US07645390B1
A stormwater drainage system capable of collecting, pretreating and disposing of the stormwater runoff into a dry well, further capable of stopping the flow of stormwater into the dry well in the event hydrocarbons or other contaminants are present in the stormwater. The system is also capable of isolating stagnant water in the system to prevent the infestation of mosquito larvae.
US07645388B2
A liquid sample is prepared at a preparation site and then processed, e.g. in an HPLC column. The sample is prepared and conveyed to the device at a flow rate which is substantially less than the flow rate through the device. The different flow rates are preferably provided by variable rate working fluid supplies which drive the sample from the preparation site and through the device.
US07645386B2
Pure halogen salts of alkaline and/or alkaline earth metals or a mixture thereof are prepared by (I) hydrolytically heating a suspension of 1 part by weight of a halogenic, organic waste material in a comminuted state in 1-10 parts by weight of an aqueous medium in the presence of a base to a temperature ranging from 200-300° C. at a pressure sufficient to maintain the water in a liquid state for a period of time sufficient to convert substantially all the organically bound halogen present to inorganic halides, and (II) separating the hydrolysate obtained in step (I) into a solid hydrolysate fraction and a liquid hydrolysate fraction, (III) neutralizing the liquid hydrolysate with hydrohalogenic acid, (IV) adding a flocculent to the neutralized hydrolysate; (V) separating the material from step (IV) into a solid containing fraction and an aqueous solution; and (VI) nanofiltering the aqueous solution to obtain a retentate and a permeate, wherein the permeate is further treated to obtain the pure salts.
US07645385B2
The invention relates to a method for processing nitrogen-concentrated effluents by ammonia oxidation into nitrites followed by nitrite denitritation in a gaseous nitrogen in a sequential biological reactor (1) consisting in pouring a processable effluent volume in to the reactor by successive volume fractions, in dividing the entire processing cycle into successive sub cycles, wherein each sub-cycle comprises a feeding phase, an aeration phase for nitrification and an anoxia phase along which a carbon-containing source is introduced into the reactor for converting nitrites into nitrogen. The inventive method also consists in evaluating a nitrogenous volume charge in the effluent to be processed, mainly by measuring the effluent conductivity (X) and the flow rate (Q) and in determining the number of feeding phases of the entire cycle according to nitrogenous charge and to a minimum volume of liquid in the reactor in such a way that an injected nitrogen concentration is diluted in the liquid volume, wherein the volume phase nitrogenous charge is however sufficient for producing a single shot or peak of the ammonia charge favourable for a nitrating biomass formation in the reactor.
US07645383B2
A microstructured filter is presented having an inlet for unfiltered fluid; an outlet for filtered fluid; a plurality of projections, which form at least one row in a mutually juxtaposed relationship across the filter, that project out of a base plate and are an integral component of the base plate; a plurality of passages between the projections; and a cover plate which is securable to the base plate to cover the projections and the passages. The passages form a plurality of through paths from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet includes an elongate inlet slot for the unfiltered fluid that extends over approximately the entire filter width and is approximately as high as the projection on the outlet side of the filter.
US07645381B2
A water dispenser including a water inlet adapted to receive water from a water supply, a water filter operative to filter water received from the water supply via the water inlet, a water outlet operative to provide filtered water received from the water filter, a water spill collector and a pivotably mounted drainage-equipped water container support having a first operative orientation underlying the water outlet and defining a downwardly inclined water spill drainage pathway communicating with the water spill collector and a second, non-operative, orientation not underlying the water outlet.
US07645378B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., spilled crude oil and other “oil spill”-related products from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of spilled oil, and further having structure for collecting the spilled oil. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Substances other than oil may be remediated as well.
US07645367B2
A gas-measuring system contains at least one gas sensor (1) and at least one gas generator (4). The gas sensor (1) has at least one measuring surface (3), at which a target gas concentration can be measured. The gas generator (4) has at least one discharge surface (5), from which a current-proportional quantity of test gas can be discharged. The measuring surface (3) and the discharge surface (5) are designed and the gas sensor (1) and the gas generator (4) can be arranged such that the measuring surface (3) and the discharge surface (5) are in direct contact with the ambient atmosphere and the distance between the two surfaces is shorter than the extension of the smaller of the two surfaces.
US07645365B2
An ionically conductive ceramic element (20) comprises a plurality of tubes (30) each having interior (24) and exterior (38) surfaces and closed (48) and open (50) ends. A tube support (14) receives open tube ends (50). A first electrically conductive coating (36) is formed on the exterior tube surfaces (38). A second coating (22) is formed on the interior tube surfaces (24). A bottom electrically conductive stripe (16) makes electrical connections between second coatings (22) on the interior tube surfaces (24). A top electrically conductive stripe (40) creates electrical connections between first coatings (36) on the exterior tube surfaces (38). The top and bottom stripes are connected such that at least one stripe (40) on the top is electrically connected to at least one stripe (16) on the bottom.
US07645361B2
Composite compounds of co-structured or co-adsorbed organic or mineral fillers or pigments containing at least two organic or mineral fillers or pigments of a different nature and the use thereof in the paper industry for manufacturing paper, filling or coating or for any other surface treatment of the paper as well as wood or metal or plastic or cement surface treatment compounds in the fields of aqueous and non-aqueous paints and plastics materials.Coating colors, uncoated filling compound and sheets of base paper for coating containing them.
US07645349B2
A sintered permanent magnet having a composition comprising, by mass, 27-33.5% of R, which is at least one of rare earth elements including Y, 0.5-2% of B, 0.002-0.15% of N, 0.25% or less of O, 0.15% or less of C, and 0.001-0.05% of P, the balance being Fe, wherein it is in the shape of a ring having an outer diameter of 10-100 mm, an inner diameter of 8-96 mm, and a height of 10-70 mm, with a plurality of magnetic poles axially extending on an outer circumferential surface. The distribution of a surface magnetic flux density B0 on magnetic poles in an axial direction of the ring magnet is in a range of 92.5% or more of the maximum of B0.
US07645338B2
The present invention includes (E)-2-(5-Chlorothien-2-yl)-N-{(3S)-1-[(1S)-1-methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxoethyl]-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl}ethenesulfonamide in substantially crystalline form, pharmaceutical formulations thereof, processes for preparing it, and its use in medicine, particularly use in the amelioration of a clinical condition for which a Factor Xa inhibitor is indicated.
US07645333B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous based silicone protectant composition and method for treating various solid surfaces including, but not limited to, fiber-based products, leather, or other soft or hard surfaces to impart water and stain repellency. The protectant composition comprises an MQ resin, a polyorganosiloxane fluid, a silicone solvent and water. The aqueous silicone-based protectant composition is hydrophobic and substantially free of surfactants. The protectant composition can be applied directly or indirectly to a solid surface using various application devices including, but not limited to, spray, aerosol, wipes, sponges and pads.
US07645326B2
A system and method to reduce signal to noise ratio within an RFID enabled warehouse or distribution center by introducing highly reflective aluminum oxide particulate into the atmospheric environment of the warehouse or distribution center. The aluminum oxide will be comprised of nano size particulate manufactured in an aerosol format. This particulate will be introduced into the environment through the auspices of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning mechanism associated with the environment. The levels of particulate will be monitored through the use of strategically placed sensors in order to maintain regulatory compliance. Furthermore, the signal to noise ratio will be enhanced by reducing ambient noise emanating from light fixtures in the environment through the strategic placement of inferential filters. Furthermore, the signal to noise ratio from man made sources will be reduced by using horizontally configured backscatter transmitting antenna within the environment.
US07645301B2
The present disclosure concerns implants to at least partially replace the nucleus of a spinal disc. In one embodiment, a prosthetic implant is provided which includes a bag structure having a fixation component or member, the bag operable to contain at least one internal implant within the bag. In other embodiments, a bag structure is provided with a flange adaptable to anchor the structure to a vertebral body and a sinusoidal-shaped structure made of a flexible material is provided with various unique configurations. In one embodiment, for delivery, a bag structure with a flange may be attached to a vertebral body. In another embodiment, a sinusoidal-shaped implant structure is alternately woven from one end to the other with a second sinusoidal-shaped structure.
US07645299B2
An in-phase intracorneal lens system that prevents substantial movement between connected lenses to provide high resolution of the eye. A first lens is adapted to be positioned on a surface of a cornea. A second lens has a substantially ring-shaped configuration and is substantially concentric with the first lens. At least one first bridge member extends from the first lens to the second lens to couple the first lens to the second lens to prevent substantial movement between the first and second lenses.
US07645292B2
Vaso-occlusive devices for occluding a body cavity include an internal element located within a lumen of the device. The internal element may include an active element configured to stiffen the coil in-situ made from a material that can expand to a desired size, thereby inducing a radial stress to the coil to stiffen the occlusive device. Alternatively, the active element is secured to two points on the occlusive device, and is made from a material that contracts, thereby inducing a compression to stiffen the device. The internal element may additionally include an agent carrier that comprises a bioactive material capable of eliciting a biological reaction after the device is placed in-situ. For example, the bioactive material can be a part of a composition of the agent carrier, absorbed by the agent carrier, or coated as a layer on the agent carrier.
US07645291B2
A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.
US07645275B2
The variable stiffness heating catheter includes a heating catheter shaft including at least one electrically conductive member, a reinforcing tube with apertures formed around the surface of the reinforcing tube, and at least one coaxial outer layer of a polymer, metal, or both for providing desired variations in stiffness along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. The apertures can be formed as axial or helical slits in the surface of the reinforcing tube, and the reinforcing tube can also be formed to be tapered at the point where the apertures are formed in the reinforcing tube to provide a heating catheter that is torqueable and pushable at the proximal end, yet soft and flexible at the distal end.
US07645272B2
Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.
US07645271B2
In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a piercing member and a bag. The bag can be contained within the piercing member such that the bag is introduced to the vial when the vial adaptor is coupled with the vial. In some embodiments, the bag expands within the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In other embodiments, a vial comprises a bag for regulating pressure within the vial as liquid is removed therefrom. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands within the vial, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts within the vial.
US07645265B2
An injection device comprising an outer housing inside which is located a medicament-holding barrel (9) with a needle (10) at one end thereof, at least part of the needle being moveable in and out of the outer housing, a plunger (8) moveable within the barrel, an inner housing (7) intermediate the outer housing (6) and the barrel and plunger and an energy source (1) in communication with said inner housing. The inner housing is moveable by the energy source between a first position in which the plunger and barrel are movable axially so as to move at least part of said needle out of the outer housing; a second position in which the plunger is movable axially into said barrel so as to expel medicament through the needle; and a third position in which the plunger and barrel are able to retract in order to retract the needle into the outer housing.
US07645264B2
A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into areas having high density tissue that creates a high backpressure resistance on the injection device is disclosed. The high backpressure resistance is overcome through a mechanical advantage achieved by using a secondary reservoir having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a primary reservoir. Exemplary injection device reservoir housings may comprise a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, a check valve, a septum penetrating cannula, travel limits, a pen needle connecting portion, sliding seal guide ribs, a sliding seal, a pen needle assembly, a needle stop, and a patient needle.
US07645260B2
The present invention relates to a surgical catheter, and more particularly, a balloon catheter having an auxiliary lumen configured to permit the advancement of a functional measurement wire to a treatment site. The auxiliary lumen communicates with a working lumen that is configured to permit the advancement of a guidewire and the functional measurement wire, so that the guidewire and functional measurement wire may selectively be advanced to the treatment site during a surgical procedure.
US07645257B2
Prevention of Acute Renal Failure following myoglobinemia in cases of rhabdomyolysis by means of trapping myoglobin released to circulation following striated muscles injury using a temporary intravenous filter, hence prophylaxis of Acute Renal Failure, which commonly follows this situation. It is directed to all cases of rhabdomyolysis especially for “In situ prevention” in cases of disasters, crush injuries, and reperfusion injury in a limb.
US07645240B2
A biopsy device having a translating and rotating cutter is disclosed. The translational speed of the cutter is varied using a variable pitch member. The variable pitch member can include a shaft having a relatively coarse threaded portion for rapid cutter advance and a relatively finer threaded portion for cutter advance during tissue severing.
US07645239B2
A coaxial cannula for extracting samples from tissue having a biopsy needle unit provided with a space for sample extraction and a sample separation unit that coaxially encompasses the biopsy needle on an external wall and that is longitudinally movable. The coaxial cannula includes a sealing element that is arranged on the proximal end thereof and closes the space between the internal wall of the coaxial cannula and the external wall of the sample separation unit. The sealing element opens an air outlet when the biopsy needle unit is inserted, and prevents air intake when the biopsy needle unit is positioned and vacuum is produced in the internal chamber of the biopsy needle.
US07645237B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which two planes of a volumetric region which are in different elevation planes are scanned in real time. In one embodiment the two planes are scanned with less than the maximum number of scanlines which the transducer can transmit in a single plane. A user control enables the two planes to be moved laterally without moving the transducer probe. In another embodiment each image plane contains a color box depicting flow or motion in the same respective position in the image. The color boxes of the two images can be sized and positioned in tandem so that both are in the same corresponding area of the two images.
US07645224B2
An apparatus is described for transporting and positioning a capsule, in which a radioactive source is present, from a screened safe into an applicator to be temporarily placed in the body of the patient. The apparatus is provided with a safe for storing at least one capsule and with a larger number of applicators, which can be connected, via transport tubes, to passages in a switch-connecting plate, wherein the capsules, or a dummy instead of one of the capsules, can each, via their own tube and switch, independently of one another, be introduced into a transport tube selected by the respective switch and can be displaced therein independently of one another in a manner programmable with regard to location and residence time, by a transport wire slidable via a drive motor.
US07645216B2
A device for resistance exercise of muscle groups that cross two or more joints such as biceps group, triceps group, quadriceps group, and hamstring group. The device comprises a primary cam or gear fixed non-rotatably to the frame of an appropriate exercise machine for working the desired body part, and a secondary cam or gear connected only to the primary cam in such a way which, when rotated, tracks around the primary cam or gear. Resistance is provided with a cable, belt, chain, or other means to the axis of the secondary cam only. When properly positioned user applies force to the contact point connected to the secondary cam and secondary axis, the device moves both desired joints simultaneously through a range of motion while under a predictable resistance. The device provides an improved range of movement while under resistance, thereby supplying a greater extension and contraction of the desired muscle or muscle group than prior art devices.
US07645215B2
An exercise device upon which a user generally standing upright supported by foot platforms suspended from a frame via linkages in which the linkage lengths and pivot points correspond generally to the users upper and lower legs and hip and knee joints. This device not only allows natural free and spontaneous leg movement, able to simulate such exercises as walking, jogging, running, stepping, skiing or gliding, bicycling, climbing, reverse action and various isolated leg exercises, where the exercises can be performed at random generally without the need to reconfigure the device. This device preferably includes an isolation system capable of simulating natural forces throughout the entire range of movement in the horizontal and/or vertical plane. A safety/suspension system can be provided, alone or in combination with the isolation system, to resist sudden foot movement in the same direction, yet allows a slow and controlled tilting of the linkages whereby the user may simulate uphill and downhill travel.
US07645208B2
The multi-speed transmission has rotatable shafts, planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4) and shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E). Carrier (ST4) of gearset (RS4) and the input shaft couple as shaft (1). Carriers (ST2, ST3) of respective gearsets (RS2, RS3) and the output shaft (AB) couple as shaft (2). Sun gears (SO1, SO4) of gearsets (RS1, RS4) couple as shaft (3). Carrier (ST1) of gearset (RS1) forms shaft (4). Sun gear (SO3) forms shaft (5). Ring gears (HO1, HO3) of gearsets (RS1, RS3) couple as shaft (6). Sun and ring gears (SO2, HO4) respectively of gearsets (RS2, RS4) couple as shaft (7). Carrier (ST2) is shaft (8). In the flow of power, elements (A, B) are respectively between shafts (3, 4) and a transmission housing; element (C) is between shafts (1, 5); element (D) is between shafts (6, 8); and element (E) is between shafts (5, 7).
US07645197B2
A golf practice system including a containment structure and a mechanically driven golf ball-return unit coupled to the containment structure, with a sloped portion or channel directing a struck golf ball to the return unit such that the golf ball is mechanically projected back to the golfer. A berm device for chipping practice and other uses also is disclosed.
US07645195B2
The present invention serves to prevent inequity among game arcades by effectively using the communication band of a communication line in a game arcade in which a game device for an online game is located. When a game device in a location A and a game device in a location B play an online game via an external network, the master terminal device is determined based on the master priorities Mp of both devices. The master priority is calculated in accordance with the status of each location. A formula for calculating the master priority is set so as to balance the number of master terminal devices with the number of client terminal devices in a location, and/or so as to effectively use the communication band of a communication line in a location.
US07645190B2
A method and a system for varying the rotational fan speed of a combine cleaning system in response to the amount of crop entering the combine cleaning system. Increases and decreases in crop material entering the cleaning system are sensed prior to their arrival at the cleaning system, and cleaning fan speed is adjusted appropriately and contemporaneously with the crop material's presence in the cleaning system.
US07645182B2
An apparatus for lapping a slider comprises a lapping head for supporting elements while pressing the elements against a rotating lapping plate, the elements that are to be formed into sliders, a holding mechanism for supporting the lapping head, the holding mechanism having a first engaging member that extends in a vertical direction, a base for supporting the holding mechanism, the base having a second engaging member that extends in the vertical direction, wherein the second engaging member is engaged with the first engaging member to form an internal space therebetween, and a decompressing mechanism for decompressing the internal space. The holding mechanism is subjected to vertically upward force from the decompressed internal space in order to be movably supported by the base in the vertical direction.
US07645179B2
A lifting and shaping system for a bra or other garment uses lift platforms shaped to fit into the cups of the bra and formed from thin material. The lift platforms are attached to the garment toward the center of the garment. Connectors having one end attached to the lift platform and the other end attached to a slide on the shoulder strap adjust the lift of the lift platform when the slide is moved. Flexible shaping members distribute the lift of the lift platforms and maintain the natural shape of the breasts as they are lifted. Smoothing shields ease the movement of the lift platforms and connectors within the cloth confines of the breast cups. The flexible shaping members may also perform some of the functions of a smoothing shield.
US07645178B1
A virtual world toy system includes a physical doll and physical props that may be used in conjunction with a virtual world unit. The virtual world unit provides a portal through which the physical doll may enter and explore a virtual world under a user's guidance and control. The physical doll and props may be played with by a user in the real world; however, the physical doll and props also may be placed into the virtual world unit where they manifest themselves in a virtual world presented by the virtual world unit. Once in the virtual world, the virtual world unit provides a virtual representation of the physical doll and props to a user. In addition, the virtual world unit provides an interface to command, assist, direct, and/or influence the virtual doll's interaction with the virtual world. Two or more virtual world units may be connected together so that multiple users may interact together within the virtual world.
US07645170B2
An audio jack comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts received in the housing. The housing defines a receiving hole along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the face of the housing has at least an opening communicating with the receiving hole. The contacts at least include a deflectable contact and a fixed contact. The audio jack includes at least a dustproof film covering said opening so as to prevent the dust invading the interior of the audio jack.
US07645164B1
An electrical connector is revealed. The electrical connector includes an insulating body with at least one terminal receiving hole and an accommodation space disposed on one side of the terminal receiving hole, at least one conductive terminal set that is received in the terminal receiving hole and having a first conductive terminal and a second conducive terminal, and at least one elastic member. The first conductive terminal is connected with the second conductive terminal slidingly and slantingly and the sliding stroke of the first conductive terminal is between the terminal receiving hole and the accommodation space. Each elastic member is correspondingly mounted in one of the accommodation spaces for elastically supporting the first conductive terminal. That means each elastic member gives the first conductive terminal a horizontal lateral force so that the first conductive terminal always applies a normal pressure to the second conductive terminal. Thus the good contact between the two conductive terminals is ensured.
US07645163B2
The invention provides a coaxial cable connector having a step up pin that engages the center conductor of a coax cable to increase the diameter of the center conductor to thereby make it more manageable. The pin is stored with the connector until the pin and connector are affixed to a coax cable.
US07645153B1
A connector body retainer for a high temperature electrical connector used in a high temperature gas sensor retains the ceramic body portions while also permitting their hinged movement. The connector body retainer includes a pair of retainer bands each having a generally u-shaped or c-shaped profile with a base portion and a pair of opposed extending legs, the legs of each band extending toward the other in opposing arrangement to provide the retainer, with each retainer band having an outer surface, an inner surface, a hinge end and an insertion end. The legs of the respective bands which are in opposing arrangement are joined together by a respective pair of outwardly arched hinges proximate the hinge end and will allow the ceramic body portions to hinge open to receive a gas sensor at a relatively low insertion force and hinge closed to provide a relatively higher contact force.
US07645151B2
An electrical connector is disclosed having a shunt member disposed between terminals in an electrical connector to shunt them together. The shunt member has shunt contacts defined by turned up portions from an edge of the members.
US07645146B2
A circuit board connector extension comprising a body made of plastic and able to be attached to a circuit board, with first and second groups of contacts which each have one connecting end for contacting conductor tracks on the circuit board and one plug-in end for contacting contacts of a connector piece, the connecting ends of the two groups of contacts being arranged on one and the same side of the body, whereas the plug-in ends of the first group being arranged on a side of the body difference from that where the plug-in ends of the second group are arranged.
US07645142B2
A receptacle assembly for use in connecting an energy source to an energy delivering device is described herein. The receptacle assembly includes a face plate defining an aperture. The receptacle also includes an adapter assembly including an adapter plate, supporting a terminal that is operatively connected to the energy source. Additionally, the receptacle includes a spacer member interposed between an inner surface of the aperture of the face plate and an outer surface of the adapter plate, wherein the spacer member permits omni-directional movement of the adapter plate and terminal relative to the face plate.
US07645137B2
A method and apparatus for whitening teeth which allow the user to undergo dental bleaching with the mouth closed and without protruding instruments, trays or electrical wires and the like. The apparatus includes a support structure and a dental whitening composition in contact with the support structure. A light source is included in the apparatus, disposed on or in the support structure so that light emitted from the source contacts on the dental whitening composition. The apparatus has a volume ranging between 0.5-450 cm3 permitting the apparatus to fit entirely within the mouth of a user during treatment.
US07645133B2
A UV nanoimprint lithography process and its apparatus that are able to repeatedly fabricates nanostructures on a substrate (wafer, UV-transparent plate) by using a stamp that is as large as or smaller than the substrate in size are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate chuck for mounting the substrate; a stamp made of UV-transparent materials and having more than two element stamps, wherein nanostructures are formed on the surface of each element stamp; a stamp chuck for mounting the stamp; a UV lamp unit for providing UV light to cure resist applied between the element stamps and the substrate; a moving unit for moving the substrate chuck or the stamp chuck to press the resist with the element stamps and substrate; and a pressure supply unit for applying pressurized gas to some selected regions of the substrate to help complete some incompletely filled element stamps.
US07645131B2
Vent valve for venting bores of vulcanization moulds, especially for the tread profile area, consisting of a valve sleeve, in which a valve insert and a wound spring are movably located, wherein the valve insert consists of a valve shank, which is at one end equipped with a disk and at the other end with a conical surface changing into backwards oriented conical end, and the movement of the valve insert is controlled by a delimiter of opening the valve. Inner surface of the valve sleeve is in its part located further away from disk provided with conical surface, oriented away from the disk, and the delimiter of opening the valve is formed by two mutually cooperating conical surfaces or parts of conical surfaces, wherein the conical surface formed at the end of the valve shank of the valve insert is oriented against the conical surface or part of conical surface of the valve sleeve.
US07645126B2
To provide a vacuum pump capable of evacuating in pressure ranges from an atmospheric pressure to a high vacuum, capable of rotating at a high speed to be downsized and improved in pumping performance, and capable of producing a completely oil-free vacuum.A vacuum pump for exhausting a gas comprises: a main shaft 5 rotatably supported by a bearing 22; a motor 23 for driving the main shaft 5 for rotation; a first exhaust section 10 having a first rotary vane 13 attached to the main shaft 5, a first fixed vane 14 fixed in a first casing 12, and an intake port 11; and a second exhaust section 30 having a second rotary vane 33 attached to the main shaft 5, a second fixed vane 34 fixed in a second casing 32, and an exhaust port 31. The intake port 11 is located in the vicinity of an end of the main shaft 5, and the first exhaust section 10, the bearing 22 and the second exhaust section 30 are arranged in this order axially along the main shaft 5.
US07645118B2
What is described is a turbine guide vane having a guide vane leaf and with a radially outer platform connected to the guide vane leaf and having a platform surface which faces radially away from the guide vane leaf and on which a connecting structure is provided for fastening the guide vane to a supporting structure which has side wall portions which project radially beyond the platform surface and delimit an inner cavity and on which is provided at least in portions a joining contour which can be inserted into a reception shape countercontoured within the supporting structure. At least one seal is provided between the connecting structure and the supporting structure.
US07645113B2
A system for automatically forming stacks of cartons for feeding a magazine for supplying cartons to a packaging machine includes a primary support on which the stacks of cartons are formed, and a secondary support for temporarily receiving a series of the cartons thereon as a previously formed stack of cartons is removed from the primary support. The stack of cartons collected on the primary support is moved onto a transport conveyor for transport to a loader for the magazine for feeding into the packaging machine.
US07645112B2
A transport apparatus which can properly transmit a rotary driving force of a rotating motor to a transport arm and can correctly detect an angle of rotation of a rotary driving shaft, thereby transporting an object to be transported in a transport unit to a correct position. The transport apparatus includes: a housing having an airtight structure; first to third driving shafts that are provided in the housing to be independently rotatable around a predetermined coaxial rotary shaft; permanent magnets arranged at predetermined positions of the first to third driving shafts, respectively; and electromagnetic coils provided in the housing to correspond to the respective permanent magnets. Driving currents are supplied to the electromagnetic coils based on predetermined information, so as to move the first to third driving shafts. The object to be transported is transported by first and second linkages fixed to the first to third driving shafts.
US07645110B2
A moving robot includes a first arm portion is coupled to a first joint on a side portion of a main robot body. The first arm portion has concave portion with an opening. A folding mechanism is accommodated in the concave portion. In the folding mechanism, a second arm portion is connected to the first arm via a second joint portion. A third arm portion is also connected to the second arm portion via a third joint portion. The first arm portion is rotated around the first joint to orient the opening in an upper direction. The second joint portion can be slid along the concave portion to take out the folding mechanism through the opening. The third arm portion can be rotated around the third joint portion to extend the third arm portion.
US07645103B2
A workpiece table arrangement for a milling and drilling machine comprising a rigid machine tool frame comprising an upper cross girth, a machining unit movable on the front side of the cross girth along at least two coordinate axes by means of a motor and including a rotationally driven work spindle including exchangeable tools. The workpiece table is disposed in front of the machine tool frame and horizontally movable along at least one coordinate axis by means of a motor and comprises a tabletop for clamping at least one workpiece. The machine tool frame comprises two rigid side walls rigidly connected to each other by the upper crossbar and a front end.
US07645098B1
One embodiment of modular wall blocks of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. An interlocking retaining wall block, adapted for assembly into a retaining wall including a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of said blocks. The block includes left, right, front and rear body portions, and left and right protruding body portions extending outwardly in left and right directions from said left and right body portions, respectively. The block further includes left and right aligning elements extending upwardly from an upper surface of said left and right protruding body portions, respectively, each of said aligning elements having an upper surface that is angled downwardly from rear to front, each of said aligning elements being operable to be received by a void of another one of said blocks.
US07645097B2
A method for saturating cavities present in a mass of soil or in a body in general, comprising at least one step for at least partial filling of the cavity by introducing into the cavity a filler material in the solid state or in the fluid state and capable of setting. At least one step of saturating the cavity is then performed by introducing into the cavity a fluid synthetic substance which expands and sets by chemical reaction. The synthetic substance is adapted to generate, as a consequence of its expansion, at least the saturation of the cavity and a compaction and/or loading of the filler material introduced into the cavity in the filling step, creating an optional state of permanent tension on the walls that delimit the cavity, to the point of producing, if necessary, a deformation of the walls.
US07645086B2
A delivery tip for flowable materials with bristles extending therefrom. The tip is a cannula with a tapered outlet and features a bristle bundle with a binding disk that interfaces with the cannula at some point within the cannula but has a smaller cross-section than the cannula at that point. The bristle bundle then extends out of the tapered outlet. The delivery tip is connected to a material reservoir with flowable material. When positive pressure is applied to the reservoir, material then will flow through the cannula, around the disk, into the bristles and out the outlet for distribution to a desired surface.
US07645079B2
An image pickup apparatus includes an eyepiece unit configured to facilitate viewing an optical image of an object, an image pickup element configured to convert the optical image of an object into an electrical signal, an optical member disposed in front of the image pickup element and in an imaging light axis, an piezoelectric element disposed on the side of the optical member close to the eyepiece unit, where the piezoelectric element vibrates the optical member, a biasing member disposed on the side of the optical member opposite the piezoelectric element, a lowpass filter holding member configured to hold the optical member, the piezoelectric element, and the biasing member, and an image-pickup-apparatus body chassis having a flat surface portion perpendicular to the imaging light axis, where the flat surface portion has an opening therein. The lowpass filter holding member is disposed in the opening of the body chassis.
US07645078B2
A photographic lens drive control apparatus according to the present invention includes a cap detection section which determines that a lens cap is attached to a lens barrel when a lens barrel movement detection section does not detect movement amount of the lens barrel while a lens barrel drive section allows the lens barrel to move from a contained position to a standby position; and a cap detection control section which performs a series of control over the lens barrel drive section to move the lens barrel from the contained position to the standby position and to stop the lens barrel from moving when the cap detection section determines that the lens cap is attached to the lens barrel, in which a cap detection area where the lens barrel moves from the contained position within a predetermined amount is set in a movement area of the lens barrel.
US07645073B2
A hydrodynamic bearing device which realizes power saving, reduction of a time period necessary for stabilizing rotation, and enhancement in durability to startup and halting of the motor at the same time by accelerating circulation of a lubricant in the vicinity of a flange with torque loss being kept low is provided. A flange (3) is fixed to one end of a shaft (2). On an inner surface of one of openings of a sleeve (1), a step portion (1C) is provided. When the shaft (2) is inserted into the sleeve (1), the flange (3) is in close vicinity to the step portion (1C). An inner diameter of the step portion (1C) is smaller in end portions in an axial direction than in a central portion. Thus, a gap between an outer surface (3C) of the flange (3) and a surface of the step portion (1C) which opposes the outer surface (3C) is narrow in the vicinity of boundaries of the outer surface (3C) of the flange (3) than in the vicinity the central portion.
US07645065B2
An experimental mixing device may comprise a driving source, an eccentric member, a control member and a mixing member. The control member may be selective installed in the experimental mixing device and be configured to adjust the mixing member, thereby providing various operational motions of the mixing member, for example an orbital motion, a see-saw motion, a 3-D twist motion, or a crank motion. The use of the control member may eliminate the need of separating the mixing member from the experimental mixing device. Thereby, the experimental mixing device may have adjustable patterns and quantity of the mixing motion and lead to easy usage and manufacture.
US07645039B2
An eyewear is provided having an interchangeable lens or temple portion. The eyewear comprises an interchangeable lens portion comprising a lens portion having an upper and a lower edge, and a left and a right lens region extending sidewardly each having a distal end; a pair of connecting members, each having a proximate end and a distal end and a hollow receiving area therein beginning at said proximate end and running into said connecting member; said distal end of said lens regions being shaped to fit within said proximate end of said connecting members wherein, said lens regions are releasably accepted and held within said hollow receiving area of said connecting members; and wherein said connecting members are releasable from said lens portion by applying a torsional force on one of said connecting member and said lens portion.
US07645037B2
A structure has an edge configured to contact an underside of a medium along a media path. The edge extends path across a majority of a width of the media path.
US07645032B2
A droplet ejection head according to the present invention includes a layered body made up of a plurality of metal plates in which at least a part of a liquid passage is formed, and an ejection face in which an ejection port provided at one end of the liquid passage and ejecting an ink droplet is formed. The plurality of metal plates in the layered body include m metal plates whose lengthwise directions form the same angle with a rolling direction thereof, and n metal plates whose lengthwise directions form the same angle with the rolling direction. The angle formed between the lengthwise direction of the m metal plates and the rolling direction is different from the angle formed between the lengthwise direction of the n metal plates and the rolling direction.
US07645030B2
An ink jet head has a plurality of individual head chips integrated to form a head chip block. Each head chip has a plurality of grooves, and the grooves of all the head chips open at one end to respective nozzle holes formed in a nozzle plate. Each head chip has an actuator substrate in which is formed an ink chamber that supplies ink to the grooves in that head chip. An ink flow path connects an ink supply to one of the ink chambers in one of the head chips, and the ink chambers of all the head chips communicate with one another through ink holes. Since ink is supplied to the grooves of all the head chips from a single ink flow path connected to the ink supply, the size of the ink jet head, particularly in the thickness direction, the weight, the number of parts and the manufacturing cost can all be reduced.
US07645028B2
The invention provides for an ink ejection nozzle for a printhead integrated circuit. The nozzle includes a fluid chamber and a paddle. The fluid chamber has a fluid outlet port and a fluid inlet port respectively defined in opposite walls of the chamber, the chamber having chamber wall edge portions for locating a paddle therebetween. The paddle is located in the chamber between the edge portions, the paddle operatively displaceable to eject ink from the fluid outlet port. The paddle is formed with a series of protrusions in a central portion of the paddle, the protrusions aiding in reducing outward ink flow from the centre of the paddle as the paddle moves towards the outlet port to eject ink via the outlet port.
US07645027B2
A print head using a thermomechanical actuator is capable of improving ejection efficiency and improving print quality by stabilizing an ejecting direction. In a print head for ejecting droplets with the thermomechanical actuator having a first layer and a second layer, the first layer includes a heat generation layer and the second layer includes a plurality of dielectric layers. The thermomechanical actuator includes a fixed end and a free end. The plurality of dielectric layers are laminated on a droplet ejecting side in relation to the heat generation layer and between the fixed end and the free end at the same film thickness. A linear expansion coefficient of the dielectric layer of the fixed end side is smaller than that of the heat generation layer. A linear expansion coefficient of the dielectric layer of the free end side is larger than that of the heat generation layer.
US07645025B2
A printer cartridge for an inkjet printer including a printing fluid storage and a pagewidth printhead in fluid communication with said printing fluid storage, said printhead including two print chips which extend the length of the printhead.
US07645022B2
A mobile device including: (a) an inkjet printhead; (b) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing; (c) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between: a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; (d) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.
US07645009B2
Bidirectional recording is carried out with a printer that enables variable size dots of different ink quantities to be created with different driving waveforms W1 and W2. Variables are set to a time delay n0 before output of the driving waveform W1 and a time interval n6 between the driving waveform W1 and the driving waveform W2. The output timings n0 and n6 of the driving waveforms W1 and W2 in the course of a backward pass of main scan are individually regulated on the basis of dots created in a forward pass of the main scan as a reference. This arrangement desirably reduces a positional misalignment of dots created in the forward pass with dots created in the backward pass with regard to each of the variable size dots having different ink quantities, thus ensuring high-quality printing.
US07645004B2
A liquid droplet ejection device for ejecting a liquid from a nozzle of a head to a workpiece, the liquid droplet ejection device including: a table for loading the workpiece; a first shifting section capable of shifting the table in a first direction and in a second direction approximately intersecting the first direction at a right angle; a plurality of carriages having the head; and a second shifting section capable of positioning each of the carriages by mutually shifting each of the carriages along the second direction.
US07644998B2
Even in the case that at least one braking force generating function fails, it is possible to secure a maximum braking force as well as suppressing a yaw moment generated on the basis of the failure as much as possible even at a time when whatever braking force is requested, A target braking force to a normal brake apparatus is calculated on the basis of a result of detection by a malfunction detecting portion, in such a manner that a total of braking forces generated in the brake apparatuses in respective wheels becomes as equal as possible to a requested braking force, at a time when a malfunction is generated in the brake apparatus or a braking force control portion.
US07644993B2
A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.
US07644991B2
A chair for offices and the like includes at least one armrest that can be folded from a generally upright position to a folded position and visa-versa. The folding mechanism has a thin profile, thereby minimizing the thickness of the armrest and providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A cover for the armrest includes an elastic material that stretches to accommodate folding, and also contracts to reduce or eliminate wrinkles. The folding mechanism may bias the armrest to the folded position to overcome forces generated by stretching of the cover when the armrest is folded.
US07644989B2
Pivot mechanism incorporating first and second rigid plates interconnected by a hypocycloid gear train, the first plate being formed in one piece with a circular toothing belonging to the hypocycloid gear train. A seat frame is fixed to the first plate by a weld located at the position of the toothing.
US07644986B2
Energy absorbing webbing is provided for use in child safety seat and child restraint devices. A harness system includes energy-absorbing regions into the construction of the harness to allow some release or extension of the harness during use. The energy-absorbing regions of the harness are formed using energy-absorbing webbing in a given region or regions to permit the webbing to extend or elongate so that strong forces are not fully and directly imparted to the child. The energy-absorbing region may be installed at various positions within the child safety seat and harness system and may be incorporated into the child safety harness as original equipment or as a retrofit feature.
US07644985B2
A base for fixing the safety seating system in a passenger car has an external guiding member that more than equatorially encompasses an internal guiding member for a direct spherical guiding of a removable seated newly born infant. The infant is seated with respect to the geometrical pivoting center and an overall mass axis of the rotating portions such that neck bending and head whip lashing are minimized during a vehicle crash. The encompassing spherical and direct guiding provides for a free impact aligned reorientation of the seated infant unimpeded by adjacent elements of the car that are eventually forced into contact during crash. The direct spherical guiding provides also for a lightweight construction of the rotating portions with low momentum of inertia and consequently high responsiveness of the safety seating system.
US07644982B2
A reversible seat assembly includes a pair of spaced apart risers. A seat cushion is operatively coupled to the risers for movement between a first inclined position wherein a front end is farther from the floor than a rear end and a second inclined position wherein the rear end is farther from the floor than the front end. A seat back is operatively coupled to the risers for movement between first and second upright positions adjacent the rear and front ends of the seat cushion, respectively. A seat cushion control mechanism includes a pair of forward and rearward linkages operatively coupled between the front and rear ends of the seat cushion and the risers for automatically controlling the seat cushion between the first and second inclined positions in response to movement of the seat back between the first and second upright positions thereby defining forward and rearward-facing seating positions.
US07644972B2
This invention provides a retractable, pivotable, slidable, and removable horizontal bar device designed for containing a cover to shield the rear compartment of an automobile from view. The bar also provides for securely holding in place conventional plastic bags when such bags, filled with groceries or other items, are being transported in a vehicle, maintaining the bags in an upright, suspended position on or above the floor of the interior trunk or cargo compartment of an automobile. A pair of the bars and holding systems may be used to further provide a detachable and removable cross support bar and dual covers to cover the entire rear compartment of an automobile.
US07644969B2
A decorative cover for a vehicle trim component includes a resilient skin including an edge for insertion into a groove of the vehicle trim component. At least one tab extends from the skin edge. At least one line of stitching is located on the resilient skin. The at least one line of stitching has at least one stitching end section extending beyond the skin edge and onto the at least one tab.
US07644968B2
A supporting structure is mounted on a hand body facing a circumferential edge of a substrate from below the substrate to support the substrate. First and second guiding members are mounted on the hand body, and having guiding surfaces in contact with an imaginary cylinder having an axis aligned with a reference axis of the hand body. First and second movable members are capable of moving in an imaginary plane perpendicular to the reference axis and are disposed on the radially outer-side of the circumferential edge of the substrate so as to face the circumferential edge. A driving unit simultaneously displaces the first and second movable members in the imaginary plane. The first and second guiding members and the first and second movable members are spaced apart on the circumference of the imaginary cylinder at intervals greater than the length of the arc of a segment in a substrate holding state.
US07644967B2
A handling tool (100) for securely handling a radioactive source (204) comprises a first securing device and a second securing device. The first securing device comprises a chamber (103), and an opening mechanism (105, 106) for opening the chamber (103). The opening mechanism opens the chamber when the chamber is brought in proximity with a source pocket that may contain a radioactive source (204), and the opening mechanism closes the chamber when the chamber is withdrawn from the source pocket (200). The second securing device comprises a gripping device (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117) to grip and release a radioactive source (204), and a positioning mechanism (109, 110, 116) for positioning the gripping device in the source pocket (200) or inside the chamber (103) of the first securing device.
US07644965B2
A protector assembly for a roll cage on a vehicle. The protector assembly includes a roll cage having a pair of uprights, each of the uprights having a first end secured to the vehicle and a second end secured to a roof member. Each of the uprights also has an outer surface facing outward away from the vehicle. A removable insert is secured to the outer surface of each of the uprights and protects the uprights from coming in contact with another member and being worn down.
US07644961B2
A tube joint for connecting two pipes comprises two enlarged openings formed at two pipes to be connected; a sealing pad between the two enlarged openings; each of two ends of the sealing pad are formed with a reduced stepped portion; a shape of the stepped portion being matched to the enlarged openings so as to be received in the enlarged opening; thereby the stepped portion can seal the enlarged opening; a middle section of the sealing pad being between the two reduced stepped portion and being protruded between the two enlarged openings; and two covering plates. Each covering plate encloses around a periphery of the enlarged opening and a periphery of the middle section of the sealing pad. Two first annular lips are installed around an outer periphery of the stepped portions of the sealing pad, and each sealing pad may be formed with a second annular lip.
US07644957B2
The present invention provides an expansion-deflection coupling which allows for higher angular deflection, as well as greater axial expansion and compression with increased parallel offset movements. The coupling includes a pair of identical hubs adapted to accommodate conduits within, and a flexible hollow cylinder extending between the hubs. At least one mid-coupling is located within the cylinder, and at least two plastic funneled tubes, each of which extends securely within the cylinder between the mid-coupling and one of the hubs. One of the hubs is secured to a union coupling.
US07644955B1
A quick coupling type fitting is disclosed that connects two ends of two different pipes together in a fluid tight manner. It is designed for convenience in installation, high strength, compact size, easy manufacture with a low production cost, high efficiency and does not require the use of special tools for installation. The coupling utilizes a grab ring module that has a grab ring made with embedded stainless steel, thereby strengthening the fixing force and allowing for quick installation. A flaring surface on a retaining flange has an angle that corresponds to a tapering surface of the grab ring module. When the flaring surface and the tapering surface contact each other, the grab ring module compresses the surface of the pipe. Because the grab ring module has an outer plastic body with a small inner part, the grab ring module can be compressed to the pipe without causing fatigue of any members inside of the fitting. A specialized tool allows for quick and easy dismantling of the fitting.
US07644950B2
A gas deflector (24) is disclosed for use with a cylindrical gas generator (20). The gas deflector (24) comprises a generally tubular housing to accommodate the cylindrical gas generator (20). The housing has two terminal portions (25, 26) of generally circular cross-section and has an intermediate region provided with an outwardly-extending formation (28). The outwardly-extending formation (28) defines, at either end thereof, an opening (31, 34) through which gas may flow in the direction substantially parallel to the axis of the housing.
US07644947B2
A device for binding a boot to a sports article, of the type including a retaining system through which the boot is fixed to the sports article with a possibility to move relative to the sports article, between a low position and a high position, of the type including a system for the elastic return of the boot toward its low position, and of the type in which the retaining system functions independently of the elastic return system, and in which the elastic return system is part of a pre-assembled unitary module.
US07644945B1
A safety device for restraining the forward movement of a two-wheeled bicycle used for training a child, said device including a cord controller that allows for the extending, retracting and locking said cord to a manual handle, a spring clip fastener on the free end of said cord and a flexible strap that connects at one end by a loop to a bicycle seat post with the other end to a fastening ring that allows the ring to be fastened to the spring clip on the cord. The cord controller allows the user to walk behind a young child who is learning to ride a two-wheeled bike to prevent the child from accelerating away from the adult during training whereby the adult can restrain the forward movement of the bicycle whenever necessary.
US07644941B2
An axle suspension for first and second implement ground support wheels, the axle suspension comprising a housing connected to the implement frame and having an interior portion supporting first and second axle carriers for pivoting about first and second pivotal axes. The axle carriers each include outwardly extending members projecting from opposite sides of the housing and upright members fixed to the outwardly extending members for pivoting therewith about the first and second pivotal axes. A connector extending between the upper ends of the upright members constrains the axle carriers for rotation in the same direction about their respective pivotal axes.
US07644940B2
The invention relates to a transmission mechanism (20) of a progressive gear (1), especially a steering gear for a vehicle, comprising a seating for each of an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (30). The transmission mechanism (20) according to the invention consists of a movable coupler (21) which is in articulated connection with the input shaft (10) and the output shaft (30) so that transmission from the input shaft (10) to the output shaft (30) with a progressive characteristic is achieved in the range −180° to +180°. The advantage of such a gear (1) lies in the simple and therefore economical production of the apparatus and in its low space requirement. The absence of play in the mechanism and the direct transmission of forces by virtue of the individual components having suitable angles with respect to one another are further advantages.
US07644939B2
To reduce space occupied by a handlebar stopper structure of a vehicle and to lower the cost of the handlebar stopper structure. A steering shaft is attached to an input shaft provided at an upper portion of an electric power steering unit with an output shaft provided at a lower portion of the electric power steering unit being coupled to the wheel-side. An upper handlebar stopper for regulating a turning angle of the steering shaft is provided between the steering shaft and a housing that is provided at an upper portion of the electric power steering unit. The upper handlebar stopper is configured by an orthogonally-projecting member projecting in the orthogonal direction relative to and from the steering shaft and axially-projecting parts projecting in the axial direction of the steering shaft from the housing in order to regulate the turning of the orthogonally-projecting member.
US07644938B2
An in-wheel suspension including a tire/wheel assembly-side member that includes a tire/wheel assembly support member fixed to a tire/wheel assembly, a vehicle body-side member that supports the tire/wheel assembly support member such that the tire/wheel assembly support member can slide along a sliding axis X extending in the substantially vertical direction and rotate on the sliding axis X, and at least one of a spring element and an attenuation element that acts in accordance with sliding of the tire/wheel assembly support member. The in-wheel suspension further includes a coupling member that couples the tire/wheel assembly-side member with the vehicle body-side member, and that rotates the tire/wheel assembly support member in accordance with the sliding of the tire/wheel assembly support member.
US07644924B2
This application discloses a three dimensional puzzle bearing the shape of a cube. The application also discloses a method of integrating spatial logic using a three dimensional puzzle.
US07644923B1
An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The ejected cards are passed through a dynamic de-doubler that prevents more than a pre-established number of cards from passing through. The dynamic de-doubler is able to shift positions to accommodate card that are bent, impacted by environmental conditions and otherwise worn. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors.
US07644920B2
The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, a paper guide, a paper feed roller, and a paper supply portion from which the paper feed roller is configured to supply paper. The paper guide is supported within the chassis and has a base portion and a first separation portion that projects from the base portion. The paper feed roller is rotatably supported by the chassis. The paper supply portion has a guide projection on its first lateral side portion. The widthwise center of the paper feed roller is offset toward the first lateral side relative to the widthwise center of the first separation portion.
US07644915B2
A device for withdrawing flat items of mail from a decollating section includes conveyor belts, and guide rollers. The conveyor belts extend around guide rollers and act unilaterally upon upright items of mail. The guide rollers are individually mounted, and, at an exit of the decollating section, are rotatably disposed jointly with transfer rollers of an adjoining transfer region, which are driven independently of the conveyor belts on a common guide axle. On a side of the conveying path pressure rollers are provided at a level of the transfer rollers, which press the items against the transfer rollers. The pressure rollers are mounted pivotably at a locally fixed fulcrum, which is situated in withdrawal direction upstream thereof and laterally offset from a conveying channel, and in which rollers driven synchronously with the transfer rollers are rotatably mounted. Belts forming an inlet extend over the pressure rollers and the driven rollers.
US07644906B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for winding an elongate strap onto a winch. The winch has a hub member to which may be coupled the strap winding apparatus and a reel element fixed to the hub member about which may be wound the elongate strap. The strap winding apparatus has a protective housing and a winding assembly at least partially retained within the housing. The winding assembly includes a coupling ring sized to fit over the hub member for selective mating therewith and a spool assembly. The spool assembly has a spool member mounted in surrounding relation with the coupling ring, a cord which may be wound about the spool member and which may be pulled to urge rotation of the spool member in a first direction, and a torsion spring member connected to both the housing and the spool member. The spring member is configured to store spring energy when the cord is pulled and the spool member rotates in the first direction, and to release spring energy to the spool member when the cord is released thereby urging the spool member to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction and causing the cord to be wound about the spool member. The coupling ring has an engagement member pivotally mounted thereto. The engagement member is engageable with both the hub member and the spool member so as to allow torque from the spool member to be transmitted to the hub member via the coupling ring such that when the cord is pulled and the spool member rotates in the first direction the hub member will also rotate thereby causing the elongate strap to be wound about the reel member. The apparatus may be also be used to wind other elongate flexible elements such as webbing, a rope, a cable or a cord.
US07644896B1
An adjustable utility wire-holding apparatus includes a partitioned pole which includes top, middle and bottom segments detachably connected to each other along an end-to-end pattern respectively. The apparatus further includes a base member, and a mechanism for freely rotating at least one of the top, middle and bottom segments. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for freely articulating the base member about the longitudinal axis while the middle and top segments remain statically disposed at a stationary position, and a mechanism for selectively biasing the base member between aligned and unaligned positions such that the base member becomes oriented along a single axis defined along a horizontal plane registered orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
US07644889B2
Fluid sensing systems and methods, including sensors used to sense various fluid levels in vehicles, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for sensing a fluid that includes passing electromagnetic radiation through a receptacle positioned to hold a fluid. The receptacle can be configured so that electromagnetic radiation that passes through portions of the receptacle containing fluid is focused. The method can further include determining (a) whether fluid is located in a selected portion of the receptacle based on an amount of electromagnetic radiation that impinges on at least one radiation sensor, (b) a characteristic of fluid located in the passageway of the selected portion based on a pattern of the electromagnetic radiation that is created on the at least one radiation sensor, or (c) both (a) and (b).
US07644880B2
A sterilisable particle-size reduction apparatus, component parts thereof and a method of sterilising and validating sterility thereof are provided. Also provided is use thereof to prepare sterile suspensions of drugs.
US07644874B2
In an injector, a first shaft portion of a needle is slidably supported by a first sleeves which is loosely received in a first internal chamber, and a second shaft portion of the needle is slidably supported in a body. Thereby, the first and second shaft portions are supported by the different members, and a relatively large clearance is formed on a radially outer side of the first sleeve.
US07644870B2
An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a turret for the distribution of irrigation water that includes a self-flushing mechanism to prevent accumulation of debris in a sprinkler control member and/or the interior of the turret. The sprinkler includes a main flow path that delivers water to a nozzle for irrigation and a secondary flow path that delivers water to flush part of the member and/or interior of the turret. The secondary flow path delivers water when the sprinkler cycles on and when the sprinkler cycles off. For example, with a pop-up sprinkler, the secondary flow path would deliver fluid sometime during its movement to the elevated position and movement to the retracted position.
US07644869B2
Systems and methods for the auxiliary stage control of multistage thermostats are disclosed. An illustrative multistage thermostat for a multistaged HVAC system installed within a building or structure can include a processor having a control algorithm adapted to operate the thermostat in either a normal mode for achieving rapid temperature changes within the building or structure or an economy mode for conserving energy usage. In the economy mode of operation, the thermostat can be configured to determine a target time for achieving a temperature setpoint by either delaying or suppressing activation of the system's auxiliary stage. The target time can be adjusted in part based on the past usage characteristics of the auxiliary stage, the behavior of the user, and/or the progress of the primary stage in achieving the setpoint change without operating the auxiliary stage.
US07644868B2
The inventions relate to security systems for securely accessing accounts and avoiding identity-theft scams. They include object-based passwords and passphrases. For example, the invention relates to method of verifying a user's identity to allow that user to gain access to an account. The method includes creating a first matrix of characters of size X; and upon logon, displaying a second matrix of characters of size Z, wherein Y characters represent a preselected password of the user and X>Z>Y. In this equation, X is greater than the number of letters, numbers and characters on a keyboard.
US07644866B2
A hand-supportable planar laser illumination and imaging (PLIIM) based code symbol reader includes: a hand-supportable housing having a light transmission aperture; a linear image formation and detection module having a linear image detection array; and a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB) producing device having at least one visible laser diode (VLD) for producing a planar laser illumination beam (PLIB). The code symbol reader further includes an image grabber for grabbing digital linear images formed and detected by the image formation and detection module, an image data buffer for buffering the digital linear images grabbed by the image grabber and constructing a two-dimensional digital image from a series of buffered linear digital images, and an image processing computer for processing the two-dimensional digital image so as to read code symbols graphically represented in the two-dimensional digital image.
US07644856B2
A solder ball mounting method includes a step of providing a flux on electrodes of a substrate, a step of arranging a plurality of solder ball mounting masks in which ball feeding openings are formed in positions opposing to the electrodes and opening areas of the ball feeding openings are set to increase toward an upper layer on the substrate, a step of mounting solder balls on the electrodes by feeding the solder balls into the ball feeding openings while moving the solder ball mounting mask as an upper layer in a surface direction of the substrate, a step of removing the solder ball mounting masks from the substrate, and a step of joining the solder balls to the electrodes.
US07644841B2
A manually operated dispenser of the type containing a diaphragm at the bottom of the bottle, such that when the diaphragm is compressed a quantity of fluid is dispensed above the bottle through a spout. This invention uses a unique diaphragm shaped like a blister, that is integrated into the bottle bottom with a slide-pin allowing the blister diaphragm to move up and down, but not side to side. The diaphragm seals to the bottle bottom during dispensing, but when the diaphragm is substantially compressed, the seal self breaks as the diaphragm edge expands radially from the diaphragm axis over bumps on the bottle bottom allowing the diaphragm to refill. At the fluid output of the spout is a channel valve nozzle that channels the fluid into a stream when the fluid flows, but when the fluid is not being dispensed, prevents fluid from flowing back into the bottle.
US07644840B2
A valve assembly comprising a housing and a valve member mounted within the housing rotatable about an axis and between at least a dispensing position and a further position, for instance a volume selection position during which a material can be withdrawn from a container, and, preferably, a seat for mounting and guiding the valve member within the housing, wherein at least one of said housing, valve member, and seat is made of a synthetic material and the assembly further comprises a spring, which urges at least two of said housing, valve member, and seat together.
US07644839B2
A housing can be mounted to a pistol or other weapon and conveniently fired therefrom and can be used as a discrete weapon itself. A cap has a central aperture which secures the nozzle and/or valve stem of a canister of chemical irritant from movement and is secured to the proximal end of a hollow tube. A feature of the new invention is a slot access running along the length of the tube for some distance from its distal end. The tube may be either open or closed at its distal end. Toward the distal end of the tube, an interior ridge or stop cooperates with the cap aperture to secure the canister of irritant. When a canister is installed in the housing, the operator can release an irritant spray axially from the canister by pressing a digit against the side of the canister's storage cylinder and, thereby, displace its longitudinal axis along an arc. The housing need have no other mechanisms, except the housing and canister. This method also allows for convenient triggering of a spray from a canister within the housing when the housing is secured under or adjacent to the barrel of a handgun. In some embodiments an actuator compresses against a spring-loaded pusher to contact the side of the storage cylinder and move the longitudinal axis of the storage cylinder to release a spray.
US07644838B2
A food dispensing machine and method of use that includes separately loaded, conveyed, and heated first and second food portions. A first food portion, such as a hot dog, is dispensed from a chain of portions in an sealing film via a first dispensing device, which slices the film and expels the food portion. The first food portion is loaded onto a projecting component, which transports the first food portion to a first heating device and rotates the food portion during heating. Second food portions, such as buns, within containers attached to a film so as to form a chain, are dispensed by a second dispensing device, which separates each container from the film for placement onto a tray. The tray conveys the second food portions to a second heating device, and the heated first and second food portions are combined and dispensed.
US07644837B2
An object of a medicine supply apparatus which fills medicine bottles with medicines from a plurality of tablet cases is to improve a medicine filling performance and remove restrictions on the apparatus, and the apparatus comprises: a plurality of tablet cases which contain the medicines and into which the medicines can be thrown from above; a case storage section in which the respective tablet cases are juxtaposed in one stage on a plane and whose top is openably closed; and a filling device which is disposed under this case storage section and which fills the medicine bottle with the medicine dropping from each tablet case.
US07644834B2
A liquid medical waste receptacle includes an open top vessel having a bottom and an upstanding wall defining an upper rim. A lid is adapted to cover the open top vessel in sealing engagement with the upper rim. The lid includes a body portion defining a recess portion. The recess portion extends into the open top vessel. In some embodiments, the recess portion makes up a majority of the body portion. In some embodiments, the recess portion has a plurality of fingers. Select fingers have a proximal section, a distal section, and an intermediate section disposed between the proximal and distal sections, wherein the proximal section or the intermediate section includes a flexibility that is greater than the flexibility of at least a portion of the distal section.
US07644829B2
A blow molded, hollow plastic container including two opposed, relatively longer sidewall and shoulder portions which alternate with two opposed, relatively shorter sidewall and shoulder portions. A first of the relatively shorter sidewall portions includes a grip area in the upper portion of the first relatively shorter sidewall portion, and the opposed second relatively shorter sidewall and shoulder portions includes a pour area.
US07644825B2
The membrane producible by shaping a polymer blend or a block copolymer comprising blocks of monomer units, loading the polymer blend or block copolymer with a blowing gas concentration within the polymer blend or block polymer above a critical concentration at a temperature below a critical temperature, but above the glass transition temperature of the polymer blend/gas or block copolymer/gas mixture and finally stabilizing the foam structure is characterized in that as polymer blend a homogeneous polymer blend comprising at least one hydrophilic and at least one hydrophobic polymer and/or a block copolymer of alternating blocks of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomer units is used, both the polymer blend and the block copolymer having a solubility relating to the used foaming gas above the critical concentration. The said membrane is used for medical purposes, especially for the haemodialysis, haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration, plasmapherese, immunotherapy, micro- or ultrafiltration or gas separation.
US07644824B2
Screen separators and a screen tensioning system for separators that facilitates rapid measurement of screen tension. Each separator subframe screen is suspended between opposed subframe walls. Suitable linkages distribute vibration during the aggregate sifting process. Screen edge flanges are secured by tensioners that control a screen suspension bracket. A carriage bolt fitted through bracket orifices and the walls coaxially receive a resilient grommet captivated by an adjustable sleeve nut. As the nut is tightened, screen tension increases and the grommet diameter increases. A portable gauge with an internal U-shaped measurement sleeve is fitted over the deformed grommet to measure screen tension. A plurality of gauge calibration points bordering the deformed grommet determine applied screen tension.
US07644823B2
A package (10) is described that includes a sleeve (12) having at least one end defining an opening. The sleeve further includes at least one pair of locking tabs (18) extending therefrom, each locking tab including a locking edge, each locking tab being folded inwards into the opening. The package further includes a rigid end cap (14, 16) dimensioned to fit closely within the opening, the end cap including a rim (30, 32) designed so that, when the end cap is inserted into the opening, the rim engages the sleeve end and prevents the end cap from being inserted further into the opening. The end cap further includes a channel (22, 24) for receiving the pair of locking tabs, the channel having a ledge (34, 36) that engages the locking edge of each locking tab to prevent the end cap from being removed from the sleeve opening. Another described package provides a release mechanism for allowing an end cap to be removed without causing damage to the package.
US07644822B2
A container for storing and dispensing consumer products comprises a multi-compartment molded tray formed with an array of discrete cavities for receiving consumer products. A cover film is secured to the top surface of the tray to retain the item(s) within the cavities. The cover film has pre-formed tear lines defining peripheries of an array of tear-off portions, each tear-off portion arranged so that it overlies an associated cavity to retain the item(s) in that cavity. Each tear-off portion has an associated lug portion not secured to the tray in use, for gripping by a user before removing the tear-off portion. The top surface of the tray has an array of upwardly extending protrusions positioned to be located beneath the lug portions in use to bend those lug portions upwardly out of the plane of the remainder of the cover film to make the lugs readily graspable by a user.
US07644811B2
A lock-up device 7 includes a front cover 2, an impeller 3, a turbine 4, and a piston 22 positioned to divide a space between the front cover 2 and the turbine 4, and is engageable with the front cover 2. The piston 22 is formed with a plurality of projections 41 extending in the radial direction on a surface 42. The projection 41 has a straight front edge 51 and a straight rear edge 52, and an arced radially outer edge 53 and radially inner edge 54. The rear edge 52 in the rotation direction overlaps a straight line Ls connecting a radially inner end 52a with the rotation center O, or the rear edge 52 in the rotation direction is inclined to the straight line Ls such that a radially outer end 52b is positioned rearward of the straight line Ls in the rotation direction.
US07644804B2
A fluid pathway is provided with a flow controller in at least a portion of its length wherein the flow controller comprises an active surface capable of influencing the fluid flow through the fluid pathway, the configuration of the active surface conforming to at least one logarithmic curve conforming to the Golden Section.
US07644802B2
Flow guides in the form of extensions that project internally from the housing of an electronic consumer device can contribute to undesirable noise emissions from the device. Proposed is an improved flow guide or extension that reduces propagation of flow induced vibrations to the housing, thereby improving the overall acoustic performance of the device.
US07644800B2
To place a muffler in a front area to make it suitable for an off-road motorcycle, A down frame extending downward obliquely from a head pipe ahead of an engine and a lower frame connected with its lower end, extending backward under the engine, are provided. A muffler is located in the vicinity of the joint between the down frame and the lower frame where its rear surface is curved forward in a convex pattern along the down frame and the lower frame. An exhaust pipe extending from a cylinder head is almost S-shaped as seen sideways and its forward curved portion and lower backward curved portion are vertically arranged with its lower end connected with a lower portion of the muffler.
US07644795B2
Disclosed is a vehicle body structure of a motorcycle which intends to make maintenance of a rear suspension easy and arranges the rear suspension in a compact manner. The vehicle body structure includes a vehicle body frame, a swing arm, and a rear suspension interposed between the vehicle body frame and the swing arm. The vehicle body frame includes a front frame body having right and left main frame members, and a rear frame body having right and left rear frame members extending to a rear side from rear end portions of the main frame members. The rear suspension is arranged so as to be eccentric to a right direction of the vehicle body from a center of the vehicle width. The rear frame body has a layout space for the rear suspension in a lower side of the right rear frame member.
US07644786B2
A drill bit that includes a steel bit body having at least one blade thereon, at least one cutter pocket disposed on the at least one blade; at least one cutter disposed in the at least one cutter pocket; at least one recess formed in at least a portion of the surface of the at least one cutter pocket, wherein the recess is adjacent a leading face of the at least one blade; and an erosion resistant material in the at least one recess is disclosed.
US07644781B2
A walk-behind working machine includes a first clutch mechanism for connecting or disconnecting drive between an engine and a working member of the working machine. The first clutch mechanism includes a first clutch lever having a first activating member. A second clutch mechanism is configured to connect or disconnect drive between the engine and traveling members of the working machine. The second clutch mechanism includes a second clutch lever having a second activating member. A throttle regulating mechanism has a pivoting member for engagement with one of the first activating member of the first clutch mechanism and the second activating member of the second clutch mechanism so as to undergo pivotal movement to shift a throttle for the engine from a first opened position in which an idling engine speed is produced to a second opened position in which a working-machine-activating engine speed is produced.
US07644778B2
A truck (1) for a railroad rehabilitation machine comprises a railway truck (3) and a tank (2) resting on the railway truck (3) in a removable manner. The tank (2) comprises a holding structure (5) extending along a predetermined direction (X), at least one first conveyor (8) mounted within the holding structure (5) to transport incoherent material along the predetermined direction (X) internally of the holding structure (5), and an element (22) for laying the holding structure (5) on the truck (3) for railway transport. A process for making a truck for a railway rehabilitation machine comprises the steps of arranging a railway truck (3) having a support platform (4), arranging a tank (2) for trucks of railroad rehabilitation machines in accordance with the invention and laying the tank (2) on the platform (4) of the railway truck (3) in a removable manner.
US07644775B2
The invention relates to fire-fighting installation comprising a drive source for feeding medium into at least one heat releasing spray head (4), the drive source comprising a pump unit (5) for feeding liquid into said spray head through a supply line (3) which is filled with gas to a standby pressure, a gas source (9) for maintaining the standby pressure, and a sensor (2) arranged to provide a signal for starting the pump unit in response to a change occurring in the state of the medium in the supply line. In order to rapidly start the pump unit (5) of the drive source as a result of a minor flow occurring in the supply line (3) and in order for the fire-fighting installation to be applicable to be used at low temperatures, the sensor is a flow transducer (2) arranged to provide a signal to the pump unit (5), if the flow of gas in said portion of the supply line exceeds a certain predetermined value.
US07644773B2
A screen that conforms to the borehole shape after expansion is disclosed. The screen comprises a compliant outer layer that takes the borehole shape on expansion. The outer layer is formed having holes to permit production flow. The material that is selected preferably swells with prolonged contact to well fluids to further close off annular gaps after expansion. In an alternative embodiment, the screen is not expanded and the swelling of the material alone closes off annular gaps. The outer sleeve is placed over the screen and the screen is placed on a base pipe and initially expanded from within the base pipe to secure the components of the screen assembly for running downhole, while minimizing or eliminating any welding among the layers. A variety of expansion tools can be used to expand the screen or screens downhole.
US07644769B2
The present invention relates generally to a method and means of collecting oil from a reservoir overlying a water aquifer or basement rock using a manned tunnel. A manned tunnel is used as a physical barrier to intercept oil and water flowing downward along a formation dip and to preferentially collect the oil or the water through a series of collector stations. This method can be used for oil spill clean-ups or for hydrocarbon recovery in appropriate reservoirs.
US07644768B2
A drilling rig device (1) situated on the seabed (11), where the drilling rig (1) is sealingly enclosed against the surroundings, wherein the drilling rig (1) is liquid-filled and provided with a separator (16) arranged to separate material (17) from the liquid.
US07644764B2
A gel-forming composition for reducing the permeability of a subterranean formation or zone comprising a water soluble polymer (e.g., Alcoflood® 935) and a polyelectrolyte gelling agent comprising a polycation (e.g., polyalkylene imine) and a polyanion (e.g., dextran sulfate) is provided. The gel-forming composition is used to delay gelation in the subterranean formation.
US07644762B2
The present invention is a material and method that enables creation of an in situ pumping action within a matrix or otherwise porous media. This pumping action may be used to move materials, namely fluids, through the matrix or porous media to a gathering point. This pumping action may also be used as a vibrational source, using the movement of the matrix itself as the radiator of vibrational, typically acoustic, energy. This vibrational energy may be used for a variety of purposes.
US07644759B2
For extracting a liquid (such as oil) from a porous medium, the liquid is subjected to pulses that propagate through the liquid flowing through the pores of the medium. The pulses cause momentary surges in the velocity of the liquid, which keeps the pores open. The pulses can be generated in the production well, or in a separate excitation well. If the pulses travel with the liquid, the velocity of travel of the liquid through the pores can be increased. The solid matrix is kept stationary, and the pulses move through the liquid. The pulses in the liquid can be generated directly in the liquid, or indirectly in the liquid via a localized area of the solid matrix.
US07644758B2
In one aspect of the invention a valve that operates in association with a downhole screen is threaded into the wall of a base pipe after being inserted through a saddle. When the valve body is threaded in, the engagement into the wall threads in the base pipe acts as a sealing force on a ring seal between the saddle and the base pipe and between the valve body and the saddle. The valve itself can be outfitted with a cover with openings that can be integral or removable and disposed at the end of the valve that is innermost to the base pipe. Preferably a series of elongated slots are used that can catch slurry if the well is to be killed while allowing subsequent production to drive the accumulated solids from well killing back into the base pipe. Another feature places the valve in a base pipe opening under a cylindrical screen section to reduce assembly time and cost of constructing an adjacent housing to one side of the cylindrical screen section to accommodate the valve.
US07644751B2
A heat sink clip (100) includes a spring member (10), a moveable locking member (20) and an actuating member (30). The spring member includes an elongated main body (11) and a first locking leg (14) connecting at one end of the main body. The locking member is coupled at the other end of the main body, including an engaging plate (22) and a second locking leg (26) extending from the engaging plate. The actuating member includes a handle (32) and an extension portion (34) formed at one end of the handle. The handle and the extension portion form an angle therebetween. The extension portion is operatively engageable with the engaging plate of the locking member.
US07644749B2
A system is provided for the holding of a membrane in tension, that system having: a frame; a plurality of frame members with longitudinal anchoring channels, the channels having first and second channel flanges. Also provided is a retention strip disposed upon at least a part of the periphery of the membrane, wherein the retention strip engages the first and second channel flanges.
US07644746B2
An ultrasonic sealer comprising a hollow shaft (1) having a longitudinal axis (2) and being rotatably arranged in a housing (3) for driven rotation about its longitudinal axis (2). The rotary sealer further comprises a sealing horn (8) arranged coaxially in the hollow shaft (1) and connected to a converter (6) and preferably also a booster (7). The horn (8) is provided with a peripheral sealing area (13) outside an axial end (13) of the hollow shaft (1). The horn (8) is connected to the hollow shaft (1) by means of at least one annular, metallic support (11) extending between an outer face (14) of the horn (8) and an inner face (10) of the hollow shaft (1). The at least one annular support (11) is corrugated in cross section such that at least two grooves and one ridge arranged there between are provided between the inner face (10) of the hollow shaft (1) and the outer face (14) of the horn (8).
US07644745B2
A target assembly including a plurality of target tiles bonded to a backing plate by adhesive, for example of indium or conductive polymer, filled into recesses in the backing plate formed beneath each of the target tiles. A sole peripheral recess formed as a rectangular close band may be formed inside the tile periphery. Additional recesses may be formed inside the peripheral recess, preferably symmetrically arranged about perpendicular bisectors of rectangular tiles. The depth and width of the recesses may be varied to control the amount of stress and the stress direction.
US07644739B1
A pressurized actuator system for independent deployment of at least two inflatable structures having a first primary section adapted for deployment of a primary inflatable structure and second section for deployment of a secondary inflatable structure and an auxiliary source of pressurized fluid for operating said device. A control assembly for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid from the auxiliary source of pressurized into the second system is provided. Thus, the system assures independent deployment of the primary and secondary inflatable structures.
US07644738B2
A through-air-drying (TAD) fabric for producing tissue paper and related products on a papermaking machine comprising a plurality of warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of weft yarns to produce warp and weft knuckles on a paper-side surface of the fabric, preferably to form an L-shaped knuckle pattern.
US07644737B2
A velvet ribbon with double-sided nap is produced by weaving three superimposed webs (8, 10, 12) connected to each other by nap threads (14). The nap threads (14) of the above triple web are separated between the middle web (8) and a first web (10) in a first cutting device (36, 36a). In a second cutting device (46, 46a) the nap threads between the middle web (8) and the second web (12) are separated to give the middle web as a double-sided velvet ribbon (8). The corresponding ribbon weaving machine (2) comprises three superimposed weaving points (31) each with a weft introduction body and a common shedding device (16). A first cutting device (36) for cutting the nap threads (14a) between the middle web (8) and a first web (12) and a second cutting device (46) for cutting the nap threads (14b) between the middle web (8) and the second web (10) are provided afterwards. The velvet ribbon (8) produced thus has a nap (56, 58) on both sides.
US07644731B2
A gas valve having a valve member disposed within a valve cavity, and an elastomeric valve seat extending from a valve cavity wall into the valve cavity. The valve member is movable between an open position in which the valve member does not engage the resilient valve seat thereby permitting gas to flow through the gas valve, and a closed position in which the valve member does engage the resilient valve seat thereby preventing gas to flow through the gas valve. In some embodiments, the elastomeric valve seat extends radially into the valve cavity from a groove formed in the valve cavity wall.
US07644730B2
A fluid isolation valve having a valve body with a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port and a fluid drain port with a valve in the fluid drain port. The valve body also defines a fluid flow channel, a drain flow channel and a valve portion, wherein the valve portion is disposed in the valve body to be communicated with the first fluid flow port, the second fluid flow port and the fluid drain port. A flow diversion device is also provided and is disposed within the valve portion. The flow diversion device is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the flow diversion device is in the first configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the second fluid flow port. Consequently, when the flow diversion device is in the second configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the fluid drain port. The fluid flow can be decrease or stop by use of the valve within the fluid drain port.
US07644714B2
Devices and methods for maintaining an open airway are described. Systems and methods are described for maintaining an opening of an airway by application of force to a patient's tissues in one of inferior, anterior, and lateral directions.
US07644702B2
A fuel supply system for a motor vehicle has a sucking jet pump (6, 7) which is connected to a flow line (5). The valve (16, 17) reduces the cross-section of an opening (20) in a nozzle (14, 15) of the sucking jet pump (6, 7) with increasing pressure in the flow line (5). Hydraulic losses in supplying the sucking jet pump (6, 7) with fuel as a pump fluid are prevented and the conveying performance of the sucking jet pump (6, 7) is maintained, preferably, at a constant level.
US07644699B2
A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes at least one first fuel pump and a pressure region into which the fuel pump pumps and which communicates with an elastic volume reservoir. The elastic volume reservoir has a characteristic pressure/volume curve, which is defined by at least two points. It is proposed that a first point is defined by a first volume at a first pressure that is somewhat greater than a vapor pressure of the fuel at ambient temperature, and that a second point is defined by a second volume and a second pressure in the pressure region that corresponds to a maximum pressure; the difference between the first and second volumes corresponds at least approximately and at least to a value by which the volume of the fuel in the pressure region decreases upon cooling down from a maximum temperature to ambient temperature.
US07644686B2
A water heating apparatus including a tank divided into first and second chambers, wherein water in the first and second chambers has first and second temperatures, respectively, a first outlet for supplying water from the first chamber, a first thermostat to measure the first temperature, a second thermostat to measure the second temperature, means for heating water in the second chamber, a pump having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a controller configured to initiate pumping of water from the second chamber to the first chamber when the first temperature is below a predetermined first value. The controller is also configured to initiate heating of water in the second chamber when the second temperature is below a predetermined second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
US07644678B2
This invention generally relates to a mixing apparatus and a method useful in the repair of coating adhered on a can end used in the food and beverage packaging industry. The mixing apparatus has a plurality of holding tanks in fluid communication with a first fluid delivery system and a mixer. A pressure tank is provided which is in fluid communication with the mixer. A spray device is provided which is in fluid communication with a second fluid delivery system and the pressure tank. A plurality of liquids or fluids are flowed through the first fluid delivery system, the plurality of liquids or fluids are mixed in the mixer to yield a mixed solution which is flowed to the pressure tank and the mixed solution is flowed through the second fluid delivery system and dispensed on the can end. A method for the repair of coating adhered on a can end is provided as well.
US07644677B2
To provide a marine safety ladder that makes rescue possible within a short time, without posing any risk of contact with a pleasure boat or the like, without causing any additional concern in the operation of boats during docking and departure, without the risk of injury to a person who has fallen, etc., and without the risk of falling when the ladder is being stowed.A top hinge member (67) is connected and fixed to one end, a middle hinge member (68) is connected and fixed to the middle, and a bottom hinge member (69) is connected and fixed to the other end, respectively, to, in the width direction, the underside of a deck (2) of a floating pier (1) or of a transom step (2′) of a boat (1′); and a main ladder (20) and guide rails (30) are provided rotatable about the top hinge member (67) via top connecting members (61); and with a bottom latch element (64) being engaged with the bottom end of the main ladder (20) or members in the vicinity thereof, a sliding member (40) is located at the bottom end of the guide rails (30), and all constituting parts are stowed within the width of the deck (2) of the floating pier (1).
US07644669B2
An embodiment of the invention consists of a process heater with a radiant section and an overhead convection section, the radiant section having a vertical cylindrical, contiguous, helical, tubular coil, having a bottom process fluid inlet and top process fluid outlet. The process fluid coil is contained in a refractory lined enclosure of square cross section and is exposed to an up flowing stream of combustion products, generated by burning coal on a continuous, traveling, chain grate stoker. The stoker is located at the base of the radiant section, receives a continuous deposit of coarse coal, with a minimum of fines, from a hopper located at one end of the stoker chain grate and discharges essentially coal free ash at the opposite end of the chain grate, thru a nozzle provided with a water seal. One or more centrifugal solids—gas separators are provided at the radiant section flue gas outlets for the purpose of removing ash particulates from the flue gas streams, before the latter enter the overhead convection section. Since the flue gas enters the convection section very nearly devoid of particulates, the convection section may be of conventional design, utilizing bare or extended surface tubes, on closely spaced equilateral or quadrilateral centers.
US07644664B2
Guide tracks 56, 56 projecting in a vertical direction are provided in a right and left of a running track 50 and left and right guide rollers 20, 21 are provided on a track guided vehicle and guided using inner surfaces of the left and right guide tracks. Branching rollers 22, 23 each comprising elevating and lowering means are provided in the right and left of the track guided vehicle and outside the right and left guide tracks. Thus, branching and rectilinear progression of the track guided vehicle is controlled by switching between a state where the branching rollers 22, 23 are elevated or lowered to guide the track guided vehicle using outer surfaces of the guide tracks 56, 56 and a state where the branching rollers 22, 23 do not contact with the outer surfaces. Whether the track guided vehicle runs straight or shifts to a branch line can be controlled by contacting one of the branching rollers 22, 23 with the outer surface of the corresponding guide tracks 56, 56, which guide the guide rollers 20, 21 in the section (rectilinear progression section 52) different from the branching portion 51.
US07644656B2
Conventional type liquefier appliance that incorporates an anti-drip system consisting of a “T”-shaped spout seal, besides the inclusion of a series of non-slip strips on the connecting gears between the drive unit and the rotary elements, which enable it to come to a sudden stop without the inertia of said elements forcing them in an upward direction, furthermore the grater disc is not fixed to the drive element by a through-screw but rather said screw is welded to its under side, while in addition the push piston terminates in a concavity which engages the piece to be liquefied during use and wherein said piston may be replaced by a feed hole reducer piston.
US07644653B2
A brew basket for an automatic drip coffee maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A coffee filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing.
US07644648B2
A pair of independent cylinder holes 3, 3 are formed in a cylinder tube 2 of a flat outer shape. When a pressurized fluid is alternately supplied into the cylinder tube 2 through a port 7 formed in an end cap 5, the internal pressure for operating the cylinders acts uniformly on the cylinder tube 2 greatly decreasing stress and deflection of the cylinder tube 2.
US07644647B2
There is disclosed a hydraulic actuating device for actuating a shift rod in particular of a gearbox for motor vehicles, which comprises a cylinder chamber provided in or on a gear housing for accommodating a shift piston which is actively connected to the shift rod and which divides the cylinder chamber into two working chambers which can selectively be acted upon by a pressure medium from a reservoir for the latter, said working chambers being separated from one another by means of a sealing arrangement arranged on the shift piston. The sealing arrangement is designed in a valve-like manner so that, when at least one working chamber is acted upon by pressure medium, it connects said working chamber to an auxiliary chamber which is delimited by the sealing arrangement and which in turn can be connected to the reservoir for the pressure medium. As a result, a cost-effective hydraulic actuating device is provided which is vented in a simple and efficient manner during operation from the working chambers via the auxiliary chamber to the reservoir.
US07644636B2
A load pin brake cell apparatus includes a load pin element that can be machined with a pair of external grooves in order to create independent load locations. A sleeve can be installed over the load pin element and can be welded at each edge of the grooves to relocate the pair of grooves to interior of the load pin element. The sleeve and the load pin act as one homogenous component to ensure a predictable and total transfer of stress and strain to a strain gauge located within the load pin. The ratio of a cross-sectional area between the sleeve and the load pin can be kept to a minimum in order to minimize the non-linearity due to bending stresses. The sleeve wall preferably possesses a sufficient thickness to prevent yielding at the grooves.
US07644633B2
A vortex flowmeter has a vortex sensor and terminals that receive a thermal junction output from a thermowell assembly that is remote from the vortex flowmeter. The vortex flowmeter has a data input that receives data representing a thermal property of the thermowell assembly. The vortex flowmeter has a circuit that receives the first thermal junction output and the vortex sensor output, and that provides a flowmeter output that is compensated for temperature and for the thermal property.
US07644618B2
A method of inspecting a radius area of composite parts with an ultrasonic inspection system, the system includes at least one ultrasonic probe, an upper sliding surface, a lower sliding surface, an adjustable guide rail, and an adjustable encoder wheel rotatably coupled to a rotary encoder, is provided. The method includes generating a high frequency sound wave using the probe including a radius of curvature extending from a center point, the sound wave travels partially through the part, adjusting the guide rail to align the center point of the probe with a center axis of a part corner portion, sliding the part through the inspection system to inspect the corner portion using the sound wave by rotating the wheel and rotary encoder such that the arcuate distance of the part is recorded, adjusting the wheel to avoid any apertures defined within the part, and processing the sound wave information.
US07644615B2
A humidity sensor includes: a sensor chip including a capacitive humidity sensor element and a connection electrode, wherein the capacitive humidity sensor element includes a humidity sensitive film having relative permittivity changeable in accordance with humidity, and wherein the connection electrode is electrically connected to the humidity sensor element; a lead plate electrically connected to the connection electrode; and a mold for covering a connection portion between the connection electrode and the lead plate. The mold is disposed on the sensor chip and includes a groove. The humidity sensitive film is disposed in the groove. The humidity sensitive film has a height in the groove, the height equal to or lower than a surface of the mold. The height of the humidity sensitive film in the groove is homogeneous.
US07644611B2
A downhole fluid analysis tool capable of fluid analysis during production logging that includes a phase separator and a plurality of sensors to perform analysis on the fluids collected at a subsurface location in a borehole.
US07644601B2
A method for manufacturing hollow shafts having end portions of greater wall thickness and at least one intermediate portion of reduced wall thickness, from a tube having constant wall thickness. The method includes providing a mandrel having diameters stepped over its length, with a first longitudinal section having a smallest diameter and at least one further longitudinal section having a further larger diameter. Reducing the external diameter of a first portion of the tube over the first longitudinal section of the mandrel to produce the first end portion. Reducing the external diameter of a middle portion of the tube over the at least one further longitudinal section of the mandrel to produce the at least one intermediate portion. Reducing the external diameter of a further portion of the tube over the first longitudinal section of the mandrel to produce the second end portion.
US07644599B2
In a method for surface blasting hollow spaces or cavities, especially cavities of gas turbines, shot balls are accelerated with the aid of at least one vibrator, whereby the ultrasonically accelerated shot balls are directed onto surfaces of a cavity that is to be blasted. The vibrator is preferably positioned with a small spacing distance, preferably on the order of magnitude of the diameter of the shot balls utilized for the blasting, from the cavity to be blasted.
US07644580B2
A control coupling of pressurized medium in a delimbing and cutting apparatus, provided for feeding members and for changing their feeding speed, said control coupling comprising at least: a first motor and a second motor that are coupled in parallel and drive a feeding member a third motor that is a multicapacity motor comprising a first half-motor and a second half-motor and that is coupled in series with the first motor and drives a feeding member; a fourth motor that is coupled in series with the second motor and drives a feeding member; first valve members that for the purpose of free rotation allow the feedback of the pressurized medium exiting the third motor to the first half-motor; and first control members that monitor the pressure of a first line and couple the first valve members to free rotation if said pressure is lower than the set value.
US07644576B2
A sensor control device is connected with a plurality of exhaust sensors including an NOx sensor to be disposed around a catalyst, and is constructed such that a plurality of drive control circuits to be connected in a one-to-one relationship with the individual gas sensors are disposed in one casing. The sensor control device is provided with a communication output section that outputs signals through a digital communication line so that the signal transmissions/receptions with an ECU may be executed through the digital communication line. This digital communication line is physically a one-system cable but can transmit and receive signals of a plurality of kinds with predetermined communication protocols.
US07644570B2
The invention relates to a method for operating an open-end spinning device (1), comprising a spinning rotor (2) and an opening roller (12), which can be controlled so as to be driven individually independently of one another, wherein after an interruption in the spinning process takes place as a result of the detection of the absence of a thread, a piecing operation is initiated, comprising a piecing process, in which an upper thread passes through a fiber ring formed in the spinning rotor (2) and is connected to the latter, and a subsequent drawing-in accumulating process which serves to reduce a thin point in the thread following the piecer, wherein during the piercing operation, the opening roller (12) is temporarily driven at a piecing speed which is higher than the operating speed of the opening roller (12).
US07644569B2
A rake, pitchfork, or similar forked hand tool or tool head for mechanized machinery has welded tines. The tines each have a lower section located on the backbone of the tool head and a working section extending outwardly from the backbone. Each tine also has two lateral surfaces, two vertical surfaces and a transversely extending back edge surface therebetween. In one embodiment, welds extend the full length of one of the lateral surfaces, the full length of a vertical surface, the transverse length of the back edge surface and down the second vertical surface to the junction between the bottom of the vertical surface and the second lateral surface. Welds can also extend partially along the length of the second lateral surface for a distance not to exceed three quarters of its length. These tines have elongated fracture lines. The resulting tool is far less prone to breakage.
US07644562B2
A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing having a chamber, an inlet and an outlet generally coaxially aligned with the chamber, wherein the chamber includes a medicament cartridge having a body including a generally cylindrical passage extending through the opposed ends of the cartridge generally coaxially aligned with the inlet and outlet of the housing having thin burstable polyolefin membranes having a burst pressure of between 1.2 and 10 atmospheres stretched taut over the ends of the cartridge, such that fluid delivered to the inlet ruptures the membranes, entraining medicament contained within the cartridge passage which is delivered to the patient's respiratory system through the outlet. The method of forming the cartridge includes stretching out and bending a membrane to one end of the cartridge, preferably by heat bonding, filling the cartridge with a medicament and sealing the opposed end preferably with a second burstable membrane by stretching out a membrane over a convex surface and heat bonding.
US07644561B2
An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further includes a closing mechanism positioned immediately downstream of and in operative association with the extraction hood, whereby the upper portion of each package is maintained in a closed configuration prior to sealing, so that the interior of each package is not exposed to ambient conditions after it is conveyed out of the extraction hood, and prior to sealing of the upper portion.
US07644558B1
A robotic case packing system loads articles from a moving conveying system into a container. The system has a pivot drive shaft pivotally connected to a support frame for selective rotation about a selected axis of rotation and has a drive linkage operatively connected between a servo motor and to the pivot drive shaft to selectively pivot the pivot drive shaft. A two-axis-robot is mounted on the pivot drive shaft along the axis of rotation such that movement of the two-axis-robot along its two axes of movement occurs within planes substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. A controller operatively connected to the servo motor is used to selectively actuate the servo motor to rotate the pivot drive shaft in order to enable selective picking and placing of articles with the robotic case packing system.
US07644557B2
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07644540B2
A door opening/closing apparatus is provided with a motor, a first clutch which transmits power from the motor to a door opening/closing mechanism of a slide door when current is applied to the motor while breaking transmission of power to the door opening/closing mechanism of the slide door when current is not applied, and a second clutch which transmits power from the motor to a door opening/closing mechanism of a back door when current is applied while breaking transmission of power from the motor to the door opening/closing mechanism when current is not applied.
US07644538B2
A closure includes a frame that is selectively pivotable about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A drive assembly is disposed in a groove of the frame to selectively determine which axis the frame pivots about as the frame pivots between an open position and a closed position. The drive assembly includes a plurality of actuating members and a plurality of transmission rods that operatively connect adjacent actuating members to each other. Each of the actuating members and each of the transmission rods has a single tenon which is disposed in only one side of the groove.
US07644534B2
The present invention relates to a planer board of novel and non-obvious construction methods and materials resulting in reduced weight. The planer board also quick release guidance device that is easier to use than prior art devices.
US07644520B2
A combination that preferably includes at least: a ski boot; a detachable sole detachably attached to the ski boot; and a detachable sole storage rack attached to the ski boot for use in storing the detachable sole when detached from the ski boot is disclosed. The detachable sole preferably includes at least: heel and toe chassis portions each formed from a baffled support matrix and overmolded with tread portions; and a latch assembly for securing the baffled support matrix adjacent the ski boot. The ski boot preferably provides a contoured heel portion and the latch assembly preferably incorporates a catch configured to conform to the contoured heel portion, a catch support interacting with the catch; a chassis attachment member communicating with said chassis; and an adjustment member interposed between said catch support and said chassis attachment member to accommodate a snug conformance of the catch adjacent the heel portion.
US07644507B2
A method for scanning a work piece surface uses a coordinate measurement device. A probe element is brought into contact with the surface and the probe element is moved along the surface. The coordinate measurement device has a plurality of degrees of freedom, which are independent of one another, in the possible movements of the probe element with respect to the work piece. Maximum speeds which describe the maximum of a movement speed component of the probe element based on the respective degree of freedom are defined for the degrees of freedom. An estimated path on which the probe element is intended to move during scanning is predefined. The actual scanning path can differ from the estimated scanning path. A maximum scanning speed at which the estimated scanning path can be traveled with a constant speed of the probe element is determined.
US07644505B2
The levelling rod (1) for a level determining apparatus (2) has position indications therealong along expressed by barcode symbols (11, 12). At least some of said barcode symbols are color barcode symbols, the color serving to encode said position indications. The barcode symbols can be organised in first and second blocks (12, 11) of barcode symbols, each providing a position indication, wherein the length (Ls) occupied along the rod (1) by a first block (12) is smaller than the length (Lb) occupied along the rod by a second block (11), the first blocks thereby providing a finer position indication than the second blocks. The first blocks (12) of barcode symbols can be formed of monochrome and color bar code symbols, e.g. just one color barcode symbol and at least one monochrome barcode symbol, while the second blocks (11) can be formed purely of color barcode symbols. The invention also relates to a level determining apparatus specifically adapted for the above rod, and to a method of using that rod.
US07644503B2
An archery bow sight has a sight tube which is fixed to a link arm which extends between two rotatable members mounted to a frame which is connected to the riser of a bow. The arm is pinned to the rear rotatable member at a radius which is less than the radius at which it is pinned to the front rotatable member. The rotation of the rotatable members is synchronized by a connector such as an intermediate gear, a timing belt, a rigid link, or a linked chain. By rotation of a range adjustment knob, the sight tube is caused to change simultaneously in inclination and in height in such a way that the archer may continue to view the target through the sight tube. The sight tube has a fiber optic sight point. The relationship between the rotating members and the link arm is adjustable for draw length.
US07644487B2
In a method of producing a conductor pattern on a substrate and, in particular, of producing RFID labels, the conductive base material and the substrate material are initially provided, further the conductive base material is punched to obtain a conductor pattern and a residual base material. The conductor pattern is connected to the substrate material, and the residual base material is removed.
US07644486B2
A method for forming flanged end of an inner conductor of a coaxial resonator at one end of the conductive body. The flange is formed integral to the conductive body by flaring the end of the conductive body. The size and shape of the flange are selected to achieve a desired capacitance surface area for use in a resonator. A combination of expanding tool and calibration tool are used to control the size and shape of the flange that will be formed on the end of the conductive body.
US07644480B2
A method for manufacturing a multilayer chip capacitor includes: forming screen patterns on mother green sheets such that a widthwise margin is not formed on the mother green sheets, the screen patterns are spaced apart from each other in the width direction and the longitudinal direction, and a width of each screen pattern is greater than a spacing between the adjacent screen patterns; forming internal electrode patterns on the mother green sheets; forming a stack of the mother green sheets; forming a capacitor body having internal electrodes by cutting the stack of the mother green sheets along cutting lines arranged in the width direction and the longitudinal direction; forming chip-protecting side members on both sides of the capacitor body such that the chip-protecting side members contact both sides of the internal electrodes, respectively; and forming a pair of terminal electrodes on the outer surface of the capacitor body.
US07644474B2
In an apparatus on a spinning preparation machine, for example, a flat card, roller card, draw frame or the like, for monitoring fiber material, having at least one rotating roller that delivers fiber material, and a monitoring arrangement device that detects undesirable accumulations (build-up) of fiber material and emits an electrical signal is present. To permit immediate detection of undesirable accumulations of material in a structurally simple manner, the monitoring arrangement comprises a non-contact sensor arrangement (sensor), which is capable of detecting undesirable accumulations of fiber material.
US07644471B2
A vacuum cleaner, comprising a housing, in which a dust chamber is embodied for housing a dust separator, which may be sealed by means of a dust chamber lid, mounted on the housing and a housing for accessory pieces which can be closed by the dust chamber lid. According to the invention, the contamination of the accessory pieces by dust from the dust chamber may be prevented, whilst maintaining easy access to the accessory pieces by means of the dust chamber lid, whereby the housing is embodied as an adjoining chamber, directly adjacent to the dust chamber which is separated from the dust chamber in a dust-tight manner by means of a separating wall. The above has the advantage of permitting a user to remove an accessory piece without getting dirty.
US07644470B2
A complex type cleaner is provided. The complex type cleaner includes a body having either a dust collecting container that stores dust or a water collecting container that stores contaminated water, a fan motor installed in the body that generates a suction force, a suction head arranged at a lower side of the body, that sucks dust at a time of performing a vacuum cleaning operation, a water tank mounted adjacent the suction head, that stores cleaning water to be sprayed onto a region to be cleaned at a time of performing a water cleaning operation, and a suction nozzle integrally formed with the water tank, that sucks water contaminated after completing the water cleaning operation. The complex type cleaner so configured reduces a number of components, reduces a fabrication cost, and has a large capacity water tank.
US07644466B2
The invention concerns a bristle for a brush, in particular a cleaning brush, a toothbrush or an application brush, wherein the bristle has a lower root region with which it can be mounted in or to a bristle support or which forms part of the bristle support, and a free length disposed outside of the bristle support above the root region which is composed of a shaft region bordering the root region and a flexing region disposed thereabove, wherein the shaft region is composed of a lower shaft base section bordering the root region and a shaft section disposed thereabove, and wherein the flexing region is composed of a lower active and flexing section bordering the shaft region and a tip section which is disposed thereabove and forms the free end of the bristle, wherein the bristle has a continuous depression-free jacket in the shaft base section and, at least in sections of the jacket in the flexing region, a profiling which is formed by elevations and/or depressions and which lies in an outer surface of the bristle.
US07644453B2
The present invention relates to a kit for use in a shower enclosure with a shower curtain. The kit contains a wall component, a connecting component and a retaining component. The wall component has a back wall and at least one front wall, and is removably attachable to a wall surface of the shower enclosure. The connecting component has both a front portion and back portion. The back portion is detachably connectable to one of said at least one front wall of the wall component by means of magnets attached thereto. Once the wall component and connecting component are connected together, they form a watertight barrier. The front portion of the connecting component contains a protrusion in the form of two spaced apart, elongated arms that are each provided with an abutting edge against which part of the shower curtain may be positioned. The retaining component is detachably connectable to the protrusion of the connecting component with the part of the shower curtain snapped in between. The retaining component has a pair of arms with end edges that face toward each other and are sized to snap onto the abutting edges of the elongated arms of the protrusion of the connecting component with the part of the shower curtain pinched in between.
US07644450B2
A premium ventilated toilet having an automated toilet ventilation system for removing noxious fumes from a bowl area of the toilet is disclosed. The ventilation system is mostly built-in to the toilet (e.g., ventilation ducts, and sensors) so that it is unobtrusive and attractive looking, however the active parts (e.g., a blower unit containing a blower impeller, a backflow shutoff valve, and electronic control circuitry) are contained in an simple housing that is unobtrusively and removably attached to the surface (preferably on the side) of the toilet base for simplified installation, maintenance, and replacement as needed. Automated operation is enabled by a non-contact occupancy (proximity) sensor and a flush sensor, both preferably built into a flush handle of the toilet. Detection of occupancy causes the ventilation system to operate and flushing turns it off.
US07644448B2
A protective glove for a firefighter or for an emergency worker has an outer shell, an intermediate liner providing a moisture barrier, and an inner liner providing a thermal barrier, the outer shall having an inspection port, which is openable and closeable and which when opened enables portions of the intermediate liner to be visually inspected through the inspection port, the outer shell having a flap, which is positionable between a position wherein the inspection port is closed by the flap and positions wherein the inspection port is opened, the protective glove having releasable fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, for releasably fastening the flap in the position wherein the inspection port is closed by the flap.
