最新美国发明专利第2014-09-23期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08841231B2	Process for the preparation of palladium-based catalysts and use of said catalysts in selective hydrogenation The invention concerns a novel process for the preparation of supported metallic catalysts in which the metallic phase is deposited in the form of agglomerates of nanoparticles of metallic oxide and forms a layer of fine thickness at the surface of the support. The process for the preparation of a catalyst comprises preparing in aqueous phase a colloidal suspension of agglomerates of nanoparticles of metallic oxide, then depositing that suspension on a porous support, drying the catalyst precursor obtained, and optionally calcining and reducing the precursor by means of any reducing compound. The invention also concerns the catalysts obtained by said process and their uses in reactions for the transformation of unsaturated organic compounds. The invention is applied to the refining field and more particularly to the treatment of gasolines obtained by steam cracking and/or obtained by catalytic cracking.
US08841229B2	Process for the preparation of fischer-tropsche catalysts and their use A process for preparing a catalyst precursor includes, in a first preparation step, impregnating a particulate catalyst support with an organic metal compound in a carrier liquid. The metal of the organic metal compound is an active catalyst component. An impregnated intermediate is formed, and is calcined to obtain a calcined intermediate. Thereafter, in a second preparation step, the calcined intermediate from the first preparation step is impregnated with an inorganic metal salt in a carrier liquid. The metal of the inorganic metal salt is an active catalyst component. An impregnated support is obtained, and is calcined, to obtain the catalyst precursor. The metal is in particular cobalt. The precursor is reduced, in particular with hydrogen, to obtain the active catalyst. Also claimed is a process for the hydrogenation of CO, as well as a process for the hydrogenation of an organic compound using the so-prepared catalyst.
US08841226B2	Dielectric ceramic composition A dielectric ceramic composition includes a component represented by composition formula {α(xBaO.yNd2O3.zTiO2)+β(2MgO.SO2)} as a main component and zinc oxide, boron oxide, and a glass having a softening point equal to or lower than a certain temperature as minor components with respect to the main component. In the dielectric ceramic composition, x, y, and z that respectively represent molar ratios of BaO, Nd2O3, and TiO2 are in certain ranges and α and β that represent volume ratios of subcomponents (xBaO.yNd2O3.zTiO2 and 2MgO.SiO2) in the main component are in certain ranges. When the minor components are respectively represented by aZnO, bB2O3, and cglass, a, b, and c that represent mass ratios of the respective minor components to the main component are in certain ranges.
US08841223B2	Dental ceramic article, process for production and use thereof The invention describes a dental article comprising zirconium oxide and at least two different coloring substances A and B, substance A showing a light emission in the range of about 470 nm to about 510 nm and substance B showing a light absorption in the range from about 520 nm to about 750 nm. The invention also relates to different processes of producing the dental article e.g. by a process comprising a casting step, a pressing step, or an infiltration step and to the use of certain compositions containing either substance A or substance B for producing such a dental article.
US08841222B2	Glass fiber There is provided a glass fiber comprising the SiO2 content is 57.0 to 63.0% by weight; the Al2O3 content is 19.0 to 23.0% by weight; the MgO content is 10.0 to 15.0% by weight; the CaO content is 4.0 to 11.0% by weight; and the total content of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO and CaO is 99.5% by weight or higher based on the total weight.
US08841220B2	Gallium nitride based semiconductor light-emitting element, light source, and method for forming unevenness structure The light extraction surface of a nitride semiconductor light-emitting element, including a crystal plane other than a c plane, is subjected to a surface modification process to control its wettability, and then covered with a layer of fine particles. By etching that layer of fine particles after that, an unevenness structure, in which roughness curve elements have an average length (RSm) of 150 nm to 800 nm, is formed on the light extraction surface.
US08841219B2	Lithography processes utilizing extreme ultraviolet rays and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same Lithography processes are provided. The lithography process includes installing a reticle masking (REMA) part having a REMA open region in a lithography apparatus, loading a reticle including at least one reticle chip region in which circuit patterns are disposed into the lithography apparatus, and sequentially exposing a first wafer field, which includes a first chip region corresponding to the reticle chip region, and a second wafer field, which includes a second chip region corresponding to the reticle chip region, of a wafer to rays using the reticle and the REMA part to transfer images of the circuit patterns onto the wafer. An edge boundary of the REMA open region transferred on the first wafer field is located on a scribe lane region between the first and second chip regions while the first wafer field is exposed. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the lithography process are also provided.
US08841217B1	Chemical sensor with protruded sensor surface In one implementation, a chemical sensor is described. The chemical sensor includes a chemically-sensitive field effect transistor including a floating gate conductor having an upper surface. A dielectric material defines an opening extending to the upper surface of the floating gate conductor. A conductive element on a sidewall of the opening and extending over an upper surface of the dielectric material.
US08841215B2	Polishing agent, compound semiconductor manufacturing method, and semiconductor device manufacturing method Afforded are a polishing agent, and a compound semiconductor manufacturing method and semiconductor device manufacturing method utilizing the agent, whereby the surface quality of compound semiconductor substrates can be favorably maintained, and high polishing rates can be sustained as well. The polishing agent is a polishing agent for GaαIn(1-α)AsβP(1-β) (0≦α≦1; 0≦β≦1) compound semiconductors, and includes an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal organic salt, a chlorine-based oxidizer, and an alkali metal phosphate, wherein the sum of the concentrations of the alkali metal carbonate and the alkali metal organic salt is between 0.01 mol/L and 0.02 mol/L, inclusive. The compound semiconductor manufacturing method comprises a step of preparing a GaαIn(1-α)AsβP(1-β) (0≦α≦1; 0≦β≦1) compound semiconductor, and a step of polishing the face of the compound semiconductor utilizing an aforedescribed polishing agent.
US08841210B1	Semiconductor device manufacturing method and semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: forming a film to be a first metal layer on a substrate where an element portion is formed; forming a first insulating layer provided with an opening on the film to be the first metal layer; forming a second metal layer in the opening of the first insulating layer; eliminating the first insulating layer; eliminating the film to be the first metal layer with the second metal layer used as a mask so as to form the first metal layer; and forming an electrode portion by covering exposed surfaces of the first metal layer and the second metal layer with a third metal layer including a metal of a smaller ionization tendency than the metal of the second metal layer.
US08841205B2	Manufacturing method and apparatus for semiconductor device A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device, comprising: performing first processing on a plurality of wafers in a first processing order in a first processing apparatus; obtaining a processed amount with respect to each of the plurality of wafers in the first processing; obtaining a processed amount with respect to each of the plurality of wafers by second processing in a second processing apparatus after the first processing; deciding a second processing order, which is different from the first processing order, from the processed amount with respect to each of the plurality of wafers by the first processing and the processed amount with respect to each of the plurality of wafers by the second processing; and performing the second processing on the plurality of wafers in the second processing order in the second processing apparatus.
US08841202B2	Method of producing a hybrid substrate by partial recrystallization of a mixed layer A method of producing a hybrid substrate includes preparing a monocrystalline first substrate to obtain two surface portions. A temporary substrate is prepared including a mixed layer along which extends one surface portion and is formed of first areas and adjacent different second areas of amorphous material, the second areas forming at least part of the free surface of the first substrate. The first substrate is bonded to the other surface portion with the same crystal orientation as the first surface portion, by molecular bonding over at least the amorphous areas. A solid phase recrystallization of at least part of the amorphous areas according to the crystal orientation of the first substrate is selectively carried and the two surface portions are separated.
US08841201B2	Systems and methods for post-bonding wafer edge seal A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. A first substrate is arranged over a second substrate. A wafer bonding process is performed on the semiconductor device. First regions of the device are enclosed by the bonding process. Second regions of the device remain exposed. One or more processes are performed on the exposed second regions, after performing the wafer bonding process. The one or more processes include a fill process that forms a fill material within the exposed second regions. An edge seal material is applied on the first and second substrates after performing the one or more processes.
US08841199B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes preparing a substrate having a transistor region and an alignment region, forming a first trench and a second trench in the substrate of the transistor region and in the substrate of the alignment region, respectively, forming a drift region in the substrate of the transistor region, forming two third trenches respectively adjacent to two ends of the drift region, and forming an isolation pattern in the first trench, a buried dielectric pattern in the second trench, and dielectric patterns in the two third trenches, respectively. A depth of the first trench is less than a depth of the third trenches, and the depth of the first trench is equal or substantially equal to a depth of the second trench.
US08841198B2	Isolation layer having a bilayer structure for a semiconductor device and method for forming the same An isolation layer of a semiconductor device and a process for forming the same is described herein. The isolation layer includes a trench that is defined and formed in a semiconductor substrate. A first liner nitride layer is formed on the surface of the trench and a flowable insulation layer is formed in the trench including the first liner nitride layer. The flowable insulation layer is formed such to define a recess in the trench. A second liner nitride layer is formed on the recess including the flowable insulation layer and the first liner nitride layer. Finally, an insulation layer is formed in the recess on the second liner nitride layer to completely fill the trench.
US08841188B2	Bulk finFET with controlled fin height and high-K liner A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a material stack on a semiconductor substrate, the material stack including a first dielectric layer on the substrate, a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer, wherein the second dielectric layer is a high-k dielectric. Openings are formed through the material stack to expose a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor material is formed in the openings through the material stack. The first dielectric layer is removed selectively to the second dielectric layer and the semiconductor material. A gate structure is formed on a channel portion of the semiconductor material. In some embodiments, the method may provide a plurality of finFET or trigate semiconductor device in which the fin structures of those devices have substantially the same height.
US08841187B2	Semiconductor device and method for fabricating semiconductor device Disclosed is a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The method for fabricating the semiconductor device comprises steps of: forming a side cliff in a substrate in accordance with a gate mask pattern, the side cliff being substantially vertical to a substrate surface; forming a dielectric layer on the substrate that comprises the side cliff; etching the dielectric layer to have the dielectric layer left only on the side cliff, as a dielectric wall; and burying the side cliff by a substrate growth, the burying is performed up to a level higher than the upper end of the dielectric wall.
US08841186B2	Manufacturing of a semiconductor device and corresponding semiconductor device The disclosed method of manufacturing (110, 120, 130, 140) a semiconductor device (12) has the steps (112, 114, 116) of: forming at least one wall (33) of a body (44) of the semiconductor device (12) by etching at least one trench (22) for a gate (42) of the semiconductor device (12) into the body (44); and performing a slanted implantation doping (126, 128) into the at least one wall (33) of the body (44), after the etching (112) of the at least one trench (22) and prior to coating the at least one trench (22) with an insulating layer (29). A semiconductor device (12) comprises at least one trench (22) for a gate (42) of the semiconductor device (12); and a body (44) having at least one wall (33) of the at least one trench (22), wherein a deviation (64) of a doping concentration (62) along a distance (66) in depth-direction (do) of the at least one trench (22) in a surface (33) of the at least one wall (33) is less than ten percent of a maximum value (68) of the doping concentration (62) along the distance (66).
US08841182B1	Silane and borane treatments for titanium carbide films Methods of treating metal-containing thin films, such as films comprising titanium carbide, with a silane/borane agent are provided. In some embodiments a film including titanium carbide is deposited on a substrate by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The process may include a plurality of deposition cycles involving alternating and sequential pulses of a first source chemical that includes titanium and at least one halide ligand, a second source chemical that includes metal and carbon, where the metal and the carbon from the second source chemical are incorporated into the thin film, and a third source chemical, where the third source chemical is a silane or borane that at least partially reduces oxidized portions of the titanium carbide layer formed by the first and second source chemicals. The treatment can form a capping layer on the metal carbide film.
US08841181B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device and PMOS device fabricated by the method A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A gate layer, a C-doped first protective layer and a hard mask layer are formed on a substrate and then patterned to form a first stack in a first area and a second stack in a second area. A second protective layer is formed on the sidewalls of the first and the second stacks. A blocking layer is formed in the first area and a first spacer formed on the sidewall of the second protective layers on the sidewall of the second stack in the second area. A semiconductor compound is formed in the substrate beside the first spacer. The blocking layer and the first spacer are removed. The hard mask layer in the first stack and the second stack is removed.
US08841175B2	Vertical trench IGBT and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a vertical trench IGBT includes: forming a body layer of a second conductivity type on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; forming a trench passing through the body layer; forming a trench gate in the trench via a gate insulating film; forming a polysilicon film containing an impurity of a first conductivity type on the body layer; diffusing the impurity from the polysilicon film into the body layer to form an emitter layer of a first conductivity type on the body layer; and forming a collector layer of a second conductivity type on a lower surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08841174B1	Silicon controlled rectifier with integral deep trench capacitor Device structures and design structures that include a silicon controlled rectifier, as well as fabrication methods for such device structures. A well is formed in the device layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A silicon controlled rectifier is formed that includes an anode in the well. A deep trench capacitor is formed that includes a plate coupled with the well. The plate of the deep trench capacitor extends from the device layer through a buried insulator layer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate and into a handle wafer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate.
US08841173B2	Integrated circuit packaging system with leadframe lead array routing and method of manufacture thereof A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a leadframe with a grid lead and a support pad; connecting a redistribution layer to the grid lead, the redistribution layer over the support pad; mounting an integrated circuit over the redistribution layer; applying an encapsulation on the redistribution layer, the redistribution layer in an interior area of the leadframe and the interior area under the integrated circuit; forming a support pad residue on the bottom surface of the redistribution layer by removing the support pad under the encapsulation and the interior redistribution layer; and forming an insulation layer on the support pad residue and the grid lead.
US08841169B2	High density chip packages, methods of forming, and systems including same Methods and devices for multi-chip stacks are shown. A method is shown that assembles multiple chips into stacks by stacking wafers prior to dicing into individual chips. Methods shown provide removal of defective chips and their replacement during the assembly process to improve manufacturing yield.
US08841163B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device comprising oxide semiconductor A semiconductor device for high power application in which a novel semiconductor material having high mass productivity is provided. An oxide semiconductor film is formed, and then, first heat treatment is performed on the exposed oxide semiconductor film in order to reduce impurities such as moisture or hydrogen in the oxide semiconductor film. Next, in order to further reduce impurities such as moisture or hydrogen in the oxide semiconductor film, oxygen is added to the oxide semiconductor film by an ion implantation method, an ion doping method, or the like, and after that, second heat treatment is performed on the exposed oxide semiconductor film.
US08841162B2	Germanium photodetector A method for forming a photodetector device includes forming an insulator layer on a substrate, forming a germanium (Ge) layer on the insulator layer and a portion of the substrate, forming a second insulator layer on the Ge layer, patterning the Ge layer, forming a capping insulator layer on the second insulator layer and a portion of the first insulator layer, heating the device to crystallize the Ge layer resulting in an single crystalline Ge layer, implanting n-type ions in the single crystalline Ge layer, heating the device to activate n-type ions in the single crystalline Ge layer, and forming electrodes electrically connected to the single crystalline n-type Ge layer.
US08841161B2	Method for forming flexible solar cells The invention provides for a semiconductor wafer with a metal support element suitable for the formation of a flexible or sag tolerant photovoltaic cell. A method for forming a photovoltaic cell may comprise providing a semiconductor wafer have a thickness greater than 150 μm, the wafer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first and etching the semiconductor wafer a first time so that the first etching reduces the thickness of the semiconductor wafer to less than 150 μm. After the wafer has been etched a first time, a metal support element may be constructed on or over the first surface; and a photovoltaic cell may be fabricated, wherein the semiconductor wafer comprises the base of the photovoltaic cell.
US08841160B2	Methods for producing chalcopyrite compound thin films for solar cells using multi-stage paste coating Disclosed are methods for producing chalcopyrite compound (e.g., copper indium selenide (CIS), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), copper indium sulfide (CIS) or copper indium gallium sulfide (CIGS)) thin films. The methods are based on solution processes, such as printing, particularly, multi-stage coating of pastes or inks of precursors having different physical properties. Chalcopyrite compound thin films produced by the methods can be used as light-absorbing layers for thin-film solar cells. The use of the chalcopyrite compound thin films enables the fabrication of thin-film solar cells with improved efficiency at low costs.
US08841154B2	Method of manufacturing field effect type compound semiconductor device Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a field effect type compound semiconductor device in which leakage current of a device is decreased and breakdown voltage is enhanced. The method of manufacturing a field effect type compound semiconductor device includes: stacking an active layer and an ohmic layer on a substrate and forming a first oxide layer on the ohmic layer; forming a mesa region in predetermined regions of the first oxide layer, the ohmic layer, and the active layer; planarizing the mesa region after forming a nitride layer by evaporating a nitride on the mesa region; forming an ohmic electrode on the first oxide layer; forming a minute gate resist pattern after forming a second oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate in which the ohmic electrode is formed and forming a minute gate pattern having a under-cut shaped profile by dry-etching the first oxide layer, the nitride layer, and the second oxide layer; forming a gate recess region by forming a head pattern of a gamma gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate; and forming the gamma gate electrode by evaporating refractory metal on the semiconductor substrate in which the gate recess region is formed.
US08841153B2	Method for producing a doped organic semiconducting layer A process is provided for producing a doped organic semiconductive layer, comprising the process steps of A) providing a matrix material, B) providing a dopant complex, and C) simultaneously applying the matrix material and the dopant complex to a substrate by vapor deposition, wherein, in process step C), the dopant complex is decomposed and the pure dopant is intercalated into the matrix material.
US08841151B2	Method of manufacturing a light emission device based on light emitting diodes A method of manufacturing a device based on LEDs includes the growth of semiconducting nanowires on a first electrode produced on an insulating face, and encapsulation thereof in planarizing material; the formation, on the planarizing material, of a second electrode with contact take-up areas. LEDs are formed by releasing a band of the first electrode around each take-up area, including forming a mask defining the bands on the second electrode, chemically etching the planarizing material, stopped so as to preserve planarizing material, chemically etching the portion of nanowires thus released, and then chemically etching the remaining planarizing material. A trench is formed along each of the bands as far as the insulating face and the LEDs are placed in series by connecting the take-up areas and bands of the first electrode.
US08841150B2	Array substrate for flexible display device and method of manufacturing the array substrate In an aspect, an array substrate for a flexible display device and a method of manufacturing the array substrate, the method including operations of arranging at least one lower protective film on which a plurality of display units that are covered by thin-film encapsulation (TFE) units are arrayed; performing half cutting and full cutting on the at least one lower protective film; and completing the manufacture of each of the plurality of display units by removing remaining parts on the at least one lower protective film from the half cutting and full cutting is provided.
US08841145B2	System for wafer-level phosphor deposition System for wafer-level phosphor deposition. A method for phosphor deposition on a semiconductor wafer that has a plurality of LED dies includes the operations of covering the semiconductor wafer with a selected thickness of photo resist material, removing portions of the photo resist material to expose portions of the semiconductor wafer so that electrical contacts associated with the plurality of LED dies remain unexposed, and depositing phosphor on the exposed portions of the semiconductor wafer.
US08841142B2	Vapor deposition method, vapor deposition device and organic EL display device A coating film (90) is formed by causing vapor deposition particles (91) discharged from a vapor deposition source opening (61) of a vapor deposition source (60) to pass through a space (82) between a plurality of limiting plates (81) of a limiting plate unit (80) and a mask opening (71) of a vapor deposition mask in this order and adhere to a substrate while the substrate is moved relative to the vapor deposition mask in a state in which the substrate (10) and the vapor deposition mask (70) are spaced apart at a fixed interval. It is determined whether or not it is necessary to correct the position of at least one of the plurality of limiting plates in the X axis direction, and in the case where it is necessary to correct the position, the position of at least one of the plurality of limiting plates in the X axis direction is corrected. Accordingly, a coating film whose edge blur is suppressed can be stably formed at a desired position on a large-sized substrate.
US08841136B2	Levetiracetam immunoassays Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at levetiracetam derivatives, immunogens, signal generating moieties, antibodies that bind levetiracetam and immunoassays for detection of levetiracetam.
US08841133B2	Temperature-adjusted analyte determination for biosensor systems A biosensor system determines analyte concentration from an output signal generated by an oxidation/reduction reaction of the analyte. The biosensor system adjusts a correlation for determining analyte concentrations from output signals at one temperature to determining analyte concentrations from output signals at other temperatures. The temperature-adjusted correlation between analyte concentrations and output signals at a reference temperature may be used to determine analyte concentrations from output signals at a sample temperature.
US08841131B1	Cholesterol measuring apparatus and associated use thereof A cholesterol-level measuring apparatus including a portable body having a cholesterol level detecting means for identifying a cholesterol level in a blood sample, and a display screen communicatively coupled to the cholesterol level detecting means for illustrating a learned cholesterol level in the blood sample. Notably, the cholesterol level detecting means includes a disposable test strip having a color-changing reactive reagent that changes color in response to the learned cholesterol level in the blood sample.
US08841124B2	Methods for producing hair microfollicles and de novo papillae and their use for in vitro tests and in vivo implantations The present invention relates to a method for producing hair microfollicles comprising the steps of: a) providing de novopapillae, b) providing other cell populations selected from the group of fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes, and co-culturing the de novopapillae with at least one other cell population in non-adherent culture vessels. The present invention relates also to methods of producing de novo papillae usable in said method for producing hair microfollicles.
US08841123B2	Methods for culturing undifferentiated cells using sustained release compositions Methods for culturing undifferentiated mammalian cells, such as stem and progenitor cells, are provided. The methods involve incubating the cell in the presence of a sustained release composition containing at least one growth factor, wherein the sustained release composition continuously releases the growth factor(s), and wherein the presence of the sustained level of growth factor maintains the cell in an undifferentiated state.
US08841122B2	Systems and methods for expanding high density non-adherent cells Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for promoting the expansion of high density non-adherent cells through the use of a cell growth chamber, a mass transfer device, and a fluid circulation loop. Improved cell growth is achieved in the cell growth chamber by using a chamber having a particular orientation and shape, e.g., conical, to create a media-rich reservoir for growing cells. By placing the chamber in a vertical position, the force of media flow along the chamber walls is substantially equal and opposite to the gravitational force on the cells. The interaction of these forces maintains the non-adherent cells in suspension. The use of the cell growth chamber in conjunction with the mass transfer device and fluid circulation loop(s) creates efficiencies by relying on the cumulative and combined features of the devices.
US08841116B2	Inline-injection microdevice and microfabricated integrated DNA analysis system using same Methods and microfluidic circuitry for inline injection of nucleic acids for capillary electrophoresis analysis are provided. According to various embodiments, microfabricated structures including affinity-based capture matrixes inline with separation channels are provided. The affinity-based capture matrixes provide inline sample plug formation and injection into a capillary electrophoresis channel. Also provided are methods and apparatuses for a microbead-based inline injection system for DNA sequencing.
US08841111B2	Degradable clostridial toxins The specification discloses Clostridial toxins or Clostridial toxin chimeras comprising an inactivation cleavage site, polynucleotide molecules encoding such toxins or chimeras, compositions comprising such toxins or chimeras, and method of producing such toxins or chimeras.
US08841101B2	Processing biomass Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.
US08841099B2	Cell-based production of nonulosonates The present invention relates to the cell-based production of bacterial nonulosonates and their biosynthetic precursors. Specifically, the present invention provides recombinant cells for the production of pseudaminic acid, legionaminic acid, UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-β-L-altropyranose, and UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-α-D-glucopyranose. Methods for producing the sugars are also provided.
US08841094B2	Homologous recombination method, cloning method, and kit The present invention provides a method which can achieve the homologous recombination of a gene of interest selectively, and a recombinant DNA molecule produced by the method. A homologous recombination method which uses a PCR product and a linearized vector is disclosed. The PCR product comprises a sequence for a target gene and amplification primer sequences P1 and P2 on both terminal ends. The vector contains homologous recombination regions VP1 and VP2 which respectively comprise nucleotide sequences homologous to P1 and P2, and at least one a homologous recombination region VT (VT1 and/or VT2), which comprises a nucleotide sequence homologous to a sequence T (T1 and/or T2), T sequences are sequence parts internal to P1 and/or P2 as well as sequence parts on the terminal side of VP1 and/or VP2 (provided that at least one T sequence has a nucleotide sequence specific to the target gene).
US08841092B2	Reversible natural product glycosyltransferase-catalyzed reactions, compounds and related methods The present invention relates to methods of use of glycosyltransferases and related compounds. The invention exploits the reversibility of glycosyltransferases to generate new sugars, unnatural biomolecules and numerous one-pot reactions for generation of new biomolecules having varied backbones such as enediynes, vancomycins, bleomycins, anthracyclines, macrolides, pluramycins, aureolic acids, indolocarbazoles, aminglycosides, glycopeptides, polyenes, coumarins, benzoisochromanequinones, calicheamicins, erythromycin, avermectins, ivermectins, angucyclines, cardiac glycosides, steroids or flavinoids. In preferred embodiments, the invention specifically relates to biosynthesis of anticancer (the enediyne calicheamicin, CLM), anthelmintic agents (the macrolides avermectin, ivermectin and erythromycin) and antibiotic (the glycopeptide vancomycin, VCM) natural product-based drugs developed by reversible, bidirectional glycosyltransferase-catalyzed reactions.
US08841084B2	Methods for the detection and monitoring of acute myocardial infarction Disclosed herein are methods of detecting and/or prognosing myocardial infarction by detecting a proteolytic fragment of caspase-3 such as the p17 fragment or the p12 fragment. The myocardial infarction can be STEMI or NSTEMI.
US08841083B2	PSA capture agents, compositions, methods and preparation thereof Disclosed herein are novel synthetic prostate specific antigen (PSA)-targeted capture agents that specifically bind PSA. In certain embodiments, these PSA capture agents are biligand or triligand capture agents containing two or three target-binding moieties, respectively.
US08841079B2	Fibronectin aggrecan biomarker for the identification of spinal and joint source of pain Biomarkers, including isolated fibronectin-aggrecan complexes that correlate with spinal or joint pain and inflammation, and methods for their detection are provided. Also provided are methods for identifying treatment sites in the spine or joint for treatment of pain and inflammation by detecting the presence of, or increased levels of, fibronectin-aggrecan complexes. Methods for treating spinal or joint pain and inflammation are also provided.
US08841076B2	Systems and methods for conducting animal studies This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.
US08841074B2	MPL mutations in JAK2 V617F negative patients with myeloproliferative disease The invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing a patient as having a myeloproliferative disease by identifying mutations in the MPL gene or gene products.
US08841073B2	Methods for identifying RNA segments bound by RNA-binding proteins or ribonucleoprotein complexes The present invention relates to a method for identifying a binding site on an RNA transcript, wherein the binding site binds to one or more binding moieties. The method includes, among other things, introducing a photoreactive nucleoside into living cells wherein the living cells incorporate the photoreactive nucleoside into RNA transcripts during transcription thereby producing modified RNA transcripts; reverse transcribing the RNA of isolated cross-linked segments thereby generating cDNA transcripts with one mutation wherein the photoreactive nucleoside is transcribed to a mismatched deoxynucleoside; amplifying the cDNA transcripts thereby generating amplicons; and analyzing the sequences of the amplicons aligned against the reference sequence so as to identify the binding site, wherein the sequences of each amplicon having a mutation resulting from the introduction of the photoreactive nucleoside is considered to be a valid amplicon comprising at least a portion of a binding site on the RNA transcript.
US08841068B2	Human immunodeficiency virus antiviral screening assay involving the detection of CEM15 expression The present invention provides compositions and methods related to determining the severity of viral infections and identifying antiviral agents. In certain embodiments, the invention comprises determining the expression level of APOBEC-1 related proteins, where the expression level of APOBEC-1 related proteins is an indicator for disease severity and/or effectiveness of a potential antiviral agent. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of screening for an antiviral agent.
US08841067B2	NOL3 is a predictor of patient outcome The present invention features a method for determining the prognosis for survival of a cancer patient. Methods for measuring the level of NOL3 expression in a cancer cell-containing sample from a patient, and comparing the level of NOL3 expression in the sample to a reference level of NOL3 expression are also included. A higher level of NOL3 relative to the reference level correlates with decreased survival of the patient, and an equivalent or lower level of NOL3 relative to the reference level correlates with increased survival of the patient.
US08841065B2	Manufacturing method of exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method A manufacturing method of an exposure apparatus includes adjusting a positioning device that determines a positional relation at the time of docking between a body and a stage module such that a positional relation between an absolute reference surface of a metrology frame of the body and a stage position reference surface of the stage module becomes a desired relation. Accordingly, after that, only by docking the body and the stage module with each other via the positioning device, the positional relation between the absolute reference surface of the body and the stage position reference surface of the stage module becomes a desired relation.
US08841064B2	Positive photosensitive resin composition, photosensitive resin film prepared by using the same, and semiconductor device including the photosensitive resin film Disclosed are a positive photosensitive resin composition that includes (A) an alkali soluble resin; (B) a dissolution controlling agent including the compound represented by Chemical Formula 6; (C) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound; (D) a silane compound; and (E) a solvent, and a photosensitive resin film prepared by using the same.
US08841063B2	Illumination sources and subjects having distinctly matched and mismatched narrow spectral bands A light source is configured to emit a narrow peak at a discrete spectral band, especially at a primary color wavelength. The light source can have a plurality of narrow peaks to simulate the effect of a broadband light source. A subject is provided with a pigment, such as certain rare earth lanthanides, with a strong absorption peak at a corresponding narrow spectral band. The pigment has a nominal color when illuminated by a true broadband light (e.g., sunlight) that does not have a narrow peak at the discrete spectral band, and has a different color when illuminated by the light source that has a narrow peak. This color shift can be used for security authentication, information and decorative applications.
US08841062B2	Positive working photosensitive material Disclosed herein is a photosensitive composition comprising a heterocyclic thiol compound or tautomeric form thereof and its method of use on a substrate, which may include a chalcophile substrate.
US08841051B2	Full color image forming method using two cyan toners Provided is a full color image forming method wherein high color reproducibility especially on a blue system and a green system can be obtained and an excellent gradation property can be obtained in a full color image to be obtained. The full color image forming method for forming a full color image by using at least yellow toner, magenta toner, and two kinds of cyan toners (1, 2) is characterized in that a toner image formed by the cyan toner (1) alone has the value of the maximum color saturation (C) of not less than 50 and the value of lightness (L) in a color space represented by an Lab* colorimetric system of not less than 30 and not more than 52, and that a toner image formed by the cyan toner (2) alone has the value of the maximum color saturation (C) of not less than 50 and the value of the lightness (L) in the color space represented by the Lab* colorimetric system of not less than 58 and not more than 75.
US08841050B2	Photosensitive resin composition and applications thereof A photosensitive resin composition includes: an alkali-soluble resin; an o-naphthoquinonediazidesulfonic acid ester; a silsesquioxane having at least two thiol groups in a molecule; and a solvent. The silsesquioxane is obtained by subjecting to condensation a silane material which includes a thiol-group-containing silane represented by RaSi(ORb)3. Ra represents a C1-C8 organic group that contains a thiol group and that is free from an aromatic group, or an organic group that contains a thiol group and an aromatic group. Rb independently represents hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C1-C6 acyl group, or a C6-C15 aromatic group.
US08841043B2	Interconnector material, intercellular separation structure, and solid electrolyte fuel cell Provided is an interconnector material which is chemically stable in both oxidation atmospheres and reduction atmospheres, has a high electron conductivity (electric conductivity), a low ionic conductivity, does not contain Cr, and enables a reduction in sintering temperature. The interconnector material is arranged between a plurality of cells each composed of an anode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer stacked sequentially, and electrically connects the plurality of cells to each other in series in a solid electrolyte fuel cell. The interconnector is formed of a ceramic composition represented by the composition formula La(Fe1-xAlx)O3 in which 0
US08841042B2	Serial connected fuel cell stack module assembly A large, scalable SOFC system based on modules, which may be connected in series on the cathode gas side. The fuel cell stacks are aligned side by side and assembled into a stack module with cathode inlets on one face of the module and the cathode outlets on the other face of the module. The stack modules are serially connected in a simple manner by placing the stack modules one after the other, so that the outlet face of the first module faces the inlet face of the second module and so on. In the chamber between two stack modules, the air is cooled for example by addition of cold quench air or by a heat exchanger. This offers compactness, simple stack/system interface and improved system performance. The modules are designed for manufacturability, well-balanced heat management and high fuel utilization.
US08841040B2	Method to cold-start fuel cell system at sub-zero temperatures In a method to cold-start a fuel cell system at sub-zero temperatures, the fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack, upstream of which is connected a heating device to heat a cooling agent to be circulated by a coolant pump. To reduce the demand for stored electrical energy, the cold fuel cell stack is operated at such a capacity that it generates power that is sufficient only to operate the heating device and the coolant pump. The power generated by the fuel cell stack is used to operate the heating device for heating the cooling agent as well as the coolant pump, whereby the coolant pump circulates the cooling agent between the fuel cell stack and the heating device. The heating device is switched off as soon as the fuel cell stack reaches a preset temperature that is higher than the original temperature.
US08841038B2	Fuel cell system having unreacted gas discharge pipeline A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a humidifier. The humidifier includes an unreacted gas inlet port connected to an end of an unreacted hydrogen discharge pipeline, which is connected at the other end to a hydrogen outlet port of the fuel cell stack, such that the unreacted hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell stack via the hydrogen outlet port is led by the unreacted hydrogen discharge pipeline into the humidifier. The humidifier regulates the humidity and concentration of the unreacted hydrogen led thereinto, and the unreacted hydrogen is then discharged from the humidifier.
US08841035B2	Flame retardant electrolyte solution for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery including the same Disclosed are a flame retardant electrolyte solution for a rechargeable lithium battery including a lithium salt, a linear carbonate-based solvent, an ionic liquid including ammonium cations, and a phosphoric acid-based solvent, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.
US08841033B2	Ceramic material and preparation method therefor The present invention provides a ceramic material capable of demonstrating compactness and Li ion conductivity to an extent that enables the use of the ceramic material as a solid-state electrolyte material for a lithium secondary battery, or the like. A ceramic material containing Li, La, Zr, Nb and/or Ta, as well as O and having a garnet-type or garnet-like crystal structure is used.
US08841031B2	Surface-treated microporous membrane and electrochemical device prepared thereby Disclosed is a porous film comprising: (a) a porous substrate having pores; and (b) a coating layer formed on at least one region selected from the group consisting of a surface of the substrate and a part of the pores present in the substrate, wherein the coating layer comprises styrene-butadiene rubber. An electrochemical device using the porous film as a separator is also disclosed. The porous film is coated with a styrene-butadiene polymer, whose rubbery characteristics can be controlled, and thus provides improved scratch resistance and adhesion to other substrates. When the porous film is used as a separator for an electrochemical device, it is possible to improve the safety of the electrochemical device and to prevent degradation in the quality of the electrochemical device.
US08841030B2	Microstructured electrode structures A structure for use in an energy storage device, the structure comprising a backbone system extending generally perpendicularly from a reference plane, and a population of microstructured anodically active material layers supported by the lateral surfaces of the backbones, each of the microstructured anodically active material layers having a void volume fraction of at least 0.1 and a thickness of at least 1 micrometer.
US08841027B2	Power storage device A power storage device with favorable battery characteristics and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The power storage device includes at least a positive electrode and a negative electrode provided so as to face the positive electrode with an electrolyte provided therebetween. The positive electrode includes a collector and a film containing an active material over the collector. The film containing the active material contains LieFefPgOh satisfying relations 3.5≦h/g≦4.5, 0.6≦g/f≦1.1, and 0≦e/f≦1.3 and LiaFebPcOd satisfying relations 3.5≦d/c≦4.5, 0.6≦c/b≦1.8, and 0.7≦a/b≦2.8. The film containing the active material contains the LiaFebPcOd satisfying the relations 3.5≦d/c≦4.5, 0.6≦c/b≦1.8, and 0.7≦a/b≦2.8 in a region which is in contact with the electrolyte.
US08841024B2	Electrode for secondary battery, slurry for secondary battery electrode, and secondary battery A secondary battery electrode which suppresses decrease in capacity and lithium deposition at low temperatures is provided. An electrode for a secondary battery includes an electrode active material layer containing a polymer having a cationic group, an anion corresponding to the cationic group, and an electrode active material, and the cation density in the polymer is 0.1 to 15 meq/g.
US08841019B2	Implantable medical device including eddy current reducing battery An implantable device, such as a pacer, defibrillator, or other cardiac rhythm management device, can include one or more MRI Safe components. In an example, the implantable device includes a battery including a first electrode and a second electrode separate from the first electrode. The second electrode includes a first surface and a second surface. The second electrode includes a slot through the second electrode from the first surface toward the second surface. The slot extends from a perimeter of the second electrode to an interior of the second electrode. The slot is configured to at least partially segment a surface area of the second electrode to reduce a radial current loop size in the second electrode.
US08841017B2	Cell tab and interconnect assembly for a battery pack A battery pack for a vehicle has battery cells with foil cell tabs that are welded to an interconnect. Nickel plated copper is bonded to aluminum for either a first set of the battery cells, a second set of the battery cells or for the interconnect. Similar materials are then adjacent to each other at the weld locations between the foil cell tabs and the interconnect to avoid welding of dissimilar metals.
US08841015B2	Battery pack A battery pack includes at least one battery module comprising a plurality of unit cells stacked together; and at least one thermoelectric module on the at least one battery module, wherein the thermoelectric module may include a Peltier device having an input terminal configured to receive a polarity-convertible current.
US08841008B2	Lubricant for heat assisted magnetic recording Compositions for use in lubricating thin film storage media are provided, as well as storage media formed using the compositions, the compositions including one or more central cores having a cyclic group, and a plurality of arms extending from the central cores, wherein each arm comprises phenol or piperonyl. Methods of preparing the compositions are also provided. Methods of preparing storage media that incorporate the compositions therein are further provided.
US08841007B2	Data media with tuned thermal conductivity and magnetic permeability Various magnetic stack embodiments may be constructed with a soft magnetic underlayer (SUL) having a first thickness disposed between a substrate and a magnetic recording layer. A heatsink may have a second thickness and be disposed between the SUL and the magnetic recording layer. The first and second thicknesses may each be tuned to provide predetermined thermal conductivity and magnetic permeability throughout the data media.
US08841006B2	Magnetic tunnel junction device and method for manufacturing the same The present invention relates to a magnetic tunnel junction device and a manufacturing method thereof. The magnetic tunnel junction device includes: i) a first magnetic layer including a compound having a chemical formula of (A100-xBx)100-yCy; ii) an insulating layer deposited on the first magnetic layer; and iii) a second magnetic layer deposited on the insulating layer and including a compound having a chemical formula of (A100-xBx)100-yCy. The first and second magnetic layers have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, A and B are respectively metal elements, and C is at least one amorphizing element selected from a group consisting of boron (B), carbon (C), tantalum (Ta), and hafnium (Hf).
US08841003B2	Organic electric-field light-emitting element In an organic electroluminescent element comprising an anode layer, an organic luminescent layer, an inorganic compound layer (or reductive dopant layer) and a cathode layer; the organic luminescent layer comprises an aromatic amine compound of a formula (1), and/or an aromatic amine compound of a formula (2) wherein A, B, and Ar1 to Ar6 are independently a C6-60 aromatic group which does not contain a styryl group nor an alkenyl group, at least one of A, Ar1, Ar2, or B, Ar3 to Ar6 contains at least three condensed aromatic rings, and p, q and r of a condensation number are an integer of 1 to 6. The element has significantly long half-life and high luminance even at low driving voltages.
US08841000B2	Metalized plastic articles and methods thereof Metalized plastic substrates, and methods thereof are provided herein. The method includes providing a plastic substrate having a plurality of accelerators dispersed in the plastic substrate. The accelerators have a formula selected from the group consisting of: CuFe2O4-δ, Ca0.25Cu0.75TiO3-β, and TiO2-σ, wherein δ, β, σ denotes oxygen vacancies in corresponding accelerators and 0.05≦δ≦0.8, 0.05≦β≦0.5, and 0.05≦σ≦1.0. The method further includes removing at least a portion of a surface of the plastic substrate to expose at least a first accelerator. The method further includes plating the exposed surface of the plastic substrate to form at least a first metal layer on the at least first accelerator, and then plating the first metal layer to form at least a second metal layer.
US08840998B2	Imaging device components comprised of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes An electrophotographic imaging device includes a charging device, a cleaning device, and a fuser member that each include hydrophobic carbon nanotubes. The use of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes can increases the charging device's, the cleaning device's, and the fuser member's durability, conductivity, and contaminants deposition.
US08840996B2	Processes for making polyolefin nanocomposites A process for making a silica-polyolefin composite. The process has the steps of (a) reacting silica particles and an alkyl halosilane in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst to form silane-functionalized silica particles and (b) reacting the silane-functionalized silica particles with a vinyl-terminated polyolefin. There are other processes for making a silica-polyolefin composites. There are other processes for making metal phosphate-polyolefin composites.
US08840993B2	Curable polysiloxane coating composition A curable composition comprises (a) at least one polydiorganosiloxane, fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane, or combination thereof comprising reactive silane functionality comprising at least two hydroxysilyl moieties; (b) at least one polydiorganosiloxane, fluorinated polydiorganosiloxane, or combination thereof comprising reactive silane functionality comprising at least two hydrosilyl moieties; and (c) at least one base selected from amidines, guanidines, phosphazenes, proazaphosphatranes, and combinations thereof; wherein at least one of the components (a) and (b) has an average reactive silane functionality of at least three.
US08840990B2	Porous organosilicate layers, and vapor deposition systems and methods for preparing same The present invention provides porous organosilicate layers, and vapor deposition systems and methods for preparing such layers on substrates. The porous organosilicate layers are useful, for example, as masks.
US08840985B2	Composition for forming inorganic pattern and method for forming inorganic pattern using the same Disclosed herein is a composition for forming an inorganic pattern, comprising an inorganic precursor, at least one stabilizer selected from β-diketone and β-ketoester, and a solvent. Use of the composition enables efficient and inexpensive formation of an inorganic micropattern.
US08840981B2	Microfluidic device with multilayer coating A microfluidic device comprised of a material layer and a fluid transport feature having at least one characteristic dimension of less than 500 micrometers formed in or on the material layer. A chemically resistant, thermally stable and biocompatible multilayer coating is provided onto and in contact with the microfluidic device, wherein the multilayer coating includes one or more thin film layers comprised primarily of hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide and one or more thin film layers comprised primarily of tantalum oxide, the multilayer coating being located on a surface of the fluid transport feature. The corrosion resistant film can be formed on the surfaces of fluid transport features of microfluidic devices using atomic layer deposition film forming methods that produce conformal films that cover complex geometries, thereby enabling the corrosion resistant film to be formed on all surfaces of the fluid transport features of the microfluidic device.
US08840980B2	Stiffened structure integrating an opening A stiffened structure includes stiffeners (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) and nodes (12) at which three stiffeners (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) of different directions intersect, with the surfaces of the stiffeners (14.1, 14.2, 14.3) being arranged in planes that are perpendicular to the same plane, whereby the stiffened structure includes at least one opening (26) and is characterized in that the opening (26) is surrounded by a hexagonal belt, formed by peripheral stiffeners (40).
US08840979B2	T-profile junction of composite materials A T-profile junction of composite materials with a T-profile (1) and a base plate (2). The T-profile (1) comprises a web (3) and at least two flanges (4-7). The flanges (4-7) are angled with respect to the web (3). A fillet (11, 12) is provided between the web (3) and each of the flanges (4-7). At least one tension bar (16, 32, 40, 50, 65) is releasably mounted to the base plate (2). The web (3) is provided with at least one passage (23, 24, 33, 34). Said at least one tension bar (16, 32, 40, 50, 65) reaches through the at least one passage (23, 24, 33, 34). The at least one tension bar (16, 32, 40, 50, 65) is biased against the base plate (2) and the respective flanges (5, 6) of said T-Profile (1).
US08840976B2	VOC or compressed gas containment device made from a polyoxymethylene polymer VOC or compressed gas containment devices, such as polymer fuel tanks, are made from a polyoxymethylene polymer composition. The polymer composition contains a polyoxymethylene polymer that is directly or indirectly chemically attached to an impact modifier. In one embodiment, for instance, a coupling agent bonds the impact modifier to the polyoxymethylene polymer. In order to preserve the permeability of the polymer material when combined with the impact modifier, a polyoxymethylene polymer is used that contains a low level of low molecular weight constituents.
US08840974B2	Optical film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display apparatus Disclosed is an optical film having a hard coat layer on a cellulose ester film, which contains an ester compound composed of a furanose structure or a pyranose structures and a sum of a number of the furanose structures or the pyranose structure is 1 to 12, provided that a part of hydroxy groups of the furanose structure or the pyranose structure has been esterified and a part of hydroxy groups of the furanose structure or the pyranose structure remains.
US08840973B2	Retardation film, polarizing plate, liquid crystal display and manufacturing method of retardation film A retardation film comprising a cellulose derivative and a plasticizer, wherein a total haze, Htotal, of the retardation film meets the following condition: 0.1%≦Htotal≦0.4%; and a ratio of a internal haze, Hi, to the total haze, Hi/Htotal, of the retardation film meets the following condition: Hi/Htotal≦0.5.
US08840972B2	Deposition method and method for manufacturing light-emitting device An object is to provide a deposition method of forming a film in a minute pattern on a deposition target substrate as well as reducing waste of material and increasing material use efficiency. Another object is to manufacture a high-definition light-emitting device at low cost by such a deposition method. Particles containing an organic compound material are dispersed over a deposition substrate having a light-absorbing layer formed over the deposition substrate and are fixed by heat treatment to form a material layer. The light-absorbing layer is irradiated with light which is transmitted through the deposition substrate, so that a material contained in the material layer is selectively deposited onto a deposition target substrate placed facing the deposition substrate. By selective formation of the light-absorbing layer, a film can be selectively deposited in a minute pattern reflecting a pattern of the light-absorbing layer onto the deposition target substrate.
US08840970B2	Self-assembled functional layers in multilayer structures Functionalized multilayer structures are manufactured by a process whereby a substrate material is treated with a reactive-gas plasma to form an activated layer on the surface thereof, and then by depositing a liquid functional monomer on the activated layer to form a self-assembled functional layer. Any excess liquid monomer must be allowed to re-evaporate in order to obtain optimal functionality on the surface of the resulting structure. The deposition of the liquid layer is preferably carried out with high kinetic energy to ensure complete penetration of the monomer throughout the body of the substrate. For particular applications, prior to formation of the reactive layer the substrate may be coated with a high glass-transition temperature polymer or a metallic layer.
US08840969B1	Method and apparatus for adjusting the relative movement between flocking fibers and flocked objects A method and apparatus for adjusting the relative movement between flocked fibers and an object to be flocked is disclosed. Fibers move along a curved or arcuate path which includes both vertical and horizontal movement of the fibers from a flocking machine to the object to be flocked. The method improves the flocking process quality and increases production speed and output.
US08840966B2	Polyurethane coating composition A polymer useful in coating compositions is described. The polymer is preferably an unsaturated polyurethane polymer, which preferably has an iodine value of at least 10. The polymer may be combined with one or more liquid carriers to form a liquid coating composition useful in coating a variety of substrates, including planar metal substrates.
US08840965B2	Silicon-containing materials with controllable microstructure In various embodiments, provided are silicon-containing coatings; silicon-containing coatings comprising microstructures that are responsive to one or more stimuli; oxidized products of said silicon-containing coatings; bulk solids; oxidized solids and powders; methods of preparing such coatings, solids, and powders; and substrates comprising the provided coatings.
US08840961B1	Composition and method for cleaning and lubricating valves and slides within musical instruments A sticky valve or slide mechanism within a musical wind instrument is opened, wiped dry, cleaned and lubricated with a composition including diatomaceous earth, a solvent, and a lubricant, and closed, making the instrument ready to play with the composition being left within the valve or slide mechanism. When the mechanism again becomes sticky, it is wiped dry and lubricated with a conventional lubricant.
US08840959B2	Camouflage branding system and method A camouflage system includes a layer of an adhesion promoter so paint will adhere to the surface of an article and a first layer of paint applied to the surface on top of the adhesion promoter. A second layer of paint of a different color is applied to a portion of the first layer of paint. The second layer of paint may be in the form of a design, symbol, brand, logo, mark, and/or name. A multi-color layer is then applied to the surface of the article over the layers of paint. The multi-color layer may be a camouflage ink pattern. A clear coat may be applied over the multi-color layer. The multi-color layer affects the visual appearance of the second layer of paint. The second layer of paint may be visible at one viewing angle and may be less visible or non-visible at a different viewing angle.
US08840956B2	Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure A quantity of retroreflective granules includes glass members each having a refractive index of at least about 1.5. The quantity of retroreflective granules can be partially embedded into a binder material applied on the surface of a structure to provide a visual aid. A structure includes a retroreflective surface having an inclined face defined on at least a portion of the structure. The retroreflective surface also includes a binder material applied to at least a portion of the inclined face of the structure. The binder material has a thickness dimension of at least about 10 mil. The retroreflective surface further includes a plurality of retroreflective granules partially embedded in the binder material. The plurality of retroreflective granules have a density of at least about 0.06 pounds/square foot as embedded in the binder material. Each retroreflective granule includes a glass member having a refractive index of at least about 1.5.
US08840955B2	Magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing same A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium is disclosed, as well as a magnetic recording medium manufactured by the method. In the manufacturing method, the uneven pattern has magnetic recording elements in protruding portions formed above a substrate, and depressed portions between the recording elements are filled with a filling material. The method allows a high quality magnetic recording medium to be manufactured inexpensively by eliminating the process of removing excess filling material used to fill depressions between magnetic recording elements, because the method allows material to be filled only in the depressed portions of an uneven pattern. The method includes a technique rendering the wettability of the protruding portion surfaces and the depressed portion surfaces different prior to the process of filling with the filling material.
US08840953B2	Method of adjusting nozzle clearance of liquid application apparatus, and liquid application apparatus A method of adjusting a clearance between a nozzle and a work to a desired value in a liquid application apparatus wherein a liquid discharged from the nozzle is applied to the work, comprises (a) a distance measurement step of measuring, by using a non-contact distance sensor positioned in parallel with the nozzle, a distance from the non-contact distance sensor to a reference surface of a contact detection sensor detecting a contact of the nozzle front end with the reference surface opposite to the nozzle front end, (b) a nozzle contacting step of making contacts with the nozzle front end and the reference surface of the contact detection sensor to obtain a positional information of the nozzle, (c) a distance measurement step of measuring, by the non-contact distance sensor, a distance from the non-contact distance sensor to the work before applying the liquid to the work, and (d) a step of adjusting a nozzle clearance to a desired value based on the relative positional information between the nozzle and the non-contact distance sensor determined by the distance measurement step (a) and the nozzle contacting step (b), and the distance determined by the distance measurement step (c), thereby to enable the nozzle clearance adjustment based on accurate information of the relative position between the nozzle and the non-contact distance sensor in the nozzle clearance direction, which is less influenced by the work's windings, heaves or others.
US08840948B2	Concentrated coffee composition and method of producing same Provided is a concentrated coffee composition containing chlorogenic acids at a high concentration and having good taste or flavor. The concentrated coffee composition of the present invention contains the following components (A) and (B): 100 to 300 mg/g of chlorogenic acids (A) in dry solids content; and not more than 0.33 mg/g of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (B) in dry solids content, wherein the dry solids content is 10 to 100 mass %.
US08840947B2	Whey or raw milk demineralisation and fractionation A process for the demineralization and fractionation of cheese whey or raw milk comprising the steps of: a) subjecting the whey or raw milk to ultrafiltration to provide a retentate fraction and a permeate fraction; b) concentrating the permeate fraction by means of nanofiltration; c) subjecting the nanofiltration retentate to ion permeation chromatography at elevated temperatures of between 50° C. and 80° C. using an appropriate resin; and d) eluting the nanofiltration retentate with water in various fractions to obtain fractions which may be low in mineral content and/or high in 3′-sialyl lactose content and/or high in other desirable components.
US08840945B2	Method for preparing aggregated protein particles The present invention has as an objective to provide protein particles which have strongly reduced surface activity, and can be used as an ingredient in foams and aerated food products while not interfering with stabilisers at the gas bubble interface. This invention provides a method to produce such aggregated protein particles, as well as the aggregated protein particles which have strongly reduced surface activity.
US08840939B2	Vigna unguiculata seed extract and compositions containing same The invention relates to a composition comprising a Vigna unguiculata seed extract. The composition is advantageously cosmetic, pharmaceutical, dermatological or nutraceutical. The invention further relates to a method for extracting a Vigna unguiculata seed extract, as well as to the resulting extract. The invention further relates to one such composition or one such extract for use in the prevention or treatment of disorders or pathologies of the skin, mucosae or appendages, for use in the prevention or treatment of vascular disorders, or for use in the prevention or treatment of adipose tissue alterations. Finally, the invention relates to a method for cosmetic care of the skin, appendages or mucosae, in order to improve the condition or appearance thereof, comprising the administration of one such composition or one such extract.
US08840934B2	Uses of ammonium chloride A method to treat a condition in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a NH4Cl dosage form, a method for stimulating endogenous interferon production, and related methods, systems and dosage form housings.
US08840931B2	Pharmaceutical compositions for dehydrating, atrophying and eliminating pathological tissues The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for dehydrating, atrophying and eliminating pathological tissues comprising inorganic polymeric ferric salt and/or inorganic polymeric ferric salt composite as its active ingredients, in which the inorganic polymeric ferric salt is polyferric sulfate, and the inorganic polymeric ferric salt composite is selected from a group consisting of poly-silicate ferric salts, polyphosphate ferric salts and their analogue. A surprising medical effect can be reached by treating pathological tissues with the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention which will make the treated pathological tissues dehydrated, atrophied, and absorbed or sloughed off. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is cost-effective, convenient to use and has significant effects in treatment of hemorrhoids, hemangiomas, varix, hygromas, abscess, tumors, scalding and burning wounds, bleeding traumatic wounds, and/or local injuries caused by chemical agents or microorganism.
US08840930B2	Pharmaceutical composition for inhalation The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inhalation. The invention is further directed to a method for setting the performance characteristics of such a pharmaceutical composition and the use of such a composition in the treatment of asthma, COPD, allergies, infectious diseases and diseases of the cardiovascular system.
US08840928B2	Tamper-resistant pharmaceutical compositions of opioids and other drugs Tamper-resistant pharmaceutical compositions have been developed to reduce the likelihood of improper administration of drugs, especially drugs such as opioids. The tamper-resistant compositions retard the release of drug, even if the physical integrity of the formulation is compromised (for example, by chopping with a blade or crushing) and the resulting material is placed in water, snorted, or swallowed. However, when administered as directed, the drug is slowly released from the composition as the composition is passes through the GI tract.
US08840924B2	Compositions and methods of making rapidly dissolving ionically masked formulations The present invention includes compositions and methods for reduce the taste of the drug in the drug resin complex. The composition may include one or more drug-resin complexes and a highly compressible, free-flowing pharmaceutical excipient. The resin is present in an amount effective to reduce the taste of the drug in the drug resin complex relative to an otherwise identical pharmaceutical composition without the resin; and wherein the highly compressible, free-flowing pharmaceutical excipient causes release of the drug-resin complex in the mouth.
US08840923B2	Slow-release pharmaceutical formulation and process for its preparation Slow-release excipients which comprise an association of at least one glycogen and at least one alginate with an alkaline-earth metal salt are useful for the preparation of slow-release pharmaceutical formulations.
US08840922B2	Transdermally absorbable donepezil-containing preparation Provided is a donepezil-containing transdermal absorption formulation that can sustainably administer donepezil for a long period of time, and can provide both a rapid increase in the blood level of donepezil and donepezil sustained release properties. The donepezil-containing transdermal absorption formulation is a transdermal absorption formulation produced by dissolving donepezil, which is the active ingredient, in an adhesive patch base that contains a hydrophobic polymer and an absorption promoter. The absorption promoter is one kind or two or more kinds selected from lauryl alcohol, triethyl citrate, isopropyl myristate, cetyl lactate, oleyl alcohol, sorbitan monooleate, polyethylene glycol monostearate, lauromacrogol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and triacetin.
US08840921B2	Patch production technology The invention relates to a transdermal patch with a release liner film, an active substance layer with the active substance rotigotine, and/or one of its pharmacologically acceptable salts, and a carrier layer, wherein the active substance layer is placed between the release liner film and the carrier layer. The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing of a transdermal patch, as well as a tool for producing a patch of this type.
US08840917B2	Implantable graft to close a fistula An implantable graft, which may be inserted into a fistula tract to occlude the primary opening of the fistula, is provided. To prevent unintentional displacement of the graft or extrusion of the graft from the fistula of a patient, the graft may be provided with a cap that extends laterally from at least one end of the body of the graft, where the cap may be integral with the body of the graft, attachable to at least one end of the body of the graft, and/or moveable along the body of the graft. The graft may also have a tail that extends from one end of the body of the graft to assist in placement of the graft in a fistula tract. The graft may be an integral unit made of a single material, such as a heterograft material, or may include distinct components made of the same or different materials. Methods for closing a fistula tract are also provided.
US08840914B2	Method of manufacturing antimicrobial implants of polyetheretherketone Methods of fabricating implantable medical devices, preferably with PEEK, having antimicrobial properties, are disclosed. The antimicrobial effect is produced by incorporating ceramic particles containing antimicrobial metal cations into molten PEEK resin, which is subsequently allowed to cool and set in its final shape achieved by injection molding, cutting and machining or other techniques.
US08840912B2	Imidazole derivatives useful for controlling microbial growth Disclosure is provided for 1,4,5-substituted amino imidazole compounds useful to control microbial growth, compositions including these compounds, devices including these compounds, and methods of using the same.
US08840906B2	Methods and compositions related to immunizing against Staphylococcal lung disease and conditions Embodiments of the invention include methods and compositions useful in a vaccination strategy capable of neutralizing HIa to provide immunoprotection against S. aureus pneumonia. In certain aspects the invention includes a HIa with reduced toxicity, represented by a recombinant mutant form of HIa (HlaH35L) in which histidine 35 is converted to leucine, which can be used to abrogate the productive assembly of the toxin and protect a subject from staphylococcal pneumonia.
US08840898B2	Immunoconjugates targeting syndecan-1 expressing cells and use thereof Immunoconjugates comprising a targeting agent selectively targeting cell-surface expressed syndecan-1 and at least one effector molecule as well as in vitro and in vivo methods of using those immunocomjugates are disclosed. The effector molecule may have, in its native form, high non-selective cytotoxicity, but substantially no non-selective cytotoxicity when part of said immunoconjugate. Targeting agents include the antibody B-B4 as well as other agents that bind cell-surface expressed syndecan-1.
US08840894B2	Antibodies to human GDF8 The present invention provides isolated human or humanized antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof which specifically bind to Growth and Differentiation Factor-8 (GDF8) and block GDF8 activity. The antibodies and antibody fragments of the present invention may be used in therapeutic methods for treating conditions or disorders which are ameliorated or improved by inhibition of GDF8.
US08840884B2	Antibody-containing solution pharmaceuticals Antibody-containing solution formulations including a sugar as a stabilizer. Said solution formulations can further include a surfactant as a stabilizer.
US08840883B2	Metallo-protein and tocotrienol (MP-T3) compositions with non-protein-type metal chelator and uses thereof Metallo-proteins including but not limited to lactoferrin (LF), transferrin (TF) and ovotransferrin (OTF) (all members of transferrin family), ceruloplasmin (CP) and metallo-thionein (MT) were found to stabilize and enhance the bio-functional activity of tocotrienol (T3), T3 mixtures or derivates. The synergism between MP and T3 also promote the intestinal transfer and the ultimate bio-availability of T3 and T3-derivatives for physiological functions. Such functional synergism includes hypocholesterolemic, anti-thrombotic, antioxidant, anti-athermogenic, anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory activities of T3 agents. Addition of a non-protein-type metal chelator provided further improvement in the action of the bio-functional activity of T3. These T3 compositions are useful as pharmaceuticals, in cosmetics, in foods and as nutritional supplements.
US08840881B2	Methods and compositions for treating prostate cancer or inducing a humoral immune response against prostate cancer The present invention relates to prostate cancer markers, compositions comprising such markers, and methods of using such markers to induce or increase an immune response against prostate cancer. An immune response against the markers correlates with an immune response, in particular a humoral immune response, against prostate cancer cells which immune response is preferably associated with prophylaxis of prostate cancer, treatment of prostate cancer, and/or amelioration of at least one symptom associated with prostate cancer.
US08840878B2	Peptidomimetic sulfamide compounds and antiviral uses thereof The present application describes organic compounds that are useful for the treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of human diseases.
US08840877B2	Polysaccharide-protein conjugates reversibly coupled via imine bonds Method for preparing an oxidized polysaccharide-protein composition, by (a) oxidizing a polysaccharide with an oxidizing agent to form an oxidized polysaccharide where less than 20% of the oxidized units are comprised of alpha-hydroxy aldehyde units, (b) reacting the oxidized polysaccharide with a protein to form a composition comprising an oxidized polysaccharide-protein conjugate, and (c) maintaining the oxidized polysaccharide-protein conjugate composition by placing it in an environment where the temperature is less than 8° C. The oxidized polysaccharide and the protein are conjugated via one or more imine bonds, the oxidized polysaccharide-protein composition is soluble in aqueous solvent, and the composition is capable of releasing the protein.
US08840876B2	Antimicrobial polymer compositions and the use thereof An antimicrobial composition comprising: a complex of an anionic polyester with an antimicrobial cationic surfactant, wherein the anionic polyester has at least one carboxylic group. A medical device having an antimicrobial composition comprising: a complex of an anionic polyester with an antimicrobial cationic surfactant wherein the anionic polyester has at least one carboxylic group.
US08840872B2	Ocular therapy using glucocorticoid derivatives selectively penetrating posterior segment tissues Ophthalmically therapeutic materials, such as liquid-containing compositions and polymeric drug delivery systems, include a therapeutic component that includes an Glucocorticoid Derivative which, upon delivery to the posterior segment of a mammalian eye, does not significantly diffuse to the anterior segment of said eye. Methods of making and using the present materials are also described.
US08840871B2	Multiphase personal care composition with enhanced deposition A multiphase personal care composition that comprises a structured surfactant phase and an oil continuous benefit phase. The structured surfactant phase comprises from about 5% to about 30% of a mixture of lathering surfactants, a lamellar inducing agent and a cationic polymer. The oil continuous benefit phase comprises a hydrocarbon based benefit material and a low HLB emulsifier. The low HLB emulsifier comprises an unsaturated monoglyceryl ester having from about 14 to about 30 carbon atoms. The oil continuous benefit phase comprises a ratio of said hydrocarbon based benefit materials to said low HLB emulsifier comprising from about 30:1 to about 200:1.
US08840869B2	Body cavity foams The invention relates to an alcohol-free cosmetic or therapeutic foam carrier comprising water, a hydrophobic organic carrier, a foam adjuvant agent, a surface-active agent and a gelling agent. The cosmetic or therapeutic foam carrier does not contain aliphatic alcohols, making it non-irritating and non-drying. The alcohol-free foam carrier is suitable for inclusion of both water-soluble and oil soluble therapeutic and cosmetic agents.
US08840868B2	Non-invasive detection of complement-mediated inflammation using CR2-targeted nanoparticles Methods of non-invasive imaging of complement-mediated inflammation are provided. Compositions including CR-targeted ultrasmall superparamagnetic nanoparticles or aggregates thereof for use with those methods are also provided.
US08840866B2	Styrylpyridine derivatives and their use for binding and imaging amyloid plaques This invention relates to a method of imaging amyloid deposits and to styrylpyridine compounds, and methods of making radiolabeled styrylpyridine compounds useful in imaging amyloid deposits. This invention also relates to compounds, and methods of making compounds for inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid proteins to form amyloid deposits, and a method of delivering a therapeutic agent to amyloid deposits.
US08840862B2	Apparatus and method for continuous high temperature gas treatment of particulate matter An apparatus for continuous high temperature gas treatment of particulate matter including a starting material supply port (1) through which starting particulate matter is supplied from an upper part of the apparatus; a treatment, gas supply port (2) through which a treating gas is supplied; a product discharge port (3) through which a product after treatment is discharged from a lower part of the apparatus; a treatment chamber (4) in which the particulate matter is treated with the treatment gas; a gas-solid separation chamber (5) provided in fluid communication with an upper part of the treatment chamber (4); and a cooling chamber (6) provided in fluid communication with a lower part of the treatment chamber (4). A heater (7) is provided on the outer periphery of the upper part of the treatment chamber (4), and a cooler (8) is provided on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber (6).
US08840860B2	Contamination free compression of corrosive gas A process for the synthesis of a high purity corrosive gas generated by decomposition of a precursor solid at high temperature deploys a dry vacuum pump and a compressor in series so that the corrosive gas is pressured as it fills storage containers.
US08840854B2	Apparatus for producing diesel An apparatus is disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit shares the same recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product.
US08840851B2	Pipette tip supplying apparatus, sample analyzer and pipette tip supplying method The present invention is a pipette tip supplying apparatus which comprises: a storing section configured to store a plurality of pipette tips; a supplying section configured to supply at least one of the plurality of pipette tips stored in the storing section outside the storing section; a detector configured to detect a pipette tip assembly in which one pipette tip and another pipette tip are piled up with a distal end of the one pipette tip inserted into the another pipette tip; and a discharging section configured to discharge the pipette tip assembly from the storing section, when the detector has detected the pipette tip assembly in the storing section.
US08840849B2	Permeation device and method for reducing aqueous boundary layer thicknesses The invention provides a permeation device (2) comprising a receiving vessel (6) having an aperture adapted for receiving an insert well (4). Both the vessel (6) and well (4) are used as either donor or acceptor compartments for permeability assays. The vessel (6) or well (4) comprises a porous suppor (8)t, which may comprise biological or biomimetic materials, adapted for a molecular entity to permeate therethrough. In one embodiment, a stirring member (24) disposed in the vessel (6) can provide solution agitation to reduce aqueous boundary layer thickness adjacent to the support (8). Boundary layer thicknesses can be reduced by a device (2) of the invention to less than about 15 um such that a molecular entity permeating the support closely approximates in vivo absorption and transport conditions.
US08840847B2	Sterilant system A two-part sterilant system comprises: (a) a first part comprising a first reagent in an aqueous medium having a first foam promoter dissolved therein and contained in a first dispenser whereby it may be dispensed as a first foam; and (b) a second part which comprises a second reagent in an aqueous medium having a second foam promoter dissolved therein and contained in a second dispenser whereby it may be dispensed as a second foam; wherein the first reagent and the second reagent will react to provide a sterilizing composition when the first foam is mixed with the second foam.
US08840846B2	Method and apparatus for catalytic cracking An apparatus for catalytic cracking of feedstock includes a first channel in which a feedstock is treated with an adsorbent to obtain a treated intermediate. The apparatus further comprises a separator-reactor vessel. The separator-reactor vessel includes an adsorbent separating region to remove the adsorbent from the treated intermediate. The separator-reactor vessel further includes a second channel connected to the adsorbent separating region. The treated intermediate is contacted with a catalyst in the second channel to produce a cracking yield. The second channel terminates in a catalyst separating region of the separator-reactor vessel. The catalyst is removed from the cracking yield in the catalyst separating region. The separator-reactor vessel further includes a physical partition disposed between the adsorbent separating region and the catalyst separating region to separate the two regions.
US08840844B2	Plasma generating apparatus The plasma generating apparatus includes: an antenna chamber which is disposed adjacently to a plasma chamber that produces a plasma, and which is exhausted to vacuum; an antenna which is disposed in the antenna chamber, and which radiates a high-frequency wave; a partition plate which is made of an insulator, which separates the plasma chamber from the antenna chamber to block a gas from entering the antenna chamber, and which allows the high-frequency wave radiated from the antenna to pass through the partition plate; and a magnet device which is disposed outside the plasma chamber, and which generates a magnetic field for causing electron cyclotron resonance in the plasma chamber.
US08840842B2	Decontamination systems and methods of use thereof A system for reducing biological and/or chemical contaminants within a feed fluid stream includes in one embodiment at least one recuperator having a cold pass and a hot pass, wherein a contaminated fluid stream is introduced into the cold pass of the recuperator; optionally heating the feed fluid stream using a heater; and introducing the feed fluid stream into a compressor, and compressing the fluid stream to an elevated pressure, resulting in heating of the fluid stream to an elevated temperature, thereby producing a decontaminated fluid stream.
US08840840B2	Illumination apparatus and methods for a biological growth plate scanner Illumination apparatus for illuminating growth plates in a biological growth plate (122) scanner are described herein, the apparatus including one or more illumination modules (140) for illuminating the front surface of the biological growth plate located (122) on a plate support surface (120) in the scanner. The illumination modules may include a plurality of light emitters (142), a homogenization cavity (141), an extraction element and a concentration element to (144), e.g., improve uniformity in the illumination delivered to the biological growth plate (122).
US08840839B2	Hydrogel based device for detecting an environmental state A transducer device for detecting an environmental state within a biological material including a channel comprising a fluid, a hydrogel material, which is adapted to change its volume when getting into contact with an environmental material and/or when detecting an environmental change, and which is mechanically coupled to the channel such that the volume of the channel changes when the volume of the hydrogel material changes. The transducer device further includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal upon detection of the change of a physical property of the fluid that is induced by the volume change of the channel. By applying the transducer device, an accurate monitoring of physiological parameters, for which the hydrogel material is sensitive is possible. It is also possible to apply the transducer device outside of the bodily lumen, for example to monitor the blood of a patient outside the bodily lumen.
US08840834B2	High-strength steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same An ultra-high strength steel sheet has a tensile strength of 1400 MPa or higher that can achieve both high strength and good formability and an advantageous method for manufacturing the steel sheet and includes a composition including, on a mass basis C: 0.12% or more and 0.50% or less; Si: 2.0% or less; Mn: 1.0% or more and 5.0% or less; P: 0.1% or less; S: 0.07% or less; Al: 1.0% or less; and N: 0.008% or less, with the balance Fe and incidental impurities. The steel microstructure includes, on an area ratio basis, 80% or more of autotempered martensite, less than 5% of ferrite, 10% or less of bainite, and 5% or less of retained austenite; and the mean number of precipitated iron-based carbide grains each having a size of 5 nm or more and 0.5 μm or less and included in the autotempered martensite is 5×104 or more per 1 mm2.
US08840828B2	Hot drape forming by means of a stiffness controlled vacuum bag An apparatus and a method of conforming a blank onto forming surface sections of a forming tool by drawing a first vacuum against an elastic forming medium for transmitting forming forces from the elastic forming medium to the blank. The elastic forming medium is evacuated with the first vacuum for allowing the elastic forming medium to stretch and conform the blank to the forming surface sections. The elastic forming medium includes at least one void. A second vacuum is applied to the void for achieving a stiffened section of the elastic forming medium corresponding with the location of the void and corresponding with, when the elastic forming medium after the completion lies against the forming tool having the blank in between, a forming surface section of the forming tool where the blank requires a forming force being larger than that of surrounding sections of the elastic forming medium.
US08840826B2	Method of making multilayer container This invention relates to a method of making a multilayer container which comprises: a primary stretching and heat-setting process wherein a multilayer sheet comprising a A-PET layer, a functional resin layer and a sealant layer, is heated, primarily stretched and then primarily heat-set, and a secondary stretching and heat-setting process wherein the multilayer sheet treated in the primary stretching and heat-setting process is molded with heating by a mold of a thermoforming machine while secondary stretching is performed, followed by secondary heat-setting in the same mold.
US08840825B2	Moldable thermoplastic inserts An apparatus for cushioning and protecting body parts of a human or animal is described. The apparatus includes a blend of dual durometer resilient flexible materials with a plurality of degrees of hardness to personalize the properties of comfort, proper fit, structure, and protection. The resilient flexible materials comprise thermoplastic, thermoset, casting, curing, epoxy, or resin materials, and a soft part is customizable.
US08840820B2	Foamed binder and associated systems and methods for producing a wood product The disclosure relates to foamed binders for wood strand products and methods and systems for producing wood strand products using foamed binders. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes a method for producing a wood strand product from cellulosic particles, the method comprising the steps of foaming a phenol formaldehyde binder to produce a foam, tumbling the cellulosic particles in a rotary blender, applying the foam to the cellulosic particles in the rotary blender, blending the cellulosic particles and the foam so that the foam covers the cellulosic particles, and consolidating the cellulosic particles under heat and pressure.
US08840817B2	Preparation method for asphalt-based spherical activated carbon which requires no infusibilization process The present invention is a preparation method for asphalt-based spherical activated carbon which requires no infusibilization process. Placing coal tar asphalt into a melting device; introducing compressed air of 0.1 MPa-0.5 MPa into the device and stirring until a melting temperature of 280° C.-350° C. is reached; continuing for 2-8 hours until the base material has a softening point of 200° C.-260° C.; after cooling down, pulverizing the base material to obtain asphalt powder. Obtaining 34%-79% by mass of carbon powder, 1%-10% by mass of binder, and 20%-65% by mass of the asphalt powder and then forming spherical particles with a diameter of 0.5 mm-5 mm with the carbon powder, the binder and the asphalt powder at room temperature. Introducing the spherical particles of asphalt directly into an asphalt carbonization furnace for carbonization at a temperature of 600° C.-900° C. under protection of an inert gas to obtain asphalt spherical carbon. Asphalt spherical carbon is subject to activation treatment to obtain asphalt spherical activated carbon. The preparation method of the present invention reduces processing difficulty and production costs significantly.
US08840816B2	Making nanocrystalline mesoporous spherical particles Spherical particles of one or more elemental metals and carbon are prepared from a precursor in the form of a metal oleate. The metal oleate precursor is dispersed in a liquid vehicle and aerosol droplets of the dispersed precursor are formed in a stream of an inert gas. The aerosol droplets are heated in the stream to decompose the oleate ligand portion of the precursor and form spherical particles that have a mesoporous nanocrystalline structure. The open mesopores of the spherical particles provide a high surface area for contact with fluids in many applications. For example, the mesopores can be infiltrated with a hydrogen absorbing material, such as magnesium hydride, in order to increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the particles.
US08840815B2	Composite cathode active material having improved power characteristics, and secondary battery, battery module, and battery pack including the same Provided is a composite cathode active material including layered lithium manganese oxide and lithium-containing metal oxide.Also, the present invention provides a secondary battery, a battery module, and a battery pack which have improved power characteristics by including the composite cathode active material.
US08840814B2	Process of preparing alkali metal titanates A lithium titanate product, the formula of which is in the form of LixTiyOz, and wherein y is 1, the x:y molar is 1.1-1.8, while the z:y molar ratio is 2.0-4.5. Also disclosed is a method of preparing alkali metal titanates, such as lithium titanate, at a low temperature of below 100° C., from an aqueous titanium-containing slurry and an alkali metal compound.
US08840813B2	Structural adhesive materials An adhesive material comprising at least one adhesive polymeric resin, at least one low aspect ratio metal-coated additive, and at least one high aspect ratio metal-coated additive. There is additionally provided an adhesive material comprising at least one adhesive polymeric resin, and one of either; a) low aspect ratio metal-coated additives present in the range 0.2 wt. % to 30 wt. % of the adhesive material; or b) discrete high aspect ratio metal-coated additives present in the range 0.2 wt. % to 25 wt. % of the adhesive material.
US08840811B2	Electrically conductive bonding material, method of bonding with the same, and semiconductor device bonded with the same The present invention provides a bonding material and a method of bonding for metal bonding at a bonding interface capable of a higher bonding strength at a lower temperature without application of pressure, compared to a bonding material of metal particles having an average particle size of not greater than 100 nm. An electrically conductive bonding material including (A) silver particles, (B) silver oxide, and (C) a dispersant including organic material containing not more than 30 carbon atoms as essential components, wherein a total amount of (A) the silver powder, (B) the silver oxide powder, and (C) the dispersant including an organic material containing not more than 30 carbon atoms is in a range of 99.0% to 100% by weight, is provided. In other words, no resin binder is contained.
US08840806B2	Absorbent for capturing carbon dioxide including amino acid having multi amine groups and metal hydroxide Provided is an absorbent for capturing carbon dioxide. The absorbent may include an amino acid with multiple amine groups and an alkali-metal hydroxide mixed with the amino acid and thus, may increase an absorption capacity for carbon dioxide. When a sterically hindered effect is induced to the amino acid with multiple amine groups, the absorption capacity for carbon dioxide may increase and heat of absorption reaction may decrease and thus, energy consumed for regeneration of an absorbent may be reduced. The absorbent for capturing carbon dioxide may include amino acid with multiple amine groups and the metal hydroxide, and may provide a functional group around the amine groups to cause an sterically hindered effect and thus, the absorption capacity for carbon dioxide and an carbon dioxide absorption rate may increase, and the capital cost for a carbon dioxide capturing process and an operating cost may be significantly reduced.
US08840804B2	Calcium reduction composition and method A formula and method for reducing water hardness includes the combination of a sulfate donor, salt of phosphoric acid, and salt of sulfamic acid. Preferred formulas include effective amounts of sodium bisulfate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and sulfamic acid. In a swimming pool, preferred formulas are effective in reducing calcium to under 200 ppm within a two day period. In addition, preferred formulas provide ongoing effectiveness in suppressing scaling, staining and cloudy water.
US08840801B2	Preparation method of magnetic cluster colloid and magnetic cluster colloid prepared thereby This invention relates to a manufacturing method of colloid comprising magnetic nanoclusters and magnetic nanocluster colloid made by the same. More particularly, this invention relates to a manufacturing method of colloid comprising magnetic nanoclusters comprising magnetic precursor and heterometal precursor by a certain ratio and magnetic nanocluster colloid made by the same.
US08840800B2	Magnetic material, method for producing magnetic material, and inductor element A magnetic material is disclosed, which includes magnetic particles containing at least one magnetic metal selected from the group including Fe, Co and Ni, and at least one non-magnetic metal selected from Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Zr, Ti, Hf, Zn, Mn, rare earth elements, Ba and Sr; a first coating layer of a first oxide that covers at least a portion of the magnetic particles; oxide particles of a second oxide that is present between the magnetic particles and constitutes an eutectic reaction system with the first oxide; and an oxide phase that is present between the magnetic particles and has an eutectic structure of the first oxide and the second oxide.
US08840794B2	Device for separating ferromagnetic particles from a suspension A device for separating ferromagnetic particles from a suspension has a tubular reactor and a plurality of magnets which are arranged outside the reactor, the magnets (9) being movable along at least a part of the length of the reactor (2) up to the vicinity of a particle extractor (5) by means of a rotary conveyor (8).
US08840792B2	Apparatus and methods for solution processing using reverse osmosis Equipment, systems, processes and techniques for conducting reverse osmosis processing of solutions are described. The techniques can be applied to provide diluted solution (i.e. purified solvent), concentrate solution or each. A variety of specific equipment, example systems and processes are depicted and described.
US08840789B2	Local sewage processing unit, sewage treatment system, method of locally processing sewage and sewage treatment process A local sewage processing unit is provided that receives sewage from a local source of sewage, extracts water from the received sewage that is suitable for re-use and includes a pump that is configured to pump sewage from a receiving section of the local sewage processing unit into a pressure sewer network, as required.
US08840788B2	Hollow fiber membrane, method for manufacturing the same, and blood purification module The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane where the membrane strength and pressure resistance to pressurization from the dialysate side is ensured, the retaining rate of water permeability after the repeated pressure load from outside is high, the resistance to the pressure from outside is excellent and the assembling property into module (low leakage rate at the adhered part) is satisfactory at the same time. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the same, and a blood purification module.
US08840778B2	Processing of acid containing hydrocarbons A method for thermally cracking a carboxylic acid containing hydrocarbonaceous feed wherein the feed is first processed in a vaporization step that contains at least one catalyst effective to convert carboxylic acid species to carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon and/or lower molecular weight acids and hydrocarbon.
US08840773B2	Reclaiming metal from articles Techniques and systems for reclaiming metals from articles having one or more components containing or coated with copper are provided. An example technique may include providing an article having one or more components containing or coated with copper, providing a barrel disposed in a container, the container containing an electrolytic solution and a copper starting pole component, positioning a plurality of electrically conductive particles and the article within the barrel, and separating one or more copper ions from at least a portion of the article by electrolysis.
US08840769B2	Resin composition containing catalyst precursor for electroless plating in forming electro-magnetic shielding layer, method of forming metallic pattern using the same, and metallic pattern formed by the same method A catalyst precursor resin composition includes an organic polymer resin; a fluorinated-organic complex of silver ion; a monomer having multifunctional ethylene-unsaturated bonds; a photoinitiator; and an organic solvent. The metallic pattern is formed by forming catalyst pattern on a base using the catalyst precursor resin composition reducing the formed catalyst pattern, and electroless plating the reduced catalyst pattern. In the case of forming metallic pattern using the catalyst precursor resin composition, a compatibility of catalyst is good enough not to make precipitation, chemical resistance and adhesive force of the formed catalyst layer are good, catalyst loss is reduced during wet process such as development or plating process, depositing speed is improved, and thus a metallic pattern having good homogeneous and micro pattern property may be formed after electroless plating.
US08840767B2	Low maintenance reference electrode for electrochemical measurements A low maintenance reference electrode has a liquid junction body with a multiplicity of micron-sized capillary channels extending through the body for transporting electrolyte to a test solution. A viscosity-increasing agent thickens the electrolyte to limit its flow to a rate on the order of microliters/day so that a few milliliters of electrolyte suffice to provide an extended electrode life.
US08840765B2	Oxygen sensor with a microporous electrolyte layer and partially open cover membrane The present invention concerns an electrochemical sensor for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium, a process for its production as well as a method for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensor.
US08840756B2	Device for creating multitone watermarks and methods of manufacture and use thereof The present invention relates to the field of paper and relates to a sheet including a high-definition high-contrast multitone watermark having areas of pronounced brightness. Such watermark is particularly obtained by means of a part (4) including a surface (5) having a raised area and perforations (6). The perforations (6) are such that making the cross-section thereof, at a given distance from the draining surface, directly depends on said distance. The present invention also relates to the method for manufacturing said part that is used for forming one such watermark, to the part itself, and to the use of said part when forming a watermark.
US08840755B2	Method for producing crepe paper that is smooth on one side A method for continuously producing crepe paper, comprising the steps of producing a paper web from a material suspension, mechanically dewatering the paper web in a press section, generating a crepe structure in the sheet structure of the paper web, and thermally drying the paper web. The paper web is applied to a glazing cylinder by means of a bulk-preserving pressing system in order to dry and generate a smooth surface on the paper web. The crepe paper is smooth on one side and can be used for a variety of further application areas.
US08840753B2	Plasma etching unit The present invention is a plasma etching method including: an arranging step of arranging a pair of electrodes oppositely in a chamber and making one of the electrodes support a substrate to be processed in such a manner that the substrate is arranged between the electrodes, the substrate having an organic-material film and an inorganic-material film; and an etching step of applying a high-frequency electric power to at least one of the electrodes to form a high-frequency electric field between the pair of the electrodes, supplying a process gas into the chamber to form a plasma of the process gas by means of the electric field, and selectively plasma-etching the organic-material film of the substrate with respect to the inorganic-material film by means of the plasma; wherein a frequency of the high-frequency electric power applied to the at least one of the electrodes is 50 to 150 MHz in the etching step.
US08840752B2	Flow passage switching apparatus, processing apparatus, flow passage switching method, processing method and storage medium Disclosed are a flow path switching apparatus and a fluid processing apparatus having a liquid processing unit that performs a processing by supplying different kinds of processing fluid to wafer W at different timings. The atmosphere of the liquid processing unit is discharged fluid to a plurality of exclusive exhaust paths through exhaust paths and flow path switching units. A flow path switching unit includes an outer tube having a plurality of connection holes and a rotary tube inserted into the outer tube having a plurality of openings. In particular, one of the plurality of openings of the rotary tube is aligned with one of the plurality of connection holes of the outer tube in such a way that only an aligned set of an opening of the rotary tube and a connection hole of the outer tube is sequentially communicated during the rotation of the rotary tube.
US08840750B2	Method of bonding a leading edge sheath to a blade body of a fan blade A method of forming a fan blade includes the step of applying an adhesive layer around a leading edge of a fan blade body. The adhesive layer includes an adhesive film supported by a scrim cloth, and the adhesive layer contacts a portion of an inner surface of the fan blade body and a portion of an outer surface of the fan blade body. A leading edge sheath is positioned relative to the fan blade body such that a first flank and a second flank of the leading edge sheath is positioned over the portion of the inner surface and the portion of an outer surface, respectively, of the fan blade body. Pressure is applied to the first flank and the second flank of the leading edge sheath to secure the leading edge sheath to the blade body and curing the adhesive film.
US08840745B2	Method of printing foil images upon textiles A method of printing foil images upon textiles is provided. Advantageously, a digital inkjet printer can be utilized to apply an adhesive for affixing a foil embellishment. The method of printing foil images upon textiles includes applying a pretreatment solution upon a textile. After the pretreatment solution has dried, a white underbase in the form of a fanciful design is printed upon the textile using a digital inkjet printer. A heavy color layer of color ink is then digitally inkjet printed upon the white underbase. Thereafter, the textile is removed from the inkjet printer and positioned upon a heat press table. Foil transfer paper is positioned upon the textile so as to cover the white underbase and heavy color layer. The heat press is activated so as to adhere the foil, but only to those regions where the white underbase and color ink has been printed. Once cool to the touch, the foil is slowly peeled from the textile so as to leave a fanciful foil design.
US08840744B2	Adhesive backed skins and grips for handheld devices A method of preventing a handheld electronic device from slipping in relation to a smooth hard surface having a low coefficient of friction is disclosed. The method includes forming a decorative layer from a label stock; forming a contoured surface on an anti-slip layer; bonding the decorative layer and the anti-slip layer together to form an anti-slip skin; and adhering the anti-slip skin to the handheld electronic device. The contoured surface prevents the handheld device from slipping on the hard surface.
US08840742B2	System and method of detecting a missing tow in a composite layup A system for detecting a missing tow in a tow band may include a fiber placement head for applying a tow band to a substrate forming a composite layup. The system may further include a heating device for preheating the substrate prior to application of the tow band. The system may additionally include an infrared camera mounted to the fiber placement head and configured to generate a real-time thermal image of the composite layup during the application of the tow band to the substrate.
US08840734B2	Non-oriented electrical steel sheet A non-oriented electrical steel sheet, containing: C: 0.01 mass % or less; Si: 1.0 mass % or more and 3.5 mass % or less; Al: 0.1 mass % or more and 3.0 mass % or less; Mn: 0.1 mass % or more and 2.0 mass % or less; P: 0.1 mass % or less; S: 0.005 mass % or less; Ti: 0.001 mass % or more and 0.01 mass % or less; N: 0.005 mass % or less; and Y: more than 0.05 mass % and 0.2 mass % or less, with the balance being iron and inevitable impurities.
US08840733B2	Endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus includes: a medicinal solution storage portion; a cleaning/disinfecting tank; a medicinal solution supplying conduit having one end communicating with the medicinal solution storage portion and the other end opening toward the cleaning/disinfecting tank; a medicinal solution supplying member; a medicinal solution receiving member provided inside the medicinal solution supplying member; and a medicinal solution collecting port which is openable/closable by a lid body, and formed at a position between the medicinal solution receiving member and the opening of the other end in the medicinal solution supplying conduit.
US08840732B2	Dishwasher with an improved arrangement of the feed device in the door A door for a dishwasher, in particular for a domestic dishwasher, the door serving for opening and closing the interior of the dishwasher, comprising an inner door which, when the door is closed, is oriented towards the interior and has a surround comprising a top and a bottom periphery, which run essentially horizontally when the door is closed, and two side peripheries, which run essentially vertically when the door is closed, wherein a feed device for dispensing additives is arranged on the inner door, essentially centrally between the side peripheries and in the top third, in particular in the top quarter, of the region between the top and bottom peripheries.
US08840730B1	HDA vacuum cleaning machine for manufacturing of HDD A machine for cleaning a head-disk assembly (HDA) of a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a nest that seals the HDA between an upper and lower portion during cleaning. An inlet port receives a gas and an exhaust port exhausts the gas and entrained particles. A shock drive delivers mechanical shocks to the nest and the HDA while the gas is flowing through the HDA. A blower may circulate the gas from the exhaust port to the inlet port. A filter may be coupled to the inlet port. The HDA nest may be movable along an axis of the mechanical shocks delivered by the shock drive. A blow tube may deliver gas to a screw hole and a coaxial vacuum tube may rest against a surface around the screw hole to encapsulate the blow tube during cleaning and remove the gas and particles from the screw hole.
US08840729B1	Air conditioning drain cleaning system An air conditioning drain cleaning system with an automated blow-out cycle to clean out an evaporator pan drain pipe. The system has a pneumatic valve assembly, a controller, a float level switch assembly and a plurality of air lines in a manifold for actuating the pneumatic valve assembly and blowing out the drain pipe. The controller directs the system to initiate or repeat a blow-out cycle until the drain pipe is clear. The pneumatic valve assembly bisects the drain pipe to selectively close the pipe for cleaning with a pair of high pressure air shots, one shot toward each pipe end to dislodge a clog. The float level switch assembly signals the controller if the condensate level in the drain pan drops. If the condensate level does not drop, the controller initiates a further blow-out cycle at increased pressures until the line is clear.
US08840727B2	Film deposition apparatus, substrate processor, film deposition method, and computer-readable storage medium A film deposition apparatus for depositing a thin film on a substrate by feeding at least two kinds of reaction gases in a vacuum chamber includes a turntable; a substrate placement part on the turntable; a first and a second reaction gas feed part provided apart from each other to feed a first and a second reaction gas into a first and a second process region, respectively, on the turntable; a separation region positioned between the first and second process regions and including a first separation gas feed part to feed a first separation gas and a ceiling surface; a center part region positioned inside the vacuum chamber and including an ejection opening for ejecting a second separation gas; an evacuation port; and a drive part to rotate the turntable so that the substrate passes through the first and second process regions at different angular velocities of the turntable.
US08840725B2	Chamber with uniform flow and plasma distribution Embodiments of the present invention provide a recursive liner system that facilitates providing more uniform flow of gases proximate the surface of a substrate disposed within an apparatus for processing a substrate (e.g., a process chamber). In some embodiments, a recursive liner system may include an outer liner having an outer portion configured to line the walls of a process chamber, a bottom portion extending inward from the outer portion, and a lip extending up from the bottom portion to define a well; and an inner liner having a lower portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the well to define, together with the outer liner, a recursive flow path therebetween.
US08840721B2	Method of manufacturing silicon single crystal The present invention provides a method of producing low-resistivity silicon single crystal containing a dopant at a relatively high concentration by adding a large amount of the dopant to silicon melt when the silicon single crystal is pulled up, with suppressing occurrence of dislocation in the crystal. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing silicon single crystal by bringing silicon seed crystal into contact with silicon melt and pulling up the silicon seed crystal while rotating the crystal to grow silicon single crystal whose straight body section has a diameter of φ mm below the silicon seed crystal, the method comprising: the dopant-adding step of adding a dopant to the silicon melt during growth of the straight body section of the silicon single crystal, while rotating the silicon single crystal at a rotational speed of ω rpm (where ω≧24−(φ/25)).
US08840719B2	Titanium dioxide pigments and manufacturing method The invention provides a coated inorganic oxide pigment. The inventive coated inorganic oxide pigment comprises an inorganic oxide base pigment, a porous inorganic coating formed on the base pigment, and a dense inorganic coating formed on the base pigment. The porous inorganic coating and dense inorganic coating each consist essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of silica and alumina. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a coated inorganic oxide pigment. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a polymer composition comprising a base polymer, and a coated inorganic oxide pigment admixed with the base polymer.
US08840718B2	Photocatalytically active polysiloxane coating compositions The invention is a coating composition comprising photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles, an opacifying agent, a silicone compound, de-HNO3 particles, styrene resin hollow microspheres, and a solvent. The combination of a silicone compound and styrene resin hollow microspheres in a depolluting coating composition results in improved opacity and durability compared to conventional coatings.
US08840711B2	Method for potting ceramic capillary membranes A modular element having a high-temperature stable main body, including at least one metallic or ceramic plate, which has at least one through-going aperture for the insertion of a ceramic capillary membrane and at least one potting in the form of a sufficiently gas-tight and high-temperature stable joint between the metallic or ceramic plate and the ceramic capillary membrane. The through-going aperture of the metallic or ceramic plate having an extension for accommodating the sufficiently gas-tight and high-temperature stable joint on at least one side of the metallic or ceramic plate.
US08840709B2	Method and apparatus for purifying compressed air In a compressed air processing method and device for motor vehicles, compressed air at static pressure in a pressure line is purified of contaminants, such as hydrocarbon compounds and oil products, and subsequently dried. To ensure that the compressed air is effectively purified of contaminants and water vapor before purification, the compressed air is brought to a temperature at which the contaminants present in gaseous form condense and the water mass contained in the compressed air is dissolved as steam.
US08840706B1	Capture of carbon dioxide by hybrid sorption A composition, process and system for capturing carbon dioxide from a combustion gas stream. The composition has a particulate porous support medium that has a high volume of pores, an alkaline component distributed within the pores and on the surface of the support medium, and water adsorbed on the alkaline component, wherein the proportion of water in the composition is between about 5% and about 35% by weight of the composition. The process and system contemplates contacting the sorbent and the flowing gas stream together at a temperature and for a time such that some water remains adsorbed in the alkaline component when the contact of the sorbent with the flowing gas ceases.
US08840705B2	Methods for the ozonolysis of organic compounds A method for producing ozone for use in ozonolysis reactions. Oxygen is separated from the mixture of ozone and oxygen from an ozone generation unit and is fed back to the oxygen feed to the generation unit. Nitrogen is fed to the ozone separation unit and the mixture of nitrogen and ozone is fed to the ozonation reactor where the ozone will react with organic compounds to produce desired end products.
US08840703B1	Liquid hydrocarbon slug containing vapor recovery system A liquid hydrocarbon slug-containing vessel for incorporation into a system integrating a low-pressure separator with a vapor recovery process system, and a method for regulating the temperature of a gas to be compressed by a two stage compressor so as to prevent liquification of the gas and to prevent over-heating of the compressor.
US08840696B2	Abrasive particles having particular shapes and methods of forming such particles A method of forming an abrasive article includes depositing a mixture into an opening of a substrate, contacting an exposed surface of the mixture in the opening to a texturing form to form a textured preform, and removing the mixture from the opening and forming an abrasive particle having a textured surface.
US08840695B2	Shaped abrasive particle and method of forming same A method of forming a mixture including a ceramic material into a sheet, sectioning at least a portion of the sheet using a mechanical object and forming at least one shaped abrasive particle from the sheet, such that the at least one shaped abrasive particle can have a two-dimensional shape as viewed in a plane defined by a length and a width of the shaped abrasive particle selected from the group consisting of polygons, ellipsoids, numerals, Greek alphabet characters, Latin alphabet characters, Russian alphabet characters, complex shapes having a combination of polygonal shapes, and a combination thereof.
US08840693B2	Coated particles and related methods Coated particles comprise a core particle comprising a superhard material and having an average diameter of between 1 μm and 500 μm. A coating material is adhered to and covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the core particle, the coating material comprising an amine terminated group. A plurality of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, nanographite, nanographene, non-diamond carbon allotropes, surface modified nanodiamond, nanoscale particles of BeO, and nanoscale particles comprising a Group VIIIA element is adhered to the coating material.
US08840685B2	Solid electrolytical capacitors with improved ESR stability An improved capacitor, and method for making the capacitor, is described. The capacitor has an anode and a dielectric on the anode. A cathode layer is on the dielectric wherein the cathode layer comprises at least one conductive layer and an insulative adhesion enhancing layer.
US08840682B2	Oxidizing composition for hair Present invention relates to an oxidizing composition for keratin fibers especially for human hair with improved lightening effect and therefore, improved coloring and bleaching effects are easily achieved of the compositions applied after mixing with the said composition. Present inventors have surprisingly found out that a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent and additionally at least one alkalizing agent, at least one carbonate source and at least one urea derivative delivers an improved and homogeneous lightening performance and leaves hair in an improved cosmetically acceptable conditioned status.
US08840678B2	Drug-eluting bioabsorbable renal artery stent for renal cancer and inflammatory disorders Methods of treating renal cancers and other kidney-related inflammatory disorders with a bioabsorbable polymer scaffold (such as a stent) are described. The treatments are provided as alternative to complete or partial surgical removal of a diseased kidney.
US08840675B2	Durable resurfacing hip replacement device A minimal invasive hip arthroplasty device is provided. The device includes a long nail portion, a lag screw portion, distal locking screws, and a resurfacing head. The long nail portion is inserted into a shaft body of a femur from a top portion of the femur and disposed in the femur. The lag screw portion engages and anchors at the long nail portion through a lag screw hole, and the lag screw portion is inserted into a neck of the femur. The distal locking screws queue through the shaft body of the femur perpendicularly and fix the long nail portion to the femur further. The resurfacing head includes a cup portion configured to cover a head of the femur and a fixing pin portion configured to be inserted into the head and the neck of the femur and engaging the lag screw portion through a resurfacing head hole.
US08840664B2	Heart valve prosthesis anchoring device and methods Apparatus and methods for securing heart valve repair or replacement prostheses in or near the heart. The apparatus and methods are particularly well suited for traditional surgery or minimally invasive surgery. The invention secures a heart valve repair or replacement prosthesis in place while lowering surgical exposure. The invention improves the ease of implantation because it reduces the number of surgical knots a clinician would normally tie in the limited space in and around the heart.
US08840659B2	Stent and stent-graft designs The present embodiments provide stents and stent-grafts for use in medical procedures. In one embodiment, a stent comprises a series of proximal apices, a series of distal apices, and at least one imaging element. A distal region of the stent, including the series of distal apices and a first suture bore, overlaps with the graft material, while a proximal region of the stent, including the series of proximal apices and at least one barb, is disposed proximally beyond the graft material. In an alternative embodiment, a stent-graft comprises a graft, a first stent and a second stent, in which a series of proximal apices of the first stent are each disposed distal to the proximal end of the graft, and a series of proximal apices of the second stent are each disposed proximally beyond the proximal end of the graft.
US08840655B2	Systems and devices for reducing the size of an internal tissue opening A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The delivery device can include an actuating assembly configured to partially deploy the closure device by a first movement, and deploy a second portion of the closure device by a second movement. The delivery device can also include a release assembly to selectively release or disconnect the closure device from the delivery device. The delivery device can include a tip member coupled to the distal end of a catheter. The tip member can include a first passageway and a second passageway being in a spaced apart arrangement. A guidewire can be received into the first passageway to facilitate positioning of the delivery device. The second passageway can house and facilitate delivery of the closure device.
US08840652B2	Bone anchors with longitudinal connecting member engaging inserts and closures for fixation and optional angulation Polyaxial bone anchors include a retainer for holding a shank within a receiver, the retainer being in at least two discrete pieces and cooperating with a variety of inserts, some of which independently lock the polyaxial mechanism. Polyaxial and mono-axial bone anchor assemblies include pivot and/or pressure inserts or pads that cooperate with longitudinal connecting members to provide a desired degree of continued control of angulation of the longitudinal connecting member in the sagittal plane or to hold the connecting member in place. Pressure pads for deformable rods may also be made from a deformable plastic material.
US08840651B2	Systems and methods for the fixation or fusion of bone A stem-like bone fixation device allows for bony in-growth on its surface and across fracture fragments or between bones that are to be fused.
US08840650B2	Cervical plate locking mechanism and associated surgical method The cervical plate locking mechanism of the present invention is elegant in its design and effective in its performance, and utilizes a plate with holes that each incorporate a locking lip structure and locking screws that each incorporate a head portion having petal structures that are outwardly biased prior to insertion via an internally-disposed c-ring or the like. Advantageously, the lead-in torque of each of the locking screws is less than the lead-out torque of each of the locking screws. Thus, reverse threading or backing out is prevented.
US08840649B2	Multi-axial bone plate system An orthopedic bone plate system includes a bone plate for placement adjacent one or more vertebral bodies. The system further includes a locking element including a compression member and a fixation member, the compression member having an aperture and a deformable portion. Also included is a bone fastener having a bone engaging portion and a stem portion. The stem is slidably receivable within the aperture of the compression member while the locking member is receivable within an aperture of the bone plate. As the compression member is brought into proximity of a vertebral body along the longitudinal axis of the bone fastener, an increasing force is exerted against the fixation member and translated to the bone plate. The resultant force is translated back to the fixation member to the compression member which causes the deformable portion of the compression member to clamp the bone fastener relative to the bone plate.
US08840648B2	Spinal cage and implanting method thereof A spinal cage is provided to be implanted in an intervertebral disc space. The spinal cage includes a first segment and a second segment movably connected with each other. The first segment is slidable with respect to the second segment, so as to elongate the spinal cage from a retracted state to an extended state.
US08840644B2	Toggle bolt suture anchor In one embodiment, the present invention may include a system for securing soft tissue relative to a bone including a tissue anchor having a substantially planar body having a channel and at least one bore hole; an inserter rod having a longitudinal length and adapted to be positioned within the channel of the tissue anchor; and an engagement structure on at least one of the channel or the inserter rod adapted to removeably affix the tissue anchor to the inserter rod.
US08840641B2	Medical device for modification of left atrial appendage and related systems and methods Medical devices, systems and methods for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”). In one embodiment, a medical device system includes a jailing member or structure positioned over the ostium of an LAA and at least one tissue growth member positioned within the LAA and retained within the LAA by the jailing member. In another embodiment, a medical device includes an atrial stent coupled with a patch that is configured to cover the ostium of an LAA. The patch may have a tissue growth member associated therewith. In another embodiment, the patch may include an open-cell frame which may be used as a jailing member or structure.
US08840633B2	Finger activated lancet device A lancet device includes a housing with a cantilever spring extending therein and defining a lancet having a puncturing end on the cantilever spring. An actuator extends within the housing through an opening at the forward end. The actuator includes an interfering engagement with the cantilever spring. Movement of the actuator into the housing through the forward end pivots the cantilever spring against its relaxed condition and then releases the engagement with the cantilever spring, thereby permitting the cantilever spring to pivot the lancet structure to an extended position with the puncturing end extending through the forward opening, and to return to the relaxed condition retracting the puncturing end back within the housing.
US08840631B2	Compartment syndrome treatment method and surgical instrument for same A subcutaneous fasciotomy is performed to relieve pressure due to compartment syndrome. A small incision is made in a patient's skin. A surgical instrument is advanced through the entry location, and moved between the skin and the fascia of the patient to a remote location, with a cutter of the instrument in a stowed configuration. After reaching the remote location, the cutter is deployed to pierce an initial opening in the fascia at the remote location. The fascia is maintained adjacent a blade of the cutter via a notch shape that traps the fascia. The instrument is then withdrawn back toward the entry location with the blade incising the fascia to relieve pressure in the muscle compartment. The surgical instrument is then removed through the entry incision.
US08840629B2	Robotic arthroplasty system including navigation A system for performing surgery on a joint. The system includes a robotic subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The navigation subsystem provides the robotic subsystem, during the surgery, with information relating to positions of the bones associated with the joint thereby enabling separate tracking of the bones when the bones move during the surgery. The robotic subsystem includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation subsystem may include a plurality of locating devices.
US08840627B2	Device for supporting an elongated body and for the controlled translational movement of the same A device for supporting and controlling the translational movement of an elongated body, the body extending along the longitudinal axis thereof in the form of a rod, such as a needle intended for a percutaneous medical procedure. The device is designed to be mounted to a support that can be controlled in terms of position and orientation, and includes: (i) a first member for gripping the body, whose movement can be controlled in the translation direction with a pre-determined maximum stroke; and (ii) a second fixed member which can guide the elongated body when the body is moved by the first mobile gripping member and which can maintain the body in position when the body is not engaged with the first member.
US08840626B2	Systems for performing gynecological procedures with simultaneous tissue cutting and removal Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system is configured to permit simultaneous tissue cutting and removal from a target site. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.
US08840625B2	Systems for performing gynecological procedures with closed visualization lumen Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. An access sheath is provided with at least one lumen, and a lens attached thereto. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.
US08840624B2	Probe tip and infusion sleeve for use in ophthalmological surgery A phacoemulsification probe includes a first portion for interconnecting the probe with a phacoemulsification machine. A probe tip has a first end connected with the first portion and a second end curved up to a predetermined angle. The probe tip defines a channel therein for aspirating material through the probe tip from a surgical region.
US08840623B2	Systems and methods for the fixation or fusion of bone A joint between two bone segments is fused by passing an elongated, rectilinear bone fusion device over a guide pin across the joint and into tight engagement within bores formed in the bone segments, to thereby restrict movement of the elongated bone fusion device across the joint. The elongated, rectilinear bone fusion device also provides bony in-growth within the bores along the exterior surface of the bone fusion device.
US08840619B2	Dovetail method of allograft transplantation A technique for forming a dovetail shaped groove in bone necessary in allograft transplantation such as the meniscus or the Achilles tendon. The technique uses a single drill guide that is designed to create a dovetail shape in bone. The drill guide is provided with a first opening for receiving one drill sleeve placed in a fixed location, and a second opening having an oblong shape for receiving a second drill sleeve having an offset cannulation. The combination of the two drill sleeves allows the surgeon to place two guide pins and ream over each guide pin resulting in a dovetail shape in the bone.
US08840618B2	System and method for pressure mixing bone filling material A method for treating a vertebral bone comprises providing a bone filling material and mixing the bone filling material in a vessel to form a bone augmentation material. The method further comprises pressurizing the vessel with a pressurization source to retain a plurality of voids within the bone augmentation material. The method further includes inserting a material delivery device into the vertebral bone and injecting the bone augmentation material with the retained plurality of voids from the material delivery device and into the vertebral bone.
US08840614B2	Graft collection and containment system for bone defects A device for containing bone graft material comprises a body including an inner sleeve extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve and extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end such that a bone graft collecting space is formed therebetween.
US08840613B2	Bioabsorbable coatings of surgical devices Methods of reducing device drag on implantable articles are disclosed herein. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings.
US08840610B2	Electrosurgical system including electrosurgical instrument for longitudinal and lateral treatment An electrosurgical system is provided for the treatment of tissue, the system including an electrosurgical generator (1) for generating a radio frequency (RF) voltage, and an electrosurgical instrument (3) for the vaporization of tissue. The instrument (3) comprises an instrument shaft (10) having a longitudinal axis, and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises a tissue treatment electrode (11) and a return electrode (14, 25) electrically insulated one from another by means of an insulation member (12). The tissue treatment electrode (11) has an exposed surface (19) for treating tissue, the exposed surface of the tissue treatment electrode being laterally disposed on the instrument shaft (10), and being such that it presents a substantially planar face lying in a plane angled at between 120° and 177.5° to the longitudinal axis, with 0° and 180° being the proximal and distal directions of the longitudinal axis. The generator (1) is such that the magnitude of the RF voltage delivered to the tissue treatment electrode (11) is sufficient to cause tissue vaporization when the system is used for tissue treatment.
US08840609B2	Tissue fusion system and method of performing a functional verification test A jaw heating element of a handpiece of a thermal tissue operating system is tested on an ongoing basis by supplying a test heater power signal to the jaw heating element between individual thermal tissue operations. Voltage and current through the jaw heating element is sensed and the resistance of the jaw heating element is calculated. If the calculated resistance is outside a range of predetermined acceptable values, an error condition is indicated.
US08840607B2	Steerable laser probe A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.
US08840606B2	Method of treating a blood vessel with an optical fiber having a spacer An endovascular laser treatment device designed to be used with an optical fiber to treat venous diseases such as varicose veins is provided. The device includes a spacer that positions the distal end of the optical fiber away from the inner wall of the blood vessel during delivery of laser energy to provide an even distribution of thermal energy around the vessel, thereby avoiding vessel perforation and incomplete vessel collapse.
US08840605B2	Steerable laser probe A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle proximal end and a handle distal end, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve at least partially disposed within the housing sleeve, and an optic fiber disposed within the shape memory sleeve and within an inner bore of the handle. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber.
US08840603B2	Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and sensor transponders A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a control unit and a staple cartridge including a transponder. The control unit is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to the transponder and to receive a second wireless signal from the transponder to determine one of a first electronic state and a second electronic state of the transponder based on the second wireless signal.
US08840598B2	Wrapper having a tab Wrappers having one or more tabs are provided. The wrapper can have a first end, a second end, and a center portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The wrapper can include a first joined portion at the second end and a tab extending from the joined portion outwardly from the feminine device. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the withdrawal member can extend through the joined portion into the tab.
US08840597B2	Absorbent article for medical treatment or menstruation The present invention relates to an absorbent fabric for medical treatment or menstruation, and more particularly, to a convenient and sanitary absorbent article to be used as a tampon, a blood-absorbing fabric for surgery, etc. The present invention provides an absorbent article for medical treatment or menstruation, wherein a flat absorbent article is provided with removal means and is formed into a cylindrical shape. The flat absorbent article is formed by forming an absorbent layer on a liquid passage layer. The removal means is arranged to cover the liquid passage layer and the absorbent layer of the flat absorbent article in the widthwise direction, and a portion of the removal means is outwardly exposed from the flat absorbent article in the widthwise direction of the flat absorbent article. The flat absorbent article is wound in the lengthwise direction and thus is formed into a cylindrical absorbent article, thereby fixing the removal means in the cylindrical absorbent article.
US08840593B2	Discharge apparatus having compressed gas support A discharge apparatus for discharging a product having compressed gas support comprises a container (1) having a discharge opening (12) and a pressure element (2), which is mounted displaceably in the container (1). A counterpressure element (13) is provided on the container (1) and is used to advance the pressure element (2) into the container in order to absorb a developing counterpressure when pressure is applied onto the pressure element (2). A compressed gas device (5, 7, 8) dispenses compressed gas in the region of the discharge opening (12), and comprises a valve (6) and a valve actuating device (14) to control the compressed gas dispensing. The actuating device (14) is provided on the counterpressure element (13) to ensure that when discharging the product from the container, at the same time the compressed gas device can be actuated by applying pressure onto the pressure element, whereby compressed gas exits the discharge opening at the same time as the fluid product.
US08840592B2	Piston for material delivery system A piston configured to be received within a syringe is disclosed. The piston includes a valve body defining a proximal end and a distal end, a filter disposed within the proximal end of the valve body, and a valve disk disposed within the distal end of the valve body. As the piston is advanced through the syringe, the valve disk is configured to provide fluid flow through the valve body.
US08840587B2	Systems and methods allowing for reservoir filling and infusion medium delivery A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.
US08840586B2	Systems and methods allowing for reservoir filling and infusion medium delivery A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.
US08840583B2	Safety syringe A retractable syringe, comprising a needle having a tip and a base, a needle collar coupled to the needle, the needle collar including at least one groove disposed in a bottom portion of the needle collar and extending from the portion of the needle collar nearest to the base of the needle toward the tip of the needle, a fitting coupled to the needle collar and including a sealing element disposed between a first portion of the fitting and the needle collar, a barrel unit, the barrel unit designed for coupling to the fitting, a plunger unit having a piston on a first end of the plunger unit, the plunger unit and piston being positioned in the barrel unit, an extractor element coupled to the first end of the plunger and having a proximal end adjacent to the plunger and a distal end, the extractor element designed for coupling to the needle collar and encompassing at least a portion of the at least one groove.
US08840578B2	Multilayer membrane actuators An IOP control device for implantation in an eye of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a housing and a multilayer membrane. The housing is sized for implantation into the eye and includes an entrance port and an exit port. The membrane is anchored within the housing to form a flow control chamber on a first side and a fluid flow passageway on a second opposing side of the membrane. The chamber is arranged to contain a gas creating a chamber pressure, and the membrane is configured to affect flow through the passageway from the entrance port to the exit port by deflecting in response to changes in the chamber pressure. The membrane comprises a first layer having a higher permeability and a higher flexibility than the second layer, which is disposed adjacent the first layer and restricts the diffusion of gas in the chamber through the membrane.
US08840576B2	Brace installation device Thus this invention relates to a device, preferably hand held, designed for the installation of an adjustable tension, stretchable, brace that allows equal tension throughout the entire width of the brace during installation. The device of the invention is used in conjunction with pins that are positioned at either end of the brace and are removed when the brace is secured in position.
US08840573B2	Apparatuses for and method of preventing decubitus ulcers An apparatus for the prevention of decubitus ulcers includes an overlay and a plurality of stimulation segments disposed throughout the overlay, wherein the stimulation segments provide stimulation. At least one sensor is disposed within at least one of the plurality of stimulation segments. A controller is electrically connected to the at least one sensor, wherein the controller gathers data from the sensor, processes the data, and transmits instructions to the stimulation segments.
US08840570B2	Multi-section limb and ligament evaluation apparatus and associated methods for using same A method and apparatus for reliably positioning a 3-segment limb, such as a leg or arm for imaging and medical analysis, which can accommodate for the patient's “natural alignment”. The apparatus positions the limb in such a way that the position of the proximal segment is controlled while an known external torque is applied at a known rate to the distal segment. The location of each of the limb's three segments is recorded using either external or internal measurement techniques, and the relative motions between the proximal and intermediate segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the proximal joint. Furthermore, the relative motions between the intermediate and distal segments are used in the orthopedic evaluation of the distal joint. By applying a known torque at a known rate, clinicians will be provided with valuable information related to joint range of motion, stability, laxity, and compliance.
US08840559B2	Organic piezoelectric material, ultrasonic oscillator using the material, method for manufacturing the ultrasonic oscillator, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic medical diagnostic imaging device Provided is an organic piezoelectric material which has excellent piezoelectric property, heat resistance property in particular. An ultrasonic oscillator, which is to be used for an ultrasonic medical diagnostic imaging device which can receive high frequencies at high sensitivity and is suitable for harmonic imaging techniques, a method for manufacturing such oscillator, and an ultrasonic probe are also provided. The ultrasonic medical diagnostic imaging device is provided by sing such oscillator, method and probe. The organic piezoelectric material is characterized by containing empty particles having an average particle diameter of 10 μm or less.
US08840555B2	System and method of ultrasound image processing An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer adapted to obtain a dynamic series of echo signals of a subject tissue at different deformation states, and an image processor for generating and displaying ultrasound images of the tissue. The processor is configured to generate dynamic images that correspond to the dynamic series of echo signals, identify a plurality of pixels within a region of interest (ROI) of a first of the generated images, evaluate local tissue mechanical behavior by tracking the displacement, deformation, and echo intensity of the identified plurality of pixels from the first image to subsequent images based on groups of pixels that correspond to each of the identified plurality of pixels, determine tissue functionality in the subject at the tracked pixel locations, and display the tissue functionality in dynamic images that corresponds to the tracked pixel locations.
US08840553B2	Analyte monitoring device and methods of use An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08840549B2	Modular patient monitor A modular patient monitor has a docking station configured to accept a handheld monitor. The docking station has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a first set of parameters. At least some of the first parameter set are displayed simultaneously on a full-sized screen integrated with the docking station. The handheld monitor also has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a second set of parameters. At least some of the second set of parameters are displayed simultaneously on a handheld-sized screen integrated with the handheld monitor. The docking station has a port configured to accept the handheld monitor. While the handheld monitor is docket in the port, the docking station functionally combines the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters, and at least some of the combined first and second sets of parameters are displayed simultaneously on the full-sized screen.
US08840545B2	Endoscope An endoscope includes an insertion portion which is to be inserted into a subject, and an operation portion which is connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion, and held by a user. A light source is provided in the operation portion. A heat transmission frame is provided with the light source in the operation portion, is able to transmit heat generated by the light source, and is at least partially electrically insulated. An external heat radiation part is connected to the heat transmission frame, is at least partially exposed to the outside of the operation portion, and radiates heat transmitted to the heat transmission frame to the outside of the operation portion.
US08840544B2	Endoscope apparatus An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion part having an imaging mechanism at a distal end portion and which is bendable and elongated; a display part which displays an image acquired by an imaging mechanism; a manipulating part which performs curving manipulation of the insertion part; and a housing which the display part and the manipulating part are provided to a front face thereof, and which connects the insertion part with a back face opposite to the front face. The housing is capable of being self-supported in a state where the edge of the back face at the display part, and a connecting portion between the insertion part and the housing are brought into contact with the ground.
US08840541B2	Pressure sensing gastric banding system An implantable device monitors a pressure of fluid within an inflatable portion of a gastric band. The implantable device comprises a tube defining a lumen, and a pressure sensor positioned within at least one of the lumen or the tube. The pressure sensor is configured to sense the pressure of the fluid within the inflatable portion of the gastric band. The pressure sensor is also configured to transmit a pressure signal based on the pressure to a microcontroller, which transmits the pressure signal to a remote control device. The pressure sensor confers strain relief upon at least a portion of the tube, and the pressure sensor shields at least a portion of the tube from puncture by a needle.
US08840538B2	Apical ring for ventricular assist device An apical ring for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart has an annular disk with a central aperture for receiving the conduit. A collar is axially aligned with the central aperture and has a cylindrical shape interrupted by a gap between first and second ends of the collar. The collar has a fixed section joined to the annular disk and has a cantilever section extending from the fixed section to the first end of the collar. A tightener selectively drives the first end toward the second end to close the gap in order to retain the conduit within the collar. The cantilever section includes a relief slot that is expandable for extending a circumferential length of the cantilever section in response to interacting with the conduit when the gap is closed.
US08840534B2	Bag packaging carousel having intermittent vertical spindles Bag packaging machine comprising an intermittent carousel having vertical spindles (M) fastened to the horizontal carousel (G) and facing upwards allowing the realization of bags (S) with the opening facing downwards and the bottom facing upwards and a collecting device adapted to collect the bags (S) from the spindles (M) and to reverse them so as to place them with the opening facing upwards and the bottom facing downwards so as to be able to fill them. For example, the collecting device may comprise a belt (N) in continuous transit, to which holding devices (V), such as for instance suction cups, are connected.
US08840523B2	Power transmission device for hybrid vehicle A power transmission device for hybrid vehicle 10, which is provided with an engine 1, a first motor 21 and a second motor 22, includes a flywheel 13 intervening between the crankshaft 11 of the engine 1 and the driven shaft 12 driven by the crankshaft 11, the first clutch 31 disposed at the engine 1 side of the flywheel 13 for disconnecting and connecting power transmission between the engine 1 and the first motor 21, the second clutch 32 disposed at the driven shaft 12 side of the flywheel 13 for disconnecting and connecting power transmission between the engine 1 and the driven shaft 12, and a shifter 73 for disconnecting and connecting power transmission between the second motor 22 and the driven shaft 12.
US08840521B2	Gear train for a wind turbine The invention relates to a gear train (1), in particular a planetary gear train, for a wind turbine comprising a plurality of gears, in particular planet gears (4), which are each supported on a shaft (8) by means of a bearing element, wherein the bearing element is a multi-layer plain bearing (7).
US08840516B2	Dynamic damper device A dynamic damper device includes a planetary gear mechanism including plural differentially rotatable rotating elements, an elastic member that couples a rotating shaft rotated by being transmitted with a power with a first rotating element of the planetary gear mechanism, speed control devices that are coupled with second rotating elements different from the first rotating element and control rotation speeds of the second rotating elements, and a torque control device that is coupled with the first rotating element and controls torque acting on the first rotating element. Accordingly, the dynamic damper device achieves an effect that vibration can be appropriately reduced.
US08840515B2	Motor vehicle transmission having a controllable differential A motor vehicle transmission with a main chamber in which rotation of an input shaft is converted and transmitted to a main shaft connected to a housing of a differential gearbox. The housing can drive two output gears such that different rotational speeds of the output gears can be produced by compensating elements of the differential gearbox. A clutch, with one side connected to the housing and another side connected to the output gear concerned, is provided between one of the two output gears and the housing. The two sides couple due to a pressure build up. The actuating chamber is completely separated from the main chamber and, in the area of the differential gearbox, an impermeable membrane is provided as a separator, which changes its shape as pressure builds up in the actuating chamber and actuates the clutch via an actuating device.
US08840513B2	Speed reducer, robot hand and robot Through holes are formed in a revolving gear which revolves while being engaged with a ring gear, and penetration pins on which ring members of a circular ring shape are mounted outside are inserted in the through holes. Further, the ring member is mounted to the penetration pin through an elastic member.
US08840507B2	Dual redundant linear EMA with hard stop compliant driveline An apparatus has a first motor for moving an actuator, a first brake for selectively braking the motor, a second brake that is engaged, the second brake dissipating torque spikes in the system, and a gear attaching the first motor to the actuator to cause the actuator to move and to the second brake whereby the torque spikes overcome stiction in the engaged brake so that the torque spike is dissipated in the engaged brake.
US08840505B2	Hydraulic controls for an automatic transmission A system for controlling a transmission fluid circuit includes a lube circuit, a source of control pressure, a first valve for engaging and disengaging a control element whose engagement produces desired forward gears, and a control valve, responsive to control pressure, that alternately connects the lube circuit to a sump and disconnects fluid feed to the first valve, and disconnects the lube circuit from the sump and feeds fluid to the first valve.
US08840500B2	Wide-node drive system An electro-mechanical drive unit connectable with multiple power sources for launching and propelling a vehicle includes an output member, a stationary member, a gear-train, and a torque-transmitting device. The drive unit also includes a compound planetary gear arrangement having a first, second, third, and fourth junction points. The power sources include a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator. The second motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the first junction point via the gear-train and the output member is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the second junction point. Additionally, the first motor/generator is operatively connected to the compound planetary gear arrangement at the fourth junction point. Furthermore, the torque-transmitting device is engageable to ground the third junction point to the stationary member.
US08840498B2	Transmission for hybrid electric vehicle Provided is a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle that makes it possible to more effectively transmit the torque from an engine to an output shaft, provide sufficient power performance in WOT (wide open throttle) start, achieve excellent controllability without generating transmission shock by allowing modes to be naturally and smoothly switched, and improve acceleration response.
US08840494B2	Multi-layer golf ball Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition.
US08840493B2	Golf ball Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, surrounding layer 6 situated on the external side of the core 4, mid layer 8 situated on the external side of the surrounding layer 6, cover 10 situated on the external side of the mid layer 8, and paint layer 12 situated on the external side of the cover 10. The mid layer 8 has a thickness Tm of 0.1 mm or greater and 1.2 mm or less. The ratio (Tc/Tm) of the thickness Tc of the cover 10 to the thickness Tm of the mid layer 8 is no greater than 0.50. The cover 10 has a Shore D hardness Hc of no greater than 35. The Shore D hardness Hm of the mid layer 8 is greater than the Shore D hardness Hc of the cover 10. The base material of the surrounding layer 6 is an ionomer resin. The base material of the mid layer 8 is a polyurethane. The base material of the cover 10 is a polyurethane.
US08840491B2	Multi-layer golf ball Multi-layer golf balls having a soft, low compression center; a soft, flexible outer cover layer; and a relatively hard, high compression intermediate layer disposed between the center and the outer cover layer are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is greater than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
US08840485B2	Modular golf club A modular golf club includes a plurality of components that are removably coupled so that the physical attributes of the golf club head may be tuned. The inventive golf club head includes a body member and at least one of a removable sole member and a removable face member.
US08840484B2	Apparatus for providing motion sensors on a golf club A fixed clamping member has a first interior surface and is constructed of a first material. A sensor unit formed on an exterior surface of the fixed clamping member detects a motion of the motion analysis device. A pivoting clamping member secured to a first end of the fixed clamping member has a second interior surface that opposes the first interior surface when the pivoting clamping member is in a secured position. A gripping element constructed of a second material different than the first material is formed over the first interior surface and the second interior surface. A tightening member having a threaded portion is secured to a second end of the fixed clamping member. A knob has a threaded interior portion with a diameter corresponding to the cylindrical threaded portion. An opening on the pivoting clamping member has a shape and a size corresponding to the tightening member.
US08840481B2	Power transmission part, damper mechanism, and flywheel assembly A power transmitting part for transmitting power has an annular main body section and a transmitting section. The transmitting section has a first protruding section extending outward in a radial direction from the main body section and a second protruding section extending toward a first side in an axial direction from a circumferential-direction-facing edge portion of the first protruding section.
US08840478B2	Game system, information processing method, game apparatus, and storage medium having information processing program stored therein In an initial state after boot of a game apparatus, a predetermined operation image is generated and displayed on an operating device. The game apparatus makes determinations in the initial state on the basis of operation data such as to whether or not a selection instruction has been provided to select an application from among one or more applications, including a game application, which are executable by the game apparatus, and whether or not a control instruction has been provided to control a predetermined display device different from the operating device. When the selection instruction is determined to have been provided, the game apparatus executes the selected application, and outputs an image to either the operating device or the predetermined display device, or both. When the control instruction is determined to have been provided, the game apparatus controls the predetermined display device in accordance with the control instruction.
US08840475B2	Method for user session transitioning among streaming interactive video servers A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request by a hosting service center from a remote user to loin a multiplayer interactive twitch game or application already in progress, the multiplayer interactive twitch game or application running on a first server of the hosting service center and being played remotely by other players via first compressed streaming interactive video. Following a determination that the user may join the multiplayer interactive twitch game or application based on a set of criteria, an inbound routing network transfers control signals received from the remote user to the first server. Compression of the first compressed streaming interactive video is then synchronized as between the remote user and the other players such that the remote user has the perception that the multiplayer interactive twitch game or application is responding instantly to the request.
US08840470B2	Methods for capturing depth data of a scene and applying computer actions A computer-implemented method is provided to automatically apply predefined privileges for identified and tracked users in a space having one or more media sources. The method includes an operation to define and save to memory, a user profile. The user profile may include data that identifies and tracks a user with a depth-sensing camera. In another operation privileges that define levels of access to particular media for the user profile are defined and saved. The method also includes an operation to capture image and depth data from the depth-sensing camera of a scene within the space. In yet another operation, the user is tracked and identified within the scene from the image and depth data. In still another operation the defined privileges are automatically applied to one or more media sources, so that the user is granted access to selected content from the one or more media sources.
US08840469B2	Game system and game program The present invention is directed to a game system that causes a three-dimensional virtual game space 71 to be displayed on a display device in the direction of a predetermined line of sight. The three-dimensional virtual game space 71 has a plurality of objects appearing therein. After the direction of the line of sight is set, a frame setting plane 76 is set in the three-dimensional game space. Next, a frame coordinate value indicative of a position of each selected object projected on the frame setting plane is calculated. Based on the frame coordinate value, a frame is set. The frame is virtually set on the frame setting plane 76 so that all positions indicated by the frame coordinate values of the selected objects are located inside of the frame. Based on this frame, a display area to be displayed on the display device is determined.
US08840468B1	Fantasy league weighted aggregation system A fantasy league weighted aggregation system that accepts user selections and fantasy league data, applies a weighting to at least one or more players if a weighting exists, for example based on ratio of entry fees for leagues, etc., and displays an aggregate view of the combination based on the weighting. The aggregate view includes a plurality of player strength categories associated with each player such as a list of players for, favorable to, unfavorable to, neutral to and against the first user, the second user or the third user. Other embodiments may display a coarse grained favorable and unfavorable aggregate view. The system may also calculate a range of optimal scores for particular players according to a strategy to improve a standing in at least one league while minimizing loss of standing across multiple leagues or using other strategies.
US08840467B2	Game control method, server apparatus, and storage medium When a mobile terminal obtains a container upon movement of a display range, a processor increases points in a storage unit. When the mobile terminal opens a container obtained by movement of the display range or as a present from another mobile terminal, the processor opens the container at predetermined success percentages, and writes an item obtained from the opened container in the storage unit. When the mobile terminal presents a container without opening it, the processor transmits screen data indicating a present to the other mobile terminal. The processor converts an item in the storage unit into points to increase the points in the storage unit based on an operation of the user of the mobile terminal.
US08840465B2	System and method of facilitating external notifications for events that occur in a plurality of different virtual spaces External notifications related to virtual spaces, such as virtual game spaces may be provided to users. The notifications may provide an indication of events that have occurred in the virtual game spaces, offers of virtual goods, and/or other information related to the virtual game spaces. External notifications may be sent, for example, via email, text message, instant message (external from the virtual space), and/or through other external communication media. This may provide centralized and/or coordinated distribution of notifications for a plurality of different virtual game spaces.
US08840464B1	Coordinating media in a wagering game environment In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes an interface configured to receive media information from an emotive lighting controller remote from the wagering game machine, wherein the media information indicates settings for media devices remote from the wagering game machine. The wagering game machine can also include an operating system configured to detect receipt of the media information over the interface, and to deliver the media information to a wagering game unit. The wagering game machine can also include the wagering game unit configured to receive the media information from the operating system, and select, based on the media information, one or more colors for graphical game elements of a wagering game. The wagering game unit can also present the wagering game including the graphical game elements, wherein the graphical game elements are colored according to the one or more colors.
US08840463B2	Method and apparatus to award at least one jackpot prize An embodiment of the method commences with some initialization steps 10 and 11, which include defining parameters for first and second jackpots. A loop commences at steps 12 and 13 at which current values of the first and second jackpot prize pools are calculated. At step 14 the CPU 2 determines whether storage criterion has been met. If so, the process flow moves to steps 15, 16 and 17. If not, the process flow moves directly to step 18. At step 15 the current value of the second jackpot prize pool is stored as a “pending prize”. Steps 16 and 17 effectively reset the second jackpot. At step 18 the CPU 2 determines whether the award criterion has been met. If not, the process flow loops back to step 12. If so, the first jackpot prize pool is awarded at step 19, along with one or more of any pending jackpot prizes, in accordance with a jackpot prize distribution scheme, then the pending jackpot prizes are deleted. At step 20 the award criterion is redefined and at step 21 the first jackpot prize pool is reset, before the process flow loops back to step 12.
US08840455B2	Gaming machine having plural gaming modes A gaming machine which can control the tempo of the game to refresh the player while maintaining continuity of the game, enhancing entertainingness and amusement of the game, and encouraging the player's sense of achievements. The input unit receives an instruction related to a game. The memory stores a first symbol determination table causing that a specific symbol appears among rearranged symbols on the symbol display unit with a first probability and a second symbol determination table causing that the specific symbol appears among the rearranged symbols with a second probability higher than the first probability. The controller starts the game in response to the instruction received through the input unit to execute the game in a normal mode and shifting the normal mode to a chance mode according to the game result in the normal mode.
US08840452B2	Air conditioner for vehicle The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, which has a mode door of a single plate member including a first door portion that closes at least two vents, a second door portion that closes one vent, and bridge portions that connect the first door portion and the second door portion with each other, thereby opening and closing a plurality of vents by the single mode door, reducing the number of components, weight and manufacturing costs by simplifying the entire structure of the mode door because it uses the single plate member, reducing the size of the air conditioner, preventing bad smells caused by inhabitation of molds and being reusable due to the use of the single plate member, and preventing the door from being caught because the plate member has bent portions formed at end portions thereof.
US08840449B2	Fish processing machine A fish processing machine comprising a freeze drum where the freeze drum is designed to be able to receive a fish fillet being fed on to the freeze drum at a feeding area while the freeze drum rotates about its own rotational axis, and where the freeze drum by fixedly freezing is arranged to hold the fish fillet in a fixed position relative to the freeze drum, and where a pressure roller arranged to force the fish fillet against the freeze drum shell is arranged at the feeding area.
US08840448B1	Fish skinning device Techniques and devices are described for preparing a fish fillet. The techniques and devices facilitate the removal of the skin and/or rib bones of the fish from the meat that forms the fillet. In embodiments, the techniques employ a fish skinning device that includes a roller and a blade. The roller is configured to contact the skin included on a fillet so that rotation of the roller causes the fillet to be directed toward the blade. The roller and blade are configured so the skin passes between the roller and blade and is generally separated and directed away from the meat. A blade float assembly permits the blade to float with respect to the blade during use to receive the skin or rib bones of the fish fillet between the roller and the blade.
US08840443B2	Garments for post mastectomy surgery A garment for a post mastectomy surgery woman comprises a waistband fits about a waist of the woman. A strap is joined to the waistband to extend from the waistband at a side of the woman's surgery, up over a shoulder on a side opposite the surgery and down to the waistband on the surgery side. A bra cup is configured to fit about the woman's healthy breast. A first strap is configured to laterally join a first side of the bra cup to the strap on the woman's front. A second strap is configured to laterally join a second side of the bra cup to the strap on the woman's back. An elastic paneling is configured to join to the strap, the bottom side of the bra cup, the first strap, the second strap, and the waistband. The elastic paneling positions the bra cup to support the woman's healthy breast.
US08840442B2	Brassiere An apparatus to be used as a woman's undergarment is provided. The apparatus is a bra having a strap that fastens to the cups of the bra that protect and hold the breast of the user. The apparatus has a cup having at least a first layer which contacts the individual's skin. The apparatus further has a second layer which is directly opposed to the first layer and may contact the outer clothing of the individual. Moreover, the device has a third layer and/or insert which is positioned between the first layer and the second layer, and further wherein the third layer may provide an extra zone of thickness for the breast nipple and thereby may enable concealment of an erect breast nipple. The third layer may be of varying thickness and in an embodiment that may be thicker than the first and second layer and may be removable from the undergarment if desired.
US08840441B2	Cinch bra system and method Disclosed is a bra for female breast support and formation that is particularly suited to provide the wearer a choice of support and shaping parameters. The bra comprises a pair of interconnected breast receiving cups, a conventional back strap and optional shoulder straps. A pair of skin gripping pads are sized and positioned to fit within the respective cups in a position to embrace the under and lateral side of the respective breast and include a selectively adjustable link interconnecting the support pads across and under the medial port ion of the bra. By shortening the link the support pads move laterally, drawing the breasts together. In a second embodiment the support pads may also be adjusted up and down by shortening or lengthening secondary shoulder straps that are attached to the upper portion of the respective pads and are positioned underneath the conventional bra shoulder straps.
US08840439B1	Marine outboard engine having a tilt/trim and steering bracket assembly A marine outboard engine for a watercraft has a stern bracket for mounting the marine outboard engine to the watercraft, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tiltitrim axis, and a drive unit pivotally connected to the swivel bracket about a steering axis. The steering axis is generally perpendicular to the tilt/trim axis. An actuator is operatively connected to the stern bracket and the swivel bracket for pivoting the swivel bracket and the drive unit relative to the stern bracket about the tilt/trim axis. A pump is mounted to the swivel bracket. The pump is pivotable about the tilt/trim axis together with the swivel bracket. The pump is fluidly connected to the actuator to supply hydraulic fluid to the actuator.
US08840436B2	Electrically conducting terminal An electrically conducting terminal having capabilities to facilitate electrically connecting to one or more connectors is disclosed. The electrically conducting terminal may include a recessed end to receive a connector. The recessed end may include a resilient element, such as but not limited to a female contact, to facilitate electrical conductivity between the connector and the terminal. The electrically conducting terminal may include an end cap, end piece, or other feature to facilitate retaining the resilient element within the recessed end.
US08840430B2	Electrical connector Systems and methods (900) for providing an electrical connector (101, 700) in an electronic device (100). The electrical connector comprises a connector body (350) comprising a planar layer of insulator material having a first face (470) opposed from a second face (370), and a peripheral wall extending around a periphery of the connector body. The electrical connector further comprises one or more conductive posts (401, 403, 405, 407), each having an electrical contact at a first end, and a spring anchor (311, 313, 315, 317) at an opposing end. The connector body comprises one or more elongated cavity structures, each comprising a recess (613) molded into the second face. Conductive spring members (301, 303, 305, 307), each comprised of an elongated cantilevered beam element, are secured by one of the spring anchors within one of the cavity structures. An outer seal (360) is provided, coextensive with the peripheral wall.
US08840428B2	Insulating structure for L-shaped terminal To electromagnetically-shield an L-shaped terminal in a compact and reliable manner while easily and securely fixing the L-shaped terminal, there is employed an insulating split inner housing having an L-shaped terminal receiving portion including an electric-contact-portion-side receiving portion covering an electric contact portion of the L-shaped terminal connected to a shielded wire and a wire-connection-portion-side receiving portion covering a wire connection portion of the L-shaped terminal, the electric-contact-portion-side receiving portion is covered by a conductive shield shell, the wire-connection-portion-side receiving portion is covered by a conductive housing connected to the shield shell and to a shield portion of the shielded wire, and the L-shaped terminal is insulated by the inner housing from the shield shell and the conductive housing.
US08840427B2	Socket with an assembling and unloading mechanism A socket with an assembling and unloading mechanism comprises: a frame, having at least one installing hole; at least one holding member for assembling and unloading the frame and having a plate member and a pair of flexible clamping members disposed on the two sides of the plate member, the plate member has an accepting hole, each of the flexible clamping members has a pressing portion and a hook disposed on the one side of the pressing portion and driven by the pressing portion, each hook buckles the peripheral of the frame adjacent to the installing hole; and at least one connecting port, connecting to the inside of the accepting hole; wherein the hook is unloaded from the frame while pressing the pressing portion, and the holding member is withdrawn from the installing hole.
US08840424B2	Shield connector A shield connector comprises: a shield terminal including a shield shell unit and a shield crimping portion, the shield crimping portion being configured to be crimped on a shield sheath wire of a shielded cable; a cable holder attached to the shield shell unit, the cable holder being configured to hold a core wire of the shielded cable; and a connector housing with a pressure-contact terminal fixed thereto, and being attached to the shield shell unit to which the cable holder is attached, the pressure-contact terminal coming into pressure contact with the core wire by movement of the pressure-contact terminal when attaching the connector housing to the shield shell unit.
US08840423B2	Electronic apparatus An electronic apparatus, includes: a housing including a metallic outer wall part on which an insertion hole to a plug electrode part of a power plug being inserted is formed; a power connector which is stored in the housing and coupled to the plug electrode part inserted into the housing through the insertion hole; and an insulating stopper part which includes a facing surface facing an outer circumference surface of the plug electrode part with a gap, which is smaller than the gap between the outer circumference surface of the plug electrode part and an inner circumference surface of the insertion hole, and which is allocated between the outer wall part and the power connector.
US08840400B2	Method and apparatus for improving language communication In a communication between individuals having different levels of skill in a language, communication by the more skilled individual is controlled so as to keep it at a level understandable by the lesser skilled individual. For example, a native speaker's communication with a student learning his language (the target language) is monitored by an interface and compared with a stored model representing the student's knowledge and ability in the language. Should the native speaker communicate in a way that would not be understood by the student, for example, by using vocabulary or a sentence structure beyond the student's ability, the interface will notify the native speaker. The interface might then suggest an alternate word or sentence structure to the native speaker, inviting him to use the alternate communication. The native speaker can then substitute and send the alternate communication.
US08840396B2	Self-propelling sprue bar shutoff device An injection molding shutoff assembly includes a chamber containing a movable body that is biased to a rear position in the chamber by a magnet in the movable body. In the rear position, the movable body provides a seal and prevents flow of molten plastic through the assembly. When the movable body is in a forward position, one or more passages permit flow of the molten plastic around the movable body and to an exit in the chamber, leading to one or more molds. An injection molding machine nozzle tip has a beveled front end which, when in an engaged position, seals with an exterior seat of the assembly block defining the chamber and protrudes into the chamber to prop the movable body to the forward position. A portion of the assembly block proximate the opening for the nozzle tip is made of ferromagnetic material, while the rest is not.
US08840391B1	Drool shield for injection molding The invention disclosed herein is a device to prevent damage from molten plastic to electrical wiring, heater bands and insulation of an injection molding machine. Specifically, the device consists of a flat metal disc with an aperture in the center which attaches to the distal end of the nozzle housing of an injection molding machine. When the nozzle of the injection molding machine extends through the aperture of the flat metal disc to inject molten plastic into a mold, the flat metal disc prevents molten plastic from entering the nozzle housing and damaging the electrical wiring, heater bands and insulation of the injection molding machine.
US08840388B2	Continuous casting process for making golf balls A system includes a dispensing station and top and bottom mold portion paths. The dispensing station is configured to dispense materials into one or more hemispherical cavities of a plurality of top mold portions and a plurality of bottom mold portions. The plurality of top mold portions are conveyed at a first speed along the top mold portion path, and the plurality of bottom mold portions are conveyed at a second speed along the bottom mold portion path. The dispensing station can include at least one nozzle coupled to a six-axis robotic member that is configured to move at variable speeds.
US08840386B2	Mold apparatus for forming polymer and method Various mold apparatuses and methods for forming a polymer with induction heat energy are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mold apparatus for forming polymer includes a mold having a top mold portion and a top mold surface that is magnetic. The bottom mold portion of the mold includes an induction heating unit that is at least partially embedded in the bottom mold portion that provides induction heat energy to the mold. The mold apparatus is constructed and arranged to dissipate greater than about 50% of the induction heat energy in the top mold portion. The induction heating unit of the bottom portion of the mold provides rapid heating to the top mold surface to provide high surface quality polymer parts and a shorter molding cycle time while utilizing less energy.
US08840381B2	Electric compressor An electric compressor including a compression mechanism, an electric motor, an inverter, a compressor housing, a sealed terminal, a cluster block, and a metal brace. The sealed terminal is arranged in the compressor housing and electrically connects the inverter and the electric motor. Further, the sealed terminal includes a terminal pin, which is formed from a conductive material, a terminal holder, and an insulative body. The cluster block includes an insertion hole into which the terminal pin is inserted. The metal brace electrically connects the terminal pin to the lead wire. The cluster block includes a protrusion projecting around the insertion hole and surrounding part of the insulative body. The insertion hole has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the terminal pin.
US08840378B2	Thrust generating apparatus A thrust generating apparatus is configured to generate thrust by ejecting water. The thrust generating apparatus includes: a first water lubricated bearing opposed to one side surface and outer peripheral surface of rotor main body and supports a thrust and radial load; a second water lubricated bearing opposed to the other side surface and outer peripheral surface of rotor main body and supports the thrust and radial load; a first water intake port that opens toward a portion of a channel; a second water intake port that opens toward another portion of the channel; a first water conveyance tube through which the water having flowed through the first water intake port is guided to the second water lubricated bearing; and a second water conveyance tube through which the water having flowed through the second water intake port is guided to the first water lubricated bearing.
US08840369B2	Apparatus and methods for cooling platform regions of turbine rotor blades A platform cooling arrangement in a turbine rotor blade having a platform, wherein the rotor blade includes an interior cooling passage, and wherein, in operation, the interior cooling passage comprises a high-pressure coolant region and a low-pressure coolant region, and wherein the platform includes a platform underside. The platform cooling arrangement may include: a first plate that resides inboard and in spaced relation to the platform underside and forming a first plenum; a second plate that resides inboard and in spaced relation to the first plate, the second plate forming a second plenum. The second plenum includes an inlet channel that connects to the high-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage, and the first plenum includes an outlet channel that connects to the low-pressure coolant region of the interior cooling passage.
US08840367B2	System and method for collecting particles in a wind turbine rotor blade A particle trap for collecting loose particles includes a container having an enclosure and at least one opening, and a feed hopper, wherein the feed hopper is connected to the at least one opening of the container, and wherein the particle trap is adapted for collecting particles moving in a direction of an opening of the feed hopper. Further, a method for collecting particles inside a wind turbine rotor blade is disclosed.
US08840361B2	Fan blade with winglet A fan blade (10) for a turbofan aero engine comprises a blade body including a root (10c) for engagement with a rotor, and a tip, wherein the tip is provided with a winglet (14).
US08840360B2	Horizontal wind powered turbine A wind powered turbine is comprised of a frame on which is horizontally and rotatably supported a rotor on a rotor shaft. The rotor is formed by three or more radial blade members which are secured to the rotor shaft. The radial blade members are equidistantly spaced from one another and each have support arms and a wind vane secured at an outer end portion of the support arms. The wind vane is shaped to capture an airflow directed thereagainst for displacement thereof to create a rotational force about the rotor shaft to rotate the shaft about its longitudinal central axis. The radial blade members are rigidly interconnected to one another at an outer end portion thereof by tension adjustable bracing tie wires. A wind channeling guide assembly accelerates and directs the airflow in an actuating airflow path to impinge upon at leas of the wind vanes positioned in the actuating airflow path.
US08840359B2	Thermally insulating turbine coupling A rotor assembly, including at least one driven member, e.g., a compressor rotor, and at least one driving member, e.g., a turbine. At least one rotating thermal insulator rigidly attached to either the driven member or the driving member. A coupling feature that includes mating geometric surfaces on the driven member and the driving member, wherein the geometric surfaces are configured to allow radial sliding, relative centering, torque transmission, and axial constraint between the driven member and the driving member.
US08840355B1	Automated sling load handler for an aircraft A method and apparatus for handling cargo. A cargo handling system may be positioned relative to the cargo. The cargo handling system may comprise a frame structure and an engagement system. The frame structure may be configured to change in a number of dimensions to encompass the cargo. The engagement system may be configured to engage the cargo. The number of dimensions of the frame structure may be adjusted to encompass the cargo. The cargo may be engaged with the engagement system.
US08840353B2	Vehicle mounted highway refuse collector The vehicle mounted highway refuse collector gathers discarded refuse from roadway surfaces at normal highway speeds without slowing down. The refuse collector can gather discarded tire treads, or pieces of furniture, and even dead animals at normal speeds safely. At normal highway speeds, the impact with refuse provides centrifugal force sufficient to gather and rotate debris up and onto a storage shelf allowing the continued operation of the refuse collector until it is full. At less than highway speeds, motor assistance provides the means to gather in, and rotate debris onto the storage shelf safely for operation at slower speeds as in city streets. The cleanout when full is facilitated by pull-pins that drop down the storage shelf so as to be easily unloaded.
US08840347B2	Drilling tool for chip removing machining as well as a loose top therefor A drill of the loose top type, which is composed of a basic body and a replaceable loose top. In the front end of the basic body, a jaw is formed, which is delimited by two elastically bendable branches and an intermediate axial support surface, and in which the loose top can be securely pinched by inner support surfaces of the branches being resiliently pressed against side contact surfaces of the loose top. The two side contact surfaces of the loose top extend rearward from clearance surfaces that are included in the front end of the loose top. By forming the diametrical dimension between opposite side contact surfaces greater nearer the front end of the loose top, the branches of the jaw securely pinch the loose top in the area of the front ends thereof, where the branches have their maximal bending capacity.
US08840346B2	Drill, cutting insert, and method of manufacturing cut product A drill, including: a substantially columnar drill holder including, at a front end portion thereof, a first insert pocket and a second insert pocket formed closer to the outer periphery of the drill holder than the first insert pocket; a first insert which is attached to the first insert pocket and includes a first cutting edge at an intersection of an upper face and a side face; and a second insert which is attached to the second insert pocket and includes a second cutting edge at an intersection of a upper face and a side face. The first insert pocket is located passing through a central axis of rotation of the drill holder. The second cutting edge has a concave shape when viewed from the front end side of the drill holder, and has a curved line at least a part thereof.
US08840345B1	Device for drilling pocket holes A device for drilling pocket holes may include a guide carrier having a front surface urging a workpiece; at least one slant bore disposed at the guide carrier for receiving a drill bit; an anti-skid structure disposed at the front surface to secure the workpiece; a drill bit carrier reciprocally and slidably mounted on the guide carrier from a pre-drilling position to a post-drilled position toward and away from the guide carrier and a drill bit rotatably coupled and retained therein; a clamp disposed at the base and an amplifier to actuate the clamp for clamping or unclamping the workpiece by a user's power, wherein the amplifier is disposed away from the base; a quick positioning of the clamp by a braking lever; a lateral stop disposed at the clamp to set a lateral position of the pocket hole from a side face of workpiece; an adjustable end stop disposed at the guide structure or the guide carrier to adjust a pocket hole distance from an end face of workpiece; a lateral through opening disposed at the guide carrier and connected to the slant bore to remove waste material generated from workpiece drilling; a sensor disposed in a waste material remover to activate a blower when a drill motor driving the drill bit is turned on; the slant bore whose diameter is at least 7/16 inch to receive a corresponding pocket drill bit; a shank of the drill bit adapted to engage with a quick-change adapter; and a portion of pocket drill bit made of more wear-resistant material than that of the shank.
US08840343B2	Method for coding a drilling device The present invention relates to a method for coding a drilling device for an aircraft. The method comprises: placing a drilling template with at least a drilling hole on a work piece; placing a drilling bushing in the drilling hole of the drilling template; placing the drilling device in the drilling hole of the drilling template; wherein the drilling bushing comprises a coding master device, in particular a bushing edge; wherein the drilling device comprises a coding sleeve device and wherein the coding sleeve device is adapted for engaging with the coding master device.
US08840338B2	Fluid fillable structure A fluid fillable structure has a reservoir body comprising a top surface and at least one fluid fill port at a first end. There is a first connector on the top surface of the reservoir body adjacent to the first end and a second connector spaced from the first end, the first end of the reservoir body being folded back onto the reservoir body and secured by releasably securing the first connector to the second connector such that the at least one fluid fill port remains open.
US08840326B2	Lens barrel assembly and photographing apparatus including the same A lens barrel assembly includes: a lens group; a lens barrel that support the lens group and includes, on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a first movement pin projected outwardly and a second guide groove that is extended along a circumferential direction; and an outer barrel disposed outside the lens barrel and includes, on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a first guide groove extended along the circumferential direction to be coupled with the first movement pin, and a second movement pin that is projected inwardly to be coupled with the second guide groove, where the lens barrel is moved in an optical axis direction as the outer barrel rotates, and where a movement section of the lens barrel comprises a first movement section, a second movement section, and an intersection movement section that connects the first movement section with the second movement section.
US08840323B2	Thermally compensated parallel optical communication module In a parallel optical communication module, an array of opto-electronic devices secured with respect to a mount and an array of optical elements of an optical device that is also secured with respect to the mount are unconstrained against relative movement due to thermal expansion of the mount and optical device. The mount and optical device can be made of materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. As thermal expansion in the mount causes the opto-electronic devices to move, similar thermal expansion in the optical device causes the optical elements to move to a similar extent. This co-movement of the opto-electronic devices and optical elements to similar extents promotes continued maintenance of optical alignment between opto-electronic elements and corresponding optical elements.
US08840317B2	Interlocking optical fiber An optical fiber includes an interlocking microstructure formed on an outer periphery of the fiber that configures the fiber to be interlocked with another optical fiber including a complementary interlocking microstructure coating.
US08840313B2	Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member (2, 30) formed with double row outer raceway surfaces (2a, 2b) on its inner circumferential surface. Inner members (1, 20, 29, 35, 38) are each formed with double row inner raceway surfaces (4a, 5a, 31a) on its outer circumferential surface arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces (2a, 2b). Double row ball groups (3) are freely rollably contained between the outer raceway surfaces (2a, 2b) and inner raceway surfaces (4a, 5a, 31a) of the inner members (1, 20, 29, 35, 38) and the outer member (2, 30). A pitch circle diameter (PCDo) of a ball group (3) near a wheel mounting flange (6) is larger than a pitch circle diameter (PCDi) of a ball group (3) away from the wheel mounting flange (6). Each corner of the shoulders of the outer and inner raceway surfaces (2a, 2b, 4a, 5a, 31a) is rounded as a smooth circular arc.
US08840307B2	Connecting rod bearing According to the invention, there is provided a connecting rod bearing constituted by a half bearing, which has a main cylindrical portion, crush reliefs and a transitional region. The crush relief is formed so that a depth from a virtual inner circumferential surface at a position of an end surface of the half bearing in a circumferential direction is larger than a depth from the virtual inner circumferential surface at a position where the crush relief connects with the transitional region. Further, a plurality of circumferential grooves are provided in the main cylindrical portion to continuously extend in the circumferential direction throughout an entire length of the main cylindrical portion in the circumferential direction, and are continuously provided also in the transitional region.
US08840298B2	Centrifugal mixing system A mixing system may include a closed mixer having an inlet, a discharge, and an inlet/discharge. The mixing system may also include a recirculation line in fluid communication with the inlet and the inlet/discharge.
US08840297B2	Back-light module A back-light module including a light guide plate (LGP), first light-emitting devices, and second light-emitting devices is provided. The LGP has a top-emitting surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The LGP has at least one indentation. The indentation has a first light-incident sidewall and a pair of second light-incident sidewalls. The second light-incident sidewalls are located on two sides of the first light-incident sidewall and adjacent to the first light-incident sidewall. Normal vectors of the second light-incident sidewalls and the first light-incident sidewall are not parallel. The first light-emitting devices are located in the indentation, and a first light beam propagating toward the first light-incident sidewall is emitted from each of the first light-emitting devices. The second light-emitting devices are located in the indentation, and a second light beam propagating toward one of the second light-incident sidewalls is emitted from each of the second light-emitting devices.
US08840296B2	Light guide plate with light entrance structure and manufacture method for manufacturing the same A light guide plate and manufacture methods thereof are provided. The light guide plate includes a plate body, an optical adhesive layer, and a light entrance structure layer. The plate body has a light exit surface and a light entrance surface. The light entrance surface is connected to a side of the light exit surface and intersects the light exit surface with an angle. The optical adhesive layer is attached on the light entrance surface while the light entrance structure layer is attached to the optical adhesive layer. The light entrance structure layer includes a substrate and a light-cured or thermal-cured structure. The light-cured or thermal-cured structure is made of light or thermal curable material and firmly formed on a structured surface of the substrate through a light or thermal curing process.
US08840294B2	Sidelight backlight module with assisting solar light source and liquid crystal display device The present invention provides a side-light backlight module with assisting solar light source and which comprises a side-light source; a waveguide having an incident surface facing the side-light source and an emitting surface; an optical film set arranged on top of the waveguide and facing the emitting surface; and an assisting light source directing collected solar light into the incident surface of the waveguide. With the provision of the assisting light source, the solar light can be used as an assisting light source making the backlight module and the liquid crystal display device made therefrom become more environmental friendly.
US08840293B2	Backlight assembly A backlight assembly includes a plurality of point light sources, a light guide plate (“LGP”) and a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The LGP has a light incident face in which light is incident, a side surface extending from an edge portion of the light incident face, and a fixing groove which is formed from the side surface toward an inner portion thereof. The PCB includes a point light source disposing portion in which the point light sources are disposed along a first direction, an extending portion extending from the point light disposing portion along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a protrusion which is fixed at an end portion of the extending portion. The protrusion of the PCB is coupled with the fixing groove of the LGP.
US08840290B2	Optical device for a motor vehicle including a surface light source An optical device for a motor vehicle comprising a surface light source emitting light rays in a first direction, wherein it comprises an optical system including first deflecting optical means that are at least locally remote from the surface light source and deflecting the light rays emitted in the first direction, in a second direction different from the first direction.
US08840288B2	Vehicle window assembly A vehicle window assembly includes a vehicle structure, a window panel and a light source. The vehicle structure defines a viewing aperture. The window panel is mounted to the vehicle structure and covers the viewing aperture. The window panel has a peripheral edge surrounding a first window surface and a second window surface opposite the first window surface. The first window surface includes an etched section. The light source is mounted to the vehicle structure adjacent to a portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel such that light from the light source is directed to the portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel. The light travels in a lateral direction through the window panel selectively illuminating the etched section.
US08840287B2	Interior automotive components with illuminated reflective surface An illuminating apparatus and method for an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle including, in combination, a panel, a manual operation element mounted to the panel, and a hidden light source mounted behind the panel providing indirect light directed along a path extending downwardly across a visible surface of the panel through an aperture in the panel. A bezel can be associated with the manual operation element. The bezel can define an edge with a reflective surface. The bezel is located on the visible surface of the panel within the path of indirect light. The edge reflects indirect light from the hidden light source to be visible to occupants of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
US08840285B2	Underwater light apparatus An underwater light apparatus includes a light assembly for providing light. An elongate support member having proximal and distal ends can be included. The distal end of the elongate support member can be secured to the light assembly. A mounting bracket can be included for mounting to a surface. The elongate support member can be vertically slidably mounted to the mounting bracket for vertically lowering and raising the elongate support member and the light assembly into water for providing underwater illumination, and out of water for maintenance.
US08840281B2	Insert for flameless candle A flameless candle includes a shell that has a sidewall and a hollow interior region. The sidewall can be made of a waxen material. The sidewall has a thickness and opacity. The shell also has a hollow interior region within the sidewall. A lamp (for example, LED) may be housed within the hollow interior region. The flameless candle also includes an insert. The insert can be made of a waxen material that may have different properties from the material of the sidewall. The insert is positioned in a top area of the hollow interior region. The insert includes a shading wall that has a thickness and opacity. The thickness of the sidewall may be different than the thickness of the shading wall. As another option, the opacity of the sidewall may be different from the opacity of the shading wall.
US08840278B2	Specular reflector and LED lamps using same A specular reflector and LED lamps using embodiments of the reflector are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide a reflector for solid state lamps. The reflector can be a specular reflector. The reflector includes a rigid, polymeric substrate and sputtered metal applied to the substrate. In some embodiments, the metal is silver. In some embodiments, the metal is applied without an intervening base coat. In some embodiments, the substrate is made from or includes an aromatic polyester such as polyarylate. The reflector can include a discontinuous or irregular surface yet still exhibit very high overall reflectivity and efficiency because the metal can be applied without an intervening base coat. In some embodiments, the reflector is used in lamps having a retroreflective optical design.
US08840274B1	Method and apparatus for a protective case including an optical system An electronics package includes an electronic component having a light emitting diode (LED) and a protective case encapsulating the electronic component. An optical system is arranged between the electronic component and the protective case. The optical system is maneuvered to one of multiple positions via an actuator that is coupled to the optical system, where the actuator is accessible external to the protective case by the user of the electronics package. A first position of the optical system allows the light generated by the LED to be collected and/or controlled by the optical system. A second position of the optical system allows the light generated by the LED to be unaffected by the optical system. A third position of the optical system allows at least a portion of the light generated by the LED to be collected and/or controlled by the optical system and the remaining portion to be unaffected.
US08840269B2	LED illumination lamp bulb with internal reflector An illumination apparatus includes a substrate, a first light source disposed on a peripheral area of the substrate, a second light source disposed on an inner area of the substrate, and a reflector disposed between the first light source and the second light source, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect light that is generated by the first light source.
US08840264B2	Portable work light clamp A portable work light clamp system includes a first clamp handle assembly having a proximal end, a mid section and a distal end and a gripping/standing member rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the first clamp handle assembly, a second clamp handle assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and a gripping/standing member rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the second clamp handle assembly, a light assembly coupled to the distal end of the first clamp handle assembly that includes a swivel base member and a light housing pivotally coupled to the swivel base member by a light pivot to selectively pivot 50 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the light pivot and a light base coupled to the swivel base member and rotatable relative to the light base by a swivel connector to selectively rotate 360 degrees around a longitudinal axis of the light base.
US08840262B2	LED and backlight module using the same An LED includes a base, an LED chip, a first electrode, a second electrode, an encapsulating layer, and a reflective layer. The base forms a concave recessed from a top face thereof and a recess above the concave. The reflective layer is attached on the concave. The LED chip is received in the recess and located over the reflective layer. The LED chip has a light output face facing towards the reflective layer. The encapsulating layer is filled in the recess to cover the reflective layer and encapsulate the LED chip. The reflective layer includes a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer is located at a center of the concave. The second reflective layer surrounds and connects the first reflective layer. The first reflective layer has a curvature smaller than that of the second reflective layer.
US08840260B2	Instrument illumination device Disclosed is an instrument illumination device enabling homogeneous illumination light in a broad area, without increasing the number of light sources, and thereby enhancing the freedom degree of the ornamental designing process. An instrument housing includes a bottom face having LEDs disposed thereon and an illumination area including a main illumination area having a main dial for displaying a revolution on the dial plate covering a front opening and an auxiliary illumination area having an auxiliary dial for displaying water temperature. The main illumination area is in the shape of a ring having a cut-out at a lower part thereof, and the auxiliary illumination area fills the cut-out connecting the main illumination area. Illumination light from the LEDs illuminates an entire face of the illumination area in the ring shape from a rear side thereof as backlight.
US08840250B1	Projection screen qualification and selection An augmented reality environment allows interaction between virtual and real objects. Various surfaces within the environment such as walls, tables, countertop, chairs, floor, ceiling, and so forth may be used as projection surfaces. Qualified projection surfaces are determined, and an initial projection surface is selected for use from these. This selection may take into account user preferences, user orientation, types of image to be projected, and so forth. Other qualified projection surfaces may have visual indicators projected thereon, indicating relative suitability for use as a projection surface.
US08840243B2	Eyeglasses with frame coupled to retainer strap or band which can separate under tension Eyeglasses comprising a frame (1) intended to support a pair of lenses (2) and having lateral ends (12) provided with slots (13), said frame (1) intended to be coupled to a retainer strap or band (3), with opposing free ends (5), which, when worn by the user around the head, allows him to wear the eyeglasses. A connecting member is provided (10) coupled to at least one of the free ends (5) of the aforementioned band (3), said connecting member (10) having an elongated body (15) with a portion (16) bent parallel to said body (15) and elastically movable in relation to it, said bent portion (16) intended to be inserted into one of the slots (13) provided on the lateral ends (12) of the frame (1) and being separable from it, deforming elastically if the band or strap (3) or the frame is subjected to tensile force.
US08840239B2	Image forming device, image forming system, and storage medium that stores a control program of an image forming device An image forming device is provided. The image forming device includes: a forming component that forms an index, at a formation position, on a recording medium that is conveyed in a first direction and passes the formation position; an acquiring component that acquires measurement results, from a measuring component, of a width, along a second direction that intersects the first direction, of the recording medium; and a formation control component that carries out control that causes the index to be formed by the forming component at a position that is at one end portion side, along the second direction, of the recording medium, and that is apart, along the second direction and by a distance corresponding to the width acquired by the acquiring component, from a formation reference position that is set at another end portion side, along the second direction, of the recording medium, is provided.
US08840234B2	Ink compositions and methods of use An ink composition includes an aqueous dispersion of particles of a first material and separate particles of a second material. The first material contains an oxide, sulfide, or selenide of a magnetic metal. The ink is formulated to exhibit, after application to a solid substrate, a degree of metallic luster enhanced by the presence of the second material.
US08840233B2	Ink jet recording-targeted non-aqueous ink composition, ink set, and ink jet recording method An ink jet recording-targeted non-aqueous ink composition contains pigment, polyvinyl chloride, and a solvent represented by the formula 1, wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having one to eight carbon atoms, and R2 and R3 each represent any one of a methyl group and an ethyl group.
US08840232B2	Phase change ink A phase change ink including at least one crystalline component of the formula wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different, and wherein R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, is (i) an alkyl group, (ii) an arylalkyl group, (iii) an alkylaryl group, or (iv) an aromatic group, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is an aromatic group, and wherein the crystalline component has a melting point of from about 65° C. to about 150° C.; at least one amorphous component; and an optional colorant.
US08840226B2	Liquid discharge head and method of producing liquid discharge head A liquid discharge head includes an element substrate including an energy generating element; a supporting member adhesively supporting the element substrate; a sheet member adhesively bonded to the supporting member to adjoin the inner surface of an opening accommodating the element substrate in the sheet member and an end section of the element substrate; a wiring substrate bonded to the sheet member to adjoin the inner surface of an opening accommodating the element substrate in the wiring substrate and the end section of the element substrate and including a wire electrically connected to the energy generating element; and a sealant sealing a part electrical connecting the wiring substrate and element substrate, wherein the height of a wiring substrate surface opposite to that contacting the sheet member from supporting member is smaller than the element substrate surface opposite to that contacting the supporting member from the supporting member.
US08840224B2	Printer A printer has a pair of frame panels that support the ends of a carriage guide shaft, a carriage that carries a print head, a carriage drive motor, and first and second pulleys on which a belt connected to the carriage is mounted. The first and second pulleys limit the range of bidirectional carriage movement so that the maximum width of carriage movement is substantially equal to the width between the pair of frame panels. A tube that carries ink to the print head is disposed curving in a U-shape in the direction of the width between the pair of frame panels. The carriage drive motor is disposed in the space in which the tube is located in the space on the opposite side as the direction in which the tube curves, and the drive shaft of the carriage drive motor is perpendicular to the scanning plane of the carriage.
US08840220B2	Ink jet printing apparatus and ink tank Provided is an ink jet printing apparatus that receives light from the light emitting part of the ink tank in the light receiving part; on the basis of a result of the light reception, determines an attachment position of the ink tank; and controls the light from the light emitting part to inform the ink tank state, wherein the light emitting part has a plurality of light emitting elements that can respectively emit lights having different peak emission wavelengths. A peak sensitivity wavelength of the light receiving part is in the range not less than 760 nm and not more than 1100 nm; at least one of the plurality of light emitting elements has a peak emission wavelength in the range not less than 760 nm, and at least one has a peak emission wavelength in the range of 400 to 760 nm.
US08840219B2	Image forming apparatus There is provided an image forming apparatus including: at least two guide members; a drying section; an ink curing section that illuminates light onto a front surface of the recording medium that has been dried by the drying section and cures the ink; a single liquid coolant circulation device that circulates liquid coolant to respectively formed circulation flow paths between the liquid coolant circulation device and a plurality of cooling targets for which cooling is required due to heat of the drying section or heat of the ink curing section, that cools one of the cooling targets with intermittent circulation of liquid coolant, and that cools another of the cooling targets with continuous circulation of liquid coolant; and an opening and closing portion that opens and closes one of the circulation flow paths to intermittently circulate the liquid coolant of the one cooling target.
US08840215B2	Printing device setting biased conveying distance by increasing or decreasing prescribed distance as target conveying distance In a printing device, the print control processor is configured to perform a print operation in a resolution in which a plurality of raster lines is arranged in a first direction by a line pitch smaller than the prescribed nozzle pitch by using a prescribed print method. The prescribed print method prints the plurality of raster lines arranged in the first direction in a prescribed order. The print control processor is configured to control a scanning portion to convey the recording sheet by a biased conveying distance as a target conveying distance. The biased conveying distance is set, depending on the prescribed print method, to be decreased or increased from a prescribed distance. The prescribed distance is an ideal value that achieves the resolution in which the plurality of raster lines is uniformly arranged in the first direction by the line pitch.
US08840211B2	Bimodal ink jet printing method A method of increasing a dynamic range of grey-scale printing by a first print head of a drop on demand inkjet printer, the first print head having a droplet orifice, the method comprising in addition to selectively supplying no signal for not ejecting a drop of ink, or a first signal for ejecting a first droplet size, further comprises optionally supplying a second signal for ejecting a second droplet size.
US08840210B1	Print system with variable print speed An image may be printed at variable speed. An image density profile provides an estimation of power to be consumed while printing the image. A power consumption profile is generated based on the image density profile and by taking into account distance offsets between nozzles that are used to print the image. The image may be printed at different speeds based on the power consumption profile.
US08840204B2	Refrigerating appliance and door for one such appliance A refrigerating appliance door having an inner wall and an outer wall interconnected along their longitudinal edges. A window is cut out of an edge of at least the outer wall in which at least one display element can be viewed when the door is shut. The display element is mounted on an operating screen which is fixed to a front upper edge of the refrigerating appliance body.
US08840203B2	Ejecting device for a movable furniture part An ejecting device for a movable furniture part includes an ejector, which can be moved between a first and a second position, for ejecting the movable furniture part, a drive train having an electrical drive unit that drives the ejector and a gear mechanism arranged between the drive unit and the ejector and which has an output that acts on the ejector, and an open-loop or closed-loop control device for controlling the drive unit in an open-loop or closed-loop manner. A force accumulator is integrated in the gear mechanism between the drive unit and the output, and a monitoring device connected to the drive train can detect an unloading of the force accumulator and report the unloading to the open-loop or closed-loop control device. The open-loop or closed-loop control device activates the electrical drive unit to move the ejector back to the first position after detection of the unloading.
US08840198B2	Method for operating a hydraulic vehicle braking system that has an anti-lock control unit A method for operating a hydraulic vehicle braking system that has an anti-lock control unit is disclosed. The system includes a brake master cylinder having an electromechanical brake booster. As the pressure level of the vehicle braking system decreases during an anti-lock control, in which all vehicle wheels are controlled, the boosting force of the brake booster is reduced in an anti-lock control of this type.
US08840196B2	Brake system for a motor vehicle A brake system for a motor vehicle which simplifies the hydraulic design and avoids a vacuum prevailing over a relatively long period of time. The first hydraulic unit has a suction volume, which is connected to the suction side of the pump and which, in the event of a change in the pressure on the suction side of the pump, provides a pressure and volume equalization by means of the brake fluid stored in the suction volume, with an elastic element.
US08840194B1	Vehicle wheel with integral inserts Embodiments of this invention comprise a vehicle wheel made primarily of moldable plastic. The portion of the wheel which is physically connected to the rotor is made of metal. The wheel has a plurality of openings spaced to allow air circulation sufficient to provide dissipation of the heat build up which occurs during normal vehicle operation. This improved vehicle wheel securely holds the pneumatic tire and effectively supports the vehicle during operation. Other applications which would benefit by replacing metal wheels and gears with lighter, fully functional wheels and gears are also contemplated by this invention. Another embodiment comprises a method for manufacturing this vehicle wheel.
US08840193B2	Wheel assembly for motor vehicles A wheel assembly configured for suspending the wheel of a motor vehicle on one side and includes a brake disc, which is part of a disc brake and which is fixed, when viewed in the radial direction, to a wheel disc on the outer circumference of the wheel assembly in close vicinity to a wheel rim. A brake caliper of the disc brake surrounds the brake disc over the inner circumference of the brake disc and is fixed to a wheel carrier that supports a stationary ring of a wheel bearing, which has a rotating ring that supports a wheel hub that is connected to the wheel disc in a rotationally and axially fixed manner. The connection of the wheel disc to the wheel hub is formed by a press fit connection or by a spur toothing connection, in particular a Voith Hirth coupling.
US08840189B2	Transporter vehicle In case a burden is discharged from a vessel (3), the vessel (3) is raised obliquely backward with respect to a vehicle body (2) by a hoist cylinder (10). However, when discharging work is stopped on the way, the vessel (3) is temporarily lowered to a position at which this sits on the vehicle body (2). When the vessel (3) lowers, a weight of the burden left loaded thereon acts on the hoist cylinder (10) as a load in addition to the weight of the vessel (3). A controller (35) determines whether the vessel (3) lowers in a burden loading state based on various detection signals. When the vessel (3) lowers in the burden loading state, switching of directional control valves (20) and (21) is controlled so as to decrease a contracting speed of the hoist cylinder (10), thereby prevent the vessel (3) from colliding against the vehicle body (2).
US08840185B2	Automobile seat with massaging device An automobile seat with a massage device (3) with at least one massaging element (3a) to stimulate and/or massage the neck and/or shoulder area which includes a seat back (1) and a headrest (2). The massage device (3) is connected with the seat back (1) on its upper section (1a) facing the headrest (2), and may be adjusted relative to the seat back without having to adjust the headrest.
US08840184B2	Child restraint system with automated installation Provided is a child restraint system (CRS) with automated installation that provides automated feedback and control of seat installation angle, belt latching and tightening, and confirmation of correct install. The CRS utilizes sensors to monitor CRS base angle relative to level, confirm correct latching of the CRS to its base and then to the vehicle seat, and confirm tightening of the belts to the required tension to be crashworthy. The stepwise operation and confirmation of the installation procedure may be operated via button(s) or other tactical input, and relayed to the user via electronic visual display and/or audible means. All operations will be overseen and processed by an integrated control system, affording minimal user decision or interface. An intelligent latching device which can be adapted for use with an existing CRS is also provided.
US08840183B2	Motor vehicle rear seat A motor vehicle rear seat has two units, which are set side by side along a horizontal axis, are each provided with a respective squab and a respective backrest and are arranged on opposite sides of a support device having a lower base designed to be fastened to a floorpan of the motor vehicle; the device has a body that supports the two units and has a position that can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction and in height with respect to the lower base; a fixing device is provided to block this body in the desired position with respect to the lower base.
US08840177B2	Portable object catcher for infant chairs An infant high chair catch apparatus comprises a body adapted to be secured to an infant high chair and to provide a relatively planar surface surrounding the chair that prevents objects dropped from the high chair from falling onto the floor or other surface on which the high chair is located. A flexible support frame provides a bias force to maintain the body portion in an extended configuration, and the body is coupled to the chair via support struts. In some embodiments a support strut is attached to each of the legs of a high chair. The apparatus can further comprise a collar that can be cinched up against the chair. The apparatus can be fashioned of waterproof or water resistant material to prevent liquids from contacting the surface below the chair.
US08840176B2	Heated and/or cooled home and office furnishings A heated and cooled seating unit is disclosed with an apparatus to determine if the chair is in use, such as a pressure sensor, or an electric sensing apparatus. This apparatus controls the heating apparatus and powers the heat off, to conserve power, in the event that a person or object is not seated in the chair.
US08840172B2	Device and method for suspension of a vehicle cabin by means of additional volumes Devices and methods for suspension of a vehicle cabin using additional volumes of air for utility vehicles. An example device includes at least one air spring for suspension of the utility vehicle cabin, the air spring being arranged between the cabin and a base frame, and a control device for controlling the supply and discharge of at least one additional volume to/from the air spring. At predefinable speed or acceleration values of a movement of the air spring, the additional volume is supplied or discharged by means of the control device in such a way that, in end-of-travel regions of the air spring, the profile of a force/travel air spring characteristic during an extension and/or return spring movement of the air spring does not exhibit any incline or exhibits only a small incline in a first range and in a second range.
US08840170B2	Inner garnish assembly module system A one-piece inner garnish assembly module system (MS) joins an inner garnish molding (IG), primary seal (PS), glass run (GR), and inner beltline weatherstrip (IB) into a single component prior to installation of the module system on a vehicle. The garnish is secured to the glass run along the A and B pillars, and the interconnecting header portion of a vehicle door. In addition, the primary seal is operatively associated or secured to the garnish, and may be pin-mounted to the door, or mechanically connected, and/or adhesively secured to the door.
US08840168B2	Molded vehicle floor tray product line A product line of vehicle floor trays each are molded from a polymeric material to substantially conform to respective ones of a plurality of differently shaped foot wells of different vehicle makes and models. In an embodiment, the trays each have a reservoir in their central panels for collecting meltwater and the like, and baffles which retard the movement of the collected fluid.
US08840165B2	Glove box for vehicle Disclosed is a glove box for a vehicle including: an opening formed in an instrument panel; a box-shaped body which is ejectable and retractable through the opening and which is provided with a guide rail and a rack gear, the guide rail including a linear portion linearly extending in a direction in which the box-shaped body moves and a curved portion extending in a curve from an end of the linear portion, the rack gear being formed along one side of the guide rail; and an actuator provided with a pinion gear which meshes with the rack gear, and a drive unit which transfers driving force to the pinion gear.
US08840162B1	Cord management system A cord management system having a plurality of holders attached along the length of a cord or cable, with the holders insertable into a housing for storing the cord and for easily accessing either end of the cord without unwinding or tangling the cord.
US08840160B2	Mechanical finger A mechanical finger comprises at least two phalanges. The phalanges have tubular bodies made of a semi-rigid material. One phalange is adapted to be secured to a base. Another phalange is connected to an adjacent phalange for pivoting movement with respect to the adjacent phalange. A skeleton member in the tubular bodies of the phalanges moves to actuate the pivoting motion of the phalanges with respect to one another. The skeleton member is connected to a degree of actuation to cause the pivoting motion of the phalanges with respect to one another. An assembly is also provided. The assembly comprises at least two of the mechanical finger, a palm actuator comprising a base for connection of the base phalange of each mechanical finger, and at least one degree of actuation connected to the skeleton member. The degree of actuation causes a grasping movement of the mechanical fingers.
US08840159B2	Cable-controlled container yoke A container yoke for lifting of at least one container, including a base frame, two travelling beams, which are telescopically displaceable in the base frame and on whose outer end portions are arranged transverse beams provided with locking members, so called twist locks, for engagement in, and locking to, the corner boxes of a container. The container yoke includes cables arranged to displace a respective travelling beam into the desired position in the frame of the container yoke. The cables, for displacement of a travelling beam, are simultaneously reeled up and unreeled with the aid of one and the same cable drum. Two cable drums of the container yoke are driven by a common actuator, and the cables are fastened in the end portion of a respective travelling beam via spring-loaded cable tensioners.
US08840158B2	Lifting beam A lifting beam for lifting a load. The lifting beam comprises: an elongated beam; a load balancing mechanism movably associated with the elongated beam and having a horizontal arm and a counterweight attachment element, from which a counterweight can be hung; a lifting ring connected to the elongated beam from which the lifting beam can be hung; and a load attachment mechanism whereby the load is attachable to the lifting beam, wherein the load balancing mechanism further comprises a counterweight movement apparatus adapted to move the counterweight along the elongated beam in order to help balance the load, and the elongated beam has a series of micro-switches along a bottom surface thereof the micro-switches arranged whereby an end of the horizontal arm will contact one of the switches in the case of undue tilting of the lifting beam.
US08840157B2	Terminal end mounted prosthetic device An adaptive device for aiding a person with a medical condition is provided. The adaptive device is attached to a hand or limb and includes a platform. A bumper is positioned on the platform to aid in the positioning and securing of the device. A holder extends from the platform, either perpendicularly or at an angle to the platform. The holder is configured to receive an item to aid the individual in everyday tasks. The device also includes securing members, which may be straps that are connected to the device to further aid in securing the device to the user. Additionally, the device may include cushions or other comfort members on the bumper, platform, and/or holder.
US08840155B2	Annular seal assembling jig An annular seal assembling jig 1 is used when assembling an annular seal 3 to a spherical body 2 of a ball joint. The jig 1 is equipped with a plurality of split tables 7 which constitutes one table 6, a slider 5 fixed to the split table 7 and is capable of sliding freely along a guide rail 5a, a coil spring 82 which biases the slider 5 to the other split table 7 side, and a claw portion 72a provided to each split table 7, so as to catch the annular seal 3 placed on the table 6, from an inner side of the annular seal 3.
US08840154B2	Motor vehicle door lock A motor vehicle door lock having a locking device (4, 5, 6), at least one actuating element (7) and a catch (1, 2), and having a coupling unit (8) between the actuating element (7) and the catch (1, 2), in which the locking device (4, 5, 6) when in the “locked” position can be unlocked by a first traveling movement (unlocking traveling movement) of the actuating element (7) and the catch (1, 2) can be opened by a second traveling movement (opening traveling movement) of the actuating element (7), wherein the locking device (4, 5, 6) has a drive element (4) which acts directly upon the coupling unit (8).
US08840145B2	Seat belt system with rollover locking tongue A tongue member comprising a structural member including a latch plate configured to detachably engage the buckle mechanism and a side wall including an opening; a lock bar configured to move along the opening between a first position and a second position relative to the structural member; and a lock member configured to secure the lock bar in the second position; wherein when the lock bar is in the first position, the tongue member is allowed to move freely along the seat belt, and wherein when the lock bar is in the second position, a clamping surface of the lock bar secures a section of the seat belt to a clamping surface of the structural member to fix the relative position of the tongue member along the seat belt.
US08840144B2	Travel trailer stabilizer system A travel trailer stabilizing system having a right and left compound above-axle strut for bracing the trailer body at the axle or axles, each compound strut having an overlever arm for applying a stiffening force with a mechanical advantage to oppose any oscillatory motion of the frame on the tires. The mechanical advantage of the lever is configured to transfer a part of the weight of the trailer from the tires to the rigid struts.
US08840137B2	Belt integrated airbag A restraint system for a seat is provided and may include a first portion having a first end fixed for movement with the seat and a second end movable relative to the seat. The restraint system may also include a second portion having a first end fixed for movement with the seat and a second end movable relative to the seat and selectively attached to the second end of the first portion. An inflator may be associated with the second portion and may move the second portion from a pre-deployed state to an inflated state. The inflator may be at least partially disposed within the second portion.
US08840131B1	Three-wheeled vehicle A three-wheeled vehicle having an arrangement of wheels with two forward wheels and one back wheel and a profile adjustment feature is described. The back wheel may be configured as the steering wheel, and in some cases is the only steering wheel. The two forward wheels are configured essentially parallel with each other and the back wheel is configured essentially centered between and back from the two forward wheels. This arrangement of the wheels provides for a stability that does not require a person to maintain balance to keep the vehicle in an upright position. The profile adjustment feature may automatically adjust the height of the vehicle as a function of vehicle speed. As the vehicle speeds up, the height may be reduce to provide a more stable vehicle that is turned more by tilting the vehicle than by turning the back wheel.
US08840130B2	Maximum security/maximum versatility ball mount assembly The maximum security/maximum versatility ball mount assembly provides an assembly for securing a ball mount or other accessory shank to a receiver hitch on automotive vehicles, tractors, ATVs, and other vehicles equipped with a receiver-type hitch. As the shank of a hitch accessory or implement is inserted into a receiver, dual retractable hitch pins automatically engage the receiver when the pins align with the two hitch-pin apertures in the receiver tube, thereby securing the ball mount/accessory's shank to the vehicle's receiver. A shank end cap shields the hitch pin assembly's internal components from dirt and/or rust particles, and the end cap also serves as an innovative and useful alignment aid when inserting the shank into a vehicle's receiver.
US08840128B2	Systems and methods for connecting a power supply to a trailer Systems and methods for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer are disclosed. The systems may comprise a connector plate coupled to the trailer. In various embodiments, the connector plate may be coupled to a hitching pin of the trailer or adjacent to the hitching pin of the trailer. The connector plate may define a curvilinear slot that receives a connector suite component supporting a plurality of trailer connectors. The curvilinear slot may allow the trailer connectors to rotate with respect to the connector plate.
US08840124B2	Rollator having a sit-to-lock brake A safety brake type rollator that will prevent the misuse of rollators by seated users by using a braking system that locks the rollator wheels when the user sits down on the rollator seat, and releases when the user stands up. The cables that run from the hand brakes of the rollator to under the rollator seat are stretched by the user sitting down on the rollator seat, so locking the wheels. According to a further embodiment, whenever a user sits on the seat the braking system pulls the hand brakes into the locked position, so engaging the wheel brake mechanisms. According to this further embodiment, the hand brakes must then be disengaged from the locked position when the user stands up from the seat for the rollator to be mobile.
US08840121B2	Adjustable lift assembly for hand trucks A system is provided for temporarily converting a conventional hand truck to provide an adjustable platform. The system may comprise a shelving unit and a control unit, where the control unit is configured to raise and lower the shelving unit on the frame of the transporting device. The shelving unit may comprise a platform for supporting removable items thereon, and a back plate configured to engage a portion of the transporting device frame, where the back plate comprises a plurality of rollers that minimize lateral movement of the shelving unit when it is being raised or lowered during operation. The control unit may comprise a drive unit and a cable system configured to permit the drive unit to direct movement of the shelving unit, the cable system comprising at least one cable, at least one pulley, and a winch upon which a portion of the cable may be radially wound.
US08840111B2	Sheet delivering device A sheet delivering device includes a first frame stood on a base and a housing having a height position adjusted to the base. A second frame is attached to the housing in a body and located adjacent to the first frame. The height adjustment member is attached to one frame and includes engaged stop parts with different heights. The lever member is turnably attached to another frame and includes a contact stop member stopped into contact with the engaged stop part. Between an interference posture forming a contact stopping state by an interference of the contact stop member and engaged stop part and a withdrawal posture withdrawing from the interference when the housing moves to the base in the upward and downward directions, the lever member usually is advanced to the interference posture by a movement force, but changed to the withdrawal posture by turning against the movement force.
US08840107B2	Paper conveyance apparatus A paper conveyance apparatus including a conveyance roller module including a pair of a sheet feeding roller and a separation roller opposite to each other across a paper conveyance path, a sound receiving aperture positioned on the same side as one side of the paper conveyance path, the one side including any one of the conveyance roller module, a sound shield positioned on a straight line between a nip portion of the conveyance roller module and the sound receiving aperture, a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal in response to a sound detected through the sound receiving aperture, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal.
US08840103B2	Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus A sheet conveying device includes: a separation sheet feeding mechanism having a paper feeding belt and a separation roller; and an adjustment mechanism that changes contact state of the paper feeding belt to the separation roller by changing relative position of the paper feeding belt and the separation roller, and changes and adjusts separation performance of the separation roller for the subsequent sheet, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a cam follower member changing the relative position of the feeding belt and the separation roller, the cam member includes a first cam face and a second cam face which are formed at each rotation radius position in accordance with the rotation angle position, and are spaced apart in the rotation radius direction, and the cam follower member has a contact unit guided by the first cam face and the second cam face.
US08840099B2	Binding apparatus A binding apparatus performs a binding process by bonding the end side of the sheet bundle, and is provided with a notch cutter that forms a notch in the end side used in the sheet binding process in the middle of the sheet conveyance path of the binding apparatus. The notch-forming unit includes a pair of sheet conveyance guides for forming a part of the sheet conveyance path, a cutter provided in a rotatably supported bracket, and a biasing means for applying a force to the cutter to face the sheet conveyance path formed by a pair of the sheet conveyance guides at all times.
US08840096B2	Device and method for holding and releasing a metallic sample holder, and use of this device Device for holding and releasing a sample holder is provided. The device includes a support member having a pin with a magnet at its free end for holding the sample holder, tubular body mounted on the support member around and along the pin, and a tubular guide movably mounted inside the body and able to occupy a releasing position where its outer end surrounds the magnet, and a holding position where the guide is retracted inwards the body so that the magnet holds the sample holder. A cam on the guide cooperated with a cam follower-movably through the body upon movement of the guide and with elastic biasing the guide towards its releasing position, to reversibly lock the follower in the holding position when the guide is moved inwards toward the body and to retrieve the initial releasing position, after further moving the guide inwards and releasing this movement.
US08840095B2	Storage device carrier ejection spring A spring for ejecting a storage device module from a chassis is provided. The spring includes a first end, where the first end is held captive when the spring is installed in the chassis. The spring includes a second end, opposite the first end, and a body between the first and second ends. The body is formed with serpentine bends proceeding linearly between the first and second ends and in a common plane with the first end. The second end is oriented orthogonal to the common plane. The spring is in expansion when the storage device module is inserted into the chassis. The storage device module pushes against the second end when the storage device module is fully inserted into the chassis. The spring exerts force outward from the chassis when expanded.
US08840091B1	Method and apparatus for attaching brackets to railings An apparatus comprising a bracket, and a device for connecting to the bracket. The bracket may be one of a plurality of brackets for placing a plant box on. The device may have a first portion having an opening through which a fastener can be inserted to connect the device to the bracket. The device may have a second portion connected at an angle to the first portion. The device may be sized so that when connected to the bracket by inserting the fastener through the opening, the second portion of the device fits snugly within opposing sections of the bracket, such that the second portion has a length which is slightly less than a distance between the opposing sections of the bracket. The apparatus may further include a railing situated so that a cross section of the railing sits in between a space between the device and the bracket.
US08840085B2	Multi-seal knife gate valve A multi-seal knife gate valve includes: a valve body coupled to a pipe; a disk inserted into the valve body to move vertically; and a valve seat pressed against the disk so as to maintain a tight seal, wherein the disk installed in the valve body moves vertically to open or close a passage through which fluid flows, and the valve seat is pressed against the disk and includes at least one metal seat and one rubber seat to maintain a seal.
US08840082B2	Fluid control valve A fluid control valve is configured in a manner that a first passage has at one end portion thereof a first port communication passage communicating with a first port, and at the other end portion thereof a first valve hole communication passage communicating with a valve hole, and the first port communication passage and the first valve hole communication passage communicate with each other. The resin valve body is provided with a valve seat support part which supports the valve seat and which is provided between the valve chamber, and the first port communication passage and the first valve hole communication passage. The valve seat support part has a valve seat reinforcement part, and the valve seat reinforcement part is formed so as to partially close the inside of the first passage.
US08840081B2	Piloted valve, particularly proportional throttle valve A piloted proportional throttle valve has a valve piston (29) displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction in a valve housing (13) having a fluid inlet (2) and outlet (1). The front side of the valve piston (27) can be pressurized against a main valve seat (25) by fluid pressure acting on its back side. A pilot valve device has an actuating member (7) displaceable in the longitudinal direction by an electrically actuatable magnet system (4), and works with a pilot valve seat (37) in a bore (17) of the valve piston (29) connecting its back side to the fluid outlet (1) on the front side of the piston. The fluid pressure on the back side of the piston (29) is reduced for an opening motion when the pilot valve seat (33) is released. A flow baffle device (39) is disposed between the back side of the piston and the fluid inlet (2) of the housing (13) to build up the fluid pressure pressurizing the piston (29) against its closed position by introducing pilot fluid. The flow baffle device (39) has a device for performing filtration, preferably gap filtration, of the pilot fluid.
US08840078B2	Portable beverage holder A portable beverage holder having a middle piece and a bottom piece operably coupled to each other, and wherein the middle piece includes a frontal opening sufficient for receiving the stem of a stemmed container, and wherein the bottom piece includes a frontal opening sufficient for receiving the foot of a stemmed container, and wherein the bottom side of the middle piece includes one or more downward projecting flaps sufficient to secure the foot of a stemmed container against the bottom piece. The beverage holder optionally can include a top piece operably coupled to the middle piece, also having a frontal opening sufficient for receiving the stem of a stemmed container. The beverage holder can also include a non-continuous upwardly extending wall near the perimeter of the holder for containing almost any type of beverage container.
US08840077B2	Table-mounted surgical instrument stabilizers A surgical instrument stabilizer system that includes an articulating boom that is releasably connectable to a surgical table side rail. The articulating boom includes an actuator, a multi-directional flexible arm having a first end region attached to the actuator, and a cable extending through the flexible arm. The cable has one end region connected to the actuator and another end region connected to a preload tensioning mechanism. The actuator is operable to tighten and loosen the cable, and the preload tensioning mechanism maintains an amount of tension in the cable when the actuator loosens the cable. The system further includes a surgical instrument-supporting member that is attached to a second end region of the flexible arm and is configured to releasably retain a surgical instrument.
US08840072B2	Bag stand Disclosed is a bag stand including at least three side panels, each side panel having a top end, a bottom end, a left end, a right end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, each side panel having two adjacent side panels, each right end of each side panel connected to the left end of one of the adjacent side panels and each left end of each side panel connected to the right end of the other adjacent side panel, thereby forming a substantially continuous bag stand having a top end and a bottom end and a plurality of panel tabs, each panel tab hingedly connected to the top end of the bag stand, each panel tab having at least one interfacing end for connection to at least one other of the plurality of panel tabs.
US08840071B2	Cable support and method A J-hook cable support includes a semicircular saddle, a stem at one side of the saddle, and a tip at the other side of the saddle. The stem includes protruding tabs able to engage snap-on brackets in order to engage structural parts, or to couple multiple cable supports together. The stem may have two pairs of tabs at different heights along the stem away from the saddle. The tabs may be bent pieces of the metal of the stem, bent toward the back of the stem, away from the cable-receiving area defined by the saddle. The snap-on brackets may include one or more pairs of notches for engaging the tabs of one or more of the cable supports. A wire retainer may be used to close off the cable-receiving area, with the wire coupled to both the tip and the stem.
US08840065B2	Multifunctional cargo hold system A multifunctional cargo hold system for an aircraft includes a cargo hold floor; a retainer rail fitted to the cargo hold floor, suitable for the assembly of units for rolling and/or fixing of loaded elements. The units have a variable assembly with regard to the longitudinal direction of the retainer rail. The cargo hold system has a number of cargo positions, suitable for accommodating elements of the group, including a net for partitioning the cargo hold, a standard container, a palette, a telescopic system, an underfloor catering container, an underfloor rest space, a conveyor of fixed length and a conveyor of variable length, wherein each load position can accommodate at least four of the elements.
US08840059B2	Assembly of components connected by a device that maintains the integrity of the surface of one of the components This assembly comprises a first component (9), a second component (3), and a connecting device (19) for connecting these two components together, this device (19) being of the type that maintains the integrity of the surface of said second component (3), and the assembly being noteworthy in that said connecting device (19) comprises a structural skin (21) fixed to said first component (9) and a porous material (23) attached to this structural skin and fixed by contact to said second component (3).
US08840057B2	Hybrid aircraft having a rotary wing An aircraft (1) having a fuselage (2), a power plant (10), a rotary wing (15) having at least one main rotor (16), and a fixed wing (20) comprising two half-wings (21, 22) extending on either side of the fuselage (2). The aircraft (1) also has at least two propulsive propellers (30) on either side of the fuselage (2). Each is positioned on respective ones of the half-wings (21, 22), and an anti-torque and yaw-control tail rotor (35). A transmission system (40) connects the power plant (10) to each main rotor (16) and the tail rotor (35). The transmission system (40) connects the power plant (10) to each propeller (30) via a respective differential mechanism (50) that is controllable on request so that each propeller (30) can be driven in cruising flight and need not be driven in rotation by the power plant (10) on the ground or while hovering.
US08840050B2	Potential neutralization arrangement for an electrostatic rotary atomizer For grounding or electrically charging the shaft of an electrostatic rotary atomizer working with external or direct charging, there are opposing, annular or spiral-shaped sharp edges in the outer surface of a part of the shaft and in the inner surface of a stationary bearing part at the desired potential, which have different, preferably opposite, thread directions, so that the edges intersect each other at points.
US08840047B2	Shower head with auto-locking cover A shower head with an auto-locking cover includes a body unit, a rotation support seat, a seal seat and a cover unit. The seal seat is fixedly connected to an underside of the body unit. The rotation support seat is secured through the body unit and the seal seat. The rotation support seat is formed with an insertion hole and an engaging step. The cover unit is formed with a hook corresponding to the insertion hole and the engaging step. The cover unit is mounted to an underside of the rotation support seat. The rotation support seat is further formed with an elastic piece. The cover unit is formed with an engaging recess corresponding to the elastic piece. By turning the rotation support seat, the elastic piece is engaged in the engaging recess so that the cover unit is connected to the underside of the rotation support seat.
US08840046B2	Hand held paint sprayer with paint cup and reversible tip A self-contained, hand-held paint spray gun apparatus having a paint reservoir on the gun and a turret assembly having a reversible tip for spraying paint from the reservoir through the tip and a swirl chamber adapter located between the gun and turret assembly. The tip is reversible between a SPRAY position and a CLEAN position to enable a user of the paint spray gun to rapidly and conveniently clear an obstruction in the tip and continue spraying without removing the tip. The swirl chamber adapter has a generally planar face opposing a swirl valve in the gun and forming a swirl chamber upstream of the turret assembly and has a centrally located bore extending from the generally planar face to the outlet of the adapter.
US08840045B2	Fluid dispensing device having multiple spray patterns A fluid dispensing device is disclosed that is capable of producing two distinct spray patterns. The device may include a rotatable hub having a first barrel for producing a first spray pattern and a second barrel for producing a second spray pattern. The barrels may be oriented in different directions with a predetermined angle between directions, such as approximately 180 degrees. A shell may be coupled to and rotatable with the hub. The shell may include a first portion having a first structural feature corresponding to a characteristic of the first spray pattern and a second portion may having a second structural feature corresponding to a characteristic of the second spray pattern. The structural features inform the user of a characteristic of the spray pattern that will be discharged by the device by the associated barrels, thereby permitting the user to intuitively select the desired spray pattern.
US08840037B2	Electrospray device and a method of electrospraying An electrospray apparatus for dispensing a controlled volume of liquid in pulses at a constant frequency is provided. The apparatus comprises an emitter (70) having a spray area from which liquid can be sprayed, a means for applying an electric field (78) to liquid in, on or adjacent to the emitter (70). In use, liquid is drawn to the spray area by electrostatic forces and electrospray occurs in pulses at a constant frequency whilst the electric field (78) is applied.
US08840034B2	Automatic in situ coolant flow control in LFT heat exchanger An embodiment of the invention is directed to coolant flow control apparatus, in association with a liquid flow through heat exchanger situated to cool one or more electronic or other device. The apparatus comprises a first input channel for carrying liquid coolant to a first input of the heat exchanger, and further comprises a flow control device positioned along a flow path that includes the first input channel. The flow control device is provided with a gating element supported for selected movement across the flow path, in order to selectively vary the amount of coolant moving through the flow path. The apparatus further include an actuator located in the flow control device that comprises a metal component which is directly tied to the gating element, wherein the metal component changes its shape in response to specified changes in coolant temperature, and a given change in the shape of the metal component acts to selectively move the gating element with respect to the flow path.
US08840031B2	Smart card and a method for operating a smart card A smart card is provided, the smart card including: a first processor; a second integrated circuit; a smart card interface configured to provide communication in accordance with a smart card communication protocol; a determination circuit configured to determine whether the first processor or the second integrated circuit should be coupled with the smart card interface based on received communication data; a converter circuit coupled to the second integrated circuit and configured to convert received communication data between the smart card communication protocol and a further communication protocol wherein the smart card interface is coupled with the second integrated circuit.
US08840030B2	Secure credit card with near field communications A near field communication device included in a secure transaction card provides an addition and/or transitional communication link for communicating secure transaction information. The near field communication device may be selectively engaged or disengaged and, when engaged, either active or passive modes of operation of the near field communication device can be selected. in the active mode, secure transaction information is transmitted upon establishment of a communication link with a complementary near field communication device. In the passive mode, secure transaction information is transmitted upon interrogation from a complementary near field communication device. Secure transaction information is generated and stored for transmission in a memory and at least a portion of the memory is erased or nulled upon transmission or upon expiration of a selected period of time.
US08840029B2	Multi wavelength excitation/emission authentication and detection scheme A system and method for authentication of secure products is disclosed. The security feature contains a first component in the form of an emitter capable of emitting light in response to external pump light. The security feature also contains a second component in the form of a taggant that absorbs light in a spectrally narrow range compared to the broader excitation spectrum of the first material. In this manner the emitter and taggant work in combination with one another to create an emission response significantly dependent on the illumination wavelengths and unique to the specific combination of the components. The emitter and taggant can be in the form of a mixture. Further the emitter and taggant may be applied in close proximity to one another, such as within two separate coating layers on a suitable substrate.
US08840027B2	Electro-optical reader with enhanced laser light pattern visibility Visibility of a scan laser light pattern or an aiming laser light pattern on a symbol to be read by a hand-held, electro-optical reader is enhanced by directing laser light having a laser wavelength in the laser light pattern to the symbol, configuring an optical element to be transmissive to the laser light of the same laser wavelength, supporting the optical element by the reader, moving the optical element from a stored position to a deployed position, and viewing the laser light pattern on the symbol through the optical element in the deployed position.
US08840024B2	Systems and methods for financial transaction through miniaturized card reader with decoding on a seller's mobile device A financial transaction card reader device includes a housing having a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a financial transaction card to complete a financial transaction between a buyer and seller. A read head is in the housing, reads data stored on the magnetic stripe and for produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. An output jack is adapted to be inserted into a microphone input associated with a seller's mobile device for providing the signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe to the mobile device. The signal is decoded in the mobile device.
US08840021B2	Presence check of objects The data carriers (T I, T2, T3, T4) of those objects (1, 2, 3, 4) whose presence is to be checked, are allocated to a check group (ÜG), in a method of checking the presence of objects characterized by noncontact readable data carriers, wherein each noncontact readable data carrier can be identified uniquely or in groups. Data carriers (T1 to T6) are detected by data carrier reading means (5) and it is detected whether at least one of the detected data carriers (T1 to T6) is allocated to an activation group (AG). If at least one of the detected data carriers (T4, T5) is allocated to the activation group (AG), the presence check is activated, while it is checked during the presence check whether all the data carriers (T1 to T4) allocated to the check group (ÜG) are detected by the data carrier reading means (5) and, if not, an alarm signal (AL) is transmitted.
US08840018B2	Device with time varying signal Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users. The apparatus may further emit a time varying signal to enhance security.
US08840016B1	Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards. The card data is linked in at least one data store to data indicating that the card data corresponds to a financial account that is authorized to be used to conduct at least one transaction through use of the automated banking machine. The automated banking machine may be used to carry out financial transfers involving financial accounts by users who are determined to be authorized users of such accounts.
US08840007B2	Compound sealing method for vacuum glass The invention relates to a compound sealing method for glass plates, which is characterized by realizing the air-tight joint between compounded glass plates in a preset position by using a metal brazing technology. The invention provides a brand new technological method for the compound sealing between glass plates. The method has the advantages of firm connection in sealing positions, high air tightness, favorable thermal shock resistance and the like, and the annealing of toughened glass are avoided because of a lower brazing temperature used, thereby providing convenience to the processing of toughened vacuum glass, toughened insulated glass and other toughened compound glass products.
US08840006B2	Friction-stir joining method Disclosed is a friction-stir joining method for joining a first member, having a base metal covered with a substance different from the base metal, with a second member with the second member placed on the first member by moving a joining tool along a joining line having thereon a joining start point and a joining finish point. The method includes steps of: inserting the joining tool into the second member at the joining start point; moving the joining tool a predetermined distance along the joining line in a direction opposite the joining finish point; causing the joining tool to turn back at a turning-back point spaced the predetermined distance from the joining start point; moving the joining tool along the joining line to the joining finish point past the joining start point; and pulling the joining tool out from the second member at the joining finish point.
US08840002B2	Fastener-driving tool An adjuster has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported in a housing of a fastener-driving tool about an axis parallel to one direction. The adjuster has an outer circumferential surface provided with one of a first recessed portion and a first protruding portion. A bumper is movable in the one direction and another direction opposite the one direction according to a rotation of the adjuster. An urging member has one of a second recessed portion and a second protruding portion. One of the second recessed portion and the second protruding portion is constantly in contact with the outer circumferential surface and is engaged with the one of the first recessed portion and the first protruding portion.
US08840000B1	Heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier A heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier utilizes a cross frame configured so a spare tire for a vehicle can be bolted thereto and mounted on a receiver-type hitch with a secondary receiver hitch mounted thereon. The carrier has an integral lever-actuated lifting and lowering apparatus to allow a single person the ability to remove and replace a spare tire on the carrier and/or to swing the carrier and spare tire out of the way so an engine or other compartment in the rear of the vehicle can still be accessed.
US08839996B2	Apparatus and methods for fluid storage and delivery An apparatus and method for storing and delivering fluid to a person comprises, in at least one specific embodiment, a fluid reservoir having an internal volume therein with an opening disposed through a first wall or a second wall of the fluid reservoir and located toward a first end of the fluid reservoir. A first portion of a tube can be exterior to the fluid reservoir and a second portion of the tube can be disposed through the opening and within the internal volume. At least one insulation layer can be disposed about the exterior of the first wall of the fluid reservoir. The second wall of the fluid reservoir can be configured for transferring heat from or to the internal volume or from the person. At least one baffle is disposed within the internal volume and connected to the first wall and the second wall of the fluid reservoir.
US08839995B2	Security device for a spare-wheel pick-up system Safety devices for vehicle tire carriers including safety features that protect against the tire being dropped upon a failure in a cable system that supports the tire in a stowed condition. In one implementation the tire carrier has a support shaft at least partially housed within a longitudinal sleeve having a window. A pivotable arm has a first feature that engages with a portion of the support shaft to limit downward movement of the support shaft within the longitudinal sleeve when the pivotable arm is in a first rotational position and upon a failure in the cable system to properly support the tire in the stowed condition. The pivotable arm may also have a second feature that engages with the longitudinal sleeve to inhibit the arm from pivoting away from the first rotational position upon a failure in the cable system to properly support the tire in the stowed condition.
US08839994B2	Aerosol can spray nozzle extension tube adapter Provided is an adapter configured for use with an aerosol can spray nozzle and an extension tube. The adapter is configured to fit onto the spray nozzle and to receive the extension tube to provide a more rigid and fluidly secure connection between the spray nozzle and the extension tube. The adapter includes a spray nozzle portion and an extension tube portion. The spray nozzle portion includes an opening sized and configured to allow the spray nozzle to be insertable therein to create frictional engagement therebetween. The extension tube portion includes an inner channel extending therethrough, and is sized and configured to allow the extension tube to be insertable therein to create friction-tight engagement between the extension tube and the adapter.
US08839992B2	Bottle with integral dip tube Described is a fluid dispensing container having a bottle and fluid withdrawing assembly for liquids, such as liquid cleaners and the like. The bottle has an integral dip tube formed therein connecting at a landing below the top of the bottle neck, fluidly connecting the inside of the bottle with the top opening of the bottle. A fluid dispensing mechanism, such as a pump or trigger-sprayer, is attached to the top of the bottle to take fluid up through the integral dip tube and dispense the fluid accordingly. The fluid dispensing mechanism may be aligned to allow a direct connection between integral dip tube and the fluid dispensing mechanism at a landing below the bottle opening. The fluid dispensing mechanism may be attached to the bottle with a snap-fit connection.
US08839991B2	Dispensing bottle for liquid solutions The dispensing bottle includes a dispensing head with an air inlet allowing ambient air to enter an opening of a reservoir portion of the bottle, and a filter member that fits over and seals the opening of the reservoir portion of the bottle for filtering the ambient air entering the bottle to prevent contaminants from entering the reservoir portion of the bottle along with ambient air.
US08839987B2	Automatic vending machine and process for dispensing beverages An automatic machine for dispensing beverages has at least two rotatable cup dispensing towers having a plurality of housings for variously sized stacked cups. The housings may be rotated in a selective manner. Cups are dispensed from the housings. A cup holder device includes cup holders that receive the dispensed cups. The cup holder device is rotatable about a vertical axis that is parallel to the axes of rotation of the rotatable cup dispensing towers. The cup holder device is provided with at least two cup holders that move along concentric circular trajectories with respect to the vertical axis of the cup holder device.
US08839985B1	Coffee cup plug Described herein is a coffee cup plug that includes a combination cup/container sleeve and plug assembly. The coffee cup plug includes a sleeve for disposable beverage containers as well as a detachable plug. The plug includes a fold line such that when the plug is detached from the sleeve and folded the folded plug is configured to be inserted into a dispensing aperture formed in the lid of the cup/container. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.
US08839982B1	Dispensing capsule with dual independent dispensing chambers A dispensing capsule, comprising a cap body including a chamber, whereby the bottom of the chamber is sealed by a sealing member. The cap body includes one or more plungers, each plunger received in a sub-chamber of the chamber, and one or more flexible actuators engaged to the one or more plungers, whereby the actuators are accessible at a top portion of the cap body. The flexible actuators may comprise a bellow-type blast or stepped blast. In some embodiments, a dust cover is provided to cover said top portion of the cap body. By applying pressure to the one or more actuators, the one or more plungers displace downward and break at least a portion of the sealing member. This allows for independent dispensing of an ingredient stored in each of the sub-chambers.
US08839981B2	Egg carton with an egg-opening apparatus Egg cartons comprising an egg-opening apparatus coupled to the egg carton are provided. The egg-opening apparatus includes any shape and/or form that is capable of opening and/or cracking an egg when the egg is struck on the egg-opening apparatus. Furthermore, the egg-opening apparatus includes any material having a hardness that is capable of opening and/or cracking an egg when the egg is struck on the egg-opening apparatus.
US08839977B2	Strap receivable water kettle cap A strap receivable water kettle cap includes a cap coupleable to a water kettle. The cap has a side wall forming an elongate slot and a bottom to which a rotary ring is mounted. The rotary ring has an upper portion forming a diameter reduced vertical wall. The vertical wall and the side wall of the cap form therebetween a receiving space for receiving strap in a winding fashion. The vertical wall forms an extension and retention section, and the strap extends through and is retained by the extension and retention section. The strap further extends through the slot of the side wall of the cap to have end extension sections of the strap projecting outside the cap. The tips of the end extension sections of the strap are processed to form a closed terminal. The strap can be selectively retracted back into the receiving space inside the cap.
US08839972B2	Multi-functional base for a plastic, wide-mouth, blow-molded container A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.
US08839971B2	Device for stopping a container, container equipped with such a device and method for closing a batch of such containers This device comprises an elastomer stopper (501) and a cap (502) suitable for covering both the neck (12) of a container and the stopper in position in this neck. The cap comprises a ring (503) provided with means (503G) for locking it to the neck and an operating member (504). The operating member (504) is fitted with at least one deformable part (506C) for transmitting a thrust load (f2) parallel to a central axis (X503) of the ring (503), between two portions (505, 506) of this member (504) or between an external material (301) and this member (504). The load transmitting part (506C) is deformable between a first configuration in which its length (L506) parallel to the central axis (X503) is a first value and a second configuration in which this parallel length is a second value that is less than the first value.
US08839968B2	Truck-mounted crane A crane for mounting on a truck includes a base. The base includes a cargo bed welded or fastened to a frame and the frame for fastening to a chassis of a truck. The crane further includes a boom rotatable relative to the base between a vertical position and a horizontal position; a boom hoist operable to raise and lower the boom between the positions; and a load hoist operable to hoist cargo located proximate to a rear end of the truck when the boom is in the vertical position and operable to carry the cargo toward a cab of the truck as the boom is lowered to the horizontal position, thereby loading the cargo onto the cargo bed.
US08839966B2	Folding jib main strut and transportable reeved strut caps A method of assembling a mobile lift crane that includes, during operation, i) a rotating bed having attached thereto a luffing jib hoist drum and line, and a rigging winch drum and line, ii) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, iii) a luffing jib pivotally mounted to the end of the boom, iv) a first strut also pivotally connected to the end of the boom, and v) a second strut connected to the boom below the connection point of the first strut, the method including: a) pivotally connecting the first strut to the end of the boom; b) pivotally connecting a first section of the second strut near the top of the boom; c) connecting the rigging winch line to the top of the first section; d) pivotally attaching a second section of the second strut to the first section such that the second section lies folded onto the first section, forming a folded second strut; and e) lifting the second section while retracting the rigging winch line to thereby bring the first and second sections into alignment with each other.
US08839964B2	Bow and ribbon display fixture A display fixture includes a substantially vertical backer mounted to a wall of a gondola and a shelf unit mounted to the backer and being centrally located on the backer. The shelf unit includes a substantially vertical back wall, a pair of side walls and a plurality of shelves extending between the pair of side walls and coupled to the back wall. Each of the plurality of shelves includes a shelf surface and a lip. The lip is substantially normal to the shelf surface and the shelf surface is at an angle relative to the back wall. The relative angle between the shelf surface and the back wall is greater than 90 degrees.
US08839960B2	Polymeric matrices formed from monomers comprising a protected amine group The present disclosure relates to polymeric matrices composed of protected amine compound residues and membranes composed from such polymeric matrices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a polymeric matrix comprising amine compound residues, acyl compound residues and protected amine compound residues.
US08839957B2	Prosthetic heart valve packaging system Packaging for prosthetic heart valves including an assembly for securely retaining a heart valve within a sterile jar and facilitating retrieval therefrom. The assembly includes a packaging sleeve that fits closely within the jar and has a clip structure for securing a valve holder. A delivery handle on the end of a shaft couples with the valve holder while the packaging sleeve engages the jar to prevent rotation. The assembly of the packaging sleeve, valve, and holder can then easily be removed from the jar.
US08839955B1	Multi-purpose item protector and methods of production thereof A preferably disposable item protector having a first and second layer, sealed peripheral edges, and an opening to provide access to the interior, formed of material substantially permeable to vapor and substantially impermeable to liquid and microbial contaminants. A method of producing such item protectors comprising the steps of folding a continuous strip of material, bonding the peripheral edges with adhesives, sonic bonding, heat bonding, or other techniques, and cutting the material proximate to the bonded edges to release the item protectors.
US08839949B2	Determination and correction of conveyor belt speed/location Sprockets (22) and (42) are engaged with a conveyor belt (18) itself or a chain (28) coupled to the belt. An encoder is used to determine the differential of the rotation of the sprockets. From that information, the instantaneous pitch of the conveyor belt located between the first and second rotational axes can be determined, and from that information the speed of the belt can be determined. This information can be used to control work tools or other devices that act on work products being carried by the conveyor belt.
US08839948B2	Closed-loop magnetic positioning of conveyor belts A conveyor having a conveyor belt with magnetic properties that allow the belt's position to be controlled by externally generated magnetic fields and methods for controlling such a conveyor belt. Sensors sense an operating condition of the belt, such as belt speed, belt tension, belt loading, belt lateral, or radial, position, or belt elevation, and send those measurements to a controller. Electromagnets in the conveyor frame generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic properties of the belt to apply selected forces to position the belt in the conveyor. The controller adjusts the strength and direction of the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnets to control the operating conditions of the belt.
US08839947B2	System for conveying biomass for collection, transport, or processing A system for conveying biomass is disclosed. The system is configured to convey biomass for collection, transport, or processing. The system comprises a housing comprising an opening configured for the entry of biomass, at least one shoe skid configured to offset the housing in a vertical orientation, an apparatus at least partially within the housing comprising at least one rotating blade assembly, and a conduit configured to discharge biomass from the housing so that biomass entering into the housing can be projected by the apparatus through the conduit for collection or transport. The system may comprise conduit that is extendable and has articulation segments for vertical movement. The system may comprise a housing that comprises a member to dislodge the biomass from a pile to flow into the opening. The system may comprise at least one shoe skid that comprises a large surface area and projects forward of the housing.
US08839946B2	Apparatus for conveying eggs The invention relates to a system and a method for, in a conveying direction T during conveyance, continuously distributing a flow or products, for instance eggs, comprising: —a distributing assembly with at least two feed channels extending in a conveying direction T for each forming a single row of products, wherein at least edge elements compose the edges of these channels over a well-defined distribution length and wherein these edge elements are provided above and adjacent a conveying surface at the downstream end of a feed conveyor, and —a control for monitoring and controlling the distribution of the products over the channels, wherein, based on monitoring signals and control signals, from the downstream end of the channels, only two products are transferred simultaneously to the conveyor, wherein the control, based on the monitoring signals and control signals, increases or reduces the speed of the conveyor according to a continuous adjustment.
US08839945B2	Order-picking system for order-picking articles into order containers The invention refers to an order picking plant for order picking of articles into order containers. The order picking plant comprises a picking station and a sorter. Between the sorter and order container a number of collection points are provided. Further, the invention relates to a process where the articles are stored intermediately in a collection point between sorter and order container.
US08839941B2	Conveyor head and tail drive roller system An incline conveyor that includes driven rollers at both the input (tail) end and the output (head) end of the conveyor that are powered by a single power source. Power is transmitted along the length of the conveyor with a driveline that distributes power to both the input and output drive rollers. The position of the drive rollers is adjustable to tension and track the conveyor belt. The position of the gearbox is also adjustable to maintain tension on the drive belt. The resulting conveyor drive mechanism allows cleated belt conveyors to be longer and transfer at higher capacities.
US08839932B2	Apparatus for reducing transmission shock in automatic transmission An apparatus for reducing transmission shock of an automatic transmission may include a piston operated by a control pressure, a clutch performing a clutching operation by an operation of the piston, and a cushion spring arranged between the piston and the clutch which varies by stages in stiffness of the spring with an operating position of the piston. The cushion spring may be formed with one or more sets of a plurality of curved-surface springs bent in an operating direction of the clutch and connected with each other, each set of the plurality of curved-surface springs having a different bending height.
US08839929B2	Hydraulic clutch and transmission device provided with the same A hydraulic clutch includes a clutch drum with an outer cylinder that slidably holds a plurality of clutch plates, an inner cylinder that axially extends from an inner circumference of a sidewall, and a sleeve fitted inside the inner cylinder. A clutch piston presses the clutch plates. A plate and the clutch piston define an oil chamber that cancels centrifugal hydraulic pressure. An oil passage that communicates with the oil chamber is on an inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder. One surface of the sleeve contacts a step formed on the inner cylinder. The sleeve includes a passage in communication with the oil passage and formed on an outer periphery of the sleeve to axially extend toward the end surface, and a second passage formed more axially recessed than an end surface and radially extending to provide communication between the first passage and an inner portion of the sleeve.
US08839928B2	Electro-hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission A hydraulic control system for 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.
US08839924B2	Fluid transmission apparatus A compact fluid transmission apparatus that is able to effectively damp vibrations transmitted to an input member with a dynamic damper and a centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber. The apparatus includes a pump impeller that is connected to an input member coupled to a motor, and a turbine runner that is rotatable together with the pump impeller. The elastic body of the damper mechanism and the elastic body of the dynamic damper overlap each other with respect to an axial direction of the fluid transmission apparatus when viewed in a radial direction of the fluid transmission apparatus, and are arranged between the turbine runner and the centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber when viewed in the radial direction.
US08839920B2	Hydraulic energy transfer A regenerative shock absorber that include a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when the shock is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor, in turn, drives an electric generator that produced electric energy. The electric energy may be provided to a vehicle, among other things. The regenerative shock absorber may also provide ride performance that comparable to or exceeds that of conventional shock absorbers.
US08839915B2	Railway freight car hand brake sensor In combination with a railway car hand brake, there is an apparatus for sensing the hand brake release comprising a housing and a mounting mechanism for attaching the housing to a cover of such hand brake. An actuating mechanism is disposed in the housing. A sleeve member is disposed on the actuating mechanism and includes a flange. A flexible connecting mechanism engages the sleeve member and a winding gear portion of the hand brake. A sensing mechanism is disposed in the housing and aligned with the actuating mechanism. A securement mechanism is disposed on the sensing mechanism and mounted on the cover of the hand brake. A compression member is disposed in the housing and engages the flange of the sleeve member, whereby an electrical or magnetic signal will be received from the actuating mechanism by the sensing mechanism.
US08839910B2	Food and drink conveyance device A food and drink conveying device used while being laid on a conveyance path of a conveying apparatus, including a plate loading portion; a detection means for detecting a plate laid on the plate loading portion; a retaining member fixed to the plate loading portion for retaining a plate cover over the plate loading portion; and a removal means for removing the plate cover retained in the retaining member to be put on a plate laid on the plate loading portion. In the food and drink conveying device, the removal means is operated at the time of the detection means detecting the plate laid on the plate loading portion so that the plate cover removed from the retaining means is to be put on the plate.
US08839908B2	Ladder safety apparatus A ladder safety apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example ladder safety apparatus includes a stabilizer bar for a top portion of a ladder, the stabilizer bar configured to rest on a roof top. The example ladder safety apparatus also includes a balance rail for the top portion of the ladder to provide substantially upright handles for a user to grasp when the ladder is positioned on the roof top. Further, the safety apparatus may be engaged to a ladder using one or more engagement rods.
US08839907B2	Ladder safety apparatus A ladder safety apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example ladder safety apparatus includes a stabilizer bar for a top portion of a ladder, the stabilizer bar configured to rest on a roof top. The example ladder safety apparatus also includes a balance rail for the top portion of the ladder to provide substantially upright handles for a user to grasp when the ladder is positioned on the roof top. The balance rail and the stabilizer bar are formed as a unitary structure.
US08839902B1	Hydraulic motor driven rack and pinion steering assembly A rack and pinion steering apparatus for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a housing, a gear rack slidably coupled to the housing and including a plurality of rack gear teeth, and a pinion gear including a plurality of pinion gear teeth in meshing engagement with the plurality of rack gear teeth. The apparatus also includes a hydraulic motor including an output shaft coupled to and configured to rotate the pinion gear and a limiter coupled to the housing and configured to reduce an output steering force of the gear rack.
US08839901B1	Transfer case skid shield A skid shield for attachment to vehicle side rails for protecting an underbody vehicle component, where the vehicle has a cross member mounted to the side rails with mounting hardware and receiving holes, includes a body and a skid plate. The body extends from the first side rail to the second side rail and around the underbody of the vehicle component. The body has at least one frame member. The at least one skid plate is attached to the frame member. The skid shield also includes first and second attachment brackets that attach the frame member to the side rails. The attachment brackets have receiving holes for receiving a fastener. The receiving holes are configured for alignment with the receiving holes in the side rails. The fastener fastens both the attachment bracket of the skid shield and the mounting hardware of the cross member to the side rails.
US08839894B2	Electric drive system for vehicle An electric drive system for a vehicle includes: an electric drive unit that electrically drives the vehicle; and a cooling unit that cools the electric drive unit, wherein: the electric drive unit and the cooling unit are mounted at a body frame of the vehicle via an elastic support member, the electric drive unit and the cooling unit being configured as an integrated unit.
US08839892B2	Centering device for load transporting apparatus Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically centers a support foot of the apparatus about a roller assembly during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes guide devices positioned adjacent to a roller assembly that deflect a biasing device during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to a centered position relative to the roller assembly after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.
US08839890B2	Apparatus and system for low voltage direct current at industrial power recharging of hybrid high occupancy capacity on-road transportation vehicles The invention presents a dual-mode hybrid high occupancy capacity vehicle (HHOCV) with a novel electrical energy and power storage application, electrical energy and power source and charging system in conjunction with additional methods to maximize the energy and rate of use such that the overall system is far superior to multiple personal transportation vehicles and roadway based catenary mass transit systems, including, but not limited to petroleum-only fueled high occupancy capacity vehicles. The HHOCV exhibits a novel battery charging system by taking advantage of existing track/trolley/catenary facilities for electrically charging its electrical storage media at a high energy rate so as to minimize disruption of such charging services, and is not confined by physical boundaries or limitations and may travel off the power source to the existing common roadways returning only to be recharged. The design incorporates software controllers and other devices to maintain the energy transfer rate and is of such physical size that the overall invention may either be retrofitted to existing buses or designed within new high occupancy vehicles.
US08839889B2	Polycrystalline diamond compacts, cutting elements and earth-boring tools including such compacts, and methods of forming such compacts and earth-boring tools Methods of forming a polycrystalline diamond compact for use in an earth-boring tool include forming a body of polycrystalline diamond material including a first material disposed in interstitial spaces between inter-bonded diamond crystals in the body, removing the first material from interstitial spaces in a portion of the body, selecting a second material promoting a higher rate of degradation of the polycrystalline diamond compact than the first material under similar elevated temperature conditions and providing the second material in interstitial spaces in the portion of the body. Methods of drilling include engaging at least one cutter with a formation and wearing a second region of polycrystalline diamond material comprising a second material faster than the first region of polycrystalline diamond material comprising a first material. Polycrystalline diamond compacts and earth-boring tools including such compacts are also disclosed.
US08839887B2	Composite sintered carbides A carbide composite material that includes a continuous ductile phase; and at least one discrete carbide region surrounded by the continuous ductile phase, each discrete carbide region may comprise an integrally bridged plurality of cast and/or sintered carbide particles, and each discrete region may have a nodular particle morphology.
US08839883B2	Piston tractor system for use in subterranean wells A piston tractor system can include at least two piston assemblies which sealingly engage a wellbore, and a pump which transfers fluid between an annulus isolated between the piston assemblies, and another annulus. A method of operating a piston tractor system can include sealingly engaging at least two piston assemblies with a wellbore, grippingly engaging one piston assembly with the wellbore, and then pumping a fluid from an annulus formed between the piston assemblies, while the other piston assembly is secured to a tubular string, thereby biasing the tubular string to displace through the first piston assembly. A method of advancing a tubular string through a wellbore can include sealingly engaging piston assemblies with the wellbore, each of the piston assemblies including a gripping device which selectively grips the wellbore, and one piston assembly including another gripping device which selectively grips the tubular string.
US08839879B2	Anvil assembly for a power tool An anvil assembly for a tool includes an anvil having a body with an outer periphery and a head formed on a distal end of the body. The anvil assembly also includes a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the outer periphery of the body. The sleeve has a distal end against which a tool element is abutted when the tool element is coupled to the head.
US08839877B1	Low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler A low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler, e.g., of the upright type, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, has a body with an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, and a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway. The sprinkler has a predetermined K-factor, e.g., of greater than about 16.0. The sprinkler is configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern. Preferably, the predetermined spray pattern has a generally polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, when viewed at a predetermined distance below the deflector.
US08839875B2	Method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from coal and gas shale formations A system for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and CH4 to be desorbed, released and recovered. No high volume of water, no toxic additives to the water and no sand proppants are used for hydro-fracture of the gas shale or coal bed.
US08839874B2	Packing element backup system Downhole tool packing element systems comprise a sealing element having a support system. The support system can include one or more of a first spacer ring, a second spacer ring, a third spacer ring, a mesh ring, and one or more petal rings. One or more of these components can be disposed at one or both of the upper end and/or lower end of the sealing element. When compressed, the sealing element is moved radially outward to engage an inner wall surface of a wellbore due to compressive forces of the one or more spacer ring(s), mesh ring, and/or petal ring(s). The lower end of one or more of the mesh ring(s) and/or petal ring(s) rotate outwardly toward the casing and engage the casing to facilitate creation of the seal.
US08839872B2	Tree plug A plug for sealing a conduit. The plug comprises a housing, a setting member, at least one anchor and at least one seal element. Rotation of the setting member with respect to the housing in a setting direction sets the at least one anchor and the at least one seal element.
US08839869B2	Composite reconfigurable tool A downhole tool for use in a well is configurable as a frac plug, a caged ball frac plug or a bridge plug. The tool has a mandrel with a threaded neck. The mandrel has an expandable sealing element disposed thereabout. An adapter, which may be selected from multiple configurations of adapters, is threaded to the neck of the mandrel. The adapter may comprise a sleeve, or a cap with one open end and one closed end. The adapter has threads on an outer surface thereof to which a threaded setting mandrel may be attached. The setting mandrel when actuated will move the tool to a set position in the well and once the tool is moved to the set position the threads on the adapter will shear so that the setting mandrel may be retrieved. The tool will thus remain in the hole and will act as either a frac plug, a caged ball frac plug or a bridge plug depending upon the configuration of the selected adapter.
US08839864B2	Casing cutter Tools and methods for cutting multiple, co-extending casings in oil and gas wells. The tools comprise a cylindrical body and first and second sets of cutting blades. Each set of cutting blades is mounted to the body for actuation from a retracted, run-in position to an extended, cutting position. The cylindrical body is rotated and the first set of cutting blades is actuated to cut the co-extending casings within a first sweep diameter. The second set of cutting blades then is actuated to cut the co-extending casings beyond the first sweep diameter and within a second sweep diameter.
US08839863B2	High pressure/deep water perforating system A perforating system having a perforating gun with a gun body formed from a ductile material. The gun body deforms under pressure while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to remain intact and without rupturing or leaking. A flowable material can be inserted within the gun body that provides additional support to the gun body.
US08839862B2	Method of stabilising a blasthole A method of stabilizing a blasthole prior to detonation which comprises the step of coating the inner wall of the blasthole with a stabilizing composition. In one embodiment, the invention comprises coating the blast hole with a movable spraying application. The invention further relates to the use of a silicate-containing resin but is also suitable for use with a thermoset resin system. The method can be used to apply the stabilizing composition to both dry and wet blastholes.
US08839861B2	Systems and methods for providing zonal isolation in wells Systems and methods for providing zonal isolation in a hydrocarbon well include or utilize a tubular assembly having an upstream manifold, a gravel packing conduit, a transport conduit, a leak-off conduit, and a downstream flow path. The tubular assembly is adapted to receive a gravel-laden slurry and to direct at least a portion of the same to the gravel packing conduit. The gravel-laden slurry exiting the gravel packing conduit packs the annulus between the tubular assembly and the wellbore by dehydrating at least in part through the leak-off conduit. The leak-off conduit is further gravel-packed by the gravel-laden slurry received by the tubular assembly. The leak-off conduit is dehydrated through a flow control valve. Together, the gravel packed annulus and the gravel packed leak-off conduit provide a gravel-based zonal isolation system.
US08839847B2	Condenser A first header tank to which first heat exchange tubes of third and fourth heat exchange paths are connected and a second header tank to which second heat exchange tubes of first and second heat exchange paths are connected are provided at one end of a condenser. The upper end of the first header tank is located above the lower end of the second header tank. The first header tank has a function of separating gas and liquid from each other and storing the liquid. A spacer is disposed between the first header tank and the second header tank. The spacer includes a first portion which comes into contact with and is brazed to the first header tank, and a second portion which comes into contact with and is brazed to the second header tank.
US08839846B2	Mechanical joint for CuZnFe alloy heat exchanger and method A method of creating a flat-round tube-to-header joint in a CuproBraze™ heat exchanger wherein the flat-round tube-to-header joint is disposed between a tube and a header having a generally circular opening having a first predetermined diameter formed on a first side thereof for receiving one end of a tube, and provides at least one generally circular end having a second predetermined diameter on the tube to fit into the generally circular opening of in the header. The method further provides a predetermined temper on at least one generally circular end which is at least sufficient to enable cold working of at least one generally circular end to prevent premature failures of the flat-round tube-to-header joint. The flat-round tube-to-header joint is formed by inserting one end of the tube into the first side of the header and forming the flat-round tube-to-header joint between one end of the tube and the header.
US08839845B2	Heating and air conditioning unit for motor-vehicles A heating and air conditioning device for motor-vehicles, comprises a unit for suctioning and supplying air (13) and a heating and air conditioning unit (1), including a heater (2) and an evaporator (3) and a mixing lid (4) for distributing the airflow coming from the supply unit (13) between said heater (2) and said evaporator (3). The heating and air conditioning unit comprises a single moveable element for distributing the conditioned airflow between one or more outlets arranged along a dashboard of a motor-vehicle, respectively adjacent to the windscreen, at the front on the dashboard or adjacent to the floor of the cabin of the motor-vehicle, to respectively actuate the DEFROST, VENT, FLOOR functions or their combination. At least part of the air supply unit (13), preferably at least one air intake (14) and one pipe (15) for supplying air including an air filter (16), and borne by a bodywork connected to a front bonnet (22) of the motor-vehicle which closes the engine compartment at the upper part.
US08839843B1	Forming a mold for steel casting A method of forming a mold for use in the casting of a steel railway freight car truck component is provided. A cope mold is formed by providing a near net shape oversize impression of a cope pattern of a product to be cast in a flask. A cope pattern of the product to be cast is then placed on the flask forming a spacing between the cope pattern and the oversize impression. A resin coated sand is then blown to form a sand layer between the oversized impression in the flask and the cope pattern. The resin sand is set to form a mold of a thickness between the oversized impression in the flask and the cope pattern of the product to be cast. The drag mold is formed in a similar manner.
US08839841B2	Roller blind mounting system and parts therefor A mounting system for an architectural covering including a pair of mounting brackets, a roller operably connected to each of the mounting brackets, and an end plug at least partially received within the roller and operably connected to one of the mounting brackets. The end plug selectively transitions between an extended position and a retracted position and includes a sleeve, a plunger received within the sleeve, and a spring at least partially received within the plunger for biasing the plunger away from the sleeve. The plunger includes a center or body section and at least two radially spaced tongues extending from a first end of the center section. In the extended position a first portion of the plunger projects from the sleeve and in the retracted position at least a portion of the first portion of the plunger is received within the sleeve.
US08839839B2	Retractable awning with automatic pitching gable or arch A retractable awning that transforms automatically into a gable or arch is disclosed. The awning sheet extends using articulated hinged arms. A first end of each articulated arm is hingedly affixed to a stationary surface. The two articulated arms provide vertical support while extending the awning sheet. A swiveling hinge interface connects the ends of the articulated arms and the front support member. The front support member is a flexible spring member and resiliently arches the awning when extending. In another embodiment, the front support member is a left member and right member connected by a hinge and a spring. The spring resiliently urges the left and right member into a gabled configuration, thereby gabling the awning. When retracting the awning, the ends of the front support member and awning sheet are pulled outwards, thereby counteracting the naturally gabled or arched configuration.
US08839832B2	Ergonomic service arrangement for beverage machine A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: a service arrangement (6, 60); and a movable support (5) for supporting a user-recipient (51) in a position for collecting the beverage. The support has: an unlocking position for giving user-access to the service arrangement for servicing; and a locking position for preventing user-access to the service arrangement for servicing.
US08839830B2	Method and device for recovering puncture repair liquid A method and device for recovering puncture repair liquid without cutting out a tire valve. The method uses a device including a tube and either a pipe member or a drainage device. The tube reaches a tire inner surface when inserted into the tire from a tire valve mounted to a wheel, and the pipe member or drainage device connects between the tire valve and a pressurized air source. A valve core is detached from a tire valve of the wheel. The tube is inserted into the tire via the valve, the pipe member or drainage device is connected between the valve and air source, the tire is filled with air from the air source, and the puncture repair liquid in the tire is recovered through an end portion of the pipe member or drainage port due to air escaping from the tire.
US08839826B2	Device for storing and dosing a solvent A device for storing and/or dosing a solvent for dissolving a substance that is to be used in liquid form has a container, a mounting mechanism for mounting the container on a vessel, preferably a reagent vessel from the laboratory sector, and an opener for opening the container.
US08839824B2	Multiple layer weaving A weaving apparatus is provided herein for simultaneously weaving fine denier panels and coarse denier panels. The weaving apparatus includes a first warp beam that holds in tension a first number of small denier warp threads and a second warp beam that holds in tension a second number of large denier warp threads. The first number of small denier warp threads is greater than the second number of large denier warp threads.
US08839823B2	Corrugated metal pipe A metal pipe of single piece construction including a wall formed of a single corrugated metal sheet. The sheet has opposing first and second edges extending longitudinally along the sheet. The wall includes a seam that is formed by abutting portions of the first and second edges. The seam extends helically about and along a length of the wall. The sheet has an interior wall side and an opposing exterior wall side. The interior wall side defines an interior wall surface of the wall. The exterior wall side defines an exterior wall surface of the wall. The sheet has a sinusoidal cross-sectional profile defining 3 corrugation peaks at the interior wall surface and 3 corrugation peaks at the exterior wall surface. The sheet has a flattened sheet width of approximately 27 inches and a finished sheet width of approximately 21 inches. The wall defines a pipe diameter of at least 96 inches.
US08839821B2	Flow straightening apparatus An apparatus for straightening fluid flow in a conduit or pipeline, such as an irrigation pipeline, resides in an integral assembly of a conical fluid flow displacement member effective to substantially lineralize the velocity profile of fluid flowing through the pipeline and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending longitudinally and radially of the conical member and effective to mitigate swirl and eccentric velocity profiles in the flowing fluid. The conical member consists simply of a single cone that is centered in the pipeline by the vanes. A bolt extending through the wall of the pipe and threaded into a nut on a vane secures the straightener in the line.
US08839820B2	Control valves for controlling pressure medium flows A control valve for controlling pressure medium flows, which has a cylindrical valve housing with a housing cavity The housing cavity is open at one side and has an axial outflow port, a radial first working port, a radial second working port, a radial third working port and two radial pressure ports which each open into the housing cavity. A first pressure port is arranged axially between the first working port and the second working port, and a second pressure port is arranged axially between the second working port and the third working port. Also, the control valve has a cylindrical control piston, which is axially movable within the housing cavity and has a piston cavity open at one side in the direction of the outflow port.
US08839818B2	Valve device and temperature adjusting system for electronic device A valve device for adjusting the flow volumes of a cooling medium and a heating medium for adjusting the temperature of an electronic device includes: flow paths through which a cooling medium and heating medium are able to flow; and a merging section into which these flow path merge. The merging section has a valve shaft internally and a first channel is formed in the valve shaft. The valve shaft makes the first channel face at least two of the flow paths so as to make at least two flow paths communicate with each other.
US08839817B2	Valve with dual rotation valve member A valve with a dual rotational valve member is provided. The valve includes a first valve member and a second valve member. An actuation arrangement is operably positioned between the first valve member and the second valve member to rotate the first valve member in a first direction and the second valve member in a second direction opposite the first direction. This counter-rotation of the first and second valve members selectively aligns or misaligns a pair of flow ports of the first valve member with a pair of flow ports of the second valve member. When the pairs of flow ports are aligned, the flow path of the valve allows for straight through flow of a fluid through the valve thereby decreasing turbulence, back pressure, and noise.
US08839814B2	Wall mountable hose reel An improved wall mount hose reel of a shape and design allowing preassembly and stacking in a nesting fashion of multiple units. The wall mount hose reel employs a frame for support of a garden hose to be wound into a coil by use of a hose reel spool. A crank handle is provided on the frame and attached to the hose reel spool for winding. An inlet/outlet swivel union fluid conduit is provided in the A-frame. The inlet fluid conduit is adapted for attachment to a water source, located on the outer surface of the A-frame, and adapted for coupling with the outlet conduit. The frame further supports a storage shelf and a rotatable levelwind assembly.
US08839812B2	Surgical suction floor mat A surgical suction mat for collecting and evacuating surgical fluids, the mat including a foam body having a surrounding border; a series of grooves defined on a first portion of the foam body and located interior of the border and defined substantially across the foam body, the grooves uniformly increasing in depth from adjacent a first side of the border of the foam body to a location adjacent an opposite second side of the border of the foam body, the grooves each being closed at a first end proximate the first side of the foam body and open an opposite second end; a plurality of spaced apart upper surfaces in-between the grooves and being of substantially uniform elevation to permit a relatively uniform and level upper mat surface on which a user can stand; a collection channel defined on a second portion of the foam body, the channel extending substantially perpendicular across the grooves, the collection channel being closed at each end and along one side of its length and the other side of the channel being open to and in flow communication with the grooves; and a suction fitting in fluid communication with the channel and placeable in flow communication with a source of suction to evacuate fluids from the channel through the suction fitting.
US08839811B2	Drain system of water pump for vehicle A drain system of a water pump for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a drain hole formed at a water pump housing, wherein coolant having leaked from the water pump passes the drain hole; a drain chamber formed in the water pump housing and providing a space communicated with the drain hole; a drain plug disposed in the drain chamber and collecting the coolant passing the drain hole; and a plug penetration hole penetrating the drain plug so as to communicate an inside of the drain plug to an outside of the water pump housing, wherein a part of the coolant collected in the drain plug may be vaporized and be exhausted to the outside of the water pump housing through the plug penetration hole.
US08839810B1	Manway cover with integrated cleaning system A manway cover for use with a storage enclosure, for example an enclosed tank, includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. A fluid line connector is attached to the exterior surface of the manway cover for releasable attachment of a fluid line thereto. A rotatable spray nozzle is attached to the interior surface of the manway cover and is in fluid communication with the fluid line connector. When a fluid line is connected to the fluid line connector, fluid flows from the fluid line connector to the spray nozzle, whereupon it is sprayed into the interior of the tank.
US08839807B2	Rapid response self-closing pressure equalization vent A rapid response self-closing pressure equalization vent employs a frame supported in a compartment divider and a movable vent portion having a periphery sealingly engaging the frame in a closed position. Multiple resilient extension elements are attached to the frame and engage the movable vent portion for even displacement around a periphery of the movable vent portion relative to the frame to an open position responsive to a pressure differential on the movable vent portion. The resilient extension elements retract upon equalization of the pressure differential to reseat the movable vent portion in the frame.
US08839806B2	Pressure tap assembly for turbine system and method for assembly of a pressure tap assembly According to one aspect of the invention, a pressure tap assembly includes a passage formed through a wall, a counterbore formed in the passage proximate an inner surface of the wall and a first end of a tube positioned in the passage, wherein a spacer positioned on the tube is positioned in the counterbore and deformed about the inner surface and counterbore to prevent fluid flow between the passage and tube. The pressure tap assembly also includes a second end of the tube disposed proximate a pressure sensing device.
US08839805B2	Passive boundary layer bleed system for nacelle inlet airflow control A gas turbine engine system includes a nacelle having a pressure side and a suction side. A passage extends between the pressure side and the suction side that permits airflow from the pressure side to the suction side. The passage receives turbulent airflow over the nacelle to produce a laminar airflow over the nacelle aft of the passage to thereby reduce drag on the nacelle.
US08839795B2	Face and mouth muscle stimulator The invention relates to a face and mouth muscle stimulator formed by an approximately oblong, oval body (1) to be placed in the mouth, having an open central part and side ends (2) that are wider than the upper and lower mid-zones (3) which are provided with V-shaped recesses (4) at the position of the frenulum. Optionally, the invention can include fixed or removable projections (5) positioned on the stimulator or on attachments (8). The invention can also include a sheet (6) provided with holes (7) for the connection of elements such as bottles or pacifiers or provided with a horizontal groove (11) for the incorporation of a bite splint (12) coupled at the front (2b) thereof using T-shaped flanges (13). Alternatively, the body (1′) can have a V-shaped configuration formed by vertical walls (20 and 30) in order to be positioned in the inner space of the lower jaw, including perpendicular projections (40 and 50) by way of horizontal bite planes.
US08839794B2	Disposable apparatus for securing a patient Embodiments of an apparatus are described. In one embodiment, the system is an apparatus for securing a patient to a board. The apparatus includes a board and a disposable cover that covers at least a portion of the board. The disposable cover includes a securing mechanism for securing the cover in place around a portion of the board. The disposable cover further includes at least one strap to wrap around the body of a patient or other object. The disposable cover also includes at least one second strap to wrap around the first strap. The second strap may include an adhesive material to secure the second strap around the first strap.
US08839793B2	Adjustable mandibular advancement device An adjustable mandibular advancement device has an upper plate for covering upper teeth of a human and a lower plate for covering lower teeth of the human. A magnetic closure mechanism is provided in the device in order to hold the upper plate in contact with the lower plate when the device is positioned in a person's mouth. The magnetic closure mechanism includes one or more magnets in the upper plate and one or more magnets in the lower plate. The magnets are positioned so that when the upper plate and lower plate are in contact, the lower plate pulls the person's lower teeth and lower jaw forward and down in order to reduce obstruction of an airway during sleep or physical activity such as sport. An adjustment mechanism between the plates allows the position of the lower plate relative to the upper plate to be adjusted.
US08839789B2	Mask assembly A respiratory mask assembly for delivery of non-invasive positive airway pressure to a user having a rigid mask shell including a plurality of slots; a soft cushion including at least one flexible sealing lip constructed and arranged to extend around an inner periphery of the cushion and to deform to provide a continuous airtight seal between the cushion and the rigid mask shell, the at least one flexible sealing lip being constructed and arranged to return to a relaxed state when the cushion is disassembled from the rigid mask shell, the soft cushion including a retaining portion; and a retaining ring configured to engage with the retaining portion of the cushion, and including a plurality of clips each positioned on respective spring arms to engage with each of the respective plurality of slots of the rigid mask shell to retain the cushion in position with the rigid mask shell.
US08839782B2	Warming carrier Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to carriers that may simultaneously carry and warm receptacles of food products or other goods (e.g., baby wipes) and methods of the same. More particularly, embodiments relate generally to carriers that respectively comprise a body and a heating element. The body comprises a pouch that is configured to receive a receptacle containing a food product or other good and a heating element configured to perform an exothermic reaction to heat the same without the aid of an electric power source. The pouch comprises thermal insulation to enhance the heat-retention capabilities thereof.
US08839776B2	Bow stabilizer with integrated adjustable accessory mounting rails A bow stabilizer incorporating one or more attachment rails for mounting a variety of accessories to the stabilizer for use in conjunction with the bow or other target sighting device. The stabilizer is rotationally adjustable about a center axis attachment post connecting the stabilizer to the bow. In addition to rotating the stabilizer for balance, the rails are individually adjustable side to side at their ends and are preferably of the picatinny or weaver rail configuration. Anywhere from one to four (or more) accessory rails may be positioned symmetrically or asymmetrically on the stabilizer. One or more counterbalance weights may be adjustably positioned on one or more of the rails to offset and balance the weight of attached accessories.
US08839775B2	Archery bow limb dampening system An archery bow includes a riser, first and second limbs, a bowstring, and a vibration dampening assembly. The riser includes opposing ends and the first and second limbs extend from the opposing ends of the riser. The bowstring extends between the first and second limbs. The vibration dampening assembly includes a dampening member and a cantilever member having a first end mounted to the riser and a second end supporting the dampening member. The dampening member is suspended by the cantilever member out of contact with the first limb when the archery bow is drawn and contacts the first limb to dampen vibrations when the archery bow is released.
US08839771B2	Safety for a trigger mechanism of an air gun An air gun includes a gun body; a stock extending rearward from the gun body; a trigger extending downward from the gun body; a gas cartridge containing pressurized gas disposed in the stock; a magazine releasably secured to the gun body; an actuator including a spring biased sliding bar including an external handle, a protrusion projecting downward from the sliding bar, a spring biased sliding rod disposed under the sliding bar, and a sliding block engaging the sliding rod and including a protuberance facing the gas cartridge; and a safety mechanism disposed adjacent to a trigger and including a safety lever, a cam disposed at one end of the safety lever and being co-rotatable with the safety lever, the cam having an annular shoulder, a spring biased rod aligned with the safety lever and spaced from the cam in an inoperative position.
US08839770B1	Bow crutch An assist for drawing a bowstring of a compound bow to a position close to the standard draw position is described. The assist is a crutch that is inserted into a crutch mount that is affixed to the riser of the bow. The crutch allows the archer to place the bow on a support surface and to pull the bowstring up onto the crutch. When the archer is ready to shoot an arrow, he pulls the bowstring back from the crutch. The head of the crutch rotates into a vertical position, providing an unencumbered path for the arrow.
US08839768B2	Canister for vehicles and fuel evaporative system provided with the same A canister for a vehicle is provided with charcoal therein so as to absorb evaporation gas evaporated at a fuel tank, supplies air by pressure difference formed due to engine purge, and thereby releases the absorbed evaporation gas so as to supply the evaporation gas to an engine and to be burned therein again. The canister may include an evaporation gas supply passage connected to the fuel tank and receiving the evaporation gas, an air passage selectively receiving the air from the exterior, a purge passage supplying the evaporation gas to the engine according to flow of the supplied air, and a heating module heating a position at which the air passing through the air passage flows in the canister, or mounted at the air passage and heating the air flowing in the canister, wherein the heating module comprises a heating core for heating the air flowing in the canister, and a diffusing plate disposed between the air passage and the heating module and diffusing the air passing through the air passage so as to be heated at the heating core evenly.
US08839765B2	Apparatus for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine An apparatus for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes an injection nozzle (5) having an axially displaceable nozzle needle (17) to which the pressure present in a control chamber (13) when filled with fuel, can be applied in the axial direction to control the opening and closing movements of the needle. The pressure in the control camber (13) is controlled via a solenoid valve (7) opening or closing at least one inlet or outlet duct for fuel. A magnetic coil (28) cooperates with an armature (27) and a valve-closing member is coupled to the armature (27) and that can be pressed against a valve seat (15). The armature (27) is disposed in an armature chamber (19) into which the inlet or outlet duct (14) opens. The magnetic coil (28) is covered by a metal protective plate (30) on the side of the armature chamber.
US08839761B2	Augmenter for compound compression engine A rotary engine includes a first rotary unit operable to provides a first phase of compression to a fresh air charge drawn in through an inlet port to the first rotary unit. A second rotary unit in communication with the first rotary unit through a first passage, the second rotary unit operable to provide a second phase of compression to the first phase of compression, a combustion phase and a first phase of expansion, the second rotary unit in communication with the first rotary unit through a second passage such that the first rotary unit provides a second phase of expansion to the first phase of expansion and an exhaust phase that exhausts the first rotary unit via an exhaust port. A first fuel injector is in communication with the second rotary unit operable to initiate the combustion phase and a second fuel injector is in communication with the first rotary unit operable to selectively initiate augmented operation.
US08839759B2	Integrated exhaust manifold A cylinder head of an engine with an integrated exhaust manifold is provided. In one example, the inner exhaust runners and outer exhaust runners have different cross-sectional areas. This arrangement may be beneficial to maintain exhaust flow rates in the integrated exhaust manifold.
US08839757B2	Internal combustion engine A rotary valve internal combustion engine has a piston connected to a crankshaft and reciprocatable in a cylinder, a combustion chamber being defined in part by the piston, and a rotary valve rotatable in a valve housing fixed relative to the cylinder, the rotary valve having a valve body containing a volume defining, in part, the combustion chamber and further having a port giving, during rotation of the valve, fluid communication successively to and from the combustion chamber via inlet and exhaust ports.
US08839750B2	System and method for controlling hydraulic pressure in electro-hydraulic valve actuation systems A control system for an engine includes a first lift control module and a second lift control module. The first lift control module increases lift of M valves of the engine to a predetermined valve lift during a period before disabling or re-enabling N valves of the engine. The second lift control module decreases the lift of the M valves to a desired valve lift during a period after enabling or re-enabling the N valves of the engine, wherein N and M are integers greater than or equal to one.
US08839749B2	Piston having a hollow cooling space defined in a mantle wall A piston has a piston head, a piston pin support projecting from the piston head, and a mantle wall connected to the piston head. The mantle wall is formed with two tubular pieces that are disposed concentrically relative to one another and which are connected at a periphery of the piston head. A hollow space is formed between the tubular pieces.
US08839748B2	Heat exchanger for vehicle A heat exchanger for a vehicle includes: a heat releasing unit that is stacked with a plurality of plates and that forms connection flow channels to intersect at the inside thereof to inject other working fluids and that exchanges a heat of working fluids that pass through the respective connection flow channels, a bypass unit that is formed in the heat releasing unit to form a plurality of inflow holes and exhaust holes that inject and exhaust the working fluids to the respective connection flow channels and that connects the inflow hole and the exhaust hole that is connected to one of the respective connection flow channels, and a valve unit that is mounted within the heat releasing unit to correspond to the inflow hole that forms the bypass unit and that is selectively opened or closed using a deformation force of bimetal that is deformed according to a temperature of a working fluid that is injected into the inside thereof to inject the working fluid into the heat releasing unit and the bypass unit.
US08839747B2	Composite power cycle engine A composite power cycle engine may include a fuel injector that injects fuel into air that is or is to be supplied into a combustion chamber, a high temperature medium injector that injects a high temperature medium into the combustion chamber to increase pressure of the combustion chamber, a low temperature medium injector that injects a low temperature medium into the combustion chamber to reduce pressure of the combustion chamber, and a piston that may be disposed in the combustion chamber to slidably move therein and that transforms gas expansion or contraction energy into kinetic energy, wherein the high temperature medium injector or the low temperature medium injector increases or reduces the pressure of the combustion chamber so as to generate power.
US08839739B2	Masking apparatus A masking apparatus is provided for masking a workpiece, for example a turbine blade, to protect portions thereof from the deposition of coating material thereon during selective application of a coating material to other portions of the workpiece. The masking apparatus includes an enclosure formed of a first mask half body defining a first cavity half and a second mask half body defining a second cavity half. The first mask half body and the second mask half body mate in assembly to form a workpiece cavity it which the workpiece may be enclosed.
US08839735B2	Kayak with removable seat elements In one example, a watercraft, such as a kayak, is provided that includes a body, at least a portion of the body having a unitary one-piece construction. The body includes a hull and a cockpit that is integral with the hull, and the cockpit includes a seating area. Finally, the example watercraft includes a backrest connected to the body near the seating area and rotatable between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, and movement of the backrest is limited to rotational motion.
US08839732B2	Mooring device A portable water level-responsive mooring device has a mooring strap with a ring capable of engaging the mooring device around a dock piling. The mooring strap has a suitable length of cord having a clip or ring on each end capable of releasably attaching to a fender, spacing tubes, and rollers. The spacing tubes and rollers have an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spacing tubes and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cord. The cord is positioned within an arrangement of the spacing tubes and rollers, the length of cord being sufficient to wrap around a dock piling.
US08839728B2	Undergarments having finished edges and methods therefor An undergarment includes at least one piece of fabric that forms the undergarment. The undergarment has leg openings. The fabric includes edges that surround the leg openings, whereby at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings has a plurality of fibers and at least some of the fibers have free ends terminating at the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. A bead of a cured polymer is disposed over the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. The cured polymer bead forms a finished edge that is stretchable for adjusting to movement of the fabric.
US08839721B2	Bogie for guide rail type vehicle A bogie for a vehicle guided by guide wheels rotating while contacting a guide rail arranged along a guideway of the vehicle has a steering mechanism which operates in conjunction with the guide wheels to steer running wheels; a guide frame including a pair of traverse beams each of which is equipped with the guide wheels rotatably on both ends thereof and connecting members connecting the pair of the traverse beams with each other, the traverse beams being respectively arranged on a front side and a rear side of the bogie; a connection rod connecting the steering mechanism to the guide frame to move the steering mechanism in conjunction with the guide frame and steer the running wheels; and a turning bearing having a circular or an arc shape to rotatably support the guide frame on an axle of the bogie or a supporting member of the axle.
US08839718B2	Error correction in printing systems A method of error correction in a printing system includes engaging a sheet of print media with a perfector arm and detecting a relative position of the perfecter arm with respect to the sheet of print media when the perfecter arm has engaged the sheet of print media, the detecting being performed using a homing sensor that is configured to sense the perfecter arm while the perfecter arm is engaged with the sheet of print media. The relative position of the perfecter arm with respect to the sheet of print media is compared with an expected relative position and any difference between the relative position and expected relative position is compensated for when feeding the sheet of print media with the perfector arm to a print engine.
US08839714B2	Apparatus and method for controlling a conveyor oven A conveyor oven includes a controller configured to change the operation of a first set of burners and a second set of burners from a cooking mode to an energy saving mode based at least in part upon detection of the absence of food in the oven chamber. The first set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and are off during the energy saving mode. The second set of burners operating at a first intensity during the cooking mode and being adjustable to a different intensity during the energy saving mode, where the second set of burners produce heat during the different intensity.
US08839712B2	Transfer mechanism for use with a food processing system A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.
US08839711B2	Beverage preparation machine with a pinch valve A beverage preparation machine has at least one pinch valve (1) in the fluid line system, wherein the pinch valve (1) has at least two fluid passage lines (20, 21) and is designed to execute valve and/or control functions on the fluid passage lines (20, 21). The operating mechanism of the pinch valve (1) is set up for coupled activation of the valve and/or control functions and a drive with a stepper motor (25) is provided.
US08839708B2	Armed vehicle with improved structure An armed vehicle (10) with improved structure includes a hull (11), which, in use, is suited to house one or more men, devices for the movement on the ground, and an armed turret (30), which is positioned on top of an upper part of the hull (11). The armed vehicle (10) includes an interface structural element (11s), which is cold-added; the interface structural element (11s) constitutes an interface element between the hull (11) and the armed turret (30).
US08839706B1	Drum magazine for projectiles A projectile launcher includes a receiver and a dual cylindrical-shaped magazine (“DCM”) wherein the receiver contains a propelling mechanism and an ammunition receiving port. The propelling mechanism is used for launching a projectile. The ammunition receiving port, which may be situated at bottom of the receiver, is able to receive projectiles. It should be noted that the projectile launcher can also be a gun or firearm. The DCM includes two canisters and an ammunition supply port which is situated between the two canisters. The DCM carries multiple projectiles in such a way that a first portion of projectiles moves toward the receiver against gravity for supplying projectiles from the ammunition supply port to the ammunition receiving port while a second portion of projectiles move in a direction parallel to the receiver for replenishing projectiles from the second portion of projectiles to the first portion of projectiles.

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