and a second tray including a plurality of second channels, each configured to retain the one of the row bars in a final position, where the row bars in the final position are rotated by a preselected number of degrees from the initial position.
US08545162B2	Material handling apparatus and method for operating A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.
US08545158B2	Loading unit and processing system A loading unit avoiding the need to enhance the performance of a lifting elevator mechanism, thus preventing an increase in the cost of the lifting elevator mechanism. The loading unit is configured to vertically move a substrate holder, holding a plurality of substrates, into and out of a cylindrical processing container upon heat treatment of the substrates. The loading unit includes: a lifting elevator mechanism for holding and vertically moving the substrate holder and a cap; and a pressing mechanism, having a piezoelectric actuator, for upwardly pressing against the cap lying at a bottom opening of the processing container.
US08545155B2	Attachment fastener with a sealing washer The invention relates to an attachment fastener that comprises a body (1) extending in an axial direction, with a head (2), a leg (3) and a skirt-shaped flexible collar (4) provided between the head (2) and the leg (3), and annular sealing washer (5) for sealing the length of a peripheral edge (42) of the collar (4), said sealing washer (5) having a lower surface (57) directed towards the opposite side of the collar (4) having at least one annular bead defining a first sealing line on the lower surface (57) of the washer (5). The sealing washer (5) is adapted to be removably attached onto said peripheral edge (32) of the collar (4), and comprises an upper surface opposite the lower surface (57), which defines an annular shoulder protruding on the side of the collar (4) and on which bears said peripheral edge (42) of the collar (4), said annular shoulder defining another sealing line on the upper surface of the washer (5).
US08545154B2	License plate fastener A license plate fastener assembly includes a female collar including an internally threaded cylinder and a radially outboard flared shoulder. A bumper is mounted on the shoulder. A bolt is compatibly received in the threaded cylinder. The bolt presents a bolt head to define a selectively adjustable distance between the bolt head and the bumper. One or more washers made or synthetic resin may be mounted on the cylinder for selective depth adjustment of the distance.
US08545152B2	Screw which can be screwed into a component The invention relates to a screw which can be screwed into a component and which will resist further screwing into an internal thread within said component once a maximum torque has been reached. For this purpose, a screw body having an external thread is combined with a screw drive element which projects into a bore within said screw body and, within said bore, is connected to the screw body via static friction. At least part of this combination is made of a plastic material, with the static friction having the effect of a slipping clutch when a maximum torque acts on the screw drive element. The screw drive element is connected to the screw body via a ratchet in such a way that when the screw body is unscrewed from the internal thread within said component, turning said screw drive element will cause the ratchet to engage, thereby entraining the screw body.
US08545139B2	Magnetic drilling stand with holding force monitoring A magnetic drilling stand is disclosed having a drilling unit (20), having an electromagnet (14) for fixing the magnetic drilling stand (10) on a component (12), having a voltage source which can be coupled to the electromagnet (14), and having a controller (28) for monitoring the holding force of the electromagnet (14), with the controller (28) having a device for monitoring the current level of the electromagnet (14), in order to identify a fault state or an adequate magnetic holding force, with a signal for an adequate magnetic holding force being produced only if, within a test phase, the current level of the electromagnet is below a respectively predetermined threshold value at at least two predetermined times after the start of the test phase.
US08545134B2	Tool comprising a fastening unit A milling or boring tool has a main tool body rotatable about a tool axis and a cutting element which can be fastened to the main tool body and which has a cutting portion or a cutting insert seat for receiving a cutting insert. To provide a fastening system for fastening the cutting element to the main tool body, which is to be easily implemented at low cost, which allows highly accurate positioning of the cutting element on the main tool body, and which permits very rapid exchange of the cutting element, a centering pin is arranged parallel to the boring axis with an axis that does not coincide with the tool axis and is connected on one part, the main tool body or the cutting element, and a corresponding centering opening is provided on the other part, the cutting element or the main tool body.
US08545132B2	Method and apparatus for insulating a component of a low-temperature or cryogenic storage tank A process for insulating the void in a thermal distance piece in a low-temperature or cryogenic storage tank uses a vacuum source to draw insulation into the TDP. Two remotely spaced openings to the void are provided. A strainer is temporarily mounted in one of the openings. The other opening is connected to a suction wand. The wand has an inner cylinder that extends through an outer cylinder and projects outwardly from a proximal end of the outer cylinder. Distal air vents are provided on the inner cylinder, near a distal cap that connects distal ends of the cylinders. Proximal air vents are provided on a proximal cap that connects a portion of the inner cylinder to a proximal end of the outer cylinder. The distal end of the wand is inserted into a container of insulation.
US08545129B2	Cofferdam modules A cofferdam module can include first and second side panels, outer support members that are each coupled to the outer side of one of the side panels, and two different types of inner support members that are each coupled to the inner side of each of the side panels.
US08545128B2	Configurable desegregation apparatus A desegregation apparatus that desegregates a stream of HMA that includes particles of varying size includes a desegregation hopper, which houses an auger assembly. A series of counter-handed augers is mounted on a shaft disposed within the hopper. Open sections are disposed between adjacent auger sections and above openings in the bottom surface of the hopper.
US08545123B2	Ring binder A ring binder, with a fixed bar (1), bearing hooks (2) and a moving bar (3), wherein the fixed bar (1) is immovably fixed on a spine plate of a folder; the bearing hooks (2) are fixed on the upper surface of the fixed bar (1); the moving bar (3) is movably lapped over one side of the fixed bar (1); the lower surface of the moving bar (3) and the lower surface of the fixed bar (1) are clamped and connected with each other; the moving bar (3) can rotate relative to the fixed bar (1) and slide along the length direction of the fixed bar (1); a spring (4) connected between the moving bar (3) and the fixed bar (1); and moving shackles (5) fixed on the upper surface of the moving bar (3). As the ring binder lacks a base plate, a housing, etc., both the opening and the closing of the binder are convenient and the cost of the ring binder is reduced.
US08545121B2	Dispensing mechanism assembly A dispensing apparatus is provided, which, when filled with product and assembled, substantially reduces product leakage from an orifice of an applicator thereof during extended periods of non-use. The dispensing apparatus includes a barrel defining an interior chamber for holding a product, the barrel having an open bottom at one end thereof and an applicator tip having one or more orifices therethrough at the other end. The barrel also includes two or more passages located along the length of the barrel between the bottom of the barrel and a predetermined fill-level.
US08545119B2	Substrate cleaning apparatus, coating and developing apparatus having the same and substrate cleaning method A substrate cleaning apparatus includes a substrate holding and rotating unit for holding a center of a rear surface of a substrate and rotating the substrate; a cleaning unit including a first cleaning member, a second cleaning member provided around the first cleaning member and a base to which the first and second cleaning members are secured; an elevating unit for moving the substrate holding and rotating unit and the cleaning unit relative to each other so as to allow the first and second cleaning members to come into contact with the rear surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding and rotating unit; and a driving unit for driving the substrate and the cleaning unit relative to each other in a direction along the rear surface of the substrate so as to allow part of the second cleaning member to be exposed to the outside of the substrate.
US08545117B2	Conversion adaptor apparatus and interchangeable lens system A conversion adapter apparatus is provided that connects a camera body and an interchangeable lens. The conversion adapter apparatus includes a camera body side installation portion to receive a camera body, a lens side installation portion to receive an interchangeable lens, and a first communication contact group provided on the camera body side installation portion and connected to a communication contact group. The conversion adapter apparatus additionally includes a second communication contact group provided on the lens side installation portion and connected to the communication contact group and a conductive member that electrically connects the first communication contact group and the second communication contact group. A position of the first communication contact group around a camera optical axis and a position of the second communication contact group around the camera optical axis are different from each other.
US08545115B2	Focal plane shutter for cameras A blade room for a second blade group is formed between a shutter base plate and a middle plate and a blade room for a first blade group is formed between the middle plate and an auxiliary base plate, by separating a space between the shutter base plate and the auxiliary base plate by the middle plate. A push pin which is planted on the shutter base plate pushes a portion on the lower area of the middle plate toward the auxiliary base plate so that the middle plate bends in the shape of an arc. Also, the area of the middle plate below the exposure aperture has the narrowest width in the portion which is pushed by the push pin and the pushed portion of the middle plate has a shape by which the area of the middle plate below the exposure aperture is easy to bend.
US08545113B2	Networked freezer stocking management A system for an ice merchandiser having a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser includes a sensor disposed within the ice merchandiser, and a communications component disposed within the compressor enclosure and coupled to the sensor to receive signals from the sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.
US08545108B1	Flexible fiber to wafer interface A fiber to wafer interface system includes an interface device comprising a flexible substrate portion, a flexible cladding portion arranged on the substrate portion, a flexible single-mode waveguide portion arranged on the cladding portion including a substantially optically transparent material, a connector portion engaging a first distal end of the flexible substrate portion, the connector portion operative to engage a portion of an optical fiber ferrule, a wafer portion comprising a single mode waveguide portion arranged on a portion of the wafer, an adhesive disposed between a portion of the single mode waveguide portion of the body portion and the single mode waveguide portion of the wafer portion, the adhesive securing the body portion to the wafer portion.
US08545106B2	System and method for isolating a rolling-element bearing Lubrication fluid is discharged through an axial gap between a outer bearing race and a bearing housing from a cavity bounded in part by a forward surface of the outer bearing race that is axially slideable within the bearing housing so as to provide for changing the axial gap. The pressure in the cavity is automatically controlled responsive to an axial force on outer bearing race by an axial position of the outer bearing race that determines a size of the axial gap, so as to provide for increasing the pressure responsive to increasing axial force over at least a portion of an operating range. The lubrication fluid in the axial gap provides for isolating axial vibrations of the outer bearing race relative to the bearing housing.
US08545104B2	Tilting pad bearing apparatuses and motor assemblies using the same Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
US08545099B2	Flexible packaging structure with built-in tamper-evidence features and method for making same A flexible packaging laminate formed by an outer structure joined to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to form a flap that is lifted to open the package. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. The outer score line includes at least one tab having one end integrally joined to an outer edge of the flap and an opposite end anchored to a portion of the outer structure spaced from the outer edge, the tab being torn through upon initial creation of the opening through the flexible packaging laminate.
US08545098B2	X-ray cassette cover An X-ray cover for enveloping an X-ray cassette. The cover comprises a first sheet, a second sheet and band. The first sheet and second sheet are sized and shaped to accept the X-ray cassette and the band is sized and shaped to isolate the X-ray cassette during a radiographic procedure.
US08545094B2	Detecting a mineral within a material The invention exposes rock fragments of a material to electromagnetic radiation, such as microwave radiation, and detects the thermal response of the material of the rock fragments during or immediately after exposure to detect a mineral within the material.
US08545089B2	Back frame, mold for back frame and bracing piece, method for manufacturing back frame, and backlight system A back frame of a flat panel display device includes first and second primary assembling pieces. The first primary assembling piece has an end forming at least two joint sections each of which has a structure mating an end of the second primary assembling piece to selectively joint the two primary assembling pieces. The back frame includeds a bracing piece fixed to the primary assembling pieces and forming at least two sets of mounting structures. A mold for making a back frame and bracing piece of a flat panel display device, a method for manufacturing a back frame of a flat panel display device, and a backlight system are also provide and they have a simple back frame mold to reduce cost of the back frame mold, and save material for the back frame to lower down cost of the flat panel display device.
US08545083B2	Light-emitting device, light source and method of manufacturing the same A light-emitting device includes a light source including an element mounting substrate, an LED element mounted thereon by flip-chip connection and a sealing portion for sealing the LED element on the element mounting substrate, and a light guide plate including a housing hole for housing the light source. The housing hole extends from one surface side to another surface side of the light guide plate and an area of an inner surface thereof on which light is incident from the light source is parallel to a thickness direction of the light guide plate. The light source is housed in the housing hole so that the element mounting substrate is located on the other surface side of the light guide plate, emits light toward the one surface side of the light guide plate in the housing hole and the inner surface side of the housing hole, and has an optical axis parallel to the thickness direction of the light guide plate. A solid angle of the inner surface of the housing hole with respect to the center of an upper surface of the light source is not less than 4.44 steradians.
US08545082B2	Light emitting apparatus and lighting system A light emitting apparatus including a body including a first cavity; a first electrode and a second electrode on the body; a light emitting device disposed in the first cavity and being electrically connected with the first and the second electrodes; and a first molding member disposed in the first cavity, and including a fluorescent material. Further, a height ‘a’ of the light emitting device and a depth ‘y’ of the first cavity satisfy a relation 1.5a≦y≦3.0a, and the height ‘a’ and a horizontal distance ‘x’ from an upper outer edge of the light emitting device to an inner surface of the body forming the first cavity satisfy a relation 0.5a≦x≦1.5a.
US08545075B2	Backlight unit and liquid crystal display apparatus including the same Provided are a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the same. The backlight unit comprises: a housing comprising an opening part; a module substrate in the opening part of the housing; a light emitting diode on the module substrate; and a reflection sheet in which the light emitting diode inserted thereto.
US08545066B2	Rotating LED light on a magnetic base A light includes a magnetic base; a light housing having a plurality of LEDs and a DC power source; and a frictional pivot connection between the magnetic base and the light housing.
US08545060B2	High intensity replaceable light emitting diode module and array A light fixture, comprising a matrix, a plurality of electrical sockets fixedly secured to the matrix and forming a rigid matrix of electrical sockets electrically interconnected in two dimensions. One or more light emitting diode modules are individually removable and replaceable within any individual electrical socket within the matrix. Each individual light emitting diode module includes a base and a light emitting diode, wherein the base is configured and arranged for fitted electrical engagement within the electrical socket.
US08545055B2	LED lamp with adjustable light field An LED lamp includes a holder with a base, a first light module and a second light module. The first light module includes a first light cover and a first set of LEDs. The first light cover has a hollow conical configuration with a wide top end tapering to a small bottom end. The small bottom end of the first light cover is connected to the base. The first set of LEDs is received in a hollow space of the first light cover. The second light module includes a second light cover and a second set of LEDs received in the second light cover. The second light cover is capable of rotating relative to the first light module.
US08545052B2	High illumination LED bulb with 360-degree full emission angle A high illumination LED bulb with a 360-degree full emission angle includes a transparent lamp seat, a transparent lampshade coupled to lamp seat, a support board disposed in a chamber defined by transparent lamp seat and transparent lampshade, a heat dissipating body supported by support board, and first and second light emitting modules. The first light emitting module includes a first substrate disposed on a face of heat dissipating body and at least one LED disposed on the first substrate. The second light emitting module includes a second substrate disposed on another face of the heat dissipating body and at least one LED disposed on the second substrate. The LEDs on first and second substrates can project upper and lower projection lights respectively, and a reflected halo formed by projection of the upper projection light on the transparent lampshade can form a side projected halo. Thereby, a 360-degree full emission angle projected halo can be formed.
US08545048B2	LED illumination structure without light guide plate An LED illumination structure without a light guide plate (LGP) includes an optical bottom plate, a plurality of LED illumination components arranged at least along one side edge of the optical bottom plate and a plurality of reflecting structures parallel to the LED illumination components formed on the optical bottom plate from two opposite side edges of the optical bottom plate to a center of the optical bottom plate. The reflecting structures are in a shape of tapered embossment and include a first side facing the center of the optical bottom plate and a second side facing the side edges of the optical bottom plate. An optical film is arranged in a raising direction of the reflecting structures of the optical bottom plate. The present invention is applicable to an illumination lamp for generating a uniform light emitting or may further be an illumination structure for projecting a light source of a bare-eyed 3D image.
US08545047B2	LED obstruction light A light emitting diode (LED) light with a corrugated reflective surface is disclosed. The corrugated reflective surface reflects and diffuses light beams emitting from a light source having at least one LED. The corrugated reflective surface can be concavely curved. The curvature and the corrugations of the reflective surface can be designed by an equation to achieve a specified beam spread.
US08545046B2	Multi-color indicator lighting A light for multi-color indication, for example, as navigation light, has a light source with a plurality of LEDs on a common substrate, within a common package and a common package lens. The LEDs may be of different colors. A reflector may be mounted opposite the light source to direct “mixed-color” light through differently colored portions of a casing lens. A reflective surface of the reflector may be shaped substantially as a surface of rotation. A reflective material such as a film may be positioned on the casing lens to extend over at least part of an angular range of any of the lens portion(s) corresponding to an unneeded light color, so as to reflect incident light towards a selected one of the lens portions corresponding to a needed light color.
US08545042B2	Self-illuminating battery A self-illuminating battery including one or more film light-emitting diodes positioned adjacent an inner surface of a battery casing. The diodes are connect to positive and negative poles through conductor. The battery may also include one or more miniature light-emitting diode mounted at the end of the battery, connecting the positive pole and negative pole through conductor.
US08545039B2	Lamp base with upgradeable recharging port and method A lamp base having an electrical device recharging receptacle configured to receive a plug from a recharging device for a portable rechargeable electronic device. The receptacle is configured as a standard automobile cigarette lighter receptacle. The receptacle includes standard cigarette lighter receptacle electrical contacts that are connected to a voltage and current conversion circuit for receiving standard household voltage and converting it into standard automotive voltage and current. An adapter receptacle is provided in the lamp base with securable replacement electrical and mechanical connection mechanism, wherein the conversion circuit provides a voltage and current to the adapter receptacle. A replaceably securable USB adapter plug comprising a second conversion circuit for converting the voltage and current provided to the adapter receptacle into a standard USB voltage and current. The replaceably securable USB adapter plug may be electrically and mechanically disconnected and replaced with an upgraded replaceably securable USB adapter plug having a third conversion circuit to convert the voltage and current provided to a different USB voltage and current.
US08545037B2	Lightguides having light extraction structures providing regional control of light output Lightguides, devices incorporating lightguides, and processes for making lightguides are described. A lightguide includes light extractors arranged in a pattern on a surface of the lightguide. The pattern of light extractors is arranged to enhance uniformity of light output across a surface of the lightguide and to provide enhanced defect hiding. The efficiency of the light extractors is controlled by a shape factor. The areal density of the light extractors across the surface of the lightguide may be substantially constant or may decrease along the direction of propagation of light from the light source.
US08545035B1	Color-patterned front lights The color patterned front light (CPFL) may be implemented by shining light through a side of a CPFL panel that is situated adjacent to and in front of a monochromic reflective display (MRD). The CPFL may direct one of red, green, blue, or white light through a rear surface of the panel and onto each of the pixels in the MRD. The pixels may be grouped in blocks, such as n-by-m or n-by-n blocks of pixels. The pixels in the block may be selectively activated by the MRD to either absorb the light or reflect the light shone on the respective pixel. By adjusting the representation of the pixels in the MRD, the block may appear to change color based on the colored light from the CPFL that is reflected outward from the display.
US08545028B2	Projector system for animation of image cells An image animation system having a plurality of individual image projectors focused onto a single focal area on a projection surface or medium. Angled optics, or a prism, may be used to direct the projections onto the single focal area. Individual still images are projected in a sequence to create a projected motion animation.
US08545023B2	Ophthalmic surgery measurement system An ophthalmic apparatus for measuring spatial distances within a patient's eye is disclosed. The apparatus can be used to measure, for example, the capsular bag depth in an aphakic eye. The spatial measurement system can direct laser light into a patient's eye so that a portion of the light is scattered by the capsular bag. The scattered light can be directed to a detector where spots can be formed corresponding to the locations on the capsular bag from which the light was scattered. The distance from the cornea to the capsular bag can be determined based, for example, at least in part on the distance between the spots formed on the detector. In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a surgical microscope and/or a wavefront aberrometer. In some embodiments, an alignment system can be used to precisely position the apparatus relative to the patient's eye. The ophthalmic apparatus can be used for variety of ophthalmic procedures, such as predicting the postoperative position of an intraocular lens (IOL) and determining appropriate optical power for the IOL.
US08545022B2	Ophthalmoscope including therapy beam pulse information storage An ophthalmoscope includes a therapy beam source configured to apply therapy beam pulses onto an eye and a drive unit configured to store information about the therapy beam pulses applied onto the eye.
US08545021B2	Ophthalmoscope including virtual position patterning for therapy beam application An ophthalmoscope includes a display, a therapy beam source, and a drive unit. The display is configured to display a live image of a patient's eye. The therapy beam source is configured to apply therapy beam pulses onto the eye. The drive unit is configured to superimpose onto the live image of the eye a virtual pattern of positions intended for the application of therapy beam pulses.
US08545018B2	Ophthalmic photography apparatus Positioning control relating to a two-aperture stop necessary for stereoscopic photography can be performed accurately and securely using a simple, inexpensive, compact, and lightweight structure. The apparatus comprises a two-aperture stop (28) provided with two stop apertures (28a, 28b), and a shutter plate (302) for opening and closing one of the two stop apertures. The two-aperture stop (28) is moved so as to intersect with an optical axis so that in monocular photography the two-aperture stop is positioned in a first position in which the stop aperture (28b) is disposed substantially at the center of the optical axis and so that in stereoscopic photography it is positioned in a second position in which the two stop apertures (28a, 28b) are disposed off-center from the optical axis. A drive mechanism comprising a cam plate (303), a spring (304), and a rotary solenoid (301) is used to move the shutter plate (302) so as to close the stop opening (28a) of the two stop apertures in the first position and to open both of the two stop apertures (28a, 28b) in the second position.
US08545014B2	Optical lens with antistatic coating The present invention relates to an optical lens, in particular for use as a spectacle lens, having a lens element and a coating for producing an antistatic effect, said coating being applied onto the lens element and having a plurality of layers. Further, the antistatic effect is provided by two layers adjoining one another, wherein at least one of the two layers adjoining one another is formed in a non-stoichiometric fashion. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a corresponding optical lens.
US08545009B2	Apparatus capable of handling code, method for controlling the same, and program therefor An apparatus includes a printing unit to print, when printing a plurality of pages to an output page, a first page and a second page respectively on both sides across a boundary line in the output page. The printing unit prints a two-dimensional code on a boundary line side in the first page. Further, the printing unit prints a two-dimensional code on a side opposite to the boundary line in the second page.
US08545005B2	Contactless ink leveling method and appartus A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.
US08545001B2	Ink composition, ink set and image forming method The invention provides an inkjet ink composition including a pigment and colloidal silica, the pigment being covered with a water-insoluble resin including a constituent unit having an acidic group, with which rub resistance of images formed and ink discharge reliability are excellent and deterioration of liquid repellency of an inkjet head member is suppressed.
US08544997B2	Liquid ejection head and manufacturing method thereof Provided is a liquid ejection head, including: an ejection orifice forming member having an ejection orifice for ejecting liquid; a substrate having a supply port for supplying the liquid to the ejection orifice; and a filter disposed at a position upstream of the ejection orifice when the liquid is supplied to the ejection orifice, in which the filter includes an opening having a diameter smaller than or equal to a diameter of the ejection orifice, and a tapered shape structure disposed at a position upstream of the opening when the liquid is supplied to the ejection orifice, the tapered shape structure having a distal end directed toward an upstream side.
US08544988B1	Recyclable and remanufacturable microprocessor-based postal evidencing module and method of recycling and remanufacturing The present invention relates to postal evidencing modules that can be recycled in a non-destructive fashion for reuse and remanufacturing. The modules comprise a cartridge-receiving portion and a lid, which can be manually disengaged from one another by the user in order to assist in reuse and remanufacturing. The modules further comprise flex circuits with one or more microprocessors to electrically engage the ink cartridges and a postage evidencing system. The present invention is designed to use commercially available ink cartridges and microprocessors.
US08544987B2	Thermally stable oleophobic low adhesion coating for inkjet printhead front face A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises a oleophobic low adhesion coating. When the oleophobic low adhesion coating is disposed on an ink jet printhead front face surface, jetted drops of ultra-violet gel ink or jetted drops of solid ink exhibit a contact angle greater than 45° and a low sliding angle of less than about 30°. In embodiments, the oleophobic low adhesion coating is thermally stable wherein the surface contact angle and sliding angle show little degradation after the coating is subjected to high temperatures in a range between 180° and 320° or thereabout and high pressures in a range between 100 psi and 400 psi or thereabout during printhead fabrication and manufacturing.
US08544984B2	Inkjet printer An inkjet printer has a nozzle cap that keeps the nozzle surface of the inkjet head moisturized, and can keep the nozzle cap moist by means of a simple mechanism. A check processing device incorporating the inkjet printer has an inkjet head, a nozzle cap that covers the nozzle surface of the inkjet head and keeps the nozzle surface moist, and a shutter that closes the open part of the nozzle cap to keep the inside of the nozzle cap moist. When the nozzle surface of the inkjet head is not capped, a moisture retention state in which moisture inside the nozzle cap is prevented from evaporating can be held by the shutter covering the open part of the nozzle cap.
US08544983B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus including: a recording head having a nozzle surface in which nozzles to eject liquid droplets in a horizontal direction or a direction slanted from the horizontal direction are formed, the nozzle surface being disposed in a vertical direction or a direction slanted from the vertical direction; a head tank to supply liquid to the recording head; a suction cap to cap the nozzle surface of the recording head; a suction member connected to the suction cap to suck out liquid from the nozzles by the suction cap; a valve member to open or close a sealed space formed by capping the nozzle surface with the suction cap to atmosphere; a liquid supplier to supply the liquid to the head tank and return the liquid from the head tank; and a control unit to control servicing of the recording head.
US08544982B2	Liquid jet head, liquid jet recorder and method for filling liquid jet head with liquid A liquid jet head has a nozzle plate with nozzle holes for ejecting a liquid. A wall portion surrounding the nozzle plate has an opening opposed to the nozzle holes. An opening and closing mechanism is configured in an open state to open the opening of the wall portion to expose the nozzle holes to an exterior of the head, and in a closed state to close the opening of the wall portion to form a closed space between the wall portion and the nozzle plate. A suction flow path has on one end side a suction port opening below the nozzle holes, and another end side is connected to a suction portion that evacuates the closed space to convert the closed space to a negative pressure chamber, thereby supplying the liquid to the nozzle holes. An atmosphere release portion switches between the open and closed states of the mechanism.
US08544981B2	Sealing tape for ink jet recording head and ink jet recording head using the same A sealing tape for an ink jet recording head, detachably adhered to the surface of a chip which is provided on an ink jet recording head and on which a discharge port for discharging ink is formed, includes: a base layer; and an adhesive layer on the base layer, the adhesive layer consisting of: (1) 70 to 100 wt % of (A)-(B)-(A) block copolymers which have no unsaturated carbon bond and consist of (a) vinyl aromatic compound units and (b) olefinic hydrocarbon units where (A) is a polymer block consisting of the (a) units and (B) is a polymer block consisting of the (b) units; and (2) 0 to 30 wt % of polyolefin, wherein the content of the (a) vinyl aromatic compound units in the (1) (A)-(B)-(A) block copolymers is 10 to 30 wt %.
US08544979B2	Ejection inspecting device, printer and ejection inspecting method An ejection inspecting device is operable to inspect an ejection state of a fluid ejection device operable to eject a fluid. The ejection inspecting device includes: at least one pair of electrodes, disposed so that the fluid can pass; an oscillation executing unit, connected to the electrodes, and operable to electrically oscillates; an oscillation detecting unit, operable to detect an oscillation state oscillated by the oscillation executing unit by counting the number of oscillations during a predetermined period; and a control unit, operable to detect whether the fluid has been ejected from the fluid ejection device based on the number of oscillations detected during the predetermined period during which the fluid has not been ejected, and based on the number of oscillations detected during the predetermined period during which the fluid ejected therefrom has passed near the electrodes.
US08544976B2	Focus-activated acoustic ejection To ejecting a droplet from a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid is moved with respect to an acoustic ejector. As the reservoir and ejector move closer together, the acoustic ejector sends one or more interrogation pulses towards the reservoir. Based on the interrogation pulses, the system determines when the movement of the reservoir has placed a free surface of the fluid in a position where a droplet can be ejected.
US08544973B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs. The refrigerator further includes a first door configured to open and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second storage chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to food stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door, located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to open and close the second storage chamber by rotating the rotational axis, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is identical to the rotation direction of the first door.
US08544972B2	Refrigerator, refrigerator door handle, and assembling method of the refrigerator door handle A door handle for a refrigerator is provided. The door handle includes a graspable handle main body, a receiving member coupled to the handle main body and provided with a receiving portion, one or more decorations received in the receiving portion, and a handle cover coupled to the handle main body and supporting at least a portion of the decoration. As the decorations are stably installed on the door handle, the exterior beauty of the refrigerator can be improved. This satisfies the user.
US08544968B2	Cabinet with a shelf that has a removable shelf liner and end cap A cabinet includes one or more shelves that each include a substrate, a removable shelf liner, and a removable end cap. When the removable shelf liner or removable end cap needs to be replaced, either one or both of the removable shelf liner and removable end cap can be easily removed and replaced without removing or replacing the shelf. In addition, the sides and back of the cabinet preferably contain a dado joint so that the shelf substrate is captivated within the sides and back of the cabinet. The cabinet may also include metal rods to support each shelf substrate. The sides of the cabinet are attached by screws passing through the sides into the metal rods so there is a direct metal-to-metal connection. The combination of the metal rods and captivated shelves provides a cabinet that is very strong and durable, and can be repaired very easily and economically.
US08544966B2	Brake controller for vehicle and brake control method for vehicle A brake controller for a vehicle is disclosed. The brake controller is mounted on the vehicle to control the drive of the brake device. The brake controller comprises a rough road index calculating section for calculating a rough road index in a predetermined cycle, wherein the rough road index indicates an unevenness degree of the road on which the vehicle travels; and a controlling section for controlling the drive of the brake device to provide the driving force to the brake pad when the current rough road index calculated by the rough road index calculating section is smaller than a previous rough road index calculated by the rough road index calculating section.
US08544965B2	Brake system Provided is a brake system capable of preventing fuel efficiency of a vehicle from being lowered. After a brake pedal is released, a pump is driven under a state in which opening/closure of valves included in an ABS/VDC actuator are regulated so that pressure-reduction control for returning a brake fluid in wheel cylinders to a master cylinder is performed. Therefore, the brake fluid remaining in the wheel cylinders is returned to the master cylinder via the pump to increase a hydraulic pressure of the master cylinder. As a result, return characteristics of an electric actuation unit are improved. Therefore, for example, even if viscosity of grease applied onto a rotary-to-linear motion converting mechanism is increased at a low temperature or the like, pistons of the master cylinder can be appropriately returned to initial positions.
US08544961B2	Fabricated vehicle axle A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions. King pin bolt holes are machined at each axle head section into the cover flaps, head plates and each end of the bottom plate to permit a king pin to be installed therein.
US08544960B2	Chain guide for a driving chain of a mining machine A chain guide for a driving chain of a winning plow or the like, the chain guide being provided with a chain guide element which is arranged in spatial proximity to the sprockets at a driving or return station and is against the chain transversely to the direction of movement of the latter, provision is made according to the invention for the chain guide element to have at least one pressure roller which can be adjusted against the chain links of the driving chain, as a result of which the wear on the chain guide element is considerably reduced.
US08544953B2	Lumbar support assembly and corresponding seat structure A lumbar support assembly (2) comprises a support arrangement (3) which may have the form of a wire framework with two side wires (4) and a plurality of transverse wires (6). A Bowden cable arrangement (10) with a single Bowden cable is attached by two plate clips (15, 17) to the two side wires (4). A first end portion (13) of the wire (12) of the Bowden cable arrangement (10) is anchored to a front edge of a seat frame (1), while a second end portion (14) of the wire (12) is coupled to an actuator (20) for adjusting the tension of the Bowden cable. The lumbar support assembly (2) thus requires only one single Bowden cable to arch the lumbar support assembly at least in a lumbar region and to adjust the degree of lumbar support accordingly.
US08544950B2	Airplane seat A seat having a seat surface and a backrest also includes a reboard seat frame which is pivotably mounted in the lower region of the backrest and/or in the connecting/transition region of backrest and seat surface. At least one part of the cushion of the backrest is connected to the reboard seat frame and can pivot with this reboard seat frame. The reboard seat frame in a stowed position is arranged essentially parallel to the backrest and can pivot from the stowed position into a reboard in-use position in which it occupies an angular position between the planes of the backrest and of the seat surface. In the reboard in-use position, the part of the cushion of the backrest which is connected to the reboard seat frame forms the seat surface of a reboard child seat.
US08544940B2	Rear floor for an automobile and automobile including such a floor A rear floor for an automobile, including a series of ribs punched into the metal sheet of the floor and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least one of the punched-in ribs is connected to an adjacent rib by a rib portion that is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction.
US08544936B2	Device for connecting functional elements to a supply source A device for connecting functional elements is indicated which are arranged in a sliding door of a motor vehicle, with at least one supply source present in the body of the motor vehicle through lines which extend between the functional elements and the supply source. The sliding door is mounted on a carriage which is moveable back and forth in the bottom area of the motor vehicle essentially over the entire width of a door opening (3). Lines connected to a connection point (14) of the supply source are arranged in a guide chain (16) which is composed of mechanically stable chain links which are moveably connected to each other, wherein the guide chain is pivotally fastened with a first end to the sliding door and with a second end in the area of the connection point (14) to the body of the vehicle. An elbow (19) is arranged along the length of the guide chain (16) in the vicinity of the connection point (14) through which the guide chain (16) is raised with its second end to a level located above the upper edge of the carriage, while on the other side of the elbow (19) with the sliding door being in the closed position the guide chain is arranged below the bottom edge of the carriage.
US08544934B2	Roll up pick-up truck box cover with lock down slats A roll up cover for a box of a pick-up truck includes a plurality of substantially rigid slats connected by hinge joints. A flexible sheet of material is attached to the top surface of the slats. The hinge joints include a stop which allows pivoting of adjacent slats only in a direction moving the top surfaces of the slats towards each other, to allow the cover to be rolled up with flexible sheet facing inwardly, and with bottom surfaces of the slats facing outwardly, and not vice versa. Side rails are attached to the box of the pick-up truck. A roll rod in each side rail pivots into closed position when the cover is unrolled, with the roll rods engaging the end fittings on the slats, to hold the cover down onto the side rails.
US08544933B1	Vehicle sun visor system A vehicle sun visor system provides shade by blocking sunlight passing into a vehicle cabin. The system includes a base plate configured for coupling to a vehicle sun shade. A plurality of protrusions is coupled to the base plate. The protrusions are positioned on a side of the base plate opposite the vehicle sun shade. A cover plate is detachably coupled to the base plate. A plurality of indentions extending into the cover plate, the indentations is complimentary to the protrusions. The cover plate is removable from and repositionable on the base plate.
US08544931B2	Latch assembly for vehicle seat A latch assembly for vehicle seat is provided. The latch assembly includes a base with a receiving pocket for accommodating a striker of a vehicle body part, a catch rotatably coupled to the base to rotate between a locking position where the catch supports the striker and an unlocking position where the catch allows the striker to escape, a damping plate rotatably coupled to the base to elastically press the catch to rotate to the unlocking position and having a damping surface which elastically presses and supports the striker accommodated in the receiving pocket, a pawl plate rotatably coupled to the base and having a pressing surface which presses the catch rotated to the locking position, and a pawl rotatably coupled to the base with the same rotating axis as the pawl plate and can prevent a further rotation of the catch due to an outer impact.
US08544930B2	Tailgate damping systems A tailgate damping system for controlling movement of a tailgate assembly of a vehicle includes a speed sensor that provides rotational speed information of the tailgate assembly. A controller receives the rotational speed information from the speed sensor. A damping control assembly receives a tailgate shaft of the tailgate assembly. The damping control assembly includes a housing comprising a rotor chamber including a rotor member located therein. The rotor member is connected to a rotor shaft that is coupled to the tailgate shaft. A valve chamber includes a control valve located therein. The controller closes the control valve to inhibit exit of a damping fluid from the rotor chamber based on the speed information received from the speed sensor.
US08544929B2	Adjustable package tray for reclining/folding rear seats A vehicle package tray having a horizontal member extending across a back portion of a vehicle. A tray cover is operably coupled with and slidable relative to the horizontal member. The tray cover includes a rear substrate that extends over the horizontal member. A front substrate is slidably engaged with the rear substrate and adapted for abutment with a seat back. A spring-biased member is disposed between the horizontal member and the front substrate.
US08544927B2	Vehicle equipment for a mobile appliance Assembly including a vehicle equipment designed to detachably hold an electrically powered electronic appliance (3) provided with a display screen (5) and manually activatable function keys (7), is characterized in that the equipment has a cavity (11) in which the appliance (3) is held and which for that purpose is open at the front where the cavity (11) is bordered by a part (13a) made of soft material connected to a plate (15) mounted so that it can rotate about an axis (15a) that is transverse to the back of the cavity (11), the appliance (3) being pressed up behind and/or against this part made of soft material (13a) under the effect of first and second thrusting elements.
US08544926B2	Shaft extraction The shaft removal devices described herein include an elongated gripping portion that allows a shaft, e.g., the shaft of an arrow, to be securely gripped and a force applied in a direction parallel to the long axis of the shaft to be distributed over at least part of the length of the shaft.
US08544925B2	Sling element and combination consisting of a sling element and a fastening means A sling element and a combination for coupling sling gear, to a goods item to be transported, wherein the sling element has a fastening section, into which an oblong-shaped opening is formed which leads from the upper side of the fastening section to a contact area formed on the underside of the fastening section. The combination enables the sling element to be fastened in a durably secure way even with adverse loads. This is achieved by a wedge area aligned in the longitudinal direction of the opening of the fastening section being formed on the fastening section, which wedge area runs in a plane which intersects the longitudinal axis of the opening at an acute angle and is designed as a support for a fastening member which is provided to brace the sling element on the goods item to be transported.
US08544921B2	Gripping element of a bag for pharmaceutical products A gripping element of a bag for pharmaceutical products is provided with two gripping devices adapted to withhold two opposite edges of the bag itself.
US08544920B2	Robot arm for delivering a wafer and wafer-operating machine A robot arm for delivering a wafer is disclosed which comprises a carrier plate, an inner ring, a driving device and at least a contact pad. The inner ring is disposed on the carrier plate and defines at least a through-hole. The driving device is connected to the carrier plate to move the carrier plate. The contact pad is disposed at the through-hole of the inner ring and comprises a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion. The first protrusion portion protrudes from a first surface of the inner ring and is used for being in contact with the wafer to prevent it from being in contact with the first surface. The second protrusion portion is lodged in the through-hole to fix the contact pad at the inner ring.
US08544916B2	Cable placement and retrieval device A cable placement and retrieval device includes a main shaft forming a hook opening defined by a generally inverted U-shaped bend terminating at a spherical bead, a rigid push rod radiating up and away from the main shaft in the opposite direction of the hook opening and terminating in a second spherical bead and a hollow proximal portion meant to receive extension arms and other complementary attachments.
US08544908B1	Electromagnetic pick-and-place device for use with processing apparatus An electromagnetic pick-and-place device for use with a processing apparatus is provided. The electromagnetic pick-and-place device essentially includes a fixing base, a fixing axle penetratingly disposed at the fixing base, and an electric magnet disposed at the fixing axle, which move together in operation so as to be positioned right above a workpiece. Then, the workpiece is gripped by suction with electromagnetic pick-and-place device under a magnetic force generated from the electric magnet. Afterward, the electromagnetic pick-and-place device and the workpiece move together to a processing position. Eventually, the magnetic force of the electric magnet is disabled in order to free the workpiece; at this point in time, the processing apparatus can start processing the workpiece.
US08544898B2	Damping mechanism for hinged doors In a damping mechanism for a pivot door arranged in a door frame, comprising a door fixture arranged in or on the door panel, a frame fixture arranged in or on the door frame, a damper arrangement arranged in the door fixture or the frame fixture and a damper arrangement counter part mounted in the frame fixture or in the door fixture, a damper arrangement with a brake catcher provided with a damper member includes a spring element which pulls the brake catcher into the fixture and the damper arrangement counter part includes at least one trigger element which is abutted by the brake catcher during closing of the door, so that the damper arrangement begins to dampen the pivot movement of the door as soon as a fixture part of the door comes into contact with a fixture part of the door frame.
US08544897B2	Stop device for door lock for panic exit door A stop device (400) for a door lock includes an anchor (430) pivotable relative to a connecting seat (402). When the anchor (430) is in an alignment position, a through-hole (446) of the anchor (430) is aligned with a positioning groove (420) of the connecting seat (402), and a notch (441) of the anchor (430) is aligned with a slot (414) in the connecting seat (402). When the anchor (430) is in an anchoring position, the through-hole (446) is misaligned from the positioning groove (420), the notch (441) is misaligned from the slot (414), and a stop portion (440) of the anchor (430) is received in and blocks the slot (414). A positioning member (452) is received in the through-hole (446) and the positioning groove (420) to retain the anchor (430) in the alignment position. When the positioning member (452) melts due to heat of a fire, the anchor (430) pivots to the anchoring position under action of gravity, preventing movement of a latch (38) from moving to an unlatching position.
US08544895B2	Strike door keeper assembly An strike door keeper assembly having first and second bodies matable to form an assembly body, a keeper subassembly disposed within said assembly body, and an actuator member such as an electric solenoid disposed within said assembly body the actuating member terminating in a blocker, wherein said keeper subassembly includes an axle journaled in at least one of said first and second interlocking bodies, a keeper flange pivotable on an axis of said axle and protruding through an opening in one of said first and second interlocking bodies, and a tang extending into interfering relationship with said blocker to fix said keeper flange in a locking position when said solenoid is in one of an energized and a de-energized state. In one aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a faceplate assembly having flanges and keys for mounting and preventing rotation of the door keeper assembly.
US08544894B1	Recreational vehicle waste hose coupling assembly A recreational vehicle waste hose coupling assembly includes a coupler including a sleeve that has a first end wall, a second end wall, an inner wall and an outer wall. An inflation space is defined between the inner and outer walls. A tube has a receiving end and an insertion end and the tube is fixedly positioned within the sleeve. An air pump is fluidly coupled to an air line. The air pump is actuated to inflate the sleeve to frictionally engage the outer wall with an inner surface of a sewer pipe. A feed pipe has an inflow end, an outflow end and a bend between the inflow and outflow ends. The inflow end is removably positionable within a recreational vehicle waste hose. The outflow end is removably positionable within the receiving end.
US08544893B2	Security element comprising magnetic materials having the same remanence and a different coercive field intensity The invention relates to a security element for protecting documents of value, which has magnetic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a document of value, a transfer material and method for producing such security elements and documents of value as well as a method and an apparatus for checking such a security element or document of value.According to the invention the security element has at least two magnetic materials, wherein the magnetic materials have different coercive field strengths and are applied onto and/or incorporated in the security element in such a manner that their remanence is equally high.
US08544890B2	Apparatus and system for regaining or maintaining balance in snow An apparatus that receives a pole tip and assists a user to achieve a standing position in snow is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pole tip receiving member having a base and a pole tip engagement. The pole tip engagement engages a tip of a pole limits lateral movement of the pole with respect to the pole tip receiving member. a coupling secures the pole tip receiving member to the snow traversal device. Engagement of the pole by the pole tip receiving member transfers a pressure applied by the pole to a supporting substrate of the snow traversal device. The transfer of the pressure applied by the pole increases the effective surface area of the pole.
US08544887B2	Steering column support apparatus and assembly method Construction of a steering column support apparatus is achieved that is capable of simplifying tuning for stabilizing the forward displacement of the steering wheel 1 during a secondary collision, and lowering and stabilizing the break away load of the steering column 6c. A connecting bracket 30 is used that comprises an installation plate section 31 that connects and fastens to the portion on the top surface of the top plate section 23 of a bracket 12b on the column side which is exposed on the inside of a locking notch 28, a raised section 32 that rises upward from the installation plate section 31, and a restraining plate section 33 that is bent and extends outward from the edge on the top end of the raised section 32. With the installation plate section 31 connected and fastened to the top plate section 23, the portion of a bracket on the vehicle side 11 that surrounds the locking cutout section 28 is elastically held between the top surface of the top plate section 23 and the bottom surface of the restraining plate section 33, and the bracket 12 b on the column side is supported by the bracket 11 on the vehicle side so as to be able to displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision.
US08544886B2	Electrical power-assisted steering The invention relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle with electrical power assistance comprising: a steering-spindle bearing unit, in which the steering shaft is mounted rotatably and is guided in a slide, which can be connected to the vehicle body, wherein the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable at least in its inclination, an electric motor, which is coupled rotatably via reduction gearing to a steering spindle, wherein the reduction gearing is enclosed and mounted in a housing, wherein the housing has means for forming a swivelling axis, about which the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable in its inclination, wherein the steering system further comprises a retaining clamp for fastening the steering system to the motor vehicle, wherein the retaining clamp has a guideway that interacts with a counterstay arranged on the slide, wherein the slide is movable along the guideway after it overcomes a presettable releasing force, and in the case of displacement of the slide along the guideway, the swivelling axis is moved upwards relative to the retaining clamp.
US08544883B2	Tear stitching for inflatable vehicle occupant protection devices Tear stitching (100) for interconnecting portions (130, 140) of an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes first and second end portions (102, 104) having curled configurations and a central portion (110) extending between the end portions. The central portion (110) includes leg portions (112, 114) that converge at an angle and intersect a break point (116). The tear stitching (100) exhibits a comparatively high rupture strength in response to tension forces applied to the interconnected portions (130, 140) that act on the end portions (102, 104) of the tear stitching (100). The tear stitching (100) exhibits a comparatively low rupture strength in response to tension forces applied to the interconnected portions (130, 140) that act on the break point (116) of the tear stitching (100).
US08544880B2	Active bolster An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.
US08544878B1	Active bolster with cross-connected pleats An active bolster for automotive crash protection has front and back walls with their outer peripheral edges sealed together to provide a bladder chamber therebetween. A gas source supplies an expansion gas to inflate the bladder chamber during a crash. The back wall has a pleated section comprising a plurality of generally-parallel rows of generally-circumferential pleats that unfold during inflation. The unfolding of the pleats controls a deployment trajectory of the front wall, and the pleats have an undulating transverse curve length corresponding to a maximum trajectory of the front wall. The pleated section further comprises a plurality of transverse ribs joining adjacent pleats in selected locations to reduced the unfolding during inflation to provide a modified deployment trajectory.
US08544874B2	Transport device frame assembly A transport device cart having a frame assembly having one or more arms corresponding to and capable of engaging a removable bucket; one or more movement mechanisms; and a latching post. It also includes a latching assembly rotatably coupled to the frame assembly having a hooking latch capable of engaging and disengaging the latching post. A handle assembly is coupled to the latching assembly, wherein the handle assembly can be rotated back and used to push the removable bucket into a substantially inverted position.
US08544868B2	Universal pull cart attachment device and method to enhance golf play This disclosure generally relates to a universal pull cart attachment device and method to enhance golf play. In some cases, a universal pull cart attachment device having a displaceable member is coupled to a motorized golf cart to allow users to displace the member to interchangeably receive a handle of a conventional golf bag pull cart. A method of playing golf using such a universal pull cart attachment device is also provided.
US08544867B1	Tow bar balance system An apparatus and method is described for offsetting a lifting or lowering weight of a tow bar attached to a trailer. The apparatus includes nitrogen accumulators coupled in series to a hydraulic cylinder. The accumulators include volumes of hydraulic fluid and a gas, such as nitrogen, which are preset to have differing nitrogen pressures to accommodate a full range of motion. After initial system pressurization, no separate power source is needed to provide hydraulic support at static conditions, oscillation of the tow bar below horizontal, and lift support from horizontal to a positive angle, allowing the user to lift and position a heavy tow bar several feet with minor user force.
US08544866B2	Convertible wheelchairs with movable carriages for transferring patients to/from the wheelchairs Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.
US08544859B2	Dolly A dolly has a frame with a pair of risers connected thereto. Connecting bolts extend partially through the risers and through the frame to connect the risers and casters to the frame. The risers have an outer riser body with a core disposed therein. The outer riser body may be a thermoplastic injection molded riser body that is molded around a riser core which may be a metal riser plate core.
US08544858B2	Stack comprising a number of identical shopping carts pushed one inside the other A stack comprising a number of identical shopping carts pushed one inside the other, which stack can be transported with the aid of transportation means such as trucks, containers, and the like and is kept ready for removal and for use of the individual shopping carts after being transported to a collection point, which is constructed by self-service shops, wherein the shopping carts are pushed one inside the other by means of the chassis and the baskets thereof both during transport and at the collection point in such a way that a stack distance is formed between each shopping cart, wherein a stack distance is greater than a stack distance and the length of the stack having the stack distances is greater than the length of the same stack having the stack distances, and wherein the stack having the length is intended for transport and the stack having the length is intended to be provided at a collection point.
US08544857B2	Foldable wheeled container A foldable wheeled container having a frame; at least two wheels connected to the frame; a tensioning cable housed within the frame; a plurality of hinge points, wherein when the frame rotates around the hinge point the tensioning cable is aligned; and a locking mechanism which tighten and locks the tensioning cable in its tightened position to form a rigid structure. A stroller having a similar structure including a frame; at least four wheels connected to the frame; a tensioning cable integrally connected to the frame; a plurality of hinge points, wherein when the frame rotates around the hinge point the tensioning cable is aligned; and a locking mechanism which tightens and locks the tensioning cable in its tightened position.
US08544851B2	Gasket for parabolic ramp self restraining bell joint Gaskets for use with a bell and spigot coupling system are disclosed herein. The gasket comprises an elastomeric member having a front edge, a first section, and a second section. Axial forces generated by the insertion of the spigot to the first section of the elastomeric member displace the first section of the elastomeric member in an axial and radial direction.
US08544850B2	Seal assemblies for movable and static shafts Seal assemblies for sealing around a moveable shaft, such as rotary or reciprocating, or static, are described. The seal assemblies prevent the passage of lubricant or fluid from a relatively high pressure area on a first side of the seal to a relatively low pressure area on a second side of the seal. In some embodiments, these seals are energized by energizers, such as circular springs or canted springs, to keep the seal in contact with the moveable shaft. The seals have primary and secondary seals. The secondary seal provides initial moderate sealing against abrasive particles or contaminants to reduce the exposure and wear of the primary seal.
US08544849B2	Three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle The invention relates to a three-dimensional, self-supporting jigsaw puzzle, having a multiplicity of puzzle pieces resulting in a hollow body in the assembled state, each puzzle piece having an upper face associated with the exterior of the hollow body, a lower face associated with the interior of the hollow body, an edge extending between the upper face and the lower face, and at least one connecting region extending from the edge in the form of a recess or an extension.
US08544847B2	Card shoe apparatus accurately identifying card information of card The following members are included: a storage unit 2 which stores a card 50; a guide path 10 which guides the card 50 drawn out from the storage unit 2 to a card discharging edge 18 while keeping one surface of the card 50 to contact the guide path 10; an opening 13 which is formed in the guide path 10; an inspection light applicator 31 which applies inspection light to the drawn card via the opening 13; a photo acceptance portion 32 which receives the inspection light reflected from the drawn card 50; a control unit 151 which identifies card information based on the inspection light received by the photo acceptance portion 32; and a filter 34 which is provided between the opening 13 and the photo acceptance portion 32 to block the disturbance light.
US08544844B2	Image forming system and control method therefor, and control unit for image forming apparatus An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus. The system includes: a first conveying unit conveying to the image forming apparatus a recording material; a second conveying unit conveying to an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus the recording material; a detector detecting a recording material type while the second conveying unit halts conveying the recording material; a first controller, based on detection by the detector, determining a speed for conveying the recording material to the image forming unit, and conveying the recording material at the conveying speed; and a second controller controlling recording material conveying speeds of the first conveying unit. Before the recording material reaches the second conveying unit, the second controller maintains a first conveying speed, and after the recording material reaches the second convey unit, maintains a second conveying speed determined by the first control unit.
US08544843B2	Paper transport device, document reading apparatus provided with the same, and image forming apparatus provided with the same A first resist roller (72) and a second resist roller (75) are disposed in a transport path of paper on an upstream side and a downstream side in the transport direction of the paper, and the rotational speeds of the first resist roller (72) and the second resist roller (75) are controlled so that the leading edge of the paper butts against and stops at the first resist roller (72) and the second resist roller (75), after which the paper is transported by the first and second resist rollers (72, 75) and the angled travel of the paper is corrected. An angled travel detection unit (81, 82) that detects angled travel in the paper is disposed upstream from the first resist roller (72) in the transport direction of the paper.
US08544836B2	Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method A sheet processing apparatus includes a punch motor, an actuator which rotates by driving of the punch motor, a punching blade which punches a sheet by driving of the actuator, and a controller which controls the driving of the punch motor so that approach run is gained, if a thickness of the sheet exceeds a threshold, in a rotating direction of the actuator in which the punching blade does not move at the beginning of the driving of the punch motor.
US08544834B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus A finisher deforms a fold end portion of a sheet bundle with a lower pressing plate and an upper pressing plate. A pressing unit holds a sheet bundle so that the fold end portion is positioned between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate. A third pressing roller includes a third pressing surface that presses the fold end portion of the sheet bundle between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate. The third pressing roller moves in between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate. The third pressing roller or the pressing unit moves so that the third pressing surface of the third pressing roller presses the fold end portion at a predetermined position based on a tip of the fold end portion. The fold end portion projects after the sheet bundle is held between the lower pressing plate and the upper pressing plate.
US08544831B2	Clamp and method for producing a clamp A clamp is provided, having a slide rail, a fixed arm fastened to the slide rail and on which a first abutment surface for a workpiece is arranged, a sliding arm displaceable on the slide rail, and a housing arrangement, on which are held a first bearing device and a second bearing device, by means of which the housing arrangement is guided on the slide rail. The sliding arm is positioned between the first and second bearing devices. A second abutment surface for a workpiece is arranged on the housing arrangement and faces the first abutment surface. A force application device is held on the sliding arm and acts on a pressure piece held on the housing arrangement. The housing arrangement has a first housing part with a housing interior having an opening. The sliding arm is brought into the housing interior through the opening during production of the clamp.
US08544828B2	Liquid material vaporization apparatus An object of this invention is to provide a liquid material vaporization apparatus that is capable of increasing the flow rate of a carrier gas without changing the shape of a nozzle. The liquid material vaporization apparatus comprises a gas-liquid mixing chamber in which a liquid material and the carrier gas are mixed, a liquid material introduction path that introduces the liquid material into the gas-liquid mixing chamber, a carrier gas introduction path that introduces the carrier gas into the gas-liquid mixing chamber, a vaporization nozzle section that is communicated with the gas-liquid mixing chamber to subject a mixture of the liquid material and the carrier gas to flash boiling, and a mixed gas derivation path that is communicated with the vaporization nozzle section to derive the mixed gas vaporized by the vaporization nozzle section.
US08544826B2	Ultrasonic humidifier An ultrasonic humidifier is disclosed including a chamber, an ultrasonic transducer positioned at the bottom of the chamber, a passage in fluid communication with the chamber, a duct having an inlet and an outlet, the duct being in fluid communication with the passage by way of a passage outlet, a fan positioned in the duct and disposed between the duct inlet and the passage outlet. The fan is configured to propel air through the duct and over the passage outlet such that vapors in the chamber may be drawn into the duct.
US08544825B2	Humidifier A humidifier with an in-water discharging apparatus is provided. The humidifier is hygienically safe because it discharges sterilized, clean water into an indoor environment. Also, because a floor around where the humidifier is installed is not dampened, the formation of mold and the risk of a user suffering an accident can be prevented.
US08544824B2	Foldable table lift assist apparatus A lift-assist apparatus, including an arm having a medial portion, a distal end, and a proximal end. One or more pulleys are attached to a surface of the medial portion. An upright support includes an upper horizontal bar and a lower horizontal bar, and a hinge point is formed medially on the upper horizontal bar. A turnbuckle has a fixed end and a connecting end, the fixed end attached to the lower horizontal bar, the connecting end adapted to attach to the medial portion. The hinge point is configured as a pair of opposing tabs defining a space in which the medial portion resides, wherein a pin can be inserted through each tab and through the medial portion to pivotally fix the arm on the upright support such that the arm can pivot in an upward and downward direction and be locked into a fixed position using the turnbuckle.
US08544820B2	Biasing apparatus for use with actuators Biasing apparatus for use with actuators are described. A biasing apparatus for use with a piston actuator includes a first sleeve at least partially surrounded by and movably coupled to a second sleeve. Additionally, the biasing apparatus includes a stop to limit an amount of movement of the first sleeve relative to the second sleeve and a biasing element positioned between first and second ends of the respective first and second sleeves to urge the first sleeve away from the second sleeve.
US08544816B2	Valve with lip seal The invention relates to a valve having a movably arranged valve body for selectively opening and closing a valve passage, with a sealing element, for example a lip seal, being arranged on the valve body in such a way that the sealing element comes to bear against a valve seat if the valve body is moved in a closing direction, and with at least one outer peripheral section of the sealing element being resiliently movable or elastically and/or flexibly deformable substantially in the movement direction of the valve body, and with a protective collar being arranged radially outside the outer peripheral section of the sealing element, which protective collar is fixed to the valve body in order to protect the sealing element from damage and/or from excessive deformation.
US08544813B2	Vehicle seat, in particular commercial vehicle seat A vehicle seat, particularly a commercial-vehicle seat is provided with a scissor-type stand (3) which is able to vibrate and which is provided with a top frame (7), two first rocker arms (8a) and two second rocker arms (8b), which intersect in pairs at a scissor axis (10) extending in a transverse seat direction (y). The first two rocker arms (8a) are connected with one another at one end via a transverse tube (18) which extends in the transverse seat direction (y) and are pivotably mounted on the top frame (7) and able to vibrate in the longitudinal seat direction (x) via a bearing mechanism (20). The transverse tube (18) can be locked with the top frame (7) via at least one locking device (31).
US08544812B2	Motorcycle restraint device A motorcycle restraint device is provided. The motorcycle restraint device comprises a base assembly, a catch assembly and a catch pin assembly. The base assembly comprises at least one base mounting box, at least one front ramp and at least one rear ramp. The catch assembly is mounted to a top portion of the base assembly comprising at least one catch arm, at least one catch arm keeper, at least one bolt traversing the base assembly, at least one front plate, at least one top plate located perpendicular to a front portion of the top plate, at least base side plates, at least two springs vertically mounted between at least one locking rod and at least one spring backup rod. The catch pin assembly is secured to a frame of a motorcycle.
US08544809B1	Method and apparatus for swivel device A swivel device on which a chair can be secured, and which is configured to allow the easy elimination or reduction of accumulated dirt and/or sand. The swivel device may include a mounting device, and a base, wherein the mounting device is connected to the base so that the mounting device can rotate with respect to the base. The swivel device may further include a device for keeping a chair stationary on the mounting device, a first cavity located between the mounting device and the base, and a device for aiding rotation of the mounting device with respect to the base located in the first cavity. There may be a first opening of the mounting device leading to the first cavity, leading to a first opening of the base, which leads to an area outside of the swivel device. The swivel device accommodates all straight and lounge chairs.
US08544803B2	Appliance strapping system and method A method and system to stabilize an appliance against sudden or continuous movement embodiments including one or more straps coupled to an appliance of interest and a target mounting surface. At least one spacer is located between the appliance and mounting surface. In one embodiment a plurality of straps with grommets located at the relative terminus of one end is affixed by a fastener passing through the grommet to a target mounting surface, and at least one spacer is affixed preferably to a wall stud within the target wall. A second strap end is affixed to a target appliance and tightened to provide snug contact between the appliance and wall.
US08544798B2	Window replacement for filling a window frame A window replacement for filling a window frame in an aircraft is provided, in particular a passenger aircraft, the window replacement being fixable by a retainer in the window frame in place of the window assembly when the window assembly is removed. The window replacement comprises a panel-shaped element with at least a single curvature, the panel-shaped element being made of a synthetic material. The window replacement is formed by a monolithic panel-shaped element. The panel-shaped element of the window replacement may also be formed by a sandwich panel. This allows a weight reduction in comparison with a window replacement of a metallic material.
US08544796B2	Passenger seat assembly with associated floor panel and aircraft sidewall attachment, and method An aircraft passenger seat assembly includes a seat frame on which is mounted at least one seat back, a seat pan and a plurality of seat legs and at least one seat floor panel having integrated floor panel seat tracks mounted therein and adapted for being mounted onto an aircraft deck. A mounting rail is mounted onto an aircraft fuselage sidewall, and leg track fasteners detachably secure the seat legs to the floor panel seat tracks and frame seat fasteners for mounting the seat frame to the sidewall mounted rail.
US08544793B1	Adjustable angle inlet for turbojet engines The adjustable angle inlet for turbojet engines provides for the adjustment of the nacelle inlet as the angle of attack of the aircraft changes. The adjustable inlet system thus assures that the nacelle inlet is always oriented directly into the relative wind as the angle of attack of the aircraft changes, e.g., during takeoff, landing, and high-G maneuvers where the aircraft reaches relatively high angles of attack. The adjustable angle inlet is adaptable to most turbojet-powered airplanes, but is particularly well suited for use with aircraft having their engines mounted on lateral pylons on the rear of the fuselage. The system operates according to signals received from an angle of attack sensor. The sensor controls an actuator, which rotates a shaft that is connected to the pivotally mounted inlet of the engine nacelle.
US08544789B2	Device for attaching a lift member to the fuselage of an aircraft The disclosed embodiments relate to an aircraft equipped with at least one device for attaching a lift member to the fuselage which includes elastic articulations whose rigidity in translation and in rotation can be adjusted axially, vertically, and transversely. An airfoil may be connected to the body of the fuselage by these elastic articulations.
US08544787B2	High performance tilt rotor aircraft in which nacelle tilt angle and flaperon angle mechanically interwork with each other Provided is a high performance tilt rotor aircraft in which a nacelle tilt angle and a flaperon angle mechanically interlock with each other. In the tilt rotor aircraft having nacelles in which rotors are mounted in left and right main wings and configured so that the nacelles rotate according to whether the tilt rotor aircraft conducts forward flight or vertical take-off and landing flight, each of the main wings is provided with a flaperon, and the nacelle and the flaperon are connected to each other by a power transfer unit, such that the flaperon also rotates together with the nacelle at the time of rotation of the nacelle, thereby allowing a change in a nacelle tilt angle to lead to a change in a flaperon angle.
US08544779B2	Delivery of agents to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders Devices for application of lubricant to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders. Maintenance and lubrication can be performed by applying lubrication agents to the cutting mechanism of a paper shredder without requiring disassembly of the paper shredder. The agents can also include scented agents and decomposing agents or a combination thereof. Lubrication sheets are configured to apply agents to the cutting mechanism of paper shredders. A holder can be positioned on a housing of a paper shredder for retaining one or more lubrication sheets within proximity of the shredding mechanism of the paper shredder. Paper shredders may include means for identifying when lubrication is needed and/or when the cutting mechanism of the paper shredder has been lubricated by a lubrication sheet.
US08544776B2	Device and method for dissociating feed material occurring in mixed form A device and method for dissociating feed material occurring as mixed materials is provided. The device includes a rotor/stator system arranged within a housing, a rotor of the rotor/stator system being equipped around its circumference with processing tools which are radially opposed by stator tools that are arranged stationary relative to the housing while maintaining a working gap; a first circumferential section for supply of the feed material and wherein the processing of the feed material takes place along a second circumferential section, the second circumferential section being divided in a direction of rotation of the rotor into a first subsection and at least one additional second subsection; and a stator tool followed by a processing path being provided at a start of each subsection with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor.
US08544774B1	Roller crusher, and method of protecting a roller crusher from uncrushable objects A method of protecting a roller crusher, having two rollers separated by a gap, from uncrushable objects is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: detecting an uncrushable object in an in-feed stream of material, opening a gap between the rollers to a by-pass width, which is significantly larger than an operational width, such that the uncrushable object is permitted to pass through the gap, restricting an in-feed to the gap, such that material is fed to the gap at a restricted in-feed rate, determining that the uncrushable object has passed through the gap, reducing the gap to the operational width, and opening the in-feed to the gap, such that material is fed to the gap at an operational in-feed rate. A roller crusher having a protective system for protecting the roller crusher from uncrushable objects is also disclosed.
US08544767B2	Fuel injection device A fuel injection device has therein a recovery channel provided in a first valve body, and a fuel channel provided in the first valve body and a second valve body. The fuel channel is opened by openings at a first end surface of the first valve body and a second end surface of the second valve body. One of the first end surface and the second end surface is provided with an end surface groove connected to the recovery channel. In the fuel injection device, the end surface groove is provided to enclose at least a part of the opening and is separated from the opening by a clearance, and one of the first valve body and the second valve body has a side surface groove extending in a circumferential direction at an outer periphery of the one of the first valve body and the second valve body.
US08544763B2	Prefabricated plinth for supporting a railway track A precast plinth for supporting an associated object, such as a rail of a railway track, includes an elongated body made of a material including concrete. The plinth includes an upper face, a lower face, a first side face, a second side face and first and second end faces. The first and second side faces taper away from each other from the upper face to the lower face. A leveling hole can extend from the upper face to the lower face with a threaded leveling insert located in the leveling hole. A grout hole can extend from the upper face to a lower face in a spaced manner from the leveling hole.
US08544762B1	Thermo-element and thermostat A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A check valve is provided between the liquid chamber and an outside of the thermo-element, and operable to permit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the outside of the thermo-element to the liquid chamber, and inhibit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the liquid chamber to the outside of the thermo-element.
US08544756B2	Method of receiving a module in a smart card body The smart card comprises a module having a microcircuit and a body including a cavity for receiving the module, wherein the cavity defines at least one surface area for fastening the module in the cavity, the body being formed by a stack of at least first and second layers respectively presenting weak adhesion and strong adhesion with the module. The area extends in the weak adhesion layer and includes at least one hole leading to the strong adhesion layer so as to form an anchor point for the module directly with said layer.
US08544754B2	Wireless IC device and wireless IC device composite component A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip, a feed circuit board having the wireless IC chip mounted thereon and including a feed circuit including inductance elements, and a radiation plate electromagnetically coupled to the inductance elements in the feed circuit. A high-permeability magnetic body made of a high-permeability magnetic material is provided in the feed circuit board and a portion of the inductance elements is provided in the high-permeability magnetic body.
US08544753B2	Card for interaction with a computer A smart card comprising: a memory for storing information; at least one transmitting or receiving antenna; and a low frequency circuit, for handling information associated with said antenna and said memory, which information is modulated at a modulation frequency of between 5 kHz and 100 kHz. Preferably the antenna is an acoustic antenna.
US08544744B2	Method for a more efficient use of an interface between a smart card and a device, associated smart card and device The invention relates to a method for a more efficient use of an interface between a smart card and a device, the interface comprising contacts and being adapted to allow data transfer between the smart card and the device characterized in that it comprises a step of allocating functions to the contacts within the interface so as to have a more efficient use of the contacts in the interface. The invention also relates to a smart card and a device in which the method is carried out.
US08544742B2	Device and method for operating a read/write device In an apparatus for operating a read/writer, including an antenna and a read/write unit, for communication with an identification medium via a communication link, a read/writer supply and a read/writer have a breakable connection arranged between them. When there is a contactless (operative) interconnection between the external power supply and the read/writer, the connection between the read/writer supply and the read/writer is open and the read/writer can be operated with the identification medium.
US08544739B2	Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving information relating to edible objects A method of marking an egg is disclosed and comprises applying radiant energy to the shell of an egg so as to cause discoloration of the eggshell, thereby forming a marking comprising at least a traceability code and a freshness date. Apparatus is also disclosed for applying markings on eggs being processed by an egg-handling machine that is designed and configured to transport a plurality of eggs therethrough, wherein the apparatus comprises a radiant energy source located in proximity to the egg-handling machine, the radiant energy source being configured to apply radiant energy to the eggs as the eggs are transported past the radiant energy source to selectively discolor the shell of the eggs and form markings on the shell, including a freshness date and a traceability code.
US08544738B2	Onboard computer ticketing terminal The present invention relates to an onboard ticketing terminal notably aboard a public transport vehicle. The ticketing terminal (30) comprises a body (39) equipped with at least a card reader, a swiveling customer interface (36, 37), a printer, incorporated into said body (39), paper output (40) from the printer being performed through a swiveling slot made in the body (39), and a swiveling driver interface. The ticketing terminal (30) makes it possible notably to implement transport ticket sales applications by virtue of an interface with an onboard central unit (21).
US08544736B2	Item scanning system The present invention provides an item scanning system in which an appearance of an item is received (e.g., at checkout). The appearance is captured with an image capture device (e.g., still frame camera, video camera, etc.) that can be collocated with a barcode scanner. In being collocated, the image capture device can be positioned proximate (e.g., near, attached to, etc.) the bar code scanner, integrated within a common housing/unit with the barcode scanner, etc. In any event, a search engine will then search a database of items based on the appearance to identify a set of items that potentially match the item. When one of the set of items is selected (e.g., by the checkout clerk), the selection will be received and stored for future investigation/auditing.

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