最新美国发明专利第2014-04-22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
US08703197B2	Branched polyamines for delivery of biologically active materials A branched polyamine comprises about 45 to about 70 backbone tertiary amine groups, about 90 to about 140 backbone secondary amine groups, a positive number n′ greater than 0 of backbone terminating primary amine groups, and a positive number q greater than 0 of backbone terminating carbamate groups of formula (2): wherein (n′+q) is a number equal to about 45 to about 70, the starred bond of formula (2) is linked to a backbone nitrogen of the branched polyamine, L′ is a divalent radical comprising 3 to 30 carbons, and q/(n′+q)×100% equals about 9% to about 47%.
US08703196B2	Pharmaceutical compositions of dispersions of amorphous drugs mixed with polymers A pharmaceutical composition comprises a dispersion comprising a low-solubility drug and a matrix combined with a concentration-enhancing polymer. At least a major portion of the drug is amorphous in the dispersion. The compositions improve the stability of the drug in the dispersion, and/or the concentration of drug in a use environment.
US08703186B2	Abuse-resistant oral dosage forms and method of use thereof An opioid-antagonist oral dosage form which does not release a therapeutically effective amount of the opioid antagonist when the oral dosage form is orally administered to a human being, but whereby a physical alteration of the oral dosage form results in a release of the therapeutically effective amount of the opioid antagonist. An embodiment of the oral dosage form includes an opioid-antagonist layer coated onto a biologically inert pellet, and a non-releasing membrane coated onto the opioid-antagonist layer. Optionally, the oral dosage form can also include an opioid agonist, such that a method of preventing the abuse of an oral dosage form of an opioid agonist is provided by forming the oral dosage form including an opioid agonist and an opioid antagonist.
US08703185B2	Stable pharmaceutical composition and methods of using same The present invention relates to, inter alia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid and to methods of using the same to treat or prevent cardiovascular-related diseases.
US08703184B2	Delayed-release formulation for reducing the frequency of urination and method of use thereof Methods and compositions for reducing the frequency of urination are disclosed. One method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic agent formulated in a delayed-release formulation. Another method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising multiple active ingredients. Yet another method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a diuretic followed with another administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic agent.
US08703182B2	Light-stabilized soft capsule formulations An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized light-stabilized soft capsule formulation, which has a shell that ensures effective light shielding of an active ingredient encapsulated thereby.The present invention provides a light-stabilized soft capsule formulation comprising a shell containing a non-water-soluble light-shielding agent and having an average thickness of 200 μm or less, and a medicament encapsulated by the shell.
US08703175B2	Compositions and methods for controlling drug loss and delivery in transdermal drug delivery systems A transdermal delivery system is provided for the topical application of one or more active agents contained in one or more polymeric and/or adhesive carrier layers, proximate to a non-drug containing polymeric and/or adhesive coating that is applied to either the transdermal system's backing or release liner. The transdermal delivery device is manufactured to optimize drug loading while providing desirable adhesion to skin or mucosa as well as providing modulation of the drug delivery and profile.
US08703170B2	Hemostatic sponge The present invention provides a hemostatic porous composite sponge comprising i) a matrix of a biomaterial and ii) one hydrophilic polymeric component comprising reactive groups wherein i) and ii) are associated with each other so that the reactivity of the polymeric component is retained, wherein associated means that said polymeric component is coated onto a surface of said matrix of a biomaterial, or said matrix is impregnated with said polymeric material, or both.
US08703165B2	Spiro fused 1-amino-piperdine pyrrolidine dione derivatives with pesticidal activity Compounds of the formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are useful as pesticides.
US08703158B2	Theobromine for the treatment of cough The present invention is theobromine as an active agent to be delivered via the inhaled route, for the treatment of cough.
US08703156B2	Liquid formulation for deferiprone with palatable taste An oral pharmaceutical liquid formulation comprising deferiprone and a taste masking composition, said taste masking composition comprising an effective amount of a sweetener (such as sucralose) per liter of liquid composition, an effective amount of a thickening and suspension aid, (for example hydroxyethylcellulose), per liter of liquid composition, an effective amount of a humectant (such as glycerin) per liter of liquid composition, and an effective amount of at least one flavoring agent, wherein a final form of said taste-masked pharmaceutical has a substantially non-bitter and palatable taste.
US08703155B2	Method of stabilizing reduced coenzyme q10 The present invention provides a stabilization method, a preservation method and the like method of reduced coenzyme Q10, which is useful as functional nutritive foods, specific health foods and the like. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for efficiently obtaining reduced coenzyme Q10 of high quality and by a method suitable for a commercial production. It is possible to handle and stably preserve reduced coenzyme Q10 under a condition that oxidation by a molecular oxygen is inhibited by contacting reduced coenzyme Q10 with an ascorbic acid and citric acid or a related compound thereof, and thus a stabilized composition is obtained. Moreover, reduced coenzyme Q10 is converted into a crystalline state in such a condition that the formation of oxidized coenzyme Q10 as a byproduct is minimized by crystallizing reduced coenzyme Q10 in the presence of ascorbic acid or a related compound thereof, etc., and thus a reduced coenzyme Q10 crystal of high quality is produced. Furthermore, by successively crystallizing the generated reduced coenzyme Q10, in the presence of ascorbic acid or related compound thereof after reducing oxidized coenzyme Q10 to reduced coenzyme Q10 using ascorbic acid or a related compound thereof, operations are simplified and minimized, and thus reduced coenzyme Q10 of high quality is produced.
US08703154B2	Adjuvant for the preparation of vaccine compositions intended for the prevention of coccidiosis A vaccine adjuvant which, based on the 100% mass thereof, includes between 10% and 95% of a mineral oil containing: between 0.05 mass-% and 10 mass-% hydrocarbon chains having less than 16 carbon atoms, and between 0.05 mass-% and 5 mass-% hydrocarbon chains having more than 28 carbon atoms. In addition, the adjuvant has a P/N ratio, corresponding to the ratio of the mass quantity of the paraffinic hydrocarbon chains to the mass quantity of the naphthenic hydrocarbon chains, of between 2.5 and 3, the adjuvant being intended for the production of a vaccine composition to prevent coccidiosis.
US08703148B2	Immunogenic composition The present application relates to immunogenic compositions comprising staphylococcal PNAG which is less than 40% N-acetylated and is conjugated to a carrier protein by a linker bonded to an amine group on PNAG to form a PNAG conjugate. Vaccines, methods of treatment using and processes to make an immunogenic composition comprising PNAG and Type 5 and/or 8 capsular polysaccharides are also described.
US08703145B2	Materials and methods for immunizing against FIV infection The subject invention pertains to methods and compositions for protecting feline animals from infection by FIV using immunogens derived from primate immunodeficiency viruses, including HIV and SIV. Methods for vaccinating feline animals with the subject vaccine compositions are described. Feline animals vaccinated according to the methods and compositions of the subject invention exhibit protective humoral and cellular immune responses to FIV when challenged with FIV.
US08703142B2	Methods to bypass CD4+ cells in the induction of an immune response Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to methods and compositions for bypassing the involvement of CD4+ cells when generating antibody and MHC class I-restricted immune responses, controlling the nature and magnitude of the response, and promoting effective immunologic intervention in viral pathogenesis. More specifically, embodiments relate to immunogenic compositions for vaccination particularly therapeutic vaccination, against HIV and other microbial pathogens that impact functioning of the immune system, their nature, and the order, timing, and route of administration by which they are effectively used.
US08703138B2	Treatment of inflammatory diseases by inhibiting cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a CIRP inhibitor. A method of treating a subject suffering from an inflammatory condition comprising administering to said subject a CIRP inhibitor is also described herein.
US08703137B2	Treatment of tauopathies The invention is directed to methods of treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, via the administration of antibodies having specificity to abnormal forms of tau protein, the antibodies showing no binding and/or reactivity to a normal tau protein and being administered under conditions and in amounts effective to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease or other tauopathies. In certain embodiments, the antibodies are selective for soluble truncated tau protein truncated at (i) its C-terminus after the glutamic acid residue Glu391, or (ii) at the aspartic acid residue Asp421, or (iii) at its N-terminus at the aspartic acid residue Asp13, or (iv) a combination of (i)-(iii). Further aspects of the invention are directed to the administration of an immunogen comprising an abnormal tau, preferably a soluble truncated tau.
US08703136B2	Complement inhibition for improved nerve regeneration The present invention relates to methods and medicaments used for treating conditions that require axonal regeneration, e.g. in mammals affected by injury or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. The medicaments used in these methods facilitate axonal regeneration by inhibition of the complement system. Conditions requiring axonal regeneration that may be treated in accordance with the invention include physical injuries as well as neurodegenerative disorders of the peripheral or central nervous system.
US08703131B2	Nanobodies against tumor necrosis factor-alpha The present invention relates to improved Nanobodies™ against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), as well as to polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such Nanobodies. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to methods for preparing such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such Nanobodies or polypeptides; to compositions comprising such Nanobodies, polypeptides, nucleic acids or host cells; and to uses of such Nanobodies, such polypeptides, such nucleic acids, such host cells or such compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
US08703123B2	Method for obtaining biologically active recombinant human G-CSF Provided is a method of obtaining biologically active recombinant human G-CSF from inclusion bodies, wherein the solubilization and refolding process can be performed at ambient temperature and the purification step comprises reversed phase chromatography (RP), in particular RP-HPLC. The G-CSF preparation so obtained is characterized by high purity and homogeneity.
US08703120B2	Use of oncolytic herpes viruses for killing cancer stem cells The invention, in some aspects, relates to the selective killing of cancer stem cells by oncolytic Herpes virus mediated oncolysis. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for treating a subject having a cancer stem cell by administering to the subject an oncolytic Herpes virus. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for evaluating the efficacy of an oncolytic Herpes virus for killing cancer stem cells.
US08703119B2	Injectable biodegradable polymer compositions for soft tissue repair and augmentation Methods for soft tissue repair and/or augmentation using injectable, biodegradable polymers are described herein. In one embodiment, the polymer compositions are liquid or pastes at room temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition contains liquid or pasty hydroxy fatty acid-based copolyesters, polyester-anhydrides, or combinations thereof. The viscosity of the polymers increases upon contact with bodily fluid to form a solid or semisolid implant suitable for soft tissue repair and/or augmentation. In another embodiment, the polymer composition contains particles of a polymer stereocomplex. One or more active agents may be incorporated into the polymer compositions. Suitable classes of active agents include local anesthetics, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, analgesics, growth factors and agents that induce and/or enhance growth of tissue within the filled cavity or control the growth of a certain type of tissue, and combinations thereof. The polymer compositions may also contain one or more additives or excipients that modify the physical and/or mechanical properties of the polymer. The polymer compositions are typically administered by injection. The injectable polymers can be used for a variety of soft tissue repair and augmentation procedures.
US08703117B2	Cross-linked compositions Improved compositions comprising a cross-linkable protein or polypeptide, and a non-toxic material which induces cross-linking of the cross-linkable protein. The compositions are optionally and preferably prepared in a non-phosphate buffer solvent. Optionally and preferably, the cross-linkable protein includes gelatin and any gelatin variant or variant protein as described herein. Optionally and preferably, the non-toxic material comprises transglutaminase (TG), which may optionally comprise any type of calcium dependent or independent transglutaminase, which may for example optionally be a microbial transglutaminase (mTG).
US08703113B2	Side-chain crystallizable polymers for medical applications Side-chain crystallizable (SCC) polymers are useful in various medical applications. In certain applications, heavy atom containing side-chain crystallizable polymers (HACSCCP's) are particularly useful. An example of a HACSCCP is a polymer that comprises a main chain, a plurality of crystallizable side chains, and a plurality of heavy atoms attached to the polymer. In certain configurations, the heavy atoms are present in an amount that is effective to render the polymer radiopaque. A polymeric material that includes an HACSCCP may be fabricated into a medical device useful for at least partially occluding a body cavity. For example, such a medical device may be an embolotherapy product. A polymeric material that includes a SCC polymer may also be fabricated into other medical devices, such as stents.
US08703111B2	Thermoplastic paste for repairing living tissues This invention relates to a thermoplastic paste with a highly thixotropic rheology, the components of which are a block biopolymer and a bioceramic. The material described herein can be used in bone implants and in the regeneration of both animal and plant live tissues.
US08703110B2	Coating system Embodiments of the invention include a system comprising: an Acetoxy curable silicone Binder; and an active agent blended with the silicone binder, effective for one or more of radiopacification, lubricity, elution of a secondary compound such as a drug, echogenic properties, thermal or electrically insulative properties or chemical indicators wherein the silicone binder effectiveness is not substantially changed by the active agent.
US08703107B2	Cosmetic composition including leucodopachrome derivative A cosmetic or dermatological composition contains, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one compound from Formula (I). A method of using the composition, for reducing or preventing pigmenting, and/or whitening and/or lightening of the skin is described, as well as novel compounds from Formula (I′) that are included in Formula (I).
US08703102B2	Systems and methods for producing hyperpolarized materials and mixtures thereof The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for manufacture, transport and delivery of material including highly polarized nuclei that is in a hyperpolarized state.
US08703098B2	Labelled adrenomedullin derivatives and their use for imaging and therapy The present invention relates to an adrenomedullin derivative including an adrenomedullin peptide chelated with at least one active agent. Examples of active agents include a paramagnetic element, a radioactive element and a fibrinolytic agent, among others. Paramagnetic agents have a distribution that is relatively easily shown through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Radioactive agents have applications in imaging and delivery of radiations, depending on the specific element included in the active agent. Delivery of fibrinolytic agents mainly to a specific organ, such us for example to the lungs, allows to substantially improve the specificity and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy by allowing local delivery of the fibrinolytic agent, thereby reducing the risks of major bleeding in the therapy of the organ. If the organ is the lungs, a non-limiting example of pathology treatable with the fibrinolytic is pulmonary embolus.
US08703097B2	Compositions and method for multimodal imaging Provided are signal modifying compositions for medical imaging comprising a carrier and two or more signal modifying agents specific for two or more imaging modalities. The compositions are characterized by retention efficiency, with respect to the signal modifying agents, which enables prolonged contrast imaging without significant depletion of the signal modifying agents from the carrier. The carriers of the present invention are lipid based or polymer based, the physico-chemical properties of which can be modified to entrap or chelate different signal modifying agents and mixtures thereof and to target specific organs or tumors or tissues within a mammal.
US08703091B2	High modulus graphite fiber and manufacturing method thereof A high modulus graphite fiber with a tensile modulus of 270˜650 GPa and a plurality of crystal structures with a thickness (Lc) of 20˜70 angstroms is disclosed. Carbon fiber is used as a raw material, and a microwave focusing method is used to perform an ultra quick high temperature graphitization process to increase the temperature of the carbon fiber at a heating speed of 10˜100° C. per minute to a graphitization temperature of 1400˜3000° C., and then to perform a quick graphitization process for 0.5˜10 minutes to form the high modulus graphite fiber.
US08703086B2	Method for producing phosphates and phosphate-containing compounds, particularly alkaline earth phosphates, alkaline earth silicophosphates, or alkaline earth oxides A method for producing phosphates and/or compounds containing phosphates is provided, in particular alkaline-earth phosphates, alkaline-earth silicophosphates, and alkaline-earth oxides, comprising the following steps: (a) heating bones and/or fish bones or a composition of said components in a pyrolysis process in the absence of oxygen and under reductive conditions at temperatures between 500 and 1100° C., wherein among other things high-energy gases, vapors, and carbon are produced, (b) subsequently combusting the carbon produced in step (a) under oxidative conditions in an oxidation step, wherein an inorganic radical of alkaline-earth carbonates, alkaline-earth oxides, and alkaline-earth phosphates is produced.
US08703077B2	Extraction of uranium from wet-process phosphoric acid A process for the extraction of uranium compounds from wet-process phosphoric acid includes lowering the iron concentration of the wet-process phosphoric acid and reducing the valency of any remaining ferric iron in the wet-process phosphoric acid to ferrous iron, and then extracting uranium compounds from the wet-process phosphoric acid. The process can include separating a side stream from a feed stream of wet-process phosphoric acid, wherein the side stream has a greater concentration of the uranium compounds than the feed stream by filtration. Extracting uranium compounds from the wet-process phosphoric acid can be by ion exchange process or by solvent extraction.
US08703076B2	Shaped catalyst units A catalyst unit suitable for loading into a tube in a reactor includes a plurality of catalyst particles incorporated within a removable solid matrix, said unit in the form of an elongate body in which the particles are packed together such that the volume shrinkage upon removal of the removable matrix is ≦20%. The catalyst particles preferably comprise one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Fe and Co in oxidic or reduced form. The units are particularly suitable for loading catalyst into tubes in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor.
US08703075B2	Acetic acid production by way of carbonylation with enhanced reaction and flashing A method of making acetic acid includes: (a) catalytically reacting methanol or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous Group VIII metal catalyst and a methyl iodide promoter in a reactor vessel in a liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, water, methyl acetate, methyl iodide and homogeneous catalyst, the reactor vessel being operated at a reactor pressure; (b) withdrawing reaction mixture from the reaction vessel and feeding the withdrawn reaction mixture along with additional carbon monoxide to a pre-flasher/post reactor vessel operated at a pressure below the reactor vessel pressure; (c) venting light ends in the pre-flasher vessel and concurrently consuming methyl acetate in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel. Reaction conditions, residence time and composition are controlled in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel such that a pre-flash mixture is enriched in acetic acid and diminished in methyl iodide and methyl acetate in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel. From the pre-flasher/post reaction vessel the acetic acid enriched mixture is (d) withdrawn and fed to a flash vessel.
US08703073B2	Reconfigurable lithographic structures A lithographically structured device has an actuation layer and a control layer operatively connected to the actuation layer. The actuation layer includes a stress layer and a neutral layer that is constructed of materials and with a structure such that it stores torsional energy upon being constructed. The control layer is constructed to maintain the actuation layer substantially in a first configuration in a local environmental condition and is responsive to a change in the local environmental condition such that it permits a release of stored torsional energy to cause a change in a structural configuration of the lithographically structured device to a second configuration, the control layer thereby providing a trigger mechanism. The lithographically structured device has a maximum dimension that is less than about 10 mm when it is in the second configuration.
US08703071B2	Syringe system Syringe mounting apparatus includes a body (25,300), and a coupling mechanism (20) on the body having a housing (22) to receive a barrel of a syringe component and means (28) to detachably engage the barrel and thereby interchangeably retain the syringe component. A plunger connector (60) is positioned with respect to the housing for operably coupling a plunger driver to a plunger element in the barrel of a syringe component when it is interchangeably retained by the coupling mechanism. The plunger connector includes means (74) for detachably engaging the plunger element in a manner allowing the plunger driver to effect reciprocatory movement of the plunger element longitudinally of the barrel for drawing fluid into or expelling fluid from the syringe component. Also disclosed are a syringe system, a disposable syringe component, and a syringe component with engagement features.
US08703069B2	Moving microdroplets in a microfluidic device This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for processing samples on a microfluidic device. One method includes moving a sample from an upstream channel of a microfluidic device into a DNA manipulation module located downstream of the upstream channel. The DNA manipulation module includes a DNA manipulation zone configured to perform amplification of the sample, a first valve disposed upstream of the DNA manipulation zone, and a second valve disposed downstream of the DNA manipulation zone. The method also includes receiving the sample in the DNA manipulation zone; closing the first valve and the second valve such that as and liquid are prevented from flowing into or out of the DNA manipulation zone; and thermal cycling the sample in the DNA manipulation zone.
US08703068B1	Counterfeit detection kit The present disclosure provides a kit for detecting counterfeit consumer products. The kit includes a plurality of test protocols to determine the presence or absence of one or more active component, diluent component, and/or preservative component in a consumer product. Methods of making and using the counterfeit detection kit are also described.
US08703066B2	Sterilization system and method A system, device and method for sterilizing or decontaminating an object that includes a sealable sterilizing chamber (12) and a sterilant gas-generating composition (24) that preferably generates NO or a mixture of NO and NO2. The preferred sterilant gas-generating composition (24) includes a carbon-based diazeniumdiolate compound and a powdered acid.
US08703065B2	Subterranean well production saltwater evaporation station A production saltwater disposal facility comprising a separator configured to receive production saltwater from a pipeline or a vehicle and separate hydrocarbons from the production saltwater, wherein the production saltwater received from the pipeline or vehicle is substantially the same composition as when the production saltwater was located in a subterranean formation, a hydrocarbon storage tank configured to receive hydrocarbons from the separator, a settling pit configured to receive the production saltwater from the separator and separate metals and/or other solids from the saltwater, an evaporator in fluid communication with the settling pit and comprising a nozzle configured to emit a stream of the saltwater along a path in air such that water in the saltwater evaporates, and a collection pit positioned under the path and configured to collect the salt from the saltwater after the water has evaporated.
US08703063B2	System and method for closed relief of a polyolefin loop reactor system A reactor system including an enclosed pressure relief system and/or a control system. The enclosed pressure relief system including a slurry separation system communicatively coupled with a pressure relief valve coupled to a loop reactor such that activation of the pressure relief valve results in discharge of a slurry from the loop reactor to the slurry separation system, wherein the slurry separation system is capable of separating solid and liquid components from gas components of the slurry and transmitting the gas components to a flare via a flare header.
US08703058B1	Microfluidic devices and methods including porous polymer monoliths Microfluidic devices and methods including porous polymer monoliths are described. Polymerization techniques may be used to generate porous polymer monoliths having pores defined by a liquid component of a fluid mixture. The fluid mixture may contain iniferters and the resulting porous polymer monolith may include surfaces terminated with iniferter species. Capture molecules may then be grafted to the monolith pores.
US08703054B2	Direction selection mechanism for analytical tool, and analytical device The present invention relates to analytical apparatus comprising: a passage (45) in which an analytical tool (2) is moved from above to below; and a movement block (51), made capable of reciprocatory movement in the horizontal directions (D1, D2), for moving the analytical tool (2) incoming through the passage (45) in the direction (D1). This analytical apparatus is constructed such that, by erecting the analytical tool (2) on the movement block (51) positioned directly below the outlet (45B) of the passage (45) and causing the movement block (51) to move in the D1 or D2 direction, the analytical tool (2) is tipped over, and the analytical tool (2) is placed in a horizontal condition on the movement block (51).
US08703049B2	Apparatus and method of improving air quality using photocatalytic oxidation An apparatus and a method for purifying and heating air using photocatalytic oxidation. The apparatus includes a housing, a heater, and a photocatalytic oxidation unit disposed within the housing. The housing defines a flow path for air to move through the apparatus such that air from the environment is drawn into the apparatus and passes over the photocatalytic oxidation unit. A pollutant in the air from the environment adsorbs to a surface of the photocatalytic material coating the plates, and the surface of the photocatalytic material is exposed to ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet light source. The energy of the ultraviolet light activates the photocatalytic material, which then breaks down the pollutant leaving non-toxic components and purified air. The air then passes over the heater and back into the environment. A fan is also included to move air through the flow path.
US08703045B2	Method of manufacturing a multiple composition component The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a multiple composition component 10, comprising: arranging first, second and third constituent parts 40, 30, 42 having first, second and third compositions respectively A, B, C so that the first constituent part 40 shares a first boundary with the second constituent part 30 and the second constituent part 30 shares a second boundary with the third constituent part 40. The first, second and third constituent parts 40, 30, 42 are each either a powder or a solid so that the first and second boundaries are each a solid adjacent to a powder. The arrangement is then processed so as to form a single solid component having first, second and third regions 16, 18, 20 having first, second and third compositions A, B, C respectively.
US08703044B2	Machine components and methods of fabricating and repairing A method of fabricating a machine component is provided. The method includes preparing at least a portion of a surface of a machine component for receiving a sintered preform. The method also includes forming a pre-sintered preform hybrid hardface mixture that includes combining a predetermined portion of at least one hardfacing material with a predetermined portion of at least one brazing material. The method further includes forming a pre-sintered preform. The pre-sintered preform has predetermined dimensions. The method also includes forming the sintered preform and positioning the sintered preform on the machine component. The method further includes fixedly coupling the sintered preform to at least a portion of the machine component via brazing.
US08703042B2	Method and system of removing accretion buildup in a furnace A method and system for method for removing solid accretions from a copper anode or holding furnace using coherent jet lance assembly directed towards the solid accretions in the bottom portion of the copper anode furnace to melt the solid accretions over an extended period of time without damage to the furnace refractory proximate a point of stream impingement.
US08703040B2	Method for manufacturing a piezoelectric ceramic body The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric ceramic body and devices therefrom. The method comprises mixing a piezoelectric ceramic powder with a polymer binder and surfactant to form a slip mixture, casting the slip mixture into a mold and setting to the slip mixture in the mold to form a green body, cutting the green body to form a cut green body with an array of micron-sized ceramic elements and separation, and sintering the cut green body to form a sintered ceramic body. The sintered ceramic body can be further process to encasing in a polymer material to form a piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite. The piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite can be further processed to form devices such as acoustic transducers and sensors.
US08703039B2	Microstructured composite component and method and device for producing the same A microstructured composite component is provided including structures for carrying out fluid processes. A device is provided for producing microstructured composite components. A method provided includes a first step during which a first film is arranged above a second film between first and second mold parts. The first and/or second mold parts have microstructured cavities to be filled. In a second step, the first and second mold parts are heated in at least one region in which they contact one of the films. An excess pressure is then produced between the first film and the second film to force the first and/or second films into the cavities. In a further step, the first and second mold parts are pressed together by a pressing force. Once the first mold part, the second mold part, the first film and the second film are cooled, they form a microstrutured composite component.
US08703037B2	Edge smoothness with low resolution projected images for use in solid imaging A solid imaging apparatus and method employing sub-pixel shifting in multiple exposures of the digitally light projected image of a cross-section of a three-dimensional object on a solidifiable liquid medium. The multiple exposures provide increased resolution, preserving image features in a three-dimensional object and smoothing out rough or uneven edges that would otherwise be occur using digital light projectors that are limited by the number of pixels in an image projected over the size of the image. Algorithms are used to select pixels to be illuminated within the boundary of each image projected in the cross-section being exposed.
US08703035B2	Imprint apparatus and method of manufacturing article An imprint apparatus includes a detector and an adjusting device. A second mark formed on a substrate includes a grating pattern having grating pitches in first and second directions which are respectively parallel to first and second axes which are parallel to a pattern surface of a mold and orthogonal to each other. A first mark formed on the mold includes a grating pattern having a grating pitch in the first direction. The first and second marks have different grating pitches in the first direction. The detector includes an image sensor, and an optical system which forms a moire fringe on an image sensing surface of the image sensor. The adjusting device adjusts, in a plane including the second axis and a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second axes, an angle between the optical axis of the detector and the third axis.
US08703034B2	Method of making a tack-free gel A process of making a tack-free gel is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material; pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel. The forming step further comprises cooling the gel from the molten state to a solidified state. The melting temperature of the plastic material is lower than the molding temperature of the gel; and the higher the temperature differential, the greater the melting of the plastic material and the thicker the layer of the plastic material on the surface of the gel. The mold may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
US08703033B2	Methods and apparatus for forming a composite component A mold for a composite component having a fillet joint, the mold including a mold body having a cavity within which the component is formed, and an insert mating with the mold body and including a forming surface against which, in use, the fillet of the component fillet joint is formed. The insert may be thermally insulating and highly rigid. A method of forming a composite component having a fillet joint using a mold, the method including forcing a surface of the fillet region of the component to adopt a non constant radius of curvature while the component is inside the mold during the cure process is also provided. Additionally, a method of forming a composite component having a fillet joint that is defined between first and second legs the method including placing the legs of the component in bending during cure of the component is described.
US08703029B2	Method for producing polyarylene sulfide resin composition A method is provided for obtaining a polyarylene sulfide resin composition with a low chlorine content, which has high fluidity and high quality and produces less burrs. Specifically, a method is provided wherein a polyarylene sulfide resin composition is produced by melting and mixing (A) a polyarylene sulfide resin, (B) an inorganic filler, and (C) an alkoxysilane compound. In this method, (A) a polyarylene sulfide resin having a melt viscosity of 80-400 Pa·s (at a temperature of 310° C. and a shear rate of 1200/sec) and a chlorine content of 1000-2000 ppm is supplied from a raw material feed port of a specific extruder, and then extruded at two kneading parts within the range of [shear rate (1/sec)×kneading time (sec)=1600-6000], thereby producing a polyarylene sulfide resin composition having a melt viscosity of 150-330 Pa·s (at a temperature of 310° C. and a shear rate of 1200/sec) and a chlorine content of not more than 950 ppm.
US08703028B2	Poly(arylene ether) compression molding A method for compression molding of poly(arylene ether) powder comprises introducing a powder comprising unheated poly(arylene ether) powder to compaction equipment comprising a compression mold and subjecting the powder in the compression mold to a pressure sufficient to produce an article having a density greater than the unheated poly(arylene ether) powder wherein the pressure is applied at a temperature less than the glass transition temperature of the poly(arylene ether) powder.
US08703023B2	Functionalized boron nitride nanotubes A plasma treatment has been used to modify the surface of BNNTs. In one example, the surface of the BNNT has been modified using ammonia plasma to include amine functional groups. Amine functionalization allows BNNTs to be soluble in chloroform, which had not been possible previously. Further functionalization of amine-functionalized BNNTs with thiol-terminated organic molecules has also been demonstrated. Gold nanoparticles have been self-assembled at the surface of both amine- and thiol-functionalized boron nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) in solution. This approach constitutes a basis for the preparation of highly functionalized BNNTs and for their utilization as nanoscale templates for assembly and integration with other nanoscale materials.
US08703022B2	Electrically conductive ink and uses thereof The present disclosure provides an aqueous based electrically conductive ink, which is essentially solvent free and includes a nano-scale conducting material; a binding agent; and an enzyme. In one embodiment, the ink includes at least one of a mediator, a cross-linking agent and a substrate as well. In one further embodiment, the present disclosure provides electrically conductive ink including a single walled, carboxylic acid functionalized carbon nanotube; 1-Ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) ester; polyethyleneimine; an aqueous buffer; and glucose oxidase.
US08703021B1	Basic refractory and slag management for petcoke carbon feedstock in gasifiers The disclosure provides methods of operating a slagging gasifier using a carbon feedstock having a relatively high V2O5 to SiO2 ratio, such as petcoke. The disclosure generates a combined chemical composition in the feed mixture having less than 25 wt. % SiO2, greater than 20 wt. % V2O5, and greater than 20 wt. % CaO. The method takes advantage of a novel recognition that increased levels of SiO2 tend to decrease dissolution of the V2O3 which forms under the reducing conditions of the gasifier, and utilizes the CaO additive to establish a chemical phase equilibria comprised of lower melting compounds. The method further provides for control based on the presence of Al2O3 and FeO, and provides for a total combined chemical composition of greater than about 5 wt. % MgO for use with refractory linings comprised of MgO based refractory brick.
US08703020B2	Bismuth ion sensitized rare earth germanate luminescence materials and preparation methods thereof Bismuth ion sensitized rare earth germanate luminescence materials and preparation methods are disclosed. The luminescence materials are the compounds of the following general formula (Y1-x-y-zAxBiyLnz)2GeO5. The preparation methods comprise: using oxides, carbonates, oxalates, acetates, nitrates or halides of Y, A, Bi, Ln and Ge as raw materials, wherein A is one of Gd, Lu, Sc and La, and Ln is at least one of Tm, Ho, Sm, Tb, Eu and Dy, homogeneously grinding the raw materials, sintering at 1300-1500° C. for 6-24 h, and then cooling them to room temperature to obtain the bismuth ion sensitized rare earth germanate luminescence materials.
US08703019B2	Phosphor and use thereof A phosphor which emits light having high brightness, serves as an excellent orange or red phosphor whose light brightness is less decreased when exposed to an excitation source contains a crystal phase having the chemical composition expressed by the general formula [1]: (1−a−b)(Ln′pMII′1−pMIII′MIV′N3).a(MIV′(3n+2)/4NnO).b(AMIV′2N3) [1] wherein Ln′ represents a metal element selected from the group consisting of lanthanoids, Mn, and Ti; MnII′ represents a divalent metal element except the Ln′ element; MIII′ represents a trivalent metal element; MIV′ represents a tetravalent metal element; A represents a metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, and K; 00, 0≦n, and 0.002≦(3n+2)a/4≦0.9.
US08703018B2	Red phosphor, method for producing red phosphor, white light source, illuminating device, and liquid crystal display device A compound is provided containing silicon, aluminum, strontium, europium, nitrogen, and oxygen is used that enables a red phosphor having strong luminous intensity and high luminance to be obtained, and that enables the color gamut of a white LED to be increased with the use of the red phosphor. The red phosphor contains an element A, europium, silicon, aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen at the atom number ratio of the following formula: [A(m−x)Eux]Si9AlyOnN[12+y−2(n−m)/3]. The element A in the formula is at least one of magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium, and m, x, y, and n in the formula satisfy the relations 3
US08703017B2	Method of modifying phosphor and phosphor composition and manufacturing method of the same and phosphor solution A method of modifying a phosphor and a phosphor composition and a manufacturing method of the same and a phosphor solution are provided. The phosphor composition includes a silicone resin and a modified phosphor. The modified phosphor includes a phosphor and a nano-silica particle. The nano-silica particle is adhered to the phosphor. A weight ratio of the modified phosphor to the silicone resin is substantially between 1:0.005 and 1:0.1.
US08703013B2	Liquid crystalline medium The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy, which contains at least one compound of the formula I and at least one compound of the formula II in which R1, R2, R3, R4, ring A, Z1, Z2 and m are as defined in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display based on the ECB, VA, PS-VA, FFS, PALC or IPS effect.
US08703007B2	Polishing composition and polishing method using the same A polishing composition of the present invention contains an oxidant, an anticorrosive, and a surfactant comprising a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1: One to three of R1 to R5 in Chemical Formula 1 are alkyl groups, alkynyl groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, or arylalkylene groups, one is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and the remainder are hydrogen atoms. O—R6 is oxyethylene, oxypropylene, or a random or block conjugate of oxyethylene and oxypropylene. n is an integer of 1 or more. X is an OSO3− group, an OPO32− group, or an OH group.
US08703006B2	Azeotrope-like compositions comprising 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene An azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of chlorotrifluoropropene and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a C1-C3 alcohol, a C5-C6 hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, methylal, methyl acetone, water, nitromethane, and combinations thereof.
US08703001B1	Grid assemblies for use in ion beam etching systems and methods of utilizing the grid assemblies A grid assembly for use in an etching system for etching at least a wafer. The grid assembly may include a first grid member, a second grid member, and a third grid member. When the grid assembly is used in etching the wafer, the first grid member may be electrically grounded, the second grid member may be electrically negative relative to the first grid member, and the third grid member may be electrically positive relative to the first grid member. The second grid member may be disposed between the first grid member and the third grid member. The first grid member may be thicker than at least one of the second grid member and the third grid member.
US08703000B2	Slimming method of carbon-containing thin film and oxidation apparatus A slimming method includes transferring an object to be processed on which a patterned carbon-containing thin film is formed into a process chamber in an oxidation apparatus; and oxidizing and removing the surface of the carbon-containing thin film by an oxidizing gas while supplying moisture into the process chamber, to reduce widths of the protruded portions on the pattern of the carbon-containing thin film.
US08702999B2	Method and apparatus for plasma surface treatment of a moving substrate Method and plasma treatment apparatus for treatment of a substrate surface (1) using an atmospheric pressure plasma. An atmospheric pressure plasma is provided in a treatment space (5) between a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (3). Furthermore, a substrate (1) and a mask web (7) in contact with the substrate (1) are provided. A plasma generating power is applied to the first and second electrode (2, 3) for treatment of surface areas of the substrate (1) exposed by the mask web (7), in which the substrate (1) and mask web (7) are moved synchronously through the treatment space (5).
US08702997B2	Balancing a microelectromechanical system A method of balancing a microelectromechanical system comprises determining if a microelectromechanical system is balanced in a plurality of orthogonal dimensions, and if the microelectromechanical system is not balanced, selectively depositing a first volume of jettable material on a portion of the microelectromechanical system to balance the microelectromechanical system in the plurality of orthogonal dimensions. A jettable material for balancing a microelectromechanical system comprises a vehicle, and a dispersion of nano-particles within the vehicle, in which the total mass of jettable material deposited on the microelectromechanical system is equal to the weight percentage of nano-particles dispersed within the vehicle multiplied by the mass of jettable material deposited on the microelectromechanical system. A microelectromechanical system comprises a number of unbalanced structures, and a number of droplets of jettable material disposed on the unbalanced structures, in which the droplets of jettable material balance the unbalanced structures in a plurality of orthogonal dimensions.
US08702992B2	Continuous flow reactor and method of using the same for treating nitrogen and phosphorus-containing wastewater A continuous flow reactor, including a cylindrical coagulation crystallizer, a funnel type protective baffle for static settling, and a conical static settler. A lower end surface of the cylindrical coagulation crystallizer is connected with an upper end surface of the conical static settler, and the funnel type protective baffle for static settling is connected with an inner wall of the cylindrical coagulation crystallizer.
US08702991B2	Electrical microorganism aggregation methods Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary.
US08702979B2	Method for determining the reduction ratio or the Kt/V value of a kidney substitution treatment and apparatus for the realisation of the method A method for determining online adequacy parameters for any hemodialysis, hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration treatment modality is provided. Blood equilibrated dialysate samples at the begin and/or at the end of the treatment; and a continuous measurements of waste compounds in the effluent dialysate by means of spectroscopic techniques, are required. With the data coming from the measurements and a simple mathematic approach Kt/V and reduction ratios for different compounds, which are important from the medical point of view, are obtained.
US08702977B2	Water distribution system A water distribution system configured for control by a remote control system is disclosed comprising of a water filtration unit for filtering water and a water storage unit for storing the filtered water and including a water dispenser. A control unit is provided that is configured to control the operation of the water filtration unit and includes a sensor system to measure the quality and the quantity of the water filtered, and to monitor the functioning of one or more components of the water filtration unit. A point of sale device is also provided comprising of a service management device mounted on the water dispenser and is configured to control the operation of the water dispenser and a user interface to receive user inputs and is configured to process user payments for the dispensing of water at the remote control system. The system includes a communication gateway enabling communication between the water distribution system and the remote control system such that the water distribution system is configured to transmit data obtained from the sensor system and the user interface to the remote control system. The water distribution system is further configured to receive instructions for the operation of the water filtration unit from the remote control system and to receive instructions for dispensing of water on successful processing of user payment.
US08702974B2	Desulphurisation process A process for desulphurizing hydrocarbons includes passing a mixture of hydrocarbon and hydrogen over a hydrodesulphurization catalyst to convert organosulphur compounds present in the hydrocarbon to hydrogen sulphide, passing the resulting mixture over a hydrogen sulphide sorbent including zinc oxide to reduce the hydrogen sulphide content of the mixture, and passing the hydrogen sulphide-depleted mixture over a further desulphurization material. The further desulphurization material includes one or more nickel compounds, a zinc oxide support material, and optionally one or more promoter metal compounds of iron, cobalt, copper and precious metals. The desulphurization material has a nickel content in the range 0.3 to 20% by weight and a promoter metal compound content in the range 0 to 10% by weight.
US08702967B2	Test strip with magneto-elastic-resonance sensor A test meter system for testing a characteristic of a fluid, the test meter system including a test meter having a housing with an opening adapted to accept a test strip, an interrogation coil within the housing, a pick-up coil within the housing, and a test strip including at least one magneto-elastic-resonance sensor. When the test strip is within the opening, the interrogation coil may utilize magneto-elastic-resonance technology to interrogate the magneto elastic-resonance sensor and the pick-up coil may be used to sense a resultant oscillation frequency of the magneto elastic-resonance sensor, the resultant oscillation frequency associated with the characteristic. The test strip may include a plurality of sensors. The sensors may be coated with a coating sensitive to a characteristic of the fluid, where the interrogation reveals information about the fluid characteristic.
US08702964B2	Preparation of monobasic phosphate ionophores The present invention relates to the synthesis of lipophilic or immobilized monobasic phosphate (H2PO4) ionophores (7, 8a, 8b and 11) to be used as ion recognition molecules for monobasic phosphate (H2PO4″) in the cocktail preparation of hydrophobic polymer membranes in ion selective electrode (ISE) or ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) chemical sensors for detection of monobasic phosphate (H2PO4) ionic species in soil, synthetic media, hydrophonic liquid, tree sap, ground water and rivers.
US08702963B2	Electrochemical measurement electrode, electrochemical measurement electrode chip, and electrochemical measuring method and analysis method using the same In order to realize an accurate electrochemical measurement without a peak caused due to a silver chloride complex ion, an electrochemical measurement electrode of the present invention which measures an electrochemical active substance in a sample solution containing a chloride ion includes (i) a working electrode, (ii) a reference electrode made of silver and silver chloride, and (iii) a silver ion capturing material which captures a silver ion out of a silver chloride complex ion generated in the reference electrode.
US08702960B2	Method for operating a measurement for a sample on an electrochemical test strip A method for operating a measurement for a sample on an electrochemical test strip including at least two electrodes is provided. The method includes steps of applying a first voltage between the two electrodes during an interference-removal period after an incubation period succeeding a moment when the sample is detected, and applying a second voltage between the two electrodes during a test period, wherein the first voltage is larger than the second voltage, the first voltage includes one of a first fixed voltage and a first set of plural pulse voltages, and the second voltage includes a second fixed voltage.
US08702950B2	Device for electrophoresis, device for transfer, device for electrophoresis and transfer, chip for electrophoresis and transfer, and method for electrophoresis, method for transfer, and method for electrophoresis and transfer A device for electrophoresis applies a voltage to a medium in contact with a plurality of electric conductors so that a potential of adjacent conductors is within a certain range. This allows preventing decline in electrophoresis speed. A device for electrophoresis and transfer includes an electrode having a plurality of electrode regions being insulated one another and arranged in a specific direction. This allows providing a practical and easy-to-use device for electrophoresis and transfer. A device for transfer alters an applied voltage or applied voltage duration to a certain position to another position. This allows improving transfer efficiency.
US08702942B2	Laser doppler electrophoresis using a diffusion barrier In one general aspect, an electrophoretic measurement method is disclosed that includes providing a vessel that holds a dispersant, providing a first electrode immersed in the dispersant, and providing a second electrode immersed in the dispersant. A sample is placed at a location within the dispersant between the first and second electrodes with the sample being separated from the electrodes, an alternating electric field is applied across the electrodes, and the sample is illuminated with temporally coherent light. A frequency shift is detected in light from the step of illuminating that has interacted with the sample during the step of applying an alternating electric field, and a property of the sample is derived based on results of the step of detecting.
US08702940B2	Increased molecule capture rate into a nanopore A mechanism for capturing molecules is provided. A nanopore through a membrane separates a first chamber from a second chamber, and the nanopore, the first chamber, and the second chamber are filled with ionic buffer. A narrowed neck is at a middle area of the first chamber, and the narrowed neck is aligned to an entrance of the nanopore. The narrowed neck has a high intensity electric field compared to other areas of the first chamber having low intensity electric fields. The narrowed neck having the high intensity electric field concentrates the molecules at the middle area aligned to the entrance of the nanopore. Voltage applied between the first chamber and the second chamber drives the molecules, concentrated at the entrance of the nanopore, through the nanopore.
US08702939B2	Electrotaxis methods and devices A method of controlling nematode response in a microfluidic environment is provided comprising exposing the nematode to an electric field that induces a nematode response. In one embodiment, a method of sorting a group of nematodes based on a selected parameter is provided comprising the step of exposing the nematodes to an electric field that induces a differential response among the nematodes based on the selected parameter, wherein the differential response functions to separate the nematodes based on the selected parameter. Devices useful to achieve these methods are also provided.
US08702938B2	Droplet actuator with improved top substrate The invention provides a droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein: (a) the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and (b) the top substrate comprises a first portion coupled to second portion, where the second portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. The invention also provides related methods of manufacturing the droplet actuator, methods of using the droplet actuator, and methods of loading the droplet actuator.
US08702937B2	Gas sensor control apparatus controlling output characteristic of gas sensor A gas sensor control apparatus is provided which controls an operation of a gas sensor made up of a solid electrolyte body and a pair of electrodes to output a signal indicating the concentration of a given gas component contained in gas. The gas sensor control apparatus includes a constant current circuit that is connected electrically to one of the electrodes of the gas sensor and supplies a constant current thereto and a controller. The controller supplies a constant current to the gas sensor so that it flows from one of the electrodes to the other in a selected direction, thereby changing a response time the gas sensor takes to react to a change in concentration of the gas component. This results in an increased accuracy, for example, in controlling an air-fuel ratio of a mixture to an internal combustion engine in an engine control system.
US08702935B2	Electrochemical sensors including electrodes with diffusion barriers An electrochemical gas sensor includes a housing, a first working electrode within the housing and having a first section of gas transfer medium and a first layer of catalyst on the first section of gas transfer medium, and at least a second working electrode within the housing and having a second section of gas transfer medium and a second layer of catalyst on the second section of gas transfer medium. At least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium includes at least one area in which the structure thereof has been irreversibly altered to limit diffusion of gas through the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium or the second section of gas transfer medium toward the other of the at least one of the first section of gas transfer medium and the second section of gas transfer medium.
US08702923B2	Method and apparatus for measuring sample reaction results on biosensor Disclosed is a method of measuring sample reaction results on a biosensor having a working electrode and other electrodes, including: applying voltage between the working electrode and each of the other electrodes and detecting the amount of current flowing through the working electrode to determine whether or not a sample is injected; applying voltage between the working electrode and one of the other electrodes and re-detecting the amount of current flowing through the working electrode; and acquiring and displaying a concentration value as a sample reaction result corresponding to the amount of detected current.
US08702921B2	Biosensors array and method for operating a biosensor array A biosensor array having a substrate, a plurality of biosensor zones arranged on the substrate, each of which has a first terminal and a second terminal, at least one drive line and at least one detection line, the at least one drive line being electrically insulated from the at least one detection line. In each case the first terminal of each biosensor zone is coupled to precisely one of the at least one drive line and the second terminal of each biosensor zone is coupled to precisely one of the at least one detection line, and at least one of the at least one drive line and at least one of the at least one detection line is coupled to at least two of the biosensor zones. The biosensor array also has a drive unit for providing an electrical drive signal, a detection unit for detecting an electrical detection signal resulting from the electrical drive signal, and a selection unit that couples the drive unit to the drive line of a biosensor zone to be selected and the detection unit to the detection line of the biosensor zone to be selected, whereby the biosensor zone is selected.
US08702919B2	Target designs and related methods for coupled target assemblies, methods of production and uses thereof Sputtering targets are described that comprise: a) a target surface component comprising a target material; b) a core backing component having a coupling surface, a back surface and at least one open area, wherein the coupling surface is coupled to at least part of the target surface component; and wherein at least part of the target surface component fits into at least one open area of the core backing component. In some embodiments, the target surface component, the core backing component or a combination thereof have at least one surface area feature coupled to or located in the back surface of the core backing component, the target surface component or a combination thereof, wherein the surface area feature increases the cooling effectiveness of the target surface component. Methods of forming a sputtering target are also described that comprises: a) providing a target surface component comprising a surface material; b) providing a core backing component having a coupling surface, a back surface and at least one open area; c) coupling the coupling surface to at least part of the target surface component, wherein at least part of the target surface component fits into the at least one open area of the core backing component.
US08702910B2	Multi-stage sulfur removal system and process for a fuel system A system for producing an auxiliary fuel stream containing a low concentration of sulfur compounds from a primary fuel stream includes a first separation stage to separate a portion of a primary fuel stream into a first vapor permeate stream and a first retentate stream, a first separation stage partial condenser connected to the first vapor permeate stream condensing a portion of the first vapor permeate stream into a first liquid stage stream and a first vapor stage stream, and a second separation stage partial condenser condensing a portion of the first vapor stage stream into a second liquid stage. The stream may then be processed through a sorbent bed to effectively remove the sulfur compounds.
US08702909B2	Feeding system having pumps in parallel and individual flows for a digester The feed system is for a continuous digester where at least two pumps are arranged in parallel at the bottom of a pre-treatment vessel. Each pump has its own independent transfer line extending to the top of the digester. The system makes it possible to provide a feed system with an improved accessibility and operational reliability, and to operate the main part of the pumps at optimal efficiency even if the production capacity is reduced.
US08702905B1	Tissue having high strength and low modulus The present invention provides tissue products having a high degree of stretch and low modulus at relatively high tensile strengths, such as geometric mean tensile strengths greater than about 1500 g/3″ and more preferably greater than about 2000 g/3″. The combination of a tough, yet relatively supple sheet is preferably achieved by subjecting the embryonic web to a speed differential as it is passed from one fabric in the papermaking process to another, commonly referred to as rush transfer.
US08702904B2	Method and apparatus for separating laminations Parts stuck together in a stack are separated by placing the parts in a vibratory apparatus and vibrating the stack of parts with a vibratory head of the vibratory apparatus to separate them and also constrain the parts with the vibratory head as the parts are vibrated.
US08702903B2	Thermally conductive sheet and substrate mounting device including same A thermally conductive sheet is used between a mounting table for mounting thereon a target substrate and an annular focus ring mounted on the mounting table to surround a circumferential peripheral portion of the target substrate. Further, the mounting table includes therein a cooling unit and is disposed in a depressurized accommodating chamber for accommodating therein the target substrate. The thermally conductive sheet has a non-adhesive layer on each of one or more surfaces thereof.
US08702898B2	Method for connecting two joining partners A method for connecting a first joining partner to a second joining partner. After provision of the first joining partner and the second joining partner, a lacquer layer is applied to the first joining partner. Then the first joining partner and the second joining partner are saturated together with an impregnating resin. The lacquer layer is produced from a lacquer composition based on an epoxy resin mixture, a curing accelerator, a silane-based, epoxy-functional bonding agent, and a solvent. The epoxy resin mixture has 10 wt.-% to 94 wt.-% of at least one solid epoxy resin with a maximum epoxy count of 2 Eq/kg, 1 wt.-% to 50 wt.-% of at least one solid, multifunctional epoxy resin with an epoxy count >4 Eq/kg, and 5 wt.-% to 40 wt.-% of a phenol and/or kresol novolak with a melting point >30° C. After impregnation, the viscosity of the impregnating resin is reduced such that the first joining partner and the second joining partner are connected to one another.
US08702893B2	In-line gift card personalization and packaging process A machine that processes gift cards in an in-line process where the gift cards travel along a generally straight transport path from a card feed mechanism to a delivery end where the cards and carrier combinations are discharged. During the in-line processing, a magnetic stripe, integrated circuit chip or RFIID tag on the gift cards can be encoded with account information, a serial number or other information. In addition, the cards are transported to a print mechanism that personalizes the cards with a bar code. account information, serial number or other information. After printing, the cards are transported to a gluing system which applies adhesive to one side of the cards. The cards arc then transported to a feeding mechanism that feeds and applies a carrier to one or more cards.
US08702888B2	Unitized composite fabrics with cross machine wave-like shaping and methods for making same Processes for producing a composite material comprising three or more layers, including at least one internal layers that is a roll good element or an in situ produced nonwoven layer includes shaping an assembly of three or more layers into a wave-like form, with at least one of the internal layers being a roll good element or an in situ produced nonwoven layer, and subsequently activating the assembly to cause bonding of the layers and creation of a unitized composite material that, for example, has utility as a filter material.
US08702887B2	Apparatus for and method of applying ribbon in a nonlinear pattern to a web Apparatus for applying ribbon in a nonlinear pattern to a web includes a guide assembly having a roller adapted to guide the ribbon onto the web as the web is moving in a first direction. A reciprocating device is provided to move at least the roller of the guide assembly back and forth along an axis of motion. The axis of motion is other than parallel to the first direction.
US08702882B2	Method and system for online quality monitoring and control of a vibration welding process A method for monitoring and controlling a vibration welding system includes collecting sensory data during formation of a welded joint using sensors positioned with respect to welding interfaces of a work piece. A host machine extracts a feature set from a welding signature collectively defined by the sensory data, compares and correlates the feature set with validated information in a library, and executes a control action(s) when the present feature set insufficiently matches the information. A welding system includes a sonotrode, sensors, and the host machine. The host machine is configured to execute the method noted above.
US08702880B2	High strength and low yield ratio steel for structure having excellent low temperature toughness A high strength and low yield ratio steel that has excellent characteristics such as low temperature toughness, a tensile strength of approximately 600 MPa or more and a low yield ratio of 80% or less. The high strength and low yield ratio steel includes, by weight percent: C: 0.02 to 0.12%, Si: 0.01 to 0.8%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.5%, P: 0.02% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Al: 0.005 to 0.5%, Nb: 0.005 to 0.10%, B: 3 to 50 ppm, Ti: 0.005 to 0.1%, N: 15 to 150 ppm, Ca: 60 ppm or less, and the balance of be and inevitable impurities, and further includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of by weight percent: Cr: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mo: 0.01 to 1.0%, Ni: 0.01 to 2.0%, Cu: 0.01 to 1.0% and V: 0.005 to 0.3%, wherein a finish cooling temperature is limited to 500 to 600° C. after the finish-rolling process. The high strength and low yield ratio steel satisfying characteristics such as low temperature toughness, brittle crack arrestability and low yield ratio, and the manufacturing method thereof may be provided.
US08702877B2	Cathode member and bipolar plate for hypochlorite cells A cathodic member for electrochemical cells used in hypochlorite production comprises a zirconium plate coated with a zirconium oxide layer, which is particularly suitable for minimising the decomposition of the hypochlorite product while ensuring a prolonged lifetime. The coated zirconium plate can be used as the cathodic plate in a monopolar cell, or can be welded to a titanium plate for use in a bipolar configuration.
US08702873B2	Chlorine generating device and related dishwasher An electrolytic sanitizer is disclosed for use in a dishwasher holding a salt solution, the dishwasher having a water rinse cycle. A spaced anode and cathode are provided in contact with the salt solution in the dishwasher. A source of current provides a voltage across the anode and cathode to generate chlorine from the salt solution, the chlorine being introduced into the water rinse cycle to sanitize objects in the dishwasher. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.
US08702872B2	Device and process for generating a pulsed jet of a liquid fluid In order to provide a device for generating a pulsed jet of a liquid fluid comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a blocking element arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which cyclically closes and opens a fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which device enables an improved mechanical action on an object subjected to the pulsed jet, it is proposed that the device comprises at least one bypass, through which a liquid fluid can also be fed to the fluid outlet during a closing phase of the blocking element.
US08702869B2	Method of performing a cleaning operation with an autoclavable bucketless cleaning system A method of performing a cleaning operation with an autoclavable bucketless cleaning system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing a cleaning solution in an inside of an autoclavable vessel, the vessel having a first connection point and a second connection point disposed at an outside of the vessel, removably connecting an autoclavable outlet regulator assembly on the vessel at the first connection point so as to be in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel, removably connecting an autoclavable inlet regulator assembly on the vessel at the second connection point so as to be in fluid communication with the inside of the vessel, pressurizing the inside of the vessel via the inlet regulator assembly, dispensing cleaning solution from the inside of the vessel via the outlet regulator assembly to clean a designated area, removing any pressurized gas that remains inside the vessel after the designated area is cleaned, removing any cleaning solution that remains inside the vessel after the designated area is cleaned, and autoclaving each of the vessel, the outlet regulator assembly, and the inlet regulator assembly.
US08702864B2	Method for growing silicon carbide single crystal In a method for growing a silicon carbide single crystal on a silicon carbide single crystal substrate by contacting the substrate with a solution containing C prepared by dissolving C into the melt that contains Cr and X, which consists of at least one element of Ce and Nd, such that a proportion of Cr in a whole composition of the melt is in a range of 30 to 70 at. %, and a proportion of X in the whole composition of the melt is in a range of 0.5 at. % to 20 at. % in the case where X is Ce, or in a range of 1 at. % to 25 at. % in the case where X is Nd, and the silicon carbide single crystal is grown from the solution.
US08702862B2	Universal VOC-free metallic/pearlescent colorants The present invention relates to a universal metallic/pearlescent colorant composition that is free of VOCs including alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) and formaldehyde. The colorant composition comprises substantially no resin and comprises microcrystalline cellulose and optionally a synthetic silicate to disperse the metallic pigments.
US08702857B2	Method for rejuvenating a bitumen containing composition A method for rejuvenating a bitumen containing compositions includes adding to the bitumen containing compositions a distillation residue of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). The distillation residue may be obtained by distillation of cashew nut shell liquid up to a temperature of between 250 and 350° C. The bitumen containing composition may be selected from: bitumen, asphalt, roof covering, insulating material, shore covering material, and anti-drum plates.
US08702854B2	Azaphthalocyanines and their use in ink-jet printing Azaphthalocyanine compounds of Formula (1) and salts thereof: wherein: MAzPc represents a azaphthalocyanine nucleus of formula (A): M is 2H, Cu or Ni; each P is independently CH or N; R1, R2 are independently H or optionally substituted alkyl; R3 is optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; y is greater than 0 and less than 4; z is greater than 0 and less than 4; and the sum of y+z is in the range of from 1 to 4; 15 provided that at least one P is N in any one of the four component rings of the azaphthalocyanine nucleus. Also compositions, inks, printing processes, printed materials and ink-jet cartridges.
US08702852B2	Condensation and washing device, polymerisation device and method for cleaning process steam during the production of polylactide The present invention relates to a condensation and washing device with which in particular the process vapors which occur during the production of polylactide can be processed and cleaned. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a polymerization device for the production of polylactide and also to a method for processing process vapors which occur during the production of polylactide; possibilities for use of both the condensation and washing devices and of the method are likewise mentioned.
US08702851B2	Heat exchanger A heat exchanger is provided and includes a frame defining a volumetric body with substantially flat upper and lower sides, heat exchange elements disposed within an interior of the body, sorbent material disposed among the heat exchange elements within the interior of the body, retainer screens disposed at upper and lower sides of the heat exchange elements and sorbent material and structural foam layers supportively disposed between the retainer screens and the substantially flat upper and lower sides to absorb loading applied to the retainer screens.
US08702849B2	Dust screen and method for dry bulk storage units A dust screen for an inspection hatch disposed in the roof or a side wall of a dry bulk storage unit for use during pneumatic loading of aggregate material from a pneumatic trailer via air pressure ducted into the bulk storage unit. The dust screen includes an elastic cord in a hem surrounding an open end of the screen to secure the dust screen to the inspection hatch. An alternative embodiment may include a binding strap having a ratchet buckle to supplement the elastic cord. As the dust screen extends upward in the presence of said air pressure, the dust is allowed to settle into the storage unit. No separate container to contain the dust is required, and no separate structure is required to support the dust screen during operation. The dust screen is light weight, portable and reusable, and low in cost.
US08702848B2	Process for separating particulate solids from a gas stream One exemplary embodiment can be a process for separating particulate solids from a gas stream. The process can include regenerating a catalyst in a regenerator, separating particulate solids in first and second cyclone stages, passing the gas stream from the second cyclone stage to an external third stage separator, and passing the gas stream from the external third stage separator to a cyclone recirculator to obtain a clean gas stream.
US08702846B2	Process for removing acid gases from a gas stream A process is disclosed for removing acid gases from a gas stream, in particular from a natural gas stream, synthesis gas stream or the like, wherein the acid gases are absorbed from the gas stream by at least one absorbent. The absorbent used is a mixture of a physical scrubbing agent, a chemical scrubbing agent and water. The absorbent comprises more than 60% by weight of the physical scrubbing medium, wherein the physical scrubbing medium used is a morpholine derivative and a chemical scrubbing agent based on at least one aliphatic amine compound which includes a polyethylene glycol substituted amine.
US08702844B2	Particle doped hollow-fiber contactor Methods and apparatus relate to recovery of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide from a gas mixture. Separating of the carbon dioxide, for example, from the gas mixture utilizes a liquid sorbent for the carbon dioxide. The liquid sorbent contacts the gas mixture for transfer of the carbon dioxide from the gas mixture to the liquid sorbent. Contacting of the sorbent with the gas mixture and/or desorption of the carbon dioxide from the liquid sorbent utilize hollow-fiber contactors that have permeable walls and incorporate particles distinct from a remainder of the walls to influence wetting properties of the contactors.
US08702841B2	Adsorber replacement notification for a portable gas concentrator A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use where the usable life of the sieve beds, adsorbers, is monitored and communicated to the user or service provider through a user interface or a transmitted signal. The concentrator is designed so that the beds are easily replaced by the user or a field technician. Preferably PSA cycle operating parameters appropriate to the replaced beds can be easily reset if needed by the user or service provider.
US08702835B2	High strength low alloyed sintered steel A water-atomized iron-based steel powder is provided which comprises by weight-%: 0.45-1.50 Ni, 0.30-0.55 Mo, less than 0.3 Mn, less than 0.2 Cu, less than 0.1 C, less than 0.25 O, less than 0.5 of unavoidable impurities, and the balance being iron, and where Ni and Mo have been alloyed by a diffusion alloying process.
US08702825B2	Composite cutter substrate to mitigate residual stress A method of forming a cutting element that includes filling at least one non-planar region on an upper surface of a carbide substrate with a diamond mixture, subjecting the substrate and the diamond mixture to high pressure high temperature sintering conditions to form a reduced-CTE substrate having polycrystalline diamond that extends a depth into the reduced-CTE substrate in an interface region, and an upper surface made of a composite surface of diamond and carbide, and attaching a polycrystalline diamond body to the composite surface of the reduced-CTE substrate is disclosed.
US08702824B1	Polycrystalline diamond compact including a polycrystalline diamond table fabricated with one or more sp2-carbon-containing additives to enhance cutting lip formation, and related methods and applications In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a first PCD region having bonded-together diamond grains, with the first PCD region exhibiting a first thermal stability and a first diamond density. The PCD table further includes an intermediate second PCD region bonded to the substrate and disposed between the first PCD region and the substrate. The intermediate second PCD region includes bonded-together diamond grains. The intermediate second PCD region exhibits a second thermal stability that is less than that of the first thermal stability of the first PCD region and a second diamond density less than that of the first diamond density of the first PCD region.
US08702820B2	High sulfur fuel pellet with reduced SO2 emission The present description relates to a method and system for generating a fuel pellet from high sulfur fuel waste materials having a reduced SO2 emission. In one example, the fuel pellet may include petroleum coke, a biomass constituent, and an alkali substituent.
US08702817B2	Method of manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitor A method of manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor having an even conductive polymer layer includes the steps of forming a conductive polymer layer on an anode element by bringing a dispersion containing a conductive solid and a first solvent into contact with the anode element having a dielectric film formed thereon, washing the anode element with a second solvent higher in boiling point than the first solvent, in which the conductive solid can be dispersed, after the conductive polymer layer is formed, and drying the anode element washed with the second solvent at a temperature not lower than the boiling point of the first solvent and lower than the boiling point of the second solvent.
US08702816B2	Compositions and methods for reversibly dyeing soft contact lenses A method and kit for producing reversibly dyed soft contact lenses. The contact lenses are submerged in saline solution and a dye is added to the saline solution, either directly or by means of a strip that has been impregnated with the dye. Preferred dyes include the common dyes sodium fluorescein, lissamine green, and rose bengal. After a period of time, the lens absorbs the dye and can be removed from the solution and placed on the eye. Once the lens is illuminated with ultraviolet light, it will glow or fluoresce. This creates a dramatic effect, particularly in dimly lit areas. The dyeing method does not utilize heat and thus is reversible. Soaking the lens in additional saline solution for a period of time will cause the dye to return to its non-dyed state.
US08702809B2	Demineralized cancellous bone scaffolds The present invention provides a cancellous bone scaffold to use in the replacement or repair of connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. The cancellous bone scaffold has a fully demineralized segment with at least one adjacent mineralized end segment.
US08702805B2	Acetabulum surgical resurfacing aid An acetabulum surgical resurfacing aid that includes a body conformed to fit an acetabulum of a patient is presented. A portion of the body is further conformed to fit an acetabular fossa of the patient. One or more arms extend outward from the body and are configured to fit the surface of the acetabulum. A support extends from the body beyond the acetabulum. An alignment tube guide connects to the support.
US08702803B2	Locking assembly for tibial prosthesis component An orthopedic prosthetic system comprises a base portion and an elongated guide member protruding from a bottom surface of the base portion. The elongated guide member extends from a posterior edge of the base portion toward an anterior edge of the base portion and comprises an overhang element and an undercut face. The prosthetic system further comprises an insert portion configured to slideably engage the base portion and the elongated guide member. The insert portion comprises an underhang element configured to engage at least a portion of an undercut area defined by the overhang element and undercut face of the elongated guide member.
US08702801B2	Artificial wear resistant plug for mounting to existing joint bone An artificial and wear-resistant plug mounted to an existing bone associated with a joint structure and which includes a three dimensional and composite platicized material. An end surface of an existing bone is reconditioned in preparation for engagement of the plug thereto and in order to define a reconditioned artificial wear surface. In a preferred application, a pair end mounted plugs are arranged in opposing fashion between first and second bones and respectively define a male receiving end and a female socket. A lubricant retaining and cartilage defining exterior layer is applied to one or both of opposing surfaces of the plugs.
US08702798B2	Expandable intervertebral implant An expandable intervertebral implant includes a front wall, a back wall spaced apart from the front wall, and two side walls connecting the front wall and the back wall at their respective ends. The walls define a space. The implant further includes a bottom face, a top face, at least one engagement member with an engagement surface for engagement with the end plate of a vertebral body, a first adjusting element and a second adjusting element which are supported by a first support member and a second support member, respectively, and which cooperate with the respective support member such that the engagement member is reciprocally movable between a first end position and a second end position. In the first end position, the engagement surface does not project beyond the bottom face or the top face and in the second end position, the engagement surface at least partially projects outwardly beyond the bottom face or the top face. The first and the second support members are coupled by a coupling mechanism.
US08702796B2	Double bundle ACL repair A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft.
US08702790B2	Thermoelastic and superelastic Ni—Ti—W alloy A radiopaque nitinol stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element including tungsten. The added tungsten in specified amounts improve the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. Furthermore, the nitinol stent has improved radiopacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility.
US08702787B2	Endoluminal prosthesis An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide columnar support while maintaining prosthesis flexibility. The prosthesis has sufficient strength and durability to withstand loads applied during deployment and sufficient flexibility to permit implant in a sealing arrangement within a tortuous body lumen. An embodiment according to the invention provides a plurality of annular structures with staggered, longitudinally overlapping apices of undulating structures. One embodiment relates to tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within a body lumen, including blood vessels, and for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.
US08702786B2	Prosthesis having pivoting fenestration The present disclosure relates to an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft that includes one or more fenestrations to accommodate endovascular disease, such as an aneurysm in cases where one or more side branches is involved. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes fenestrations that are pivotable to accommodate the dynamic geometry of the aortic branches. In another aspect, the pivotable fenestrations include a first perimeter, a band of flexible material attached and surrounding the first perimeter, and a second perimeter attached to and surrounding the band of flexible material. The first perimeter, band of flexible material, and second perimeter have a geometric shape.
US08702780B2	Endovascular deployment device An endovascular delivery device (1) has a portion, such as the nose cone dilator (8), being formed from a radiopaque material and that portion has a selected transverse profile such as a notch (26) so that in a selected rotational orientation of the endovascular delivery device the nose cone dilator can be observed by radiographic means during an endovascular procedure to be in that selected rotational orientation. The selected transverse profile can be a notch, protrusion or aperture. The notch or aperture can be filled with a radio-transparent material to provide a sooth outer surface.
US08702777B2	Steep-taper flared stents and apparatus and methods for delivering them A stent includes a first flaring portion including first and second sets of cells that flare outwardly when the stent is expanded from a contracted to a flared condition, and a second main portion connected to the first flaring portion. During use, the stent is introduced into a main vessel in the contracted condition and positioned with the first portion adjacent an ostium. The first portion is flared, causing first struts of the first set of cells to move from an axial towards a radial and partial circumferential orientation and causing second struts of the second set of cells to move from an axial towards a radial orientation. The second portion resists expansion when the first portion is flared. The stent is expanded further such that the second portion expands within the branch body lumen, and the first and second struts move towards a more circumferential orientation.
US08702769B2	Safe skin treatment apparatus for personal use and method for its use A technique for detecting and providing alerts or indications that can be used for controlling or altering the displacement speed of an applicator coupling skin heating energy across a treated skin. A temperature sensor monitors the rate of skin temperature change and provides feedback related to altering the applicator displacement speed according to the rate of skin temperature change. Disclosed is also an applicator for implementing this method.
US08702765B2	Cervical plating system A cervical plating system for fixedly connecting two or more vertebrae to each other includes a cervical plate having a fastening hole, the fastening hole penetrating the cervical plate, a fastening screw fitted into the fastening hole in the cervical plate, and a screw locking member disposed adjacent to the fastening hole. The screw locking member is rotatable along the circumference of the fastening hole between a first position, in which it opens the fastening hole, and a second position, in which it at least partially closes the fastening hole.
US08702764B2	Fastening apparatus for surgical retaining systems A fastening apparatus for surgical retaining systems includes at least one retaining element and a fastening element, which are mechanically connected to each other. A joint socket of the retaining element and a correspondingly shaped joint head of the fastening element form a ball-and-socket joint. A movement of the ball-and-socket joint can be locked by turning an eccentrically shaped clamping element.
US08702761B1	Bone screw assembly for limited angulation A limited angulation bone screw assembly adapted to couple a spinal rod with a vertebra including a bone screw, a bushing and a housing. The pedicle screw having a shaft and an upper head portion, the upper head portion comprising a spherical surface with flats disposed on opposite sides of the upper head portion. The bushing comprising a lower rounded surface for mating with the spherical surface and flats of the upper head portion to restrict the angular movement of the bone screw. The coupled bone screw and bushing are inserted into the housing in a first orientation and then rotated to a second orientation to secure the coupled bone screw and bushing to complete the housing.
US08702755B2	Angled washer polyaxial connection for dynamic spine prosthesis A dynamic spine prosthesis (such as a facet joint prosthesis having an articulation surface configured to articulate with a corresponding facet joint element) that has a fixation element with an elongated bone entry portion defining a longitudinal axis and a dynamic spine prosthesis component connected to the fixation element at a connection location by an adjustable connection. The adjustable connection has first and second washers each rotatably supported by the fixation element and each having an angled contact surface in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixation element, with the connection location being between the bone entry portion and the first and second washers.
US08702749B2	Lever latch assemblies for vessel sealer and divider A surgical instrument includes a housing and an end effector spaced from the housing and transitionable between first and second conditions. A drive bar is coupled to the end effector and extends into the housing. The drive bar is translatable between first and second positions for transitioning the end effector between the first and second conditions. A handle assembly is moveable between initial and actuateds position for translating the drive bar between the first and second positions. One or more linkages couple the drive bar, the handle assembly, and the housing to one another by at least first, second and third pivots. At least one of the pivots is fixed and at least one of the pivots is floating. The second pivot is movable relative to the first and third pivots between an unlatched position and an over-center latched position for latching the end effector in the second condition.
US08702746B2	Device and method for occlusion of fluid flow through a body vessel The present invention provides an improved occluding device and an improved method of occluding fluid through a body vessel. The occluding device comprises an inner coil. At least one outer coil is disposed about a portion of the inner coil. The outer coil has a pre-curled tension to facilitate the outer coil to be curled within the lumen of the body vessel when deployed.
US08702743B2	Instrument with an inflatable balloon A medical instrument including an inflatable balloon and a plurality of filamentary tool elements with a proximal movable section that is attached to a wall of the balloon and with a distal end projecting freely from the balloon, wherein the proximal end forms a substantially cylindrical shape when the inflatable balloon is inflated and deflated and the distal end bends inwards from the substantially cylindrical shape when the balloon is deflated.
US08702742B2	Trocar system having a drive Systems and methods for using a trocar system are disclosed. The system generally includes a handle having a first end a second end, a trocar disposed adjacent the first end of the handle, cannulas disposed on the trocar, and a drive system. The drive system is disposed for forward movement of the cannulas in a longitudinal direction away from the second end of the handle.
US08702740B2	Medical punch A medical punch with a hollow shaft, a tool point that is positioned on the distal end of the shaft and includes a rigid cutting part and a cutting part that can slide with respect to the rigid cutting part, and with a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft, such that the displaceable cutting part and the handle are operatively connected with one another by a push/pull device that is displaceably mounted in the hollow shaft and an anti-tilt mechanism is positioned on the tool point to stabilize the cutting parts in their axially parallel alignment to one another. The rigid cutting part includes a sleeve-shaped proximal portion that encloses the displaceable cutting part and a distal punch portion configured as a single unit with the sleeve-shaped portion and that the rigid cutting part should be detachably connected with the hollow shaft by a coupling mechanism formed on the sleeve-shaped portion.
US08702736B2	Cutting wire assembly for use with a catheter A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including providing a cutting member, connecting a tracking member to the cutting member to form an assembly, inserting the connected cutting member and tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting member and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting member outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting member into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a cutting member having a coupler to connect a tracking member is also provided.
US08702735B2	Eccentric abrading element for high-speed rotational atherectomy devices The invention provides a rotational atherectomy device having, in various embodiments, a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with at least one asymmetric and at least partially spherical abrading element attached thereto, which comprises an abrasive surface. The abrading element comprises more mass above the drive shaft than below and comprises a flattened side or transverse surface which creates hard cutting edges and spaces the center of mass radially from the rotational axis of the drive shaft. Thus the center of mass is moved vertically and transversely by the structure of the abrading element, conferring geometric and mass eccentricity upon the element. When placed against stenotic tissue and rotated at high speed, the eccentric nature of the abrading element moves along an orbital path, opening the lesion to a diameter larger than the resting diameter of the abrading element.
US08702732B2	Laparoscopic suturing instrument with dual-action needle graspers A suture needle driving instrument comprises a shaft, an end effector, and a grasping actuation assembly. The end effector is located at the distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of grasping arms. Each grasping arm comprises a respective pair of jaws. Each pair of jaws is operable to cooperate to grasp and release a suture needle. The grasping actuation assembly is operable to drive one jaw of each pair in one direction while simultaneously driving the other jaw of the pair in an opposite direction, to selectively grasp or release the suture needle. The actuation assembly may include a drive shaft having separate threaded regions with opposing pitch. The end effector is further operable to pass the needle from one arm to the other arm during a suturing procedure. The instrument may be used through a trocar during minimally invasive surgery.
US08702725B2	Methods and systems for pedicle access A method of positioning a device for pedicle access includes securing a clip in an adjustable frame assembly and securing the device in the clip. The method also includes positioning the device at an initial position having a trajectory estimated to allow the device to penetrate a pedicle without damaging the nervous system, and determining whether the trajectory of the initial position is proper to avoid damage. Further, the method includes re-positioning the device to a new position if the trajectory of the initial position is not proper to avoid damage to the nervous system, and determining whether the trajectory of the new position is proper to avoid damage. The method also includes repeating the steps of re-positioning the device and determining whether the trajectory of the new position is proper as required until a proper trajectory is obtained.
US08702724B2	Thrombus retrieval device A thrombus retrieval device has one or more thrombus engaging elements that are movable between a retracted configuration in which they are stowed within the device and a deployed configuration in which they project from the device to snare an adjacent thrombus for removal from a blood vessel.
US08702723B2	Device for performing examinations and surgical interventions on the uterus A device serves for performing examination and surgical intervention on the uterus. The device comprises an approximate rod-shaped body and an extension piece protruding from a distal end of said body. Said extension piece can be introduced in a cervical canal of an uterus. At least one adjustable jaw part for fixing of a cervical tissue between said extension piece and said jaw part is provided. An operating device serves for operating said adjustable jaw part. Said operating device is arranged on said rod-shaped body in such a way that a hand of an operator gripping said body can operate said operating device.
US08702719B2	Surgical instrument and method of use for inserting an implant between two bones The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an elongate body that has first and second ends with the first end being located adjacent to the handle assembly and the second end being moveably connected to an implant engagement assembly. The surgical instrument also has a length control mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a drive shaft and a gear assembly. The surgical instrument further has a locking mechanism that includes a gripping portion, a connecting rod and a coupling end. The length control mechanism functions to adjust the overall length of an implant that is held by the implant engagement assembly before being implanted in vivo. The locking mechanism operates to secure the overall length of the implant following final length adjustment and implantation. A surgical method for using the surgical instrument, a method of fabrication and a spinal implant insertion kit is also disclosed.
US08702718B2	Implantation system for tissue repair A prosthesis delivery and implantation system for tissue repair is disclosed. The implantation system includes provisions for manually applying a prosthesis to a treatment area. This system may be applied to heal any imperfections in various different types of tissue. The system also provides provisions for independently inserting two end portions of the prosthesis into tissue.
US08702711B2	Reduced pressure augmentation of microfracture procedures for cartilage repair A system for applying a treatment to a defect in one bone of two bones forming a joint that comprises a bladder for delivering a reduced pressure to the defect and for providing a positive pressure as bracing between the two bones of the joint is disclosed. A method for applying such treatment is also disclosed. A bladder for applying such treatment that comprises a reduced-pressure chamber and a bracing chamber is also disclosed.
US08702708B2	Connecting member insertable inside a bone structure of a human or animal body, and related locating system A connecting member insertable, at a fracture, inside a bone structure of a human or animal body to immobilize at least two bone portions. The connecting member has at least one radioactive source located at a predetermined reference point.
US08702707B2	Fixation instrument for treating a bone fracture A fixation instrument for treating a bone fracture including a bone screw and a nail, wherein the bone screw extends through an opening in the head or proximal end of the nail. A movable insert is disposed within a chamber located at the proximal end of the nail. The insert engages the bone screw to prevent rotation thereof once the bone screw is placed in position.
US08702704B2	Electrosurgical cutting and sealing instrument A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by at least one electromagnet and at least one electromagnetic engagement surface.
US08702700B2	Surgical treatment device A surgical treatment device which is used together with an endoscope, includes a sheath, a treatment portion which is arranged at the distal end portion of the sheath and includes first to third electrodes configured to treat a living tissue by using electrical energy, an operation portion which is arranged at a proximal end portion of the sheath and which is configured to operate the treatment portion, and a switching portion which is configured to switch between a first mode in which a treatment is given by using the first electrode and at least one of the second and third electrodes in the treatment portion and a second mode in which a treatment is given by using the second and third electrodes.
US08702698B2	Ophthalmic surgical device for capsulotomy A surgical device and procedure are provided for performing microsurgery, including a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye. The device has an elastically deformable cutting element mounted within an elastomeric suction cup. The suction cup is attached to an arm for manipulating the device. The device can be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, through a corneal incision, to cut a piece from the anterior portion of the lens capsule of the eye. The device is secured against the lens capsule using suction applied by one or more suction elements. The device is then removed from the eye, with the cut piece of membrane retained within the device by suction.
US08702692B2	Cardiac electrosurgery Devices and methods are disclosed for providing access to the pericardial cavity while reducing risk of myocardial damage. The methods include maintaining the positions of a puncture device and of a portion of a parietal pericardium relative to one other while delivering energy from the puncture device to create a channel through the pericardium. Additional embodiments disclosed include delivering a pulse or pulses of energy to the parietal pericardium and attempting to advance the puncture device through the parietal pericardium between deliveries of energy pulses.
US08702690B2	Device and method for real-time lesion estimation during ablation Disclosed herein are ablation systems and methods for providing feedback on lesion formation in real-time. The methods and systems assess absorptivity of tissue based on a degree of electric coupling or contact between an ablation electrode and the tissue. The absorptivity can then be used, along with other information, including, power levels and activation times, to provide real-time feedback on the lesions being created. Feedback may be provided, for example, in the form of estimated lesion volumes and other lesion characteristics. The methods and systems can provide estimated treatment times to achieve a desired lesion characteristic for a given degree of contact, as well as depth of a lesion being created. The degree of contact may be measured using different techniques, including the phase angle techniques and a coupling index.
US08702689B2	Systems and methods for twisting an expansion element of a cryoablation system A cryoablation catheter assembly includes a catheter that defines at least one coolant outtake region and receives a rotatable guide tube and a coolant transfer tube. The coolant transfer tube receives and transfers coolant from a coolant source to a distal end of the coolant transfer tube. An expansion element is coupled to a distal portion of the catheter and defines an inner expansion-element space. The inner expansion-element space is in fluid communication with the at least one coolant outtake region and the distal end of the coolant transfer tube. A distal end of the expansion element couples to the guide tube. A rotation system is coupleable to, or coupled to, a proximal end of the guide tube and rotates the distal end of the expansion element relative to the proximal end of the expansion element by rotating the guide tube relative to the catheter.
US08702686B2	Adaptable therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical guide The present invention relates to an adaptable therapeutic, diagnostic or surgical guide for an intra-operative adjustment of a guidance element to a pre-planned position. An advantage and innovation of the present invention is that it provides a template or guide that adapts in a controlled way to a changed intra-operative anatomical situation compared to the default planned situation. This adaption maybe purely positional but it may also include force feedback. Feedback, either visual feedback or force feedback that results in an adjustment of a guidance element is also an aspect of the present invention. For example, the feedback can contain information either about the fit of the guide or template onto a bone (in case the guide or template fits onto one bone) or about the relative position of two bones of bone fragments (e.g. ligament tension between the femur and tibia).
US08702680B2	Double helix reinforced catheter The intravascular catheter has two segments; a proximal segment with high stiffness and a distal segment with lower stiffness. The catheter can also have an intermediate segment of lower stiffness than the proximal segment and higher stiffness than the distal segment. The catheter comprises a polymeric inner tube, a reinforcing inner jacket which is spirally wound over the inner tube and which becomes progressively softer from a proximal end to a distal end, and a polymeric outer sheath extruded over the inner jacket according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,624. The reinforcing jacket comprises helical coiled wires or fibers of various materials and layers wound over the inner tube in order to provide improved multi-axial mechanical properties, such as torque, compression, tension and anti-kinking characteristics. Stainless steel, carbon, glass, platinum, platinum/tungsten or palladium wire in either oval, round or flat geometry are used together with single or dual layers to achieve a graduated stiffness with the reinforcing jacket being stiffer at a proximal end and softer at a distal end. Methods for making the catheter and for annealing ends of the wound wire are also disclosed.
US08702672B2	Body adhering absorbent article In a body adhering absorbent article, an absorbent structure is configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell supports the absorbent structure at the vaginal region and has an adhesive on a body-facing surface thereof for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. A placement aid is disposed on at least one of the absorbent structure and the shell to facilitate placement on the wearer. Securement components may be provided for securing the article in a folded configuration during wear and/or to the wearer's undergarment. Detachment components may also be provided to facilitate detachment of the article from the wearer.
US08702671B2	Disposable absorbent article with profiled absorbent core A disposable absorbent article has a central body defining a first waist end region including a first end edge, a second waist end region spaced longitudinally from the first waist end region and including a second end edge, and a crotch region positioned therebetween. An absorbent core is situated between the end edges, and includes a plurality of elastics incorporated therewith such that the core is substantially laterally contracted in a narrowed region about the elastics. The absorbent core includes at least one end region that is substantially non-elasticized and has a lateral width substantially wider than that of the narrowed region.
US08702667B1	Male incontinence garment Male incontinence garment structures and methods of use are provided. The garment includes an undergarment defining an interior space and an exterior space. An aperture enables the penis of the wearer to extend through the aperture from the interior space to the exterior space. A flap at least partially covers the aperture and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. A pouch is located between the flap in the closed position and the undergarment. In a further example, a pad is configured to be placed within the pouch and confine the penis as it extends from the interior space of the undergarment, through the aperture, and into the pad. A method includes placing the undergarment about the body of the male incontinence garment wearer, placing the penis of the male incontinence garment wearer through the aperture and the hole into the pad.
US08702665B2	Reduced-pressure sources, systems, and methods employing a polymeric, porous, hydrophobic material Reduced-pressure sources, systems, and methods involve using a vacuum pump that is disposed within a sealed space to produce reduced pressure. The exhaust from the vacuum pump is exhausted from the sealed space through pores in an enclosure member that is made of a polymeric, porous, hydrophobic material. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08702664B2	Transdermal preparation By providing a non-liquid drug reservoir layer 2 having first and second principal surfaces and containing a drug and a polymer that is to be a base, a drug permeation layer 4 disposed at the first principal surface side of the drug reservoir layer 2 and being lower in permeability of the drug than the drug reservoir layer 2, and a first backing 3 with a bending resistance of 10 to 80 mm that is formed so as to cover a side surface of the drug reservoir layer, skin irritation can be reduced.
US08702662B2	Body-space drainage-tube debris removal In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a debris removal system is provided for a body-space drainage system having one or more body tubes with a body tube lumen disposed therein. The debris-removal system comprises an elongated cleaning member and a cleaning head adapted to be advanced distally at least a portion of a length of the body tube lumen to dislodge debris therein. A collapsible sheath can be used to maintain a sterile field in the body tube lumen while the cleaning member is being used by enclosing at least a portion of the cleaning member that is not contained within the body tube lumen, and permitting external digital manipulation of the cleaning member through the sheath to advance and/or retract the cleaning member, and cleaning head, in the body tube lumen.
US08702661B2	Device for feeding medical fluids The application relates to a device for feeding medical fluids, in particular for applying a pharmaceutical into the hose line of a transfer unit for enteral or parenteral nutrition. The device comprises a base body (1) having an inlet (1A) and an outlet (1B) and a rotatable closure body (2) which has an inlet (2A). The device is characterized in that the base body (1) comprises a hollow cylindrical attachment piece (4) ending in the passage (1E) of the base body between the inlet and outlet (1B, 1B), and the closure body comprises a cylindrical shut-off body (11) that is arranged in the closure body (2) such that the shut-off body (11) sits in the attachment piece (4) of the base body (1) in a sealing manner in a first position of the closure body (2), so that a fluid connection between the inlet (2A) of the closure body (2) and the passage (1E) of the base body (1) is interrupted, and does not sit in the attachment piece in a second position of the closure body, so that the fluid connection is established. In the device, the sealing is solely established in that the shut-off body of the closure body sits in the attachment piece of the base body. Thus, only one sealing surface is provided.
US08702660B2	Medicament delivery device A device for delivering medicament includes a guide nut with guide ledges which cooperate with longitudinal grooves of a plunger rod for providing a rotational lock but allowing longitudinal movement of the plunger rod in relation to the guide nut that is rotationally locked to a distal housing part by engagement devices when the distal housing part and a proximal housing part are connected to each other. The device further includes a pressure release mechanism that includes slanting wedge-like surfaces arranged on the drive nut and slanting wedge-like surfaces arranged on a fixed inner annular surface of the distal housing part, which slanting wedge-like surfaces abut each other such that they move out of contact near the end of delivery of a predetermined quantity of medicament when the drive nut is rotated.
US08702654B2	Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome by injection of the flexor retinaculum An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.
US08702650B2	Process for folding of drug coated balloon Method of coating an expandable member is provided. The method comprises providing an expandable member with a plurality of folds defined therein, the expandable member having a folded configuration and a fully expanded configuration at a rated nominal pressure. The expandable member is inflated to an initial pressure of from 10% to about 300% of nominal pressure. A therapeutic agent is disposed on at least a portion of the expandable member. The expandable member is partially deflated to an intermediate pressure by withdrawing an amount of inflation medium from the expandable member, and by applying an external force to the expandable member.
US08702648B2	Controlled release mechanism for balloon catheters This invention relates to the field of balloon catheters and more particularly to catheter balloons having controlled failure mechanisms for the prevention of catastrophic failure of the balloon during overpressure conditions.
US08702647B2	Catheter deflection anchor A system and method for anchoring a round catheter pull wire within the distal end of a catheter. A steering deflection mechanism includes a pull ring having a plurality of apertures and one or more receiving slots. The method includes affixing one or more round pull wires to the one or more receiving slots of the pull ring. The shape of the round wire and manner of affixing the wire to the pull ring provide a steering assembly that can withstand greater pull forces while maintaining design integrity.
US08702644B2	Instrument for debriding tissue and applying therapeutic cells A tissue treatment device comprises a housing having a chamber that receives a treatment fluid mixture of tissue morsels and a scaffold material. A debriding shaft including a plurality of cutters is coupled with the housing. The debriding shaft extends proximally within the chamber and extends distally from the end of the housing. The debriding shaft is inserted within a treatment site such as a fistula tract and is rotated and reciprocated such that the debriding shaft removes tissue cells along the site. The site is flushed with saline or other irrigating fluid followed by application of the treatment fluid mixture. The chamber of the housing comprises agitators positioned adjacent the debriding shaft. The treatment fluid mixture passes through the chamber of the housing along and between the outer surface of the debriding shaft and the agitators for thorough mixing before exiting the device at the treatment site.
US08702634B2	Modular upper extremity support system A Modular Upper Extremity Support System (MUESS) improves hand function by optimizing the balance of flexion and extension at the wrist and stabilizing thumb abduction. This is accomplished through a basic support unit of a forearm cuff, a wrist extensor strap, and a web spacer strap. Various components and inserts can be attached to the basic support unit. The MUESS has several interchangeable components, inserts, and attachments, which allow the hand therapist and other caregivers to make adjustments to the orthotic in real time to support various hand functions that are critical to activities of daily living such as grasping.
US08702630B2	Method and apparatus for injecting ultrasound into tissue In a method for driving an injection device for injecting ultrasound into a tissue, the ultrasound has a predetermined thermal effect and a predetermined mechanical effect in the tissue. Ultrasound pulses are successively injected utilizing the injection device. Each ultrasound pulse comprises a pulse width and a duty ratio of the ultrasound pulses is set as a function of the thermal and mechanical effects of the ultrasound pulses.
US08702622B2	Quick cycle biopsy system A method for extracting a tissue sample includes altering the pressure inside the lumen of a cannula to facilitate extraction of a tissue sample from the cannula. One aspect of the invention includes a biopsy apparatus comprising a valve for controlling the pressure inside the lumen of the cannula. In one variation, the pressure/vacuum generating device is connected to a cannula with a closed distal end and an orifice located on a circumferential surface of said cannula. A cutting sheath is slidably disposed over said cannula. The valve may be provided between the pressure/vacuum generating device and the cannula to control the pressure within the lumen of the cannula.
US08702620B2	Remote pressure sensing system and method thereof The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method for use with a body of a subject. The system comprises a medical device, having a portion thereof configured to be placed inside the subject's body, said portion of the medical device being configured to be propelled by fluid pressure through a body lumen; at least two pressure sensors accommodated remotely from the subject's body at two different spaced-apart positions outside the subject's body and configured and operable to detect pressure at the two spaced-apart remote positions; said at least two pressure sensors being in fluid communication with at least one site inside the subject's body, a relation between the pressure at said at least one site and the pressures at said two spaced-apart remote positions being thereby indicative of the fluid pressure at said at least one site.
US08702617B2	Simultaneous ambulatory pulse oximetry and pH monitoring for the diagnosis of GERD-related respiratory disease Respiratory diseases related to gastroesophageal reflux disease in a patient are diagnosed by detecting esophageal or pharyngeal impedance and pH in the patient, detecting oxygen saturation in the patient, and diagnosing the respiratory diseases from the esophageal or pharyngeal impedance, the pH, and the oxygen saturation.
US08702615B2	Device for monitoring blood flow to brain A method of estimating blood flow in a brain, comprising: a) causing currents to flow inside the head by producing electric fields inside the head; b) measuring at least changes in the electric fields and the currents; c) estimating changes in the blood volume of the head, using the measurements of the electric fields and the currents, where the current are produced in children or using electrodes at or near holes in the skull. Optionally, the configuration is selected to focus the flow of current to be inside the brain to a significant degree.
US08702611B2	Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus The ultrasound probe includes a first priority setting unit which sets a priority regarding which of temporal resolution and spatial resolution is given preference, and a measurement parameter setting unit which sets values of measurement parameters relating to the temporal resolution and the spatial resolution in accordance with the priority set by the first priority setting unit and a measurement depth set in advance such that power consumption falls within the allowable power consumption.
US08702609B2	Image-guided intravascular therapy catheters An intravascular ultrasound catheter having an imaging array and ablation electrodes is provided. The imaging array and ablation electrodes are forward facing and the catheter can be used to ablate plaque in partially or totally occluded blood vessels under real time ultrasound visualization. The ablation electrodes are integrated into the distal face of the catheter and allow ultrasound to pass through them, which provides the ability to achieve highly accurate real time visualization of the tissue undergoing treatment.
US08702605B2	Health state measuring plug-in module for a computer interface and method of use The present invention provides a module for a computer interface including a transducer wherein the transducer receives a measurement value and makes this measurement value available for monitoring an individual's health by means of the computer interface, for example, for monitoring an individual's blood glucose level, wherein the measurement value is obtained by means of a sensor.
US08702601B2	Medical access device having a protection against an excessive application of leverage A medical access device for creating an access to a body for minimally invasive intervention has a hollow body assembled from at least two parts having longitudinal extending edges. Each part has a distal body portion and at an angle to the latter a proximal body portion. A locking mechanism locks the assembled proximal hollow body portions. The locking mechanism has a hook projecting from an edge of a proximal body. A nose of the hook can enter from proximal to distal in a recess in an edge joining said edge having said hook.
US08702597B2	Immobilizable in-vivo imager with moveable focusing mechanism A system, method and device for immobilizing an imager in-vivo and/or focusing images on the imager reflected from an in-vivo site to be monitored with for example a moveable or otherwise adjustable focusing mechanism. The imaging sensor may for example be positioned on an acute angle to an in-vivo surface to which the device is immobilized so that the device may for example image an in-vivo area that is opposed to such device. Sensors in addition to or other than an imaging sensor may be used.
US08702594B2	Imaging system having a quick connect coupling interface An imaging system can include a base unit and one or more imaging units. The base unit can include a main interface that has a plurality of main electrical connectors and one or more main mechanical connectors. A mechanical system is located in the base unit. Each imaging unit can include an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end. Also, an imaging interface that couples with the main interface can be included on the proximal end of the elongate support member. The imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface. Mechanical actuators can bend the bendable section under control from the base unit.
US08702587B2	Implantable devices for the treatment of incontinence and methods of using same Implantable devices are designed to provide support to the bulbar urethral region of a patient experiencing incontinence. Surgical methods are utilized to implant the devices, and surgical tools are utilized with the surgical methods.
US08702580B2	Method and device for assisting in a tissue treatment A method for planning to treat tissue by administering a substance which emits energy or can interact with administered energy to a body, such as body tissue, wherein a dispersion of the substance in the body is simulated, and to a system or device for planning administering a substance and administering energy to a body or in body tissue. The device includes a data capture unit configured to detect patient-specific parameters, wherein the patient-specific parameters can be used to describe a dispersion behavior of the substance in the body or body tissue; a computational unit operatively coupled to the data capture unit, said computational unit configured to obtain the patient-specific parameters from the data capture unit; a database accessible by the computational unit, wherein the database includes data for describing characteristics of a particular type of tissue or a particular body structure, data for describing mechanisms for supplying energy, and/or data for describing the effect on tissue of a substance in combination with supplied energy, the computational unit being configured to retrieve and/or store said data in the database; and an input unit via which a user can input treatment-specific data to the computational unit, wherein the computational unit is configured to simulate the plan based on at least one of the patient-specific data, data stored in the database, or user input data.
US08702576B2	Device and method for monitoring and adjusting the radial position of an interface layer in a nozzle centrifuge Device for monitoring and adjusting, in particular for fixing and securing, the radial position of an interface layer in a nozzle centrifuge for separating a light phase having a relatively low density and a heavy phase having a relatively high density from a mixture containing these two liquids and a solid, the nozzle centrifuge including a rotor 1-3 which is rotatable around a rotational axis R and which forms an inlet 9 for said mixture, a separating chamber 7 communicating with said inlet 9 and having a radially inner part 7a and a radially outer part 7b, nozzles 12 at the separating chamber distributed around the rotational axis R for throwing out the heavy phase and the solid, an outlet 13a, 13b, 14 for discharging the light phase, an overflow outlet 19 being radially delimited by a cover or level ring 20 for discharging the heavy phase, and an inlet 9; 25, 26 for supplying additional heavy phase to the centrifuge, characterized in that a sensor 24 is arranged in the flow path of the heavy phase 23 leaving the centrifuge for monitoring the magnitude of the flow and transmitting a corresponding signal such that the supply of additional heavy phase via the inlet 9 or 25, 26 can be adjusted in reply to the signal.
US08702573B2	Glute exercise machine with rocking user support A glute exercise machine has a stationary main frame, a pivotally mounted upper torso support, a knee support, and an exercise arm having a foot support for engaging a user's foot and configured for rotation from a start position by user engaging the knee support with one leg and the exercise arm with the other leg. A connecting linkage translates movement of the exercise arms into rocking movement of the upper torso support. A load is linked to one of the moving parts to provide exercise resistance.
US08702572B1	Exercise ring The nature of this invention is that it is an exercise ring and accessory wand that is twirled by the wrist, ankle or with wand to strengthen various body parts. The ring weighs one to twenty pounds, has an inside diameter of 8-18 inches, an outside diameter of 10-20 inches and is one to two inches thick depending on design and materials. The wand has two knobs for retaining the ring as it is twirled by hand and is one inch thick and 12 to 18 inches long.
US08702565B2	Engine position control in an engine stop-start powertrain A vehicle having engine stop-start functionality includes a transmission, engine, and controller. The transmission includes a clutch, and the engine includes a crankshaft. The controller is in communication with the engine and the transmission, and is configured for detecting a commanded shut down of the engine, and then engaging the clutch to control a rate of deceleration of the crankshaft and stop the crankshaft within a calibrated range of a target stop position at the end of engine shut down. A method for controlling engine stop position includes detecting a commanded shut down of the engine, and engaging the clutch after detecting the commanded shut down to thereby control the rate of deceleration of the crankshaft and stop the crankshaft within a calibrated range of a target stop position at the end of shut down of the engine. The transmission may be automatic or it may be a dual-clutch transmission.
US08702564B2	Electro-hydraulic control system and method for a dual clutch transmission A hydraulic control system and method for controlling a dual clutch transmission includes a plurality of pressure and flow control devices and logic valve assemblies in fluid communication with a plurality of clutch actuators and with a plurality of synchronizer actuators. The clutch actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices and the synchronizer actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of synchronizer assemblies. Selective activation of combinations of the pressure control solenoids and the flow control solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the clutch actuators and synchronizer actuators in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
US08702562B2	System and method for controlling an automatic engine stop-start based on transmission conditions A system and method for controlling automatic stop-start of a motor vehicle is provided. The system and method is configured to disable an automatic stop-start mode of operation based on accumulator pressure conditions.
US08702558B2	Planetary gear transmission unit A planetary gear transmission unit (10) includes a ring gear (17), a sun gear (18) and a planet carrier (19) driving a plurality of planet shafts (12) onto which planet gears (11) are rotatably mounted by way of planet bearings (13). The planet shafts are flexpin shafts (12) and each flexpin shaft (12) includes a pair of planet gears (11), each planet gear (11) of the pair being of the single helical type having a helix angle opposite to that of the other planet gear (11) of the pair. A gearbox (20) including a planetary gear transmission unit (10) according to embodiments of the invention and a wind turbine including such a gearbox (20) are also described.
US08702555B1	Multi-speed transmission with a selectable one-way clutch A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. One of the plurality of torque transmitting devices is an integrated friction launch clutch. A one-way clutch is in series relationship with the launch clutch and is configured to disconnect the launch clutch from at least one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least ten forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08702551B2	Wobble mechanism A wobble mechanism, in particular for a two-part adjustment fitting of a vehicle seat, is provided with a flat housing with internal toothing and with an oscillating wheel with external toothing, which is arranged within the housing and is eccentrically rotatable around a center axis of the housing. The external toothing of the oscillating wheel engages with the internal toothing of the housing. The housing is divided into at least two housing parts along a dividing plane.
US08702549B2	Vehicle drive unit A vehicle drive unit includes an axle formed of an output shaft of a motor, and a first support shaft and a second support shaft arranged at both ends of the output shaft. A stator is held on a first holding plate and a second holding plate. The second holding plate and a bearing block form a carrier of planetary gears. The second holding plate includes a bearing holding portion. The second support shaft is supported on the bearing holding portion. The first support shaft is supported on the first holding plate. The output shaft is supported at one end on the first holding plate and the other end on the bearing holding portion.
US08702546B2	Device for a drive train of a hybrid vehicle, drive train and method for operating same A device for a drive-train of a hybrid vehicle having a planetary gear system that comprises three elements, namely, a ring gear, sun gear and carrier. A first element of these elements of the planetary gear system has a fixed connection with a transmission input shaft of a transmission. A second element of the elements of the planetary gear system has a fixed connection with an electric machine of a hybrid drive. A clutch which can couple two of the three elements of the planetary gear system with one another. Additionally, a shifting element is provided by which a third element, of these three elements of the planetary gear system, can be coupled, in a first shift position, to an internal combustion engine of the hybrid drive and, in a second shift position, to one of a housing or a stator.
US08702543B2	Belt tensioner A tensioner for tensioning a belt that includes a support housing, an arm pivotably attached to the support housing, a spring operatively connected to the support housing and the arm, and a deflectable armplate seated on the arm and deflected into engagement with the support housing to provide an axial force that clamps the arm and the support housing together without axially compressing the spring. The spring biases the arm to pivot relative to the support housing.
US08702540B2	Intra-digital orthosis for use in shooting a ball such as a basketball An intra-digital orthosis for use in shooting a ball such as a basketball comprising: index and ring finger receptacles each having an aperture; a middle finger backstop; and first and second shafts joining the index and ring finger receptacles to the middle finger backstop. The orthosis preferably spaces apart and/or encourages flexion of the distal phalanges of at least a user's index and ring fingers and/or facilitates an arch angle between those fingers and the user's middle finger that approximates the curvature of the ball being thrown so as to facilitate and enhance the user's ability to position the hand when shooting the ball.
US08702539B2	Push-pass technique and system for training soccer players A push-pass technique system and method in accordance with the present invention for training soccer players having a frame along which is a track, that is formed into a semi-circle, raised on each end by graduating ramp, upon which slides a foot pedal that can be secured by four wheels on each side to the track and the frame. The foot pedal glides back and forth upon the horizontal plane and moves length-wise across the plane to a pre-determined length following the curvature of the ramp. The foot pedal will guide the player's foot into the proper horizontal position while training the player to execute the proper push-pass soccer technique and gain muscle memory.
US08702532B2	Metal wood club A golf club head is provided having a body and a face insert, with a slot in a perimeter region of the body of the club head adjacent the face insert. The slot increases the flex of the hitting surface on impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the speed with which the ball rebounds off the hitting face and increases the overall distance the ball is hit. The slot preferably moves the sweet spot of the hitting face a distance X from the face center of the hitting face. The slot may be filled with an elastomeric material.
US08702525B2	Flume within a flume The present invention relates to an interactive ride, such as a flume within a flume. In one embodiment, a water ride can include a first flume ride and a second flume ride. The first flume ride can include a first middle section, while the second flume ride can include a second flume section. The second flume ride can pass through the first flume ride by having the second middle section pass through the first middle section. Thus, the second middle section can be located within the first middle section. The first middle section and the second middle section can form a pass-through section. The second flume ride can be partially supported by the first flume ride.
US08702523B2	Achievement incentives within a console-based gaming environment A computer-implemented method is disclosed for encouraging downloads of a game. The method includes displaying an achievement advertisement and subsequently receiving input indicative of the achievement advertisement. The input is responded to by displaying a download component related to a game associated with the achievement advertisement.
US08702517B2	Gaming device methods and apparatus employing audio/video programming outcome presentation In a first aspect, a method of operating a gaming device is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) determining an outcome value of a game result of the gaming device; (2) retrieving historical audio/video programming having content that provides an indication of the outcome value; and (3) providing the historical audio/video programming to a player of the gaming device. The historical audio/video programming may comprise, for example, a television show, a sporting event, a movie, an animated show, or the like. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08702514B2	Controller device and controller system An example controller system includes a terminal device, and an input device as an additional device configured to be attachable to and detachable from the terminal device. The terminal device includes a generally plate-shaped housing, and an LCD 51 provided on the front side of the housing. The input device includes an operation section such as a stick, a bar-shaped first grip portion, and a support portion. The support portion detachably supports the terminal device so that the screen of the LCD is in a generally vertical direction when the first grip portion is in the vertical direction.
US08702511B2	Computer readable storage medium and information processing apparatus A CPU causes an object to make a predetermined motion, and calculates an attracting force or a repulsive force generated, in accordance with the predetermined motion, between a node of attention among a plurality of the nodes and at least one connected node connected to the node of attention. Further, the CPU calculates a maximum value and a minimum value, of each reference axis direction in a virtual space, of an attracting force or a repulsive force generated between the node of attention and the at least one connected node, calculates a modification vector using the calculated maximum value and minimum value of each reference axis direction, and controls the node of attention based on the calculated modification vector.
US08702507B2	Manual and camera-based avatar control Manual and camera-based avatar control is described for example, in computer game systems. In one embodiment, an image capture system tracks motion of a player's arm holding a real world object and the player also makes input to the game system at the same time, using a manual controller. In an example, tracked motion of a player's arm is used to control aim of a virtual dart in a game display and the player makes manual input at the controller to fire the dart. In various embodiments, position of a part of a player is detected and mapped to screen space using a mapping function which may vary. For example, a mapped position of a player's hand in screen space is used to control the position of an avatar's hand by extending the avatar's arm. In examples, conditions are met before camera-based control of an avatar.
US08702505B2	Method, apparatus, system, medium, and signals for supporting game piece movement in a multiple-party communication Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a method and apparatus for moving game piece images displayed on a first client computer in communication with a server in a computer network are disclosed. The method involves causing at least one game piece image to be displayed on a display area of the first client computer, the game piece image having an image area and an image boundary enclosing the image area. The method also involves receiving a cursor movement signal representing a cursor movement produced in response to user input received from a pointing device in communication with the first client computer, and determining whether a current position of the cursor is within the image boundary associated with the game piece image. The method further involves transmitting a piece movement request message to the server to elicit a piece movement message from the server when the current position of the cursor is within the image boundary, the piece movement request message representing a desired change in a position of a cursor in response to the cursor movement signal. The method also involves receiving the piece movement message at the first client computer, the piece movement message representing the change in the position of the cursor, and causing a change in a position of the game piece image on the display area of the first client computer in response to the piece movement message.
US08702503B2	Token configured to interact A system includes a first token associated with a display device and configured to be selectively repositioned by a user with respect to the display device, the first token having at least one interactive module configured to interact with a second token. The system may include a plurality of modules, each of which is configured to be selectively attached to a token, each of the modules providing a different capability to the token when attached thereto. A display system includes a display device; a sensor for detecting tokens used with the display device; a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the display device; and a first token associated with the display device and including an optical sensor for receiving data from the display device. The controller is configured to drive the display device to simultaneously display an image and transfer data to the first token.
US08702501B2	Formation and use of formal partnerships for play games Techniques for forming and using formal partnerships are disclosed. Two or more entities (e.g., individual players, groups, organizations) can form a partnership for the purpose of participating in one or more games. In effect, a game can be played for a partnership without the active participation of all the entities (or partners) that have formed the partnership. The game can, for example, be played by one or the partners or an authorized representative of the partnership. When a game is played on behalf of a partnership, the gaming activity is effectively tracked and verification data is stored for the partnership. Verification data can be made available to allow the partners to verify the outcome of the game.
US08702498B2	Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system including objects moving to stopping places relative to the reels A method of gaming comprising: displaying a plurality of objects as moving relative to one or more stopping places on a display; conducting an evaluation in respect of at least some of the objects to determine whether the at least some objects contribute to an award event; and stopping each object that contributes to an event at a stopping place of one or more stopping places.
US08702496B2	Gaming device and method providing slot game having virtual map driven reel stop position determinations Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming device include a housing which supports a plurality of mechanical reels and a plurality of stop input devices which are configured to provide a Pachisuro-style slot game. Each of the plurality of reels is associated with a different one of the plurality of stop input devices. Each stop input device enables a player to stop the respective reel when the reel is spinning by activating the stop input device. Each reel includes a plurality of stop positions and each stop position includes a symbol. The gaming device also includes a processor and a memory device. For each reel, the processor randomly determines the stop position at which the reel ultimately stops based on a virtual map stored in the memory device for an initiating stop position of that reel which is selected by the player's activation of the stop input device for that reel.
US08702486B1	System and method for providing an online platform for gameplay of crossword puzzles and other word-based games The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an integrated platform for gameplay of word-based games, obtaining and using virtual assets related to the word-based games such as crossword puzzle games and word search puzzle games, providing sponsored word-based games, and facilitating sweepstakes entries based on the word-based games. The systems and methods may provide an integrated online platform that facilitates the convergence of word-based games, sponsored brands, sweepstakes, prizes, and obtaining and using virtual assets related to the word-based games across social networks, mobile networks, and/or other networks. The integrated online platform leverages the use of various puzzles such as puzzles from third party puzzle providers, custom puzzles, and/or other puzzles for gameplay of the word-based games. The platform may facilitate user retention by encouraging repeat visits with compelling rewards that may be progressively increased and based on gameplay.
US08702484B2	Automatic corn cutter apparatus An automatic corn cutting apparatus for cutting kernels off of husked ears of corn. The ears may be presented to the cutting knives either tip end or butt end first. The ears are fed into the cutting knives by a pair of drive rollers carried by a pair of articulating drive shafts. The drive shafts move in a plane perpendicular to the axis along which the ears are fed to the cutting knives. A sensor, preferably a linear variable differential transformer, or LVDT, is carried by one of the drive shafts remotely from the ears, i.e. the LVDT does not contact the ears. The sensor detects the profile of each ear of corn, and the profile is used by a knife controller to efficiently remove the kernels from each ear of corn.
US08702482B2	Ventilation controller A ventilation system for a building in some cases includes a main HVAC blower for moving temperature-conditioned air through the building plus a smaller ventilation blower for providing fresh air. A controller regulates the ventilation blower's speed to provide a target ventilation flow rate regardless of changes in the pressure differential between the indoor and outdoor air. To ensure that the target rate is appropriate for a particular building, the target flow rate is determined based on a ventilation setting that reflects a specified number of bedrooms and a specified amount of floor space of the building.
US08702479B2	Polishing pad with multi-modal distribution of pore diameters Polishing pads with multi-modal distributions of pore diameters are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with multi-modal distributions of pore diameters are also described.
US08702477B2	Polishing pad sub plate A construction of a polishing pad sub plate that is able, while maintaining the fixing strength of the polishing pad to the rotation table, to make possible the easy removal of the polishing pad from the rotation table, and in particular, by preventing injury to the polishing pad when peeling it from the rotation table is offered.
US08702474B2	Method of regenerating a polishing pad using a polishing pad sub plate A method of regenerating a polishing pad for polishing semiconductor wafers is described wherein the polishing pad is removably stacked, aligned and fixed by a fitting ring to a polishing pad supporting surface of a polishing pad sub plate mounted on a central surface of a sub plate main body on an upper surface of a polisher rotation table and wherein the regeneration may include dressing, as well as cleaning, or regrooving the polishing pad surface.
US08702467B2	Fold and tear resistant toy glider plane An improved durable toy glider plane comprised of a pliable deformable material, including a Mylar polyester film with a mil thickness that allows the material, once permanently creased under a certain pressure, to have the ability to be deformed by a pressure less than that of the original pressure, such as internal deformation caused when the plane strikes an object, and deformation by external forces, such as when persons bend or crumple the plane, or when the plane is run over by a vehicle, and reform to its original shape when released. The glider plane comprises a swept-wing configuration with winglets and ailerons for flight control and a launch pin to permit accelerated launches and provide weight for the nose of the craft.
US08702464B2	Method of manufacturing a display device that prevents unevenness of the organic film A method of manufacturing an organic EL display device that includes an element substrate on which a first organic luminescent material and a second organic luminescent material are formed, includes forming the first organic luminescent material by dripping the first organic luminescent material from an inkjet nozzle on the element substrate while relatively moving the inkjet nozzle and the element substrate in a first direction, and forming the second organic luminescent material by dripping the second organic luminescent material from an inkjet nozzle on the element substrate while relatively moving the inkjet nozzle and the element substrate in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08702460B2	Method and system for a towed vessel suitable for transporting liquids A portable towed vessel suitable for containing and transporting various liquids is disclosed. The vessel further comprises various features useful in navigation and storage of the device, both when in use for transporting fluids and when transported in an emptied state. Such features include navigational and positioning devices and methods, and means for emptying and deflating a towed vessel. Aspects of the present invention further include the ability to quickly fill and evacuate a towed vessel and features useful for purifying or preserving the purity of fluid to be transported.
US08702458B2	Powered water sports board The invention provides a powered water sports board (10) which includes a motor (16) and a power supply (18), both of which are mounted inside a cavity (20) formed inside an elongate buoyant body (12) of the powered water sports board, and a propeller (36) which is capable of being driven by the motor (16) and which is housed inside a fin (14) of the elongate buoyant body (12) thereby to shield the propeller.
US08702457B2	Vessel propulsion apparatus A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a nozzle, a deflector, a reverse bucket, and a guide. In a state in which the reverse bucket is positioned at a closed position and the deflector is positioned at a straight drive position, the guide generates a right branch stream flowing in an obliquely forward right direction and a left branch stream flowing in an obliquely forward left direction. In a state in which the reverse bucket is positioned at the closed position and the deflector is positioned at a right side, the guide generates the left branch stream. In a state in which the reverse bucket is positioned at the closed position and the deflector is positioned at a left side, the guide generates the right branch stream.
US08702455B1	Connector assemblies and blade contact structures therefor A connector assembly comprises a base, a conventional lay in conductor connector channel, a blade contact superstructure and a blade contact. The base has the blade contact superstructure appended to one sidewall thereof. The blade contact superstructure has a cavity between generally “V” shaped blade receiving supports. The blade contact is a plated copper strip and is inserted into the cavity between the blade receiving supports where the blade contact then becomes an interface between the superstructure and an electrical blade inserted in the blade contact.
US08702451B2	Electrical connector with grounding bars therein to reduce cross talking sa An electrical connector includes an insulating housing defining an uninterrupted tongue portion with opposite first surface and second surface and a plurality of contacts loaded in the tongue portion. The contacts includes a first group of contacts with first contacting portions loaded in the first surface, a second group of contacts with second contacting portions loaded in the second surface. Each of the first and second group of contacts is composed of signal contacts and grounding contacts and a connecting bar is assembled to electrically connect at least one first grounding contact and one second grounding contact.
US08702450B2	Connecting component for electrical conductors and method for sheathing such a connecting component A connecting component formed by a first housing, within which there are disposed electrical components which are connected to coupling elements acting outwards, is oversheathed with an insulating envelope. The first housing is surrounded by a second housing, the coupling elements are guided through corresponding openings of the second housing, and the space between the two housings is overcasted with a polyurethane plastic compound. After curing, the thus formed sheath of the housing has, with only one process step, a shape identically reproducing that of the second outer housing.
US08702449B2	Connector assembly with retaining insert A connector assembly including at least an insert (1), the insert including: a front part (11) and a rear part (10) made from a hard insulating material, joined together, at least one longitudinal housing (12) crossing through the front part (11) and the rear part (10) of the insert, this longitudinal housing (12) being capable of accommodating a female electrical contact (6), characterized in that the insert (1) includes at least one soft insulating material (20, 21) at least partially surrounding the female electrical contact (6) and absorbing the vibration of the female electrical contact.
US08702448B2	Electrical connector An aircraft pressure bulkhead electrical connector comprising a first connection terminal proximate at least one side of the electrical connector and a pressure seal arranged to maintain an applied air pressure differential across the electrical connector in use.
US08702446B2	Devices for mounting electrical, audio, and video installations to walls and other flat surfaces Devices in the form of flush-mounting plates are disclosed which are adapted to connect, for example, one or more receptacles to an electrical box that is disposed inside of a wall. Such flush-mounting plates include a back side that is adapted to be connected to the electrical box through a set of screws disposed through corresponding apertures located in the flush-mounting plate and electrical box, and a front side that is adapted to be connected to the one or more receptacles and a cover plate having a planar exterior surface. The one or more receptacles are positioned between the flush-mounting plate and the cover plate, such that the cover plate, one or more receptacles, and flush-mounting plate are connected to the electrical box in a manner that the exterior surface of the cover plate is substantially flush with an outer wall that surrounds the electrical box.
US08702444B2	Communication plug with improved cable manager A communication plug is described. The communication plug has a communication cable with a plurality of conductors, a plug housing, and a cable manager partially enclosed within the plug housing. The cable manager has a load bar with a plurality of holes, a first cable management section connected to the load bar via a first hinge, and a second cable management section connected to the load bar via a second hinge. The first and second cable management sections are configured to fold together and partially enclose the cable before the cable manager is inserted into the plug housing.
US08702442B2	Telecommunications connector An electrically conductive contact for electrically connecting an insulated conductor to an electrically conductive track of a printed circuit board, including bifurcate contact arms extending from a common section of the contact, an open end section of the contact arms being adapted to receive an end section of the insulated conductor, pierce the insulation and effect electrical connection therewith; and a fastener for electrically coupling the contact to the track of the printed circuit board, wherein the arms include torsion inhibitors for resiliently inhibiting movement of the arms about respective axes when the insulated conductor is forced therebetween.
US08702440B2	Electrical cord connection covering techniques An electrical cord covering system may include a first covering portion, a second covering portion, and a compression portion. Each of the covering portions may have an interior region, a cable aperture, a plug aperture, and a mating portion. The interior region of each covering portion may house a portion of a cable and a plug of a respective electrical cord. The cable aperture of each covering portion can accommodate the cable of the respective electrical cord. The plug aperture of each covering portion may permit the plugs of the different electrical cords to mate. The mating portions may allow the covering portions to mate. The compression portion may nest within the interior regions of the covering portions and accommodate the plugs. When the covering portions are mated, the compression portion may form seals at the cable apertures of the covering portions.
US08702439B1	Wet mateable underwater connector Electrical connectors suitable for wet environments and even underwater mating are provided. A replaceable gel filled cartridge affixes over sockets of a female plug. Water channels and radial holes in the receptacle combine to form a pathway for water ejection during connection formation. A coupling nut secures the female plug to the male connector. A spring housed within the coupling nut allows the coupling nut to further rotate, after pins are seated in respective sockets, to seal water holes. The cartridge is filled with hydrophobic gel and has a diaphragm sandwiched between a front and a rear housing. Contact pins pass through the diaphragm and pass through the gel filled rear housing before mating with respective sockets. Trapping of water is minimized with the escape of water via channels in the receptacle. Contaminated or lost gel is readily replaced via the cartridge affording multiple wet-mateable connections for a given connector.
US08702437B2	Electrical adapter system An electrical adapter, the adapter including an Edison screw base configured to receive a primary voltage from a voltage source, a voltage converter circuit configured to convert the primary voltage to the secondary voltage, and a first electrical connector part configured to be detachably coupled to a second electrical connector part of an electrical fixture configured to be powered by the secondary voltage.
US08702422B2	Device and method for cleaning the oral cavity Devices and methods for cleaning an oral cavity by positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from the surface within the oral cavity having applied thereto a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque on the surface. The surface is substantially simultaneously cleaned and irradiated with a light of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with said fluorescent agent. A portion of the fluorescent emission is collected (APV1), and compared to a predetermined threshold value (PPTV). If APV1 is less than PPTV, the device is moved to another section. If APV1 is greater than or equal to PPTV, then another portion of fluorescent emission is collected (APV2). The percent reduction from APV1 to APV2 determines when the device is moved to another section.
US08702419B2	Automated Candle Blower An automatic candle blower having a main housing with a base and a back member. The back member has a plurality of vent holes therethrough, each of the vent holes providing an air flow path from the interior of the main housing. A candle support surface is formed adjacent to the back member to support a candle. A blower is positioned to direct air to the vent holes. An air channel is formed within the main housing between the blower and the vent holes. An alternative embodiment of the invention further includes a control circuit, which has a processor, a timer, and a processor-readable medium, is electrically connected to the blower. A user input device is electrically connected to the control circuit.
US08702418B2	Device and method for efficient mixing of two streams In one embodiment, a method for generating heat energy includes injecting a stream having a concentration of at least 50% oxygen (O2 stream) into a primary gas stream through a mixer, the mixer discharging the O2 stream as two or more spaced jets traversing the primary stream, thereby enriching the primary gas stream. The method further includes mixing fuel with the enriched primary gas stream, thereby forming a fuel stream; and combusting the fuel stream, thereby forming a flue gas stream.
US08702417B2	Apparatuses, systems, and methods for manufacturing composite parts Tooling aids for applying pressure in laminating, and methods for their use, are described herein. In one embodiment, a caul for applying pressure in laminating includes a base portion positioned between first and second corner portions. The base portion can have a curved shape when it is in a relaxed state, but it moves to a flatter shape when subjected to pressure during lamination. Movement of the base portion to the flatter shape causes the first and second corner portions to move outwardly and away from the base portion. In this manner, the caul can be used to compact laminating materials into corner regions of a corresponding female mold surface.
US08702416B2	Method and apparatus for making candles, vases or decorative objects Making candles, vases or ornamental articles, by rotating a mold in elevation and azimuth, pouring wax into the mold, allowing the wax to partially or completely harden, and repeating these steps to build up layers of wax in different inclined planes. Apparatus is described for carrying out this method, having a support rotatable in elevation and a mold holder rotatable in azimuth on the support. An alternative apparatus is described having a vessel that may be optionally temperature controlled and containing flowable material supporting a mold. Further apparatus is described having means to support a mold at variable angles of elevation and azimuth. The apparatus and materials for carrying out the method may be supplied as a kit, with the apparatus either fully assembled or supplied as separate parts to be assembled by the user.
US08702414B1	Lip adjustment push system The invention comprises a die apparatus including a flexible lip for adjusting a gap between the flexible lip and a second lip. The apparatus includes linear moving members that are adjusted through operative communication with gradients on a slide bar. Ball bearings may be in operative communication with the gradients of the slide bar. Movement of the slide bar causes the ball bearings to move linearly, which, in turn, cause the linear moving members to move in a similar linear direction. The moving members operatively communicate with the lip. As a result, the dimensions of the gap may be changed by moving the slide bar in a first direction.
US08702410B2	Device for cooling plastic profiles An extrusion line for producing plastic profiles, preferably plastic pipes, comprising at least one extruder, one die, one calibration means and further following devices. The die has at least one aperture, and an extraction means arranged in front of the die as viewed in the extrusion direction, and the die consists of a plurality of functional regions with separate melt channels. Furthermore, the invention relates to increasing the cooling performance of an extrusion line for extruding a plastic profile, in particular a plastic pipe, which comprises the following steps, a) melting plastic in an extruder, b) shaping a plastic strand and feeding the plastic strand to a die, c) shaping a plastic profile by means of the die, and d) calibrating and curing by cooling the profile, the profile being cooled in the interior in addition to outer cooling.
US08702409B2	Screw compressor having male and female rotors with profiles generated by enveloping a rack profile Screw compressor (1) comprising: a male (2) and a female rotor (3) rotating respectively around a first axis (01) and second axis (02) of rotation, said rotors (2;3) showing, in cross section, meshing lobes (4) and valleys (6) and having profiles generated by enveloping a rack profile (p) including a first curve (z1) of the rack profile (p) extending between a first point (H) and a second point (Q) in a Cartesian reference frame (X, Y) and having a convexity in the positive direction of the axis of abscissa (X), said first point (H) lying on the axis of abscissa (X) at a distance from an origin (0) of the Cartesian reference frame (X, Y) equal to an addendum (hi) of the male rotor (2).
US08702408B2	Slide for use in a screw compressor A slide for use in a single screw compressor is disclosed. The screw compressor is arranged to vent the flutes of its main rotor at all times, without having to provide a check valve in the discharge port of the main rotor casing. An additional outlet port in the casing vents gas from the discharge ends of the flutes into the body of the slide instead of to the discharge port. The vented gas is guided to an exit port of the slide, from where it can reach either the discharge port or the bypass port of the casing at all times during use of the compressor and under all loading conditions. The design of the disclosed slide further allows the use of an offset discharge port in the casing, in relation to the main rotor.
US08702407B2	Multistage roots vacuum pump having different tip radius and meshing clearance from inlet stage to exhaust stage A multistage vacuum pump includes a stator housing a multistage rotor assembly, each stage having intermeshing Roots rotor components, wherein the tip radius of the rotor components at an inlet stage of the pump is larger than the tip radius of the rotor components at an exhaust stage of the pump, wherein a meshing clearance between the rotor components at the inlet stage of the pump is greater than a meshing clearance between the rotor components at the exhaust stage of the pump.
US08702403B2	Fan A fan includes a housing having a compartment formed inside, and at least one lateral air inlet and at least one lateral air outlet both penetrating through the inner and outer surfaces of the housing and communicating with the compartment. A motor is mounted inside the compartment of the housing and has a stator and an impeller, with the impeller rotatably coupled to the stator and further containing a hub and a plurality of blades mounted to a top of the hub. Each blade has a first end and a second end in the radial direction of the impeller opposite to each other, with the first end of each blade facing outward, and with the second ends of the plural blades defining an airflow-area.
US08702400B2	Surface motor direct-drive sucker-rod screw pump device A surface motor direct-drive sucker-rod screw pump device is driven by a vertical three-phase permanent magnet brush-less DC motor, and comprises a motor controller (6), a rectifying circuit, an inversion circuit, a CPU and a driving circuit. The motor controller (6) is used to adjust the voltage and frequency of the motor by the rectifying circuit, the inversion circuit, the CPU and the driving circuit. Thus, the speed of the motor can vary from zero to the maximum. The device is easy to operate and has a higher efficiency.
US08702394B2	Turbocharger including cast titanium compressor wheel An air boost device such as a turbocharger, wherein the compressor wheel thereof is re-designed to permit die inserts (20), which occupy the air passage and define the blades (4, 5) during a process of forming a wax pattern (21) of a compressor wheel, to be pulled without being impeded by the blades. This modified blade design enables the automated production of wax patterns (21) using simplified tooling. The compressor wheel improves low cycle fatigue, withstands high temperatures and temperature changes, and permits operation at high boost pressure ratio while, on the other hand, having low weight, low inertial drag, and high responsiveness.
US08702393B2	Blinking sail windmill with safety control A vertical axis windmill is disclosed which includes a set of frames attached via horizontal bars to a vertical axis of rotation, each frame comprising a plurality of swinging windows, each swinging window comprising an upper horizontal bar, vertical side bars, and a plurality of additional horizontal bars; a plurality of blinking sails comprising sheets of lightweight material, wherein the upper edge of each blinking sail is fixed at a horizontal bar, each blinking sail being allowed to move by pivoting or bending relative to the horizontal bar; a gap control rod for each of the frames, connected to each of the swinging windows in the frame such that all swinging windows in the frame move synchronously as the gap control rod is moved; and one or more electronically controlled actuators capable of moving the gap control rods. The swinging windows stop the blinking sails from being blown to one side of the frames, where that one side is on the same side of each frame relative to the direction of rotation of the vertical axis windmill. The swinging windows are movable toward that same side of the frame such that there is a variable gap to allow part of the air to pass through in the downwind direction. The electronically controlled actuators can be programmed to respond to available sensors including sensors for wind speed, wind direction, swinging window position, and windmill power output.
US08702389B2	Device for locking a rotor blade of a wind turbine A device for locking a rotor blade of a wind turbine which has an adjustment system for the blade pitch angle of the rotor blade, wherein the adjustment system has a drive which features a motor and a gearbox with an input shaft that bears an external toothing, characterized by a locking pin rotatably mounted around its longitudinal axis, which engages with the external toothing in a locking position, and releases the external toothing in an unlocked position, wherein the locking pin has an end portion whose free end stands eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the locking pin.
US08702387B2	Propulsion system The present invention relates generally to propulsion systems, and, more particularly, to a propulsion system including an axial flow water pump assembly and a laminar flow box assembly for generating a streamline laminar slipstream of water velocity that is used in aquatic therapy, aquatic sport fitness rehabilitation, aquatic rehabilitation, swimming, and a variety of other functional therapy and training modalities.
US08702373B1	Lubrication of journal bearing during clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation The present disclosure is applicable to all gear trains using a journal bearing as a means of supporting gear shaft rotation. It is related in some embodiments to a system and method for supplying lubricant to the journal bearings of a gear-turbofan engine gear train when the fan rotor is subjected to a wind-milling condition in both directions, either clockwise or counter-clockwise.
US08702372B2	System and method for adjusting compressor inlet fluid temperature A system includes a radiation detector array directed toward a fluid flow into a compressor. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a two-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to detect a temperature variation across the fluid flow based on the signal, and to adjust a parameter of a temperature control device to compensate for the detected temperature variation.
US08702368B2	Cart with folding auger having adjustable elevation A cart having an adjustable elevation auger. A junction box may located within the opening of a sump of a bin of a cart. The junction box may have an open top, closed bottom and sides, and back wall. The back wall of the junction box may be secured to a bin wall by a hinge such that the junction box may pivot about a pivot axis. An auger housing may be connected to and extend from the junction box. An auger may extend through the auger housing and have an intake end disposed within the junction box. The auger housing and auger may pivot with the junction box about a pivot axis between a lowered position and an elevated position. The auger may be a corner auger and may be a folding auger.
US08702365B2	Substrate processing apparatus and method for transferring substrate for the apparatus A substrate processing apparatus includes a main load unit, a buffer load unit, and a transfer unit. Containers each accommodating substrates are placed on the main load unit and the buffer load unit. The buffer load unit is disposed above the main load unit and movable into and outward from a process module. Therefore, more containers can be placed in the substrate processing apparatus without increasing the footprint of the substrate processing apparatus, and thus it is possible to reduce equipment idle time during which standby substrates wait before being processed, thereby improving productivity.
US08702362B2	Unconventional bolt and a fastening device using the unconventional bolt thereof An unconventional bolt includes a main body having two heads, and two threaded rods respectively formed at the external surface of each head coaxially with the main body, wherein the cross section of each head has a noncircular shape, and the axial projection of the cross section of the middle of the main body is located in the noncircular axial projection of each head of the main body. The unconventional bolt has a simple structure and a convenient assembly, and can improve the strength and rigidity of the nested profiled components after the connection; and the fastening device using the unconventional bolt can not only support the component but also reinforce it, thus effectively preventing the nested profiled components from transforming.
US08702346B2	Landscaping channel liner A landscaping channel liner is provided that includes a longitudinally-extending trough having a longitudinally-extending floor located between opposed longitudinally-extending sidewalls extending therefrom. Attachment clips extend longitudinally on each of the sidewalls opposite the floor. Each attachment clip is configured to clasp onto an adjacent attachment clip to hold adjoining channel liners together.
US08702342B2	Multi-application apparatus, methods and surface markings In various embodiments, a multi-application apparatus with two or more applicators may be used to form markings on a driving surface A profileable material may be applied to an area of the driving surface by one of the applicators during a pass of the apparatus by the area to create a first marking. More of the profileable material may be applied to at least a portion of the area by another of the applicators during the same pass to create a second marking. The second marking may have a more varied profile than the first marking. In embodiments, various parameters may be independently controlled during operation of the multi-application apparatus. In embodiments, the markings may be applied such that the profileable material forming the second marking is at least partially fused with the profileable material forming the first marking.
US08702340B2	Integrated linear and rotary locking device An integrated locking device that includes both a linear locking mechanism and a rotary locking mechanism. The locking device includes a housing where the linear locking mechanism and the rotary locking mechanism are mounted to different sides of the housing so as to reduce the height of the device.
US08702334B2	Fountain pen An improved fountain pen (1) comprises a hollow barrel (2) with a longitudinal central axis of extension (X), a nib (3) located at a first longitudinal end (2a) of the barrel (2), an ink reservoir (4) located inside the barrel (2) and designed to feed the ink to the nib (3), a piston (5) able to move axially along the central axis (X) to create a vacuum inside the ink reservoir (4); the ink reservoir (4) also comprising a sac (6) made of deformable material.
US08702329B2	Label printer A label printer for performing printing on a label temporarily adhered to a pasteboard of a sheet roll includes a main body on which a platen roller and a peeling bar are mounted, an installing part configured to have the sheet roll installed therein, an installing cover configured to close when the sheet roll is installed in the installing part, and a printing head and a peeling roller mounted to the installing cover. The peeling roller is configured to move along a groove formed in the installing cover and contact the platen roller when the installing cover is closed. The peeling bar is configured to peel the label from the pasteboard by bending the pasteboard after the pasteboard is wrapped around the peeling bar and is conveyed between the peeling roller and the platen roller.
US08702324B2	Reversible fiber optic stub clamping mechanism A fiber optic stub fiber connector for reversibly and nondestructively terminating an inserted field fiber having a buffer over at least a portion thereof. The connector includes a housing and a ferrule including a stub fiber disposed within and extending from a bore through the ferrule. The ferrule is generally at least partially disposed within and supported by the housing. The connector further includes a reversible actuator for reversibly and nondestructively terminating the inserted field fiber to the stub fiber. The reversible actuator includes a buffer clamp for engaging with the buffer to simultaneously provide reversible and nondestructive strain relief to the terminated field fiber.
US08702323B2	Strain relief boot for a fiber optic connector A connector including a housing having a distal end and a proximal end has a ferrule assembly having a ferrule and a ferrule spring. The ferrule spring biases the ferrule in a distal direction. A boot is mounted at the proximal end. The boot has a distal end mounting over the proximal end of the housing and a proximal end and defines a central axis. A central passage extends through a length of the boot. A strain relief portion is adjacent the proximal end of the boot and has a truncated, conical outer shape formed by co-axial rings separated by gaps, the rings being interconnected by links extending across the gaps. The central passage has a proximal portion corresponding to a length of the strain relief portion that defines a transverse cross-dimension A majority of the rings have radial thicknesses at least 50 percent as long as the transverse cross-dimension.
US08702320B2	Fiber optic ferrule assembly with transitioning insert A fiber optic ferrule assembly includes a ferrule with an axial passage, an insert with an axial passage, and a hub with an axial passage. The axial passage of the ferrule includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, and the axial passage of the insert includes a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns. The axial passage of the hub holds at least a portion of the ferrule and the insert. The fiber optic ferrule assembly terminates a fiber optic cable including an inner fiber, an outer coating around the inner fiber, and a buffer layer around the outer coating. The first diameter portion only receives the inner fiber and no outer coating, and the second diameter portion receives at least a portion of an exposed portion of the outer coating and no buffer layer. Minimal epoxy is applied around a transition area near an end of the outer coating. A method of assembling a terminated fiber optic cable is also provided.
US08702316B2	Magnetic connector with optical signal path Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.
US08702314B2	Rolling bearing unit An inner diameter of a cylindrical portion of a metal core is set to such a value that the cylindrical portion is fitted to an outer ring by interference fit. An inner periphery of an end portion of the cylindrical portion of the metal core is larger in diameter than an inner periphery of a portion of the cylindrical portion, which is fitted to the outer ring. An elastic seal has a cylindrical portion that is in close contact with an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the metal core, and a folded-back portion that extends from the cylindrical portion. The folded-back portion is compressively deformed by being sandwiched between the inner periphery of the end portion of the cylindrical portion of the metal core and the outer periphery of an outer ring.
US08702311B2	Rotating machine and additional ring The present invention aims at providing a technique for providing a stepped structure separately to a rotating shaft in a later step of assembly for preventing oil leakage from a bearing box. To this end, the rotating machine of the present invention includes a rotating shaft having a rotating member, a bearing device including a rotating shaft insertion hole larger in diameter than the rotating shaft, an oil thrower provided between an outer circumferential portion of the rotating shaft insertion hole and the rotating shaft, and an additional ring attached to the rotating shaft between the oil thrower and the rotating shaft such as to protrude in a radial direction of the rotating shaft.
US08702310B2	Hydrodynamic bearing assembly and spindle motor including the same There are provided a hydrodynamic bearing assembly and a spindle motor including the same. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes: a sleeve including a shaft hole to have a shaft rotatably installed therein; and a cover member covering the shaft hole at a lower portion of the shaft hole in an axial direction, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve is provided with depression parts depressed in an outer diameter direction between upper and lower portions of the sleeve and portions in which radial bearings are formed, such that the portions in which the radial bearings are formed are provided with bearing closure adhesion parts allowing the portions in which the radial bearings are formed to be closer to the shaft than portions other than the portions in which the radial bearings are formed.
US08702309B2	Linear motion bearing with plate retaining structure having a plurality of pieces A linear motion bearing assembly comprising a ball retainer structure having at least a portion of a plurality of open axial ball tracks formed therein. The ball tracks include an open load bearing portion, an open return portion and turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing balls are disposed in the ball tracks. A plurality of load bearing plates are axially positioned adjacent the ball retainer structure for receiving load from the balls disposed in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. A bearing plate to housing intermediary load structure comprises a plurality of pieces and defines at least two spaces in between the pieces. The bearing plate to housing intermediary load structure extends circumferentially around the ball retaining structure. An inner arc of the pieces have a radius of curvature corresponding to a radius of curvature of the ball retainer structure.
US08702308B2	Reduced opening elastic drawstring bag The present invention is directed toward an improved construction of an elastic drawstring trash bag. The elastic drawstring trash bag described herein is comprised of a plastic bag made from two panels. An elastic drawstring is provided within hems running along the top of the two panels. The upper opening of the elastic drawstring bag is reduced (when the bag is in a relaxed state) by decreasing the distance between the interior edges of the short seals used to weld the drawstrings and bag together. Like an ordinary non-elastic drawstring bag, the elastic drawstring is pulled through access cutouts centrally located along the upper edge of the bag. When the bag of the present invention is in a relaxed state, the reduced upper opening width of the elastic drawstring bag is therefore less than bag proper width, allowing a consumer to pull the elastic drawstring bag over the lip of a trash receptacle and allowing the elastic drawstrings to snugly fit around the trash can.
US08702307B2	Method for determining internal LCD temperature Embodiments include a system and method for determining the temperature of the liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal display. Because LCD performance is dependant on the temperature of the liquid crystal layer, performing particularly poorly in colder temperatures many LCD's are available with integral heaters. Determining the temperature of the liquid crystal layer of an LCD is imperative for appropriate thermal management, which in turn leads to more-optimal LCD lifetime. Exemplary embodiments relate to accurately determining the temperature of the liquid crystal layer of an LCD by employing the integrated heater layer as a temperature sensor. When the relationship between the temperature of the integral heater is known, and the integral heater is disposed very near the liquid crystal layer, then determining the resistance of the metal heater layer, allows for rapid, accurate determination of the average temperature of the liquid crystal layer, and correspondingly better thermal management.
US08702301B2	Timepiece bearing, movement, and portable timepiece A timepiece bearing has a bearing member of unitary construction that is provided at least at one end portion of a shaft member for undergoing rotation around an axis and that regulates movement of the shaft member in axial and radial directions of the shaft member. An elastic member applies an urging force in an axial direction of the bearing member to hold the bearing member in contact with the shaft member. A frame member supported by and fixed to a support member contains the bearing member. The elastic member is provided so as to establish connection between the bearing member and the frame member. The shaft member is configured to undergo rotation around the rotational axis while the shaft member and the bearing member are held in contact with each other by the elastic member.
US08702298B2	Inner-circulation emulsifying and dispersing arrangement An emulsifying and dispersing arrangement is provided, in which a handled material undergoes multi-time handling and a dispersion process, for achieving dispersion characteristics exhibiting uniformity of particle size. In addition, the temperature generated in the arrangement is controllable.
US08702294B2	Light source unit and backlight assembly having the same Provided are a light source unit including a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) packages, which are directly electrically connected to each other, and a backlight assembly having the light source unit. The light source unit includes a first LED package and a second LED package which are adjacent to each other, wherein each of the first LED package and the second LED package includes an LED chip, a lead frame which supplies current to the LED chip, and a housing which fixes the LED chip and the lead frame in place, wherein an end of the lead frame of the first LED package directly contacts an end of the lead frame of the second LED package.
US08702291B2	Illuminatable apparatus and method of manufacturing same An illuminatable apparatus includes a fabric sheet containing fiber optic rods interwoven with fabric threads. The ends of the fiber optic rods are bundled together to form a ferrule which is removably insertable into a holder carrying a light source and a power source. An outer ferrule can be fixed over the sleeve-like ferrule or robust applications. The holder may be removably attached to articles of clothing. The illuminatable fabric sheet can be used as an optical bandage, in a medical cast, in a negative pressure device, or in a bed pad/sheet, or in a therapeutic brace support.
US08702288B2	Optical element for a vehicle lighting assembly A vehicle light assembly includes an array of light sources mounted in a generally planar base. An optical element includes a first surface having a first optical design and a second surface having second optical design. The second optical design includes a wedge having a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall that converges with the first wedge wall. The second wedge wall extends at an angle to the first wedge wall. A bezel surrounds the base and the optical element, and an outer lens is positioned adjacent the outside surface of the optical element. The optical element is between the base and the outer lens, and the outer lens has an inner surface including an optical design.
US08702285B2	Semiconductor light emitting device and vehicle light A vehicle light is provided which can form a light distribution pattern having a clear cut-off line. The vehicle light can include a semiconductor light emitting device as a light source. The semiconductor light emitting device can include a semiconductor light emitting element having a light emission surface thereof having a first end and a second end and at least one light extracting layer deposited on the light emission surface and including a wavelength conversion layer, and the light extracting layer includes an optical characteristic that can change from the first end to the second end in a direction parallel to the light emission surface so that the semiconductor light emitting device forms a luminance distribution with a maximum luminance at the first end and a minimum luminance at the second end.
US08702276B2	Illumination device with split beam effect The present invention relates to an illumination device comprising at least one light source generating a light beam and at least one light beam diffractor. The light diffractor is positioned at least partially in the light beam and adapted to diffract at least a part of the light beam. The light beam diffractor includes a first diffractor section and a second diffractor section which can be moved in relation to the light beam and independently of each other. The present invention relates also to moving head light fixtures and method of forming a light beam.
US08702270B2	Tube type LED lighting assembly An LED lighting assembly includes a concave reflector, a supporter located in a central region of the concave reflector, and multiple LEDs mounted on the supporter. The supporter has a first face and a second face, and an angle is formed between the first face and the second face.
US08702269B2	Outdoor lamp An outdoor lamp. The outdoor lamp includes: a plurality of frame members rotatably connected to each other by hinge members so as to change relative rotation angles; optical source modules each comprising an optical source for emitting light, each of the optical source modules installed attachably to and detachably from the frame members; and rotation restriction units each combined to the frame members to restrict the relative rotation angles of the frame members so as for the frame members to be fixed at desired angles. According to the outdoor lamp, the optical source modules are installed to the rotatable frame members so that optical angles may be easily controlled according to an installation condition for the lamp.
US08702257B2	Plastic LED bulb An LED bulb having a bulb-shaped shell, a thermally conductive plastic material within the bulb-shaped shell, and at least one LED within the bulb-shaped shell. The bulb also includes a base, wherein the base is dimensioned to be received within a standard electrical socket.
US08702256B2	Emergency light device for marine environments The invention relates to an emergency light device for marine use comprising a housing accommodating an electronic circuit, a least one transparent dome, and a first and a second shell member, said electronic circuit comprising at least one light emitting diode provided in the at least one transparent dome, an electrical power supply comprising at least one battery of the AA, AAA or AAAA type, and at least one operating switch, said emergency light characterized in that the housing has a width which is substantially larger than the height, preferably the width is at least double or triple the height.
US08702251B2	Light-collecting heliostat using flat mirrors Disclosed is a light-collecting heliostat using flat mirrors of enhanced light-collecting efficiency. The gradients of low-price flat mirrors are adjusted when reflecting sunlight by the heliostat equipped with the flat mirrors, thereby causing reflection focal areas having the same size as each of the mirrors to overlap, in the same number as the number of the reflective plates constituting the heliostat, on a heat collecting unit of collecting lights, so that a high temperature light-collecting focal area with a uniform temperature distribution is obtained.
US08702245B2	LED light device having a three-dimensional image projection assembly An LED projection light device includes an image forming assembly including a display and a projection assembly for generating and projecting three-dimensional images. The image forming and/or projection assembly may include a lenticular lens, slanted lenticular lens, switchable lenticular film, lenticular screen, parallax barrier The display may be controlled by a volumetric, multiplexed-2D to 3D, or parallax barrier technique, a single image splitter, a double image splitter, a spatial-multiplexer, time division multiplexer, or a tracking-based technique, and may include a 2D/3D switchable display, multiplanar display, ferroelectric LC display, cholestreric LC display, bi-stable nematic LC display, electrochromic films, OLED screen, OEL screen, reflective MEMS display, microcup electrophoretic display, or E-Ink display technical.
US08702243B2	Image projection apparatus and interchangeable lens therefor The image projection apparatus includes a light modulating element modulating light according to an image signal, a correcting part performing correction processing on the image signal to decrease geometric distortion in a projection image by using correction data, a memory storing first correction data corresponding to interchangeable optical units, and a controller acquiring identification information of the interchangeable optical unit attached to the apparatus, reading the first correction data corresponding to the acquired identification information from the memory, and setting the read first correction data as the correction data for the correction processing. The controller acquires, when no first correction data corresponding to the acquired identification information is stored in the memory, second correction data stored in a memory in the attached interchangeable optical unit, and sets the acquired second correction data as the correction data for the correction processing.
US08702238B2	Interactive medical diagnosing with portable consumer devices Medical tests and examinations are performed with consumer computing devices. The medical tests and examinations are selected and customized in accordance with conditions present in the testing environment, as well as physical characteristics of a user taking the test. The tests can include visual acuity tests, colorblindness tests and other medical tests, such as hearing tests.
US08702229B2	Modular printing apparatus with a removable, box-shaped module A modular printing apparatus has a printing device with an inkjet print head and a box-shaped module that urges items toward the print head, for printing thereon. In an operating mode, the box-shaped module is inserted into the printing apparatus via a mechanical connection and can be removed from the printing apparatus in a service mode. A triggering mechanism acts on a locking mechanism with first and second force components that couple the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to one another in the operating mode to lock the box-shaped module in a bay of the printing apparatus at the printing apparatus. The second force component acts in an opposite direction in the service mode, to disengage the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to unlock and remove the box-shaped module.
US08702228B1	Inkjet printing system with co-linear airflow management Inkjet printing systems are provided that use a cross-module airflow to limit condensation between a printing module and a receiver and that supply a co-linear flow of air that flows along with ink droplets toward a receiver. An integration area is created between the inkjet printhead heads, the receiver and a barrier to allow co-linear flow and cross-module flow to integrate and flow from between the printing module and the receiver without disrupting travel paths of the ink droplets.
US08702225B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and image forming method An inkjet recording apparatus and an image forming method in which ink curing defects caused by differences in the activation energy absorption characteristics due to differences in the inks are avoided, and a desirable curing process can be achieved.
US08702224B2	Inkjet printer and printing method To provide a printing method that enhances bonding between a colored-ink layer and an overprint layer, flatten a surface of the overprint layer, and make it possible to print glossy images or decorative colors when performing overprinting on a colored ink print using an inkjet printer.The printing method includes sequentially performing: Step (1) of forming a UV curable colored-ink layer on a surface of a recording medium; Step (2) of irradiating the colored-ink layer with a weak UV light; Step (3) of forming an overprint layer on the colored-ink layer; Step (4) of flattening the surface of the overprint layer after allowing a predetermined time to elapse; Step (5) of irradiating the colored-ink layer and the overprint layer with a weak UV light; and Step (6) of irradiating the colored-ink layer and the overprint layer with a strong UV light to cure the colored-ink layer and the overprint layer.
US08702221B2	Gellant compositions with aromatic end-caps and oligomeric molecular weight distributions Disclosed herein are amide gellant compositions with aromatic end-caps consisting of a blend of oligomers (dimer, trimer, tetramer and pentamer) that may be optimized to stable gelling viscosity and controlled showthrough of printed inks.
US08702220B2	Ink set with near infrared detection capability and method of using the same An ink set with near infrared detection capability is disclosed. The ink set includes a cyan ink including a cyan colorant, a magenta ink including a magenta colorant, and a yellow ink including a yellow colorant, each of the colorants having maximum light absorbance in the visible wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nm, wherein each of the cyan, magenta and yellow inks includes a near infrared (NIR) absorbing pigment, which is different in spectral absorption characteristic from the colorant and absorbs light in the wavelength range of about 750 to 1200 nm.
US08702208B2	Achieving accurate page yields A system for achieving accurate page yields includes a first droplet generator comprising a nozzle aperture with a first cross sectional area and a first passageway to an ink reservoir. A second droplet generator includes a nozzle aperture with a second cross sectional area that is larger than the first cross sectional area and a second passageway to the ink reservoir with minimum cross sectional area that is smaller than the second cross sectional area. A method for achieving accurate page yields is also provided.
US08702207B2	Fluid-ejection printhead having mixing barrier A fluid-ejection printhead die includes first fluid-ejection nozzles, second fluid-ejection nozzles, and a mixing barrier. The first fluid-ejection nozzles eject fluid of a first type, and are organized over a first row and a second row non-collinear to the first row. The second fluid-ejection nozzles eject fluid of a second type different than the first type, and are organized over a third row and a fourth row non-collinear to the third row. The fourth row is at least substantially collinear to the first row. The mixing barrier is at least substantially between the first row of the first fluid-ejection nozzles and the fourth row of the second fluid-ejection nozzles.
US08702206B2	Printer for minimizing adverse mixing of high and low luminance inks at nozzle face of inkjet printhead An inkjet printer includes an inkjet printhead having a plurality of color planes for ejecting a plurality of different inks. Each color plane has a nozzle row defined in a nozzle face of the printhead and each nozzle in a respective color plane is supplied with a same ink. The printhead is plumbed such that a first color plane ejecting a first ink having a relatively low luminance is sandwiched between second and third color planes ejecting respective second and third inks having a relatively high luminance. A plurality of ink reservoirs are in fluid communication with the printhead, the ink reservoirs containing the first, second and third inks. An amount of surfactant in the first ink is at least 0.4 wt % greater than an amount of surfactant in the second and third inks.
US08702203B2	Liquid jetting apparatus A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a plurality of liquid jet heads each of which has a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles are formed to align in one direction, a retention member which retains the plurality of liquid jet heads in a state of being arranged along one plane, a transport mechanism which transports a medium in a transport direction along the one plane, and a displacement mechanism which displaces the retention member in a specified direction toward one side along a direction intersecting the nozzle surfaces by curving the retention member or rotating the same in a rotation direction when the retention member extends due to temperature change on the one plane in an intersectant direction intersecting the transport direction.
US08702201B2	Ink discharge apparatus An ink discharge apparatus is provided, including a discharge head which has a nozzle surface formed with a first nozzle for discharging an ink of a first color and a second nozzle for discharging an ink of a second color darker than the first color; a cap; a sucking mechanism which performs suction for a space in the cap; a moving mechanism which positions the cap at a capping position and at a retracted position; and a purge control mechanism which controls the moving mechanism so that the cap is separated from the nozzle surface while allowing a second distance between the cap and an area near the second nozzle to be smaller than a first distance between the cap and an area near the first nozzle after completion of a purge operation.
US08702198B2	Image forming apparatus and methods thereof A method of detecting fluid drops ejected from a fluid applicator unit having nozzles. The method includes establishing a detection zone to detect detection fluid drops transmitted therein and ejecting a set of detection fluid drops through a set of nozzles of the fluid applicator unit through the detection zone to a detection receiving member. The method also includes ejecting a set of warm-up fluid drops through an other set of nozzles to a warm-up receiving member in a manner in which the set of warm-up fluid drops bypasses the detection zone. The method also includes detecting the set of the detection fluid drops ejected into the detection zone.
US08702190B2	Liquid jet head, liquid jet apparatus, and method of driving a liquid jet head A liquid jet head has a piezoelectric, a pair of electrodes for applying an electric field, and a drive section for driving the piezoelectric body. The drive section drives the piezoelectric body by setting a voltage of one of the electrodes to a first low voltage having a relatively small absolute value, and by supplying a drive signal of one polarity to the other electrode. The driving section restores the piezoelectric body by setting the voltage of the one electrode to a high voltage having the same one polarity as the drive signal and having a relatively large absolute value, and by setting a voltage of the other electrode to a second low voltage having a relatively small absolute value. The drive section applies a voltage for generating an electric field exceeding a coercive field of the piezoelectric body to the pair of electrodes.
US08702187B2	Droplet discharge device and droplet discharge method A printer comprises: a vacuum table for supporting a jig which holds a medium; a printer head for discharging droplets; and a relative movement means for moving the printer head relative to the medium; a registration mark detection unit and barcode detection unit for acquiring holding platform information and support position information for the jig; and a controller for controlling the movement of the printer head by the relative movement means and controlling the discharge of droplets from the printer head on the basis of the holding platform information, the support position information and information pertaining to the desired pattern. As a result of this configuration, it is possible to generate image data without aligning the jig with a reference position on the vacuum table.
US08702186B2	Method and apparatus for ink recirculation A method for recirculating ink in an inkjet printer includes applying air pressure to an ink supply to expel liquid ink through a plurality of inkjets in the printhead. An ink receptacle that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inkjets collects the expelled ink. The ink receptacle moves into fluid communication with an ink supply, and the ink collected in the ink receptacle enters the ink supply.
US08702176B2	Seat structure—chamfered mounting of compensating floor latches The present invention relates to a floor latch (200) for connecting a vehicle seat base portion (204) with a vehicle floor portion, the floor latch (200) comprising an attachment means (301) and a riser (300), the floor latch (200) providing centering of the attachment means (301) for clamping the riser (300) with the seat base portion (204) or with the vehicle floor portion.
US08702175B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, and a seat back that is connected to the seat cushion in a manner so as to be able to be raised and reclined. The seat back has a cushion that supports an occupant. The cushion includes a main portion that opposes a torso of the occupant, and a side portion that is arranged on an outside of the main portion in a seat with direction and that protrudes toward a seating side of the seat back. The side portion includes a first portion that is arranged on an upper portion of the side portion and opposes a shoulder of the occupant when the seat hack is in an upright position, and a second portion that forms the side portion other than the first portion. The first portion and the main portion are configured to elastically compress easier than the second portion.
US08702159B2	Vehicle body comprising a longitudinal member and an elastomer bearing arranged thereon, especially as a transmission mounting The invention relates to a vehicle body comprising at least one longitudinal member (1) and an elastomer bearing (3) arranged thereon for supporting a vehicle component. Said elastomer bearing (3) consists of a first stable bearing part (4) attached to the body and a second stable bearing part (5) connected to the component, and an elastomer body (6) is arranged between the bearing parts. According to the invention, the elastomer bearing (3) is arranged at least partially in a receiving cavity (2) on the longitudinal member (1), and the first bearing part (4) attached to the body spans the receiving cavity (2) in the form of an impact bridge fixed to the edges of the cavity.
US08702153B2	Vehicular door Provided is a vehicular door including a load transfer member. The load transfer member includes a transfer member body disposed in a wide-thickness portion in a door body, and a projection projecting downward from the transfer member body. The transfer member body has a lower region whose surface on a door-outer-panel side abuts on, or comes close to, the inner surface of the door outer panel, and an inclined region whose door-outer-panel side surface is inclined to come apart from the door outer panel and whose surface on a door-inner-panel side abuts on, or comes close to, the inner surface of the door inner panel. The thickness of the lower region and the inclined region in a door-thickness direction is set narrower than the width of an insertion portion between the door inner panel and a door beam.
US08702151B2	Tonneau cover system for a pickup truck bed A tonneau cover system for a pickup truck bed includes an adjustable corner bracket assembly. The corner bracket assembly includes a pivotally connected lower bracket member, upper bracket member, and cap member. The upper and lower bracket members are movable between an acute rail configuration and an obtuse rail configuration.
US08702149B2	Dashboard support, and method for the production of a dashboard support In a method for the production of a dashboard support for a motor vehicle, a blank is cut from an extruded profile part. The blank is then trimmed and shaped to form a mount which is connected to an end of a crossbeam for allowing subsequent coupling of the crossbeam via the mount to an A-pillar of the motor vehicle.
US08702148B2	Structure for front section of vehicle body A dash-board lower panel in a vehicle body includes a vertical plate-shaped partition plate that partitions the vehicle body into a front and a rear section, and an inclined plate that inclines downward and rearward from the bottom end of the partition plate. At least part of the rear surface of the partition plate is reinforced by a reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate has an extended section at the bottom end thereof. The extended section extends from above a bent section, which is between the partition plate and the inclined plate, to below the bent section, and is joined to the inclined plate. A closed cross-section body, which is long and narrow in the vehicle-width direction, is formed by the extended section and the dash-board lower panel.
US08702147B2	Dual stage variable load energy absorber for vehicle seating A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.
US08702145B2	Cargo cover for movable seat A cargo area assembly for a movable seat in an automotive vehicle includes a configurable panel covering at least a portion of a storage compartment located rearwardly of the seat. The configurable panel and a removable panel cooperate to cover the storage compartment, if desired, in a full forward and full rearward position of the seat. The configurable panel incorporates hinges to allow various positioning of panel portions and storage alternatives, and the removable panel is dimensioned for storage in the tailgate.
US08702141B2	Serving tray for use with left or right hand An object-carrying tray is provided that can be used by both left and right-handed users. The tray has a flat upper surface and a lower surface having a molded depression of two hands. The hands are positioned so that the palms, and several inner fingers overlap and the thumbs point in opposing directions. This configuration permits both a left or right-handed user to place his or her hand within the depressions. The user places his or her hand within the appropriate depressions to reduce the likelihood that the tray will slide around on a user's hand while the device is in use.
US08702133B2	Bi-stable actuator for electronic lock An actuator for an electronic door lock includes a stationary first magnet assembly, a beam, and a second magnet assembly. The first magnet includes at least one magnet stationarily positioned within the electronic door lock. The beam is movable relative to the first magnet assembly to a first position and a second position. The second magnet assembly is connected to the beam and is configured to be magnetically repulsed away from the first magnet assembly. The repulsion of the second magnet assembly maintains the beam in either the first or second position until the beam is selectively actuated therefrom.
US08702130B1	Fitting with improved tube clamping capability A fitting for holding a tube in fluid communication with a cooperating component having a port with an internal thread of preselected pitch includes a coupling body with a longitudinal bore for receiving the tube, a grippable portion, and radially displaceable, tube clamping fingers separated by longitudinal slots. An external thread is defined on the surface of the fingers and is engageable with the internal thread of the port. The external thread has a pitch diameter similar to the pitch diameter of the internal thread and a pitch dissimilar to the pitch of the internal thread. Rotation of the fitting relative to the component to engage the threads effects relative axial movement thereof and radial displacement of the fingers into clamping engagement with the tube to hold it within the fitting. A sealing end ferrule may be included on the forward end of the coupling body.
US08702128B2	Notebook cover with extending hole-punched tabs for facilitating attachment to ringed binder A bound system including a plurality of pages and a cover and/or divider including a bound outer edge and a plurality of free outer edges. The cover and/or divider may be bound to the plurality of pages along the bound edge. The cover and/or divider may include one or more discreet tabs extending generally outwardly relative to one of the edges. Each tab may be integrally formed from a single piece of material with the rest of the cover and/or divider. Each tab further may have an opening formed therethrough and is configured to receive at least part of a binding device therethrough to thereby couple the cover and/or divider to the binding device.
US08702126B2	Device for secondary energy management in a steering column assembly A pencil brace is incorporated into a cross car assembly of an automotive vehicle as a secondary energy absorption device to assist in managing the energy and controlling the column stroke due to a collision.
US08702124B2	Side airbag deployment arrangement An airbag deployment system for a vehicle is provided. The system can include an airbag positioned between a vehicle frame and a headliner, and a trim member positioned inboard of the frame. The system can also include a deployment ramp coupled to the frame and the trim member. The deployment ramp can have a ramp surface. The ramp surface can be positioned and configured such that when the airbag is deployed a portion of the airbag engages the ramp surface and the trim member to urge the trim member in an outboard direction toward the frame.
US08702120B2	Active bolster deployed from vehicle seat An active bolster is integrated within a seat for a transportation vehicle by covering an inner inflatable bladder with an outer cushion layer to provide a seating support surface. Seating loads are borne on the support surface from the weight of an occupant by elastic deformation of the bladder. When a vehicle crash event is detected, at least a portion of the bladder is inflated to extend a seat surface to protect the occupant. Size and weight of the seat are reduced as a result of the bladder contributing significantly to the normal cushioning of the seat in everyday usage.
US08702117B2	Slide board for use on snow A slide board for use on snow has a point of maximum width located beyond the contact line. The board includes a core extending over the greater part of the board, and a plurality of mechanical reinforcement layers lying directly or indirectly on the core, extending inside the board upturn beyond the contact line. The reinforcement layers are inclusive of that part of the board comprising the longitudinal axis. At least one of the reinforcement layers has an extreme longitudinal point offset transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the board and, in a zone defined between the contact line and the point of maximum width, the reinforcement layer has an overall cross-section which decreases between the contact line and the point of maximum width. The reinforcement layers have extreme longitudinal points offset longitudinally relative to each other.
US08702115B2	Drive mechanism and bicycle drive system A drive mechanism effects a rotary power output in response to a reciprocating power input resulting from substantially linear forces applied to the drive mechanism, such as those forces applied by a rider on a bicycle. The drive mechanism includes input bevel gears meshed with corresponding output bevel gears coupled to a common power output shaft through clutches that effect a rotary power output at the power output shaft in response to the reciprocating power input from the substantially linear forces. Opposite crank arms are coupled with the input bevel gears such that each crank arm is advanced by an applied substantially linear force, and is retracted upon advancement of the opposite crank arm. In a bicycle, opposite pedals are coupled to corresponding crank arms and are moved through predetermined power strokes in response to substantially linear forces applied by a rider to effect corresponding rotational movements of the input bevel gears and concomitant rotary power output at the power output shaft.
US08702112B1	Steering linkage and method for producing same An improved structure for a steering linkage adapted for use in a vehicle steering system and method for producing the same. According to one embodiment, the steering linkage comprises a first member and a second member disposed at least partially within the first member and operatively secured together by at least a mechanical type of connection. The second member includes a stop feature provided therein which is configured such that in the event the point of connection between the first member and the second member is disrupted, the stop feature is operative to prevent the first member and the second member from completely separating from each other so that at least a portion of the second member remains within the first member so as to operatively couple the first and second members together.
US08702110B2	Apparatus for transporting stage equipment The invention relates to an apparatus for transporting and/or storing stage equipment, in particular exhibition materials, comprising a box-shaped stacking container which can be moved on running rollers (11) and which has a frame connected to running roller carriers (10) and a base (4), two side walls (5), a front wall (6), a rear wall (7) and a top (8). The frame (1) is formed by profiled rods (2) joined to one another at the corners of the container and running along the edges of the container and is stiffened by corner stiffening plates (3) inserted into the corners of the frame, wherein the profiled rods in each case form mounting frames, into which the base (4), the two side walls (5), the front wall (6), the rear wall (7) and the top (8) of the container are inserted.
US08702107B2	Tool-holder mandrel for fitting to a rotating machine The invention relates to a tool-holder mandrel for fitting to a rotating machine, comprising: a body comprising a rear portion designed to be attached to a drive shaft of the rotating machine and a front portion in which housing are arranged converging toward the front; jaws mounted so as to slide each in a housing of the body and having an inner thread; a ring for moving the jaws, mounted so as to pivot relative to the body, having a peripheral thread interacting with the inner thread of the jaws so that the rotation of the ring closes or opens the jaws.
US08702106B2	Pressure energized radial seal A seal assembly disposed within a radial seal groove to sealingly engage a bonnet within a bore. The seal assembly includes a radial seal surface, an axial seal surface, a vent surface, and an axial preload surface. The seal assembly is thrust towards a longitudinal wall and away from a radial wall of the radial seal groove when pressure in a high-pressure zone increases.
US08702105B2	Seal member Provided is a seal member, which is used in a heating furnace having an insertion port to which an end of a rod to be heated is inserted and seals between the insertion port and a surface of the rod inserted to the insertion port in an airtight manner, the seal member having: a plurality of seal chips in thin strips arranged along an inner surface of the insertion port in an airtight manner, each seal chip having one end held by the inner surface of the insertion port and the other end elongated towards inside the insertion port, where (a) when the rod is not inserted in the insertion port, each of the plurality of seal chips forms a slanting angle with respect to an insertion direction of the rod and (b) when the rod is inserted in the insertion port, the other end of each of the plurality of seal chips is pressed against a surface of the rod by means of elastic deformation.
US08702104B2	Amusement apparatus with participant-controlled target blocker and electromagnetically controlled dumping device An amusement game or attraction for two or more participants features at least one target device arranged to provide an output in response to impact of a target member of said target device by a projectile launched by a first participant, an effect device arranged to be activated by the target device to produce a physical effect on at least one participant, and a blocking device operable by a second participant and comprising a blocking member movable relative to said target by input from the second participant to attempt to block the projectile from impacting the target member. The game or attraction offers an added level of interaction for the second participant compared to previous games where the second participant gas no active role, and just awaits the potential outcome of a target strike by the first participant. The effect device may be a unique electromagnetically controlled bucket dumping device.
US08702102B1	Social card game—happy journey to love Presented is a method for playing a social card game with a plurality of players and a dealer. The method includes providing at least two decks that each contain a plurality of social game playing cards that have indicia on a front surface of the card and on a back surface of the card. Each deck of playing cards is assigned a monetary value. The method also includes providing a playing surface having indicia indicating where players are to be positioned and markings including at least three frames indicating where playing cards are to be placed during play. The dealer sells at least one playing card to each of the players and then signals the start of a hand. The dealer selects a first player to begin and that player, in a non-verbal manner, offers at least one playing card to a second player who selects one of the at least three frames to place the offered playing card. Based on the where the offered playing card is placed, a determination is made to continue play with another player without loss of the offered playing card, or to continue play with another player with loss of the offered playing card, or to continue play because the second player directed the dealer to turn the offered card face-up.
US08702097B2	Image forming apparatus and belt unit An image forming apparatus and a belt unit are provided. The image forming apparatus or the belt unit includes: an endless belt; a driving roller; a driven roller; a tension generating member which generates a tension at the belt; a displacement member which is provided to be displaced in a displacement direction parallel to the axial direction of the driven roller together with the belt when the belt is moved in a moving direction along the displacement direction; and an axial force converting unit which converts a force of displacing the displacement member into a force which is directed in a direction intersecting the displacement direction and causes the tension generated at the belt to change such that a ratio of a tension generated on a trailing side in the moving direction of the belt to a tension generated on a leading side in the moving direction is decreased.
US08702090B2	Modular placement device of a feed station A modular placement device for a feed station of a mail processing apparatus, wherein the feed station includes an ejection roller, has a housing that is separate for the modular placement device located upstream, in terms of the mail flow, of the feed station. The housing has a cavity therein to receive a stack of mail items, and a pressure element mounted so as to be pivotable and so as to be plugged into the cavity. The pressure element exerts a pressure force on the stack of mail items in the cavity, with a bottommost item of mail being pressed against the ejection roller so that the bottommost item of mail is propelled in the mail flow direction. The weight loss of the stack due to removal of the bottommost item of mail therefrom is counteracted by the pressure element.
US08702089B2	Method and system to feed inserts with a rotary and gripper system The present application relates to techniques and equipment to manufacture mailpieces containing inserts. The equipment can be an inserter or an envelope wrapper that collects documents and inserts on a collating track before the material is inserted into an envelope by inserting equipment or wrapped with paper or film to make an envelope by wrapping equipment. More specifically, the present application relates to a rotary insert feeder that feeds inserts to a collating track on inserting or wrapping type equipment.
US08702088B2	Automatic transaction apparatus Disclosed is an automatic transaction apparatus 1 provided with a temporary accumulating unit that accumulates paper money temporarily and discharges them again, wherein jammed paper money can be discharged and removed easily with a simple construction. The automatic transaction apparatus 1, which is provided with the temporary accumulating unit 30 that accumulates paper money 7a temporarily by conveying the paper money 7a with a conveyor roller section 40 and winding them around a drum 60, and dispenses the temporarily accumulated paper money 7a from the drum 60 and discharges them from the conveyor roller section 40, was also provided with a manipulation knob 100 that is pushed-in between a gear 65 that rotates the drum 60 and a gear 47 that rotates the conveyor roller section 40, and intermeshed to the gears, enabling the knob to rotate both the gears simultaneously.
US08702087B2	Sheet handling apparatus, image forming system, and sheet reception control method A sheet handling apparatus includes a sheet reception unit configured to receive a sheet; an alignment unit configured to align the sheet in a conveying direction of the sheet, a trailing edge of the sheet in the conveying direction coming into contact with the alignment unit; and a moving unit configured to move the alignment unit along the sheet reception unit in the conveying direction. A first position for aligning and binding sheets and a second position located above the first position in the sheet reception unit are set for the alignment unit as receiving positions at which the sheet is received from the sheet reception unit.
US08702081B2	Clamping device for clamping a plurality of workpieces at predetermined angles A clamping device having at least three jaws for clamping a plurality of elongated workpieces with the workpieces forming predetermined angles therebetween. Each of at least two jaws has clamping surfaces that are oriented to correspond to a respective angle. Each of the at least two jaws is connected to a first endportion of a respective arm. A holding element has the at least two arms pivotally movable mounted thereto such that the at least two jaws are movable between an open position for placing the clamping device and a clamping position for clamping the workpieces. An actuator is connected to the at least two arms for moving the at least two arms and for holding the at least two arms in the clamping position.
US08702077B2	Quick clamp A quick clamp includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a crank, an operating handle, a shaft assembly and a slide rail. The crank is arranged in a cover plate of the second jaw with the operating handle rotatably screwed to an upper end of the crank, the shaft assembly connected to a through bore formed at a middle portion of the crank and the slide rail extended through a slide rail slot formed near a lower end of the crank. By turning the operating handle in one direction, the crank is brought to pivot with the slide rail slot thereof becoming inclined to press against the slide rail, so that the slide rail is stopped from moving relative to the second jaw. When the operating handle is turned reversely, the slide rail is released, and the second jaw is movable along the slide rail.
US08702075B1	Vehicle shock absorber collar A unique, adjustable collar for a shock absorber coil-over spring is positioned on top of the coil-over spring and below the shock lock nut. The collar serves as a bearing that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the tension applied to the coil-over spring making for easier adjustments. The collar in the preferred form has eight (8) conical gears that mate with corresponding teeth in the top. The gears are turned clockwise or counterclockwise to respectively raise or lower the ride height of the vehicle. A typical one quarter inch (¼″) socket extension or similar tool can be used to turn the gears.
US08702073B2	Shock absorber capable of damping vibration A shock absorber is provided that also includes vibration damping. The shock absorber includes at least one shock absorbing frame member that partially surrounds an electronic device enclosure. The shock absorber also includes at least two protrusions that protrude from the at least one shock absorbing frame member. Each protrusion extends beyond the at least one shock absorbing frame member from a recessed surface recessed into the at least one shock absorbing frame member.
US08702072B2	Overhead wire tension balancer and waterproof cover for overhead wire tension balancer An overhead wire tension balancer can prevent an oil component in the tension balancer from scattering to the outside due to entry of rainwater. In an overhead wire tension balancer for supporting a spanned overhead wire while applying tension thereto, a gap that easily allows entry of rainwater is covered by a waterproof cover. As a result, the rainwater can be prevented from entering the inside of the overhead wire tension balancer, and the oil component separated from grease by entering rainwater can be prevented from scattering to the outside.
US08702070B2	Mixing systems and methods of mixing A system for mixing and mixing processes and structures are disclosed. In addition a nozzle used for mixing is disclosed.
US08702069B1	Guard rail system Apparatus and method for providing a guard rail adjacent an access aperture extending through a floor surface, such as in an attic space of a residential structure. A guard rail assembly includes a top rail portion which extends adjacent at least one side of the access aperture to provide a guard rail. An angled portion extends at a non-orthogonal angle to provide a hand grip surface for a user passing through the access aperture. A front leg segment supports an end of the angled portion opposite the top rail portion. Preferably, a rear leg segment supports the top rail portion to form a first side rail assembly. A second, nominally identical side rail assembly adjoins the first side rail assembly to form a substantially u-shaped top rail surface that surrounds the access aperture on three sides. The guard rail assembly is further preferably adjustable to accommodate different access aperture dimensions.
US08702061B2	Hydraulic circuit for counterweight attaching/detaching device A first cutoff valve is disposed in a main duct ranging between a control valve and a bottom chamber of a hydraulic cylinder. A sequence valve in the first cutoff valve is disposed along such a direction as to control outflow of a hydraulic fluid from the bottom chamber and the hydraulic pressure in a rod chamber is applied to the sequence valve as an external pilot pressure. A second cutoff valve is disposed in a main duct ranging between the control valve and the rod chamber of the hydraulic cylinder. A sequence valve in the second cutoff valve, disposed along such a direction as to control outflow of the hydraulic fluid from the rod chamber, and the hydraulic pressure in the rod chamber is applied to the sequence valve as an internal pilot pressure.
US08702060B2	Lifting device The present invention relates to a device for lifting a rail-based vehicle while the vehicle is standing on a rail. The device comprises a supporting frame adapted to at least in part rest on the rail, and a lifting member adapted to apply a lifting force on the rail-based vehicle in order to lift at least one wheel of the rail-based vehicle from the rail.
US08702058B2	Wear-resistant valve for transporting particulate matter and method of making The present disclosure provides a valve for controlling the flow of abrasive particles along a predetermined path from the outlet of a hopper to a conveying line in a particle collection or transportation system. The design of the valve reduces the occurrence of erosive wear resulting from contact with the flow of abrasive particles. A method of making the valve that enhances the hardness of localized areas in the valve that are subject to high wear conditions is also disclosed.
US08702046B2	Mounting device A telescoping mount includes an outer member, an inner member at least partially received in the outer member such that one member is movable relative to the other member between an extended position and a retracted position, a platform coupled to one of the outer and inner members for supporting a device, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable to substantially lock the position of the outer and inner members relative to one another in a plurality of non-predefined positions between the extended position and the retracted position. The locking mechanism is movable manually by a user to an unlocked position allowing adjustment of the mount between the extended and retracted positions, and the locking mechanism is movable automatically, upon release of the locking mechanism by the user, to a locked position in which the outer and inner members are substantially prevented from moving relative to one another.
US08702039B1	Airplane leading edge de-icing apparatus An airplane leading edge de-icing apparatus having a heat diffuser for heating the leading edges of an airplane is provided. The heat diffuser has a first heat diffuser side having a concave shape and a second heat diffuser side having a convex shape. The heat diffuser is joined to the leading edge of an airplane. A counter current heat exchanger is provided and heats a heat transfer fluid with heat energy absorbed from hot gases. The heat transfer fluid is pumped in and out of a reservoir tank with a first pump. A second pump pumps the heat transfer fluid in and out of the heat diffuser. The heat energy in the heat transfer fluid housed in the heat diffuser is transferred to the convex surface of the second heat diffuser side and prevents and/or melts ice build-up.
US08702038B2	Pressure fuselage of an aircraft or spacecraft with pressure calotte A pressure fuselage of an aircraft or a spacecraft includes at least two fuselage sections disposed longitudinally along the fuselage; at least one pressure calotte disposed in the fuselage so as to form a pressurized area; and an arcuate frame profile having a Y-shaped cross-section with a long profile leg connected to at least one of the at least two fuselage sections and a short profile leg extending at an acute angle from the long profile leg toward an inside of the at least two fuselage sections and attached to the at least one pressure calotte.
US08702036B2	System for overhead storage of cargo containers in upper lobe of aircraft A cargo storage and handling system for aircraft. A rack assembly mounts in an upper portion of the fuselage to form a cargo area in the upper lobe thereof. The rack includes a series of frames that are suspended from pre-existing attachment points for luggage bins. Cargo rails mounted on the frames support containers for movement through the upper lobe cargo area. Cargo may be raised to the upper lobe cargo area from the main deck of the aircraft using a lift apparatus. The lift apparatus includes a platform that is raised/lowered by a lift mechanism, the lift mechanism being mounted to/or enclosed within a barrier between the cargo and personnel areas of the aircraft, such as a 9G Barrier. A cover apparatus closes a cargo hole in the main deck of the aircraft for personnel safety. The cover apparatus includes a plurality of the elongate plate members that are mounted to underfloor portions of the seat tracks of the main deck of the aircraft so as to be selectively extensible/retractable into and out of the opening.
US08702032B2	Compact electric taxi assembly for installation on an aircraft A method of taxing an aircraft with an electric taxi system (ETS) comprising of drive units producing airflow through rotors to pre-cool drive motors and produce rotation of aircraft wheels. The drive motors may be used to produce reverse motion of the aircraft and of operating the drive motors independently of one another so one can operate at a rate of speed and/or direction that is different from the second one of the drive units which may provide enhanced maneuverability of the aircraft during taxing. The drive motors may be controlled to produce regenerative power producing a deceleration of the aircraft that does not shift a center of gravity of the aircraft.
US08702030B1	Above-ground pool wall installation apparatus and method An above-ground pool wall installation apparatus comprises a base and a turntable. The base, made of a resilient material comprises a spherical platform which supports the turntable. A bifurcated rope provided with a handle allows a user to manually pull the apparatus along a pre-determined perimeter, thereby creating the wall of the pool by progressively dispensing the material from a coil mounted onto the rotating turntable.
US08702029B1	Wire reel holder and dispensing assembly A wire reel holder and dispensing assembly is provided for transporting, holding, and dispensing wire from a wire reel. The holder and assembly includes an elongated shaft configured for insertion through a wire reel. Each of a pair of end members has a polygonal outer perimeter edge and a central opening. The shaft is slidably insertable through the central opening of each end member positioning the end members at each end of the wire reel. Each end member is securable to the shaft to hold the wire reel in a static position along a length of the shaft and prevent rolling of the wire reel on the shaft. A holding assembly is provided for connecting the shaft, end members and wire reel to a vehicle.
US08702028B2	Tape winding apparatus A tape winding apparatus includes: a rotating device configured to rotate a wind-up core for winding a tape into a roll which defines a tape roll; a push roller configured to be pressed against the tape roll, the push roller contacting with and rolling on an outer periphery of the tape roll at a tape feeding position where the tape is fed onto the tape roll; a feeding direction control guide arranged upstream from the push roller as viewed in a running direction of the tape and configured to control a tape-feeding direction of the tape that is fed onto the tape roll; and a movement device configured to move at least one of the push roller and the feeding direction control guide such that the tape-feeding direction conforms with a tangential direction of the tape roll at the tape feeding position.
US08702025B2	Retractable spool with two modes of operation for rewinding a flexible member The present invention is directed to an improved rewind apparatus for a flexible member. Specifically, the invention provides a retractable spool and a mechanism which allows a user to move a switch so that he/she has a choice of having the spool always pulling on the flexible member, a Tension mode of operation, or using a No Tension mode of operation that allows the flexible member to relax, and then, with a brief tug on the flexible member, retraction forces of a spring causes the flexible member to be wound around the spool.
US08702021B2	Thermally controlled coffee grinder A thermally controlled coffee grinder and method are disclosed. In some embodiments, a thermally controlled coffee grinder may have a heating or cooling element to adjust the temperature of a component of the coffee grinder in response to a measured thermal state of a component in the grinder in order to improve dosing consistency, ground coffee quality, etc. In other embodiments, a thermally controlled coffee grinder may detect a thermal state in the coffee grinder and utilize a computer control to adjust for consistent dosing amounts.
US08702019B2	Transportation device A transportation device, physically transporting material to a target, includes an input module, a transporting module and an output module. The input module provides a carrier fluid. The transporting module is coupled to the input module for receiving the carrier fluid in order to disperse/atomize the material. The material enters the input module through a first opening and reaches the target Through a second opening. The input module further includes a guiding unit having a length longer than or equal to the distance between the throat portion and the second opening. One end of the guiding unit connects the transporting module. The other end of the guiding unit has a guiding comer for connecting to the first opening.
US08702018B1	Universal suds-mix fluidic-circuit bubblizer-chamber An apparatus providing improved dispensing of liquid-additives such as soap, shampoo, or bodywash, into an existing waterline outlet in bathroom or kitchen, while optionally featuring a unique Bubblizer™-chamber enabling user to observe an eye-catching dynamic fluidic-admixture display via a 2-inch diameter preview-window, prior to emergence of the bubblized-admixture via a conventional showerhead. The SudsMix™ shower-unit version readily suspends from an existing wall-extending gooseneck-pipe where it fluidicly couples into the water-line without aid of tools. Introduction of the liquid-soap additive is initiated remotely via a pushbutton valve conveniently located at waist-level, while concealed conduit-lines feed selected additive upward from the reservoir-section to the Bubblizer™-chamber integrated into the upper portion of the wall-hugging housing. Other adaptations of the Bubblizer™-chamber are a hand-held wand-like bathing back-scrubber, and similar kitchen-sink dish-scrubber.
US08702013B2	Vapor vacuum heating systems and integration with condensing vacuum boilers In order to solve the numerous problems with existing steam, vacuum, and hot water heating systems, first presented is a novel system and method for a vapor vacuum system having low temperature condensate return which can operate without steam traps in both single-pipe and dual-pipe configurations. Secondly is disclosed systems and methods for integrating the disclosed vapor vacuum system with a condensing boiler. Thirdly is presented several systems and method of operating radiators having low temperature condensate return with the disclosed vapor vacuum system. Finally is presented condensing vacuum boiler designs that can be utilized with the disclosed vapor vacuum system. Also presented are embodiments having naturally-induced vacuum and utilizing district heat as well as combined heat and power. All innovations presented herein make vapor vacuum steam more efficient and economical for industrial, commercial, and home applications.
US08702004B2	Accuracy-enhanced scanner An accuracy-enhanced scanner provides (in response to a first user input) illumination of potential scan targets and scans (in response to a second user input) a selected scan target. The user uses the illumination to aim the scanner at the selected scan target in between providing the first and the second user inputs. The scanner has switches to communicate the user inputs, to specify an operating mode for the scanner, and/or to communicate information codes to a computing device. The scanner has one or more scan engines (such as a barcode reader or an RFID tag reader), and optionally communicates wirelessly with the computing device. A scanning system including the scanner optionally provides feedback to the user based on feedback from a host processor. The scanner is any of a Multi-Mode Ring Scanner (MMRS), a cordless hand scanner, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with an add-on scanner.
US08702003B2	Bar code readers and methods of reading bar codes Bar code readers and methods of reading bar codes are described herein. One device includes a camera configured to produce a motion invariant image of a bar code while the bar code is in motion and a processor configured to deblur the motion invariant image of the bar code.
US08702002B2	Method, apparatus and system for scanning optical codes A method, apparatus and system are presented for improving an optical code scanner used in an assisted service point of sale terminal by automatically detecting the placement of an item for scanning on the customer side of the optical code scanner and configuring the scanner to scan the item. Once the item is scanned, the optical code scanner reconfigures to scan items presented on the cashier side of the scanner. When the scanner automatically detects, configures and scans an item presented on the customer side of the scanner, it reduces the checkout time and reduces the number of operations a cashier must perform.
US08701999B2	Method and apparatus for reading optical indicia A method and apparatus for reading optical indicia. The method includes generating calibration light, and measuring an intensity of the calibration light reflected into a detector system. The method also includes determining an optimum exposure level for the imaging system based on the measured intensity of the calibration light reflected into the detector system, and generating an illumination light with an illumination system. In addition, the method includes capturing an image of the optical indicia with the imaging system subjecting to the optimum exposure level.
US08701989B2	Methods and systems for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card A method for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card is described. The payment card includes a processing device coupled to at least one display screen. The method includes receiving a loyalty program request message at a payment network wherein the loyalty program request message includes payment card identification data associated with the payment card, determining that the payment card is registered in a loyalty program based at least in part on the payment card identification data, electronically generating a loyalty program response message that includes loyalty program update data, and transmitting the loyalty program update data from the payment network to the payment card for displaying as loyalty program information on the at least one display screen.
US08701983B2	Systems and methods for gesture-based interaction with computer systems The present disclosure facilitates gesture-based interaction with a computer-system. The method may comprise pairing a transaction account with a likeness, receiving the likeness and a transaction request based upon the location of a marker in three dimensional space, retrieving the transaction account paired with the likeness, and approving the transaction request at least partially based upon the transaction account and the likeness.
US08701976B2	Shipping container A shipping container has a lid locked using pressure, rather than friction. The container includes front and rear side panels and a lid. The lid has a positive locking tab for engaging with a slot in the front side panel. The tab has a greater length than the slot. An end of the tab and an edge of the lid form a notch therebetween. In an embodiment, a corrugated paperboard blank is folded to approximate the lid to the front side panel. The lid is folded along an angled score line, rotating the tab with respect to the slot so that an end of the tab engages the slot and the front panel at an end of the slot engages the notch. The lid is folded to rotate the tab in the opposite direction; the tab then engages with the slot, the end of the tab extending beyond the slot.
US08701975B2	Apparatus and system for a self-attaching container A support mechanism for a container includes a container coupling mechanism, a flap overlap mechanism and an attachment mechanism. The container coupling mechanism is configured to couple to a distal end of a first flap of the container. The flap overlap mechanism is configured to overlap a second flap of the container when the first flap and the second flap are in a closed position, such that the second flap is between an interior portion of the container and the flap overlap mechanism in the closed position. The attachment mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the first flap and the second flap in the closed position. The support mechanism supports a greater force applied in a direction normal to a plane formed by the first flap and second flap in the closed position than a force supported by the first flap and the second flap without the support mechanism.
US08701972B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device To improve reliability of a semiconductor device, in a flip-chip bonding step, a solder material that is attached to a tip end surface of a projecting electrode in advance and a solder material that is applied in advance over a terminal (bonding lead) are heated and thereby integrated and electrically connected to each other. The terminal includes a wide part (a first portion) with a first width W1 and a narrow part (a second portion) with a second width W2. When the solder material is heated, the thickness of the solder material arranged over the narrow part becomes smaller than the thickness of the solder material arranged in the wide part. Then, in the flip-chip bonding step, a projecting electrode is arranged over the narrow part and bonded onto the narrow part. Thus, the amount of protrusion of the solder material can be reduced.
US08701970B2	Method of forming and assembly of metal and ceramic parts A method of forming and assembling at least two parts together that may be metal, ceramic, or a combination of metal and ceramic parts. Such parts may have different CTE. Individual parts that are formed and sintered from particles leave a network of interconnecting porosity in each sintered part. The separate parts are assembled together and then a fill material is infiltrated into the assembled parts using a method such as capillary action, gravity, and/or pressure. The assembly is then cured to yield a bonded and fully or near-fully dense part that has the desired physical and mechanical properties for the part's intended purpose. Structural strength may be added to the parts by the inclusion of fibrous materials.
US08701969B2	Determining friction stir welding dwell time to produce a joined member The present invention relates to a technique for producing a jointed member by subjecting two to-be-jointed members which are contacted each other to friction stir welding. The method for producing a jointed member executes a dwelling step in which a probe is rotated only for a predetermined period at at least one of a probe starting point position which is a position of the probe for forming a joint starting point in the to-be-jointed member and a probe end point position which is a position of the probe for forming a joint end point in the to-be-jointed member.
US08701968B2	Friction stir welder and method for friction stir welding The present invention provides a friction stir welder that includes a stage on which at least two material pieces to be welded are mounted and stacked, a pressing member that covers and presses end faces of the material pieces to be welded that are mounted and stacked on the stage, and a rotary tool that is inserted into the stacked material pieces to be welded while rotating, so that a plastic flow is generated at an interfacing portion as well as in the vicinity thereof between the rotary tool and the material pieces to be welded, thereby to joint the material pieces to be welded to each other.
US08701962B2	Shipping wedge with lockout A shipping wedge for use with a surgical instrument includes a base configured to be detachably secured with a body portion of the surgical instrument, a blocking member depending from the base and engageable with a movable operative member of the surgical instrument, and a locking member depending from the base and engageable with a lockout mechanism of the surgical instrument.
US08701961B2	Surgical fastener applying apparatus with controlled beam deflection A surgical fastener applying apparatus including an anvil half-section having a distal end and a longitudinal axis; a cartridge receiving half-section having a distal end and operatively couplable with the anvil half-section such that the distal ends of the half-sections are in juxtaposed relation; and a deflection control system operatively engaged with and reinforcing the distal end of the anvil half-section when a force is applied to the distal end of the anvil half-section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
US08701960B1	Surgical stapler with reduced clamp gap for insertion A surgical apparatus may include a staple holder, an anvil connected to and movable relative to the staple holder, and at least one axle extending outward from the anvil; and an overtube slidable relative to the end effector, the overtube including at least one slot defined therein; where each slot receives a corresponding axle. A surgical method for treating tissue of a patient may include providing an end effector that includes a staple holder and an anvil connected to and movable relative to the staple holder, and an overtube slidable relative to said end effector, making an incision in the patient; inserting the end effector and at least part of the overtube through the incision in a first, insertion configuration in which substantially no gap exists between the anvil and staple holder, and moving the overtube relative to the end effector to open the end effector to a second, unclamped position where at least part of the anvil is spaced apart from the staple holder.
US08701954B1	Apparatus for mounting and retaining helmet in high G conditions Helmet mount apparatus provides a secure helmet holder for mounting a fireman helmet in a fire truck or other emergency vehicle. Three brim brackets, one of which is slidable on a base plate against a spring bias force, clamp the brim of the helmet between the brim brackets. The helmet can be mounted by positioning the brim into the slidable brim bracket and sliding the brim bracket far enough to allow inserting the brim also into the other two brim brackets, and then releasing the helmet to allow the spring bias to clamp the helmet onto the mount apparatus.
US08701953B2	Electronic flight bag mounting system According to one embodiment, an electronic flight bag mounting system a cockpit mounting member coupled to an electronic flight bag mounting member. The cockpit mounting member is configured to mount to a cockpit of an aircraft, while the electronic flight bag mounting member is configured to be coupled to an electronic flight bag. The electronic flight bag mounting member is movable from a deployed position in which a display of the electronic flight bag faces a cockpit seat configured in the cockpit to a storage position in which the electronic flight bag faces away from the cockpit seat.
US08701952B1	Tool storage organizer The present invention features a tool storage organizer system. The system comprises a storage organzer installed on the back wall of the truck cabin. The organizer has a back support per with multiple layers of pocket disposed in the front and multiple horizontal pockets disposed in the back. The multiple layer pockets in the front have various heights but the same bottom ending levels. A plurality of bits slots are attached to pockets of the out layer pockets. The back support panel has multiple grommets near the to edge, which are used to attach to brackets installed on truck wall through a plurality of hooks. A hard rod is attached to the top edge of the back support panel to keep the support in shape when the back support panel is hanged up.
US08701951B2	Removable carry bag integrated into door trim A vehicle includes a high voltage traction battery, a front door trim including a removable trim panel, a removable/portable bag integral to the removable trim panel for storing inside the front door trim when the removable trim panel is attached to the front door trim. A charge cord kit is contained in the removable/portable bag, and includes a charge cord for connecting to an electrical power supply to charge the high voltage traction battery.
US08701935B2	Water gun A water gun discharges water continuously by pushing in and pulling out an operating portion and has a casing imitating a barrel, a rear grip portion and a front grip portion. The casing incorporates a pump mechanism and includes pumping tubing forming a pumping path through which water is pumped up from a water storage tank by the pumping mechanism and a muzzle portion disposed at a front end of the casing. The pump mechanism includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder which are oriented in opposite directions, a first piston slidable forwards and backwards within the first cylinder and a second piston slidable forwards and backwards within the second cylinder, an interlocking member coupled to the first piston and the second piston and brought into engagement with a rear half portion of the casing, pumping check valves, a jet water flowing chamber and a water supply path.
US08701933B2	Method of using a bag-in-box container system A method of employing a bag-in-box container system in a dispensing machine includes placing a box in a first orientation, inserting a bag in the box, and closing the box with a portion of a dispensing end of the bag protruding through an opening in a first wall of the box. The first wall is a top surface of the box in the first orientation. The method further includes securing the portion of the dispensing end outside of the box and inverting the box to a second orientation, such that the first wall is a bottom surface of the box in the second orientation. The method also includes inserting the dispensing end of the bag into a holder of a dispensing machine.
US08701930B2	Lid featuring ease of use and improved release from a tray or container A lid is reliably engagable with a tray while being easily releasable without disturbing tray contents and without undue lid stress. At least two lift tabs or indentations are provided at separated locations about the lid periphery, thereby providing two distinct initial disengagement locations and overcoming any tendency of the elastic lid to reactively grip the tray when disengagement is initiated. Initial disengagement at the two locations thereby enables easy removal of the entire lid. Lid release can require simultaneous and/or sequential actuation of tabs and/or indentations. Embodiments further include locations that can be pressed while corresponding tabs are lifted. Some embodiments include a peripheral skirt that is short enough to allow a user's fingers to pass beneath and support the tray sidewalls when lifting the tray-lid assembly from a horizontal surface, avoiding any need for the lid engagement to bear the weight of the tray and its contents.
US08701927B2	Nanoparticle thin-film coatings for enhancement of boiling heat transfer A superhydrophilic thin film is formed on a metal surface of a boiler vessel to alter the wettability and roughness of the surface, which, in turn, changes the boiling behavior at the surface. The superhydrophilic film is formed by depositing a layer of a first ionic species on the surface from a solution. A second ionic species having a charge opposite to the that of the first ionic species is then deposited from solution onto the surface to produce a bilayer of the first ionic species and the oppositely charged second ionic species. The depositions are then repeated to form a plurality of bilayers, on top of the preceding bilayer. The bilayers are then heated, leaving the second ionic species on the metal surface to form a superhydrophilic film.
US08701926B2	Tank having integral restraining elements and associated fabrication method A tank and associated fabrication method are provided which may limit the damage otherwise occasioned by the impact of a ballistic projectile. The tank may include a wall assembly defined between outer and inner walls and a plurality of restraining elements that extend between the walls. The restraining elements may be formed to have a plurality of layers of material that form not only the restraining element, but also portions of the inner and/or outer walls. For example, the tank may include a plurality of cells positioned adjacent to one another with each cell forming portions of two adjacent restraining elements and portions of the inner and/or outer walls. A corresponding method for fabricating a tank including a wall assembly having a plurality of restraining elements is also provided.
US08701925B2	Mobile machine with a pressurized tank A mobile machine, in particular a counterweighted fork lift truck, has at least one pressurized tank, in particular to carry fuel that is in a gaseous state under normal conditions. The tank has an at least approximately rectangular external contour in at least one cross-sectional plane.
US08701920B2	Fuel cap A fuel cap for a filler neck on a fuel tank includes a cap body having threads for engaging the filler neck when the fuel cap is installed on the filler neck and a cap handle rotatably mounted on the cap body. A clutch acts between the cap handle and the cap body to permit the cap handle to rotate freely on the cap body when the clutch is disengaged. When the clutch is engaged, rotation of the cap handle will rotate the cap body so that the user can remove the fuel cap from the filler neck to refuel the vehicle. A pressure-sensing diaphragm disengages the clutch when the pressure differential between the fuel vapor pressure and the atmospheric pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold and engages the clutch when the pressure differential between the fuel vapor pressure and the atmospheric pressure is less than the predetermined threshold.
US08701917B2	Opening device for straws of liquid food container An opening device for straws for liquid food containers enables a straw hole to be easily opened by piercing with a straw while avoiding easy leakage or breakage due to external force from vibrations or the like during delivery. The device includes a base and a main body, formed from packaging material, both sides of the base paper of which have been laminated with thermoplastic resin and a top, formed from thermoplastic resin, which is joined to the top of the main body. An opening of the opening device for straws, integrated with the top section, is provided with a plurality of step sections and between-step sections on the front and back surfaces. The front between-step sections and the back between-step sections overlap at the edge of each of the step sections, with the thickness at the edge of the between-step sections being thinner than that of the steps.
US08701914B1	Two-part recyclable cup A paper cup or shell with a thin removable liner that is not laminated to the cup or shell such that the liner may be easily disengaged, removed, or separated from the cup or shell prior to disposal or the recycling process. The thin removable or detachable liner is preferably made from aluminum, aluminum alloy, or aluminum foil, as opposed to other recyclable materials. Aluminum is the preferred material for the liner due to the fact that aluminum is infinitely recyclable and can be used over and over again to make recycled aluminum products or recycled detachable cup liners.
US08701908B2	Cap with counter Cap with a hollow housing containing a count down mechanism so that when a person pushes down on the cap during the opening process, a rotational force within the housing causes the day and numerical count indices printed on cylinders within the housing to advance one station so that the day and count indices showing in viewing apertures located on the outside wall of the housing reflect the fact that an item such as a pill has been taken by the user. A preferred embodiment includes a ring release slide mechanism that allows the user to disengage the advancing mechanism so that the user can manually rotate the counting mechanism to initially set the indices to the correct location with respect to the viewing apertures and to be able to reset the indices if the user presses on the top cap housing accidentally.
US08701906B1	Ingredient dispensing cap for mixing beverages with push-pull drinking spout A dispensing cap for storing one or more ingredients in the cap body until the time of use. The stored ingredients in the cap are dispensed manually into a primary container for mixing. The dispensing cap includes a push-pull, flow-through drinking spout with a fluid valve for opening and closing the fluid flow from the primary container. The dispensing cap body includes several elements all of which are formed in a single molded cap body. The storage chamber of the dispensing cap includes a foil seal that can be partially opened by an activating member manually connected to the drinking spout for dispensing the ingredients into the primary container. The cap body is threadably attached to a primary container threaded neck.
US08701902B2	Rack mount device To be able to connect and mount a rack mount device having a rack loaded device loaded thereon to a rack easily, and to be able to release and detach the rack mount device easily from the outside of the rack. The rack mount device has a pair of mount kits for holding the rack loaded device arranged to oppose to each other, which are detachably connected to four mount angles configuring the rack. Each mount kit is configured with a front mount and a rear mount, which are freely slidable with respect to each other in the longitudinal directions thereof. A kit connecting mechanisms for connecting each mount kit to the mount angles are provided to both ends of the mount kits, respectively. A connection releasing mechanism for releasing the connection between the mount kits and the mount angles is provided to each of the kit connecting mechanisms.
US08701900B2	Collapsible stand for music amplifier and the like A stand for supporting sound amplifiers, wherein the stand has a base for resting on a floor, an amplifier support platform on the base, the plane of said platform being slanted downwardly from front to rear, a back rest pivotally mounted on the base for pivoting between 0° and 90° to the plane of the platform, and cooperating stop means on the base and said back rest for stopping pivoting motion of the back rest beyond 90° to the plane of the platform, wherein the plane of the platform is below the plane of the back rest when the back rest is in a stored position lying adjacent the platform.
US08701895B2	Fluid purification media and systems and methods of using same A fluid purification system, comprising: a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block, comprising: a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.
US08701894B2	Conveyor support mechanism for variable slope vibrating screens A compact mobile variable angle vibrating screen with an overhead conveyor with an inclined bottom feed support section, an independently positionable intermediate support section, and an overhead head support section where the independently positionable intermediate support section can be relocated to a new position in response to a translation of the bottom feed support structure while maintaining an angular orientation which is half of the angle of inclination of the bottom feed structure.
US08701888B2	Air-sealed body with automatically opened air value An air-sealed body with automatically opened air valves and a manufacturing method thereof uses a heat resisting material to spread between two inner films. The two inner films are stacked together between two outer films and heat sealed with the outer films to form an air passage and plural air columns therein. Air inlets and heat-sealed blocks are both formed by heat sealing, wherein each heat-sealed block is shrinking gradually from one side thereof near the first transverse heat-sealing line to another. During filing air the two outer films around the air passage are pulled apart in a longitudinal direction, and the air passage will be contracted in a transverse direction and then the two inner films are pulled apart in a longitudinal direction to open the air inlets. Thereafter, after entering the air columns, the air presses the two inner films to close the air columns.
US08701887B2	Stackable container A container adapted to be stacked on top of a second container is provided. The container includes a first end wall and a sidewall having a first end and a second end. The container includes a first seam coupling the first end wall to the first end of the sidewall, the first seam including a shoulder extending inwardly from an outer surface of the first seam. The container includes an alignment feature extending from the shoulder away from the first end wall. The alignment feature is adapted to align the container relative to the second container and to resist lateral movement of the container relative to the second container when the container is stacked on top of the second container.
US08701885B2	Container set A container set which connects and packages a plurality of containers with a package sheet is provided, wherein at least one container has a shape in which a plurality of large-width portions having a larger width in a connecting direction as compared with the other portions are formed on respective sides of a small-width portion having a smaller width than the large-width portion, with the small-width portion therebetween; the package sheet has a plurality of tubular portions which are shrunk along an outer shape of the containers and which individually store the containers; and, in the tubular portions, a connecting portion is formed between adjacent tubular portions at least at a part of the tubular portion corresponding to the large-width portion, and the tubular portions which oppose each other are separated from each other at the small-width portion, with no connecting portion formed.
US08701879B2	Frangible capsule-in-capsule chemical delivery systems and methods of fabrication A capsule-in-capsule system comprising at least two segregated chemical reactants is described. An inner capsule contains one reactant and is itself contained, with a second chemical reactant, in an outer capsule. The inner capsule and its contents is fabricated first; then it is incorporated into the second reactant; and the combination of the second reactant and inner capsule is encapsulated in the outer capsule. The reactants may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic and present as fluids, solids or combinations of solid(s) and fluids(s). When subjected to suitably high pressure, the capsule wall materials will fracture or rupture, releasing and preferably mixing all encapsulates to enable their prompt reaction. The utility of the invention is illustrated by its application to development of a corrosion inhibiting passive film on magnesium auto body material and to the adhesive bonding of members where precise positioning is desired.
US08701878B2	Package for beverage containers A package comprising a carrier at least partially holding a container. The carrier comprises a top panel, a first outer side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a first inner side panel foldably connected to the first outer side panel, a second outer side panel foldably connected to the top panel, a second inner side panel foldably connected to the second outer side panel, a first bottom panel foldably connected to the first inner side panel, and a second bottom panel foldably connected to the second inner side panel. A container-receiving portion can comprise a first retaining feature in the first inner side panel and the first outer side panel and an opposing second retaining feature in the second inner side panel and the second outer side panel. A top portion of the container can be retained by the first and second retaining features.
US08701874B2	Conveyor Conveyors are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a conveyor includes a bed having a first end and a second end, wherein a belt is slidable on the bed. The belt is in a first portion of its travel when it is located adjacent the bed and the belt is in a second portion of its travel when it is located opposite the bed. A curve is located on the first end of the bed, wherein the belt contacts at least a portion of the curve as the belt transitions between the first portion of travel and the second portion of travel.
US08701867B2	Conveyor with a gentle retractable stop A conveyor having a retractable stop providing a nonsliding contact surface to the leading faces of conveyed articles to prevent damage to the faces of the articles. One version of such a stop has a contact surface defined by the peripheries of rollers that rotate on the accumulated articles as the stop moves from a blocking position accumulating articles on the conveyor to a retracted position releasing accumulated articles to advance downstream along the conveyor.
US08701853B2	Lance-and-form splines with formed housing lip snap ring retention A housing for use with a clutch assembly includes an annular wall disposed around an axis and extending between an open end of the housing and a floor of the housing with the floor extending toward the axis. A plurality of splines are spaced around the annular wall and extends between the open end and the floor. The splines define a work surface for engaging teeth of a clutch plate with the work surface being fractured from the annular wall providing a substantially normal relationship to the annular wall.
US08701852B2	Viscous fan drive systems having fill and scavenge control An engagement system (10) for a fluid-coupling device (9) may include a first engagement member (31) and a second engagement member (15) that is in operation with the first engagement member (31). A working chamber (33) is disposed between and at least partially defined by the first engagement member (31) and the second engagement member (15). The working chamber (33) has an inlet port (118) and an outlet port (120). A fluid reservoir (35) is fluidically-coupled to the working chamber (33). A scavenge valve (11) is coupled between the working chamber (33) and the fluid reservoir (35) and adjusts the fluid flow through the outlet port (120). An engagement system (10) for a fluid-coupling device (9) may in addition to or alternatively include a working chamber (33) that includes a working chamber inlet port (118) that is along an outer perimeter (126) of the first engagement member (31). A valve (11) is coupled between the working chamber (33) and the fluid reservoir (35) and adjusts the fluid flow through the working chamber.
US08701851B2	Selectable mass flywheel A selectable mass flywheel assembly for a powertrain of a motor vehicle includes a first mass and a second mass. The first mass is connected to a crankshaft of an engine and the second mass engages with a clutch to transfer torque from the engine to a transmission. The two masses are rotationally coupled to each other with a spring and damper assembly. The flywheel assembly further includes a locking mechanism that engages both masses during the startup of the engine to lock the two masses together to minimize the vibrations and pulsations in the powertrain during startup of the engine.
US08701850B2	Assembly structure of friction device for automatic transmission A friction device assembly structure for an automatic transmission includes a first friction device and an end play adjustment element. The first friction device includes a plurality of discs and a plurality of plates which are alternately arranged and configured such that a frictional force is created between the discs and the plates by the pressing force of a piston. The end play adjustment element is provided on an end of the first friction device to adjust an end play defined between the first friction device and the piston. The end play adjustment element is hollow such that an inner diameter thereof is greater than an outermost diameter of a second friction device which is provided inside the first friction device. Thereby, the end play adjustment element is able to be assembled without any interference from the second friction device.
US08701848B2	Sleeve damper assembly A damper for a linear element of a motor vehicle drivetrain such as a cable, a transmission oil fill tube or an engine oil dipstick tube constitutes a loose fitting sleeve or annulus disposed about the linear component. The damper may be positioned on a substantially vertical tube by a stop which may be any device such as a sleeve of material having an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of the damper that is clamped or secured to the tube. Alternatively, the damper may be of sufficient length that one end may be clamped to the tube while the other end, which loosely fits on the tube, acts as a damper. The damper may be fabricated of a material such as closed cell foam or other relatively lightweight, resilient and compressible material.
US08701847B2	Vibration damper assembly for a vehicle The present disclosure relates to spare tire damper assemblies for a vehicle and methods for reducing vibration. The assemblies can include a support frame configured to secure a spare tire thereto and a first adjustable isolator positioned with respect to the support frame. A second isolator is positioned in series with the first isolator so that adjustment of the first isolator adjusts a static preload of the second isolator.
US08701844B2	Brake dust collecting device The invention relates to a brake dust collector (10) for a disc brake (12) comprising a brake disc (18) and a brake caliper (16) clasping the latter. The brake dust collector (10) includes a housing (24) designed to clasp a portion of the brake disc (18) directly adjoining the brake caliper (16) in the main direction of rotation (R) of the brake disc (18). Provided arranged in the housing (24) is a brake dust retainer comprising a plurality of brake dust intake ports. To ensure practically total retainment of the resulting brake dust without detrimenting, indeed, even improving the cooling of the disc brake (12) the housing (24) features a plurality of air intake ports (34; 38) separate from the inner brake dust intake ports, making it possible to direct the inflow of air in the direction of the brake disc (18) and into the inner brake dust intake ports.
US08701840B2	Self-belay device for climbers A self-belay device for controlling climbing and descending along a rope. The self-belay device comprises a hollow casing, a linear frictionless track fixed inside the casing and a braking unit disposed in the casing and mounted on the track for reciprocating sliding movement along the track between a first position and a second position. The braking unit is normally biased to the first position. The braking unit has a passage there through for passing of the rope. The rope is moveable through the passage in the braking unit in the first position, while the movement of the rope through the passage in the braking unit prevented in the second position thereof.
US08701838B2	Lubricant supply device and method for operating a lubricant supply device A lubricant supply device comprises a tank configured to hold a lubricant. At least one movable piston unit is disposed in the holding tank and at least partially defines a lubricant chamber. The lubricant chamber has at least two openings, of which one is a lubricant inlet and the other is a lubricant outlet. A first one of the openings is disposed in the movable piston unit.
US08701837B2	Chain-type driving force transmitting apparatus A chain-type driving force transmitting apparatus includes a case having a lower space accumulating therein lubricating oil, an input shaft rotatably supported by the case, an output shaft arranged in parallel with the input shaft and rotatably supported by the case, and a chain wound around the input shaft and the output shaft and lifting up the lubricating oil accumulated in the lower space of the case. The chain-type driving force transmitting apparatus further includes a separator positioned adjacent to the chain and dividing the lower space of the case into a first chamber housing the chain and a second chamber. The separator has an inclined portion formed at an upper end of the separator and inclining towards the chain so as to receive the lubricating oil lifted up by the chain, wherein the lubricating oil received by the inclined portion flows into the second chamber.
US08701836B2	Device for supplying lubricant and bearing assembly therewith The invention relates to a device for supplying lubricant, particularly for dosing lubricant to lubrication points (2) in a roller assembly or the like. The invention further relates to a bearing assembly which is inserted, for example, in a roller assembly, and which has at least one such device for supplying lubricant. The device is equipped with a conduit (4, 5) via which a lubricant source is connected to multiple lubrication points (2), wherein at least one injector (6) designed as a metering valve is provided in the conduit as a cartridge insert for releasing a defined amount of lubricant in a cycle of pressure application and pressure release of the supplied lubricant. A connecting channel is assigned to the injector (6) in such a manner that lubricant is fed from the lubricant source, past the injector (6), in the direction of a lubrication point (2) lying downstream.
US08701830B2	Folding step ladder The folding step ladder has lower and upper treads and lower and upper risers which are pivotal relative to the treads. The ladder also has front and back side panels on each side of the treads. The side panels on each side are pivotal relative to each other. The lower riser is pivotal relative to the lower tread and to both of the front side panels. A rear panel is pivotal relative to both of the back side panels and the upper tread. When the step ladder is closed or folded and one of its components is lifted, gravity causes the step ladder to open or to unfold. When another of its components is lifted while the step ladder is open or unfolded, gravity causes the step ladder to close or to fold. Handles are provided on the two components to facilitate lifting of them.
US08701829B1	Portable tree stand step A portable tree stand step providing assistance to hunters when entering and exiting hunting tree stands includes a rope fastened to a lower frame of the tree stand. The rope forms a pair of flexible stepping loops that hang downwardly and into which the hunter can step, thereby allowing the hunter to enter the tree stand. Additionally, each stepping loop of the portable tree stand step is supplied with a foot pad and a length adjustment mechanism, allowing the hunter to position and securely step upon the foot pad when entering the stand.
US08701819B2	Console bracket for attachment to lower console A console assembly for a vehicle and installment method are provided wherein the console is installed around a vehicle shifter assembly. The assembly includes a main body wherein the main body includes a shifter assembly mounted thereon, an elongated bracket mounted to the shifter assembly wherein the elongated bracket includes at least two protrusions, and a console assembly having at least two elongated portions wherein each of the elongated portions includes an inner wall. Attachment structures operable to accept the protrusions of the elongated bracket are mounted on the inner walls of the elongated portions of the center console. The center console having the at least two elongated portions is mounted over the shifter onto the elongated bracket allowing the at least two protrusions of the elongated bracket to attach to the means to accept the at least two protrusions thereby eliminating the need for any additional bolts or screws.
US08701817B2	Impact sensitive latch actuation link for vehicle door An apparatus may include a latch mechanism, an actuator, and an actuation link. The latch mechanism may be movable to allow and restrict movement of a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame. The actuator may be configured to be movable by a user to cause corresponding movement of the latch mechanism. The actuation link may interconnect the latch mechanism and the actuator. The actuation link may include a portion that is laterally compliant to absorb a lateral force and axially rigid to transmit motion of the actuator to the latch mechanism.
US08701812B2	Towing tractor A towing tractor includes an operator's cockpit, a battery, a hood, a first inclined surface, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The battery is disposed forward of the operator's cockpit. The hood covers the top of the battery. The first inclined surface is formed on the hood and inclined downwardly toward the front of the towing tractor. The second inclined surface is located forward of the first inclined surface and inclined downwardly toward the front of the towing tractor. The inclination angle of the second inclined surface is greater than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface.
US08701810B2	Battery pack A battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle. The battery pack has a battery stack. A cooling fan, a fan relay, and a main relay (−) are disposed on one side of the battery stack. A control module, a register, a main relay (+), and a pre-charge relay are disposed on the other side of the same. As a result of devices being disposed on both sides of the battery stack, the weight of the battery pack is adjusted to the neighborhood of the center of the battery pack.
US08701807B2	Transmission control system in vehicles An Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and a method and a computer program product are provided for the control of a drive train for a hybrid vehicle, and a drive train including such a control device is also provided. The hybrid vehicle includes an upstream located Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) which is connected to an Electronic Motor/Generator (EMG) via a Master Clutch (MC). The EMG is connected to the wheels via a Mechanical Transmission (MT) including synchronization. The ECU is programmed to control the MC and the MT when shifting from a generating mode, in which the ICE is powering the EMG at or near standstill, to a driving mode in such a way that at least a part of the inertial energy liberated when retarding the EMG in order to synchronize the rotational speed of the EMG and the MT is transferred to the wheels by using the synchronization in the MT to retard the EMG and transfer of power to the wheels.
US08701805B2	Motor having rotors arranged concentrically and driving apparatus having the motor The present invention relates to a motor having yokes concentrically arranged and a driving apparatus having the motor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a motor, in which armature metal cores having coils wound thereon and yokes having magnets attached thereto are arranged in multiple stages around a central shaft, and a driving apparatus having the motor. A motor having yokes concentrically arranged according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a rotor and a stator. The rotor has a plurality of cylindrical yokes arranged in multiple stages in a radial direction and a plurality of magnets respectively fixed to the yokes with polarities of the magnets alternated with each other in a circumferential direction. The stator has armature metal cores arranged to face the respective yokes and a plurality of armature coils wound on the armature cores to face the magnets. A driving apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the aforementioned motor, a brake disk, and a caliper. The brake disk is fixedly coupled to the rotor of the motor. The caliper is installed to one side of the brake disk to restrain the brake disk from rotating.
US08701804B1	Constant recharging air and electric alternating vehicle power system A system for a vehicle. The system includes electric and compressed gas modes, a plurality of electric motors/generators and compressed gas motors, battery arrays, and transfer switches. The plurality of electric motors/generators and compressed gas motors are operatively connected to the wheels of the vehicle. When the system is in the electric mode, a portion of the plurality of electric motors/generators operate as motors and propel the vehicle, while a remaining portion of the plurality of electric motors/generators operate as generators and charge the battery arrays. When the system is in the gas mode, a portion of the plurality of compressed gas motors operate as motors and propel the vehicle. The transfer switches determine automatically—based upon predetermined—when the system should operate in the electric or the compressed gas mode.
US08701798B1	Cutting element assembly including one or more superabrasive cutting elements and drill bit utilizing the same Some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies including a superabrasive cutting element that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, enclosed in an enclosure that restricts rotation of the superabrasive cutting element, or combinations of the foregoing. Additionally, some embodiments relate to cutting element assemblies in which a superabrasive cutting element is mechanically fastened to a base, such as a substrate or directly to a bit body of a rotary drill bit. Some embodiments also relate to cutting element assemblies including one or more superabrasive cutting elements that are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the cutting element assembly, that may be axially compressed to enhance the damage tolerance thereof, that may be enclosed in an enclosure that exposes the superabrasive cutting element therethrough, or combinations thereof.
US08701797B2	Bearing assembly for downhole motor A downhole motor for drilling and servicing of wells has an elongated outer housing and an elongated mandrel rotatably disposed within the housing. A primary thrust bearing is disposed between the lower end of the housing and the mandrel, and transfers axial loads downward from the housing to the mandrel, and then to the drill bit or other tool mounted on the lowermost end of the mandrel. The placement of the primary thrust bearing permits it to extend radially to the outer diameter of the housing. One preferred embodiment of the primary thrust bearing comprises bearing surfaces of polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) material.
US08701792B2	Pre-assemblable arrangement The invention relates to a pre-assemblable arrangement of elements, in particular a tool arrangement or hand tool arrangement, wherein the arrangement exhibits at least one intake manifold (1), a filter floor (2) and/or a carburetor (3), preferably with a carburetor wall (4), wherein a holding structure (7) is additionally provided to accommodate actuating elements (9, 10) or to form a handle (8).
US08701790B2	Vibratory plow assembly A linkage assembly for a vibratory plow. A vibratory plow comprises a power unit and a vibratory plow assembly. The vibratory plow assembly has a linkage assembly to connect to the power unit. The linkage assembly comprises a lift trolley, an upper arm, a lower arm and a load transfer link. The upper arm is pivotally connected to an upper end of the lift trolley. The lower arm is pivotally connected to a lower end of the lift trolley. A vibrator assembly is connected to the upper arm and the lower arm and a plow assembly comprising a plow blade is connected to the vibrator assembly. The load transfer link is operatively connected to the upper arm and to the vibrator. The load transfer link may be a leaf spring with an intermediate link. Alternatively, the load transfer link may be a hydraulic cylinder or an elastomeric member.
US08701788B2	Preconditioning a subsurface shale formation by removing extractible organics The invention relates to methods for extracting an organics component from subsurface shale formations comprising kerogen and an extractible organics component in an inorganic matrix. Among other factors, these processes are based on the discovery that to more easily access the kerogen in oil shale, it is helpful to first remove the extractible organics component from the subsurface shale formation. The methods utilize a hydrocarbon solvent to at least partially solubilize the extractible organics component. The extractible organics component can be isolated and upgraded to produce useful products. The processes are more environmentally benign, more economical, and more efficient in producing commercial products and in providing access to kerogen.
US08701782B2	Subsurface safety valve with metal seal A biased actuator includes, a reservoir, at least one piston in operable communication with the reservoir, at least one metal seal and a biasing system in operable communication with both the reservoir and the at least one piston. The at least one metal seal is disposed about the at least one piston and is sealed to both the piston and the reservoir.
US08701781B2	Subsurface safety valve flapper A flapper for use as a component of a safety valve designed for deployment in a well bore having well bore fluids. The flapper includes a flapper body forming a flapper valve bore therethrough. The flapper body forms a groove proximate to the flapper bore. The flapper also includes a plunger member sized and configured to be received in the flapper valve bore. The plunger member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. Additionally, the flapper includes a leaf spring including a primary end portion and a secondary end portion, the primary end portion of the leaf spring detachably attached to the second end portion of the plunger member and unattached to the flapper body and the secondary end portion of the leaf spring being sized and configured to be received and retained in the groove and to bias the plunger member into the flapper valve bore.
US08701778B2	Downhole tester valve having rapid charging capabilities and method for use thereof A downhole tester valve (100) includes a housing assembly (106) and a mandrel assembly (172, 174) that define therebetween an operating fluid chamber (176), a biasing fluid chamber (184) and a power fluid chamber (180). A valve assembly (126) disposed within the housing assembly (106) is operable between open and closed positions. A piston assembly (146) is operably associated with the valve assembly (126) such that annulus pressure entering the power fluid chamber (180) pressurizes operating fluid in the operating fluid chamber (176) which acts on the piston assembly (146) to shift the valve assembly (126) from the closed position to the open position and such that predetermined travel of the piston assembly (146) opens a bypass passageway (162) for the pressurized operating fluid to charge biasing fluid in the biasing fluid chamber (184), thereby enabling closure of the valve assembly (126) upon reducing annulus pressure by a predetermined amount.
US08701773B2	Oilfield application of solar energy collection Solar energy is collected and used for various industrial processes, such as oilfield applications, e.g. generating steam that is injected downhole, enabling enhanced oil recovery. Solar energy is indirectly collected using a heat transfer fluid in a solar collector, delivering heat to a heat exchanger that in turn delivers heat into oilfield feedwater, producing hotter water or steam. Solar energy is directly collected by directly generating steam with solar collectors, and then injecting the steam downhole. Solar energy is collected to preheat water that is then fed into fuel-fired steam generators that in turn produce steam for downhole injection. Solar energy is collected to produce electricity via a Rankine cycle turbine generator, and rejected heat warms feedwater for fuel-fired steam generators. Solar energy is collected (directly or indirectly) to deliver heat to a heater-treater, with optional fuel-fired additional heat generation.
US08701772B2	Managing treatment of subterranean zones A downhole heated fluid generation system includes: a compressor-valve assembly having a compressor and a valve, the assembly operable to compress and regulate a fluid used in generating a heated treatment fluid; a combustor fluidly coupled to the compressor-valve assembly, the combustor operable to provide the heated treatment fluid into a wellbore; and a controller communicably coupled to the compressor-valve assembly, the controller operable to: determine an input indicative of a desired position of the valve; determine a value indicative of an actual position of the valve; determine a desired operating condition of the compressor based, at least in part, on the input indicative of the desired position of the valve and the value indicative of an actual position of the valve; and adjust an operating parameter of the compressor based on the desired operating pressure to compress a fluid flowing through the compressor and the valve.
US08701768B2	Methods for treating hydrocarbon formations Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some method include providing heat to a section of the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation, allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the section to a selected temperature to generate an in situ deasphalting fluid in the section, contacting at least a portion of the in situ deasphalting fluid with hydrocarbons in the section to remove at least some asphaltenes from the hydrocarbons in the section, and producing at least a portion of the deasphalted hydrocarbons from the formation. The in situ deasphalting fluid may include hydrocarbons having a boiling range distribution between 35° C. and 260° C. at 0.101 MPa. A majority of the hydrocarbons in the section may have a boiling point greater than 260° C. at 0.101 MPa.
US08701765B2	Shunt isolation valve Gravel packing apparatus and method. The apparatus can include a conduit configured to extend between first and second wellbore intervals and through an isolation valve assembly separating the first and second intervals. A sliding sleeve can be configured to slide between an open position and a closed position. When the sliding sleeve is in the open position, it is configured to allow a flow of gravel slurry through the conduit between the first and second intervals, and when the sliding sleeve is in the closed position, it is configured to completely isolate the first and second intervals from each other.
US08701763B2	Methods for treating hydrocarbon-bearing formations having brine Method of treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation having brine and treated hydrocarbon-bearing formations. The method includes contacting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a composition comprising solvent and a polymer. The polymer comprises divalent units represented by formula: (formula I); and a plurality of alkyleneoxy groups. In some embodiments, the solvent at least one of solubilizes or displaces the brine in the formation. In some embodiments, the solvent includes at least one of a polyol or polyol ether independently having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms and at least one of water, a monohydroxy alcohol, an ether, or a ketone, wherein the monohydroxy alcohol, the ether, and the ketone each independently have up to 4 carbon atoms. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations and proppants treated with the polymer are also disclosed.
US08701762B2	Method of determination of fluid influx profile and near-wellbore space parameters Method is directed to determining a fluid influx profile and near-wellbore area parameters in multi-layered reservoirs. A bottomhole pressure in a wellbore is measured. After operation of the wellbore at a constant production rate, the production rate is changed. A bottomhole pressure is measured together with a fluid influx temperature for each productive layer. Graphs of the fluid influx temperature measured as a function of time and of a derivative of this temperature with respect to a logarithm of a time passed after the production rate is changed as a function of time are plotted. Relative production rates and skin factors of the productive layers are calculated based on these graphs.
US08701759B1	Casing centralizer A casing centralizer comprising a cylindrical base and a plurality of blades extending from the cylindrical base, wherein the plurality of blades and the cylindrical base are compression molded as a single piece from a mineral filled, glass and specialty fiber reinforced polyester molding compound.
US08701750B2	Heat exchanger One or more embodiments of the present invention relates to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a pair of header-tanks having at least one partition wall and at least one baffle; a plurality of tubes; and a plurality of fins. A communication hole is formed on the partition wall that is positioned at a region disposed between the baffle and one end of the header-tank adjacent to the baffle. Given that a distance from the baffle to the one end of the header-tank is 100%, 1˜4 communication holes are formed at positions on the partition wall which corresponds to an extent of 0˜50%, 65˜100%, or an extent of 0˜50% and an extent of 65˜100%.
US08701749B2	Evaporator for a refrigerator and method for the production thereof A method for producing a heat exchanger, a) a coolant pipe and a blank are provided; b) a bead that is made of a plastic adhesive is placed between the coolant pipe and the blank so as to extend in a manner that is adapted to the shape of the coolant pipe; and c) the bead located between the coolant pipe and the blank is compressed.
US08701748B2	Outlet fitting for double pipe quench exchanger A novel outlet fitting for use in connection with a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is used in the role of a quench exchanger for cooling cracking effluent and solves particular problems associated with gas-oil cracking applications and other heavy feed based applications wherein differences between process outlet temperature and coolant temperatures are larger than in, for example, naphtha and gas cracking applications. The specific solution is achieved through a novel outlet fitting for the quench exchanger that eliminates the need for a steam purge, addresses thermal stress issues and reduces pressure drop within the system. The outlet fitting includes internal insulation to avoid the need for a steam purge. In addition, the outlet fitting includes a low-angle diffuser with an angle of less than 7 degrees and preferably less than 5 degrees.
US08701743B2	Battery parts and associated systems and methods Battery parts, such as battery terminals, and associated systems and methods for making same. In one embodiment, a battery part has a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of an acid ring for increasing resistance to leakage therepast as the battery container shrinks. Another embodiment includes a forming assembly for use with, for example, a battery part having a bifurcated acid ring with spaced apart lips. The forming assembly can include movable forming members that can be driven together to peen, crimp, flare or otherwise form the lips on the bifurcated acid ring.
US08701742B2	Counter-gravity casting of hollow shapes The embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for counter-gravity formation of BMG-containing hollow parts. In one embodiment, the BMG-containing hollow parts may be formed by first feeding a molten metal alloy in a counter-gravity direction into a mold cavity to deposit the molten metal alloy on a surface of the mold cavity and then solidifying the deposited molten metal alloy.
US08701737B2	Retractable computer rack aisle roof A roof for a computer rack aisle is provided. The roof has a canopy that may be flexible and/or fire-resistant. The canopy has a retracted position an extended position. In the retracted position, the canopy may be wound around a spool. In the extended position the canopy may cover the top of an aisle between two computer racks. A selectively releasable retainer holds the canopy in the extended position while releasing the canopy to return to the retracted position when a predetermined condition is met. The canopy retractor is provided to return the canopy to a retracted position. The canopy having first and second lateral edges with flanges running from a position approximate a front portion of the canopy and to a position approximate a rear portion of the canopy. The flanges can be received within a canopy guide track to facilitate the smooth movement from the extend position to the retracted position.
US08701736B2	Inflation work station An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes an inflation probe including a female portion and a male portion. The inflation work station further includes a movement actuator connected to a controller and the inflation probe. The movement actuator imparts movement to the male portion of the inflation probe to result in the online/offline orientation of the at least one inflation probe. The inflation workstation includes a pressurized fluid source connected to the inflation probe by way of a valve to permit or deny communication of a pressurized fluid through the inflation probe to a cavity formed by the tire-wheel assembly for inflating the tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.
US08701735B2	Coil for a winding-up device The invention discloses a coil for a winding-up device adapted for winding up a cutting wire used for cutting through an adhesive bead of a bonded-on pane, having a coil body for winding up the cutting wire, the coil body being provided with at least one opening for securing one end of the cutting wire.
US08701734B2	Separating apparatus and separating method A separating apparatus according to the present invention includes a clamp for gripping an outer peripheral end of a supporting plate. The clamp grips the outer peripheral end of the supporting plate and separates the supporting plate from a wafer by gripping the supporting plate. This makes it possible to separate a supporting plate from a wafer without breaking the wafer. With this, a supporting plate can be separated from a wafer to which the supporting plate has been attached, without breaking the wafer.
US08701731B2	Transfer ring having advantaged cam follower-camming groove aspect and method A transfer ring suitable for use in the manufacture of vehicle tires including a skeletal cylindrical cage which houses an oscillatable circular drive member. The drive member includes a plurality of cam followers disposed about the outer perimeter thereof and which operatively engage respective camming grooves defined in each of a plurality of hinged driven links which are individually hingedly mounted internally of the cage about the outer perimeter of the cage. Each driven link includes an inboard end hinged within the cage and an outboard end having an articulating shoe mounted thereon. The shoes are interconnected to provide like simultaneous substantially equal articulative and rotational movement of the shoes radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the cage upon rotational movement of the drive member and resultant rotational movement of the hinged driven links effected through the cam followers and camming grooves of the driven links.
US08701727B2	Truck drive tire A pneumatic truck drive tire comprising a tread, the tread comprising a tread cap, a tread base, and a tread underlayer disposed between the tread cap and the tread base; the tread cap comprising a rubber composition comprising 100 part by weight, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr) of a rubber consisting of from 52 to 64 phr of polyisoprene rubber, from 22 to 27 phr of polybutadiene rubber, and from 13 to 21 phr of styrene-butadiene rubber; and 47 to 57 phr of carbon black; wherein the tread cap has a tan delta (100° C., 10% strain, 1 Hz) ranging from 0.13 to 0.16, a storage modulus (100° C., 1% strain, 1 Hz) ranging from 2 to 2.5 MPa, and a tear strength (100° C.) ranging from 19 to 23 N; the undertread comprising a rubber composition comprising 100 phr of a rubber consisting of from 71 to 86 phr of polyisoprene rubber and from 14 to 29 phr of polybutadiene rubber; from 19 to 23 phr of silica; and from 29 to 36 phr of carbon black wherein the undertread has a tan delta (100° C., 10% strain, 1 Hz) ranging from 0.1 to 0.14, a storage modulus (100° C., 1% strain, 1 Hz) ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 MPa, and a tear strength (100° C.) ranging from 28 to 34.
US08701721B2	Container filling apparatus and method Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling flow of a flowable material. The flowable material passes from a product supply through one or more valves which are coupled to a controller. The controller is also coupled to one or more sensors operable to generate a signal indicating whether flowable product is present or not present at a specific level within a container. The controller is programmed to operate the valves based on signals received from the sensors. The sensors may be associated with the feed container and used to control metering of flowable product out of the feed container, or they may be associated with a container and used to control filling of the container with flowable product.
US08701720B2	Unit for filling containers, comprising an insulator, especially for a production installation A unit (10) for filling containers (14), includes an insulator (16) having a body (18) provided with an inlet (E) and an outlet (S), the structure (20) of the body (18) defining a space (V) forming an aseptic working region (22) and including insufflation elements (28) which are arranged in the upper part of the insulator (16) and are able to insufflate a sterile air flow for creating an overpressure inside the space (V). The insufflation elements (28) are arranged in the insulator (16) in such a way as to project a laminar-type flow (F) to lick the outer surface (44) of the containers (14), and the insulator (16) includes evacuation elements (48) which are separate from the inlet (E) and the outlet (S) and used to enable a controlled evacuation of the insufflated sterile air flow (F).
US08701717B2	Roadside repair kit for restoring tire bead integrity A sealing tube is wrapped around the rim and inflated such as to seal the gap between tire and rim if the seal between the tire bead and rim has lost its integrity. After this, the tire can be inflated to specified pressure at a slow rate using a portable compressor. The repair can be done at roadside on any vehicle using inflatable tires usually without demounting the wheel or even jacking up the defective wheel.
US08701708B2	Redundant oxygen supply for an aircraft A redundant gas supply or oxygen supply for an aircraft comprising two main lines and a group supply line that is connected to one consumer or to a multitude of consumers. In each case a connecting line connects the respective one main line to the group supply line. Flow limiters and nonreturn valves can be provided in the connecting lines.
US08701706B2	Valve arrangement Exemplary embodiments relate to a valve arrangement for actuating a piston cylinder arrangement, that includes a pilot control valve arrangement and a main control valve arrangement, wherein both the pilot control and main control valve arrangement include a 3/2-way valve as a pilot control valve and as a main control valve. Each valve has a control-pressure, high-pressure, and low-pressure connection. Said connections are connected to each other such that the main control valve is controlled via the control-pressure connection of the pilot control valve and the pressures on the control-pressure connection of the pilot control valve and the pressures on the control-pressure connection and on the high-pressure connection of both valves, are statically inverted relative to each other. The 3/2-way valves are designed as seat valves and are only hydraulically connected to each other.
US08701698B2	Device consisting of containers attached to a pallet for transporting hazardous materials The field of transporting hazardous materials and specifically to a pallet that holds containers for receiving a liquid, for example an organic peroxide, which, for safety reasons, can only be transported in small amounts. A device that includes 2 to 20, and preferably 2 to 10, containers attached onto a pallet, said containers being intended to contain a hazardous material in liquid form, the containers all having a volume greater than 100 L and preferably between 120 to 300 L.
US08701697B2	Pneumatic system A pneumatic system includes a first line, a second line, and a valve. The first line is configured to be connected to a container, and to convey a flow of gas from a source to the container. The second line is arranged co-axially with the first line and is in communication with gas in the container. The valve is connected in series with the first line, between the source and the container. Furthermore, the valve is in communication with the second line and is configured to control the flow of gas through the first line as a function of a characteristic of the gas in the container, as communicated by the second line.
US08701696B2	Device for the controlled supply of a liquid to a medical flow line A device for the controlled supply of a liquid within a medical flow line, includes a retaining body rotatable on an intermediate tubular connector arranged between a tubular inlet connector and a tubular outlet connector of a primary liquid and within which a bottle pierceable and containing a secondary liquid can be fitted. The retaining body includes a hollow piercing spike, rotation blocking means of the retaining body disengageable following insertion of the bottle, axial stop means of the inserted bottle, and progressive opening means of a flow passage from the hollow spike to a flow line of the primary liquid during the rotation of the retaining body with the bottle inserted therein from a first angular position of complete closure to a second angular position of complete opening.
US08701694B2	Mount for inlet check valve A fuel system includes a fuel tank filler neck associated with a fuel tank. The fuel tank filler neck includes a fill tube for receiving a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle and a fuel conductor interconnecting an interior region of the fuel tank and a passageway formed in the fill tube.
US08701689B2	Saddle shaped tent with portico Disclosed herein is a portico for saddle-shaped tents. The portico includes a drape that is suspended from the saddle-frame of the saddle-shaped tent. The portico also includes a portico-frame that has a horizontal beam, which beam is attached to the lower edge of the drape. The portico-frame may also include posts. In one embodiment of the invention, the portico acts as a joiner to join two adjacent saddle-shaped tents. The invention includes tents and compound tent-structures that incorporate the portico.
US08701687B2	Portable or fixed vehicle washing system A portable or fixed vehicle wash system that includes a collection tank having a floor and an opening. The wash system further includes a vehicle drive platform positioned above at least a portion of the opening of the collection tank. A water jet delivery system is positioned directly under the drive platform for delivering a cleansing amount of water to the vehicle. A two stage separation system that has a collection surface positioned beneath the drive platform, is in communication with the collection tank for depositing the collected water. The two stage separation system has a first large debris removal system and a second fine debris removal system. The first large debris removal system collects large debris from the collected water for removal from the collection tank, and the second fine debris removal system collects small debris suspended in the collected water after the collected water moves from the first large debris removal system to the second fine debris removal system.
US08701686B2	Flossing devices and methods of using same A device for flossing teeth comprises an elongate handle having a central axis. In addition, the device comprises a head including a pair of spaced apart posts and a base portion extending therebetween. Each post has a central axis. The central axis of each post is disposed in a plane that is oriented at an acute angle β in side view relative to a projection of the central axis of the handle. Further, the device comprises a neck extending between the handle and the base portion of the head. The device also comprises a strand of floss extending between the posts.
US08701678B2	Method for the continuous manufacture of smoking articles A method for the continuous manufacture of cigarillos and other smoking articles comprising a rod of smokable material and a wrapper of tobacco leaf material circumscribing the rod comprises: conveying an elongate web of tobacco leaf material along a pre-determined path; repeatedly severing the elongate web to form a succession of discrete wrappers; contacting each of the succession of discrete wrappers with a respective one of a succession of rods of smokable material; and convoluting the discrete wrappers around the rods of smokable material to form smoking articles. The method may further comprise cutting a plurality of polygonal tobacco leaf portions from at least one tobacco leaf; and tessellating the plurality of polygonal tobacco leaf portions to form the elongate web.
US08701675B1	Laser treatment for CNS injury Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for treating spinal cord injury. Techniques include using a diode laser assembly, a power source, a fiber optic cable, and a fenestrated tip. The power source can be connected to the diode laser assembly, with a fiber optic cable connected to the diode laser assembly. The fenestrated tip is connected to the fiber optic cable to emit a plurality of laser light beams produced by the diode laser assembly at a location remote from the diode laser assembly. The apparatus can be used in a method for treating a spinal cord injury. The method is carried out by providing a source of laser light having a wavelength in the range of 500-1000 nm and a power in the range of 5 to 500 milliwatts. The laser light is transmitted through an optical wire to a position adjacent a spinal cord injury site, with at least a portion of the apparatus positioned within a human body. The spinal cord injury site is then irradiated with laser light from the optical wire.
US08701670B2	Trackable occlusion device and catheter system An occlusion device and catheter delivery system are disclosed. The occlusion device may include an expandable member, an extended arm directly connected to the expandable member and extending distally therefrom, and a distal ball tip on a distal end of the extended arm. The extended arm and distal ball tip can function to steer the catheter delivery system when tracking through a body lumen to reach the target delivery site.
US08701669B2	Nasal cannula positioning device An apparatus for securing a nasal cannula comprising a pair of oxygen tube holders connected via a strap, the nasal cannula securing device being positionable behind the head of a patient and slightly below the patient's ears so as to secure the nasal cannula in place.
US08701660B2	Inhaler for powdery substances, in particular medicinal substances An inhaler for powdered, particularly medicinal substances, is formed with a suction air duct that extends to a mouthpiece, a reservoir for the substance, and an at least linearly movable dosing chamber for separating a specific amount of the substance from the reservoir and placing the amount into a transfer position from where it is transferred to a suction air flow. In order to charge the dosing chamber by separating a specific amount of substance from the reservoir, the dosing chamber can be rotationally moved in a superimposed fashion while being arranged eccentric to a corresponding axis of rotation. A closure slide element closes off the dosing chamber in the transfer position. When suction is applied, the closure slide element moves relative to the dipping plunger into a dose-release position, whereupon the dose of the powdered substance is transferred to the suction air stream formed in the suction air duct.
US08701654B2	Exercise mat and system for ensuring proper form and posture during exercise An exercise system preferably having a mat dimensioned to support a user stretched out on the floor. The mat has a central fastening band disposed widthwise across the mat. A belt fits around the midsection of the user adapted to be aligned with and at least partially adhere to the fastening band of the mat. The user is intended to perform certain flexibility exercises with the belt in contact with the fastening band. If the user lifts her midsection off of the mat during such exercises, the removal of the belt makes an audible noise (and the mat tugs on the user) to cue the user to reposition her body flat on the mat. The fastening band preferably includes one half of a hook-and-loop-type fastener and the belt comprises the other mating half. Alternatively, one or both of the band and belt may be provided with an adhesive material.
US08701652B2	Gas barbeque grill weather cover Gas barbeque grill weather cover systems are operable to shelter a gas barbeque grill from rainfall. An exemplary embodiment has a weather cover portion configured to be disposed above a cover portion of a gas barbeque grill and at least one support member with a first end configured to be secured to the weather cover portion and a second end configured to be secured to the gas barbeque grill cover portion. The weather cover portion is configured to substantially prevent rainfall becoming incident on an outer surface of the gas barbeque grill cover portion.
US08701649B2	Portable grill A portable grill may be provided. The portable grill may be quickly assembled and dissembled. The portable grill may be transported in a portable case. The portable grill may support a grill surface or skewers. The portable grill may comprise an adjustable ventilation mechanism.
US08701648B2	Block splitter assembly and method of producing wall blocks The invention provides a block splitter assembly comprising first lower and second upper opposed splitter blade assemblies. The splitter blade assemblies have a splitting blade and two or more first forming blades. One forming blade is disposed to the right of and one forming blade is disposed to the left of the first splitting blade. The forming blades have forming edges. The splitting blade has a splitting edge that is straight, and the splitting blade has a greater maximum vertical dimension than the maximum vertical dimension of the forming blades. The splitting edge of the first splitting blade is opposed to the splitting edge of the second splitting blade.
US08701647B2	Block splitter assembly and method of producing wall blocks The invention provides a block splitter assembly comprising first lower and second upper opposed splitter blade assemblies. The splitter blade assemblies have a splitting blade and two or more first forming blades. One forming blade is disposed to the right of and one forming blade is disposed to the left of the first splitting blade. The forming blades have forming edges. The splitting blade has a splitting edge that is straight, and the splitting blade has a greater maximum vertical dimension than the maximum vertical dimension of the forming blades. The splitting edge of the first splitting blade is opposed to the splitting edge of the second splitting blade.
US08701646B2	System and method for cutting ceramic ware Cutting and grinding of ceramic-type logs to a desired piece length is disclosed. A method of manufacturing ceramic ware is disclosed which comprises transversely cutting a piece from a ceramic-type log having a longitudinal axis by cutting into the log with a blade at a location along the length of the log to form a cut transverse surface on the piece and grinding the cut transverse surface with a side of the blade. An apparatus for manufacturing ceramic ware is also disclosed comprising means for transversely cutting a piece from a ceramic-type log having a longitudinal axis, including a blade for cutting into the log at a location along the length of the log to form a cut transverse surface on the piece, and means for grinding the cut transverse surface with a side of the blade.
US08701645B2	Archery bow stabilizer An archery bow stabilizer that balances an archery bow and generally inhibits roll, pitch and/or yaw of the bow when the bow is held, drawn, or shot by an archer. The stabilizer can include an optional mounting bracket that mounts to the riser of an archery bow, one or more mounting arms, and one or more stabilizing rods joined with the arms via clamping elements. The rods can be movable forward and rearward relative to the mounting bracket and/or riser to provide a variety of weight adjustment and distribution capabilities. Optional weights can be joined with ends of the rods to provide further weight adjustment and distribution.
US08701643B2	Fall away arrow rest system The present invention is directed to a fall away arrow rest system for use with a bow. The arrow rest system includes a launcher that is adapted to support a shaft of an arrow prior to the firing of the arrow. Upon the firing of the arrow, the launcher rotates from an upright position to a lowered position in order to move out of the way by the time the tail region of the arrow passes by the launcher. The arrow rest includes a activator body with a locking component to releasably secure the launcher in a lowered position in order to substantially eliminate any bounce back of the launcher and possibility that it may contact the arrow after the arrow is fired.
US08701638B2	Method for igniting a fuel-air mixture of a combustion chamber, particularly in an internal combustion engine by generating a corona discharge The invention relates to a method for igniting a fuel-air mixture in an internal combustion engine. An electric transformer excites an oscillating circuit connected to a secondary winding of the transformer. A capacitor is formed by an ignition electrode together with the wall of a combustion chamber through which it extends. The excitation of the oscillating circuit is controlled by generating a corona discharge igniting the fuel-air mixture. Before each ignition time the voltage applied to a primary winding of the transformer is incrementally increased, and the intensity of the current flowing in the primary winding is measured repeatedly at the same primary voltage. The variation of the values of the related primary current is determined, and the incremental increase in the primary voltage is aborted at a value thereof at which the variation of the primary current intensity reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit.
US08701635B2	Supercharger system for motorized vehicles and related transportation A supercharger system is disclosed herein having a front end, a rear end, an inlet and an outlet, the system contained within a housing, wherein the supercharger system includes a rotor assembly, and a plurality of intake runners that comprise an interlaced cross-runner pattern, wherein the supercharger system comprises a front drive, front inlet configuration and an inverted orientation.
US08701629B2	Internal-combustion-engine combustion state detecting apparatus There is provided a combustion state detecting apparatus capable of detecting combustion-state abnormality in an internal combustion engine. A comparison timing is set to be advanced in terms of the rotation angle of the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine with respect to the ending timing of an electric quantity based on an ion that occurs when ignition is performed normally through a predetermined ignition signal among the plurality of ignition signals; in the case where, as a result of the comparison between the detected ending timing of an electric quantity based on an ion and the comparison timing, the ending timing is advanced in terms of the rotation angle of the crankshaft with respect to the comparison timing, it is determined that the combustion based on ignition through the predetermined ignition signal is abnormal.
US08701628B2	Internal combustion engine control for improved fuel efficiency A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines are described. In some aspects, methods and arrangements are described for operating an engine in a throttled skip fire mode. In other aspects, methods and arrangements are described for controlling the operational state of a variable displacement engine.
US08701627B2	Arrangement and method for efficient combustion of fuel in a combustion engine In a combustion space of a combustion engine, an inlet valve to supplies a gaseous medium which contains oxygen to the combustion space. A movable piston to compress the gaseous medium in the combustion spaces. An injector injects fuel in the combustion space in a jet which comprises a multiplicity of small fuel drops. The injector injects fuel in the combustion space at such a high initial velocity that the fuel injected in the jet mixes with the gaseous medium to form a substantially homogeneous mixture before the mixture has been decelerated to a velocity at which the fuel ignites and burns. Devices may cool the gaseous medium and the fuel before entry into the combustion space.
US08701626B2	Gasoline direct injection engine A gasoline direct injection engine that has an injector directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, a spark plug, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve and generates power by reciprocating a piston in a cylinder, may include a cavity formed on a piston head and returning some flow of the fuel injected from the injector to the intake valve, and a channel formed around the cavity.
US08701620B2	Seal assembly for an internal combustion engine An improved oil and gas seal assembly for an internal combustion engine that includes a scraper ring retained within an annular containment groove that, in several embodiments, is formed in the side wall of the cylinder and sized to allow the scraper ring to be fitted therein. The depth of the annular containment groove is sufficient to allow the scraper ring to be expanded during assembly with the piston and during engine operation when the assembly is exposed to vibration and heat variations. A resilient element surrounds the scraper ring within the annular containment groove in order to apply inward forces to the scraper ring and keep it in contact with the movable piston skirt side wall, and also in contact with at least one wall of the groove to prevent an alternative migration path for oil or combustion gases.
US08701618B2	Piston/piston ring arrangement A piston/piston ring arrangement for an internal combustion engine has a piston that is provided with at least one piston ring accommodated in a ring groove, which ring has a ring gap. A spring element is disposed between the groove root of the ring groove and the piston ring, which element fills the ring gap of the piston ring. A modular unit is composed of such a piston/piston ring arrangement and a cylinder or a cylinder sleeve of an internal combustion engine.
US08701617B2	Combustion chamber promoting increased air induction flow A combustion chamber for an internal combustion engine, adapted to promote induction air flow. The combustion chamber has a bulge located near an intake valve head. The bulge projects away from the piston and forms that part of the combustion chamber farthest from the piston. Slope of the walls of the bulge is greater than the angle of the head of the intake valve relative to the deck of the engine block, in engines having separate cylinder heads. The bulge is curved so as to make seamless transition with the cylinder wall at that portion away of the bulge which is distant from the intake valve.
US08701614B2	Glowplug temperature estimation method and device A method is provided for controlling one or more glowplugs in a compression-ignition engine. The controlling of the glowplug involves the prediction of a glow plug temperature to control a power supply to the glowplug. A supplied power to a glowplug and a combustion chamber temperature is determined. A temperature of the glowplug is predicted and the predicted glowplug temperature is used to control a power supply to the glowplug. The predicted glowplug temperature is derived from a numerical solution of a differential equation for the glowplug temperature. The differential equation is nonlinear in the glowplug temperature.
US08701609B2	Camshaft having a sliding piece which has different cam profiles A camshaft assembly has a rotationally drivable basic camshaft and at least one sliding piece which is mounted in the basic camshaft and can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the latter, the sliding piece having at least one cam pack with at least two cams with different cam profiles, and having a switching device which has a switch guide plate for displacing the at least one sliding piece into different switching positions of the cams. It is provided in a camshaft of this type that the switching device has a switching shaft which can be rotated about the rotational axis of the basic camshaft with a switch guide plate which has a slotted-guide track, and a slotted-guide pin which is connected to the sliding piece and engages into the slotted-guide track.
US08701605B2	Spark ignition type internal combustion engine A spark ignition type internal combustion engine of the present invention is provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio, a variable valve timing mechanism able to control a closing timing of an intake valve, and a supercharger. At the time of engine low load operation, the mechanical compression ratio is made higher compared with at the time of engine high load operation. At the time of engine medium load operation, the supercharging action of the supercharger is used to make the pressure inside the intake pipe rise so that the intake air amount fed into a combustion chamber is increased, compared with at the time of engine low load operation, and the mechanical compression ratio is lowered to make the actual compression ratio fall.
US08701601B2	Wander restraint Apparatus for a child or an animal, comprising: a wearable item configured to be secured around the body and arms limbs of a child or an animal. The wearable item comprises a pocket presenting a first aperture and a second aperture, and a leash having a first end secured within a housing and a second end secured to a handle. The housing is configured to be removably received within the pocket through the first aperture, and the handle is configured to be passed from within the pocket through the second aperture.
US08701600B2	Radial-shape wireless dog fence system and method with reduced clock speed variation between base unit and collar A radial-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system includes a base unit and at least one collar, and is easy to set up and use. Each of the base unit and the one collar include a component for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/−5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.
US08701595B2	Pet food dispenser A pet food dispenser comprising a lid and a hopper bin. The lid fits over a loading opening of the hopper bin. A main section includes a base, and the main section includes a base cover having a hopper funnel and a hopper recess. An auger assembly has an intake opening and an output opening, and the auger assembly is removably cradled in the hopper recess. When the auger assembly is operating, an auger blade is formed as a helical screw that drives articles from the intake opening to the output opening. A motor mount has a motor, and the motor is mechanically connected to the auger assembly to drive the auger assembly. The motor mount is connected to the base. A microprocessor controls actuation of the motor.
US08701590B2	Spray nozzle assembly for gas dynamic cold spray and method of coating a substrate with a high temperature coating The invention relates to an improved design for a spray gun and application system for cold gas dynamic spraying. The gun includes a rear housing comprising a powder inlet and a gas inlet, a front housing removably affixed to the rear housing and comprising an mixing cavity therein for mixing of the powder and gas and an exit therefrom, a nozzle holder having a bore disposed therethrough and removably affixed to the front housing, and a polymeric nozzle positioned within the nozzle holder, an interior taper of the nozzle holder bore complementing an exterior taper of the nozzle. The nozzle having an initially converging, subsequently diverging centrally disposed bore therein adapted to receive the mixed powder and gas from the mixing chamber and the nozzle holder including a cooling jacket which is thermally coupled to the nozzle adjacent the nozzle inlet and mechanically coupled downstream of the nozzle inlet.
US08701589B2	Tire dressing distribution system A tire dressing applicator comprises a support and one or more foam plastic elements mounted on the support so as to contact a tire sidewall and transfer dressing onto the tire sidewall. A distribution system drips or drizzles dressing onto the element(s) after which it is spread over and into the element(s) surface. The elements can be toroidal or rectangular and have anti-distortion pins embedded therein.
US08701586B2	Magnetic wear saving device A magnetic wear saving device including a resilient member and a magnetic member for protecting a wear surface on a material handling device. The magnetic wear saving device further including a release means provided within a bore formed through and along the central axes of the resilient member and the magnetic member for removing the magnetic wear saving device from the wear surface of the material handling device. There may be a single shear plate with several recesses for the magnetic wear saving devices, or the wear surface of the equipment itself may be integrally formed with recesses for the magnetic wear saving devices.
US08701584B2	Unmanned underwater vehicle and method for operating an unmanned underwater vehicle The invention relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle having at least one sensor unit (7) which can be used to acquire sensor information (8) relating to objects in the area surrounding the underwater vehicle (1). The invention also relates to a method for operating the unmanned underwater vehicle (1). In order to sense structures and contours of objects under water as quickly and accurately as possible, the invention provides for the at least one sensor unit (7) to be arranged such that it can be moved in a tangential direction (12) of the underwater vehicle, that is to say tangentially with respect to the longitudinal axis (14) of the underwater vehicle (1) or an axis running parallel to the longitudinal axis, and can be positioned in the circumferential direction (12) by a positioning device (13) to which the sensor information (8) can be specified.
US08701583B2	Hydrofoil-assisted multi-hulled watercraft A catamaran (10) has two spaced demihulls (12) which are connected by an upper superstructure above the waterline. The catamaran (10) includes a main hydrofoil (26) extending between the demihulls at keel level slightly forward of the longitudinal center of gravity LCG (22) of the catamaran. Each demihull (12) defines an aft swept step formation (28) located slightly forward of the LCG (22) and extending transversely relative to a longitudinal center line CL defined between the demihulls. Each step formation (28) defines a step extending along a straight line and having a height dimension which tapers from an inner position at the keel (18) of the hull towards an outer position at the chine (20) of the hull. Each demihull defines a planing region immediately in front of the step formation (28), which has a concave hydrodynamic profile configured to generate lift on a wetted area of the hull.
US08701579B2	Offshore wind turbine installation An offshore wind turbine installation vessel, wherein the wind turbine is of the type to be installed on a foundation that is installed on the seabed prior to the installation of the wind turbine on the foundation, wherein the wind turbine is of the type with a vertical mast to be fitted with its lower end onto the foundation, wherein the vessel includes a non-jack-up type floating hull; and a crane structure extending upward from said hull. The crane structure is provided with a hoisting device having one or more wind turbine suspension elements and a wind turbine engagement device supported by the suspension elements and adapted to engage with said wind turbine. The hoisting device is adapted to support and to raise and lower in controllable manner at least the mast of the wind turbine while in vertical orientation.
US08701578B2	Digital garment using embroidery technology and fabricating method thereof Disclosed is a digital garment using embroidery technology. In the digital garment, a digital embroidery pattern is formed on a common garment to provide a communication path, an antenna pattern, etc. The digital garment comprises a garment made of a textile and having one side and the other side opposite to each other, a digital embroidery pattern formed along the inner or outer surface of the garment using embroidery technology to provide a communication path to the garment, a sensor attached to the garment and electrically connected to the digital embroidery pattern to convert physical signals to electrical signals, an arithmetic unit attached to the garment and electrically connected to the digital embroidery pattern to process the electrical signals inputted from the sensor, and a communication module attached to the garment and electrically connected to the digital embroidery pattern to perform wireless communication. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating the digital garment using embroidery technology.
US08701574B2	Method and apparatus for applying a minimum flow of anhydrous ammonia at targeted rates due to limitations existing in current distribution/delivery The invention provides an apparatus and method for enabling at least a minimum pressure and flow rate of stored NH3 from a storage tank to knives for injection into soil, regardless of ambient temperature. A pressure sensor and control valve monitors the pressure of the NH3 flow. If the sensed pressure drops below a desired minimum, e.g., 0.5 psi, a controller drives the control valve to open and also signals ramping up of a boost pump. The boost pump pumps NH3 from the storage tank to ensure maintenance of a minimum flow rate and pressure of NH3 from the tank to the soil. The pump runs on-demand only as needed, thereby reducing power requirements when the pump is not needed to supplement NH3 tank pressure.
US08701573B2	Gasification combustion system A two stage refuse gasification combustion system for processing refuse is disclosed. The system may contain features such as an advancer, a first and second gasifier, a drier, a gas regulator, and a post combustor. Additionally, methods for regulating gas and advancing refuse through a two stage refuse gasification combustion system are disclosed.
US08701571B2	Transport pallet A rectangular pallet that is symmetrical about its two major axes. The pallet comprises a first plastics shell and a second plastics shell. The first plastics shell is formed with a flat rim, nine or more ground engaging feet subtending below the level of the rim, the feet being arranged in respective parallel spaced apart beams extending from front to back. The first plastics shell also has plural channels running from side to side intersecting the beams running from front to back to define the feet. The second plastics shell is essentially flat and formed with a flat rim. An internal network of partitions extends between the first and second plastics shells. The rims of the first and second plastics shells are sealed to each other to form a clam and to enclose the network of partitions within the clam. In other aspects, the invention concerns a method and a system for forming the pallet.
US08701566B2	Railcar A railcar that includes an underframe, a front surface frame located at a front surface portion of a carbody and having a lower end portion coupled to the underframe, and a buffer member coupled to the front surface frame and extending toward a vehicle interior side. Then, the buffer member is provided at a position higher than the underframe.
US08701565B2	System and method for powered railcar doors In one embodiment, a system includes a first door assembly operable to at least partially cover an opening of a rail car. The system also includes an actuator. A first common linkage is coupled to the actuator and is operable to reciprocally move in a longitudinal direction relative to the actuator. In particular embodiments, a first secondary linkage is coupled to the first common linkage and is coupled to an exterior surface of the first door assembly, wherein the first secondary linkage cooperates with the first common linkage to move the first door assembly between an open position and a closed position over the top hatch of the rail car.
US08701559B2	Energy harvesting power sources for detecting target impact of a munition A method for detecting a target impact of the munition. The method including: providing the munition with a power supply having a piezoelectric material for generating power from an axial vibration induced by the munition; monitoring an output from the power supply; and determining if the munition has axially impacted a target based on the output.
US08701558B2	Miniature safe and arm (S and A) mechanisms for fuzing of gravity dropped small weapons A device for enabling safe/arm functionality in a gravity dropped weapon detachably connected to an airframe. The device including: an elastic element disposed in a shell of the weapon; a releasable connection between the weapon and the airframe to release a stored and/or generated energy in the elastic element; and a piezoelectric member connected to one end of the elastic member for converting the one or more of the stored and generated energy to an electrical energy. Wherein the releasable connection includes: a link having a movable connection for movement of the link relative to the shell between a first position constraining the elastic element from movement and a second position releasing the elastic member to generate the electrical energy; and a lanyard for tethering the link to the airframe such that the link is moved to the second position upon the weapon being released from the airframe.
US08701555B2	Tension head for modular steel strapping machine A self-actuating tension head for a strapping machine includes a body defining a strap path, a drive wheel, a tension wheel a fixed distance from the drive wheel and a pinch wheel. The strap path extends between the tension and pinch wheels. A first link operably connects the drive and tension wheels and defines a first pivot arm that is pivotable about the drive wheel axis of rotation. A second link operably connects the tension and pinch wheels and defines a second pivot arm that is pivotable about the pinch wheel axis and movable along the second pivot arm to move the tension wheel into and out of engagement with the pinch wheel. The first and second pivot arms define an energizing angle therebetween that decreases as the tension wheel is moved into engagement with the pinch wheel and increases as the tension wheel is moved out of engagement with the pinch wheel.
US08701545B2	Rotation device In a rotation device using a hydraulic actuator, a rotation angle range is increased. A placement member rotatably coupled to a rotary member has a projecting part on an upper face. A hydraulic actuator is arranged on a projecting face of the projecting part; the actuator and the rotary member coupled with a wire material. The projecting part is formed such that it becomes higher from a leading edge on the side of the rotary member to an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction, and becomes lower from the intermediate portion to a trailing edge. Thereby, when fluid is supplied to the actuator and shortens the actuator length, a tip of the actuator moves along the projecting face of the projecting part, and is located high, separated from the upper face of the placement member such that the rotation angle range of the rotary member becomes large.
US08701544B2	Furniture providing ballistic defense shield The present invention is directed to the initial construction of furniture having bullet-proof and/or bullet-resistant properties, and methods for manufacturing furniture providing ballistic defense shielding using soft armor and hard armor material components. Soft armor and hard armor require an area of flexibility or expansion to work effectively when struck by a projectile. If these materials are completely restricted their effectiveness is diminished. With the unique design of this application both the soft armor and hard armor are affixed to the interior and/or exterior surfaces of furniture allowing the flexibility or expansion required for maximum protection. The unique design may also be applied to retro-fit panels and/or frames comprising soft armor or hard armor material components to be attached to the exterior and/or interior surfaces of existing furniture.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10