US07696263B2
The present invention relates to a stimulus responsive composition, which includes a polymer complex that a polymer including repeated units of polyvinyl ether structure is chemically bonded to a functional substance, and a solvent. It is desirable that a solvent is water and that the polymer in the composition contains a polyvinyl ether structure. The present invention also relates to an ink composition including the above composition, an image forming method and image forming device using the above composition, and recording medium contains a stimulating material or composition which stimulates the above composition.
US07696261B2
The present invention relates to a friction material having a fibrous base material as a primary layer and a secondary layer comprising a mixture of carbonaceous material and friction modifying particles on at least one surface of the primary layer for use as an anti-shudder friction material.
US07696258B2
A photo-curable adhesive composition including an oligourethane acrylate in a range of about 10 to about 30% by weight, a reactive monomer-diluent in a range of about 32 to about 46% by weight, a polymeric filler in a range of about 20 to about 30% by weight, a photoinitiator in a range of about 2.5 to about 5.0% by weight, an antioxidant in a range of about 0.005 to about 0.02% by weight, a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride in a range of about 3.0 to about 10%, the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride having a chlorine content of about 62 to about 64% by weight, oxalic acid in a range of about 0.3 to about 2.0% by weight, a thixotropic agent in a range of about 0.5 to about 3.0% by weight, and a plasticizer in a range of about 1.0 to about 10.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
US07696255B2
Process for recycling soluble or dispersible plastics from a waste product containing plastics by treatment with an organic solvent, concentrating the plastics solution thus obtained to more than 40 wt % of plastics, preconditioning the concentrated plastics solution to a pressure of at least 2 bar using a first pump and a temperature of 1-10° C. below the boiling temperature of the solvent at that pressure, bringing this preconditioned concentrated plastics solution above the critical point of the plastics solution using a high-pressure pump and a high-pressure heat exchanger, spraying the concentrated plastics solution above the critical point to recover the plastics through evaporation of the organic solvent, and recovery of the organic solvent. The process has advantages over known processes in that higher concentrations of plastics can be processed, without the danger of cavitations, and the need for solvent and energy can be reduced.
US07696245B2
A compound represented by the following general formula (IA) or (IB) or a salt thereof which specifically traps a zinc ion and emits fluorescence, and is useful as a fluorescent probe for zinc: wherein R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom or a group represented by the following formula (A): wherein X1 to X4 represent a hydrogen atom, a 2-pyridylmethyl group, a 2-pyridylethyl group, a 2-methyl-6-pyridylmethyl group, or a 2-methyl-6-pyridylethyl group, provided that at least one is the group except a 2-pyridylmethyl group, and m and n represent 0 or 1, provided that they are not simultaneously 0; provided that R1 and R2 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms; R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R5 and R6 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkylcarbonyl group, or an alkylcarbonyloxymethyl group; and R7 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
US07696244B2
The invention provides compositions, including pharmaceutical preparations, which comprise one or more substituted thiophene, benzofuran, pyrimidinetrione, dihydropyridine, tetrahydrocarbazol or anthraquinone compounds. The invention also features methods of use of such compositions in increasing activity of mutant-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein in a cell, e.g. by increasing ion transport in a mutant-CFTR.
US07696238B2
Substituted benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl amine compounds corresponding to formula I which exhibit an strong affinity to the KCNQ2/3 K+ channel, and which are suitable for treating or inhibiting pain and/or disorders or disease states that are at least partly mediated by the KCNQ2/3 K+ channel.
US07696236B2
The invention relates to methods for decreasing adverse events associated with pirfenidone (5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone) therapy. The invention discloses an optimized dose escalation scheme that results in the patient having increased tolerance to adverse events associated with the administration of pirfenidone. The invention also discloses a starter pack that may be used in conjunction with the dose escalation scheme.
US07696233B2
This invention pertains to a method for controlling lepidopteran, homopteran, hemipteran, thysanopteran and coleopteran insect pests comprising contacting the insects or their environment with an arthropodicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula I, its N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof wherein A and B and R1 through R8 are as defined in the disclosure. This invention further relates to a bezoxazinone compound of Formula 10 wherein R4 through R8 are as defined in the disclosure, useful for preparation of a compound of Formula I.
US07696232B2
This invention pertains to methods for protecting a propagule or a plant grown therefrom from invertebrate pests comprising contacting the propagule or the locus of the propagule with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, its N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof wherein A and B and R1 through R8 are as defined in the disclosure. This invention also relates to propagules treated with a compound of Formula I and compositions comprising a Formula I compound for coating propagules.
US07696229B2
The present disclosure provides compounds having affinity for the 5HT6 receptor which are of the formula (I): wherein R1-R3 A, B, D, E, G, Q, and x are as defined herein. The disclosure also relates to methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.
US07696223B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds capable of modulating the stability and/or activity of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF).
US07696220B2
Methods for the treatment of ileus are disclosed wherein the peripheral mu opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone is administered.
US07696212B2
Disclosed are substituted xanthines of general formula wherein R1 to R4 are defined hereinbelow, the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures thereof, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibitory effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV).
US07696203B2
Compounds of formula I: wherein A, B and D are respectively selected from the group consisting of: (i) CH, NH, C; (ii) CH, N, N; and (iii) CH, O, C; the dotted lines represent two double bonds in the appropriate locations; and where Z is selected from S, O, C(═O), CH2 and NH are disclosed for use in inhibiting DNA-PK.
US07696192B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: I (where A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4, D1, D2, J, K, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R4, R5a, R5b, R5c, m and n are defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US07696191B2
A novel crystalline form of 3-{[5-(azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)pyrazin-2-yl]oxy}-5-[(1-methylethyl)oxy]-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylbenzamide is described in the specification. This compound is a glucokinase (GLK or GK) activator and useful as a pharmaceutical agent in the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition mediated through GLK, leading to a decreased glucose threshold for insulin secretion. Processes for the manufacture of the crystalline form, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form and the use of the crystalline form in medical treatment are also described.
US07696188B2
7, 8 and 9-substituted tetracycline compounds, methods of treating tetracycline responsive states, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the 7, 8 and 9-substituted tetracycline compounds are described.
US07696173B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods related to expression of protease inhibitors and variants thereof in bacterial species. The present invention further provides fusion nucleic acids, vectors, fusion polypeptides, and processes for obtaining the protease inhibitors.
US07696170B2
A pharmaceutical preparation comprising a hepatocyte growth factor or a DNA molecule encoding the same and the like according to the present invention can suppress the fibrosis of a transplanted organ after organ transplantation. The present invention is useful in the fields of organ transplantation and regeneration therapy.
US07696169B2
The invention features a method of treating an inflammatory condition in an individual, comprising administering an agent inhibits the interaction between a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and a high mobility group B (HMGB) polypeptide to the individual. The invention also features methods for identifying agents that inhibit the interaction between TLR2 and HMGB.
US07696168B2
The invention relates generally to G protein coupled receptors and in particular to agonists and antagonists of G protein receptors and methods of using the same.
US07696167B2
A cyclic peptide compound of the following general formula (I): Wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined in the description, or a salt thereof. The compound (I) is useful for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of hepatitis C.
US07696164B2
The invention provides new substantially pure antibiotics designated AC-98-1, AC-98-2, AC-98-3, AC-98-4 and AC-98-5 derived from the microorganism Streptomyces hygroscopicus.
US07696160B2
Compositions and methods for treating subjects with disorders characterized by aberrant vascular endothelial cell growth are provided. The compositions comprise agents that are combinations of a Wnt pathway stimulator component and a Tie2 pathway repressor component. Particularly useful Wnt pathway stimulators include, but are not limited to, Wnt7b-like molecules. Particularly useful Tie2 pathway repressor components include, but are not limited to, Ang2-like molecules. The methods allow for modulation of vascular endothelial cells, vascular endothelial cell vessels, capillary bed development, and angiogenesis.
US07696159B2
The present invention provides a method of treating basal cell carcinoma in a subject. Generally, the method includes administering to the subject an amount of IRM compound effective for treating basal cell carcinoma in a treatment cycle that includes at least two consecutive days in which the IRM compound is administered and at least one day in which the IRM compound is not administered.
US07696157B2
Described are methods for identifying, selecting, and obtaining mammalian cells capable of producing proteinaceous molecules having predetermined post-translational modifications, wherein the post-translational modifications are brought about by the mammalian cell in which the proteinaceous molecule is expressed. Preferably, the predetermined post-translational modifications include glycosylation. Also described are methods for obtaining and producing proteinaceous molecules, using mammalian cells obtainable by a method of the present invention. Preferably, the proteinaceous molecules include erythropoietin (EPO), since EPO's effect depends heavily on its glycosylation pattern. Mammalian cells that have been obtained on the basis of their ability to produce proteins and/or post-translational modifications that are indicative for a predetermined post-translational modification that is desired are also provided. Preferably, the mammalian cells have neural characteristics and properties, such that significant amounts of recombinant proteins can be produced that harbor “neural- or brain-type” properties.
US07696152B2
A substantially pure and biologically active peptides consisting of tyrosyl-seryl-leucine (YSL) is disclosed. Nucleic acids that have sequences coding for the biologically active peptide and pharmaceutical formulation produced therefrom are also disclosed.
US07696149B2
A method for preventing aggregation of an LHRH antagonist in a pharmaceutical composition. The method comprises combining the LHRH antagonist in the form of an acetate, gluconate, glucuronate, lactate, citrate, ascorbate, benzoate or phosphate salt and at least one of the acids for forming the salts in free acid form.
US07696146B2
A mixture comprising a surfactant and a cosurfactant is proposed wherein the cosurfactant used is an amphiphilic comb polymer having a backbone with two or more side chains attached to the backbone, where the side chains differ from one another and/or the side chains differ from the backbone in their amphiphilic character.
US07696144B2
The present invention relates to a particulate textile treatment composition comprising silicone, clay and anionic surfactant, wherein the composition comprises at least three particulate components: wherein the first particulate component comprises silicone, clay and a first anionic surfactant; wherein the second particulate component comprises a second anionic surfactant; and wherein the third particulate component comprises a third anionic surfactant; wherein the concentration of the second anionic surfactant in the second particulate component is greater than the concentration of the third anionic surfactant in the third particulate component.
US07696128B2
A part on or in a cooking, roasting, baking, or grilling device with a self-cleaning coating enables remnants of foodstuffs to be removed without mechanical action. The part includes a coating which has a structure comprised of (a) porous particles A, and (b) a binder, in which the porous particles A do not have a solid or liquid secondary phase in their pores (a).
US07696124B2
A method for producing a catalytically-active material having at least one base component and at least one catalytically-active component in which the at least one base component is heated to a softening or melting temperature to form a softened or molten base component. While the base component is in the softened or molten state, at least one catalytically-active component is incorporated into or onto the base component, forming the catalytically-active material. In accordance with one embodiment, a catalyst precursor is introduced into the base component and subsequently transformed to a catalytically-active component.
US07696121B2
The invention provides an electrode comprising an electrically conductive material having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from an adsorbate material adsorbed on the surface of the electrode. The adsorbate is substantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable. The surface of the electrode can be microroughened and include, for example, a plurality of adatoms or clusters of adatoms of a metallic material. The adatoms or clusters of adatoms form sites for photocatalysis of electroreduction when the electrode is irradiated with a light source. The invention also includes a method for making the electrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell is provided including the electrode of the invention.
US07696118B2
A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including barium titanate expressed by a composition formula of BamTiO2+m, wherein “m” satisfies 0.990
US07696116B2
The invention provides composite materials comprising eucryptite particles distributed in a matrix material other than eucryptite. The matrix material may be a ceramic material such as an oxide ceramic. In an embodiment, the eucryptite particles are transformed from the β-phase to the ε-phase during fabrication of the composite. This phase transformation can enable a eucryptite-based transformation toughening mechanism.
US07696112B2
A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.
US07696101B2
A method used during the manufacture of a semiconductor device comprises the formation of a first patterned layer having individual features of a first density. Through the formation and etching of various layers, for example conformal layers and a spun-on layer, a second patterned layer results which comprises individual features of a second density, which is about three times the first density. An in-process semiconductor apparatus formed using the method, and a system comprising the semiconductor apparatus formed according to the method, is also described.
US07696098B2
A unipolar semiconductor laser is provided in which an active region is sandwiched in a guiding structure between an upper and lower cladding layer, the lower cladding layer being situated on a semiconducting substrate. The unipolar semiconductor laser comprises a raised ridge section running from end to end between end mirrors defining the laser cavity. The ridge section aids in optical and electrical confinement. The ridge waveguide is divided in a plurality of cavity segments (at least two). Lattice structures can be arranged on and/or adjacent to these cavity segments. Each cavity segment is in contact with upper metallic electrodes. A metallic electrode coupled to the bottom surface of the semiconducting substrate facilitates current injection through the device.
US07696095B2
The present invention provides auto-stopping CMP slurry compositions that minimize post-CMP non-uniformity and also extend the time that polishing can be continued beyond the end point without the risk of over-polishing the dielectric silicon dioxide film. Auto-stopping CMP slurry compositions according to the invention include ceria abrasive particles and an effective amount of a polyalkylamine such as polyethyleneimine dispersed in water. The methods of the invention include polishing a topographic dielectric silicon dioxide film layer using the auto-stopping CMP slurry compositions to obtain a dielectric silicon dioxide surface having a desired predetermined minimum step height.
US07696090B2
A rectifying diode comprising a semiconducting layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the width of the region of closest contact between the two electrodes is on the order of the thickness of the semiconducting layer.
US07696083B2
A multi-layer device is provided for connecting to an electrical unit enclosed within the multi-layer device. A first wafer has a first outer terminal and a second outer terminal with etch pits. A first insulator has a first surface bonded to the first wafer and a first inner terminal located on an opposing second surface. A second wafer has a first surface bonded to the second surface of the first insulating layer and includes a pillar electrically connected to the first wafer. A second insulator has a first surface bonded to a second surface of the second wafer and a second inner terminal located on the first surface of the second insulator. The first outer terminal is electrically connected to the first inner terminal, and the second outer terminal is electrically connected to the second inner terminal. The first and second outer terminals are adapted for connecting to an electrical unit. A reinforcement is positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and second outer and, inner terminals to provide for reinforcement of the at least one of the first and second outer and inner terminals.
US07696080B2
A method for manufacturing an SIP semiconductor device is provided. In this method, a first Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP) is coated over an upper surface of a semiconductor device including a plurality of elements and a first through electrode. An electrochemical plate (ECP) process is then performed on the semiconductor device. A second OSP is then coated over a lower surface of the semiconductor device, the lower surface including a Cu plug that has been formed over the first through electrode through the ECP process. The upper and lower (first and second) OSPs are used to prevent the Cu plug from being easily oxidized when exposed to the air.
US07696078B2
A method for producing an electrical contact of an optoelectronic semiconductor chip (1), comprising providing a mirror layer (2), comprised of a metal or metal alloy, over the semiconductor chip; providing a protective layer (3) over said mirror layer; providing a layer sequence of a barrier layer and a coupling layer (5) over said protective layer; and providing a solder layer (8) over said layer sequence.
US07696073B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing an n-type ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal having high carrier concentration and low resistivity, the ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal, and a semiconductor device produced by using the ZnTe system compound semiconductor as a base member. Concretely, a first dopant and a second dopant are co-doped into the ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal so that the number of atoms of the second dopant becomes smaller than the number of atoms of the first dopant, the first dopant being for controlling a conductivity type of the ZnTe system compound semiconductor to a first conductivity type, and the second dopant being for controlling the conductivity type to a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. By the present invention, a desired carrier concentration can be achieved with a doping amount smaller than in earlier technology, and crystallinity of the obtained crystal can be improved.
US07696072B2
A method for introducing impurities includes a step for forming an amorphous layer at a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a step for forming a shallow impurity-introducing layer at the semiconductor substrate which has been made amorphous, and an apparatus used therefore. Particularly, the step for forming the amorphous layer is a step for irradiating plasma to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the step for forming the shallow impurity-introducing layer is a step for introducing impurities into the surface which has been made amorphous.
US07696068B2
A method for manufacturing a vertical light-emitting diode is described. In the method for manufacturing the vertical light-emitting diode, a sapphire substrate is provided. An illuminant epitaxial structure is formed on the sapphire substrate. Next, a first conductivity type electrode is formed on a surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure. Then, a local removal step is performed to remove a portion of the sapphire substrate from another surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure and to expose a portion of the other surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure, wherein the other surface is opposite to the surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure. Subsequently, a second conductivity type electrode is formed on the exposed portion of the other surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure, wherein the first conductivity type electrode and the second conductivity type electrode are opposite conductivity types.
US07696065B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate having a separation region and a semiconductor region which covers the separation region entirely is prepared. One or a plurality of circuit elements are formed in the semiconductor region. The semiconductor substrate is split at the separation region.
US07696064B2
A through via is constructed in a two-stage process. A void in a portion of the depth of the substrate is filled from a first surface of the semiconductor substrate creating an enclosed volume within the substrate. Thereafter, the enclosed volume is exposed and the remaining portion of the void is filled.
US07696062B2
A method for mounting a dielectric substrate to a semiconductor substrate, such as mounting a dielectric antenna substrate to an MMIC semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a thin dielectric antenna substrate having metallized layers on opposing sides. In one embodiment, carrier wafers are used to handle and maintain the dielectric substrate in a flat configuration as the metallized layers are patterned. The dielectric substrate is sealed to the semiconductor substrate using a low temperature bonding process. In an alternate embodiment, the metallized layers on the dielectric substrate are patterned simultaneously so as to prevent the substrate from curling.
US07696047B2
A gate insulating film 3 is formed of an insulative inorganic material containing silicon and oxygen as a main material. The gate insulating film 3 contains hydrogen atoms. A part of the absorbance of infrared radiation of which wave number is in the range of 830 to 900 cm−1 is less than both the absorbance of infrared radiation at the wave number of 830 cm−1 and the absorbance of infrared radiation at the wave number of 900 cm−1 when the insulating film to which an electric field has never been applied is measured by means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy at room temperature. Further, in the case where the absolute value of the difference between the absorbance of infrared radiation at the wave number of 830 cm−1 and the absorbance of infrared radiation at the wave number of 770 cm−1 is defined as A and the absolute value of the difference between the absorbance of infrared radiation at the wave number of 900 cm−1 and the absorbance of infrared radiation at the wave number of 990 cm−1 is defined as B, then A and B satisfy the relation: A/B is 1.8 or more.
US07696043B2
A method of manufacturing a flash memory device includes the steps of forming trenches by forming a tunnel oxide layer and a conductive layer for a floating gate over a semiconductor substrate, and then etching a portion of the conductive layer, the tunnel oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate to form the trenches, filling the trenches with an insulating layer to form isolation layers projecting above the floating gate, forming spacers on sidewalls of the isolation layers projecting above the floating gate, etching the conductive layer using the spacers as a mask, thereby forming a U-shaped conductive layer, removing the spacers, etching the top surface of the isolation layers, thereby controlling an Effective Field Height (EFH) of the isolation layer, and forming a dielectric layer and a conductive layer for a control gate on the resulting surface.
US07696041B2
In a method for fabricating a semiconductor component, a semiconductor substrate comprising a first surface is provided and a shaping matrix is applied to the first surface. The shaping matrix comprises at least one continuous depression arranged in such a way that contact regions in a region of the first surface are at least partly uncovered. A sacrificial layer is applied to sidewalls of the continuous depression in an upper section of the depression, a first electrode is produced by applying a first conductive layer in a lower section of the depression and to the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is removed in order to uncover the sidewalls of the shaping matrix in the upper section. A dielectric layer is applied to the first conductive layer and a second electrode is formed by applying a second conductive layer to the dielectric layer.
US07696040B2
A semiconductor fin memory structure and a method for fabricating the semiconductor fin memory structure include a semiconductor fin-channel within a finFET structure that is contiguous with and thinner than a conductor fin-capacitor node within a fin-capacitor structure that is integrated with the finFET structure. A single semiconductor layer may be appropriately processed to provide the semiconductor fin-channel within the finFET structure that is contiguous with and thinner than the conductor fin-capacitor node within the fin-capacitor structure.
US07696034B2
Methods for fabricating a heterojunction bipolar transistor having a raised extrinsic base is provided in which the base resistance is reduced by forming a silicide atop the raised extrinsic base that extends to the emitter region in a self-aligned manner. The silicide formation is incorporated into a BiCMOS process flow after the raised extrinsic base has been formed. The present invention also provides a heterojunction bipolar transistor having a raised extrinsic base and a silicide located atop the raised extrinsic base. The silicide atop the raised extrinsic base extends to the emitter in a self-aligned manner. The emitter is separated from the silicide by a spacer.
US07696031B2
It is an object of the present invention to control the position in crystal lateral growth of a semiconductor film without making a system cumbersome and complicated.A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes the step of forming a semiconductor film over an insulating substrate, forming a reflective film comprising an insulating film on the semiconductor film, exposing a portion of the semiconductor film by patterning of the reflective film, and crystallizing the exposed semiconductor film by irradiating the exposed semiconductor film with laser light while using the patterned reflective film as a mask. In the above-described method according to the present invention, the reflective film has a structure in which an insulating film that has a higher refractive index and an insulating film that has a lower refractive index are stacked alternately.
US07696029B2
Methods of forming thin film devices with different electrical characteristics on a substrate comprising a driver circuit region and a pixel region. A first and a second polysilicon pattern layers are formed on the driving circuit region and the pixel region of the substrate, respectively. A first ion implantation is performed on the second polysilicon pattern layer using a masking layer covering the first polysilicon pattern layer as an implant mask, such that the first polysilicon pattern layer has an impurity concentration different from the second polysilicon pattern layer. After removal of the masking layer, a gate dielectric layer and a gate are successively formed on each of the first and second polysilicon pattern layers and a source/drain region is subsequently formed in each of the first and second polysilicon pattern layers to define a channel region therein.
US07696028B2
A pixel structure of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display employs a design of three metal layers and includes an organic insulating layer between a data signal line and a common electrode for reducing a parasitic capacitance, while a passivation layer included between the common electrode and a pixel electrode acts as a storage capacitor required for the pixels, so as to achieve a high aperture ratio, and the common electrode can act as a shielding bar for enhancing the display contrast.
US07696019B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a semiconductor device comprising a workpiece, the workpiece including a first region and a second region proximate the first region. A first material is disposed in the first region, and at least one region of a second material is disposed within the first material in the first region, the second material comprising a different material than the first material. The at least one region of the second material increases a first stress of the first region.
US07696014B2
A method for breaking an adhesive film mounted on the back of a wafer having a plurality of streets formed in a lattice pattern on the face of the wafer, and having devices formed in a plurality of regions demarcated by the plurality of streets, the devices being divided individually, is adapted to break the adhesive film along the outer peripheral edges of the individual devices, with the adhesive film being stuck to the surface of a dicing tape mounted on an annular frame. The method comprises: a laser processing step of projecting a laser beam with a pulse width of 100 picoseconds or less onto the adhesive film through gaps between the individually divided devices to form deteriorated layers in the adhesive film along the outer peripheral edges of the individual devices; and an adhesive film breaking step of exerting external force on the adhesive film having the deteriorated layers formed therein, to break the adhesive film along the deteriorated layers.
US07695999B2
Provided is a method of producing a semiconductor device having an organic semiconductor layer, which includes the steps of providing a crystallization promoting layer on a substrate; providing an organic semiconductor precursor on the crystallization promoting layer; and applying light energy and thermal energy simultaneously to the organic semiconductor precursor to form a layer containing an organic semiconductor. Thereby, an organic semiconductor device is provided which is low cost and has excellent durability.
US07695993B2
A method can be adapted for design and preparation of a matrix nanocomposite sensing film for hydrogen sulphide SAW/BAW detection at room temperature. A matrix nanocomposite can be synthesized by incorporating both single-wall and multi-wall thiolated carbon nanotubes into conductive organic polymers or ceramic nanocrystalline in a properly functionalized manner. A thin organic sensing film can be prepared based on the matrix nanocomposite. The matrix nanocomposite sensing film can be prepared on a surface of a SAW/BAW device by an additive process or a direct printing process. Finally, the sensing film can be consolidated by thermal annealing or laser annealing under ambient conditions in order to obtain the stable sensing film with higher sensitivity and electrical properties for a SAW/BAW based H2S sensor.
US07695987B2
A method and apparatus for automatic determination of semiconductor plasma chamber matching a source of fault are provided. Correlated plasma attributes are measured for process used for calibration both in a chamber under study and in a reference chamber. Principal component analysis then is performed on the measured correlated attributes so as to generate steady principal components and transitional principal components; and these principal components are compared to reference principal components associated with a reference chamber. The process used for calibration includes a regular plasma process followed by a process perturbation of one process parameter. Similar process perturbation runs are conducted several times to include different perturbation parameters. By performing inner products of the principal components of chamber under study and the reference chamber, matching scores can be reached. Automatic chamber matching can be determined by comparing these scores with preset control limits. The potential source(s) of chamber fault can also be identified by the lowest matching score(s).
US07695985B2
When annealing of a semiconductor film is conducted using a plurality of lasers, each of the distances between laser irradiation regions is different. When a lithography step is conducted in accordance with a marker which is formed over a substrate in advance after the step, light-exposure is not correctly conducted to a portion crystallized by laser. By using a laser irradiation region obtained on a laser irradiation step as a marker, light-exposure is conducted by making a light-exposure position of a stepper coincide with a large grain size region in the laser irradiation region. A large grain size region and a poorly crystalline region are detected by utilizing a thing that scattering intensity of light is different between the large grain size region and the poorly crystalline region, thereby determining a light-exposure position.
US07695976B2
A method of chemical analysis that includes: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to a surface of a sample chip through a microfluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and ii) a flow chamber comprising an inner wall having an inlet end, where the fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber and where the inner wall at the inlet end is curved and has a radius similar to the radius of semi-circular groove; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on the surface of the sample chip, the pattern approximating the semi-circular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that a linear fluid front forms on the surface of the sample chip at the inlet end; and d) maintaining the flow so that the linear fluid front moves along the surface of the sample chip.
US07695975B2
In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a method for detecting an adulterant in a biological sample. A combination of a biological sample, an agent for detecting the adulterant and an ionic moiety capable of undergoing reduction by gaining electrons is provided in an assay medium. The combination is incubated under conditions sufficient for the ionic moiety to undergo reduction and for the agent for detecting the adulterant to interact with the adulterant. The reduction of the ionic moiety enhances the detection of the adulterant as a result of increasing the sensitivity of the agent for detecting the adulterant. The extent of interaction between the agent for detecting the adulterant and the adulterant is measured and is related to the presence or absence of the adulterant in the biological sample.
US07695974B2
A method for evaluating the spatial distribution of an ionomer in a fuel cell MEA. The method includes embedding the MEA in an epoxy, and then slicing thin sections from the MEA. The sliced sections are then exposed to a titanium tetrachloride vapor that stains the epoxy. The stained sections are then viewed with, for example, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) where the lighter regions in the TEM image show the ionomer distribution.
US07695970B2
The present invention provides, a system and method for unobtrusively determining water content within a fuel cell. One embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention includes a fuel cell body including an ionomeric membrane, water and a fluorophore contained therein. The system further includes a medium for permitting light transfer therein, such as an optical fiber, having opposing ends, wherein one end contacts or is disposed in a portion of the ionomeric membrane and the other end extends from the fuel cell body. The other end is preferably divided into at least two portions, one portion being operatively associated with a light source, and another portion being operatively associated with a spectrometer.
US07695969B2
Bacteria are manipulated to create desirable output traits using dominant negative alleles of mismatch repair proteins. Enhanced hypermutation is achieved by combination of mismatch repair deficiency and exogenously applied mutagens. Stable bacteria containing desirable output traits are obtained by restoring mismatch repair activity to the bacteria.
US07695964B2
Compositions and methods are provided for preparing an hsiRNA mixture and for silencing of gene expression in vivo. The composition relates to a mutant RnaseIII. The methods are directed to reacting a preparation of dsRNA with an effective amount of a mutant RNAse III to produce the hsiRNA mixture.
US07695957B2
A description is given of a bioreactor (1), in particular for NMR spectroscopy, comprising a container (7) capable of containing a cell culture, a first inlet line (6) for the inward flow of a culture medium to the inside of the container and a second outlet line (9, 10) for the outward flow of the culture medium from the container (7). The first line (6), an inlet line, is connected to a spiral-shaped device (12) which has a form such that when the medium is made to flow inside the first line (6) and made to flow out of the second line (9; 10), hydrostatic thrust and hydrodynamic forces produce with respect to the cells a condition of simulated reduced gravity inside the container (7).
US07695951B2
Disclosed herein are microcantilevers having structural shapes that are less sensitive to turbulence and drift effects yet provide greater deflections due to analyte concentration. The structural shapes include a C-shaped microcantilever, an E-shaped microcantilever, an L-shaped microcantilever, a double microcantilever, a slit microcantilever, a tapered microcantilever, and a triangular microcantilever. The microcantilevers may be piezoresistive microcantilevers. Also disclosed are microsensors, microfluidic devices, and biochips that comprise the microcantilevers as well as methods of using the microcantilevers to detect analytes in a fluid sample.
US07695948B2
A metalloprotease that converts TNF-α from the 26 kD cell form to the 17 kD form has been isolated and purified and the cDNA sequence known. In particular, the protease has a molecular weight of approximately 80 kD. The isolated and purified protease is useful for designing an inhibitor thereof, and may find use as a therapeutic agent. Assays for detecting the protease-inhibiting activity of a molecule are also an aspect of the invention.
US07695943B2
The invention concerns a method for preparing 1,3-propanediol from a carbon-containing substance, said method comprising a step which consists in culturing a recombinant micro-organism not producing coenzyme B12 in the absence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors. The invention also concerns a nucleic acid coding for a glycerol dehydratase whereof the catalytic activity is independent of the presence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors and a nucleic acid coding for a 1,3-propanol dehydrogenase intervening in the synthesis of 1,3-propanediol. The invention further concerns recombinant vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and the polypeptides coded by the latter.
US07695934B2
Nucleic acids that encode Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Ligand (TRELL), a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor family (TNF), modified TRELL, are described.
US07695930B2
The present invention relates to methods for the detection, identification and/or quantification of microorganisms with peptidase activity using enzymatic substrates with the following general formula:
US07695920B2
The present invention enabled the detection and quantification of CAST, which is localized to synapses and tightly bound to the cytomatrix, and of the mRNA encoding the CAST. Furthermore, it was revealed that CAST functions as a protein scaffold for localizing RIM1 to synapses, contributing as a molecular basis for active zone formation.
US07695919B2
A method for analyzing a biological sample by antibody profiling for identifying forensic samples or for detecting the presence of an analyte. In an embodiment of the invention, the analyte is a drug, such as marijuana, Cocaine (crystalline tropane alkaloid), methamphetamine, methyltestosterone, or mesterolone. The method comprises attaching antigens to a surface of a solid support in a preselected pattern to form an array wherein locations of the antigens are known; contacting the array with the biological sample such that a portion of antibodies in the sample reacts with and binds to the antigens in the array to form immune complexes; washing away antibodies that do form immune complexes; and detecting the immune complexes, to form an antibody profile. Forensic samples are identified by comparing a sample from an unknown source with a sample from a known source. Further, an assay, such as a test for illegal drug use, can be coupled to a test for identity such that the results of the assay can be positively correlated to the subject's identity.
US07695916B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods based on genetic polymorphisms that are associated with coronary heart disease (particularly myocardial infarction), aneurysm/dissection, and/or response to drug treatment, particularly statin treatment. For example, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by these nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and variant proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid molecules and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US07695908B2
The present invention provides methods for determining a level of methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPGs) in an individual undergoing methotrexate (MTX) therapy and for optimizing dose efficacy of MTX therapy in an individual by genotyping the individual at a polymorphic site in at least one folate pathway gene (e.g., a reduced folate carrier (RFC-1) gene, a gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) gene, etc.). Methods are also provided for determining a level of MTXPGs in an individual undergoing MTX therapy and for optimizing dose efficacy of MTX therapy in an individual by generating a pharmacogenetic index based upon the genotype of the individual at a polymorphic site in an RFC-1 gene and/or a GGH gene.
US07695907B2
A gene detection field-effect device provided with an insulation film (2), a semiconductor substrate (3), and a reference electrode (4), includes: (a) the insulation film (2) including a nucleic acid probe (5) immobilized on one of the surfaces thereof and is in contact with a sample solution (6) containing at least one type of a target gene (601) for detection and analysis; (b) the semiconductor substrate (3) being installed so as to abut against the other surface of the insulation film (2); and (c) the reference electrode (4) being provided in the sample solution (6).
US07695897B2
The present invention relates to improved methods and structures for forming interconnect patterns in low-k or ultra low-k (i.e., having a dielectric constant ranging from about 1.5 to about 3.5) interlevel dielectric (ILD) materials. Specifically, reduced lithographic critical dimensions (CDs) (i.e., in comparison with target CDs) are initially used for forming a patterned resist layer with an increased thickness, which in turn allows use of a simple hard mask stack comprising a lower nitride mask layer and an upper oxide mask layer for subsequent pattern transfer. The hard mask stack is next patterned by a first reactive ion etching (RIE) process using an oxygen-containing chemistry to form hard mask openings with restored CDs that are substantially the same as the target CDs. The ILD materials are then patterned by a second RIE process using a nitrogen-containing chemistry to form the interconnect pattern with the target CDs.
US07695895B2
An alkali-developable photosensitive color composition containing a binder resin, a fluorine-containing copolymer, a photopolymerization initiator, a colorant, and a solvent. A photopolymerizable unsaturated compound is used as the binder resin. The photopolymerizable unsaturated compound is obtained by adding (B) an unsaturated monobasic acid to (A) a polyfunctional epoxy resin to form (C) an epoxy adduct and allowing the epoxy adduct (C) and (D) a polybasic acid anhydride to react with each other.
US07695888B2
A photosensitive lithographic printing plate comprising a hydrophilic support and a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer containing: (i) a sensitizing dye having an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of from 360 to 450 nm; (ii) a hexaarylbisimidazole compound; (iii) an addition polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond; (iv) a binder polymer; and (v) a mercapto compound represented by the following formula (1) as defined herein.
US07695887B2
A method of producing a pattern-forming body with high accuracy with no need for a post-exposure treatment and without allowing any photocatalyst to remain in the resultant pattern-forming body and whereby any problematic effect of the photocatalyst in the pattern-forming body is eliminated. The method includes providing a photocatalyst-containing layer-sided substrate and a pattern-forming body substrate having a characteristic-changeable layer, which is changed by the effect of the photocatalyst in the photocatalyst-containing layer, and a light-shading part formed as a pattern in such a manner that the photocatalyst-containing layer and the characteristic-changeable layer are brought into contact with each other, followed by exposure on the side of the pattern-forming body substrate to change the characteristics of the characteristic-changeable layer of the exposed part, followed by removing the photocatalyst-containing layer-sided substrate.
US07695884B2
An emulsion aggregation toner including a core and a shell wherein the core includes an amorphous polyester, a wax, a crystalline polyester and an optional colorant and wherein the shell includes an amorphous polyester and a wax and is substantially free of crystalline polyester.
US07695882B2
The present invention relates to controlling the mass flow of toner in an image forming device or a toner cartridge. The toner composition includes extra particulate additives including a conductive additive. The extra particulate additives may also include relatively small silica particles or relatively large silica.
US07695880B2
A toner, and an electrophotographic apparatus and an electrophotographic process cartridge using the toner are provided having excellent charge stability without adversely affecting electric properties of the toner even when used for a long period of time and having excellent image density stability without bringing about image deletion and blurring. The toner includes colored particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and two or more external additives. At least one of the external additives includes hydrophobic treated mesoporous particles, and the mesoporous particles are inorganic particles of at least one type selected from the group consisting of silica, titanium oxide, alumina, cerium oxide, and strontium titanate.
US07695877B2
One inventive aspect relates to a method of lithographic processing of a device). The method may be performed using a lithographic processing system and applying a reticle). Lithographic processing of a device typically is characterized by focus conditions, a set of selectable lithographic processing system parameter values and selectable reticle parameter values. The method of configuring the lithographic processing comprises receiving values for the lithographic processing system parameters and for the reticle parameters. The method further comprises receiving focus conditions for the lithographic processing, the focus conditions allowing separation of image performance effects due to lithographic processing system aberrations and image performance effects due to reticle shadowing effects. The method further comprises determining image performance effects due to lithographic processing system aberrations and the image performance due to reticle shadowing effects. Furthermore, a test kit for performing a method for lithographic processing devices such as a lithographic processing system or a reticle adapted for using the method is described.
US07695872B2
A phase shift mask may include boundaries between phase shift regions with continuous sloped phase edges. The continuous sloped phase edges may be produced by introducing a predetermined degree of defocus into a beam used during production of the mask to image the pattern on the mask. Such a phase shift mask may be “trimless”, i.e., not require a corresponding binary “trim” mask for a second exposure to remove phase conflicts after exposure with the phase shift mask.
US07695854B2
A lithium secondary battery including: a positive electrode including a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer carried on each surface of the positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode including a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer carried on each surface of the negative electrode current collector; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein an exposed portion carrying no active material layer is formed on a substantially center portion in a longitudinal direction of a least one of the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector, a current collecting lead is connected to the exposed portion, and a first heat resistant layer is formed such that the first heat resistant faces at least part of the current collecting lead.
US07695842B2
A fuel supply device for direct methanol fuel cells. The fuel supply device for direct methanol fuel cells includes a fuel tank to store a liquid fuel, a cavity plate to store the liquid fuel transferred from the fuel tank, a thin film type active pump welded on the bottom of the cavity plate to bring about a movement of the cavity plate, and a nozzle plate disposed on the cavity plate to eject the liquid fuel. Accordingly, it is possible to actively control a liquid fuel in a needed amount and supply it to a fuel cell in accordance with a use mode of an electronic device and effectively remove by-products of the fuel cell, thereby improving the efficiency of the fuel cell.
US07695837B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having a fuel gas flow path and an oxidant gas flow path; a compressor for supplying humidified air to the oxidant gas flow path; a back-pressure regulating valve for controlling pressure of humidified air in the oxidant gas flow path; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the humidified air in the oxidant gas flow path; and a control section for controlling the compressor and the back-pressure regulating valve. In this system, the pressure of humidified air in the oxidant gas flow path is regulated to become equal or approximate to a target pressure by the back-pressure regulating valve. When the pressure difference between the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and the target pressure is larger than a predetermined pressure difference, the control section corrects operating conditions of the compressor, so that the measured pressure becomes the target pressure.
US07695828B2
An electroluminescent element which comprises host materials and guest materials in a part of an electroluminescent layer, and which is superior in device characteristics such as luminous efficiency and luminous characteristics to those of the conventional electroluminescent element is provided. According to the present invention, device characteristics (luminous efficiency, luminous characteristics, or the like) of an electroluminescent element is improved by using host materials and guest materials which have a common skeleton (represented by the following general formula 1) for an electroluminescent layer interposed between a pair of electrodes in the electroluminescent element.Formula 1 wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, or the like, R2 to R5, each of which may be the same or different, are individually a hydrogen atom, or the like, and Ar1 is an aryl group which may have a substituent, or the like.
US07695801B2
Optical systems such as, for example, optical switches, are disclosed comprising a solid component and a refractive index-matching liquid composition interfaced with the solid component. The liquid composition has a refractive-index that is substantially equal to that of the solid component. In one approach the liquid composition is a saturated cyclic compound consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen and optionally oxygen such as, e.g., cyclic alkanes, alcohols or ketones. In another approach the liquid composition is benzene substituted with one or more electron-donating groups attached directly to the ring and one of more fluoro groups attached to the ring or to the electron-donating groups. In yet another approach the liquid composition is a combination comprising one or more of benzene or substituted benzene and optionally at least one of an alkane or substituted alkane having a boiling point less than about 130° C. Also disclosed are methods for preparing a liquid composition having a predetermined refractive index at a predetermined temperature and methods for transmitting optical signals.
US07695799B2
A perforated laminate comprising at least first and second layers and apertures extending through at least the first layer. The first layer is a nonwoven or formed film material, and the second layer comprises an absorbent structure. The at least first and second layers are primarily joined at the periphery of the perforated apertures. The laminate is particularly useful as a topsheet for an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper or sanitary napkin. Also described are various materials and methods used to create such laminates.
US07695795B1
Disclosed is a process for producing lactide-based copolymers and the copolymers produced by this process. Disclosed copolymers are formed in one embodiment through the copolymerization of a lactide monomer with a fluorinated diol, for example a perfluorinated polyether monomer, oligomer or copolymer. The disclosed materials may display improved mechanical characteristics, hydrolytic characteristics, and thermal characteristics as compared to previously known lactide-based materials.
US07695787B2
To provide a silica glass crucible, wherein there are no problems of generating a sinking and buckling when said crucible is used for pulling up silicon single crystal at a high temperature. The silica glass crucible used for pulling up the silicon single crystal, wherein at least an outer surface of a wall part of the crucible is covered with fine grooves having a length of less than 200 μm, a width of less than 30 μm and a depth of from more than 3 μm to less than 30 μm. Preferably, said fine groves are formed by carrying out a sand-blast treatment and a hydrofluoric acid etching and exist on more than 10% of the outer surface of the crucible, and a sliding frictional coefficient of the outer surface of the crucible to a carbon at 1500 degree C. is more than 0.6.
US07695786B2
An inflatable pneumatic bag includes two outer films up-down stacked, and two inner films located between them. By thermal-sealing means, an interval line is formed between upsides and downsides of the two inner films, while a pneumatic passage is formed between the upsides of the two inner films and the interval line. Air tubes are formed between downsides of the two outer films and the interval line, while the two inner films are bonded at the interval line to form air ingress for connecting through the pneumatic passage and the air tube. After thermal-sealing upsides of the two outer films and the interval line, a buffer space is formed between the outer films and the two films. When the air of the air tube is leaking to the buffer space, the air of the buffer space will press the inner films to seal the pneumatic passage and prevent from leaking.
US07695785B2
Certain embodiments of this invention relates to a coated article including a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) which supports a coating thereon, wherein the coating includes at least one layer of or including SbOxNy. This layer is desirable for blocking (reflection and/or absorption) of at least some ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the layer of SbOxNy may be used as a dielectric layer in a low-E (low-emissivity) coating, and may improve UV-blocking capability of such a low-E coating. Coated articles in certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of windows.
US07695779B2
An organic composition having liquid-crystal alignment characteristics includes a photosensitive compound and a binder resin represented by Formula 1 below: wherein each R1 is independently hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 is an alkyl group of 4-16 carbon atoms; R3 is an alkyl group of 1-7 carbon atoms, a cyclooxyalkyl group of 1-7 carbon atoms, a benzyl group, or a phenyl group; l, m, and n represent molar ratios of polymerization units and are respectively from about 0.01 to about 0.50, from about 0.10 to about 0.60, and from about 0.03 to about 0.50.
US07695773B2
The present invention relates to powder compositions curable by ultraviolet irradiation or by accelerated electron beams. These powder compositions comprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated resin, and lend to the production of paint and varnish coatings exhibiting a unique combination of properties, inter alia good flow and mechanical properties and above all outstanding adhesion to metal substrates, persisting on ageing.
US07695771B2
The present invention is directed to a process for forming a well visible non-chromate conversion coating on surfaces of magnesium and magnesium alloys, to a composition therefor and to a method of use for such coated articles having surfaces of magnesium or any magnesium alloy. The composition is a solution or dispersion comprising a fluorosilicon acid. The composition is preferably an aqueous solution having a pH in the range from 0.5 to 5 and includes often at least one pH adjustment agent. The thereof formed coating is useful to increase the corrosion resistance and the adhesion of magnesium and magnesium alloys to a paint coating, powder coating, e-coat, fluoropolymer coating, self-lubricant layer and adhesive bonding layer. The conversion coating may favorably be coated with a fluoropolymer coating, coated with a silane based sealing or both. The such formed coating is typically of grey mat non-metallic appearance.
US07695765B1
Methods of preparing a carbon doped oxide (CDO) layer with a low dielectric constant (<3.2) and low residual stress without sacrificing important integration properties such as refractive index and etch rate are provided. The methods involve, for instance, providing a substrate to a deposition chamber and exposing it to TMSA, followed by igniting and maintaining a plasma in a deposition chamber using radio frequency power having high and low frequency components or one frequency component only, and depositing the carbon doped oxide film under conditions in which the resulting dielectric layer has a net tensile stress of less than about 40 MPa, a hardness of at least about 1 GPa, and a SiC:SiOx bond ratio of not greater than about 0.75.
US07695763B2
In a substrate processing apparatus configured to perform a predetermined process on a target substrate accommodated in a process chamber, the process chamber is cleaned by alternately performing an operation of generating plasma of a gas containing oxygen within the process chamber, and an operation of generating plasma of a gas containing nitrogen within the process chamber.
US07695743B2
The present invention provides a novel method for preventing and treating memory and cognitive impairment resulting from oxidative stress, inflammation and the process of aging, as well as, neurodegenerative conditions. The method is comprised of administering a composition comprising a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans synthesized and/or isolated from a single plant or multiple plants to a host in need thereof. The present also includes a novel method for simultaneously inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, preventing ROS generation and augmenting anti-oxidant defenses. The activity of this composition is conducive to ultimately preserving cognitive function and providing a level of neuroprotection.
US07695738B2
The present invention provides carbohydrate encapsulated nanoparticles. In particular, the present invention provides metallic nanoparticles (e.g. gold nanoparticles) that are encapsulated in biologically important carbohydrate molecules, such as sugars, sugar derivatives, P-blood group antigens and analogues thereof. The present invention also provides methods of employing these carbohydrate encapsulated nanoparticles in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US07695733B2
A method of ameliorating neurogenic tremor in mammals, which comprises topically administering to a mammal, which has been diagnosed with a neurogenic tremor, an effective amount of a topical anesthetic.
US07695730B2
This invention relates to substantially anhydrous warming, non-toxic and nonirritating lubricating compositions containing polyols and preferably an insulating agent. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions for lubrication, administration of active ingredients and for preventing or treating dysmenorrhea.
US07695727B2
A stick lip balm with efficacious amounts of natural moisturizer and organoleptic/sensory attributes of lip feel associated with moisturizers and emollients is provided. The lip balm of the invention comprises at least 90% botanically derived materials and can be formed into a stick sufficiently robust to substantially retain the stick shape under normal conditions of shipping, storage and usage. A method of making the stick lip balm is also provided.
US07695724B2
Recombinant rabies viruses in which the arginine residue of the glycoprotein (G) at amino acid position 333 is exchanged, renders these viruses nonpathogenic for immunocompetent mammals regardless of the route of infection. Some of these recombinant rabies viruses after several serial virus passages in newborn mice can become pathogenic for adult mice. The reversion to the pathogenic phenotype is associated with a thymidine to adenosine mutation (T→A) at position 639 of the G gene, which results in an asparagine to lysine exchange at position 194 of G. The codon at position 637-639 was changed by site directed mutagenesis to replace asparagine at position 194 by an amino acid that minimized the possibility for an Asn→Lys exchange at amino acid position 194 of G and prevents reversion to a pathogenic form of the virus.
US07695721B1
The present invention relates to the use of gonadotrophins in the induction of folliculogenesis in anovulatory women. In particular, if relates to the use of LH (or an equivalent dosage of hCG) in the production of a medicament for inducing folliculogenesis in anovulatory women at a specified daily doses. In certain embodiments. LH may be used in conjunction with FSH.
US07695720B2
The present invention provides nonapeptides selected from peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 5, 8, 11, or 12; nonapeptides or decapeptides selected from peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, 30, 33, 34, 40, or 46; and peptides with cytotoxic T cell inducibility, in which one, two, or several amino acids are substituted or added to the above-mentioned amino acid sequences, as well as pharmaceuticals for treating or preventing tumors, where the pharmaceuticals comprise these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.
US07695718B2
Disclosed are methods for the treatment and/or prevention of Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and disease states and conditions characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and Type 1 diabetes, comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of anti-IL-1β antibody or fragment thereof.
US07695704B2
A process for producing borazane from boron-nitrogen and boron-nitrogen-hydrogen containing BNH-waste products. The process includes reacting the BNH-waste products with a hydrogen halide, having the formula HX, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof, to form any of the following: a boron trihalide, having the formula BX3, an ammonium halide, having the formula NH4X, and hydrogen. The boron trihalide is then reacted with the hydrogen to form diborane, having the formula B2H6, and hydrogen halide. The ammonium halide is then converted to ammonia, having the formula NH3, and hydrogen halide. The diborane is then reacted with the ammonia to form borazane, having the formula BH3NH3.
US07695697B2
Liquid hydrocarbons are removed from waste pits where they exist in a free state, via physical or mechanical methods (with heat or otherwise). The pits are blinded and closed once the areas altered by confinement of the selected material have been cleaned, using clean granular material from nearby quarries or gravel pits. The bituminous mixture or liquid oil-bearing material extracted from the pits is filitered and stabilized, using heat or chemicals, by means of a Portable Crude Stabilizer Tank. After filtering thick emulsion contaminated solid debris, the remaining oil-bearing mass is preheated and immediately liquefied in a tank, using preheating coils and, optionally, injecting chemicals. Final filtration and breaking the oil-bearing emulsion down into its components occurs in a closed horizontal or tilted receptacle, lined with thermal insulation, with diameters ranging form 43 to 86 inches, and a total length of around 15, 30 or 45 feet (varying in accordance with the required treatment speed). The receptacle operates at different internal pressures, starting with atmospheric pressure, and at temperatures ranging from ambient temperature to a few degrees below steam temperature, so as not to exceed the boiling point.
US07695695B2
A shell-and-tube reactor or heat exchanger comprises first tubes, through the inside of which a first object for heat transfer with a heat transfer medium is passed, some of the first tubes being provided in a zone in which a flow of the heat transfer medium (parallel flow) parallel to the axis of the tubes is present; and a second tube, through the inside of which the first object is not passed, the second tube being provided in said zone such that it is parallel to the axis of the first tubes. A method for producing an oxide comprises using said shell-and-tube reactor or heat exchanger, and causing a catalytic vapor-phase oxidation reaction in first tubes, through the inside of which the first object for heat transfer with the heat transfer medium is passed.
US07695691B2
This is a discharge cell used for an ozonizer. A space where a discharge gap amount is determined between the first electrodes 10 and 10 is formed by stacking a couple of upper and lower first electrodes 10 and 10, constituted by the plate-like rigid body, in both sides with sandwiching a couple of rigid body spacers 20 and 20. In this space, a dielectric body unit 30 that consists of a rigid body of the sandwich structure of sandwiching a second electrode 32 is arranged between glass plates 31 and 31. The dielectric body unit 30 is supported in a neutral position in the space by a plurality of spacers 40, 40, . . . for discharge gap formation that are inserted between the upper and lower first electrodes 10, and forms discharge gaps 50 and 50 in both sides. The minimum discharge gap amount G of 0.4 mm or less is stably secured. It is possible to prevent the damage of a cell component and a pressurizing mechanism.
US07695686B2
Sample preparation device and method for desalting and concentrating samples prior to further analysis such as by MALDI TOF and/or electro-spray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention contains a three dimensional structure preferably comprising a plurality of sorptive particles entrapped in a porous polymer matrix so as to form a device capable of carrying out solid phase extraction. The device is manufactured by introducing casting solution containing polymer and optionally particles into a housing, and subsequently exposing the device to a quench bath for a time sufficient to allow for solvent exchange and precipitation to form the composite structure in the housing. The present invention is also directed towards a method of sample preparation using the device of the present invention.
US07695680B2
An assay system having a channel bounded by first and second reflective surfaces adapted to accommodate a fluid material therebetween and defining a plurality of regions in an array between those surfaces with each region defining a resonant cavity and adapted to receive a capturing material on a surface thereof whereby a source of radiation illuminates each region to provide a standing wave of radiation of within the cavity indicative of binding of said capturing agent to material under investigation, a binding thereof being detected in response to radiation from each cavity indicative of a change in the standing wave pattern.
US07695669B2
The present invention provides a method of reutilization and method of shaping of waste plastic which reduces the amount of volatile ingredients and oil cake* to extents preferable as materials for coke ovens, enables the formation of plastic granular materials able to maintain suitable shapes even after charging into a coke oven, and does not require expensive facilities for treating any produced hydrogen chloride gas, that is, a method of reutilization of waste plastic characterized by melting waste plastic at over 160° C. to 250° C. in temperature in part or whole, compression shaping it to thereby obtain a plastic granular material having an apparent density of 0.7 to 1.2 kg/liter, and mixing this plastic granular material with coal for dry distillation in a coke oven. By bringing the gas produced at the time of compression shaping the waste plastic into contact with water or an ammonia solution and combining the water or ammonia solution with an ammonia solution of an ammonia solution treatment facility attached to the coke furnace, it is possible to remove the hydrogen chloride contained in the produced gas.
US07695663B2
This invention teaches methods of making a hermetic terminal assembly comprising the steps of: inserting temporary stops, shims and jigs on the bottom face of a terminal assembly thereby blocking assembly core open passageways; mounting the terminal assembly inside a vacuum chamber using a temporary assembly perimeter seal and flange or threaded assembly interfaces; mixing a seal admixture and hardener in a mixer conveyor to form a polymer seal material; conveying the polymer seal material into a polymer reservoir; feeding the polymer seal material from the reservoir through a polymer outlet valve and at least one polymer outlet tube into the terminal assembly core thereby filling interstitial spaces in the core adjacent to service conduits, temporary stop, and the terminal assembly casing; drying the polymer seal material at room temperature thereby hermetically sealing the core of the terminal assembly; removing the terminal assembly from the vacuum chamber, and; removing the temporary stops, shims.
US07695659B2
A method for separating a portion of extruded material from the continuous strip leaving an extruder, consisting of passing in front of the extrusion nozzle a withdrawal device associated with at least one cutting member; said withdrawal device and said at least one cutting member are made to move independently of each other with velocities, in the sense of vectors, which differ from each other and differ in relation to the material portion separated.
US07695657B2
With regard to the technology of compaction by means of vacuum vibrocompression for manufacturing slabs of composite stone, the binder consists of a dispersion of colloidal silica in water and the rough-formed article resulting from the vibrocompression step, undergoes a drying step in order to remove the water present in the vibrocompacted slab. Subsequently the pores of the slab are filled with methyl methacrylate and hardening of the resin is performed by means of heating in hot water.
US07695652B2
An optical waveguide includes a layer A and a plurality of cores enclosed in a cladding. During production of the optical waveguide, a layered film including alternate layers of a core layer and a cladding layer is cut so as to form a groove that penetrates through the layered film in a thickness direction and so as to form a plurality of core portions, and the layer A is provided so as to partially fill the groove depthwise and so as to maintain spacing between the plurality of core portions before the core portions is enclosed by the cladding.
US07695647B2
An electrically conductive, compliant elastomer material that is impregnated with a metal is formed by combining a metal salt with an elastomer precursor material to form a metal salt/precursor mixture, curing the metal salt/precursor mixture to form an elastomer impregnated with metal salt, and treating the elastomer impregnated with metal salt with a chemical reducing composition so as to convert at least a portion of the metal salt impregnated within the elastomer to a metal. The elastomer can be subjected to a suitable solvent that swells the elastomer during the chemical reduction of the metal salt to metal, which enhances the mechanical and electrical properties of the resultant metal impregnated elastomer material.
US07695644B2
One or more embodiments provide for a device that utilizes voltage switchable dielectric material having semi-conductive or conductive materials that have a relatively high aspect ratio for purpose of enhancing mechanical and electrical characteristics of the VSD material on the device.
US07695642B2
Preparation of stable, bright luminescent nanoparticles having compositionally engineered properties
A method is provided for preparing luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles composed of a first component X, a second component A, and a third component B, wherein X, A, and B are different, by combining B with X and A in an amount such that the molar ratio B:(A+B) is in the range of approximately 0.001 to 0.20 and the molar ratio X:(A+B) is in the range of approximately 0.5:1.0 to 2:1. The characteristics of the thus-prepared nanoparticles can be substantially similar to those of nanoparticles containing only X and B while maintaining many useful properties characteristic of nanoparticles containing only X and A. The nanoparticles so prepared can additionally exhibit emergent properties such as a peak emission energy less than that characteristic of a particle composed of XA or XB alone; this method is particularly applicable to the preparation of stable, bright nanoparticles that emit in the red to infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles having exemplary properties are also provided.
US07695639B2
Stable compositions of calcium hypochlorite containing selected hydrated inorganic salts having a sufficiently high enthalpy and the ability to provide water release to sufficiently quench reactions and reduce the potential for conflagration.
US07695631B2
A method and composition for reducing chemical oxygen demand is presented. The composition includes a persulfate donor and a transition metal catalyst in contact with the persulfate donor. When the composition is contacted by water, the transition metal catalyst reacts with persulfate and reduces the persulfate concentration in the water. The composition allows the use of persulfate, which is known to cause irritation to users of aquatic facilities (e.g., pools, spas) that come in contact with it. As the persulfate concentration is reduced rapidly in the water by the catalyzed reaction, the persulfate-containing cleaning product may even be used while the aquatic facilities are being used. Optionally, a free halogen donor may be incorporated into the composition. The composition may be in the form of powder, granules (coated or uncoated), or agglomerate.
US07695626B2
A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.
US07695623B2
A system for enhancing an activated sludge process that includes at least one aeration tank subsystem for receiving a flow a wastewater and for introducing dissolved oxygen to a population of microorganisms to promote growth of biological flocs in a mixed liquor defined by a concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem includes an impregnation tank for mixing the mixed liquor, virgin weighting agent, and recycled weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into biological flocs suspended in the mixed liquor to form weighted biological flocs. A flocculant injection port located downstream from at least one aeration tank for introducing a flocculant to the mixed liquor for enhancing settling and thickening of the weighted biological flocs and for providing agglomeration of non-impregnated biological flocs and/or partially impregnated biological flocs with weighted biological flocs. At least one clarifier separates and collects the weighted biological flocs from the mixed liquor to provide a secondary effluent and a settled sludge. A return activated sludge subsystem recycles the majority of the settled sludge to the at least one aeration tank. A weighting agent recovery subsystem removes and shears the remaining settled sludge and recovers the weighting agent therefrom and reintroduces the weighting agent to the at least one aeration tank. A wasting subsystem wastes the remaining sludge of the weight agent recovery subsystem to control the population of the microorganisms in the mixed liquor.
US07695616B2
A device (1) for dissolving solid chemical substances in water is provided with: a container (2), which has a bottom portion (6) designed to contain an aqueous solution; a perforated loading chamber (9), which is set at the top of the bottom portion (6) and is designed to contain a solid chemical substance (10); and a spraying device (18) set within the loading chamber (9) for directing at least one jet of water onto the solid chemical substance (10). In use, the solid chemical substance (10) is set around the spraying device (18), and the jet of water is directed downwards and/or laterally so as not to wet the solid chemical substance (10) set above the spraying device (18). In this way, there is obtained a relatively gradual dissolution of the solid chemical substance (10) and a lower development of gaseous substances having an unpleasant smell.
US07695615B2
The invention relates to a filtering device for liquid filters, mainly for potable water jug-type filters. The filtering device consists of a body filled with a filtering material and is provided with at least one outlet in the base of thereof, a lid having a water inlet and an air outlet, and at least one fixing means disposed between the body and the lid, wherein the fixing means is provided with at least one valve. The technical result achieved by use of declared the present is improving reliability and operating characteristics of the device.
US07695608B2
An electrochemical biosensor and a biosensor measuring device. The electrochemical biosensor includes a plurality of electrodes, capillary sample cell portions, reaction reagent layers, electrode connection portions, and a production lot information identification portion. The production lot information identification portion is configured such that the production lot information is recorded thereon has one or more infrared absorption/reflection marks, which indicate information about differences between production lots through the printing and/or attachment of colored or colorless materials, having differences in absorbency or reflectivity of infrared rays, in conformity of a predetermined pattern or through the attachment of transparent films. The electrochemical biosensor measuring device includes a plurality of integrated photo-reflector sensing devices that emit and receive infrared rays to identify the production lot information recorded on the production lot information identification portion of the biosensor.
US07695604B2
A primer (16) for forming a resin frame (17) is formed on an outer end portion (16p) of a separator (1) of a fuel cell. An electrodeposition coating device (2) includes an upper frame (21) and a lower frame (22), and covers only the outer end portion (16p) of the substrate (11) with a center portion (12) of the substrate (11) left uncovered. When the substrate (11) is sandwiched between the upper frame (21) and the lower frame (22) of the electrodeposition coating device (2), an annular electrodeposition chamber (31) is formed with the outer end portion (16p) of the substrate (11) located in the electrodeposition chamber (31). Then, the electrodeposition chamber (31) is filled with an electrodeposition coating solution (32), and electrodeposition coating is performed. Then, cleaning is performed by using purified water, and drying is performed by using hightemperature air.
US07695603B2
Electroosmotic flow controllers and methods of fluid flow control are described. The invention uses an electroosmotically generated flow component in conjunction with a pressure driven flow component to modulate fluid flow. The devices and methods of the invention may include salt bridges for making electrical connection between a power supply and a channel filled with a porous dielectric material and a fluid. Embodiments including flow controllers and flow splitters are described as is their use in a variety of fluid handling applications.
US07695600B2
A test system for measuring analyte concentration in a fluid sample includes: (i) a capillary-fill biosensor (20) having a working electrode (24), a reference electrode (22) and a separate counter electrode (23), arranged such that a fluid sample which flows evenly along the capillary flow path will substantially completely cover the reference electrode (22) before the fluid sample makes contact with any part of the counter electrode (23); and (ii) a test meter (42) for receiving the biosensor (20), the meter (42) including: first signal circuitry (31) for producing a first signal when an electrical circuit is detected between the reference electrode (22) and the working electrode (24); second signal circuitry (33) for producing a second signal when an electrical circuit is detected between the counter electrode (23) and at least one of the reference electrode (22) and the working electrode (24); a timer (35) for determining the time interval between production of said first signal and said second signal; and a processor (32) for triggering an error condition if said time interval exceeds a preset value or if said second signal is not produced within a preset time after said first signal is produced.
US07695595B2
Process for the production of a hydrofluoroalkane, according to which hydrofluoroalkane comprising organic impurities is subjected to at least two distillations.
US07695574B2
A method for producing an RE-containing alloy represented by formula R(T1−xAx)13−y (wherein R represents Ce, etc.; T represents Fe, etc.; and A represents Al, etc; 0.05≦x≦0.2; and −1≦y≦1) including a melting step of melting alloy raw materials at 1,200 to 1,800° C.; and a solidification step of rapidly quenching the molten metal produced through the above step, to thereby form the first RE-containing alloy, wherein the solidification step is performed at a cooling rate of 102 to 104° C./second, as measured at least within a range of the temperature of the molten metal to 900° C.; and an RE-containing alloy, which is represented by a compositional formula of RrTtAa (wherein R and A represent the same meaning as above, T represents Fe, etc.; 5.0 at. %≦r≦6.8 at. %, 73.8 at. %≦t≦88.7 at. %, and 4.6 at. %≦a≦19.4 at. %) and has an alloy microstructure containing an NaZn13-type crystal structure in an amount of at least 85 mass % and α-Fe in an amount of 5-15 mass % inclusive.
US07695570B2
The invention reduces the amounts of cleaning liquids and rinse liquid used, as well as the energy consumption. A cleaning head has a plurality of cleaning units and a drying unit. An organic substance cleaning portion of each cleaning unit blows a first cleaning agent selectively over a portion to be cleaned of a substrate, and sucks reaction products etc. through a first suction mouth. An inorganic substance cleaning portion blows a second cleaning agent over the portion to be cleaned of the substrate from which organic substance have been removed, and sucks reaction products etc. through a second suction mouth. A rinse portion blows pure water the portion of the substrate from which inorganic substance have been removed, and sucks its vapor through a third suction mouth. The drying unit dries the substrate by blowing out a heated gas from a hot wind blowing-out mouth. A light guide illuminates the portion to be cleaned of the substrate with ultraviolet light, and thereby decomposes residual organic substances.
US07695561B2
Disclosed is an improved alpha-type calcium sulfate hemihydrate. Methods of producing an improved powdered calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4.½H2O) [alpha-type] compound are disclosed, at least one method including forming calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O) into a briquette, calcining the briquette to transform the calcium sulfate dihydrate to calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type], drying the calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type] briquette, and optionally grinding the briquette. Also disclosed are methods of producing an improved gypsum plaster including producing the disclosed powdered calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type] and mixing the powdered calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type] with water.
US07695559B1
A cement suspension includes the following, in relation to the cement material: water (22-35% by weight); acetic acid (1-10% by weight); plasticizer (up to 8% by weight); and dispersant agent (0-2% by weight), having an apparent viscosity of 0.5-2 Pa·s for the casting speed gradient. Pieces of cement that are prepared from the suspension and which can be used as electronic components are also disclosed.
US07695558B2
The invention relates to a diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment of formula (I) in which R10, R11, R12 and R13 independently of one another denote hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, cyano or phenyl, characterized by a first maximum of the frequency distribution (according to weight fractions) of the crystal sizes at or below 700 nm and at least one further maximum of the frequency distribution (according to weight fractions) of the crystal sizes which is at least 100 nm above the first maximum.
US07695537B2
A dust collector with a function of secondary collection is composed of a bottom base,an air guiding box installed above the bottom base and bored with a suction hole and a dust collecting hole at its upper and bottom surface respectively, a guiding device set inside the air guiding box, a filtering bag fixed on the guiding device, and a dust bag sealed with the lower dust collecting hole of the air guiding box. In using, dust can be drawn in by a blower to enter the air-guiding box. With a secondary filtration to prolong a service life of the filtering bag.
US07695531B2
During the production of a lithium microbattery, the electrolyte containing a lithiated compound is formed by successively depositing an electrolytic thin film, a first protective thin film that is chemically inert in relation to the lithium, and a first masking thin film on a substrate provided with current collectors and a cathode. A photolithography step is carried out on the first masking thin film in order to create a mask for selectively etching the first masking thin layer, and the first protective thin layer and the electrolytic thin film are then selectively etched in such a way as to form the electrolyte in the electrolytic thin film. This technique enables the electrolyte to be formed by photolithography and etching without causing any damage thereto.
US07695527B2
Provided are high purity copper sulfate wherein the content of Ag impurities is 1 wtppm or less, and having a purity of 99.99 wt % or higher, and a manufacturing method of high purity copper sulfate including the steps of dissolving crude copper sulfate crystals or copper metal, and subjecting this to active carbon treatment or solvent extraction and active carbon treatment in order to realize recrystallization. The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method of high purity copper sulfate capable of efficiently removing impurities at a low cost by dissolving commercially available copper sulfate crystals in purified water or acid and thereafter subjecting this to the refining process, and high purity copper sulfate obtained thereby.
US07695525B2
The present invention relates to compositions for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibres, comprising a medium suitable for dyeing and a compound 2-(amino or substituted amino)-3,5-substituted phenol compounds according to the Formula (I), as defined herein.
US07695509B2
A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage. The tubular element is deployed, and the support element is expanded to an enlarged condition at the treatment location to engage an interior surface of the tubular element, thereby securing the tubular element and holding the lumen of the treatment location open.
US07695501B2
Systems, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones, such as rib bones, with bone plates.
US07695493B2
Systems for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.
US07695491B2
A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion comprising: a first elongate tubular body; a second elongate tubular body; and an elongate member joining the first and second elongate bodies. The first elongate tubular body is disposed proximal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first and second tubular bodies are permanently disposed so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other. The catheter also comprises a third elongate tubular body, at least the proximal portion of the third elongate tubular body being disposed within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, the third elongate tubular body being slidable within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, and the distal portion of the third elongate tubular body being able to be disposed in the lumen of the second elongate tubular body.
US07695488B2
The present invention is an aneurysm treatment device for treating aneurysms of various shapes and sizes.
US07695486B2
A needle device having a plurality of needles with applied tips arranged so as to define a plurality of contact edges. In one embodiment one or more oblique edges is provided relative to an intermediate horizontal edge or a plurality of oblique edges with adjacent edges sharing a common needle point vertex. The number and needle grading (e.g., fine/sharper tips; medium and heavy grades) are represented by the different contact edges of the needle device. The number of each needle sub-sets is also preferably varied to provide enhanced flexibility as the application as in cosmetic tattooing. A tool for supporting is also preferably provided as in a reciprocating needle device support is provided. The needle device is particularly well suited for providing permanent eye liner makeup in view of its adaptability to accommodate different skin textures and skin surface presentations.
US07695482B2
A torsional ligation clip applier and method of use for endoscopic or laparoscopic vessel occlusion procedures is provided. The ligation clip includes a hub portion and ligation arms for occluding a vessel. Ligation arms are independently rotatable about a common axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ligation arms. The ligation arms are biased in a first position by a biasing mechanism. The ligation arms of the clip are rotatable through at least one of a plurality of positions wherein it has a larger diameter than an access device. An applier receives at least one ligating clip in a first position and delivers the ligating clip to a vessel in a second position. Occlusion of the vessel occurs when one of the ligation arms is rotated into a third position.
US07695477B2
A milling system for use in resecting at least a portion of a joint articulation surface of a bone includes a template having a base with a top surface, an opposing bottom surface, and an opening extending therebetween. One or more fasteners are used to removably mount the template on a bone. A guide is movably mounted on the template and projecting across at least a portion of the opening of the template. The guide is selectively movable across at least a portion of the opening of the template. A rotatable mill is mounted on the guide. The mill is selectively movable along at least a portion of the length of the guide.
US07695471B2
The present invention relates to a bone fixation device having a fixation member using a shape memory effect to secure bone fractures, including but not limited to, femur, tibia and humerus fractures. The fixation member can be malleable at a room temperature, but become rigid at a body temperature because of the shape memory effect, such as derived from a super-elastic property found in such as a nickel titanium alloy. The fixation member can be formed on one or more of the shaft portion and the two end portions of a nail member for securing bone fractures, such as by providing translational and rotational stabilities. The fixation member is also capable of providing a continuous and controllable compression force over the fractured bone, if needed.
US07695463B2
A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each barrier cuff strip includes an upper layer and a lower layer at least between its proximal edge and the attachment zones. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each barrier cuff strip adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the barrier cuff strips to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the barrier cuff strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer. The laterally opposing attachment zones may act as dams preventing a lateral flow of liquid bodily waste.
US07695458B2
Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member, a seal member, a compression member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal housings. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also forms a septum, which is compressed by the compression member to prevent seepage upon removal of a stylet.
US07695447B2
An apparatus and method of determining when a container holding surgical fluid to be provided to a surgical handpiece, such as a liquefracture handpiece, is nearly exhausted is disclosed.
US07695444B1
A flexible protective cover for preventing fluid from entering an open epidermal site on a user, comprising: a central portion having at least one rib, an edge connected to the central portion at an angle, a lip disposed around the edge, a sealing member disposed over the lip for providing a sealing engagement between the lip and the open epidermal site, and at least one adjustable strap removably connected to the central portion. Also disclosed is a flexible protective cover having a central portion, an edge connected to the central portion at an angle, an inflatable sealing member integral with the edge for providing the sealing engagement, and at least one adjustable strap removably connected to the central portion.
US07695443B2
The invention relates to a device for generating shock waves for medical therapy comprising two electrodes of a spark discharge section, wherein the device is filled with a liquid medium, and wherein the liquid medium comprises a colloidal suspension of a conducting, semiconducting, or polarizable substance in water.
US07695438B2
Unipolar, bipolar or sinusoidal transmitters may leave the transmitter in any of various states at the end of one pulse. Undesired acoustic energy may be generated to change states prior to beginning another transmit sequence or pulse. For example, phase inversion for tissue harmonic imaging is performed where two sequential pulses are transmitted with different phases. The first waveform starts at a low state and ends at the low state of a unipolar transmitter. The next waveform starts at the high state. Transmit apodization or spectrum control techniques may require a pattern of waveform starting states different than a current state. Acoustic disruption due to a change of state of the transmitter between transmissions for imaging is minimized. The acoustic disruption is minimized by focusing the acoustic energy generated by the switch of states away from a scan line or scan lines being used for imaging or by defocusing the energy within the scan region generated due to the switching of states of the transmitter between acquisition cycles.
US07695432B2
An instrument for use in the treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids by applying a purse-string suture includes a tube, which has a distal end, with which it can be inserted forward into the rectum of a patient. The tube also has an open proximal end and a shell wall encompassing an inner hollow space and is provided with an elongated opening. The opening extends in the axial direction of the tube from a distal end to a proximal end. The instrument also includes a closure device, which in a closing position closes the opening and by which the opening can be successively exposed from the distal to the proximal end.
US07695428B2
In an endoscope apparatus of the present invention, an one-side gap between a tube main body of an overtube and an insertion portion is set at 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Lubricity is improved because a lubricating liquid such as water supplied from the injection port to the base end side of the tube main body is sufficiently supplied to the whole area of the gap between the tube main body and the insertion portion by setting the one-side gap at not less than 0.5 mm. Also, the snaking of the insertion portion with respect to the tube main body can be held to a minimum by setting the one-side gap at not more than 1.5 mm. As a result of this, the insertion and extraction operability of the insertion portion with respect to the overtube is improved.
US07695427B2
A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.
US07695424B2
A system for treating tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and an array of delivery tubes at least partially disposed within the lumen, each of the delivery tube having a lumen, wherein each of the delivery tubes is slidable relative to the cannula, and has a first configuration when inside the lumen, and a second configuration when outside the lumen. A system for treating tissue includes a treatment device having a distal end, and an indexing device for controlling a longitudinal position of the distal end of the treatment device relative to a target tissue region, the indexing device having a tubular portion for receiving the treatment device.
US07695423B2
A system for automatically collecting and separating whole blood into its components is described. The system includes a console, which contains all motors, pumps, sensors, valves and control circuitry, and a unique disposable set that includes a cassette supporting a centrifuge with an improved design, pump interfaces with an improved design, component and solution bags, and tubing. Various processes are implemented using a specific disposable set for each process which allows automatic identification of the process to be performed the console.
US07695422B2
A folding drum and method of operation is disclosed. The folding drum is used for folding material, in particular for a printing press. The folding drum is mounted rotatably on its longitudinal axle. The folding drum has a folding-blade spindle, the longitudinal axle of which is coupled to the longitudinal axle of the folding drum and is spaced apart from the longitudinal axle of the folding drum. Furthermore, the folding drum comprises a force generation means for generating a relief force which is opposed to a centrifugal force which is generated in the case of a rotating folding drum by the co-rotating folding-blade spindle. Thus, the disadvantageous influence of the centrifugal force can be reduced. As a result, in particular, a mounting of the folding-blade spindle can be relieved. The wear of the mounting can be reduced and its service life can be increased.
US07695420B2
The machine comprises a mandrel (4), a winding member (7) to helically wind said strips of web material about said mandrel and form a continuous tube; and rotating disk-shaped cutter (25), cooperating with said mandrel (4), to cut the continuous tube (T) into individual tubular products (M). The disk-shaped cutter (25) is carried by a rotating arm (23).
US07695416B2
A device for increasing the range of motion of a patient's knee joint generally includes a frame, a lever member pivotally coupled to the frame at a first location, and an actuator pivotally coupled to the frame at a second location. The frame supports the patient in a manner that allows motion of the patient's knee joint, and the lever member bears against a portion of the patient's body below the knee joint. The actuator is also pivotally coupled to the lever member. When operated by a controller, the actuator generates a translational input that rotates the lever member relative to the frame and thereby stretches the patient's knee joint in a desired direction.
US07695412B2
The present invention provides a system and a method for a portable attachment device. The portable attachment device includes a narrow attachment end, a wide wrap end, a fastening means on the narrow attachment end, a fastening means on the wide wrap end, and padding located within the wide wrap end. The portable attachment device is attachable to a first item by wrapping the narrow attachment end around a portion of the first item and attaching the narrow attachment end to a portion of the wide wrap end, securing the portable attachment device to the item. The first item is then attachable to a second item by wrapping the wide wrap end of the attachment device around the second item. In one embodiment the portable attachment device is used to secure the leg and calf of a wearer to a construction stilt, securely and comfortably holding the leg in place.
US07695411B2
A multimotion exercise bicycle capable of providing a cardiovascular exercise simultaneously with an upper body weight training exercise. The cardiovascular exercise is accomplished by a pedaling movement connected to a resistance means. The upper body exercise is accomplished by a pushing or a pulling movement of a handlebar and arm setup connected to a disk which is further connected to a cable attached to a weight bearing platform. The weight of the user provides the resistance for the upper body movement. The difficulty level of the upper body movement is adjustable by changing the location of the handlebars relative to the disk and by changing where the cable attaches to the disk. As the user performs these exercises simultaneously, the invention allows the user to burn more calories and reduce work-out time in half.
US07695409B2
An independent and foldable running exercise installation that includes: a platform that includes a chassis and, incorporated into the latter, a running track and its tensioning and driving means fixed to the front of the platform, two lateral uprights the top ends of which support a handlebar that includes two lateral branches connected by a linking part, and the ends of which act as handles. Each lateral upright is formed of a front arm and a rear arm which are in parallel and articulated by their lower ends on the side of the platform, on two pivoting axes, and by their top ends to the lateral branches on two pivoting axes. Since the first axis is higher than the second, the four axes forming a deformable parallelogram between a position of use in which the handgrips are more or less horizontal and the lateral uprights are more or less vertical, and a storage position in which the linking part is placed flat on the top of the platform and the lateral uprights on the sides of the platform. The installation includes removable means for locking the lateral uprights at least in the position of use.
US07695405B2
A shift shock reducing apparatus for a power train having an engine and an automatic transmission having a frictional element that is to be engaged at upshift, comprising a control section that executes, during upshift, a torque down of the engine that starts before the start of an inertia phase in which a gear ratio of the transmission is changing from a before-shift gear ratio to an after-shift gear ratio, and a control section that makes larger a rising gradient of working oil pressure that is supplied to the frictional element to be engaged at upshift when the torque down that starts before the start of the inertia phase is executed than that when the torque down is not executed.
US07695401B2
A method for controlling a vehicle powertrain that includes a first power path including a first electric machine driveably connected to a first wheel set and a second power path including a second electric machine driveably connected to a second wheel set, including determining a desired wheel torque required to hold the vehicle stationary on an inclined surface, determining a temperature of the first machine and a first reference temperature, determining a torque capacity of the first power path, and using the first power path to produce the desired wheel torque, if the temperature of the first electric machine is less than the first reference temperature and the torque capacity of the first power path is greater than the desired wheel torque.
US07695399B2
A planet carrier assembly has a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on pinion pins, each pin having a slot formed thereon. A locator ring is assembled onto the pinion pins and rotated in a manner such that the locator ring engages the slots in the pinion pins and a plurality of tabs and protuberances engage complementary components formed on a housing member of the planet carrier assembly. The locator ring ensures both axial and rotational positioning of the pinion pins within the planet carrier housing.
US07695391B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, one fixed interconnection, three external gear sets and a final drive gear set. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the external gear sets. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various planetary and external gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07695389B2
A gear drive assembly (33) includes a housing (24), an external base (28) movable with respect to the housing, and an external gear member (12) associated with the external base. The assembly includes an internal gear member (14) surrounded by the external gear member and in meshing relation therewith. The assembly also includes a plurality of conductive polymer actuators (26) defining actuator sets. Each actuator set is coupled at one portion thereof to the housing with another portion thereof being coupled to the external base. Each actuator is constructed and arranged to deflect when voltage is applied thereto such that when voltage is selectively applied to the actuator sets, deflection of the actuators causes the external base to move causing the external gear member to move in an orbiting manner with respect to the internal gear member.
US07695384B2
A belt device that is provided with an endless belt having a projection on an inner surface of the endless belt, the projection extending parallel to a running direction of the endless belt; and a support roller having a guide member that contacts the projection, the support roller supporting the endless belt so as to run the endless belt, wherein the guide member is separately provided from the support roller and nonrotatably supported between the support roller and the projection.
US07695376B2
Technology that allows the angle of the shaft of a golf club to adjust in small increments. The front of the club head consists of a round opening that accepts a corresponding thin round member which can be rotated to a number of positions. The round opening also accepts a corresponding round member on the end of the shaft. This round member slides into the round opening in the front of the club head after the thin round member is seated firmly. A protrusion on the round shaft member will insert into one of the many divots on the opposing face of the thin round member, resulting in an allowable shaft angle.
US07695369B2
Systems and methods for accessing online content during online gaming are disclosed. In one embodiment, online gamers are able to access available online music content while in-game. Player-selected music content may be played and incorporated directly into the online RPG/MMORPG gaming experience. Players desiring to access additional music content to be played while in-game may be directed to a third-party server, from which the desired music content may be selected and/or downloaded. The selected music content may then replace the generic background music to which all other players are limited.
US07695368B2
With a game implemented by the present game program, a touch panel type of monitor will be used, and a bat character displayed on the touch panel type of monitor will be rotated by a command means from a first position to a second position while the command means is in contact with the bat character. Then, the bat character will be rotated in reverse from the second position to the first position based upon the characteristics set in the bat character in response to the amount of rotation.
US07695360B2
Preprinted game tickets, such as pull tab tickets, are dispensed from a vending machine. Instead of having a fixed cost and a fixed prize amount, the game tickets may be purchased at different bet levels and credit values, both of which change the cost and prize amount. Buy-a-pay payments are also provided to buy additional symbol combinations. Furthermore, the deal from which the tickets are derived is not determined by the total wager amount.
US07695356B2
With a game implemented by the present game program, ball dispatch origin characters will be displayed on a monitor. In addition, characters corresponding to ball dispatch destinations will be displayed on the monitor. A ball dispatch destination character will be identified when the command means is placed into contact with one of the characters corresponding to the dispatch destinations. If this occurs, a ball character will be dispatched from one of the ball dispatch origin characters to one of the ball dispatch destination characters.
US07695354B2
Fish processing machines and methods for realigning fish during processing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a fish processing machine in accordance with the invention includes a fish processing unit for use with a processing machine having a fillet assembly and/or a skinner assembly. The processing unit includes an inspection assembly with a conveyor system operably coupled to the fillet assembly and/or skinner assembly and an alignment device operably coupled to the conveyor system. The conveyor system extends along a processing path to transport a fillet of fish that has been sliced from a trunk of the fish. The alignment device is positioned to automatically realign the fillet with respect to the processing path without manually manipulating the fillet before the fillet is transferred from the conveyor system to an inspection table.
US07695338B2
A toy construction set comprising a first toy construction element configured to resemble a toy construction element and toy construction elements which contains electronic units controllable from said first element, wherein the elements form an integrated toy structure when incorporated therein. The first toy construction element has means, integrated within it, for programming the element by means of a user interface and for storing a program to provide controlled actions of the structure within which it is incorporated. Additionally, the first toy construction element is configured to transmit the program as a download program to a second construction toy.
US07695337B2
An organic light-emitting diode and method of fabricating the same. The organic light-emitting diode includes a first substrate, a first electrode installed on an inner surface of the first substrate, an organic light-emitting layer installed on the first electrode, a second electrode installed on the organic light-emitting layer, an oxide layer formed on the second electrode, and a second substrate bound to the inner surface of the first substrate to form an airtight space.
US07695317B2
An electrical connector includes a printed circuit board, a plug fixedly and electrically connected to the printed circuit board, an electromagnetic shielding cover configured for encompassing the printed circuit board, a reinforced frame configured for framing the plug and the electromagnetic shielding cover to the circuit board and, a housing configured for housing the printed circuit board, the plug, the electromagnetic shielding cover and the reinforced frame therein.
US07695316B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a connecting member. The first electrical connector includes an insulative main body with a receiving recess defined therein. The second electrical connector includes an insulative main body with a receiving recess defined therein. The connecting member is slidably engaged in the receiving recess of the first electrical connector and is configured for being slidably engaged in the receiving recesses of the first and second connectors simultaneously, thereby combining the first and second connectors together.
US07695313B2
A mounting assembly includes a DIN rail for removably securing a number of electrical switching apparatus such as, for example circuit breakers, to a panel member of an electrical enclosure. First and second mounting members extend outwardly from first and second ends, respectively, of the DIN rail. Each mounting member has at least one lateral protrusion. The first and second mounting members are, for example, a number of first resilient legs and a number of second resilient legs, respectively, each of which is structured to bias a corresponding one of the lateral protrusions into engagement with one of the coupling elements of the panel member. The DIN rail, the number of first resilient legs, and the number of second resilient legs are structured to removably secure the circuit breakers to the panel member of the electrical enclosure, without requiring a number of separate fasteners.
US07695308B2
A connection module for housing a contact element used to electrically connect wires within the module, the module being formed of first and second parts arranged to interfit so as to define a first set of openings, each being shaped to receive an end section of one of said wires for electric connection to the contact element, which pass into the module from a first end face toward an opposite second end face, the first part having first and second slots in opposed side walls, and the second part having a first protrusion which is received in a first one of the slots to at least partially fill an open end of said first one of said slots to thereby define an aperture to allow a test probe to access the contact element.
US07695304B2
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing having a front frame and a rear frame engaged with the front frame. The front frame defines at least two receiving grooves at a top portion and a bottom portion thereof respectively. The rear frame defines at least one fixing groove passing through a front portion thereof. At least one latch member has a hollowed bearing portion extending from both distal ends thereof to form two resilient arms. The bearing portion and the resilient arms are received in the fixing groove of the rear frame. A tip end of each resilient arm extending into the corresponding receiving groove protrudes to form a limiting portion which is exposed out of the receiving groove of the front frame, and a plurality of terminals is disposed in the insulating housing respectively.
US07695297B2
An electrical connector including a housing; electrical contacts connected to the housing; and a mate assist system for assisting in mating the electrical connector to a mating electrical connector. The mate assist system includes a lever pivotably connected to the housing, a slider slidably connected to the housing, and a system for preventing unintentional movement of the lever from an unlocked position. The system for preventing unintentional movement of the lever includes a first latch adapted to be manually actuated by a user and a second latch on the slider adapted to be automatically moved by the mating electrical connector when the housing is initially mounted on the mating electrical connector. Both the first and second latches are moved to enable movement of the lever from the unlocked position.
US07695291B2
A fuse test and ground device includes an insulated housing with a bore that extends from the front of the housing towards the rear of the housing. An electrical contact is disposed partially within the bore. A current interrupter, such as a fuse, is electrically connected between the contact and a testing ground lead. An eye, having it's surface insulated by the housing, can be attached to the housing and provide a connection point for manipulation of the device. A grounding bore extends from a second aperture into the housing and provides an electrical connection to the contact. A grounding plug can be connected to ground on one end and inserted into the grounding bore to create a permanent ground for the device. An annunciator is connected to the current interrupter such that the annunciator provides an indication when a current flows through the current interrupter.
US07695290B2
A board connector (1) has a housing (10) and terminal fittings (20) penetrate through the back wall (11) of the housing (10). A board connecting portion (21) of each terminal fitting (20) penetrates through the back wall (11) and is solder-connected to a board (2). The housing (10) has a heat transfer inhibiting portion for inhibiting heat transfer to the back wall (11). The heat transfer inhibiting portion has a through-hole (13) or heat-insulating grooves (17) in the back wall (11). As a result, heat transfer to the back wall (11) is inhibited and deformation of the back wall (11) due to thermal expansion also is inhibited. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the terminal fittings (20) from separating from the board (2) and going into a state of being not solder-connected thereto.
US07695282B2
In a driver training program, a manager conducts an observation drive with a program participant. During the observation drive, the manager observes the participant's driving without commenting on the driving. The manager discusses the observations with the participant during the conference, and provides reports to appropriate departments of the company, e.g., human resources, benefits, and fleet maintenance departments. Based on the manager's observations during the observation drive and other information regarding driving skills of the participant, a driver training curriculum is designed for the participant. The information regarding driving skills may include: the participant's driving record; actual driving information obtained by monitoring driving of the participant with a global positioning system and/or acceleration, braking, and cornering forces sensors; the participant's psychological profile; the participant's health-related information; and information regarding the participant's previous driver training. Future observation drive may be scheduled responsive to the information regarding the participant's driving skills.
US07695276B2
The present invention relates to a furnace (10), its method of operation and control. The invention overcomes problems associated with existing furnaces by improving the recovery rate of waste metal. In a preferred embodiment the furnace (10) comprises a cylindrical body of constant internal diameter. The furnace body (12) is mounted on a frame (15) pivoted to a ground members (16a and 16b), the furnace body (12) is adapted to be reclined or inclined or at various angles (α and ⊖); a burner (30) to heat the furnace, and a door (19a, 19b) for sealing an open end (14). As the internal walls of the furnace body (12) are of a constant diameter, it is no longer necessary to incline the furnace (10) to such a degree in order to pour molten metal, because there is no narrow neck (which previously acted like a weir). In a preferred embodiment combustion air is routed through the door hinge to the burner (30). As a result the air/fuel delivery system has gas tight rotary and elbow joints is attached to the furnace (10) and tilts and moves with the furnace (10). An artificial intelligence system monitors process variables and controls the operation of the furnace (10).
US07695272B2
A device for producing a polymerizable synthetic material optical lens, including a closure member (12) that is adapted to grip two molding shells (14A, 14B) circumferentially to define a molding cavity (15) in conjunction with the shells (14A, 14B), the closure member (12) including a synthetic material wall (123) adapted to come into contact with the molding shells (14A, 14B) and the closure member (12) incorporating a molding material introduction passage (125) discharging into the molding cavity (15) through a casting opening (126); characterized in that the closure member (12) includes a seal (40) that forms the contact wall (123) and the introduction passage (125), which joint (40) is formed of an elastomer material and of a rigid insert (43) at least part of which has the elastomer material molded over it, the introduction passage (125) being inside the insert (43).
US07695269B2
An apparatus and method for degating is provided for separating excess molding material from encapsulated electronic packages while the electronic packages are located in a molding system. At least one holding device is coupled to a mold of the molding system, which is located such that excess molding material is molded onto at least a portion of the holding device during molding. A locking feature on the portion of the holding device locks the excess molding material such that the holding device may hold the excess molding material molded onto it to forcibly separate the excess molding material from the encapsulated electronic packages after molding.
US07695267B2
A rib forming apparatus has an elongated support table, a supply of thermoplastic sheet material over the table, a transporting means having at least two transverse carriages mounted on the table to slide along longitudinal edges thereof, a thermal means mounted on one of the carriages for locally heating the sheet material in preparation of a molding press, and at least one press module mounted on another carriage and having a reciprocating press blade positioned at one flat side of the sheet material and a couple of swiveling press blades positioned at the opposite flat side of the sheet material and movable toward the reciprocating press blade to mold the heated section of the sheet material by closing the above three press blades toward each other, whereby a series of vertical rib folds are formed transversely of the sheet material and advanced by the transport means through the closed press blades.
US07695264B2
There are provided a golf ball molding die capable of manufacturing a golf ball having a satisfactory surface condition, and a golf ball manufactured by using the die. The present golf ball molding die comprises at least two die bodies within which a cavity for molding a golf ball is formed by jointing of the die bodies; and a pin accommodating hole provided in at least one of the die bodies, and is characterized in that at least one groove communicating directly with the cavity is provided in the wall surface of the pin accommodating hole.
US07695259B2
A rotary fluid pressure device (11) includes a plate assembly (17) having a plate member (71) and at least one cover plate (105), which defines a mounting surface (107) adapted for sealing engagement with an exterior surface (77) of the plate member (71), or at least one control valve assembly (105), which defines a mounting surface (117) adapted for sealing engagement with the exterior surface (77). The cover plate assembly (105), when mounted to the exterior surface (77), provides fluid communication between openings (95, 97) of upstream and downstream fluid passages (91, 93), thereby providing single-speed functionality. The control valve assembly (115), when mounted to the exterior surface (77), provides selective fluid communication between the openings (95, 97) of upstream and downstream fluid passages (91, 93), thereby providing multi-speed functionality.
US07695250B2
The apparatus of the present invention provides a compact dual-pump assembly for an automotive transmission. The dual-pump assembly preferably includes a housing having a valve assembly mounted thereto. The valve assembly includes a shuttle valve disposed in fluid communication with a pressure regulating valve. An on-axis pump is mounted to the housing in fluid communication with the shuttle valve and the pressure regulating valve. An off-axis pump in fluid communication with the shuttle valve is mounted to the housing in close proximity to the on-axis pump such that the dual-pump assembly is compact.
US07695247B1
A turbine blade having a platform and an airfoil extending from the platform. The platform includes a plurality of pressure side cooling channels formed within the platform and extending from a location along the aft edge of the platform. Each cooling channel includes a supply hole connected to the box rim cavity formed below the platform. Each pressure side cooling channel opens into a diffuser positioned along the pressure side edge of the platform to discharge cooling air onto the suction side platform of an adjacent blade. The suction side of the platform has cooling channels with supply holes connected to the box rim cavity and discharge holes positioned along the aft edge of the platform. The pressure side and suction side cooling channels in the platform have a curvature substantially of the same curvature as the airfoil in order to cool the entire platform surface exposed to the hot gas flow.
US07695239B2
The present invention is a pod opener having an end effector which: a. grips and releases a reticle supported above the base of a pod; and b. while transferring the reticle between the base of the pod and an adjacent IC photolithography tool, reorients the reticle. In one embodiment, the pod opener reorients the reticle by rotating it about a single axis disposed substantially perpendicular to its patterned surface. In another embodiment, the present invention is a pod opener which while transferring the reticle between the base of the pod and an adjacent IC photolithography tool, in addition to effecting rotation substantially perpendicular to a reticle's patterned surface, also turns the reticle over so a patterned surface of the reticle is oriented for proper focus within the IC photolithography tool.
US07695236B2
A versatile mobile utility cart or vehicle using either tracks, wheels or both for suspension and steering with propulsion coming from but not limited to an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. The vehicle is meant to be a utility workhorse with the ability to load and unload itself as well as drag or carry materials. The vehicle can be configured in many ways to do many tasks with the main feature being labor savings. One of the unique features of the vehicle is a loading system called a fork and foot system. For transport the forks and feet system can be raised or detached individually or as a system, this is beneficial when unloading. The foot may remain attached and used for stability. Detaching the fork and foot system as a system allows the vehicle to be used for other tasks including but not limited to: a dump vehicle; a skidder; a reel carrier; a fork lift/carrier; and a prime mover or base for brush chippers, stump cutters, tree spades and more.
US07695234B2
A device for temporarily loading, storing and unloading a container without deforming the container and affecting its contents. An enclosure (2) having struts (3) at both its left and right sides is provided. A support beam (4) of a transporter (10) that is provided with a pair of horizontal retaining fingers (13, 13) is attached in a vertically movable manner between the struts on the rear-surface side of the enclosure (2), and a plurality of horizontal shelves (20) is arranged between the struts on the rear-surface side of the enclosure with spaces (H) in a height direction of the container (19), the spaces being larger than the height dimension (h) of the container (19). Further, the retaining fingers (13, 13) of the transporter (10) are made to protrude toward the shelves (20) and the distance (L) between the pair of retaining fingers (13, 13) is made to be suitable for lifting the container.
US07695230B2
An apparatus having a supporting surface (3) for containers (4) and a device for loading and unloading the containers (4) onto the supporting surface (3). The device has a component (11) for unloading the containers from the supporting surface and a drive unit (12) for facilitating movement of the component (11) relative to a supporting surface (3).
US07695228B2
A fastener for securing remnant-producing materials, a method of manufacturing the fastener, and a method of using the fastener are provided. The fastener is configured such that in use any remnants or slivers produced by rotation of the fastener are forcibly driven into the surface of the material. In one aspect, the fastener has two separate threaded portions, a first or lower threaded portion and a second or upper threaded portion. The threads on the lower threaded portion have a pitch that is different from the threads on the upper threaded portion. In one embodiment, the lower threaded portion threads have a larger pitch than the threads on the upper threaded portion. In use, after the lower threaded portion is completely inserted into the material, the upper threaded portion of the fastener enters the material. Because the upper threaded portion has threads that have a pitch that is different from the threads on the lower threaded portion, the threads on the upper threaded portion capture the remnants that have been extruded within or onto the surface of the material. As the fastener is completely inserted into the material, the remnants that have been extruded by the lower threaded portion of the fastener are substantially retained in the bore by the upper threaded portion of the fastener.
US07695225B2
Fitting systems and assemblies are detailed. The assemblies are designed principally (although not necessarily exclusively) for use with aircraft seats and supply positive adjustable positioning of a seat or other object, typically actuated with a single turn (or less) of a single tool.
US07695222B2
An indexable insert (1) of the present invention includes a substrate (8) and a coating layer which includes inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer includes an alumina layer or an alumna-containing layer serving as an outermost layer in contact with the outer layer, and the outer layer is composed of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of the periodic table group IVa elements, Va elements, and VIa elements, Al, and Si or a compound of at least one of the metals and at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and boron. In addition, the outer layer, in a portion involved in cutting, satisfies B/A≦0.9 wherein A μm is the average thickness on the flank face (3) side, and B μm is the average thickness on the rake face (2) side.
US07695220B2
A device for transporting articles is disclosed. In the illustrated and described embodiment of the invention, the articles are fruit such as apples, and the articles can be transported from a picking location on a fruit tree to a collection bin or other site. The device includes a tube member adapted to receive and transport the articles, and a plurality of deformable baffles at spaced-apart locations within the tube. Each baffle defines an aperture which permits the article to engage and deform the baffle and aperture so as to move through the aperture and down the tube. The article is urged through the tube by a pressure differential created across the article. In the described and illustrated embodiment of the invention, this pressure differential is a pneumatic pressure differential.
US07695213B1
A manhole cover assembly including a frame defining an opening and a cover sized to engage the opening. A lift pin is retained by the frame, defining a first axis, and includes a bearing portion, and a top end connected to the cover. The lift pin is free to slide axially along the first axis. A spiral cam is retained to the frame by a torque shaft including an upper and lower end, defining a second axis offset from the first axis. The spiral cam includes a cam surface in selective engagement with the bearing portion of the lift pin so that rotation of the torque shaft about the second axis causes rotation of the spiral cam about the second axis and displacement of the lift pin along the first axis.
US07695209B2
A stopper for mounting on a neck of a fluid reservoir, said stopper including a fastener collar and a closure member, the collar defining an orifice, and the closure member being suitable for closing said orifice. The closure member includes a fluid extractor and/or applicator element that extends through the collar.
US07695208B2
An applicator device serves for application of a liquid medium. The applicator device has a reservoir for the medium and an applicator. The applicator is surrounded by a protective sleeve in the reservoir. The protective sleeve is rigidly connected with the reservoir. The inner diameter of the protective sleeve is constant in the vicinity of an applicator tip of the applicator and exceeds the outer diameter of the applicator penetrating into the reservoir. The protective sleeve extends down to a bottom of the reservoir and bears against the bottom via a resilient sleeve portion. As a result, an applicator device is obtained which provides for protection of the applicator tip and is easy to fabricate.
US07695206B2
A printer having an opening/closing cover for providing access to a roll paper compartment, a peeler mechanism for peeling printed labels from a web and for dispensing the peeled printed labels from the printer and an opening and closing mechanism 50 which locks and unlocks the cover and a peeler unit 10 of the peeler mechanism in response to the manual operation of a manual operating member such as a release button 17 with a single easy operation. When the release button 17 is depressed into a first operating position 17B, a lock lever 52 of the opening/closing mechanism 50 slides from a locked position 52A to a released position 52B to disengage the lock lever 52 thus unlocking the opening/closing cover 9. At the same time, the sliding lock lever 52 pushes engaging claws 74a, 73a that lock or unlocks the peeler unit 10. When the cover release button 17 is further depressed into a second operating position 17C, the lock lever 52 swings and a cover-lifting surface 54 on the lock lever 52 pushes the opening/closing cover 9 up causing the unlocked opening/closing cover 9 to move into a raised open position. Simply pushing the cover release button 17 thus unlocks and raises the opening/closing cover 9, and unlocks the peeler unit 10.
US07695199B2
An optical subassembly (“OSA”) for use in optical communications modules is disclosed. The OSA solves various issues related to the insertion and removal of an optical fiber connector into and from the OSA receptacle, including hard plug, wiggle performance, and shavings production. In one embodiment, an optical communications module is disclosed and includes a housing and an optical subassembly of the present invention partially contained within the housing. The optical subassembly includes various components, including a body composed of a first material, and a plug receptacle formed with the body. The plug receptacle includes an inner surface on which surface features, such as threads, are formed. A hollow cylindrical sleeve composed of a second material is received in the plug receptacle such that the outer sleeve surface engages the surface features of the plug receptacle inner surface and such that an optical fiber connector can be received by the sleeve.
US07695189B2
A system may include biasing of diodes of a temperature sensor disposed in an integrated circuit die using a current from an off-die current source, generation of a voltage based on the current and a temperature of the integrated circuit die, and determination of a first temperature based on the voltage. Such a system may further include amplification of the voltage using an oscillator and a chopper stabilizer, determination of a first amplified voltage associated with a first state of the oscillator and a second amplified voltage associated with a second state of the oscillator, and determination of a third voltage based on the first amplified voltage and the second amplified voltage, wherein determination of the first temperature based on the voltage comprises determination of the first temperature based on the third voltage.
US07695187B2
A watchcase assembly comprising a watchcase for housing a watch mechanism, a generally planar member or a generally ring-shaped member, and a releasable connector for releasably connecting the member to the front of said watchcase, wherein the releasable connector comprises an operable device which is manually actuable or depressible by one or more fingers of the user to disconnect the member from the watchcase.
US07695181B2
A backlight assembly includes a light source providing light, a mold frame receiving the light source unit and a bottom chassis. The bottom chassis includes a bottom plate, sidewalls extending from the bottom plate and an extension part bent from at least one of the sidewalls and overlapping an adjacent sidewall. The mold frame and the bottom chassis are integrally formed. The extension part overlaps the adjacent sidewall at a corner of the bottom chassis. Thus, the torsional strength of the bottom chassis and a backlight assembly having the bottom chassis is improved. The torsional strength is maintained when a backlight assembly is manufactured.
US07695177B2
An optical device guides illuminating light from a light source and includes a light-guiding unit including an incidence face which the illuminating light from the light source is incident upon, an emission face which emits the illuminating light and has a larger area than the incidence face, and a reflection face which guides rays of the illuminating light which are incident from the incidence face to the emission face, and a holder which secures the light-guiding unit in position with the light source. The light-guiding unit and the holder are connected together on the emission face side of the light-guiding unit.
US07695176B2
A projection-type vehicle headlamp includes a lamp body, a front cover forming a lamp housing together with the lamp body, a light projection unit accommodated inside the lamp body, and a cover extending in a forward direction from the light projection unit. A louver is formed on a portion of the cover where light from the light projection unit is irradiated so as to allow irradiated light to pass through the louver.
US07695175B2
A vehicle lamp can suppress dimensions in the depth direction and provide a large emission area with a simple configuration, and has a light-emitting surface of wraparound configuration with impressive appearance and aesthetic qualities. The vehicle lamp can include a light source unit and a light guide lens. The light source unit can include a light source, and a converting part for converting light from the light source to a narrow width light. The conversion part has an emission area for emitting the converted light. The light guide lens can include one end face having a shape corresponding to the emission area of the conversion part, a thin plate-like light guiding portion for guiding the incident light, and another end face being a farthest part away from the incident surface. The light guide lens guides the incident light toward the other end face and emits the guided light from a predetermined surface thereof as it travels on its way through the lens.
US07695173B2
A motorcycle front lighting apparatus structure includes a headlight and a position light provided adjacent to the headlight. In this structure, the position light is disposed in a condition protruding downwardly from a lower edge of the headlight. This structure allows the position light to be made larger, and makes any needed repair easy and cost effective.
US07695171B2
A system for the customization of an electronic candle, which system includes an electronic candle assembly comprising an illumination element and means for illuminating the illumination element for providing a simulated illuminated wax candle effect, a first sleeve having a translucent portion and first customizing indicia, a second sleeve having a translucent portion and second customizing indicia, a second indicia being visually distinguishable from the first indicia, the assembly and each sleeve has cooperable constructions for selective assembly of each sleeve to the electronic candle assembly for customizing the alternative electronic candle.
US07695166B2
An LED light bulb where the LED light bulb itself is molded into various shapes. The plastic lens used to surround the diode is shaped when manufactured to resemble various items, such as stars, crosses, hearts, trees, pinecones, bulbs, flat panels with designs, or any other shape the user desires. Because the entire light bulb is the LED, uniform and consistent light can be emitted from every part of the plastic lens that makes up the shaped LED light bulb, allowing the user to view the shaped LED light bulb from any angle. The shaped LED light bulb can be used individually, or strung together to form a strand of shaped lights.
US07695157B2
A housing support assembly for supporting a linear light fixture, said light fixture having an elongate linear housing for accommodating one or more than one lamp, the support assembly comprising a first planar support member and a second support member, said first planar support member being arranged to be releasably coupled with the second support member, said first planar support member conforming to a predetermined cross-sectional dimension of the linear housing for releasable coupling therewith, said support assembly being adapted to mount one or more than one lamp socket thereon.
US07695156B2
An omnidirectionally illuminated helmet emits light along a substantial portion of the helmet surface. An interior cushion is provided for comfort and safety of the wearer's head, while an outer shell is provided for protection from impacts. This outer shell includes a plurality of transparent displays intermingled with opaque sections or regions throughout the entire surface. An electroluminescent light source substantially covers the interior cushion. The outer shell is then placed upon the electroluminescent light source in a manner that aligns the plurality of transparent displays with the light source so that the transparent displays emit light therefrom. Transparent displays are located on the entire hemispherical constructs of the outer shell, including the sides, back, front, and top, so that light is emitted from virtually the entire helmet and can be seen from any vantage point. The margin of safety provided during dusk or night-time hours when vehicles may be approaching is substantially increased by illuminating the wearer's head from all angles.
US07695154B2
A customized light module comprising is provided according to one embodiment of this disclosure. The customized light module, according to this embodiment, includes a housing, a light source, a removable decorative cap and a battery. The housing includes a stem configured to secure the customized light module within an aperture of an article of footwear. The light source is coupled with the housing. The decorative cap may be removably coupled with the housing and may be configured to illuminate when the light source is illuminates. The battery may be accessibly secured within the housing with a two-stage mechanism. The two-stage mechanism, for example, may include a child lock. In some embodiments, the housing has at least two configurations: a first configuration and a second configuration. A circuit is created between the battery and the light source in the first configuration and closed in the second configuration.
US07695153B2
The present invention is an umbrella light with an audio module, including a hosing, at least two fastener, at least two turned lights, an audio module and a control module. The fastener provides a better gripper structure with a torsional spring, and the audio module can be arranged with external audio source, which provides people with wonderful melody.
US07695147B2
Provided are a retro-reflection product using water based resin and a fabrication method thereof. The retro-reflection product includes a glass bead layer attached on a film, an aluminum layer selectively deposited on the glass bead layer according to need, and a base layer for adhering leather, fabric, or urethane sheet. A water based color resin coating layer is primarily coated with water based polyurethane resin over a surface of the glass bead layer. A water based adhesive resin coating layer is secondarily coated with water based polyurethane resin on a surface of the water based color resin coating layer.
US07695127B2
A recording liquid to be attached in a droplet state to an object for the purpose of recording on the object is disclosed, which contains at least one alkylene glycol selected from 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,3-hexanediol, thereby adjusting a zero second dynamic surface tension thereof at 35 mN/m or more and not more than 40 mN/m and contains a surfactant, thereby adjusting a static surface tension thereof which is satisfied with the following numerical expression (1): (γdst0−3)≦γsst≦(γdst0−1) (1) wherein γdst0 [mN/m] represents a zero second dynamic surface tension; and γsst [mN/m] represents a static surface tension.
US07695124B2
An inkjet printer having a print head mounted on a carriage and an off-carriage ink reservoir, the carriage being arranged for moving the print head relative to a receiving medium, wherein the printer includes a hose for connecting the print head to the reservoir to enable the supply of ink from the reservoir to the print head, the hose having a multi-layered wall, containing an intermediate poly-urethane compound containing layer disposed between low density poly-ethylene compound-containing layers.
US07695116B2
In a disclosed recording head, a piezoelectric element applies pressure to a liquid chamber by causing an oscillating plate of the liquid chamber to be displaced. Liquid is supplied to the liquid chamber via a flow resistance part. The oscillating plate has a first portion facing a liquid chamber and a second portion facing the liquid supplying path. The piezoelectric element is longer than the liquid chamber, and an edge of the piezoelectric element on the flow resistance part side is positioned not to face the second portion of the oscillating plate but to face the first portion of the oscillating plate.
US07695113B2
An ink-jet head includes two shield plates extending on the surface of the passage unit in a longitudinal direction of the passage unit. Two shield plates confront each other. The surface of the passage unit is provided with two grooves extending up to the middle of the passage unit in a thickness direction of the passage unit. The shield plate is provided at its circumference with a contact line linearly extending and coming into contact with a plane formed on the surface of the passage unit. The shield plate is provided with a projection adjacent to the contact line and protruding from the contact line. The projection is fitted into the groove. The reservoir unit, the actuator unit, and the wiring member are included in a range maintained between the two shield plates with respect to the lateral direction of the passage unit.
US07695106B2
An inkjet printhead that has a nozzle layer defining an array of nozzle apertures and a substrate for supporting the nozzle layer, the substrate defining a flow path for an ejectable liquid to each nozzle. Each nozzle aperture has an associated heater element positioned for heating the ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a vapor bubble to eject a drop of the ejectable liquid through the nozzle aperture. The nozzle aperture is less than 5 microns thick in the drop ejection direction.
US07695105B2
A nozzle plate, inkjet printhead with the same and method of manufacturing the same. The nozzle plate includes at least one nozzle and has at least one heater segment disposed adjacent to the nozzle. The heater segment is configured to heat a first fraction of the circumference to a greater degree than a second fraction of the circumference. Heater segments are disposed at intervals around a circumference of the nozzle and are independently operable.
US07695104B2
Methods and systems for forming compound slots in a substrate are described. In one exemplary implementation, a structure contains a plurality of slots in a substrate. The structure also has a trench in the substrate contiguous with the plurality of slots to form a compound slot.
US07695094B2
A shield assembly is provided for use in combination an ink jet printer and is operative to provide a smooth planar surface for printing on a print media. The described embodiment includes a shield having first and second contact surfaces to define an opening therebetween. The opening of the shield assembly is aligned with the print head of the ink jet printer for permitting the deposition of ink through the opening. The assembly further includes a pivot mount operative to pivot the shield about a rotational axis which is substantially parallel to the feed path of the print media and orthogonal to the motion of the print head. Moreover, the assembly includes a means for pivoting the shield about the rotational axis in a first and second direction thereby causing one of the contact surfaces to engage the print media upstream of the print head when depositing ink on the print media.
US07695084B2
The present invention provides a waveform data-processing device. This waveform data-processing device is equipped with a generation component and a sequencing component. The generation component, on the basis of each of a plurality of waveforms which are specified by respective durations and amplitudes, generates a plurality of waveform data sets. Each waveform data set is structured by partial waveform data representing, for each of nodes which are points in the waveform at which amplitude alters, a period until a next node in time and an amplitude change condition. The sequencing component sequences the partial waveform data of the respective nodes for each of the plurality of waveform data sets that have been generated by the generation component. In this waveform data-processing device, the sequencing component sequences partial waveform data of nodes with times which are the same between the waveform data sets to sequence positions which are the same.
US07695074B2
The present invention generally relates to braking systems for all-terrain vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to hand and foot actuated braking control systems for all-terrain vehicles.
US07695066B2
A single-use disposable sanitary cover temporarily houses a portion of a seat and mitigates virus and germ contact on a person's body. The disposable sanitary cover includes a flexible elongated sleeve having an outer shell, an interior cavity and an elongated slit forming a rim equipped with a stabilizing means integrally associated therewith. The stabilizing means is preferably an elastic band or segment that engages with the rear of the back support and seat areas of the chair to secure the elongated sleeve in place. The seat area and/or back support area of the chair is received through the elongated slit and is housed within the elongated sleeve in order to mitigate contact between the chair surface and a person's body.
US07695065B2
The invention relates to a seat, especially a vehicle seat, preferably an aircraft passenger seat (10, 30), comprising at least one seat component, such as a seat part (20), a backrest (22) or an armrest (26). As delivered, the seat meets predefined approved requirements and is correspondingly certified. The inventive seat is characterized in that a data storage device is fixedly disposed on at least one seat component. Said data storage device is used to store individual data relating to the service life or certification of the respective seat and/or individual seat components. The inventive seat is further characterized in that the data storage device can be electronically read by an external reading device. The invention also relates to an associated reading device.
US07695062B2
A device (2) for accommodating functional elements in regions of a motor vehicle interior that are subjected to mechanical forces at least at times, having a base layer (8), an intermediate layer (10) and a cover layer (12), wherein the layers (8, 10, 12) are arranged so as to at least partially overlap one another, wherein the intermediate layer (10) has at least one support element (14) for the transmission of mechanical loads between the base layer (8) and cover layer (12), which element is made, in particular, of a firm but flexible material. In addition to the support element (14), additional functional elements (18) are arranged in the remaining space (16) between the base layer (8), the cover layer (12) and the support element (14).
US07695057B2
A plastic spacer/riser to increase usable height of a reclosable fastening system, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products. The spacer/riser is adapted to be held in place on an external substrate with hot-melt glues sonic welds, pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic foam tape, or screws.
US07695049B2
A portable climate controlled air shelter system on a transport device such as a trailer, truck bed or ISO container box with all sub-systems integral to the transport device where the sub systems include an inflatable air shelter with inflation/deflation blower, electrical power generator and fuel system pre-wired to all other sub systems, heating ventilation and air conditioning unit, air filtration, inflation/deflation blower, water management system, external lighting, central control panel for single point monitoring and control of the air shelter system and physical storage. Also provided are compressed air tanks for inflation of the air shelter as well as water ballast tubes that mechanically attach to the air shelter to provide stability in winds and on uneven ground. The water management system includes a water storage tank and pump for filling and emptying the water ballast tubes. The air shelter system also has transfer switch to allow the system to run on external “house power”.
US07695045B2
A driving position adjusting device comprises a seat-position adjusting mechanism to adjust height and seat-face angle of a seat cushion in accordance with longitudinal movement of a driver's seat, and a floor adjusting mechanism to adjust a height of a floor board in accordance with the operation of the longitudinal adjustment of the driver's seat, wherein the seat-position adjusting mechanism is configured so that an inclination angle of the seat cushion becomes smaller as the driver's seat is moved forward from a middle position, and the floor adjusting mechanism is configured so that the height of the floor board becomes higher as the driver's seat is moved forward from the middle position. Accordingly, the sitting position of the driver and the operational function of the operational pedal can be provided properly regardless of the body size of the driver.
US07695043B2
A tailgate control mechanism used to exert a force on a pivot. The tailgate may include a pivoting main body and a pivot fixed to a truck bed, where the main body may move about the pivot. The tailgate may also include a piston element including a first end connected to the pivot and a second end connected to the main body. The second end may be positioned above the first end when the main body is in a closed position. The piston element may also be configured to provide a counter force as the main body is lowered. The piston element may also be retrofitted.
US07695041B2
A grommet is inserted into a notch in a channel and partially supports a seal strip attached to the channel. The grommet includes a main segment and first and second end segments. The main segment extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and has a first side surface and a second side surface. The first end segment is attached to the main segment adjacent to the first end of the main segment. The second end segment is attached to the main segment adjacent to the second end of the main segment. The main segment, the first end segment, and the second end segment together define a passageway extending through the grommet parallel to the longitudinal axis. A cable harness including a grommet and a vehicle including a grommet are also provided.
US07695038B2
A ditch cover assembly, an accessory attachment clip, and an interchangeable roof accessory system for a vehicle are disclosed. An accessory attachment clip may generally include an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion disposed between the first and second ends, at least one securement mechanism disposed along the body for retaining an accessory, and at least one aperture disposed between the first end and the second end operable to receive a fastener to secure the body to the vehicle.
US07695035B2
A pet waste collection tool includes a body portion, a retractable trigger, a scoop portion, a chain, a leash attachment member, and a leash. The body portion may include a first end, a second end, and a handle portion. The retractable trigger may be coupled on one end to the body portion. The scoop portion may be coupled to the body portion and may comprise a fixed member coupled to the second end and a pivotal member coupled to the fixed member. The chain may be coupled on one end to the trigger and on the other end to the pivotal member such that when the trigger is in a first position the scoop portion is in an open position and when the trigger is in a second position the scoop portion is in a closed position. The leash attachment member may be rotatably coupled to the first end.
US07695031B2
A latch has a pop-up knob that provides a handle for pulling on a door when the knob is extended. The door can be closed with the knob either up or down. With the knob up, the latch pawl can be disengaged from a keeper attached to the door frame by pulling the door open. With the knob down, the latch pawl remains in an extended position behind the keeper and the door cannot be pulled open. The knob can be selectively retained in the down position, and placing the knob in the down position results in the rotational movement of the latch pawl being blocked.
US07695030B2
Described herein is a safety device against false maneuvers for sliding window and door frames, including an arrest designed to prevent displacement of the catch of the mobile frame of the window or door frame from its inoperative position to the operative position of engagement with a corresponding striker of the fixed frame, in the condition for opening the window or door frame. The arrest with the corresponding thrust member, adjustable in a direction parallel to the direction of displacement of the arrest, is carried by a slide that is adjustable in a direction orthogonal to the direction of displacement of the arrest.
US07695025B2
A coupling for tubes with a body with a neck (14) provided with two or more longitudinal recesses (15) and each of which is positioned a jaw (12) able to move radially between an expanded release position and a contracted lock position. The jaws can move from one position to the other by means of cam surfaces (24) provided inside a tightening nut (13) assembled and susceptible to partial rotation on the neck of the coupling body. Furthermore the nut has means for interacting with the neck to block it and prevent it from turning in the release direction.
US07695016B2
A device and method for steering mechanism breakaway are disclosed. In order to avoid harmful steering column intrusion into the passenger compartment of a vehicle in the event of vehicle collision, an intermediate link between the steering column and the steering gearbox is disposed. The intermediate link comprises of an inner shaft and an outer tube which are connected via longitudinal matching splines to facilitate rotational engagement. In normal operation the inner shaft may longitudinally move inside the tube. The outer tube has openings along it and detachment means at one end to facilitate detachment of the shaft from the tube through the openings when the shaft moves longitudinally into the tube beyond a certain point due to movement of the steering gearbox towards the steering column during a collision.
US07695015B2
Vehicle including a system for preventing injury to an occupant's head and neck during a rear impact includes a support structure for supporting the occupant including an upper body support portion for supporting the occupant's head and neck. The support structure has a deformable upper body support portion which may be filled with a fluid such as air, liquid or a gel and deforms during a rear impact to support the entire back, neck and/or head of the occupant. The upper body support portion may be moved to a support location, regardless of the detection of a crash (a passive mode), or moved only prior to an anticipated impact as determined by a crash sensor (an active mode).
US07695011B2
An airbag can include a covering that surrounds an interior space that can be filled with gas, a gas-conducting pipe which is stretched longitudinally along a direction of extent, and a contact region of the covering that surrounds the inflow opening and encloses the gas-conducting pipe in a sealing manner along a circumferential direction of the gas-conducting pipe that encircles the direction of extent. A protective layer of the covering can be arranged, at least in some sections in the interior space of the covering, with respect to the gas-conducting pipe so that damage to the covering during filling of the interior space of the covering with hot gas can be prevented by the protective layer. At least one fastening region of the protective layer, via which the protective layer can be connected to the covering, can be connected to the contact region of the covering.
US07695008B2
A sensor setup structure includes a pair of front side frames that are provided on vehicle widthwise opposite sides of a vehicle front part, and extended along a vehicle lengthwise direction, a pair of upper members that are provided to the vehicle widthwise outsides from these front side frames, and extended from respective front pillars on vehicle widthwise opposite sides downwards to the front, a joining frame that joins in the vehicle widthwise direction between the vicinity of front ends of these upper members and the front side frames on the same sides in the vehicle widthwise direction, and satellite sensors of an airbag apparatus which, in plan view, are setup in positions that are to the vehicle widthwise insides from vehicle widthwise outer surfaces of the respective upper members, and are to the vehicle widthwise outsides from vehicle widthwise outer surfaces of the respective front side frames.
US07695006B2
An airbag door is openably attached to an instrument panel. A cushion pad is attached inside the airbag door, and has a stepped separable pad. A cushion bracket is attached to the cushion pad. A cushion is mounted inside the cushion bracket. The cushion separates the separable pad and opens the airbag door upon inflation. A reinforcement member is attached to the cushion near a gas inflow hole in the cushion. An inflator assembly for inflating the cushion is connected to the cushion by a mounting bracket.
US07695003B2
The disclosed occupant protection device for a vehicle can include at least one airbag that protects a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision of the vehicle. The airbag can have an outflow opening through which the gas can exit the side airbag and/or has an overflow opening located inside the airbag. After the occupant protection device has been tripped, the side airbag can be inflated and be positioned laterally next to the vehicle occupant in such a manner that the outflow opening and/or the overflow opening is closed, is throttled, or remains open according to the body size of the vehicle occupant.
US07694997B2
An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (14) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) inflatable between a steering wheel (30) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (14). A housing (26) helps support the protection device (22) on the steering wheel (30). A cover (40) helps conceal the protection device (22) in a stored condition on the steering wheel (30). The housing (40) includes a retainer element (132) that extends from a side wall (124) of the housing. The retainer element (132) includes a base portion (232) and a head portion (234). The cover (40) includes a retainer aperture (230) through which the head portion (234) is extendable to help secure the cover to the housing (26). The head portion (234) has a dimension that is greater than a diameter of the retainer aperture (230). The cover (40) is configured to deform elastically to enlarge the retainer aperture (230) to fit over the head portion (234) and thereafter return to its non-deformed condition to form an interference that helps retain the cover on the retainer element (132).
US07694992B1
A fifth wheel assembly comprises a fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from its underside, and an “I-shaped” transverse beam member for mounting the assembly to a truck frame. The beam member is dimensioned to span across parallel longitudinal truck frame members and it includes mounting flanges extending generally downward from either lateral side where the mounting flanges have a plurality of apertures for receiving suitable fasteners inserted therein for mounting said beam member to the truck frame members. The transverse member also includes a plurality of pivot bearing pairs to receive the journal bearings of the fifth wheel which is coupled thereto by a trunnion.
US07694991B2
The present invention provides a kit for attaching a manually operated wheelchair to a motorized scooter having a seating apparatus and supporting structure and a floor, comprising: (a) a motorized scooter attachment angle iron, wherein the angle iron comprises: (i) a vertical wall; and (ii) a horizontal wall, the horizontal wall forming approximately a right angle to the vertical wall, wherein the horizontal wall has at least two embedded elongated slots; (b) an angle iron attachment adjustable bar, wherein the adjustable bar comprises (i) a left elbow shaped tubular segment having a horizontally oriented bottom end and a vertically oriented top end; (ii) a right elbow shaped tubular segment having a horizontally oriented bottom end and a vertically oriented top end; and (iii) a straight middle tubular segment having a diameter larger than the left segment and the right segment, so as to permit the left segment to insert into a left end of the middle tubular segment and so as to permit the right segment to insert into a right end of the middle tubular segment; and (c) a pair of tubular adapters, wherein each adapter comprises (i) an elbow connecting bottom end, capable of attaching to the vertically oriented top end; and (ii) a concave top end, wherein the concave top end is generally perpendicular to the elbow connecting bottom end and wherein the concave top end is open on top.
US07694989B2
An air propulsion device for laterally stabilizing a motorcycle in an upright position when stopped. The device includes a substantially rectangular shaped plate having a top, bottom, first and second opposing sides. A pair of brackets are mounted to the first and second sides of the plate for attaching the device to the motorcycle. An air-flow generator unit is integrally attached to the top of the plate for generating and controlling pneumatic pressure within the air propulsion device, and has a first and second hose attached thereto. A skirting is integrally attached to the bottom of the plate for inflating and deflating.
US07694987B2
A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
US07694983B2
A suspension system having an upper link, a lower wishbone, a vertical hub carrier and an interlinking wishbone. The upper link is coupled, via a first spherical joint, to a vehicle sub-frame and, via a second spherical joint, to the hub carrier, the lower link is coupled, via bushings, to the sub-frame and, via a third spherical joint, to the hub carrier. The interlinking wishbone is coupled, via a hinge joint, to the lower wishbone and, via a fourth spherical joint, to the upper link. The hinge joint and the fourth spherical joint are substantially equidistant between the respective joints of the upper link and lower wishbone coupling the sub-frame and the hub carrier. The fourth spherical joint is offset from a line joining the first and the second spherical joints. The distance between the first and the second spherical joints is substantially equal to the distance between the bushings and the third spherical joint.
US07694967B2
A dice cup for use in dice games involving concealment of the dice, including an open top end and an open bottom end, a closed opaque wall extending therebetween, and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced-apart slats are disposed across the bottom end so as to define a plurality of viewing holes. The slats prevent dice from being ejected from the cup when said cup is shaken with said top end covered, and when the cup is inverted to cover dice on a flat surface, the slats provide an impediment to seeing the dice through the viewing holes unless viewed at a sufficiently small angle relative to said longitudinal axis.
US07694960B2
A media size sensing system includes independently moveable length and width edge guides, in a media tray, for positioning against orthogonal edges of media sheets. A linearly sliding sensor device is provided, and a single linkage connects the length and width edge guides to the sensor device, the single linkage providing a unique position indication that is a function of both length and width for a range of media sheet sizes.
US07694957B2
In a device that separates a sheet and extracts the sheet from a stack of the sheets, the stack of sheets is placed on a sheet feeding unit. A vibrator is in contact with the top surface of the stack at a spot to vibrate the sheets at a high frequency. The high-frequency vibration reduces the adhesion and frictional force among the sheets. A sheet extraction mechanism conveys each sheet.
US07694955B2
A sheet-feed device, including: a sheet accommodating portion for accommodating sheets; a sheet-feed roller which feeds one of the sheets located uppermost among the accommodated sheets; an inclined sheet-separation plate; separation pawls arranged on the sheet-separation plate for cooperating with the roller to separate the one of the sheets from the other sheets; a sheet guide member supported on the sheet-separation plate so as to pivot about an axis and including: a first contact portion located on a sheet feeding route and configured to contact the separated sheet; and a second contact portion located on one side of the axis remote from the first contact portion and configured to protrude from the sheet-separation plate so as to contact the separated sheet owing to a pivotal movement of the guide member by a contact of the separated sheet with the first contact portion, whereby the separated sheet is moved away from the separation pawls.
US07694954B2
A sheet pick-up device includes a sheet pick-up arm, a driving shaft and a collar. The sheet pick-up arm has a sleeve at the outside surface thereof. The driving shaft is penetrated through the sheet pick-up arm and the sleeve. The collar is sheathed around the driving shaft and includes at least one flexible vane in contact with the inner surface of the sleeve. The height of the flexible vane relative to the outer surface of the collar is greater than the radial distance between the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the sleeve.
US07694953B2
A sheets processing apparatus includes a first processing portion having a first switchback portion for reversing the conveying direction of postal matter branched and conveyed from a main conveying path and a first U-turn path for reversing the front and back of the postal matter and a second processing portion having a second U-turn path for reversing the front and back of the postal matter branched and conveyed from the main conveying path and a second switchback portion for reversing the conveying direction of the postal matter. The first switchback portion is arranged inside the second U-turn path and the second switchback portion is arranged inside the first U-turn path.
US07694947B2
A printing and binding apparatus (1) is disclosed which can print on demand, bind, and trim a perfect bound book. The apparatus includes one or more text page printers (110, 200) and a color cover printer (114). The text page printers print the text pages of a book and form the text pages into a book block (BB). The color cover printer (114) prints a cover for the book. The book block and the cover are delivered to a binding station at which the spine (S) of the book block is adhesively bound to the cover. The bound book is then delivered to a trimming station (TS) at which excess margins (are trimmed from the book. A method of printing and binding a perfect bound book on demand is also disclosed.
US07694939B2
A retaining cylinder is threadedly engaged with a fixed cylinder of a flow rate control valve, by means of a screw section formed on an outer circumferential surface. A fence cover, which is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction, is installed between the fixed cylinder and a float rod supported by the retaining cylinder. An upper seal member is provided on the float rod, on the upper side thereof with respect to a valve plug. A lower seal member is provided on the lower side thereof with respect to the valve plug. The upper seal member and the lower seal member have substantially identical diameters. The float rod is displaced under an energizing action of a stepping motor. The flow rate of a fluid is controlled depending on a distance of the valve plug with respect to a valve seat.
US07694934B2
A diaphragm valve is disclosed that is adapted to reduce debris in the flow paths, reduce the water hammer effect, reduce the energy lost during flow, and/or improve bleed operation. The diaphragm valve includes at least two seals that are configured to permit multi-stage sealing of an opening in a diaphragm valve seat. The initial sealing stage blocks some but not all fluid flow through the opening, and the final sealing stage blocks fluid flow through the opening. The use of two sealing stages can reduce the water hammer effect by increasing the time over which sealing occurs.
US07694930B2
Apparatus for operation of a vehicle seat swivel or rotation mechanism are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a cable assembly having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to a rotation mechanism of a vehicle seat. A release member is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable assembly so that the rotation mechanism is urged toward a locked condition in the absence of a force being applied to the release member by a person.
US07694924B2
A support assembly for a work surface is disclosed. The support assembly may be secured to at least one gable. The support assembly includes an elongate horizontal support having a predetermined cross-sectional shape a saddle support which supports the work surface. The saddle support has a recess with a shape which corresponds to the predetermined cross sectional shape of the horizontal support. The recess receives the horizontal support therein to securely rest the saddle support on a top portion of the horizontal support. A U-shaped fastener secures an upper member of the horizontal support to an upper portion of the recess.
US07694906B2
A device for adjusting the grinding of a condiment in a mill includes a drive element having a thimble 6, a thimble support 4, a wheel 9 and a fixing ring 11 for attachment to the mill. Rotational movement of an adjustment ring 3 fitted with an adjustment stop 5 independent of the device results in translational movement of the thimble support 4.
US07694903B2
A method for recovering and/or recycling starting silicon material by crushing the starting material. The recovered or recycled material is melted, and crystals, e.g. as a silicon block, tube, or strip, are grown from the obtained melt. To use starting materials that have a high aspect ratio to be able to convey the same without any problem, broken polycrystalline needle-shaped Si material (material I) containing particles having an aspect ratio AI, 5
US07694896B2
Disposable reservoirs for use with spray apparatuses, reservoir-adapter kits, spray assemblies employing such reservoirs, and methods of use are disclosed.
US07694890B2
A passive ultrasonic tag is provided and an ultrasonic reading system is constructed more simply and records and/or reads information more reliably by using ultrasonic waves for transmission/reception. A passive ultrasonic tag according to a first embodiment of this invention includes a tag body. The tag body has two or more holes disposed extensively on a surface of the tag body. The holes have bottoms at predetermined depths from the surface of the tag body. The depths of at least two of the two or more holes are set to different values. As a result, when a three-dimensional range including surfaces and bottoms of the two holes is scanned using ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves are reflected in different manners on the basis of the depths of the two holes. This allows information to be recorded and read.
US07694884B2
A method for electronically providing identification of a removable data cartridge is disclosed. In one step, an identifier is programmed into the removable data cartridge. A command is received to provide a machine-readable marking from the removable data cartridge. An identifier is read from within the removable data cartridge. The machine-readable marking is determined using the identifier. Responding to the command with a response, where the response provides the machine-readable marking.
US07694882B2
A system and method for obtaining and storing information in an integrated circuit card is provided for use in a transaction over different environments. The card includes a memory unit having data records including formatted and unformatted fields, preferably comprising a name field, a data field and a security level field. The formatted fields are accessible, using generic labels and the unformatted fields are accessible using a non-generic label.
US07694870B2
A method for producing a strip with width of two longitudinal edges, made of at least one first metallic or predominantly metallic material, and the region, across which the first material extends, is provided with a boundary area that extends in staggered manner between two longitudinal edges over the cross-section of the strip. The invention comprises the steps of a) combing strips of different widths, which contain the first material and which as such do not comprise a staggered boundary area between their two longitudinal edges, to form a first arrangement of strips having a staggered boundary area; b) complementing the first arrangement of strips by one or more additional strips to form a second arrangement of strips having a rectangular cross-section, and c) bonding at least the strips of the first arrangement of strips to each other by rolling.
US07694865B2
The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position, preferably the axial position, of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.
US07694863B2
A hand-held drive-in tool for driving fastening elements (60) in a workpiece (U) includes a drive-in ram (13) for driving the fastening elements (60) in the workpiece (U), at least one drive spring member (31) for driving the drive-in ram (13), a preloading device (70) for the drive-in ram (13) and the drive spring member (31), a locking device (50) which retains the drive-in ram (13) and the drive spring member (31) in a preloaded position (33) when the locking device is located in its locking position (54), an actuation switch (19), for initiating the drive-in process for displacing the locking device (50), and into a release position (55) thereof, and at least one further switch for displacing the locking device (50) in the release position thereof (55) independent from actuation of the actuation switch (19).
US07694860B2
Handgun locking apparatus for securing a handgun in a holster includes a lever member including a body having a forward and rear end portion mounted to the holster and a spring element projecting forwardly and outwardly from the front end portion of the body for contacting an interior surface of a holster for biasing the body against a handgun. A locking flange on the forward end contacts a handgun to positively engage a portion of a handgun to inhibit withdrawal of a holstered handgun. An operating arm extends rearwardly from the rear end portion of the body for moving the body away to move the locking flange away from a handgun. A positioning member is affixed inside a holster for engaging a handgun inserted in a holster to position a portion of a handgun in contact with the locking flange. A tension device is mounted to the inside of the holster for positioning the gun properly with respect to the locking apparatus.
US07694853B2
In the dispensing device, preferably a double cartridge (1) having a stopper and a locking ring provided with bayonet connecting means, the stopper (7), the external surfaces of the cartridge outlets (4, 5), and the wall interior of the locking ring (6,) comprise mutually cooperating means (17, 26; 18, 27) for pressing the stopper into the outlets or pulling it out from the outlets as the locking ring is rotated. On one hand, this allows to obtain a tight closure, and on the other hand, it is very simple in this manner to pull out the tightly fitting stopper.
US07694851B2
A device for tamper protecting and authenticating a liquid product distributor including a container with a cylindrical neck with a seal engaged therein, further including an indicator element with a collar which is elastically inwardly collapsible and whose largest diameter is greater that the neck internal diameter and which is removably disposed on the lower part of the seal and is trapped in the container after a forced penetration through the neck. The indicator element includes a sleeve in which the lower part of the seal is radially clamped.
US07694845B2
A lid for a jar and a jar and lid combination for a product is provided. The lid is configured to be selectively removable from the jar. The lid is also configured to be selectively openable when attached to the jar in order to permit access to the interior and any contents of the jar. The lid has a non-continuous bead that is positioned to engage a protuberance on a rim of the jar to secure the lid relative to the rim of the jar while permitting selective removal of the lid from the rim of the jar.
US07694844B2
A spoon basket of a dishwasher is provided. The spoon basket includes a basket for storing silverware, a cap that is disposed on top of the basket to move up and down, and a basket handle that extends a predetermined distance from the basket and supports the cap.
US07694842B2
A container, suitable as a hot-fill container, includes a controlled deflection flex panel which may invert and flex under pressure, such as hot-fill conditions, to avoid deformation and permanent buckling of the container. The flex panel includes an initiator portion which has a lesser projection than the remainder of the flex panel and initiates deflection of the flex panel.
US07694841B2
In order to achieve a container which is convenient for carrying, delivery, transportation and storage of a viscous liquid, which can be disposed by being crushed to a small volume size when it has become empty, and which prevents twisting or rising up of the lower half of the container during a mixing of a viscous liquid, a container A holding liquid is used, wherein a ring-shaped rim frame 2 is provided on the upper end of a flexible tubular main body 1, a bottom plate 3 is fitted onto an opening at the lower end thereof, and at least one ring-shaped trunk section frame 4 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of said tubular main body 1.
US07694833B2
A friction management system for a traveling crane applies a liquid or solid friction modifier (FM) in precisely controlled quantities to the crane wheels or rail to improve performance and safety during movement of the crane. The friction modifier is applied by a nozzle mounted on a crane truck, which nozzle is opened and closed by a valve. The duration of the valve opening per second, which controls the friction modifier application rate, is approximately proportional to the average current draw, which is detected by current sensors connected to the truck motors.
US07694828B2
A method and apparatus for obtaining various components of a multi-component material. Generally, a component of a whole blood sample may be concentrated from a patient and re-introduced to the same patient. For example, a clotting component, such as thrombin, from a whole blood sample may be extracted and concentrated in an apparatus and collection to be reapplied or reintroduced into a patient.
US07694823B2
A new and improved portable and easily maneuverable kitchen kit that organizes and retains essential cookware and utensils for transport. The invention may be useful for transporting cooking tools to a cooking class or a cooking party. The present invention is advantageous because cookware and utensils necessary for the culinary arts are readily organized and conveniently transportable by an individual. The traveler's kitchen kit of the present invention solves the problem of storing and transporting all of the necessary kitchen tools to a remote location.
US07694822B2
A medical implement dispenser and disposal system is provided. The medical implement dispenser and disposal system comprises an enclosure having a body portion. A dispensing chamber within the body portion is configured to contain medical implements. A collection chamber within the body portion above the dispensing chamber is configured to collect soiled medical implements. The body portion defines an access opening positioned for passage of medical implements from the dispensing chamber and an inlet opening positioned for passage of soiled medical implements into the collection chamber, wherein the access opening is oriented in a forward facing direction and the inlet opening is also oriented in the forward facing direction. A barrier is positioned within the body portion to separate the dispensing chamber from the collection chamber. The barrier limits the passage of soiled medical implements from the collection chamber to the dispensing chamber.
US07694811B2
A medical implement dispensing and disposal system is configured for mounting within an interior of an enclosure having a first opening for receiving soiled medical implements and a second opening for dispensing medical implements. The system comprises a dispensing chamber configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure and removed from the interior of the enclosure. The dispensing chamber is configured to contain medical implements and has an access opening for passage of medical implements from the dispensing chamber. The access opening is positioned for alignment with the second opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of medical implements from the enclosure. The system further comprises a disposal chamber configured to be substantially enclosed within the interior of the enclosure adjacent the dispensing chamber and removed from the interior of the enclosure. The disposal chamber is further configured to collect soiled medical implements and has an inlet opening for passage of soiled medical implements into the disposal chamber. The inlet opening is positioned for alignment with the first opening of the enclosure to facilitate passage of soiled medical implements into the enclosure.
US07694806B2
An artist's paint box comprising: a substantially parallelepiped box having an interior chamber, combination hinged easel and cover, and storage compartment having a hinged cover; a removably replaceable palette matingly received within the chamber and having opposing cutouts substantially parallel to each other and another cutout transverse to the opposing cutouts, the opposing cutouts and the transverse cutout forming a substantially U shape, a recessed paint color mixing area substantially centrally disposed between and adjacent the opposing cutouts and adjacent the transverse cutout, and a recessed paintbrush and tool holding area adjacent the transverse cutout and opposing the recessed paint color mixing area; removably replaceable paint wells removably and matingly received within the opposing cutouts and the transverse cutout, each of the removably replaceable paint wells having exteriorly disposed opposing side ridges resting on opposing edges adjacent each of the opposing cutouts and other opposing edges adjacent the transverse cutout.
US07694805B2
This disclosure provides a guard assembly and its individual guards for protecting a conveyor system, such as the center conveyor frame. Related methods of installing or removing the individual guards and the guard assembly are also provided.
US07694799B2
Disclosed herein is an automatic pallet exchanger of a machine tool, which can exactly decide a position of a pallet exchanging operation, and which can improve stability in operation. The automatic pallet exchanger includes an APC driving shaft (30) rotatably and elevatably standing on an APC body (20); an APC arm (40) supported on the APC shaft (30) for exchanging pallets of a processing area and a waiting area; rotating means for rotating the APC driving shaft (30); a cylinder (80) inserted on the APC driving shaft (30) and fixed on the APC body; a piston mounted on the APC driving shaft (30) for elevating the APC driving shaft (30) according to hydraulic pressure direction within the cylinder (80); a stopper (100) located within a fixed radius from the APC driving shaft (30) and fixed on the APC arm (40); and a pair of stop bolts (110A, 110B) fixed on the APC body (20) to stop the rotation of the APC arm (40) by contacting with the stopper (100) whenever the APC arm (40) is rotated at an angle of 180°.
US07694792B2
A twin clutch device wherein a second clutch is arranged coaxially and radially inside of a first clutch outer which forms an annular plate portion. One clutch inners of both clutches is arranged between a clutch member which constitutes a portion of the outer of the first and second clutches and an annular plate portion. Lifter pins have axes arranged parallel to a rotary axis of first and second clutches and axially movably penetrate both clutch inners to bring one ends thereof into contact with pressure plates. First and second drive control members are capable of applying control forces to disconnect the first and second clutches against spring forces of first and second clutch springs. A second clutch outer is rotated together with the first clutch outer and is arranged coaxially with the first clutch. A pair of clutch outers are connected in a relatively non-rotatable manner with each other.
US07694788B2
The present invention relates to a resilient foam pad that is integrated into the bottom exterior of a tool bag. More specifically, the invention relates to maximizing the inter-compatibility of a tool bag and a highly portable foam pad. The upper surface of the foam pad is adorned with a nylon loop fastener attracting carpet. Attached to the bottom side of the tool bag is a nylon hook fastener lining. The tool bag is designed to offer storage and detachment of the foam pad without having to open the tool bag compartment. Alternative embodiments of the foam pad would include a rubber sealed version for use in wet conditions.
US07694777B2
When it is determined that a malfunction has occurred in a rotational angle sensor, an electronic control unit changes the control manner from the normal assist control to the sensorless assist control. In the sensorless assist control, an assist stop command unit receives the information concerning the motor rotational angular speed ωm from an angular speed conversion unit. Then, the motor rotational angular speed ωm is compared with the threshold value ωm1. If the motor rotational angular speed ωm is equal to or higher than the threshold value ωm1, an assist enabling signal is transmitted to a PWM voltage production unit to continue the power assist. On the other hand, if the motor rotational angular speed ωm is lower than the threshold value ωm1, a stop command signal is transmitted to the PWM voltage production unit to stop the power assist.
US07694775B2
A power steering gear for a heavy vehicle includes a housing and a flow path for a power steering fluid. A heat exchanger is mounted to the housing or is a part thereof. The heat exchanger includes a first flow path for the power steering fluid and a second flow path for a coolant adapted to exchange heat with the power steering fluid. A cooling system for a power steering gear, a heavy vehicle comprising a power steering gear having such a cooling system, and a method of cooling the power steering fluid of a power steering gear on a heavy vehicle are also disclosed.
US07694771B2
An engine mounting device for a motor vehicle having a casing attached to the engine, a flexible annular cylinder disposed inside the casing with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, a shaft attached to the vehicle body and disposed within the annulus of the flexible cylinder, whereby the casing and the flexible annular can move along the shaft in response to a frontal impact on the vehicle, and a retainer mounted on the shaft and arranged to prevent movement of the casing along the shaft below a predetermined threshold force on the casing.
US07694770B2
A leisure vehicle configured to be propelled by a friction between a drive wheel thereof and a ground surface with which the drive wheel is in contact, including a power unit configured to drive the drive wheel, a speed control device configured to control drive of the drive wheel, and a controller configured to control the speed control device to increase a rotational speed of the drive wheel while maintaining a state in which the drive wheel does not slip on the ground surface in a predetermined amount or more.
US07694766B2
A counterweighted fork lift truck has a vehicle body (2) with an equipment compartment (R) located underneath a driver workplace (1). The equipment compartment and contains heat-emitting components. The vehicle body (2) includes at least one step (3) which forms the lower boundary of a step recess (3a) which is inboard with respect to the lateral contour (S) of the vehicle body. At least one air intake opening (5) for the supply of cooling air into the equipment compartment (R) is located in the vicinity of the step recess (3a).
US07694764B2
A power output system that provides power to a driveshaft is provided which includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motoring mechanism, an electric storage device, a first exhaust gas channel that guides exhaust gas from the engine directly to an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, a second exhaust gas channel which guides the exhaust gas from the engine to the exhaust gas purifying catalyst via an unburned-component adsorber, a channel switching mechanism operable to switch a channel of the exhaust gas from the engine between the first exhaust gas channel and the second exhaust gas channel, a pressure accumulator operable to accumulate therein a negative pressure produced through rotation of the engine, a negative-pressure introducing/releasing mechanism that selectively permits and inhibits introduction of the negative pressure from the pressure accumulator into the channel switching mechanism, and a controller that controls the electric motoring mechanism and the negative-pressure introducing/releasing mechanism.
US07694762B2
A hybrid-electric powertrain for a wheeled vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, an electric motor and a battery. Transmission gearing establishes multiple torque flow paths including a forward drive torque flow path and a reverse drive torque flow path, the motor being isolated from forward drive gearing elements as it acts as a sole reverse drive power source.
US07694759B2
A fleet of lift trucks includes a lift truck for walk-behind operation without a stand-on platform and a lift truck for stand-on operation with a stand-on platform. Each lift truck of the fleet of lift trucks has a vehicle frame, to which a traction unit, a lifting device, and, optionally, a stand-on platform can be fastened. At least one lift truck of the fleet of lift trucks without a stand-on platform and at least one lift truck of the fleet of lift trucks with a stand-on platform (6, 8) have the identical vehicle frame. Each vehicle frame also has fastening elements for the optional fastening of a housing wall (5), a folding stand-on platform (6), and/or a fixed stand-on platform (8).
US07694741B2
A well system for producing fluid from an earth formation. A primary wellbore section produces the fluid from the well system to the surface. The primary wellbore section includes a cylindrical member having a number of apertures. At least one flanking wellbore runs substantially alongside the primary wellbore section. The flanking wellbore is in fluid communication with the apertures on the primary wellbore section through the porous earth formation. At least one lateral wellbore section joins the flanking wellbore section. Formation fluid flows into the lateral wellbore sections and then into the flanking wellbore section. The fluid is then transmitted from the flanking wellbore, through the porous earth formation, and is received by the apertures in the primary wellbore section. The fluid flows through the primary wellbore section to the surface.
US07694735B2
A sonde and an apparatus for the deployment thereof against a well casing is described, the sonde comprising a resilient C-shaped member and at least one sensor.
US07694734B2
A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between a resonator electrical connection during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole.
US07694732B2
The present invention relates to a diverter tool used in a pipe string to lower a liner into a partially cased wellbore. The diverter tool has a diverter body that defines a longitudinal central flow passage and has diverter ports defined therethrough to communicate and redirect fluids received in the liner to an annulus between the diverter tool in casing previously set in the wellbore. The diverter tool has first and second closure members. The first closure member is movable between open and closed positions on the diverter body. The second closure member is detachably connected in the diverter body in its open position and is movable to its closed position to prevent flow through the diverter ports.
US07694731B2
An efficient truck-mounted injection system for injecting a combined aqueous or hydrocarbon-based liquid stream and a liquid carbon dioxide stream via a well into a subterranean formation.
US07694720B2
A sectional modular heat sink is formed from a plurality of stacked modular heat radiating units, each of which is provided on one side along each longitudinal edge with an upright ridge portion having two inclined sidewalls, at least one of which being provided with a groove; and on an opposite side with a channel corresponding to the ridge portion to have two inclined sidewalls, at least one of which being provided with a flange corresponding to the groove on the ridge portion. A plurality of the modular heat radiating units may be sequentially stacked and connected through engagement of the ridge portions and the grooves on a first modular heat radiating unit with the channels and the flanges on a second modular heat radiating unit, respectively, and thereby form a sectional modular heat sink.
US07694714B2
Method of operating metal molding system configured to handle mold, system including injection unit having: output port; and machine nozzle defining conduit passageway, nozzle including: egress end, ingress end, conduit passageway for receiving molten metal; and mechanical valve received in passageway, valve positioned between egress end and ingress end, and valve operable in opened and closed positions. Method includes: processing volume of molten metal; placing valve in closed position, so that prior to application of injection pressure by unit, volume of molten metal is located; (i) downstream of valve, and (ii) between egress end and valve; and placing valve in opened position, so that volume of molten metal is injected, in response to application of injection pressure into, at least in part, mold cavity; and actuating valve to closed position, so that another volume of molten metal is located: (i) downstream of valve, and (ii) between egress end and valve.
US07694706B2
Provided is a tire wheel assembly making it possible to effectively reduce cavity resonance noise without causing either negative influence on deformation of a tire or deterioration in rim assembling workability. A tire wheel assembly of the present invention includes a pneumatic tire, and a wheel provided with a rim fitted with the pneumatic tire, and forms a cavity portion between the pneumatic tire and the rim. The tire wheel assembly comprises at least one tube, which has one end thereof closed while having a length of 55% to 110% of a reference length L0 corresponding to one fourth of a cavity resonance wavelength, is provided so as to open to the cavity portion.
US07694705B2
Both a “grip” run and a drift run of a remote control car are achieved by fitting rings to an outer peripheral surface of a tire or tires. In a drift tire, at least one annular groove is formed on an outer surface of an annular body of a tire main body in a circumferential direction, at least one ring made of a different material and/or shape from that of the annular body is fitted to the annular groove, and the ring is level with or protrudes from the outer surface of the annular body.
US07694700B2
Apparatus of the invention for transporting substrates (3) comprises a mini-environment enclosure (1) that is movable and that can be coupled to a conditioning station (22). The mini-environment enclosure (1) includes a micropump (12) whose inlet is connected to an inside cavity (2) that is to contain the substrate (3) to be transported. An energy supply (16) is also provided in the mini-environment enclosure (1) to power the micropump (12). The mini-environment enclosure (1) comprises a peripheral shell (4) open to two opposite main faces (5, 6), and including a closable side opening (7). A first main wall (8) is fitted to close the first main face (5) in leaktight manner. A second main wall (9) is fitted and secured to close the second main face (6) in leaktight manner. The first and second main walls are disposed in planes parallel to the plane containing the substrate. This makes it easier to manufacture the mini-environment enclosure, while also providing modularity so that the main walls (8, 9) can have functions that are different and can be interchanged.
US07694699B2
A system and method for filling hydrodynamic bearings with fluid are disclosed. The fluid filling system of the present invention includes a fluid storage tank to store fluid therein, a vacuum vessel to receive a hydrodynamic bearing therein, a fluid dispenser for connecting the fluid storage tank to the vacuum vessel and dripping the fluid into a micro-gap of the hydrodynamic bearing, a pump connected both to the fluid storage tank and to the vacuum vessel and separately exhausting air from both the fluid storage tank and the vacuum vessel to the outside, and a nitrogen storage tank for separately controlling pressure in both the fluid storage tank and the vacuum vessel, wherein the fluid storage tank is pressurized using nitrogen such that the pressure in the fluid storage tank becomes higher than the pressure in the vacuum vessel, thus causing the fluid to move to the vacuum vessel and to be dripped into the hydrodynamic bearing received in the vacuum vessel. The fluid filling system further includes an ultrasonic generator for applying ultrasonic waves to the fluid storage tank, thus removing air bubbles from the fluid.
US07694696B2
A three-dimensional multilayer fabric is provided. The fabric comprises a surface layer, a backing layer, and an intermediate layer connecting the surface layer and the backing layer. The surface layer includes sequential unstitched surface portions and sequential stitched surface portions formed in an alternating and repeating pattern. The unstitched surface portions of the surface layer are essentially composed of surface warp threads only, and the stitched surface portions of the surface layer are composed of the surface warp threads and intermediate warp threads. The backing layer includes sequential unstitched backing portions and sequential stitched backing portions formed in an alternating and repeating pattern. The unstitched backing portions of the backing layer are essentially composed of backing warp threads only, and the stitched backing portions of the backing layer are composed of the backing warp threads and the intermediate warp threads. The intermediate warp threads are woven without interlacing with weft threads on the surfaces of the unstitched backing portions. The intermediate layer includes sequential intermediate portions composed of the intermediate warp threads only. Each of the intermediate portions consists of a first intermediate portion and a second intermediate portion connected to the stitched surface portions and the stitched backing portions in an alternating and repeating pattern. The connecting warp threads of the intermediate layer exposed to the outside of the backing layer are sheared. Further provided is a method for the production of the fabric.
US07694691B2
A gas cabinet including an enclosure containing at least one gas supply vessel and flow circuitry coupled to the gas supply vessel(s). The flow circuitry is constructed and arranged to flow dispensed gas from an on-stream gas supply vessel to multiple sticks of the flow circuitry, with each of the multiple sticks being joined in gas flow communication to a respective gas-utilizing process unit. The flow circuitry is valved to enable sections of the flow circuitry associated with respective ones of the multiple sticks to be isolated from other sections of the flow circuitry, so that process gas can be flowed to one or more of the sticks, while other sticks are being evacuated and purged, or otherwise are closed to dispensed gas flow therethrough.
US07694690B2
An exemplary washing mechanism (9) for optical members includes a positioning assembly (10), a carrying assembly (20), and an adjusting assembly (30). The carrying assembly is mounted on the positioning assembly and includes poles (22) and slidable members. The slidable members are configured for holding optical members. Each slidable member is slidably mounted on a corresponding pole. The adjusting assembly is mounted on the positioning assembly and the carrying assembly and configured for adjusting a position of the carrying assembly.
US07694689B2
There is provided a sump mounting structure of a dishwasher having a tub and a sump assembly mounted on a bottom of the tub. The sump mounting structure includes at least one mounting hook unit extending from an outer circumference of the sump assembly and a mounting ring unit associated with the mounting hook unit to prevent the mounting hook unit from shaking.
US07694681B2
A variable size endotracheal tube (VSET) is described for use in intubation of a body lumen. The VSET includes a flexible, tubular member with a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end includes a tube adapter configured to be coupled to a gas source. In one embodiment, a stent-like infrastructure runs substantially longitudinally along the length of the tubular member. The stent-like infrastructure is configured to variably expand a cross-section of the inner surface of the tubular member along substantially the full length of the tubular member. Furthermore, the stent-like infrastructure is arranged to maintain the variable expansion of the cross-section to substantially prevent stenosis of the body lumen, while the body is intubated.
US07694676B2
An inhaler for inhaling powdered pharmaceutical compositions from capsules includes: a lower part; a plate which can be latched to the lower part and with which the lower part can be closed off; a capsule holder for receiving the capsules, this holder being adapted to be lowered into the lower part; a mouthpiece latchable to the plate; a lid which covers the mouthpiece in a closed position and latches it by means of a closure element, the lower part, the plate, the mouthpiece and the lid being hinged together by means of a single joint; and an actuating member which can be moved out a resting position and thereby interacts with at least one pin which can be made to pierce the capsule holder.
US07694673B2
This invention absorbs available heat from the flue gas of an existing building's heating system and heat from the sun. The heat is absorbed and stored in a heat-collecting sphere of special design. The absorbed heat collected in the sphere is transferred, by the conventional refrigeration cycle, to the heat exchanger located at the air inlet to the building heating system. The refrigerant liquid is sprayed into the collecting sphere, as it absorbs heat, it evaporates and changes into a gas. The refrigerant compressor transfers the gas from the heat-collector to the heat exchanger. The existing heater fan draws air across the heat exchanger finned coil removing heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant gas gives up heat and is condensed. The heated air combines with the existing furnace air to heat the existing building. The refrigerant liquid from the heat exchanger is transferred to the heat-collecting sphere spray nozzles.
US07694669B2
An improved paintball feed mechanism for a paintball loader is disclosed, including a drive shaft and a motor for actuating the drive shaft. At least on rigid projection is provided connected to the drive shaft by an elastic member. The elastic member is formed so that it will bend when the rigid projection encounters a jammed or stationary paintball in the paintball loader, thus preventing paintball breakage.
US07694663B2
The invention concerns a method for controlling the operation of a cylinder assembly according to which the following phases are carried out during the same operating cycle: an exhaust opening phase (L1); a first inlet opening phase (L2) during a compression phase of the piston, and; a second inlet opening phase (L3) subsequent to the first. The second inlet opening phase (L3) begins once the piston reaches a position located in the second third of the travel thereof, in an expansion phase, and the first phase (L1) is carried out entirely during the exhaust opening phase (L1). The invention also concerns an internal combustion engine that operates according to the aforementioned method, and to a motor vehicle equipped with this engine.
US07694662B2
The invention aims to prevent the dust passing through a gap provided for sliding movement of bypass valve from being attached to a screw mechanism, and thus to guarantee smooth motion of the screw mechanism. Provided is a bypass-intake-flow control apparatus including a throttle body in which a bypass and a valve hole that is open into the course of the bypass are formed. A bypass valve to open and close the bypass is slidably but not rotatably fitted into the valve hole. An actuator is attached to the throttle body with an output shaft arranged coaxially with the bypass valve. The screw mechanism links the output shaft and the bypass valve. A bottomed hollow portion is formed in the bypass valve with an opening facing the actuator. A dust cover that surrounds the screw mechanism in the hollow portion is attached to the throttle body.
US07694661B2
A crankcase for a multiple-cylinder four-cycle engine, including an upper crankcase and a lower crankcase which are joined to each other at a joint surface; a separating wall which is integrally cast with the upper crankcase and the lower crankcase to extend from the joint surface toward the opposite side of the joint surface and are configured to define crank chambers corresponding to adjacent cylinders; and a crank journal bearing hole which is formed on the separating wall and is configured to support a crankshaft. At least the separating wall formed in the upper crankcase has a thickness that increases from the joint surface of the crankcase to a region near a deepest portion of the crank journal bearing hole and decreases from the region near the deepest portion of the crank journal bearing hole toward the opposite side of the joint surface of the crankcase.
US07694654B2
An internal combustion engine for a small planing boat for preventing supercooling of the internal combustion engine before warm-up while enabling efficient cooling of the internal combustion engine after warm-up. An internal combustion engine for a small planing boat includes a first cooling water path B through which cooling water introduced from a jet propulsion pump flows toward an internal combustion engine main body via an exhaust manifold. A second cooling water path C is provided through which cooling water introduced from the jet propulsion pump flows toward an exhaust pipe via an oil cooler. A bypass cooling water path D is provided for branching a part of cooling water in the second cooling water path C which flows out from the oil cooler, so as to merge into cooling water in the first cooling water path B which flows into the internal combustion engine main body.
US07694650B2
An exhaust monitoring cup which measures exhaust gas flowing through a top opening in a coater cup of a spin coating apparatus used in the deposition of photoresist coatings on semiconductor wafers. The exhaust monitoring cup includes a gas flow cup which is positioned in fluid communication with the top opening of the coater cup. The exhaust gas flows through a gas flow opening in the gas flow cup, and a flow rate measuring apparatus at the gas flow opening receives the exhaust gas and measures the flow rate thereof. The flow rate of the gas leaving the gas flow cup can be compared to the flow rate of the gas flowing from an exhaust conduit leading from the bottom of the coater cup, to facilitate detection of abnormal conditions in the coater cup or exhaust conduit.
US07694649B2
A process system includes a plurality of processing modules each processing a substrate with a process liquid. There is disposed a dispensing mechanism that dispenses the process liquid to the vertically arranged modules. The dispensing mechanism is provided with a process liquid supply source, and pumps corresponding to the respective processing modules. Each pump temporarily stores therein the process liquid which has been pressure-fed through a riser piping from the process liquid supply source by a pressing apparatus, and delivers the process liquid from an outlet. There are disposed nozzles each having a discharge port and discharging the process liquid to the corresponding processing module. Delivery pipings connecting the outlets of the pumps with the discharge ports of the corresponding nozzles have identical length to each other.
US07694645B2
An air source (11) is connected to an air motor (3) through an electropneumatic converter (12) which is connected to a rotational controller (13). Upon changing settings in a target rotational speed (N0) or paint discharge rate (Q0), in order to supply a necessary air pressure for rotationally driving the air motor (3) in a steady state with new setting conditions, the rotation controller (13) selects a steady value (is) from a rotational data selection processing table, and outputs to the electropneumatic converter (12) the newly selected steady value (is) as an input current value (i). By so doing, the rotational speed of the air motor (3) is quickly controlled toward the changed target rotational speed (N0).
US07694635B2
On a first furniture part, a first connector having an extending tab with a bolt hole transversely therethrough and having a bolt receptacle partially therethrough as well as a recess located parallel with the extending tab; and on a second furniture part, a second connector identical to the first connector and having an extending tab with a bolt hole transversely therethrough and having a bolt receptacle partially therethrough as well as a recess located parallel with the extending tab, the spatial orientation of the second connector being rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first connector during connection of the first connector and the second connector such that the extending tab of the first connector is matable with the recess of the second connector with the bolt hole of the extending tab of the first connector in alignment with the bolt receptacle of the extending tab of the second connector to receive a first bolt, and the extending tab of the second connector is matable with the recess of the first connector with the bolt hole of the extending tab of the second connector in alignment with the bolt receptacle of the extending tab of the first connector to receive a second bolt such that the first furniture part and the second furniture part can be connected.
US07694632B2
A magnet arrangement (10) for a magnetic levitation vehicle (1) is described. The magnet arrangement comprises at least one magnetic pole (11) consisting of a core (14) and a winding (12) applied to the core, a control circuit connected to the winding (12) and a power supply unit for supplying at least the electrical energy required for the control circuit. According to the invention, the magnet arrangement (10) is designed as an autonomous modular unit integrating within itself the magnetic pole (11), the control circuit and the power supply unit (FIG. 5).
US07694606B1
An ergonomic wheelchair handle for use on a wheelchair handle bar is provided. The wheelchair handle bar has a horizontal section and a vertical section. The wheelchair handle comprises a first handle portion having a first end and a second end with the first handle portion attachable to the horizontal section of the wheelchair handle bar. A second handle portion is provided having a first end and a second end with the first end of the second handle portion pivotally connected to the second end of the first handle portion. A locking mechanism releasably locks the rotation of the second handle relative to the first handle.
US07694577B2
A strain gauge measures elongation and compression at a surface of a component. The strain gauge comprise a housing having a fixation configured to attach the strain gauge to the surface to be measured, a connector for contacting a measuring cable, at least two support surfaces at the housing for securely bearing on the surface to be measured. At least one of the support surfaces is provided with a transduction element and with a measuring element for measuring shearing forces. The measuring element is connected by an internally disposed cable to the connector and to a module that comprises that at least one support surface provided with the measuring element pre-assembled together with the transduction element.
US07694566B2
The invention relates to a method for representing echo signals that are obtained with the aid of an ultrasonic test apparatus used for non-destructively testing a test piece. Said ultrasonic test apparatus comprises a probe, especially an angled probe, a monitor with a display device for representing the received echo signals in an cross-sectional image such that at least one front face and a back wall of the test piece can be recognized. A flaw is detected from different arrangements of the angular probe, represented, and an error signal is determined. The test images are stored and then represented in a superimposed manner in an evaluation image such that the first and the second error signal can be recognized.
US07694556B2
Method of detecting hydroplaning and estimating an intensity of hydroplaning of a tire on a wet road
In a method of detecting hydroplaning and estimating an intensity of hydroplaning of a tire of a vehicle travelling over a wet ground of a road, measurements are made of stresses in the tread of the tire, a water height present on the road is estimated, and, based on the measured stresses and the estimated water height, hydroplaning is detected and its intensity is estimated.
US07694552B2
A mechanical resonator capable of providing an intrinsically high mechanical quality factor in immersion is provided. The resonator includes a membrane attached at its perimeter to a frame, such that a front side of the membrane is in contact with the liquid, and the back side of the membrane is not in contact with the liquid or the frame. The membrane can act as a mechanical resonator. The quality factor of this resonator is enhanced by providing a pressure release boundary region on the frame in proximity to the membrane and in contact with the liquid. The pressure release boundary region provides a soft boundary condition, in the sense that a mechanical impedance on the solid side of the solid-liquid interface is less than the liquid mechanical impedance. Providing such a soft boundary condition reduces the mechanical energy loss due to excitation of waves in the liquid, thereby improving resonator quality factor. Such high-Q resonators are particularly useful for sensor applications.
US07694549B2
A single block pneumatic gauging system, with an appropriate passageway, receives compressed air to its inlet and its outlet is connected to an air probe. Parts to be gauged, are placed on a fixture which incorporates the air probe. The proximity of the part, to the nozzle of the air probe, creates a restriction which causes the air speed in the passageway to vary proportionally to the size of the part. A transmitter, at the mid-point of the passageway, generates a sonic wave, which propagates in the passageway. A receiver at the inlet will sense the sonic wave which travels at the speed of sound minus the air speed and a receiver at the outlet will sense the sonic wave which travels at the speed of sound plus the air speed. Phase comparison of both waves provides a signal proportional to air speed in the passageway which in turn is proportional to the size of the part being gauged.
US07694548B2
The preferred form of the present invention is directed to systems and methods used to test objects including but not limited to filters, respirator cartridges and filter media. The object to be tested is subjected to an aerosol challenge while the penetration percentage and resistance at a given flow are monitored to ensure that the object will function as desired. Preferably, the test object is challenged with a salt aerosol. However, any suitable aerosol may be used. A replenishment member is provided for automatically and continuously replenishing the reservoir of an aerosol generator. The replenishment member is configured such that there is no need for an operator to monitor the liquid level in the aerosol generator reservoir either during replenishment or at anytime while the apparatus is operated. The replenishment member of the preferred form of the present invention does not require interruption of the filter testing process to replenish the aerosol generator reservoir. The preferred form of the present invention supplies heated air to the aerosol generator reservoir to significantly reduce the liquid needed to be collected in the drip jar of the impactor. This feature prolongs the run time of the test system. A control device is operably associated with the heater to activate and deactivate the heater depending upon detection of pressurized gas supplied to the aerosol generator. This feature prevents the heater from irreparably damaging the test unit and/or the surrounding environment.
US07694543B2
A system for folding a ribbon stock, the system including: a transferring unit; a guide member having a passage for guiding the ribbon stock, the passage defining a longitudinal axis; a folding means supported to revolve and move in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis for applying a force against the ribbon stock passing through the guide member; a driving means; a supporting frame; a fixing body having a predetermined length and a guide entrance operatively connected with the guide member, wherein ends of the fixing body are rotatably fixed to the supporting frame, the fixing body having a guide slot formed therein for insertably receiving the folding means; and a pair of rotary bodies rotatably connected to the ends of the fixing body for revolving the folding means, the pair of rotary bodies configured to insertably receive the folding means.
US07694541B2
A padlock comprises a lock body including at least one passage defined therein. A shackle is displaceable between open and secured positions. The shackle has at least one leg which is slideable within the at least one passage and which includes a notch. A locking member is accommodated within the lock body and is displaceable between unlocked and locked positions. The locking member is preloaded towards the locked position to engage the notch to inhibit movement of the shackle from the secured position into the open position. One of the at least one passage and the at least one leg defines at least one recess. The other one of the at least one passage and the at least one leg defines at least one projection that extends into the at least one recess.
US07694540B2
A device for damping runout vibration of a rotating shaft system at least including a rotating shaft and a rotating body rotatably supported by the shaft. A ring (24) is provided outside a bearing (23) fitted on a rotating shaft with a clearance between the ring and an outer ring of the bearing. A vibration damping mechanism includes, in order to suppress runout vibration of a rotating shaft system from the radially outside of the ring (24), a blade spring (25) compressed by a preload and a stopper (26) for setting an operation limit of the blade spring.
US07694531B2
A method for forming microspheres on a microscopic level comprises the steps of defining holes through a substrate, disposing a sheet of thermally formable material onto the substrate covering the holes, heating the sheet of thermally formable material until a predetermined degree of plasticity is achieved, applying fluidic pressure through the holes to the sheet of thermally formable material, while the sheet of glass is still plastic, and forming microspheres on the substrate in the sheet of thermally formable material by means of continued application of pressure for a predetermined time. The invention also includes a substrate having a plurality of holes defined therethrough, a layer of thermally formable material disposed onto the substrate covering the plurality of holes, and a plurality of microspheres thermally formed in the layer by means of applied pressure through the holes when it has been heated to a predetermined degree of plasticity.
US07694528B2
In a heat exchanging apparatus for a vapor compression refrigerant cycle, an internal heat exchanger is attached to an end of a radiator. The internal heat exchanger is arranged such that high-pressure refrigerant passages are closer to the radiator than low-pressure refrigerant passages. The heat exchanging apparatus can be mounted on a vehicle such that the radiator receives cooling air more than the internal heat exchanger. Because the internal heat exchanger performs heat exchange between high-pressure refrigerant and low-pressure refrigerant, performance of the internal heat exchanger is not degraded even if it is located at a part receiving less cooling air. Thus, the heat exchanging apparatus is easily mounted on a vehicle by integrating the internal heat exchanger with the radiator, without reducing a cooling capacity of the radiator.
US07694527B2
A system and humidity control method is provided for a multi-stage cooling system having two or more refrigerant circuits that balances humidity control and cooling demand. Each refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a vessel and an evaporator. A hot gas reheat circuit having a heat exchange coil is connected to one of the refrigerant circuits and is placed in fluid communication with the output airflow from the evaporator of that refrigerant circuit to provide additional dehumidification to the air when humidity control is requested. The hot gas reheat circuit bypasses the vessel of the refrigerant circuit during humidity control. Humidity control is performed during cooling operations and ventilation operations. During a first stage cooling operation using only one refrigerant circuit and having a low cooling demand, the request for humidity control activates the hot gas reheat circuit for dehumidification and activates a second refrigerant circuit to provide cooling capacity. The hot gas reheat circuit is sized to match the cooling provided by the evaporator so that air cooled by passing through the evaporator can be reheated. Excess refrigerant is passed into the inactive cooling circuit so that proper pressure and temperature can be maintained in the active reheat circuit and so that high head pressure that can damage the compressor can be avoided. During a second stage cooling operation using two or more refrigerant circuit and having a high cooling demand, the request for humidity control is suspended and is initiated only upon the completion of the second stage cooling demand.
US07694516B2
A master cylinder that can prevent impairment of a piston seal, and a method of producing the master cylinder are provided. A master cylinder has a circumferential groove (47) in which a piston seal is provided, the piston seal having an outer circumference which enables operating fluid to be supplied, and a communication groove (96) which opens into the circumferential groove (47) and extends from the circumferential groove (47) toward a bottom portion of a cylinder body (15) to connect a pressure chamber and the circumferential groove (47). The communication groove (96) is formed with its center made eccentric relative to the center of the circumferential groove (47). A chamfered portion (100) is formed over an entire extent of a corner portion formed by the circumferential groove (47) and the communication groove (96), along a circular path concentric with the communication groove (96).
US07694510B2
A motor control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle with a diesel engine provides for a reduced compulsory regeneration time period so as to achieve enhancement of the fuel cost. The motor control apparatus includes a filter for collecting particulate matter in exhaust gas of the diesel engine, a compulsory regenerator for compulsorily regenerating the filter, and a battery charger for converting the output power of the diesel engine into electric power based on a charged state of the battery, and for charging the battery with the electric power. When the compulsory regeneration is executed, the supply of electric power to the battery by the engine is inhibited.
US07694508B2
Air-fuel ratio control system for an engine having a catalyst purifying exhaust gases, first oxygen sensor disposed upstream of the catalyst, and second oxygen sensor disposed downstream. Intake air flow rate is detected. An amount of oxygen flowing into the catalyst is calculated using oxygen concentration detected by the first sensor and the detected intake air flow rate. The air-fuel ratio is alternately controlled to lean and rich by comparison between the calculated oxygen amount and target values. A rich oxygen amount and a lean oxygen amount are calculated. A correction amount for correcting the first sensor output is calculated based on the rich oxygen amount, the lean oxygen amount, and an accumulated value of the detected intake air flow rate. The oxygen concentration corrected with the correction amount is used for calculating the inflowing oxygen amount, the rich operation oxygen amount, and the lean operation oxygen amount.
US07694501B1
A work machine for harvesting a cane crop having a lower crop material gathering device. The work machine has a direction of travel and the work machine has a chassis and an upper crop material gathering device coupled to the chassis. The upper crop material gathering device includes at least one moving device and a stalk cutting device. The at least one moving device is configured to substantially surround a stalk of a cane crop plant as the at least one moving device moves. The at least one moving device is further configured to bend the head of the cane crop plant in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of travel. The stalk cutting device is positioned proximate to the at least one moving device. The stalk engaging device being configured to cut the peduncle of the cane crop plant.
US07694499B2
Packaging equipment for continuously making packages of stacks of tiles on a working conveyor that feeds the stacks of tiles to be packaged. The equipment has a first element for feeding a plastic film on top of the working conveyor that projects laterally below the stacks of tiles and also has a second element for feeding two laminar elements parallel to each other on top of the plastic film which laterally project below the stacks of tiles. Guiding rods are provided for vertically lifting and upper winding of the projecting portions of the plastic film that is around the stacks of tiles as they advance on the conveyor. Longitudinal welding device and another welding device are provided for welding the plastic film around the stacks of tiles.
US07694476B2
An apparatus for inline base termination of a monopole structure includes an upper base plate configured to be joined to a bottom end of a monopole, a lower base plate including a plurality of bolt holes, and a plurality of web plates connecting the upper and lower base plates, such that a virtual projection of the monopole through the lower base plate intersects the plurality of bolt holes. Another inline base termination apparatus includes a hollow monopole with outer shell, a base plate having a plurality of bolt holes formed therein in a circular pattern and evenly circumferentially spaced, and a plurality of web plates, each of which has a longitudinal slot configured to receive the monopole and is joined to the base plate between two adjacent bolt holes, such that a virtual projection of the hollow monopole through the base plate intersects the plurality of bolt holes.
US07694469B2
A muntin grid (34) is provided having a plurality of muntin bars (36) joined at intersecting points to form a grid (34). The grid (34) further has a plurality of muntin bar ends (38) located near a periphery of the grid (34), each muntin bar end (38) having a depending tab (39). A muntin clip (40) is provided for receiving the tab (39) wherein the tab attaches the clip (40) to the muntin bar end (38).
US07694467B2
A roof ventilation assembly has a ridge framework corresponding to a vent on a roof, a top cover, front and rear panels and two baffler assemblies. The two baffler assemblies are respectively mounted on two sides of the ridge framework leaving two gaps between the baffler assemblies and the top cover. When heated air under the roof rises, the heated air goes through the vent and out of the slots. Therefore, the heated air can be expelled by the roof ventilation assembly cheaply and easily, without requiring maintenance and external power source.
US07694466B2
An apparatus for holding a plurality of solar cell units includes a mounting member to be fixed onto a roof, a plurality of fixtures, and a frame member having to-be-sandwiched portions to be sandwiched and fixed between the mounting member and the fixtures, and grooves that support the ends of the plate-shaped solar cell units. The to-be-sandwiched portions of the frame members are positioned inside projection plane regions that project the solar cell units and the grooves immediately below, whereby the distance between adjacent solar cell units reduces.
US07694459B2
An actuator for moving a flap of a piece of furniture includes a spring loaded actuating arm and a mechanical locking connection provided at each end of the actuating arm. The mechanical locking connections connect the arm in a detachable manner to a body of the piece of furniture and to the flap of the piece of furniture. By this arrangement the actuating arm can be hinged in a simple manner to the base body and removed again if necessary.
US07694453B1
A fishing lure, comprising a weighted head to which a hook, spinner and weed guard are attached, and three cutouts made of a flexible, absorbent material that are wrapped and tied around a load collar or extension from the head. The cutouts will make the lure resemble a bait fish such as is eaten by the fish that the user wants to catch. The cutouts may be decorated with beads, feathers and paint, to increase the resemblance to bait fish. The wiggling motion of the jig as it is pulled through the water and the rotation of the spinner will attract fish. Scent may be absorbed and released by the cutouts to further attract fish. The head is preferably made from lead, and the cutouts are preferably made from a microfiber fabric. A first preferred embodiment is called the “switch back”, and a second preferred embodiment is called the “pop”.
US07694448B2
There is provided a recoil shock device capable of obtaining the same recoil shock as that in a case where the weight of a piston is increased, without increasing the weight of the piston by separately providing a movable part and a weight of a piston/cylinder. There is also provided a recoil shock device capable of obtaining a recoil shock similar to that in a real gun, without damaging the outer appearance of a gun. In order to drive a weight to obtain imitated recoil, i.e., a recoil shock by operation of a movable part in a piston/cylinder which generates compressed air, a communicating part 31 which is moved in its retreating direction by the movable part 13 is provided, and a recoil spring 35 which receives a force transmitted to the weight 33 via the communicating part 31 by the movable part 13 so as to be in a compressed state is provided. A reaction that accompanies movement of the weight 33 when the recoil spring 35 is compressed and the recoil spring 35 is then extended by its resilient force is transmitted to a main body 37 of the gun.
US07694442B2
A system and method of assisting an operator of an excavating machine includes recommending a hop distance to move the machine based on the maximum distance that the machine can move and still be able to reach the bottom of the excavation that has already been dug by the machine during an excavating operation.
US07694441B2
Device for dislodging and recovering dredging material of varying nature, comprising a bearing housing (25), a drive shaft (11) mounted therein for rotatingly driving with a determined torque a cutter head (10, 10′) with a support ring (15, 15′), which cutter head is mountable on the drive shaft via a hub (9), and a suction pipe (13) which can be connected to a suction mouth (14, 14′) which is surrounded by a fixed cutter shield (21, 21′) which fills the space between the rotating support ring on the one side and the suction mouth and the bearing housing on the other, wherein a number of cutter heads with a different support ring diameter can be mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the support ring diameter is determined by the torque and the nature of the dredging material to be recovered.
US07694435B1
A foldable flip flop which incorporates a flexible hinge within a sole of the footwear. The flexible hinge consists of a molded flexible hinge section 40, a molded hinge aperture 38, a hinge top recess 34 and a hinge limitation contact section 42. The molded flexible hinge section 40 and molded hinge aperture 38 provides a flexible and reliable member allowing the sole to be folded. The sole can comprise a hinge section along a transverse orientation or a longitudinal orientation about the center of the sole. The hinge limitation contact section 42 ensures that a heel section of the sole remains in a wearable configuration during use.
US07694434B2
A laundry drier is provided. The laundry drier includes a base, a drying drum, a front cover, a back cover, a top cover, and side covers. The base includes an air passage in the inside of the base, and at least one discharge port for discharging air that has flowed into the air passage. The drying drum is provided above the base and receives the laundry. The front cover is mounted in front of the drying drum, and the back cover is mounted in the rear side of the drying drum. The top cover is mounted above the drying drum, and the side covers are mounted in the lateral sides of the drying drum and have at least two discharge holes.
US07694432B2
The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for dehumidifying, drying or the like of different materials. The invention is developed primarily for dehumidification of sewage sludge (7), but it may be utilized for many different materials including foodstuffs as crispbread and pasta. The sludge (7) or other material is dehumidified or dried in a chamber (1) by means of thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is given by means of one or more elements (2) for thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is concentrated to one or more distinct wavelength ranges at which water has peaks for absorption of radiation energy. Air is circulated in the chamber (1), to take up moisture evaporated from the material.
US07694428B2
A measuring device for determining compliance of a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The measuring device will make it easier and quicker for a user to check the compliance. The device may make it possible for a user to check multiple dimensions of a lacrosse stick at one time. For example, such a measuring device may be adapted to measure a first width, a second width, and a length of the lacrosse stick head.
US07694419B2
Battery operated appliances are provided. Some appliances include a housing defining a chamber having an interior wall, electronics within the chamber, a battery cover, and a closing system including (a) a first electrically conductive member secured to the battery cover, and (b) a second electrically conductive member secured to the interior wall of the housing and configured to engage the first electrically conductive member and thereby mechanically secure the battery cover to the housing while also establishing electrical contact between the first and second electrically conductive members.
US07694417B2
A method enables rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine to be assembled. The method includes providing a plurality of rotor blades that each include a dovetail, providing a rotor disc that includes a plurality of dovetail slots spaced circumferentially about the disc, partially inserting each rotor blade dovetail into a respective rotor dovetail slot, and seating the plurality of rotor blades in the respective rotor dovetail slot substantially simultaneously using an annular blade installation tool.
US07694414B2
A multilayered electronic component that is easy to manufacture and that has excellent electrical characteristics includes end portions of coil wiring patterns that oppose a coil connection electrode that is displaced on the surface of a second ceramic layer due to an increase or decrease in the number of first ceramic layers. A coil connection electrode has a shape in which surface portions of second ceramic layers or opposed second ceramic layers having the first ceramic layers disposed in between are connected to the end portions of the coil wiring patterns that oppose the respective coil connection electrode, which are displaced due to the increase or decrease in the number of the first ceramic layers. A connection wiring pattern has a shape in which one portion of a coil connection electrode is connected to one portion of an external extension electrode connection pattern.
US07694400B2
A threaded insert installation tool includes an adapter assembly that connects a front and assembly with a driver. The threaded insert installation tool may be used in areas with limited access and may be operated with a battery-powered screwdriver. The adapter assembly may include a drive shaft that may have a segment square cross-section that may slide in linear direction within a square-hole sleeve assisted by a spring converting the rotary motion provided by the cordless screwdriver into a linear feed. The threaded insert installation tool may be suitable for, but not limited too, applications in the automotive, communication, aerospace, military and defense industries. The threaded insert installation tool may be used to install threaded inserts in tapped holes that are positioned in a space having an extended depth and a close proximity to surrounding walls, such as inside a cylinder or a barrel, for example, a missile shell.
US07694393B2
A carding machine has a number of rollers including a cylinder and having at least one clothed and/or unclothed machine element located opposite the cylinder at a spacing therefrom. The machine may have further elements influencing the carding nip. In order to make possible a carding nip between the cylinder and the clothed and/or unclothed counterpart element that remains constant or virtually constant when heat is generated, the parts influencing the carding nip are so construed that they have thermal expansion characteristics which are such that, when subjected to the heat acting on them in use, the carding nip remains substantially constant.
US07694390B2
A hinge mechanism includes a shaft (1), a cam (2), a housing (3), an arresting member (6), a cam follower (4), and an elastic member (5). The housing has an open housing end (30), and an opposite partially open housing end (31) including a transverse wall (35). The cam, the cam follower, the elastic member and the arresting member surround the shaft in turn. The cam follower and the elastic member are received in the housing. The cam is partly received in the housing. The transverse wall of the partially open housing end of the housing prevents the cam from sliding further into the housing. The arresting member is disposed adjacent to the open housing end allowing the arresting member sliding into the housing. The cam is rotatable relative to the shaft and non-rotatable relative to the housing, and the cam follower is non-rotatable relative to the shaft.
US07694387B1
A retractable handle assembly includes a shank, an extension pipe, a retractable pipe, a receiving member, an expandable member, a control member, a driving member, and a rotation member. The retractable pipe is movable relative to the extension pipe by rotation of the rotation member to adjust the distance between the retractable pipe and the extension pipe so as to adjust the length of the retractable handle assembly. Thus, when each of the push flanges of the control member is inserted into the respective locking recess of the expandable member by rotation of the control member, the control member is locked by the expandable member, thereby preventing the control member from being jammed due to an excessive rotation.
US07694382B2
A floor cleaning tool is described and which includes a vacuum chamber having a fluid intake end, and a fluid exhaust end; a coupling member defining a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and which is integrally coupled to the fluid intake end of the vacuum chamber; and a floor engagement member having a plurality of inlet ports, and which is releasably secured to the coupling member by means of a mortise and tenon joint.
US07694379B2
A surface cleaning pad comprising a pad body and an attachment surface associated with the pad body and positioned to face a cleaning implement is provided. The attachment surface comprises a substantially hydrophilic portion and a substantially hydrophobic portion.
US07694376B2
A cleansing method of fluid-supply apparatus and cleansing module using the same is disclosed. First, a cleansing module is fixed to the fluid-supply apparatus to be cleansed for disposing the nozzles of the fluid-supply apparatus in the cleansing tank of the cleansing module. Second, a liquid used for cleansing is supplied inside the cleansing tank, and ultrasonic-wave vibration of the liquid is provided to remove plug stuck on the nozzles. Later, plug remained on the nozzles is scraped down and meanwhile the waste liquid is drawn out of the cleansing tank for further improving cleansing efficiency of the cleansing method. By using the cleansing method of the present invention, plug on the nozzles of the fluid-supply apparatus can be effectively removed and consequently lifetime of the fluid-supply apparatus is extended. Additionally, the cleansing method is capable of dramatically reducing working time required and of increasing efficiency of cleansing fabrication process.
US07694365B2
A pillow, for supporting and fixing the shoulders of an examination subject in the respective housings of different shoulder coils in a magnetic resonance apparatus, snugly fills the inner area of the shoulder coil with at least three, and preferably four lobes with the lobes not laterally overlapping one another.
US07694357B2
The invention relates to a safety bar for a bathtub to help prevent children from falling into a tub. The bar can be moved from a lower position to an upper position to form a barrier to keep children out of a tub. Alternatively, the device when it is in its extended position can be used to provide an additional support for a user when sitting in a tub, so that the user does not slide in the tub.
US07694352B2
In a glove having finger covering parts, a finger covering part corresponding to at least one finger selected from the third finger (middle finger), the fourth finger (ring finger), and the fifth finger (little finger) is configured by arranging protective members (2a to 2e) on anterior and posterior sides of the same, and arranging stretchable members (4a to 6a) on both lateral sides of the same. An inner perimeter of each finger covering part is substantially equal to an outer perimeter of the finger corresponding thereto. The stretchable members on the lateral sides of each finger have stretching forces such that a stretching force of the stretchable member on the lateral side on the first finger (thumb) side is higher than a stretching force of the stretchable member on the other lateral side on the fifth finger (little finger) side. When the glove is bent from an opened state to a gripping state, the finger covering part is bent with a twist at a gripping angle toward the first finger (thumb) side. Thus, a glove is provided that is capable of following changes in shape caused by a gripping action of a hand, providing both of the feeling of fitting and the feeling of support, and having a high-level protection function and a high-level of mobility function.
