US07868252B2
The invention relates to an electrical connector locking hub nut that does not damage the wiring during pulling, frees up manpower by allowing one person rather than two to be able to do the pulling, has a simplified design, and which has universal threading for conduit of all currently approved sizes and materials.
US07868247B2
A method of forming a photovoltaic device includes a plurality of quantum wells and a plurality of barriers. The quantum wells and barriers are disposed on an underlying layer. The barriers alternate with the quantum wells. One of the plurality of quantum wells and the plurality of barriers is comprised of tensile strained layers and the other of the plurality of quantum wells and the plurality of barriers is comprised of compressively strained layers. The tensile and compressively strained layers have elastic properties. The method includes selecting compositions and thicknesses of the barriers and quantum wells taking into account the elastic properties such that each period of one tensile strained layer and one compressively strained layer exerts substantially no shear force on a neighboring structure; providing the underlying layer; and forming the quantum sells and barriers on the underlying layer according to the derived compositions and thicknesses.
US07868246B2
A composite solar collection module includes a thin film solar collection cell that is encapsulated between a transparent substrate, such as glass, on one side, and an electrically insulating film on the other. A metallic layer is disposed over the electrically insulating film to provide protection against diffusion of atmospheric species that may harm the thin film solar collection cell. The insulating and metallic layers are dimensioned so that a larger collection cell can be used to collect solar energy over a larger proportion of the available substrate surface area, without causing arcing between the cell edge and the metallic layer edge.
US07868238B2
An electronic musical apparatus which is shared by a plurality of users and is capable of making environmental settings for individual users without imposing burdens on the users. Authentication of biometric information or possession information on each user is performed, and environmental setting information for setting an environment of the electronic musical apparatus is stored in association with the biometric information or possession information on each user. Environmental setting information associated with the authenticated biometric information or possession information is read out, and an environment of the electronic musical apparatus is set based on the read environmental setting information.
US07868237B1
A striker is disclosed for striking a percussion instrument, such as a drum or symbol. At least one elongated semi-rigid rod has a proximal end and a distal end. An elongated tubular core section is included that has a proximal end and a distal end. Each rod is slidably receivable in the distal end of the core section. In one embodiment, at least one handle sleeve is fixed around the proximal end of the core section. In another embodiment, an elongated tubular handle section having a proximal end and a distal end is included. The proximal end of the core section is fixedly receivable in the distal end of the handle section. In such an embodiment, each handle sleeve is fixed around the proximal end of the handle section instead of the core section.
US07868236B1
A drum pedal assembly has a shaft, a bushing and a balancer. The shaft has a first end. The bushing is mounted securely around the first end and has two ends and a through hole. The through hole of the bushing is defined axially through the bushing and is mounted around the first end. The balancer is mounted securely around the bushing and has an outer surface, a shaft hole, a threaded hole and a bolt. The shaft hole is defined axially through the balancer and is mounted around the bushing. The threaded hole is mounted radially in the outer surface of the balancer and communicates with the shaft hole. The bolt is mounted in the threaded hole and presses against the shaft. When the bushing is worn, only the worn bushing has to be replaced.
US07868234B1
A novel inbred maize variety designated PHEME and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize variety PHEME with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHEME through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred variety PHEME or a trait conversion of PHEME with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHEME, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHEME and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07868232B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB34B09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB34B09, to the plants of soybean XB34B09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB34B09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB34B09 with another soybean plant, using XB34B09 as either the male or the female parent.
US07868231B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5789653. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5789653. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5789653 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5789653 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07868228B2
The invention relates generally to phosphopantetheinyl transferases that are required for activation of a polyketide synthase complex to synthesize long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA's) such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. In particular, the invention relates to bacterial phosphopantetheinyl transferases, DNA constructs for their expression in host cells, and seed, oil and meal when the host cells comprise a plant. Also provided is a method for making a plant oil containing docosahexaenoic acid and/or eicosapentaenoic acid.
US07868223B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a modified foreign chromosome(s) or a fragment(s) thereof, which comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a microcell comprising a foreign chromosome(s) or a fragment(s) thereof, and transferring said foreign chromosome(s) or a fragment(s) into a cell with high homologous recombination efficiency through its fusion with said microcell; (b) in said cell with high homologous recombination efficiency, inserting a targeting vector by homologous recombination into a desired site of said foreign chromosome(s) or a fragment(s) thereof, and/or a desired site of a chromosome(s) derived from said cell with high homologous recombination efficiency, thereby marking said desired site; and (c) in said cell with high homologous recombination efficiency, causing deletion and/or translocation to occur at the marked site of said foreign chromosome(s) or a fragment(s) thereof.
US07868222B1
A method is provided for producing an artificial infection in a Culicidae (mosquito) species. The mosquitoes include species within the subfamilies Culicinae and Anophelinae, and the species include Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti and Aedes polynesiensis infected with a Wolbachia infection. The infection may be a strain of Wolbachia which does not normally or naturally infect the selected mosquito species. The artificially infected Aedes mosquito can be introduced into a mosquito population to control the reproduction capability of the population by introducing an incompatible Wolbachia infection. The present method can be used as a novel means to limit mosquito-borne pathogens and thus control or prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, lymphatic filariasis, etc.
US07868217B2
A method of extending the life of an aromatization catalyst comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) of the catalyst, and oxidizing the catalyst prior to reaching the RDT. A method of aromatizing a hydrocarbon comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) for an aromatization catalyst, and operating an aromatization reactor comprising the catalyst to extend the Time on Stream of the reactor prior to reaching the RDT. A method of characterizing an aromatization catalyst comprising identifying a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) of the catalyst. A method of extending the life of an aromatization catalyst comprising predicting a rapid deactivation threshold (RDT) for an aromatization reactor by employing the catalyst in a reactor system under an accelerated fouling condition to identify a test rapid deactivation threshold (t-RDT), predicting the RDT for the aromatization reactor based upon the t-RDT, and oxidizing the catalyst prior to the predicted RDT to extend the Time on Stream of the aromatization catalyst.
US07868214B2
A process for producing olefins from a feedstock comprising a petroleum and non-petroleum fraction has been developed. The process comprises first pretreating the feedstock to remove contaminants such as alkali metals and then cracking the purified feedstock in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) zone operated at conditions to provide C2-C5 olefins. Alternatively, the non-petroleum fraction can first be treated and then mixed with petroleum fraction to provide the feedstock which is then catalytically cracked.
US07868210B2
A process is described for the preparation of phenol by the hydrodeoxygenation of polyhydroxylated benzene derivatives or by the selective hydroxylation of benzene under depletive conditions, characterized in that the above-mentioned reactions are carried out in the presence of a catalyst based on multi component metal oxides comprising at least one metal selected from the groups VB, VIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IVA, VA.
US07868208B1
The present invention relates to a novel class of polymeric compounds having specific highly crosslinked cationic or amphoteric structure. These products are produced without free radical monomers ands are based upon an alkyl diamine which has been reacted to produce a di-tertiary amine compound. The diamine has alkyl groups present the contribute hydrophobicity to the molecule and once crosslinked provide outstanding benefits vis-à-vis conditioning and softening to the hair and skin. The presence of the two amine groups and selection of the proper alkyl group allows for the synthesis of a high molecular weight cationic compound which is extremely substantitive to human skin and are well tolerated by human tissue making them suitable for use preparation of barrier products for personal care applications.
US07868203B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing a solid sodium diformate preparation having a formic acid content of at least 35% by weight based on the total weight of sodium diformate preparation, in which, at elevated temperature, an aqueous solution (E) is produced which comprises sodium formate and formic acid in a molar ratio of HCOOH:HCOONa of greater than 1.5:1 and which has a molar ratio of HCOOH:H2O of at least 1.1:1, the aqueous solution (E) is brought to crystallization to obtain a solid phase (F) and a mother liquor (G), and the solid phase (F) is separated off from the mother liquor (G), (i) the mother liquor (G) being fed to a distillation apparatus (DV); (ii) the mother liquor (G) in the distillation apparatus (DV) being admixed with a sodium-comprising base (A) to obtain a mixture (B) comprising sodium formate and formic acid; (iii) admixing the mixture (B) obtained from step (ii) with formic acid (D) to obtain the aqueous solution (E); and (iv) excess water (C) essentially being ejected only by withdrawal from the distillation apparatus (DV); and also to the use of a solid sodium diformate preparation obtainable by the inventive process as feed additive for animal feed, in particular for monogastric animal feed and especially for animal feed for hogs and/or poultry.
US07868200B2
A process for preparing at least one alicyclic carboxylic acid compound by Grignard reaction, the process comprising: reacting magnesium and at least one alicyclic halide compound in at least one solvent to produce at least one alicyclic Grignard reagent; concurrently adding carbon dioxide to the magnesium, the alicyclic halide compound, the solvent, and the alicyclic Grignard reagent, while the alicyclic Grignard reagent is still being produced, to form at least one alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt; and hydrolyzing the alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt to form the alicyclic carboxylic acid compound; wherein the alicyclic Grignard reagent and the alicyclic carboxylate magnesium salt are prepared in a one-pot synthesis.
US07868197B2
Halogen substituted metallocene compounds are described and comprise one or more monocyclic or polycyclic ligands that are pi-bonded to the metal atom and include at least one halogen substituent directly bonded to an sp2 carbon atom at a bondable ring position of the ligand, wherein the or at least one ligand has one or more ring heteroatoms in its cyclic structure. When combined with a suitable activator, these compounds show activity in the polymerization of olefins, such as ethylene and propylene.
US07868188B2
The invention provides thiazole derivatives of formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in which Ring A, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the specification; a processes for their preparation; pharmaceutical compositions containing them; and their use in therapy, for example in the treatment of disease mediated by a PI3K enzyme and/or a mTOR kinase.
US07868185B2
The present invention relates to small molecule protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, especially Shp-2 inhibitors, of formula (I) and/or (II), and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. The invention is also directed to the use of said compounds for the treatment of phosphatase-mediated diseases, especially cancer and metastasis. The invention further concerns a method for treating a proliferative disease, a genetic disorder, an autoimmune disease, an angiogenic disorder or cancer in a patient in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I) and/or (II).
US07868176B2
Disclosed herein are salts of N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-N-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-N′-(4-(2-methylpropyloxy) phenylmethyl)carbamide including the citrate, fumarate, maleate, malate, phosphate, succinate, sulphate, and edisylate salts.
US07868173B2
The instant invention relates to novel prodrugs of optically pure benzoquinolizine-2-carboxylic acid and pharmaceutical compositions that include the prodrugs. In particular, the present invention relates to the sulfonic acid salts of L-alanine and L-valine prodrugs of S-(−)-9-fluoro-6,7-dihydro-8-(4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)-5-methyl-1-oxo-1H,5H-benzo[i,j]quinolizine-2-carboxylic acid. The compounds and compositions of the invention can be used to treat bacterial Gram-positive, Gram-negative and anaerobic infections, especially infections caused by resistant Gram-positive organism and Gram-negative organism, mycobacterial infections and emerging nosocomial pathogen infections.
US07868159B2
The invention includes compositions and methods for enhancing immunopotency of an immune cell by way of inhibiting a negative immune regulator in the cell. The present invention provides vaccines and therapies in which antigen presentation is enhanced through inhibition of negative immune regulators. The present invention also provides a mechanism to break self tolerance in tumor vaccination methods that rely on presentation of self tumor antigens.
US07868147B2
A fluorescent probe which is represented by the following formula (I): (wherein, R1 represents a monovalent substituent other than hydrogen atom, carboxy group, or sulfo group; R2 represents hydrogen atom, or a monovalent substituent; R3 and R4 each independently represents hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; and R5 represents a monovalent group which is cleaved by contact with a measuring object, provided that a combination of R1 and R2 is selected so that the oxidation potential of the benzene ring to which they bind makes (1) the compound represented by the formula (I) substantially no fluorescent before the cleavage, and (2) a compound after the cleavage, which is derived from the compound represented by the formula (I), substantially highly fluorescent after the cleavage).
US07868142B2
It is intended to provide an anti-photocrosslinking group antibody capable of specifically binding to a photocrosslinking group and available in the binding of a substrate and a substance of interest in a microstructure, a complex protein including at least the antibody or at least a portion thereof, and a technique for use thereof in the detection of a target substance. The present invention provides a protein having at least the structure of an antibody that recognizes a photocrosslinking group.
US07868140B2
This invention provides antibodies that interact with or bind to human B7 related protein-1 (B7RP1) and antibodies that bind to and neutralize the function of B7RP1 thereby. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions of said antibodies and methods for neutralizing B7RP1 function, and particularly for treating immune disorders (e.g., inappropriate immune response) by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of anti-B7RP1 antibodies. Methods of detecting the amount of B7RP1 in a sample using anti-B7RP1 antibodies are also provided.
US07868136B2
The present invention relates to a method of concentrating low molecular weight peptides in the supernatant of serum-free cultured cells, said method comprising allowing the peptides to bind to a strong cation exchanger under an acid condition, and eluting them under an alkali condition to concentrate the peptide.Furthermore, peptides having the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, and a method of screening cancer markers using antibody to these peptides, are disclosed.
US07868132B2
A method for preparing multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) amines from multi-arm PEG polyols is described. The method comprises a two step process, wherein the multi-arm PEG polyol is first reacted with thionyl chloride to form a multi-arm PEG chloride, which is subsequently reacted with aqueous or anhydrous ammonia to yield the multi-arm PEG amine.
US07868131B2
The present invention is directed to methods of preparing linear polymers such as polyalkylene oxides containing a terminal amine in high purity. One preferred method includes reacting a polyalkylene oxide such as polyethylene glycol containing a terminal azide with a phosphine-based reducing agent such as triphenylphosphine or an alkali metal borohydride reducing agent such as sodium borohydride in a solvent to reflux. The resultant polymer-amines are of sufficient purity so that expensive and time consuming purification steps required for pharmaceutical grade polymers are avoided.
US07868124B2
The present invention relates to polymers comprising phenylene units, at least one of which bears a phenylene side group substituted with a perfluoro group or chain, which itself bears an —SO3H, —PO3H2 or —CO2H group.Use of this polymer to make fuel cell membranes.
US07868121B2
“A high-molecular compound or high-molecular antioxidant obtained by reacting at least three compounds of (A) a sulfur-containing organic compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms, (B) a polyisocyanate compound having at least two isocyanate groups and (C) an amine compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms and then cationizing with an acid at least some of amino groups in a resultant reaction product” or “a high-molecular antioxidant obtained by reacting at least three compounds of (A) a sulfur-containing organic compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms, (B) a polyisocyanate compound having at least two isocyanate groups and (E) a nonionic polyol compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms” and a recording medium obtained by using the high-molecular antioxidant. The present invention provides a recording medium, which effectively prevents discoloration or color fading of images by acidic gas in the atmosphere and light and also migration of the images at high temperature and high humidity, and therefore, is suited for the long-term storage of the images.
US07868120B2
Disclosed are low temperature, moisture curable coating compositions, related coated substrates, and methods for coating a substrate. The coating compositions include an ungelled, secondary amine-containing Michael addition reaction product of reactants including a compound comprising more than one site of ethylenic unsaturation, and an aminofunctional silane.
US07868118B2
The present invention discloses to a high refractive index polysiloxane (co)polymer comprising refractive index modifying groups chemically bonded in clustered configuration to the polysiloxane backbone. The invention also discloses methods for the preparation of such high refractive index polysiloxane (co)polymers A polysiloxane according to the invention is very suitable for use as a material for the production of intra-ocular lenses.
US07868114B1
Provided herein are composition comprising a farnesene interpolymer. The farnesene interpolymer can be derived from a farnesene and at least one vinyl monomer. In some embodiments, the mole percent ratio of the farnesene to the at least one vinyl monomer is from about 1:4 to about 100:1. In certain embodiments, the farnesene is α-farnesene, β-farnesene or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an α-olefin such as styrene, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof.
US07868112B2
A polymer containing: a constitutional unit A that is derived from fluorosilsesquioxane having one addition polymerizable functional group in a molecule; a constitutional unit B that is derived from organopolysiloxane having an addition polymerizable functional group; and a constitutional unit C that is derived from an addition polymerizable monomer and has a group having a polymerizable unsaturated bond on a side chain, and optionally containing a constitutional unit D that is derived from an addition polymerizable monomer other than the fluorosilsesquioxane having one addition polymerizable functional group in a molecule, the organopolysiloxane having an addition polymerizable functional group and the addition polymerizable monomer having a functional group capable of introducing a group having a polymerizable unsaturated bond.
US07868111B2
The present invention provides a method for producing α-olefin polymer, comprising polymerizing α-olefins in the presence of a halogen atom-containing acid catalyst by use of an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 3-12 carbon atoms, which contains 5 to 95 mass % of α-olefin, as a raw material; removing catalyst residue and halogen-containing compounds by bringing a product in the polymerization step into contact with an aluminum atom-containing inorganic solid treatment agent with or without deactivating the catalyst; and separating the α-olefin polymer. According to this method, the catalyst residue and other halogen-containing compounds can be removed, without relying on aqueous deactivation and separation steps using an alkaline aqueous solution or the like, from a polymerization reaction product obtained by polymerization in the presence of a halogen-containing acid catalyst by use of an α-olefin-containing liquid hydrocarbon as a raw material.
US07868104B2
A propylene copolymer is described comprising at least 70 mol % of units derived from propylene, up to 30 mol % of units derived from a combination of ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, such that the molar ratio of ethylene-derived units to said alpha-olefin-derived units in said combination is from about 1:9 to about 9:1, and from 0 to about 3 mol % of units derived from a copolymerizable diene. The copolymer has isotactically arranged propylene derived sequences, an overall heat of fusion as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of less than 65 J/g, a second melting point as determined by DSC of less than 100° C., less than one 1,3 insertion error per 1000 carbon atoms and a weight average molecular weight as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of from about 100,000 to about 500,000.
US07868097B2
A hybrid polymer has a structure in which a polyolefin segment and a polar polymer segment are connected not via a bonding group containing a heteroatom. A method of the invention produces the hybrid polymer with industrial advantages. The hybrid polymer includes a polyolefin segment (A) and a polar polymer segment (B), the polar polymer segment being obtained by radical polymerization of a radically polymerizable monomer.
US07868095B2
A process is described for obtaining viscosity index improver compounds (V.I.I.) having an improved dimensional stability and capable of enhancing the low temperature rheology of lubricating oils, the above process comprising the treatment of amorphous EP(D)M copolymers or terpolymers, optionally mixed with semi-crystalline EP(D)M, mixed with linear polyethylenes, the treatment being effected in the presence of one or more substances of a hydroperoxide nature and optionally in the presence of small quantities of polyfunctional vinyl monomers, the above treatment being carried out under high shear conditions at a temperature ranging from 75° C. to 260° C., preferably from 140° C. to 210° C.
US07868086B2
Aromatic sulfonimide ionene polymers useful as membranes in electrochemical cells are prepared.
US07868076B2
The instant invention relates to an aqueous paint composition comprising a mixture of: (1) an aqueous paint; (2) a colloidal dispersion of a cerium compound, said dispersion having a pH of at least 5, and comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer (i) obtained by polymerizing at least one monomer (I), corresponding to the following: (I): ethylenically unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic, cyclic or aromatic monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid, or anhydride; and, optionally, a monomer corresponding to II): a polyoxyalkylenated ester of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid; and (3) a base.The instant invention also relates to paints and varnishes containing said composition.
US07868072B2
A gel adhesive composition of the invention contains a crosslinked water-soluble polymer, water, a moisturizer, an amphipathic polymer, a water-insoluble polymer having adhesiveness, and an electrolytic salt and the composition contains the water-insoluble polymer in an amount of 3 to 20% by weight and the amphipathic polymer in an amount of 0.05 to 7.0% by weight with respect to the total amount of the composition except water.
US07868068B1
A method, system and tool for decorating vertical surfaces comprising the steps of providing a medium comprised of cement, a light weight aggregate, silica sand, fused silica, monofilament fine denier fiber, liquid polymer resin, and water; applying a bond coat of a primer made from concentrated liquid polymer to the vertical surface; allowing the bond coat to become tacky; applying the medium to the bond coat on the vertical surface; allowing the medium to set forming a scratch coat; applying a liquid release agent to the scratch coat; applying the medium over the liquid release agent; and decorating the medium on the vertical surface.
US07868057B2
The present invention relates to a vegetation basis, which can be molded at low pressure and temperature and further, keep the crumbled structure suitable for plant growth either by means of a viscosity of a sheath-core type fiber or by addition of a hot melt adhesive, as the powder-typed eco-friendly adhesive, and a fibrous material to the artificial soil, instead of using the liquid-type adhesive, and further can readily absorb and retain water even in case the basis is dried after molding, by additionally incorporating bentonite or water absorbant polymer, if necessary, and to a process for production thereof. In addition, the present invention provides an eco-friendly vegetation basis, which can be decomposed within a short period of time after rooting the plants, and a process for production thereof.
US07868052B2
A recovered disc of a structure in which plural disc substrates are bonded together with an adhesive, is to be recycled. To this end, there is provided a recycling method for a recovered disc wherein a recovered disc, containing a material of at least one coating film, out of a reflective film, a recording film, a protective film and an ink film, deposited on a disc substrate in addition to an adhesive used for bonding a plurality of the disc substrates together, is used as a starting material for preparing a flame retardant resin composition or resin molded product.
US07868051B2
There are disclosed a membrane for a fuel cell in which voids in a porous membrane are filled with a crosslinking type ion exchange resin having both cation-exchange group and anion-exchange group via a covalent bond, wherein the ion exchange resin has ion-exchange groups with either polarity more than ion-exchange groups with the opposite polarity and at least 40% of the ion-exchange groups of the opposite polarity form ion complexes with the ion-exchange groups of the major polarity, as well as a producing process therefor.
US07868050B2
Porous matrices and membrane matrices comprising sulfonated aryl sulfonate polymers are prepared from a sulfonated aryl sulfonate polymer solution which is made by dissolving an aryl sulfonate polymer, and optionally a polymer other than aryl sulfonate, in a sulfonating acid solvent such as sulfuric acid. The solutions are then cast as wet films from which the matrices are coagulated. By controlling composition and process parameters, hydrophilic matrices of varying morphology are produced.
US07868044B2
Dermatological disorders having an inflammatory or proliferative component, notably common acne, are treated with topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions containing about 0.3% by weight of 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-naphthanoic acid (adapalene) or salt thereof, formulated into pharmaceutically acceptable media therefor, advantageously formulated into topically applicable gels, preferably aqueous gels, creams, lotions or solutions.
US07868040B2
The present invention relates to synergistic combinations of the compound 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) and an alkylating agent, which has anti-tumour activity. Preferably, the present invention relates to synergistic combinations of the compound 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) and cyclophosphamide. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the use of such combinations in the treatment of cancer and pharmaceutical compositions containing such combinations. The invention further provides for methods of preparing the combinations of the invention.
US07868039B2
The present invention relates to synergistic combinations of the compound 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) and vinca alkaloids, which have anti-tumour activity. Preferably, the present invention relates to synergistic combinations of the compound 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) and vincristine. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the use of such combinations in the treatment of cancer and pharmaceutical compositions containing such combinations. The invention further provides for methods of preparing the combinations of the invention.
US07868036B2
The invention relates to novel amino alcohols of the general formula (I) where X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each as defined in detail in the description, to a process for their preparation and to the use of these compounds as medicines, in particular as renin inhibitors.
US07868031B2
The present invention relates to propionamide compounds of formula I for use as antiinflammatory agents: wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to methods of using the compounds of formula I and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I.
US07868027B2
Cyano-substituted sulfilimines are produced efficiently and in high yield from the corresponding sulfides by reaction with cyanamide and hypochlorite.
US07868018B2
The invention provides compounds of Formula I: wherein R1-R6 are described in the Summary of the Invention; the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with abnormal or deregulated kinase activity, particularly diseases or disorders that involve abnormal activation of the Abl, Bcr-Abl, BMX, BTK, CHK2, b-RAF, c-RAF, CSK, c-SRC, Fes, FGFR3, Flt3, IKKα, IKKβ, JNK2α2, Lck, Met, MKK4, MKK6, MST2, NEK2, p70S6K, PDGFRβ, PKA, PKBα, PKD2, Rsk1, SAPK2α, SAPK2β, SAPK3, SGK, Tie2 and TrkB kinases.
US07867996B2
A γ-Crystalline form of ivabradine hydrochloride of formula (I): characterised by its powder X-ray diffraction data. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful as bradycardics.
US07867994B2
Process for the synthesis of ivabradine of formula (I): addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid and hydrates thereof. α crystalline form of ivabradine hydrochloride.Medicinal products containing α crystalline form of ivabradine hydrochloride, which are useful as bradycardics.
US07867993B2
The invention relates to novel compositions, in particular cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical compositions or food supplements, comprising at least one oxidized flavonoid derivative of the formula I, to novel oxidized flavonoid derivatives, and to novel uses of the oxidized flavonoid derivatives.
US07867987B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula 1 wherein X− is an anion with a single negative charge, and a betamimetic, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, the compound of formula 1 and the betamimetic optionally in the form of their enantiomers, mixtures of their enantiomers, their racemates, their solvates, or their hydrates, processes for preparing them, and their use in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases.
US07867973B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a follistatin variant capable of specifically inhibiting GDF-8 activity without inhibiting activin activity. The present invention provides a follistatin variant polypeptide, which (a) comprises follistatin domain I; (b) does not comprise an amino acid sequence that is represented by formula (I): Cys-(X1)a-Cys-(X2)b-Cys-(X3)c-Cys-(X4)d-Cys-(X5)e-Cys-(X6)f-Cys-(X7)g-Cys-(X8)h-Cys-(X9)i-Cys (SEQ ID NO: 30) wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, and X9 each independently represents the same or a different naturally occurring amino acid residue other than cysteine, “a” represents an integer between 2 and 6, “b” represents an integer between 3 and 7, “c” represents an integer between 7 and 11, “d” represents an integer between 0 and 4, “e” represents an integer between 1 and 6, “f” and “g” represent integers between 8 and 12, “h” represents an integer between 4 and 8, and “i” represents an integer between 11 and 15) and has 50% or more homology with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 29; and (c) selectively inhibits GDF-8 activity as compared with its inhibition of activin activity.
US07867969B2
Disclosed herein is a composition for washing keratin materials, comprising, in an aqueous medium: (a) at least one first anionic surfactant in the form of a magnesium salt, (b) at least one second anionic surfactant different from the first, (c) at least one amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant, (d) at least one oxyethylenated sorbitan ester, and (e) at least one polymer chosen from cationic polymers and amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers. Also disclosed herein is a cosmetic treatment process comprising applying such a composition to the hair.
US07867965B2
An alkaline detergent for an automatic analyzer is disclosed, which is consisted of an alkaline solution containing polyoxyalkylene alkylether as a nonionic surfactant, and a cloud point-adjusting organic solvent.
US07867963B2
A hydrophilized personal care formulation, which can be in the form of a hand or body soap (liquid or bar), lipstick, body wash, makeup remover, skin cleaner, hair conditioner, skin or hair moisturizer. The formulation employs an organophosphorus material or a mixture of an organophosphorus material, for example, mono-, di-, and polyol phosphate esters.
US07867962B2
Personal cleansing compositions that comprise (A) a cleansing phase containing a surfactant and water; and (B) a separate benefit phase comprising at least one high internal phase emulsion; wherein the cleansing and benefit phases are packaged together and are in physical contact. These compositions and corresponding methods provide improved cosmetics, skin feel, and/or skin benefit efficacy.
US07867959B2
The present invention is generally directed to methods of making diester-based lubricant compositions, wherein formation of diester species proceeds via direct esterification of epoxide intermediates. In some embodiments, the methods for making such diester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols) so as to produce high value diester-based lubricants. In some embodiments, such diester-based lubricants are derived from FT olefins and tatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.
US07867955B2
A method of reducing the occurrence of ring-sticking in an internal combustion engine in which the crankcase of such an engine is lubricated with a multigrade crankcase lubricating oil composition containing 1 to 15 mass %, based on the mass of the oil composition, of a non-hydrogenated olefin polymer having a number average molecular weight in the range of 100 to 5,000.
US07867949B2
A hydrazide compound represented by the formula (1): has excellent pesticidal activity.
US07867947B1
Method of making blends of fertilizer granules and highly absorbent cellulosic granules carrying one or more pesticidal or other active ingredients that resist the formation of actives dust or segregation of the granules and that ensure even and efficient application of both the fertilizer and the active ingredients.
US07867946B2
The present invention relates to a liquid formulation, comprising a) one or more herbicidally active compounds from the group of the ALS inhibitors, b) one or more organic solvents, and c) one or more inorganic salts. The liquid formulation is suitable for use in crop protection.
US07867945B2
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet having a support, at least one receptor layer containing a polymer latex, and at least one heat insulation layer containing hollow polymer particles which layer is provided between the support and the receptor layer, wherein the support has a base paper and a resin layer other than a polypropylene layer that is provided at least on the side of the base paper to which the receptor layer is provided; and a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet having a support, at least one receptor layer containing a polymer latex, and at least one heat insulation layer containing hollow polymer particles which layer is provided between the support and the receptor layer, wherein the support has a base paper and a resin layer which is provided without using an adhesive at least on the side of the base paper to which the receptor layer is provided.
US07867936B2
A method for passivating a porous ceramic article containing microcracks including filling the microcracks with a liquid, such as water, and then applying a washcoat as described herein.
US07867935B2
A highly heat-resistant fluororesin, such as tetrafluoroethylene resin or tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, is filled with 0.5 to 1 weight % of a non-black insulating pigment that has a heat resistance such that discoloration does not occur when the fluororesin is baked. Green insulating pigment whose main component is a TiO2—CoO—NiO—ZnO system or a ZnO—CoO system, or blue insulating pigment whose main component is a CoO—Al2O3 system or a CoO—Al2O3—Cr2O3 system is used singly or in a combination, as the non-black insulating pigment. A highly arc-resistant insulator is provided that secures an insulating capacity and at the same time that secures an excellent ability to prevent both interior and exterior deterioration of the insulator and that avoids color heterogeneity and localized discoloration.
US07867931B2
Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength.
US07867930B2
Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength.
US07867927B2
A coated glass mat comprises a glass mat substrate having non-woven glass fibers and a coating which essentially uniformly penetrates the glass mat substrate to desired fractional thickness of the coated glass mat. The coating imparts a tensile strength to the coated glass mat which on average is at least 1.33 times greater than the tensile strength of the glass mat substrate without the coating. In example embodiments, penetration of the coating into the glass mat substrate preferably extends to a depth of from twenty five percent of a thickness of the coated glass mat to seventy five percent of the thickness of the coated glass mat. Moreover, a non-coated thickness of the coated glass mat is sufficiently thick for bonding purposes with, e.g., a gypsum slurry or other core materials such as thermoplastic or thermosetting plastics. The coating has a porosity in a range of from 1.3 CFM to 5.0 CFM, e.g., the coating comprises a coating blend which provides the coated glass mat with a porosity sufficient to allow water vapor to escape from a gypsum slurry when heated. The coating is preferably a coating blend comprised of water, latex binder, inorganic pigment, and inorganic binder.
US07867924B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a lower device on a lower semiconductor substrate, and forming an interlayer insulating film on the lower device. An upper semiconductor substrate is formed on the interlayer insulating film such that the interlayer insulating film is between the lower and upper semiconductor substrates. Upper trenches are formed within the upper semiconductor substrate. An upper device isolating film is formed within the upper trenches. The upper device isolating film is irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength configured to break chemical bonds of impurities in the upper device isolating film to reduce an impurity concentration thereof.
US07867922B2
The present invention is a film forming method for an SiOCH film, comprising a unit-film-forming step including: a deposition step of depositing an SiOCH film element by using an organic silicon compound as a raw material and by using a plasma CVD method; and a hydrogen plasma processing step of providing a hydrogen plasma process to the deposited SiOCH film element, wherein the unit-film-forming step is repeated several times so as to form an SiOCH film on a substrate.
US07867917B2
By providing a barrier layer stack including a thin SiCN layer for enhanced adhesion, a silicon nitride layer for confining a copper-based metal region (thereby also effectively avoiding any diffusion of oxygen and moisture into the copper region), and a SiCN layer, the total relative permittivity may still be maintained at a low level, since the thickness of the first SiCN layer and of the silicon nitride layer may be moderately thin, while the relatively thick silicon carbide nitride layer provides the required high etch selectivity during a subsequent patterning process of the low-k dielectric layer.
US07867916B2
A modified coffee-stain method for producing self-organized line structures and other very fine features that involves disposing a solution puddle on a target substrate, and then controlling the peripheral boundary shape of the puddle using a control structure that contacts the puddle's upper surface. The solution is made up of a fine particle solute dispersed in a liquid solvent wets and becomes pinned to both the target substrate and the control structure. The solvent is then caused to evaporate at a predetermined rate such that a portion of the solute forms a self-organized “coffee-stain” line structure on the target substrate surface that is contacted by the peripheral puddle boundary. The target structure is optionally periodically raised to generate parallel lines that are subsequently processed to form, e.g., TFTs for large-area electronic devices.
US07867909B2
A polishing composition contains at least one water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and poly(N-vinylformamide), and an alkali, and preferably further contains at least one of a chelating agent and an abrasive grain. The water soluble polymer preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 6,000 to 4,000,000. The polishing composition is mainly used in polishing of the surfaces of semiconductor wafers such as silicon wafers, especially used in preliminary polishing of the surfaces of such wafers.
US07867903B2
A method of producing a passivated thin film material is disclosed wherein an insulating thin film layer (10), having pinholes (12) therein, is positioned upon an underlying electrically conductive substrate (11). The thin film layer is then electroplated so that the pinholes are filled with a reactive metal. The thin film layer and substrate are then immersed within a silicon doped tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution. Excess silica within the solution precipitates onto the top surfaces of the aluminum plugs (13) to form an electrically insulative cap which electrically insulates the top of the aluminum plug. As an alternative, the previously described metal plugs may be anodized so that at least a portion thereof becomes an oxidized metal which is electrically insulative.
US07867893B2
A method is provided of forming a conductive via for contacting a bulk semiconductor region of a semiconductor-on-insulator (“SOI”) substrate. A first opening is formed in a conformal layer overlying a trench isolation region, where the trench isolation region shares an edge with the SOI layer. A dielectric layer then is deposited atop the conformal layer and the trench isolation region, after which a second opening is formed which is aligned with the first opening, the second opening extending through the dielectric layer to expose the bulk semiconductor region. Finally, the conductive via is formed in the second opening.
US07867888B2
The present invention provides a flip-chip package substrate and a method for fabricating a flip-chip package substrate comprising a circuit build-up structure, which comprises at least a dielectric layer and at least a circuit layer, wherein each dielectric layer comprises a first surface and a second surface, plural vias are formed in the first surface, the circuit layer is formed on the first surface and in the vias to electrically connect to another circuit layer disposed under the dielectric layer; a metal layer embedded in the exposed second surface of the circuit build-up structure without protruding the exposed second surface and connected to the circuit layer; and two solder masks disposed on the exposed first surface and the exposed second surface of the circuit build-up structure, wherein the solder masks have plural openings to separately expose part of the circuit layer and the metal layer functioning as conductive pads.
US07867865B2
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices are provided. A substrate having active patterns and isolating layer patterns is prepared. Each of the isolating layer patterns has an upper surface higher than that of each of the active patterns. A spacer layer having a uniform thickness is formed on the substrate. The spacer layer is etched to form a spacer on a sidewall of each of the isolating layer patterns. A gate structure is formed on each of the active patterns. A selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process is performed on the active patterns having the gate structure to form isolated epitaxial layers that have upper surfaces higher than those of the isolating layer patterns, on the active patterns. Related semiconductor devices are also provided.
US07867859B1
Semiconductor device performance is improved via a gate structure having a tunable effective workfunction and reduced gate depletion effects. According to an example embodiment, the design threshold voltage of a semiconductor device is adjusted in a manner that includes providing a gate having a workfunction that enables operation of the semiconductor device at a selected voltage. The gate is formed having two different conductive materials with different electric workfunctions that both significantly contribute to the overall workfunction of the gate. The relative composition, thickness, and arrangement of each of the two conductive materials is selected to attain a gate electrode workfunction that is different than the workfunctions of each of the two layers and that sets the threshold voltage of the semiconductor device. The adjustability of the effective workfunction of the gate electrode can be applied to a variety of semiconductor devices. The ability to reduce gate depletion effects also provides enhanced device current drive.
US07867854B2
Wider and narrower trenches are formed in a substrate. A first gate material layer is deposited but not fully fills the wider trench. The first gate material layer in the wider trench and above the substrate original surface is removed by isotropic or anisotropic etching back. A first dopant layer is formed in the surface layer of the substrate at the original surface and the sidewall and bottom of the wider trench by tilt ion implantation. A second gate material layer is deposited to fully fill the trenches. The gate material layer above the original surface is removed by anisotropic etching back. A second dopant layer is formed in the surface layer of the substrate at the original surface by ion implantation. The dopants are driven-in to form a base in the substrate and a bottom-lightly-doped layer surrounding the bottom of the wider trench and adjacent to the base.
US07867852B2
A semiconductor device includes a P-body layer formed in an N-epitaxial layer; a gate electrode formed in a trench in the P-body and N-epitaxial layer; a top source region formed from the P-body layer next to the gate electrode; a gate insulator disposed along a sidewall of the gate electrode between the gate electrode and the source, between the gate electrode and the P-body and between the gate electrode and the N-epitaxial layer; a cap insulator disposed on top of the gate electrode; and an N+ doped spacer disposed along a sidewall of the source and a sidewall of the gate insulator. The source includes N+ dopants diffused from the spacer. A body contact region containing P-type dopants is formed from the N-epitaxial layer. The contact region touches one or more P-doped regions of the P-body layer and the source. Methods for manufacturing such a device are also disclosed. Embodiments of this invention may also be applied to P-channel devices.
US07867846B2
An Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) and its fabrication method has a pixel defining layer provided on a first electrode which is formed with a gas vent groove to allow gas to vent when the pixel defining layer is being formed, so that gas is not left in a pixel but vented when a donor film is laminated by a Laser-Induced Thermal Imaging (LITI) method, thereby decreasing edge open failures.
US07867843B2
A process may include forming a polysilicon pinnacle above and on a polysilicon island and further forming a floating gate from the polysilicon pinnacle and polysilicon island. The floating gate can bear an inverted T-shape. The floating gate can also be disposed above an isolated semiconductive substrate such as in a shallow-trench isolation semiconductive substrate. Electronic devices may include the floating gate as part of a field effect transistor.
US07867842B2
A method for forming alloy deposits at selected areas on a receiving substrate includes the steps of: providing an alloy carrier including at least a first decal including a first plurality of openings and a second decal including a second plurality of openings, the first and second decals being arranged such that each of the first plurality of openings is in alignment with a corresponding one of the second plurality of openings; filling the first and second plurality of openings with molten alloy; cooling the molten alloy to thereby form at least first and second plugs, the first plug having a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to one another, the second plug having a third surface and a fourth surface substantially parallel to one another; removing at least one of the first and second decals to at least partially expose the first and second plugs; aligning the alloy carrier with the receiving substrate so that the first and second plugs correspond to the selected areas on the receiving substrate; and transferring the first plug to a first of the selected areas and the second plug to a second of the selected areas.
US07867841B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device can include forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The trench is filled with a first device isolation layer. A portion of the first device isolation layer is etched to recess a top surface of the first device isolation layer below an adjacent top surface of the active region of the semiconductor substrate and to partially expose a sidewall of the active region. The exposed sidewall of the active region is epitaxially grown to form an extension portion of the active region that extends partially across the top surface of the first device isolation layer in the trench. A second device isolation layer is formed on the recessed first device isolation layer in the trench. The second device isolation layer is etched to expose a top surface of the extension portion of the active region and leave a portion of the second device isolation layer between extension portions of active regions on opposite sides of the trench. An interlayer dielectric is formed on the semiconductor substrate and the second device isolation layer. A conductive contact is formed extending through the interlayer dielectric layer and directly contacting at least a portion of both the active region and the extension portion of the active region overlying the second device isolation layer.
US07867826B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an integrated circuit and at least one connection pad, and at least one external connection electrode electrically connected with the connection pad. A first sealing material is provided on the semiconductor substrate around the external connection electrode, each impurity concentration of an Na ion, a K ion, a Ca ion and Cl ion contained in the first sealing material being not greater than 10 ppm. A second sealing material is provided on at least one of a lower surface and a peripheral side surface of the semiconductor substrate, a total impurity concentration of an Na ion, a K ion, a Ca ion and a Cl ion contained in the second sealing material being not smaller than 100 ppm.
US07867820B2
Economical methods for forming a co-planar multi-chip wafer-level packages are proposed. Partial wafer bonding and partial wafer dicing techniques are used to create chips as well as pockets. The finished chips are then mounted in the corresponding pockets of a carrier substrate, and global interconnects among the chips are formed on the top planar surface of the finished chips. The proposed methods facilitate the integration of chips fabricated with different process steps and materials. There is no need to use a planarization process such as chemical-mechanical polish to planarize the top surfaces of the chips. Since the chips are precisely aligned to each other and all the chips are mounted facing up, the module is ready for global wiring, which eliminates the need to flip the chips from an upside-down position.
US07867819B2
A semiconductor package including a plurality of stacked semiconductor die, and methods of forming the semiconductor package, are disclosed. In order to ease wirebonding requirements on the controller die, the controller die may be mounted directly to the substrate in a flip chip arrangement requiring no wire bonds or footprint outside of the controller die. Thereafter, a spacer layer may be affixed to the substrate around the controller die to provide a level surface on which to mount one or more flash memory die. The spacer layer may be provided in a variety of different configurations.
US07867817B2
A method for manufacturing a wafer level package of an integrated circuit element for direct attachment to a wiring board is disclosed. An integrated circuit element includes input/output pads located on an active side. A non-conductive support structure is formed on the active side of the integrated circuit element in an area that is free from input/output pads. A conductive path is formed upon the support structure and a non-conductive coating is formed on over the active side of the integrated circuit element such that a surface is formed which leaves interface pads accessible.
US07867808B2
Embodiments relate to an image sensor and a method of manufacturing an image sensor. According to embodiments, an image sensor may include a first substrate, a photodiode, and an ion implantation isolation layer. According to embodiments, circuitry including a metal interconnection may be disposed over the first substrate. A photodiode may be provided in a crystalline semiconductor layer bonded to the first substrate, and electrically connected to the metal interconnection. The ion implantation isolation layer may be provided in the photodiode.
US07867806B2
An external component, typically a surface mount passive, is attached to a semiconductor die. In some embodiments the passive is placed directly over exposed pads on the semiconductor die and attached using conductive tape or conductive epoxy. In some embodiments the passive is attached to the semiconductor die using non-conductive adhesive and wire bonded to bond pads on the semiconductor die and/or to pads on a substrate to which the semiconductor die is attached.
US07867795B2
A manufacturing method of a light emitting diode (LED) apparatus includes the steps of: forming at least one temporary substrate, which is made by a curable material, on a LED device; and forming at least a thermal-conductive substrate on the LED device. The manufacturing method does not need the step of adhering the semiconductor structure onto another substrate by using an adhering layer, and can make the devices to be in sequence separated after removing the temporary substrate, thereby obtaining several LED apparatuses. As a result, the problem of current leakage due to the cutting procedure can be prevented so as to reduce the production cost and increase the production yield.
US07867792B2
An integrated device includes two sections (A, B), such as a DFB laser (A) and an EAM modulator (B), having a semi-insulating (SI) separation region therebetween. The separation region (24) is of a material acting as a trap on electrons and configured to impede current flow between the two sections (A, B) due to holes. The separation region (24) may be of a material acting as a trap both on electrons and holes. Alternatively, the separation region (24) is of a material that acts as a trap on electrons and is provided over a p-type substrate (20) common to the two sections (A, B).
US07867790B2
Provided are a substrate of a probe card for installing a plurality of probes thereon to inspect an object by contacting the probes to the object, and a method for repairing the substrate. The substrate includes main channels electrically connected to the probes; and at least one spare channel for replacing the main channels when at least one of the main channels is damaged. Therefore, when some of the main channels of the probe substrate are damaged, the damaged main channels can be repaired using the spare channels and then the probe substrate can be reused, thereby reducing costs required for unnecessary replacement.
US07867789B2
Method for recovering treated metal silicide surfaces or layers are provided. In at least one embodiment, a substrate having an at least partially oxidized metal silicide surface disposed thereon is cleaned to remove the oxidized regions to provide an altered metal silicide surface. The altered metal silicide surface is then exposed to one or more silicon-containing compounds at conditions sufficient to recover the metal silicide surface.
US07867788B2
A Spin-Dependent Tunnelling cell comprises a first barrier layer of a first material and a second barrier layer of a second material sandwiched between a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer. The first and second barrier layers are formed to a combined thicknesses so that a Tunnelling Magnetoresistance versus voltage characteristic of the cell has a maximum at a non-zero bias voltage.
US07867775B2
Methods using mass spectral data analysis and a classification algorithm provide an ability to determine whether a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient is likely to benefit from a drug targeting an epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, including small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and monoclonal antibody EGFR inhibitors.
US07867772B2
The present invention relates to a method for the determination of the CaCO3, content of a scrubbing liquid, which has been separated from a scrubbing liquid circuit of a scrubbing column.
US07867771B2
The present invention provides a reagent for measuring clotting time including a nonionic surfactant, a nickel ion and a tissue factor. A method for stabilizing a tissue factor, and use of a nonionic surfactant and a nickel salt for stabilizing a tissue factor are also disclosed.
US07867769B2
Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a predetermined period of time prior to the end of an aspiration or dispensing process and comparing a pressure reading to predetermined values to determine if the aspiration or dispensing pipette was free of clogs.
US07867768B2
A method for positioning a sample in a diagnostic analyzer includes: providing two or more sample carriers on a conveyor; providing a fixed registration element for each sample carrier at predetermined locations along the conveyor; providing a flexure device positioned between the sample carrier and the conveyor; advancing the sample carrier beyond the fixed registration elements; reversing the conveyor direction to back at least one of the sample carriers into contact with its corresponding registration elements; continuing to reverse the conveyor until all sample carriers are in contact with their respective registration elements; whereby the flexure elements of the sample carriers in contact with the respective registration elements will deform as the conveyor reverses to allow all sample carriers to contact their respective registration elements, thereby providing a known position of the sample carrier. The flexure device includes: first and second legs forming a inverted U-shape; a third leg which extends away from the top of the inverted U-shape; and a fourth leg which extends down the center of the U in the direction of the ends of the U.
US07867764B2
The present invention relates to novel vaccines against malaria infections, based on recombinant viral vectors, such as alpha viruses, adenoviruses or vaccinia viruses. The recombinant viral-based vaccines can be used to immunize against different Plasmodium infections, such as infections by P. falciparum or P. yoelii. Novel codon-optimized circumsporozoite genes are disclosed. Preferably, replication-defective adenoviruses are used, derived from serotypes that encounter low titers of neutralizing antibodies. The invention, therefore, also relates to the use of different adenoviral serotypes that are administered to elicit a strong immune response, either in single vaccination set-ups or in prime-boost set-ups in which compositions based on different serotypes can be applied.
US07867752B1
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for holding cells. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for incubating cells having a dynamically controlled environment in which the cells are grown, which are maintained in a desired condition and in which cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for determining the state of the cells. The determining mechanism is in communication with the incubating mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for holding cells. The method comprises the steps of incubating the cells in a dynamically controlled environment which is maintained in a desired condition and in which the cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. Additionally, there is the step of determining the state of the cells.
US07867751B2
The invention provides apparatus, reagents, and methods for rapidly isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial alkaline lysate.
US07867748B2
The present invention is directed to a process for improving the specific activity of a dehydrated enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity for hydrolysis of glycolonitrile to glycolic acid upon rehydration. In particular, a process is provided comprising pretreating an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity with glutaraldehyde, immobilizing the gutaraldehyde-preteated enzyme catalyst and chemically cross-linking the enzyme catalyst prior to dehydration. Upon rehydration, the enzyme catalyst exhibits improved specific nitrilase activity as compared to enzyme catalysts having nitrilase activity that are dehydrated and rehydrated without the processing described herein.
US07867741B2
The invention concerns an isolated or purified polypeptide having an activity in the MTBE degradation path, and/or at least one of the catabolic intermediates of MTBE, preferably selected from the group consisting of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), 2-methyl 1,2-propanediol (2-M1, 2-PD), hydroxyisobutyraldehyde, hydroxyiso-butyric acid (HIBA), said polypeptide being selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising a sequence of amino acids selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:10; b) a polypeptide comprising a sequence of amino acids having at least 70% identity, preferably 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% or 99% with the sequence of amino acids of a polypeptide as defined in a); a polypeptide as defined in a) or b) whereof the sequence of amino acids comprises a substitution, deletion, insertion, addition or mutation of one or several amino acids over its entire length.
US07867740B2
Nucleic acids encoding Thermotoga maritima mannitol dehydrogenase and the Thermotoga maritima mannitol dehydrogenase polypeptide are disclosed. Further provided are an electrochemical bioreactor system and a bioreactor electrode that can be used to convert glucose or fructose to mannitol.
US07867733B2
The invention provides a virus harboring a DNA encoding a subunit of limulus-derived factor G, the virus being capable of mass-producing a (1→3)-β-D-glucan assay reagent of satisfactory quality, steadily and at low cost, a cell harboring the virus, and a method of producing factor G by use of the cell.
US07867732B2
In one embodiment of the present application, a polypeptide capable of binding to a sugar chain is disclosed, particularly a high-mannose-type sugar chain bound to an antibody, more preferably a sugar chain bound to a chicken antibody. Also disclosed is a method for the purification of an antibody (specifically a chicken antibody) as a representative application of the polypeptide. Further disclosed is means for the purification. The polypeptide, BML-17, is a novel lectin made of 168 amino acid residues isolated from Bryopsis maxima. By using BML-17, it becomes possible to purify an antibody (e.g., a chicken antibody) readily and with high efficiency.
US07867729B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 and 65577 nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 and 65577 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-27877, 18080, 14081, 32140, 50352, 16658, 14223, 16002, 50566, 65552 or 65577 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07867725B2
The present invention relates to reagents and methods for the detection of osteopontin fragments and distinguishing them from each other and from the full-length osteopontin protein. The present invention also relates to assays for the determination of the presence of osteopontin fragments in samples obtained from subjects and, further, the correlation of osteopontin fragment levels fragment levels with disease detection, progression and prognosis.
US07867721B2
The present invention provides, for the first time, nucleic acids encoding a eukaryotic mechanosensory transduction channel (MSC) protein. The proteins encoded by these nucleic acids form channels that can directly detect mechanical stimuli and convert them into electrical signals. These nucleic acids and the proteins they encode can be used as probes for sensory cells in animals, and can be used to diagnose and treat any of a number of human conditions involving inherited, casual, or environmentally-induced loss of mechanosensory transduction activity.
US07867718B2
The invention relates to methods for measuring conformational changes and self-assembly/aggregation of proteins, especially the formation of amyloid fibrils, using conjugated polyelectrolytes. The conjugate polyelectrolyte is exposed to the protein whereby the conjugated polyelectrolyte and the protein of interest interact, and a change of a property of the polyelectrolyte in response to conformational changes of the protein is observed. The detected change is used to determine different conformations of the protein, especially the formation of amyloid fibrils.
US07867716B2
The present invention includes an apparatus, system and method for stochastic sensing of an analyte to a protein pore. The protein pore may be an engineer protein pore, such as an ion channel at temperatures above 55° C. and even as high as near 100° C. The analyte may be any reactive analyte, including chemical weapons, environmental toxins and pharmaceuticals. The analyte covalently bonds to the sensor element to produce a detectable electrical current signal. Possible signals include change in electrical current. Detection of the signal allows identification of the analyte and determination of its concentration in a sample solution. Multiple analytes present in the same solution may also be detected.
US07867714B2
Provided herein are libraries of nucleic acid species each comprising a transcription unit having a promoter region operatively linked to a coding sequence. The coding sequence of each nucleic acid species encodes a RNA cleavage substrate comprising a unique compomer species and a cleavage site. Each compomer species has a molecular mass distinguishable from the molecular mass of other compomer species in the library, and cleavage at a cleavage site releases a polynucleotide comprising the compomer species from the RNA cleavage substrate.
US07867712B2
The present invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences whose expression is associated with different cell states, including nucleic acid sequences whose expression is induced at least 100-fold, or alternatively upregulated, in cells exhibiting asymmetric self-renewal relative to other cells. The invention is also directed to nucleic acid sequences whose expression is induced at least 100-fold, or alternatively upregulated, in cells exhibiting symmetric self-renewal relative to other cells.
US07867711B2
A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 87 to 89 and complementary or modified sequences thereof or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.
US07867704B2
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules unique to M. paratuberculosis. The invention also provides the polypeptides encoded by the M. paratuberculosis-specific nucleic acid molecules of the invention, and antibodies having specific binding affinity for the polypeptides encoded by the M. paratuberculosis-specific nucleic acid molecules. The invention further provides for methods of detecting M. paratuberculosis in a sample using nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, and antibodies of the invention. The invention additionally provides methods of preventing a M. paratuberculosis infection in an animal.
US07867703B2
A method for providing defined mixtures of nucleic acids is described. In certain embodiments, the method uses oligonucleotide probes attached to a solid support as a sequence-specific affinity agent to isolate and facilitate the amplification of defined nucleic acid fragment mixtures.
US07867699B2
The invention relates to a novel method of inexpensively synthesizing large quantities of an essentially pure, biologically active, glycosylated Dkk protein, including mammalian and human Dkk proteins (e.g., human Dkk1). The invention further relates to the synthetically produced essentially purified, glycosylated and biologically active Dkk protein, and the characteristics of the protein.
US07867698B2
A reticle system that includes: providing a reticle system; and assigning two or more of an image pattern onto the reticle system to form one or more layers of an integrated circuit system by grouping and pairing each of the image pattern onto the reticle system according to a multi-layer reticle grouping/pairing flow.
US07867696B2
A monitoring device and method is disclosed for monitoring the saturation level of resin in solvent baths, such as those used to remove resin from objects form by stereolithography. The monitoring device operates by monitoring an electrical characteristic, such as impedance, of the solvent bath as the resin-to-solvent ratio of the bath increases during use. Signals are provided by the monitoring device to the operator of the liquid storage device containing the solvent bath in a manner allowing the operator to determine when the solvent bath has reached the end of its useful life.
US07867695B2
Microstructures are fabricated by impinging a radiation beam, such as a laser beam, through a substrate that is transparent to the laser beam, into a negative photoresist layer on the substrate. The negative photoresist layer may be subsequently developed to provide a master for optical and/or mechanical microstructures. Related systems, microstructure products and microstructure masters also are disclosed.
US07867691B2
Excellent development of planographic printing plates can be achieved by exposing an imaged, negative working, photopolymerizable coating to a high pressure stream of essentially heated but otherwise untreated tap water, whereby the water completely removes only the less cohesive and adhesive (e.g., partially polymerized) regions to the substrate, thereby directly producing a printing plate having an image pattern of highly cohesive and adhesive, oleophilic regions of the coating and hydrophilic regions of the substrate. The coating removal mechanism appears to be due entirely to ablation. The process variables of spray pressure, spray volumetric flow rate, and water temperature can be traded off to achieve one or more targets for plate quality, energy conservation, production rate, and equipment availability.
US07867689B2
A method. The method includes dip coating a film of a composition on a silicon wafer substrate. The composition includes a polymer blend of a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer is a substituted silsesquioxane copolymer. The second polymer is a polysilsesquioxane having silanol end groups. The composition includes a photosensitive acid generator, an organic base, and an organic crosslinking agent. The film is patternwise imaged and at least one region is exposed to radiation having a wavelength of about 248 nanometers. The film is baked, resulting in inducing crosslinking in the film. The film is developed resulting in removal of base-soluble unexposed regions of the film, wherein a relief pattern from the film remains. The relief pattern is cured at a temperature between about 300° C. and about 450° C., and the curing utilizes a combination of thermal treatment with UV radiation.
US07867688B2
A method of making micro-structure devices by coating a first layer of resist (12) on a substrate (10). A pattern is created on the substrate by radiation induced thermal removal of the resist.
US07867687B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a non-chemically amplified photoresist, which results in reduced line wide roughness (LWR). In accordance with one embodiment the photoresist includes a developer-soluble resin (DSR) and a photoactive compound (PAC). For one embodiment of the invention, the even distribution of the PAC within the DSR results in reduced acid diffusion thus reducing LWR. Prior to exposure to the light source, the PAC inhibits solubility of the DSR in the developer. Upon exposure the PAC converts to acid to promote solubility of the DSR. The even distribution of the PAC within the photoresist results in reduced LWR and a reduction in defects. For one embodiment the photoresist is applied in the EUV technology (e.g., wavelength is 13.4 nm). For such an embodiment the LWR may be reduced to less than 1.5 nm allowing for effective fabrication of devices having feature sizes of approximately 15 nm.
US07867683B2
A toner that when the complex elastic modulus measured at an angular frequency of 6.28 rad/sec., and a strain amount of 0.3% is 1×106 Pa or more and 1×108 Pa or less, the tangent loss is 0.5 or more and 1.8 or less.
US07867670B2
A fuel cell system for generating electrical energy by a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by using a hydrophobic porous membrane, an alkaline material such as sodium that is generated together with hydrogen gas in a hydrolysis reaction of a metal hydride compound can be eliminated effectively.
US07867665B2
Corrosion of a metal portion such as a pipe connected to a fuel cell stack is suppressed. The fuel cell stack has a plurality of single cells which generate electrical power using an aqueous methanol solution and air and are stacked in a vertical direction. An inlet of a fuel supply manifold for distributing the aqueous methanol solution to each cell and an outlet of a fuel discharge manifold for collecting the fuel discharged from the single cells are provided in a common conductive end plate. Hence, when the discharge fuel discharged from the fuel cell stack is circulated and resupplied to the stack, the potential of the discharged fuel becomes equal to that of the liquid fuel to be supplied to the stack, whereby the corrosion of the metal portion such as a pipe, a tank, a pump, or a heat exchanger is suppressed.
US07867664B2
According to an aspect of the invention, a diagnostic apparatus which diagnoses a state of the fuel cell includes an operation device which is used for operating the fuel cell; an operational state detecting portion which detects a change in an operational state of the fuel cell; a device control portion which controls the operation device such that the fuel cell is operated according to at least one predetermined operation pattern; and a diagnostic portion which diagnoses the state of the fuel cell based on the change in the operational state of the fuel cell that is detected by the change in the operational state detecting portion when the fuel cell is operated by the device control portion according to the at least one predetermined operation pattern, and the at least one predetermined operation pattern.
US07867658B2
Disclosed are developments in high temperature fuel cells including ionic liquids with high temperature stability and the storage of inorganic acids as di-anion salts of low volatility. The formation of ionically conducting liquids of this type having conductivities of unprecedented magnitude for non-aqueous systems is described. The stability of the di-anion configuration is shown to play a role in the high performance of the non-corrosive proton-transfer ionic liquids as high temperature fuel cell electrolytes. Performance of simple H2(g) electrolyte/O2(g) fuel cells with the new electrolytes is described. Superior performance both at ambient temperature and temperatures up to and above 200° C. are achieved. Both neutral proton transfer salts and the acid salts with HSO−4 anions, give good results, the bisulphate case being particularly good at low temperatures and very high temperatures. The performance of all electrolytes is improved by the addition of a small amount of involatile base of pKa value intermediate between those of the acid and base that make the bulk electrolyte. The preferred case is the imidazole-doped ethylammonium hydrogensulfate which yields behavior superior in all respects to that of the industry standard phosphoric acid electrolyte.
US07867656B2
The present invention provides a fuel cell separator formed of a continuous carbon-fiber composite, and a method for manufacturing the same.
US07867650B2
A laminate type battery comprises a substrate, a power generating element which has at least one single cell made by a positive electrode layer, an electrolyte layer and a negative electrode layer which are sandwiched by collecting layers from both sides thereof, and an electric circuit portion having electrode terminals which connect the collecting layers to an external device and circuitries which connect the collecting layers and the electrode terminals. In the battery, the power generating element and the electric circuit portion are formed by stacking a plurality of layers on the substrate, and each of the layers is configured such that the power generating element and the electric circuit portion are formed by stacking the layers.
US07867645B2
A latching mechanism of a battery cover assembly (100) is provided. The battery cover assembly includes a battery cover (20) and a housing (10). The latching mechanism includes a limiting mechanism, a hinged mechanism, at least one latching portion (133), and at least one latching arm (28). The limiting mechanism is configured to prevent the battery cover from accidentally detaching from the housing. The hinged mechanism is configured to facilitate both rotation and sliding of the battery cover relative to the housing. Each latching portion is formed on the housing, and each latching arm is formed on the battery cover. The latching arm elastically engages with a respective latching portion in such manner that the battery cover is latched to the housing.
US07867628B2
A brazing material for brazing tungsten/carbide/cobalt substrates (e.g., wear pads) to substrates comprising titanium or alloys thereof (e.g., fan or compressor blades). The brazing material includes gold, nickel, silver, aluminum, and copper present in respective amounts to provide a post-braze hardness of between 450 and 600 KHN to thereby increase the impact resistance of the braze joint. The substrates may be brazed by induction heating at temperatures less than about 1800° F. (982° C.).
US07867620B1
A composite plate comprising CNT bundles with high thermal conductivity is formed by the method comprising preparing a CNT growth substrate, depositing a CNT growth catalyst on the CNT growth substrate, preparing a wafer with etched through via arrays, placing the wafer with the etched through via arrays over the CNT growth substrate with the CNT growth catalyst, growing CNT bundles in the etched through via arrays on the wafer over the CNT growth substrate with the CNT growth catalyst in a CVD chamber to form a wafer matrix CNT composite structure; and removing the CNT growth substrate from the wafer matrix CNT composite structure. The formed composite plate comprising CNT bundles with high thermal conductivity has improved CTE silicon match, has a more effective thermal conductivity than a silicon matrix or Cu or Cu alloy substrate, and contains nanotubes that remain vertical.
US07867619B2
Moisture-curing compositions include at least one silane-functional polymer P with at least two terminal groups of formula (I), at least one aminosilane AS and at least one (meth)acrylsilane or anhydriodosilane of formula (II). The compositions have improved adhesive properties and are especially suitable for use as adhesives, sealing materials or coatings, especially as elastic adhesive or sealing materials.
US07867618B2
The present invention includes polymer interlayers that are used in multiple layer glazing panels. Interlayers of the present invention comprise a thermoplastic polymer, a plasticizer, and a fumed silica that has been modified to impart hydrophobic character. Interlayers incorporating such components have improved tensile modulus, moisture resistance, creep performance, anticorrosion effect, glass adhesion, and are well suited to a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, acoustic applications.
US07867608B2
Electrically gradated carbon foam materials that have changing or differing electrical properties through the thickness of the carbon foam material and methods for making these electrically gradated carbon foam materials are described herein. In some embodiments, the electrically gradated carbon foam materials exhibit increasing electrical resistivity through the thickness of the carbon foam material such that the electrical resistivity near a second surface of the carbon foam is at least 2 times greater than the electrical resistivity near a first surface of the carbon foam. These electrically gradated carbon foam materials may be used as radar absorbers, as well as in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding schemes.
US07867587B2
The present invention is directed toward a process for making solid biodegradable articles from wheat gluten. Hydrated wheat gluten is provided in the form of a cohesive, elastic dough. The cohesive, elastic dough comprises at least 8% by weight wheat gluten and wherein the wheat gluten comprises a protein having a primary structure. The cohesive, elastic dough is formed into a shaped article and placed in an environment sufficient to remove excess water from the shaped article without modifying the primary structure of the wheat gluten protein, such that a solid biodegradable article results. The solid biodegradable articles of the present invention comprise at least 8% by weight wheat gluten.
US07867580B2
A liquid crystal display which can give mono-domain alignment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal without forming alignment defects. The liquid crystal display has a UV curable liquid crystal side substrate having a first substrate, an electrode layer formed on the first substrate, a first alignment layer formed on the electrode layer, and a UV curable liquid crystal layer with a UV curable liquid crystal fixed and formed on the first alignment layer; and a counter substrate having a second substrate, an electrode layer formed on the second substrate, and a second alignment layer formed on the electrode layer. The UV curable liquid crystal layer of the UV curable liquid crystal side substrate and the second alignment layer of the counter substrate are disposed so as to face each other such that a ferroelectric liquid crystal is sandwiched between the UV curable liquid crystal side substrate and the counter substrate.
US07867570B2
Film-forming materials include nonionic metal coordinating structures. Nonionic metal coordinating structures can coordinate metals, such as metal catalysts and metal substrates. Example film-forming materials can be the product of a poly-functional epoxide and a nucleophilic ligand having a nonionic metal coordinating structure, or the product of a poly-functional alcohol and an electrophilic ligand having a nonionic metal coordinating structure. Coating compositions can include the film-forming material and a crosslinker. The coating compositions can be used to coat a substrate, such as a metal substrate. Applied coating layers on substrates can be cured to form coating films.
US07867569B2
This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating on a vehicle body, comprised of applying primer coating, base coating, and clear coat layers in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step. The primer layer comprises a film-forming binder comprising two acrylic polymers, the first being a caprolactone-modified branched acrylic polymer and the second being a caprolactone-modified linear acrylic polymer; and a crosslinking agent selected from aminoplast resin, blocked polyisocyanates, or mixtures thereof, wherein the composition is, essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both. The resulting multi-layered coating has excellent aesthetic appearance, strike-in resistance, chipping resistance, sag resistance, and film build even when formed in a three wet layered application method.
US07867555B2
A method for coloring powders using a stable colorant dispersion is provided. The method includes mixing a base powder and a stable colorant dispersion. A colored powder composition baying a core particle and a partial shell about the core particle is provided.
US07867549B2
A method of manufacturing a drug-delivery coating for a stent is disclosed. The method comprises covering the outer surface of the stent; applying a first composition to the inner surface of the stent to form a first coating; covering the first coating on the inner surface of the stent; and applying a second composition to the outer surface of the stent to form a second coating.
US07867547B2
With abluminal side of a stent masked, the luminal side of the stent is selectively coated with a substance, such as an anti-coagulant, a platelet inhibitor and/or a pro-healing substance. The stent can be masked by inserting it into a rigid mandrel chamber or by compressing a masking sleeve onto the outer side of the stent. A spray nozzle inserted into the masked stent spray coats the substance onto the luminal side. The sprayed coating can be cured onto the stent such as by inserting an electrical-resistance heater bar into the stent.
US07867544B2
An amorphous sugar-free sweetening composition acts as a sugar substitute in the production of a chocolate confection. Maltitol syrup may be employed in a chocolate confection mixture with a dry milk substitute composition to form a chocolate confection with improved taste and texture characteristics as compared to other sugar-free chocolate confection compositions. Other amorphous sweetening compositions may be used in the production of chocolate compositions. Methods of making chocolate compositions are also disclosed.
US07867539B2
The invention is relating to device for the controlled heating and cooling and conservation of eggs (18) that is provided with an oven space (13) with a carrier plate (7) with holders for the positioning of the eggs (18) substantially upright and a spray device (12) for the cooling of same with a coolant, and which is further provided with a heating element (11) for the generation of steam, whereby means (14) are provided that allow said steam to be subjected to a forced flow whereby this steam flows over the eggs (18) in order to heat the eggs, whereby said carrier plate (7) has openings (16) such that at least part of said steam is guided along the side of the eggs (18) to the underside of the carrier plate (7) so that the underside of the eggs (18) is heated.
US07867535B2
A method is disclosed for producing a baked snack chip made from a raw potato slice. The snack chip has a light, crispy, expanded texture similar to the texture of a fried potato chip. It is formed by compressing and heating a partially dried potato slice and then expanding the potato slice. Alternatively, the expanded potato slice is compressed again.
US07867534B2
An apparatus and method for cooking with steam in a cooking appliance by forming the steam from atomized particles of water.
US07867533B2
The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a controlled amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step that simulates conventional frying dehydration rates. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.
US07867532B2
A system and method are provided for flaking grains. The system and method provide for an automated system to minimize manual intervention, yet optimize a steam flaking process. A calibration technique may be included to assist in automatic adjustment of system parameters to account for less than optimal operating conditions. Control of the system may occur from a remote location wherein a user is provided an interface, and a user's computer communicates with an industrial controller such as a PLC, through the Internet or a private network. The PLC is typically located at the site where the grain is to be processed. The PLC may receive various system inputs and generate system control outputs in accordance with programs installed on the PLC, or through some selected manual intervention as controlled by the user at the remote location.
US07867529B2
A method for the reduction of acrylamide in food products, food products having reduced levels of acrylamide, and an article of commerce. In one aspect, the method comprises reducing the level of asparagine in a food material before final heating (e.g., cooking). In another aspect, the method comprises adding to a food material an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the amide group of free asparagine. In yet another aspect, an article of commerce communicates to the consumer that a food product has reduced or low levels of acrylamide or asparagine.
US07867528B2
In a method of producing bread which includes the steps of mixing separate leaven or yeast into bread dough, fermenting the dough, dividing and forming the dough, fermenting the dough again, and baking the thus fermented dough, the baking step includes at least one baking stage and at least in the final stage of baking, the dough is baked using superheated steam. The dough may be first baked partially, and after storing at room temperature or freezing, the dough may be completely baked. There is also provided a method of producing raisin yeast bread which includes the steps of fermenting water extracts of raisins and flour, further fermenting the mixture for 10 to 20 days while adding flour and water to obtain ripe raisin leaven, mixing the ripe leaven into separate leaven or bread dough, fermenting the mixture, dividing and forming the mixture, fermenting the thus divided and formed dough first at 20-25° C. for 0.5 to 2 hours, then at a low temperature of 2-10° C. for 7 to 22 hours, and finally at 20-25° C. for 1 to 6 hours, and baking the thus fermented dough. At least in the final stage of baking step, the dough is baked using superheated steam.
US07867526B2
A composition for reducing the weight of a human. The composition is provided in the form of a capsule comprising an effective amount of capsaicin and/or analogs thereof, L-tyrosine, supplemental caffeine and/or and analogs thereof, green tea extract containing catechin and caffeine, and embodiments which include calcium. The invention is also directed toward methods for reducing and maintaining weight of a human using the composition.
US07867517B2
The present invention relates to prompt-release oral pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more active principles solubilised, suspended or embedded in a suitably formulated amphiphilic matrix for improving in vitro and in vivo bioavailability of medicaments sparingly absorbed through the oral route and/or with problems of high variability of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
US07867516B2
A tablet characterized by comprising 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone as the main ingredient and, based on the main ingredient, 10 to 50 wt. % excipient, 5 to 40 wt. % disintegrator, 1 to 10 wt. % binder, 0.5 to 5 wt. % lubricant, 2 to 6 wt. % coating basis, and 0.05 to 3 wt. % light-shielding agent, wherein the odor or bitterness of the 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone is masked and the light stability is improved.
US07867515B2
The present invention is directed to non-effervescent, orally disintegrating solid pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising progestin and methods of making and using the dosage forms to treat conditions in females in need thereof.
US07867506B2
The present invention includes a clear cosmetic stick that has a clarity that is stable over a temperature of 5 to 45 degrees Centigrade for a time period of at least about twelve months. The clear cosmetic stick includes one or more of a branched chain fatty acid surfactant and a straight-chain fatty alcohol surfactant.
US07867504B2
A composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one film-forming polymer and at least one thermal transition agent which undergoes a change of state at a transition temperature Tt chosen within a temperature range from 25° C. to 80° C., the at least one thermal transition agent being insoluble in water maintained at a temperature below the transition temperature, Tt, the at least one film-forming polymer and the at least one thermal transition agent are present in an amount which is sufficient so that the composition is capable of forming a film at the temperature of a keratinous material to which the composition is applied, wherein the film has a resistance (Rc) to hot water (40° C.) of less than or equal to 15 minutes and a resistance (Rf) to cold water (20° C.) such that Rf−Rc≧8 minutes. The invention also relates to a cosmetic care or make-up process for a keratinous material. The composition makes it possible to obtain a film which is resistant to cold water and which can be removed simply with hot water.
US07867490B2
The present invention relates to the field of liver diseases, more particularly to the field of portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. The invention relates to the use of molecules which can inhibit the binding of placental growth factor (PIGF) to its receptor (VEGFR-1), such as monoclonal antibodies, for the manufacture of a medicament to treat liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and its complications.
US07867486B2
The present invention is directed to a novel method for preventing or treating the development of respiratory allergies. The method comprises prenatal and/or postnatal administration of a therapeutically effective amount of LGG.
US07867484B2
The present invention is based on the finding that parvovirus (including AAV) capsids can be engineered to incorporate small, selective regions from other parvoviruses that confer desirable properties. In some embodiments, a substitution of a single amino acid that is unique to the AAV6 capsid (Lys-531) among other AAVs that have been characterized to date can confer one or more desirable properties to other AAVs.
US07867482B2
This application relates to recombinant human interferon-like proteins. In one embodiment a recombinant protein created by gene shuffling technology is described having enhanced anti-viral and anti-proliferative activities in comparison to naturally occurring human interferon alpha 2b (HuIFN-α2b). The invention encompasses a polynucleotide encoding the protein and recombinant vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotide. Preferably the polynucleotide is selected from the group of polynucleotides each having a sequence at least 93% identical to SEQ ID: No. 1 and the protein is selected from the group of proteins each having an amino acid sequence at least 85% identical to SEQ ID No: 2. The proteins and compositions comprising the proteins can be used for treatment of conditions responsive to interferon therapy, such as viral diseases and cancer.
US07867481B2
The invention relates to methods of treating a blood disorder in a mammal with an interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitor. The invention also relates to methods of treating a blood disorder in a mammal with an IL-1 inhibitor, a TNF inhibitor and an erythropoietin (EPO) receptor agonist. The invention also relates to compositions of an IL-1 inhibitor and compositions of an IL-1 inhibitor, a TNF inhibitor and an EPO receptor agonist.
US07867480B1
The present invention relates to novel vaccines for the non-invasive, transcutaneous administration of antigens associated with ultradeformable carriers, for the purpose of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination. The vaccines comprise (a) a transdermal carrier which is a penetrant, (b) a compound which specifically releases or specifically induces cytokine or anticytokine activity or exerts such an activity itself, (c) an antigen, an allergen, a mixture of antigens andlor a mixture of allergens, and (d) a chemical irritant. The invention further relates to methods for the vaccination of mammals for obtaining a protective or therapeutic immune response.
US07867458B2
The present invention relates to a method and a device for the parallel study of chemical reactions in at least two spatially separated reaction spaces. In particular, the invention is suitable for reactions which are not constant volume reactions and/or for reactions in which fluid flows through at least two spatially separated reaction spaces are intended to be controlled together for all the reaction spaces, or for related subsets of them, in the most straightforward way possible.According to one embodiment, the device according to the invention for the parallel study of chemical reactions comprises at least the following components: (a) at least two spatially separated reaction spaces; (b) on the reaction space input side, at least one common educt feed for the reaction spaces according to (a); (d) on the reaction space output side, at least one connection per reaction space to at least one holding gas feed common to all the reaction spaces, or subsets of them; (e) on the reaction space output side, and downstream of the connection to the holding gas feed according to (d) in the product flow direction, at least one restrictor per reaction space.
US07867457B2
A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.
US07867456B2
A honeycomb structure 1 having an outer wall 7, partition walls 2 disposed inside the outer wall, and a plurality of cells 3 partitioned from one another by the partition wall 2 and extending in the axial direction, each cell having a generally rectangular cross-section shape in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The honeycomb structure 1 is characterized in that the honeycomb structure 1 is provided with a reinforced part 72 on a part of the outer wall 7. The honeycomb structure may exhibit excellent mechanical strength and low pressure loss.
US07867455B2
A microtube picking device for pharmaceutical development in which the picking of a selected microtube from a storage rack can be reliably carried out without producing friction in a latch member and without shifting the position of the microtube when it is reinserted into the storage rack. The microtube picking device has a picking member with a microtube accommodating hole whose internal surfaces are arranged in a polygonal array. The device also has at least one latch member having elastic force, which presses and fixes the microtube to two adjacent surfaces of the microtube accommodating hole.
US07867452B2
A multi-well filtration device for filtering a suspension comprises a filtration plate with a filtration chamber and a collecting plate with a collecting well. The filtration chamber is connected to the collecting well and a filter element is arranged between the filtration chamber and the collecting well. A separation layer is arranged between the filtration plate and the collecting plate adjacent to the filter element. The use such of a separation layer allows an easy detachment of the filtration plate from the collecting plate. The detached filtration plate can comfortably be transferred into an analysis device, in which the solid phase of the filtration chamber can separately be analyzed through the separation layer, without any replacement of the solid phase.
US07867433B2
Methods for making a crosslinked elastomeric composition and articles made of the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, an elastomeric composition comprising at least one propylene-based polymer is blended with at least one component selected from the group consisting of multifunctional acrylates, multifunctional methacrylates, functionalized polybutadiene resins, functionalized cyanurate, and allyl isocyanurate; and blended with at least one component selected from the group consisting of hindered phenols, phosphites, and hindered amines. The propylene-based polymer can include propylene derived units and one or more dienes, and have a triad tacticity of from 50% to 99% and a heat of fusion of less than 80 J/g. The blended composition can then be extruded and crosslinked. The extruded polymer can be crosslinked using electron beam radiation having an e-beam dose of about 100 KGy or less. The crosslinked polymers are particularly useful for making fibers and films.
US07867428B2
A composite sports racquet frame including a frame made of composite material, the frame including a head portion configured to receive and surround a string bed with a plurality of string segments, and a handle portion. The head portion includes a tip section on an opposite end of the frame from the handle portion, and the tip section includes a solid cross-section substantially throughout and the remainder of the head portion includes a hollow cross-section substantially throughout.
US07867427B2
A method of hard coating a surface with carbide. A first step involves positioning a temporary membrane a pre-selected distance from a surface of a work piece to be hard coated to create a insertion gap which is accessible from an upper end. A second step involves filling the insertion gap with carbide pieces, sized to fit the insertion gap in a selected orientation, by inserting the carbide pieces from the upper end of the insertion gap and allowing them to drop into the insertion gap by force of gravity. A third step involves filling spaces between the carbide pieces with bonding powder by inserting the bonding powder into the upper end of the insertion gap. A fourth step involves heating the powder until the carbide pieces are bonded to the surface. A fifth step involves removing the temporary membrane.
US07867426B2
A mold assembly and method of forming a surgical implant from bone cement. The method has the steps of connecting a plurality of mold segments to approximate the size of a patient implant. Each mold segment has an open channel. The method may further include aligning the channels of connected mold segments, positioning a centralizing holder on a reinforcement member, mixing bone cement, pouring at least some bone cement through the channels and into connected mold segments, fitting the reinforcement member into the mold segments, curing the bone cement; and removing the cured surgical implant.
US07867423B2
Powder metallurgy techniques are utilised to form components and in particular titanium components in moulds. By the nature of the powder forming process, closed surfaces are created in the powder formed component, particularly when hot iso-static pressing techniques are utilised. In order to create surface texturing, and in particular entrant features, a mould lining is associated such that it reciprocates the shape of an underlying mould. The mould lining incorporates surface discontinuities such as holes, slots, spots or folds which result, once the moulded material is formed, in entrant features which can be utilised to enhance bonding through adhesives or other surface features beneficial to a component.
US07867421B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of composite fibers with an increased content of colloidal particles, made from a pre-fiber, comprising a polymeric binder and colloidal particles, during which the chemical structure of the polymeric binder is degraded at a temperature of the order of ambient temperature such as to at least partially eliminate the above. The invention further relates to a fiber comprising a polymeric binder and colloidal particles, combining an excellent mechanical strength and a content of colloidal particles greater than 70% by mass.
US07867417B2
Hydrophilic porous polymeric membranes with high permeabilities, and processes for the preparation thereof are disclosed. Membranes may be prepared by including a preferably hydrophilic cross-linkable component such as PVP (either by inclusion into the polymer dope prior to casting, or coating or quenching cast membranes); and treating the polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a crosslinking agent to cross-link said cross-linkable component. Preferred cross-linking agents include Fenton's reagent.
US07867416B2
The thermoplastic elastomer composition of the present invention comprises a thermoplastic elastomer which includes an ethylene•α-olefin copolymer and a crystalline polyethylene resin, wherein the crystalline polyethylene resin constitutes a three-dimensional network structure in a matrix formed by the ethylene•α-olefin copolymer, an organic or inorganic blowing agent and a nucleating agent, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has a melt flow rate of 5 g/10 min or more at a temperature of 230° C. and a load of 10 kg, and a melt tension of 3.0 gf or more at a temperature of 210° C. and a pulling rate of 2 m/min. Also the foam injection molding method of the present invention is a method including injecting the above-mentioned composition into a cavity space of a metal mold and then expanding the cavity space to foam by opening the metal mold at a mold opening rate of 0.05 to 0.4 mm/sec.
US07867413B2
Disclosed is ink for ink jet printing, which comprises: metal nanoparticles comprising a surfactant attached to surfaces thereof; and a first solvent, wherein the metal nanoparticles are present in an amount of 50˜70 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ink, and the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.5˜5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the metal nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticles used in the ink and a method for preparing the metal nanoparticles are also disclosed. The method for preparing metal nanoparticles for use in ink for ink jet printing comprises a step of washing surplus surfactant with at least one solvent. By doing so, the surplus surfactant remaining on the surfaces of the metal nanoparticles can be minimized, resulting in a drop in viscosity of ink comprising the metal nanoparticles. Therefore, even if the ink has a metal nanoparticle content of 50 wt % or more, the ink can satisfy a viscosity condition required for ink jet printing, and thus can form an electrode pattern with high conductivity.
US07867410B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising flammable refrigerant, fire hazard-reducing agent, and optionally a lubricant suitable for use in a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to compositions comprising lubricant and fire hazard-reducing agent and methods for reducing flammability of flammable refrigerant, for delivering a fire hazard-reducing agent to a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus, and for replacing a non-flammable refrigerant with a flammable refrigerant.
US07867409B2
A manufacturing method and apparatus for IC fabrication controls the ion angular distribution at the surface of a wafer with electrodes in a wafer support that produce electric fields parallel to the wafer surface without disturbing plasma parameters beyond the wafer surface. The ion angular distribution function (IADF) at the wafer surface is controlled for better feature coverage or etching. Grid structure is built into the substrate holder within the coating at the top of the holder. The grid components are electrically biased to provide electric fields that combine with the sheath field to distribute the ion incidence angles from the plasma sheath onto the wafer. The grid can be dynamically biased or phased to control uniformity of the effects.
US07867408B2
A silicon oxide film is formed on one principal surface of a silicon substrate by thermal oxidation, and thereafter, a silicon nitride film is formed on the silicon oxide film by CVD. A lamination layer of the silicon oxide film and silicon nitride film is selectively dry etched to form a mask opening 22 and leave an etching mask made of a left region of the lamination layer. The substrate is selectively and anisotropically etched with alkali etchant such as TMAH by using the etching mask to form a substrate opening. By setting a ration of the thickness of the silicon oxide film to the thickness of the silicon nitride film to 1.25 or larger or preferably 1.60 or larger, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the etched shape of the inner walls of the openings and cracks in the etching mask.
US07867399B2
A method is provided of recycling and decontaminating oil-based waste drilling mud and cuttings contaminated with oil-based waste drilling mud. A facility for performing the method is also provided. The method includes removing the coarse solids from the mud, breaking the emulsion, and separating the hydrophobic phase from the water phase and the solid phase. The solids may then be treated by either or both of two approaches. One approach involves vaporizing all residual oil and water from the solids, and burning off the vaporized oil. Another approach involves at least partially vaporizing the residual oil from the solids and recondensing the oil. The method produces a solid “soil” product that is free from oil contamination (or is sufficiently decontaminated to allow reuse), an oil product that is fit for reuse, and clean air emissions. A thermal desorber or a soil dryer can be used to efficiently vaporize the oil at low temperature. Optionally the water fraction of the mud can be vaporized, solutes and salts can be captured as evaporite and then be mixed with the soil product. The method has the unique advantage of producing no persistent hazardous waste. The method has the further advantage of requiring no external input of energy if the reclaimed oil is used to provide energy for the process. The method has the further advantage of recycling portions of the drilling mud that would otherwise be subject to disposal.
US07867396B2
A modular water treatment apparatus is disclosed having a plurality of cells each respectively arranged in use for housing a treatment bed and a plurality of spacers located between respective adjacent cells. In use the spacers are for providing an air gap between the cells. The cells and spacers are stackable to provide a multiple stage treatment apparatus in which water to be treated percolates through the respective treatment beds located in the cells.
US07867392B2
A technique for inhibiting biofouling caused by biofilms grown on a material surface of a water system where microorganisms exist such as the membrane surface of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for advanced wastewater treatment is disclosed. Specifically, a magnetic carrier comprising an enzyme for quenching quorum sensing that inhibits biofilm formation, a membrane bioreactor system that can be stably operated without inactivation and loss of enzymes and a method for inhibiting biofilm formation are described.
US07867390B1
An automated water discharging system for prohibiting buoyant debris from reaching and engaging an existing support structure that is partially submerged in an existing body of water may include a mechanism for extracting and channeling water from beneath a water line to above a water line of the existing body of water. Additionally, a mechanism for distributing water from above the water line to a plurality of third locations may be included by creating an artificial current flowing away from the existing support structure. A plurality of conduits and a power-actuated pump may direct the water and debris from one location to the next. Discharge nozzles may discharge the water at an angle defined downwardly towards the water line to thereby create the artificial current leading away from the existing support structure. A controller may be included to adjust the flow rate of the nozzles and the corresponding artificial current.
US07867379B2
This invention relates to a process of producing an upgraded product stream from steam cracker tar feedstream suitable for use in refinery or chemical plant processes or for utilization in fuel oil sales or blending. This process utilizes an ultrafiltration process for separating the steam cracker tar constituents resulting in a high recovery, low-energy process with improved separation and product properties.
US07867378B2
A method is described for co-processing of ethanol and hydrocarbons from petroleum refining, which are introduced separately in two reaction zones of a reactor of a fluidized catalytic cracking unit. The process combines conversion of ethanol into ethene and conversion of hydrocarbons into other lighter hydrocarbon fractions, to produce ethene in quantities of 15 to 90 wt % in the fuel gas fraction obtained during the process.
US07867371B2
An electrochemical sensor is provided that includes a housing defining a cavity for a reference electrolyte and defining an opening to the cavity configured to be proximate to a target fluid. The sensor further includes a junction plug comprising a porous material and a cross member impermeable to a target fluid positioned between the junction plug and the cavity. The cross member includes a planar portion disposed against the junction plug that defines an aperture to enable electrochemical communication between the target fluid and the reference electrolyte.
US07867367B2
A fluid treatment apparatus capable of maximizing contact area between a fluid and electrodes in the apparatus to improve corrosion resistance or combustion efficiency includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for the water at both ends of the housing, and a plurality of first electrodes installed in the housing for generating a potential difference through delivery of electrons at a contact surface between the fluid and the electrodes. The first electrodes are disc shaped and have a water passing hole formed in a center portion. The first electrodes being arranged in parallel in a direction perpendicular to a main flow direction of the fluid, so as to form a channel between the first electrodes to branch and guide a main flow.
US07867366B1
An apparatus for the deposition of a variable thickness coating onto the inside of a cylindrical tube comprises a variable pressure gas, an cathode coaxially positioned within the cylinder, and a voltage source applied between the cathode and cylindrical tube, which functions as an anode. A radial plasma arc is generated between the anode and cathode at a starting point on the cylinder, and the plasma arc travels down the central axis of the cylinder, providing a helical deposition region on the inside of the cylinder. Selection of the combination of cathode material and gas enable the plasma to generate ionic material which is deposited on the anodic cylinder in the region of the plasma. By varying the pressure of variable pressure gas for each helical path, it is possible to vary the composition of this deposition film.
US07867365B2
The present invention relates to a system for producing ethanol from an organic source and that operates to purify and dry ethanol from a beer source. The system for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol comprises: (a) a first distillation stripping column; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than said stripping column; (c) a molecular sieve dehydration means in fluid communication with said rectifying column. Heat from the overhead of the second distillation rectifying column and the molecular sieve dehydration are used to heat the first distillation stripping column.
US07867352B2
To apply a course on a layup mold, a ply boundary that defines a ply area on the layup mold is determined and a tape of composite material is applied on the ply area at an oblique angle relative to the ply boundary. In addition, a leading edge of the tape is butt cut and the leading edge, and the ply boundary essentially converge. Furthermore, a trailing edge is generated. The trailing edge is a butt cut and the trailing edge and the ply boundary essentially converge.
US07867351B2
A method forming a porous PTFE layer includes steps of: combining one or at least two unburned porous PTFE films and a support body that can withstand a heating condition in the following process (a rod or plate shaped support body made of mesh or the like is preferable) by using a predetermined means in such a manner that a slip can be prevented in a heating treatment in the following process; and heating the matter resulted from the above process at a temperature of at least 150° C. and less than the melting point of the PTFE film for the range of 5-120 minutes (preferably at a temperature in the range of the melting point of a thermoplastic resin fiber to 320° C. for the range of 10-60 minutes in the case in which the thermoplastic resin fiber or the like is used in the process.
US07867339B2
Process for the cleaning of an installation, whereby the installation is rinsed with an alkaline cleaning solution and the result of the cleaning is tested by means of an indicator agent on the basis of permanganate in an alkaline environment. In order to make the cleaning more economical and less productive of waste water, the indicator agent that is used as an indicator is introduced into the alkaline cleaning solution for further use as a cleaning agent.
US07867338B1
A roof brush and method of use. What is provided is a brush head which can be tossed on a roof and subsequently pulled off the roof to remove leaves and other debris on the roof. Accordingly, a roof brush is provided which is capable of cleaning a roof and permitting an individual operating the roof brush to remain standing on the ground while cleaning.
US07867337B2
A substrate having a liquid film formed by pre-processing unit is transported by a substrate transport robot from the pre-processing unit to a freeze processing unit disposed away from the pre-processing unit. In the freeze-processing unit, the liquid film is frozen. This causes the adhesion power of contaminants adhering to the surface of the substrate reduce, and therefore the contaminants is detached from the surface of the substrate. Subsequently, the substrate which was subjected to the freezing process, is transported from the freeze processing unit to a post-processing unit which is disposed away from the pre-processing unit and the freeze processing. In the post-processing unit, a cleaning liquid is supplied to the frozen film on the rotating substrate, thereby easily removing the contaminants adhering to the substrate together with the frozen film.
US07867326B2
An ink set for ink-jet recording contains a yellow ink, a magenta ink, and a cyan ink. Ink sets capable of forming composite black images having good color deterioration properties and ozone resistance may be prepared by selecting an appropriate combination of a yellow ink, a magenta ink, and a cyan ink.
US07867323B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed that pick up and clean landscape rock using air under vacuum pressure. This apparatus provides a means for cleaning and reusing rock that has become aesthetically unattractive instead of removing the old landscape rock and replacing it with new rock. The invention also includes a device for separating debris from the vacuum airstream. This device may be used in combination with the device for picking up and cleaning landscape rock or may be used independently.
US07867321B2
An improved cyclone system for disengaging solid and gaseous particles in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes with reduced coke formation in disengager vessels, without favoring release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages, said system comprising legless cyclones 42 fitted with external collector pipes 43, is described. The collector pipes 43 optimize the purge of gases coming from the disengager vessel 49, reducing the time the hydrocarbons remain inside the disengager vessel 49, thus preventing overcracking and subsequent coke formation. Positioning of the external collector pipes 43 prevents release of the disengaged catalyst into cyclones in subsequent stages. The present invention also relates to a process and device for disengaging solid and gaseous particles in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, reducing coke formation in disengager vessels and minimizing the release of catalyst into consecutive stages, said process and device being part of the system of the present invention.
US07867317B2
A method for recovering valuable metals contained in printed circuit boards of waste electronic machine, and more particularly, a method for liberating metal and plastic laminated in waste printed circuit boards uses an organic solvent and then separates and recovers the liberated metal components using an electrostatic separation process.
US07867316B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing metal nanoparticles including: preparing a first solution including a metal precursor and a non-polar solvent; preparing a second solution with adding a capping molecule presented by the following Formula 1 into the first solution; and stirring the second solution with applying heat, wherein R1 and R2 are independently —COOH, —NH2 or —CH3 but R1 and R2 cannot be —COOH at the same time, and x and y is independently an integer from 3 to 20 respectively and x+y is 20 to 40.
US07867307B2
A cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance includes a plurality of cyclonic separators arranged in series for separating particles from a dirt- and dust-laden airflow, at least two or three collectors for collecting separated dirt and dust, and a closure member movable between a closed position in which the closure member closes an end of each collector and an open position in which separated dirt and dust can be emptied from the collectors. The ends of the collectors are separated by dividing walls. A expandable seal is provided between the closure member and the dividing walls to seal when the closure member is in the closed position. The expandable seal is able to seal effectively even if the closure member is misaligned, incorrectly fitted or if dirt and dust is present between the surfaces to be sealed.
US07867305B2
The bag-filter type small deodorizing and dust collecting apparatus including a feed pipe feeding deodorizing powder, a rotary valve discharging the deodorizing powder by a fixed amount, and a reflux pipe for refluxing the deodorizing powder from the rotary valve A blower is provided for refluxing the deodorizing powder. Furthermore a switchover gate is mounted on a discharge side of the rotary valve. Branch pipes are connected to the switchover gate, such that one branch pipe is connected to a discharging chamber and the other branch pipe is connected to the reflux pipe. Dust is collected while enabling deodorization, or in particular, enabling local deodorization of a foundry or the like, mainly, without a need for a large-scaled apparatus for circulation, supply and discharge of the activated carbon or the like used therein.
US07867299B2
Methods and apparatus for producing hydrogen with reforming catalysts. The reforming catalysts may be platinum group metals on a support material, and they may be located in a reforming reaction zone of a primary reactor. The support material may be an oxidic support having a ceria and zirconia promoter, or may include a neodymium stabilizer. The support material may also include at least one Group IA, Group IIA, manganese, or iron metal promoter. The primary reactor may have a first and second reforming reaction zones, where upstream catalysts located in the first reforming reaction zone and downstream catalysts located in the second reforming reaction zone may be selected to perform optimally under the conditions in their respective reforming reaction zone.
US07867292B2
A method for producing a prismatic rechargeable battery that includes providing a battery housing comprising a plurality of cell vessels separated by intermediate walls. The method also includes providing contact connector plates on opposite sides of each of the intermediate walls and electrically coupling the contact connector plates provided on opposite sides of the intermediate walls to each other through their associated intermediate walls. The method further includes arranging plate stacks in the cell vessels, each of the plate stacks having a plurality of contacts and coupling the electrical contacts of the plate stacks to contact connector plates provided on the intermediate walls. The method further includes closing the housing such that the cell vessels and the housing are sealed.
US07867288B2
A cleaning system that utilizes an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The system has no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the system utilizes the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum. Finally, the drum is de-pressurized to atmospheric pressure to evaporate any remaining pressurized fluid solvent, yielding clean, solvent free textiles. The organic solvent is preferably selected from terpenes, halohydrocarbons, certain glycol ethers, polyols, ethers, esters of glycol ethers, esters of fatty acids and other long chain carboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and other long-chain alcohols, short-chain alcohols, polar aprotic solvents, siloxanes, hydrofluoroethers, dibasic esters, and aliphatic hydrocarbons solvents or similar solvents or mixtures of such solvents and the pressurized fluid solvent is preferably densified carbon dioxide.
US07867286B2
A prosthesis system including a ventilated shell, and a substantially compliant, ventilated spacer element that defines a first surface having a frictional feature. The spacer element is arranged to secure to an internal surface of the shell. The prosthesis system also includes a connector that is secured to a distal end of the shell, and a retainer supported by the connector so as to extend into a cavity formed by the shell.
US07867285B2
Systems and method for monitoring gait dynamics are disclosed. The performance of an orthotic or prosthetic device or other device associated with a limb may be measured based on the resistance of a bending sensor. Data from the sensors is gathered or processed, particularly for purposes of alignment, safety, failure, usage, selection, and artificial proprioception. Information relating to the device may be outputted visually or auditorily to an individual.
US07867280B2
A method includes the acts of sliding a first end of a flexible first line through a channel in a first bone anchor. A portion of the first line is connected to an implant having a top articular surface and an opposing bone apposition surface. The first line extending between the implant and the first bone anchor is then tensioned. While the tensioning force is maintained on the first line, the first line is secured to the first bone anchor.
US07867279B2
An intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a first plate including a socket and a second plate comprising a recess. A core is sandwiched between the socket and the recess. The core includes a domed surface and a plug portion. The first plate is configured to rotate upon the domed surface of the core. The second plate is substantially fixed to the core, with the plug portion engaging the recess. The core may be press-fit into the second plate during assembly of the intervertebral disc prosthesis. The first plate and second plate both include tabs that define notches, wherein the notches are configured to engage prongs of a disc insertion tool. Teeth provided on the first plate and the second plate assist in fixing the first plate and the second plate to the vertebral bodies.
US07867278B2
Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation implant suited for minimally invasive deployment. A nucleus augmentation component may be included. The anulus augmentation implant shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of natural nucleus pulposus and/or the augmentation component. Methods and deployment devices are also disclosed. Several embodiments cause or allow fibrous or bony ingrowth in or around the augmentation.
US07867261B2
A bone plate includes at least one torsional modification feature (TMF). Each TMF is structured to decrease the torsional rigidity of the plate relative to longitudinally opposite portions, but may be modified to increase the torsional rigidity thereat. Each TMF is defined by beams contiguous with the lateral sides of the plate, and an opening extending laterally therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, opposed projections extend into the opening to define threaded discontinuous wall portions for receiving an insert, such as a set screw. In one embodiment, bioabsorbable and/or bioactive inserts may be used to temporarily increase the torsional rigidity of the plate during initial fixation and thereafter have reduced torsional rigidity to mimic normal callus. The plate is preferably used with fixed angle fasteners that may be subject to high torsional loads post-operatively.
US07867257B2
The present invention is directed a poly-axial bone securing system including a bone securing member and a coupling element. The coupling element includes an opening to permit the bone securing member to pass therethrough and a seat for contacting a head portion of the bone securing member. The opening including a discrete number of contact surfaces or points for engaging the head portion of the bone securing member so that discrete frictional or gripping forces may be generated at interface points of each contact surface or point.
US07867251B2
An anchor includes an anchor body configured to be retained within base tissue. The anchor body includes a unidirectional mechanism to selectively restrict passage of a flexible member through the anchor. The flexible member includes a loop to enable attachment of candidate tissue to base tissue without the use of knots.
US07867248B2
An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support frame contacting the filter body. The collapsible filter body has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material to enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body. The filter support frame is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in the expanded position. The frame has a plurality of engagement segments which are spaced-apart longitudinally and transversely when the filter body is in the deployed expanded configuration to urge the filter body into opposition with the vessel wall. The engagement segments define at least partially a substantially helical engagement track.
US07867244B2
A lancing device is provided for use with a removable lancet. The lancing device includes a housing and a lancet carrier slidably disposed within the housing and adapted to receive the lancet. A user-actuated ejection slide is mounted to the housing to eject the lancet from the lancet carrier. A locking member is pivotally mounted to the housing. As the ejection slide moves forward, it rotates the locking member to block forward movement of the lancet carrier during ejection. The locking member is configured so that substantially all of the force exerted on it by the lancet carrier is transmitted to the housing via the pivotal mounting.
US07867241B2
A medical instrument assembly and robotic medical system are provided. The medical instrument comprises an outer probe having an elongated shaft, an inner probe having an elongated shaft coaxially disposed within the outer probe shaft, and actuating elements. The robotic medical system comprises the medical instrument assembly, a support on which the medical instrument assembly is slidably disposed, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the actuating elements, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to drive the actuating elements to independently effect movement of the outer and inner probes within at least one degree-of-freedom, and to linearly translate the medical instrument assembly along the support.
US07867236B2
A method includes resecting a portion of an articulation surface of a bone at a joint. A guide template is positioned on the resected articulation surface. The guide template at least partially bounds an opening that is disposed over the resected articulation surface. A portion of the resected articulation surface of the bone bounded within the opening of the guide template is then removed through the opening of the guide template.
US07867234B2
A kit including tools or instruments for reaming a series of progressively larger bores in a work piece has as least two reamers of different reamers. Each of the reamers has a plurality of cutting flutes extending radially from a central shaft of the reamer. The flutes of each of the at least two reamers extend at a different radial distance from the shaft with the inner shaft of each reamer having the same diameter. A rotatable guide bushing has a recess for receiving each of the flutes of the at least two reamers with the recesses open to a central bore in the bushing. The central bore has a diameter equal to or greater than the shaft diameters of the reamers and acts as a guide to keep the rotational axis of each reamer aligned with the central axis of the bushing bore. A holder is provided to fix the bushing with respect to the bore in the work piece.
US07867233B2
Methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the spacial relationship between the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral disks, or that cause instability of the vertebral column, or both, and a method and devices that allow the surgeon to access the intervertebral space to restore a more normal three-dimensional configuration of the space, with or without additionally fusing two adjacent vertebrae.
US07867228B2
A surgical device including an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, an arm pivotally connected to the distal end and moveable through a dissection plane, and a cutting element disposed on the arm and adapted to move from an un-deployed configuration to a deployed configuration, wherein the cutting element is generally aligned with the dissection plane when in the un-deployed configuration and at least partially transverse with respect to the dissection plane when in the deployed configuration.
US07867225B2
An electrosurgical instrument includes a conductive element in the form of a needle that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor tip portion of the conductive element. The conductor tip portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The electrosurgical needle electrode is configured to concentrate the flow of electrosurgical at the tip region.
US07867219B2
An improved apparatus and method to catheterize passages is disclosed. The present invention provides a catheter having a soft flexible pre-formed distal tip, that when used in combination with commercially available guidewires of variable stiffness, results in the ability to control the direction and angle of wire advancement allowing cannulation of body passages, including those that arise at acute angles. The catheter can have a longitudinal axis, a proximal section and a distal section having a soft flexible pre-formed tip having a curvature of ninety degrees or greater and shape retention. The catheter can have an inner wall that defines a lumen that runs along said longitudinal axis forming a single continuous tube, a reinforcement braid disposed over the inner wall, and an outside covering disposed over the reinforcement braid. A spacer can be added between said wall liner and said reinforcement braid in the proximal end.
US07867216B2
An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. A method of treating a lesion within a blood vessel, e.g., a coronary artery, includes advancing a sheath into the blood vessel, the sheath having a lumen extending to a port at a distal end of the sheath and further having an occlusive member within a distal region of the sheath. The occlusive member is then positioned within the blood vessel proximal to the lesion. Subsequently, the occlusive member is deployed, thereby stopping antegrade flow across the lesion. A contrast agent can then be infused through a port in the sheath. A dilation balloon is then advanced across the lesion. Suction is then applied to the lumen to induce retrograde flow across the lesion after dilating the lesion.
US07867213B2
A disposable diaper (2), in particular, for incontinent care, comprises a belt (10) having belt sections (101, 102), wherein at least one of the belt sections (101, 102) comprises a separating means (T, L) with which at least one terminal section (1011, 1021) may be separated to match the length of the belt to various hip sizes.
US07867207B2
The present invention relates to a coupling assembly such as a coupling assembly for coupling an ostomy bag to a base plate, said base plate being adhered around a stoma. The present invention especially relates to a coupling assembly comprising a first, second and third coupling part, which are coupled together to form a coupling assembly.
US07867179B2
A process for applying a protective covering for a cast or wound to a patient includes the steps of selecting an elongated waterproof flexible transparent polymer bag having an opening in at least one end thereof and then cutting the selected bag to a predetermined length and sliding it over a patient's appendage to cover a cast or wound. A roll of elongated high cling plastic stretch film having a thickness between 50 and 200 gauge is then selected and wrapped around at least one end of the open end of the polymer bag adjacent the patient's appendage with a plurality of wraps while stretching the plastic stretch film to form a waterproof seal between the bag and the patient's appendage so that a waterproof cover is provided for the patient's wound or cast.
US07867174B2
A method may include collecting at least one analyte from within a body, ejecting the collected at least one analyte from the body through at least one dermal layer of the body, and receiving the ejected at least one analyte outside the body. A system may include a means for collecting at least one analyte from within a body, a means for ejecting the collected at least one analyte from the body through at least one dermal layer of the body, and a means for receiving the ejected at least one analyte outside the body.
US07867172B1
A combination toothbrush and peak flow meter system for increasing the compliance of peak flow measurements in children and adults with asthma. The combination toothbrush and peak flow meter system includes a peak flow meter and a toothbrush head connected to an end of the peak flow meter.
US07867168B2
Systems and methods which partition ultrasound signal processing between an ultrasound system main processing unit and transducer assembly are shown. A particular division of signal processing functionality disposed in the main processing unit and the transducer assembly may be selected to provide a desired weight balance, a desired level of processing for data communication between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly, etcetera. Battery capacity may additionally or alternatively be partitioned between the main processing unit and the transducer assembly.
US07867162B2
An implantable fluid device comprises a flexible fluid chamber capable of being in an inflated state and a deflated state. The chamber has a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The chamber also has, in cross section when deflated, a plurality of alternating protrusions and intermediate portions about the central longitudinal axis. When deflated, the protrusions have a selected height and the intermediate portions have a selected depth. When inflated, the protrusions have the selected height and the intermediate portions have a selected height.
US07867157B2
The folding machine has a cross fold module which includes a cross-fold folding blade (18), a sheet-supporting device (38) which is arranged below the cross-fold folding blade (18) and on which an incoming sheet comes to rest, and a roller frame (27) which is arranged below the sheet-supporting device (38) and into which a sheet is introduced by the cross-fold folding blade (18). A three-fold module (22) with a three-fold folding blade (24) arranged perpendicularly with respect to the cross-fold folding blade (18) is arranged downstream of the roller frame (27). The three-fold module (22) and the roller frame (27) are arranged on a rotary stand (20) which is rotatable through at least 180 about a vertical axis (28).
US07867149B1
A swiveling user support assembly has a user support or seat rotatably mounted on a user support mounting device or frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, while the mounting device or frame is pivotally or rigidly connected to a main frame of an exercise machine. The user support has a base, and a primary user support and stabilizing device mounted on the base. A pivot connection between the base and mounting device or frame allows the user support to swivel from side to side about the first pivot axis. A centering mechanism helps to orient the user support in a central position for user entry or exit.
US07867138B2
A method of controlling a vehicle transmission, the vehicle transmission including a power shift gearbox, the power shift gearbox having a power shift input shaft, a power shift output shaft, power shift input gearing and power shift output gearing, and a plurality of power shift clutches to drivingly connect the power shift input gearing and the power shift output gearing, and a master clutch operable to connect the power shift input shaft to a prime mover, the method comprising the steps of, disengaging the master clutch, and engaging at least two of the power shift clutches.
US07867134B2
The present invention provides a control method for a hybrid electric vehicle According to a control method of the present invention, the fuel efficiency is improved by extending a fuel cut operation in a wider transmission range and the impact caused by the extended fuel cut operation is reduced by reaction control of a motor operating in the opposite direction to engine torque.
US07867128B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US07867114B2
A multi-walled, tubular baseball bat has a barrel portion with a mid-section wherein the radial stiffness of the overall barrel wall varies along the barrel length to provide an enlarged sweetspot, improved soft feel and performance, plus unique sounds upon impact. The bat has a frame with a barrel portion of consistent diameter. A secondary member, or members, of tubular form extend internally along the barrel. The secondary member provides the required radial stiffness variation by: 1) variations in the thickness of the wall of the secondary member or by, 2) secondary members with unique geometric external surface profiles or by, 3) the presence of functional air cavities, with or without closed ends, between the main bat frame and the secondary member or members or by, 4) the presence of numerous annular secondary members located side by side less than one-half the length of the barrel portion.
US07867112B1
An athletic training apparatus for improving the stick and ball handling ability of an athlete and particularly an ice hockey player. The athletic training apparatus generally includes a body member having an upper surface, a flat bottom surface, and a generally circular side wall, wherein the body member is comprised of a cylindrical shape and at least one elongated attachment member extending below the bottom surface of the body member to affix the body member to an athletic training surface, such as a sheet of ice for ice hockey training. Pads may also be secured to the attachment member below the bottom surface of the body member for providing a gripping structure to secure the body member to a surface, such as a roller hockey playing surface. Alternate uses may be employed, such as use upon a court to improve ball handling skills and various other playing surfaces.
US07867111B2
A golf ball component, such as a golf ball cover layer, formed from a high or increased melt index thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurea or polyurethane/polyurea is disclosed. The cover layer may be relatively thin (i.e., 0.075 or less, preferably 0.050 inches or less, more preferably less than 0.040 inches, even more preferably less than 0.030 inches). In addition, an operation in which the outer cover is exposed to an isocyanate solution is described to improve certain physical properties of the resulting golf ball.
US07867109B2
A golf ball having an improved dimple pattern is disclosed. The dimples may have a regular or irregular polygonal perimeter, an undimpled land surface and a depression therein. The perimeter may alternatively comprise a number of linear sides and at least one curved side. At least a portion of the bottom of the depression is convex such that its curvature is substantially identical to the curvature of the land surface making the depth of that portion constant along its surface relative to the land surface. The depression may further comprise a sub-depression. Alternatively, the depression may further comprise a projection. Additionally, the depression may have a polygonal or circular perimeter.
US07867106B2
The present invention is directed to golf balls having a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Golf balls of the present invention have at least three layers, including an inner core layer, an outer core layer, a cover, and optionally an intermediate core layer. The present invention is not limited by which golf ball layers are formed from an HNP composition, so long as at least one layer is formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and at least one layer is formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Relatively soft HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. Relatively hard HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi.
US07867097B2
A flexible bushing arrangement (30; 30′) has an inner bushing (32; 32′), an outer bushing (34; 34′) which surrounds the inner bushing and delimits an annular space (36; 36′, 36″) therewith, and a resilient connecting body (38; 38) which is arranged in the annular space (36; 36′, 36″) and connects the two bushings (32, 34; 32′, 34′) to each other. In end regions of the annular space (36; 36′, 36″) spacers (40, 42; 40′, 42′) are arranged which allow only limited radial relative movements of the two bushings (32, 34; 32′, 34′) in relation to each other. Each of the spacers (40, 42; 40′, 42′) is constructed in one piece with one of the bushings (32, 34; 32′, 34′) and is arranged in such a way that it may only act on the other bushing (34, 32; 34′, 32′) via the connecting body (38, 38′). Each of the spacers (40, 42) is constructed in the manner of a toothed ring.
US07867095B2
Systems and methods for providing communications using the candle of a gaming machine are disclosed. A candle radio includes an antenna and transceiver within a housing, as well as one or more light sources and a mounting mechanism configured to mount the candle radio to a respective gaming machine or terminal. The transceiver and antenna are adapted to facilitate radio communications with at least one external transponder/transceiver, which can include wireless system access points and/or additional candle radios associated with other gaming machines. The antenna can be located at the top of the candle radio, while the transceiver can be located within a base at the bottom. An input connector on the transceiver facilitates communications with the gaming machine MGC. The candle radio can be adapted to split radio communications into portions and retransmit one or more portions of a communication, which may be done at differing radio frequencies.
US07867092B2
A casino gaming unit may include a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device, an optical communication transceiver capable of wireless data transmission and reception, and an optical communication controller coupled to the optical communication transceiver and the gaming unit controller. The gaming unit controller may comprise a processor and a memory and may allow a person to make a wager, to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit, to determine an outcome of the game, and a value payout associated with the outcome of the game. The optical communication controller may facilitate wireless data communication with an optical communication transceivers of one or more devices at locations remote from the gaming unit.
US07867089B2
An expanding operating device has a first connector, a second connector and a sensor. The first connector has a first shape physically and electrically connectable with a connector provided with an operating device. Thus, by connecting the first connector to the connector of the operating device, the expanding operating device can be used with the operating device as a single unit, which eventually adds the sensor to the operating device. On the other hand, the second connector has a second shape connectable with a connector with the first shape. This allows a connector conventionally connected to the connector of another operating device to be also connected with the second connector. Accordingly, if the connector of another device is connected the second connector in a state that the first connector is connected to the connector of the operating device, the another device is eventually connected to the operating device via the expanding operating device.
US07867077B2
A primary and secondary game for a wagering gaming machine. In one embodiment, the number of lines wagered or a slot machine makes the player eligible for a bonus game, and a wager made per payline effects how many moves or positions on a meter the player advances upon achieving the bonus triggering symbol or combination of symbols. When the player advances the meter to the end, the gaming device displays a payout event. The payout event can be any type of bonus gaming event that potentially provides an award to the player.
US07867076B2
Systems and methods are provided for operating a gaming system. In one embodiment, an outcome amount associated with a total number of events is determined. For example, a total payout amount associated with a number of instant lottery tickets may be determined. Based on a parameter associated with a player, the outcome amount is allocated among the total number of events. The outcome amount may be allocated, for example, based on a total number of events selected by the player.
US07867071B1
A cob collection device for use with a corn harvester, includes a conveyor system including a portion for positively removing or cleaning attached husks from the cobs after removal of corn therefrom by the harvester, the conveyor system including an upwardly inclined conveyor portion operably movable in cooperation with the collection device for distributing delivery of cobs thereto, the cob collection device having a wall portion including an aperture for receiving the inclined conveyor portion, and a door for closing the aperture when the conveyor is removed, allowing unloading of the collection device, and stowage of the conveyor in a compacted manner to facilitate travel under bridges, utility wires, doorways and the like.
US07867068B2
Methods for producing encased products using selectable first and second horns to thereby produce products in selectable different casing types include: (a) providing an apparatus having a first horn that, in operation, is configured to be in fluid communication with a filler pump located upstream thereof; (b) removing the first horn from the apparatus; and (c) mounting a second horn assembly comprising an intermediate pipe segment in fluid communication with a casing horn to the apparatus. The casing horn can pivot side-to-side. Related apparatus, systems, kits, assemblies and computer program products are configured to allow dual operational modes of producing encased products using first or second horns.
US07867064B2
A drywall sander includes a replaceable sanding pad having a layer of resilient material, and an abrasive surface. The sanding pad includes one or more edge portions that project beyond the edges of a sander head. The edges of the sanding pad can be deformed during use when the sander is used in a corner or the like to thereby prevent scuffing or other damage to adjacent orthogonal surfaces.
US07867062B2
A hand-operated blade sharpener providing engagements of a blade by an abrasive stone at pre-selected angles to the blade is disclosed.
US07867059B2
The invention relates to a process for producing a semiconductor wafer by double-side grinding of the semiconductor wafer, in which the semiconductor wafer is simultaneously ground on both sides, first by rough-grinding and then by finish-grinding, using a grinding tool. The semiconductor wafer, between the rough-grinding and the finish-grinding, remains positioned in the grinding machine, and the grinding tool continues to apply a substantially constant load during the transition from rough-grinding to finish-grinding. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process and to a semiconductor wafer having a local flatness value on a front surface of less than 16 nm in a measurement window of 2 mm×2 mm area and of less than 40 nm in a measurement window of 10 mm×10 mm area.
US07867050B2
A device for attachment to the deck of a surfboard or paddleboard for making paddling a surfboard or paddleboard more comfortable and easier to paddle. On a surfboard the device can also assist in attaining proper speed and so that a surfer can more easily “pop-up.” The pop-up assist generally comprises a main body having a generally wedge shape attached to the deck of the surfboard generally where the lower chest or abdomen of the surfer, makes contact with the board. The pop-up assist generally creates a wedge between the body of the surfer or paddler and the deck of the surfboard, lifting the user's upper chest, neck and, head up from the deck of the board. The pop-up assist can also be collapsible, so that the obstruction of the wedge on the board is removed once the user “pops-up.”
US07867049B1
A floatable workstation including an inflatable tube including a floor, partitions disposed internally within an air receiving cavity of the tube to form one or more inflatable chambers, each chamber including a valve for inflating the chambers. A plurality of handles are disposed on the corners of the inflatable tube or on a deck assembly. The deck assembly includes a plurality of deckboards assembled together to form a floorboard. The deckboards are either inserted within a recess above the floor of the tube or alternatively attached to the top of the tube. One or more deckboards may include a receptacle for removeably holding a bucket. A tether arrangement is attached to the floatable workstation for securely positioning the floatable workstation alongside a vessel allowing one or more persons to stand on the workstation to perform maintenance on the outer surfaces of a vessel. The tether arrangement includes tethers, a means for fastening the tethers to the handles, and suction mechanisms.
US07867046B1
A marine drive has a break-away mount provided by hollowed-out threaded fasteners mounting first and second sections of the drive and breaking away in response to a given underwater impact against the second section to protect the first section and the vessel.
US07867039B2
Provided is a bulb socket. The bulb socket includes a housing formed as a single piece using a single mold assembly, a couple of lamp holders, a double contact terminal, and a single contact terminal.
US07867028B2
An electrical connector assembly is described which comprises an insulative housing comprised of at least one terminal receiving cavity, having a terminal opening and a mating terminal opening. A primary latch is positioned in the cavity provides a space between the primary latch and a base wall and an insulative contact extends laterally of the primary latch and is profiled to deflect the primary latch towards the base wall upon deflection of the insulative contact. An electrical terminal is positioned in the at least one cavity; and a terminal position assurance member is insertable below the primary latch and within the space. When the electrical terminal is fully positioned, the space is sufficient to accept the terminal position assurance member, and when the terminal is not fully inserted, the insulative contact is deflected by the electrical terminal, and the space is insufficient to accept the electrical terminal.
US07867020B2
A fixture includes a base seat, a resist mechanism, a drive mechanism and an adjust mechanism. The resist mechanism is fixed to the base seat and includes a connector. The drive mechanism is fixed to the base seat. The adjust mechanism is fixed to the base seat and includes a connecting board. The connecting board has a power module attached thereto. The adjust mechanism can adjust the power module relative to the connector. The drive mechanism can drive the connector to move towards the power module.
US07867012B2
A connector assembly includes a first connector having a recess disposed in a first side thereof, a second connector disposed in the recess and connected to the first connector, and a lever rotatably connected to the second connector. The lever is rotated toward the first connector by an external force after the second connector is connected to the first connector. The lever is connected to the first connector to fix the second connector in the recess of the first connector.
US07867010B1
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) with an engaging portion (1b), a plurality of contacts (2) received in the inslulitive housing (1) with a contacting portion (22) disposed in the engaging portion (1b) and at least one latch (4) received in the insulative housing (1) with a locking portion (42a) exposed at outside of the insulative housing (1). The latch (4) has a retaining portion (41) hold in the insulative housing (1) and a locking arm (42) unitarily connecting with the retaining portion (41) obliquely.
US07867001B2
A waterproof harness connector that is simple, highly reliable, and can branch a wire. An inner holder is inserted into an outer holder from an opening, and then, joints of wire terminals, where seal members are attached to wires, are inserted into wire terminal holding holes of the inner holder through wire terminal insertion openings of the outer holder. When a pin terminal is inserted into pin terminal insertion hole of the inner holder, the pin terminal penetrates tubular contacts of the joints, which are placed in the holding hole, to electrically connect the wire terminals to each other. After that, a waterproof member is fixed to an opening to make the inside of the outer holder a waterproof structure.
US07866998B2
The electrical card connector (100) has a card receiving space for receiving an electrical card includes an insulative housing (10), a plurality of terminals (20) received in the insulative housing, a metallic shell (30) covered on the insulative housing, and an ejector (50) attached to a lateral side of insulative housing. The insulative housing is disposed on front section of the metallic shell. The ejector includes a base seat (51), a slider (53), a spring (52) and a cam follower (54). The slider is able to slide along a card inserting/ejecting direction. A metallic sheet (514) is assembled to the base seat. The base seat and the metallic sheet form a slot (515), the metallic sheet acts as a bottom wall and one lateral side wall of the slot.
US07866996B2
The present invention discloses a system including: (a) a host device including: (i) a cavity; and (ii) a socket, recessed in the cavity; and (b) a UFD configured to be reversibly operationally connected to the host device via the socket, wherein the UFD is configured to physically reside substantially in the cavity when the UFD is operationally connected to the socket. Also disclosed is a UFD system including: (a) a first part having components of a UFD, wherein the components include a primary connector and an electronics assembly; and (b) a second art having a UFD holder and a secondary connector, wherein the UFD holder is configured to reversibly accommodate the first part, wherein a dimension of the first part parallel to an insertion direction of the primary connector is shorter than a dimension of the second part parallel to an insertion direction of the secondary connector. In another embodiment, a UFD may be inserted into a UFD slot in an edge of a host panel.
US07866989B1
An electrical connector assembly includes an insulating housing and a plurality of terminals. The housing defines a base portion, a tongue portion extending forward from the base portion and a pair of mounting portions respectively defined at longitudinal ends of the base portion. The tongue portion defines a plurality of passageways for receiving the terminals respectively. The base portion has a top face being lower than a top face of the mounting portion.
US07866971B2
A coupling for a plastics injection molding machine which connects a drive shaft to a screw comprises at least one force sensor with a measuring element for the indirect determination of the nozzle pressure. The coupling comprises a first connection which has torsional strength and does not transfer axial force. The coupling comprises a second connection, which is mechanically uncoupled from the first connection and is compression proof and does not transfer torque between the drive shaft and the feed screw. The measuring element is arranged in the force path A of the second compression proof connection but is not also in the force path T of the first connection. Thus, during operation, measurements in the measuring element are not falsified by torsional forces.
US07866965B2
A gear pump has a pump housing formed with a gear receiving recess, a pump cover coupled with the pump housing to cover the gear receiving recess, a hydraulic passage that uses the gear receiving recess as a passage part thereof, and annular inner and outer gears operatively installed in the gear receiving recess. The inner and outer gears are of a bevel type and meshed with each other in such a manner as to bias the inner gear in a direction to reduce the thickness of the passage part when the inner gear is rotated while turning the outer gear therearound.
US07866957B2
A hermetic compressor has a bipolar permanent magnet motor where permanent magnet is disposed in rotor core. A hollow bore is disposed at the end on the compressing element side of the rotor core, and main bearing extends into the bore. The thickness of the rotor core is longer than that of the stator core, thereby widening the magnetic path of the rotor core. The magnetic flux amount generated in the rotor core, which is conventionally insufficient due to existence of the bore, increases, the loss decreases, and the efficiency increases.
US07866954B2
Disclosed herein are a valve and a micro fluid pump having the same. The valve is mounted in a micro fluid pump having a capillary tube, to which a gas supply unit and a fluid transfer pipe are connected, for controlling the introduction and the discharge of fluid. The valve includes a discharge pipe filled with liquid such that the discharge pipe has a predetermined resistance pressure and constructed in a structure in which one end of the discharge pipe is connected to the capillary tube such that the discharge pipe communicates with the interior of the capillary tube, and the other end of the discharge pipe is open, thereby allowing gas out of the capillary tube through the discharge pipe when a gas pressure in the capillary tube exceeds the resistance pressure of the discharge pipe.
US07866953B2
A fluid pump for moving a fluid from a first fluid source of the fluid in a low pressure state to a second fluid source of the fluid in a high pressure state, includes a chamber; a partitioning member displaceable in the chamber and dividing the chamber into first and second sub-chambers of varying volumes; the first sub-chamber having an opening controllably communicable with either the second fluid source or a third fluid source; the second sub-chamber having inlet and outlet openings controllably communicable with the first and second fluid sources, respectively; and a cooling element for cooling a fluid in the first sub-chamber.
US07866949B2
A method of fabricating a turbine rotor is provided. The method includes fabricating a plurality of substantially cylindrical disks. Fabricating each disk includes fabricating a substantially cylindrical body and extending a bore substantially concentrically through the body. The method also includes coupling at least two of the plurality of disks together to form a rotor having a bore extending axially therethrough.
US07866948B1
A turbine airfoil includes a plurality of cooling modules formed on the outer surface of the airfoil wall and spaced along the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil. Each cooling module includes a first diffusion cavity connected to the cooling supply cavity by a first metering hole to provide impingement cooling in the first diffusion cavity. On the sides of the first diffusion cavity are second and third vortex chambers connected to the first diffusion cavity by second and third metering holes. The first diffusion cavity and the two vortex chambers each include film cooling holes to provide film cooling to the airfoil wall. The cooling circuit provides an impingement cooling in series with vortex cooling in order to provide a more efficient cooling of the airfoil wall.
US07866946B2
A method for operating a device to vary a blade setting angle on a rotor blade of a wind power plant, comprising two variable drives each per rotor blade, a bearing element acting between the rotor blade and rotor hub which has a freely rotatable bearing ring, wherein the method has the following process steps: setting the bearing ring into a permanent rotation by a first drive, and adjusting the setting angle of the rotor blade by a second drive.
US07866940B2
A differentially pumped mass spectrometer system comprises a mass spectrometer having a plurality of pressure chambers; a vacuum pump attached thereto and comprising at least three pump inlets, a first pumping section, a second pumping section downstream from the first pumping section, and a third pumping section downstream from the second pumping section, an outlet from a first, relatively low, pressure chamber being connected to a first pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump from the first chamber and pass through the first, second and third pumping sections towards a pump outlet, an outlet for a second, medium pressure chamber of the spectrometer being connected to a second pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through, of said sections, only the second and third pumping sections towards the pump outlet, and an outlet for a third, highest pressure chamber of the spectrometer being connected to a third pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through, of said sections, only at least part of the third pumping section towards the pump outlet; and a backing pump connected to the pump outlet such that, in use, at least 99% of the fluid mass pumped from the spectrometer passes through both the vacuum pump and the backing pump.
US07866935B1
A coupler for use with an excavator provides a hook with a mouth which receives a cross bar of an implement such as a bucket at an upper end. Towards a bottom end the coupler receives an extension through an opening. The extension is then retained by a pin through a bore in the extension and a bore in a body of the coupler. The mouth of the hook is provided with at least one wear pad which preferably extends along a substantial width of the mouth and is provided with adjustment members which can extend the wear pad into the mouth incrementally and/or to be tensioned against a cross bar with a selected amount of tension.
US07866916B2
Roadways are deiced or ice formation on roadways is prevented by applying salt compositions derived from waste water streams from water softening operations.
US07866911B2
A slotted drain having a first channeled half having a first engaging structure and a second channeled half having a second engaging structure mating within the first engaging structure is disclosed. The first channeled half can define a cantilever snap-fit recess and the second channeled half can comprise a cantilever snap-fit protrusion. A slot is formed when the first and second channeled halves are joined. The slot is adapted to receive a liquid variant and the slotted drain is adapted to receive the liquid from the slot into the first and second channeled halves. The slotted drain may optionally include a concrete pass-through port, a rebar clip, bedding feet and/or securement ribs. A method of assembling a slotted drain is also disclosed.
US07866910B2
A community intermodal transit system includes a city or town center and low speed mixed-mode corridors extending substantially radially outwardly from said city center. Further included are a corresponding number of circumferentially disposed parking structures located proximally to outer ends of the mixed-mode corridors and an outer transportation network including various modes of transportation, each mode including a transfer point to at least one of said parking structures. Service roads are provided to the city center, as are direct public links from the parking structures to airports or a seaport. Low speed, low profile vehicles may operate on small gauge tracks upon said mixed-mode corridors.
US07866906B2
A device may include an applicator including an applicator element that is at least partially elastically deformable and a receptacle configured to contain a substance to be applied and configured to house the applicator element when not in use. The receptacle may include an opening through which the applicator element passes while the applicator element is being removed from the receptacle. The applicator element may include at least one inner cavity that is defined, at least in part, between at least two branches that are at least partially flocked. An outside cross-section of the applicator element may be large enough for the applicator element to deform while passing through the opening of the receptacle, the deformation resulting in a shape of the cavity being modified.
US07866905B2
A thrust-out type container for a rod-like article such as a lipstick comprises, in the order from the outside to the inside as viewed in a diametric direction of the container, an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder and a carrier. The carrier serves to support the rod-like article attached thereto. A control cylinder integrated with the inner cylinder lies outside the outer cylinder. An intermediate cylinder is interposed between the outer cylinder and the control cylinder. The intermediate cylinder comprises an upper portion extending upward beyond an upper end of the control cylinder and a lower portion extending into the control cylinder. A coupling member serving to couple the inner cylinder and the intermediate cylinder to each other is snap-engaged with the lower portion of the intermediate cylinder.
US07866902B2
A small-size light controlling apparatus in which, it is not necessary to draw a wire for a diaphragm control, from a diaphragm mechanism, and an optical apparatus in which the light controlling apparatus is used, are provided. The light controlling apparatus includes a substrate having an optical aperture which is fixed, a diaphragm blade which is displaceable, a first magnet which is fixed to the diaphragm blade, and a coil which is disposed around the substrate. An external magnetic field which acts on the first magnet is changed according to an electric power supply to the coil, and the diaphragm blade is displaced by displacing the first magnet according to the change in the external magnetic field.
US07866899B2
An enhanced camera transport system and method includes a strap and coupler. The coupler is configured to engage with an attachment point on a camera otherwise reserved by engagement with a camera stand such as a tripod, monopod, or the like. Following general camera construction, the attachment point is found on the bottom of the camera. In some implementations, the coupler is slideably attached to the strap to assist with repositioning of the camera from a transport position to a picture taking position. Other implementations include an enclosure for storage of the camera while not being used.
US07866895B2
In the present cage, both pillar portions which face each other in a circumferential direction of a pocket have a plurality of bent portions which are alternately bent in a width direction, and each bent portion is provided with roller stopping portions protruding into the pocket. The bent portions are formed in a curved cross-sectional shape. Tip portions of the bent portions in the thickness direction of the cage are formed in a cross-sectional shape that becomes narrower toward the tips, and the tip portions are drawn in a state where they protrude into the pocket by plastic deformation working, thereby forming the roller stopping portions.
US07866890B2
The invention relates to a spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing system that comprises a base (10), a stationary shaft (14) connected to the base, a hub (16) rotatably supported with respect to the shaft and two bearing plates (24, 44) that are disposed at a mutual spacing about the shaft and connected to the hub. A bushing (22) is provided that is disposed between the bearing plates and separated from them by a gap (30, 50) at least partly filled with a bearing fluid. There are two stopper plates (26, 46) that are fixedly connected to the shaft, each abutting one side of each bearing plate and separated from the bearing plate by a bearing gap (28, 48) filled with bearing fluid. This results in two independent fluid dynamic bearing systems, each of which is disposed about a bearing plate. The motor is driven by an electromagnetic drive system.
US07866882B2
The present standard radiation source comprises a black body having a cavity, a shielding plate positioned at an open end of the cavity, at least one first heater positioned in the shielding plate, at least one second heater positioned on the outer wall of the black body, a first insulation device covering the second heater and a temperature-controlling device positioned on the first insulation device.
US07866871B2
Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.
US07866865B2
A tail light for an automobile includes a plurality of first illuminating elements and a plurality of second illuminating elements. The first illuminating elements are arranged to form a logo pattern of the automobile, and each of the first and second illuminating elements are configured for providing an adjustable illuminating brightness. The tail light is capable of selectively operating between a braking state and a non-braking state. In the braking state, the illuminating brightness of the first illuminating elements is greater than that of the second illuminating elements. In the non-braking state, the illuminating brightness of the first illuminating elements is less than that of the second illuminating elements.
US07866859B2
A display device for a vehicle has a first display unit constructed of a liquid crystal display for displaying first information and a second display unit including a display portion for displaying second information. The second information is illuminated by receiving light emitted from a light source and displayed at an intensity higher than an intensity of a background area that is illuminated by receiving light emitted from another light source. An optical coloring member is disposed such that an illuminating color and a brightness of the background area of the second display unit are substantially equal to those of a background area of the first information of the liquid crystal display.
US07866857B2
A display device having an illumination device is provided. The display device includes a display, a body, and an illumination device. The display and the illumination device are mounted on the front surface of the body. A receiving space is defined in the front surface of the body and below the display. The illumination device is received in the receiving space and is pivotally connected to the body.
US07866856B2
A lamp housing which contains an accommodating apparatus for a burner or a lamp with a glass vessel, a lamp base and contact pins for supplying current, and a lampholder with sockets for connection to the contact pins, is provided. The accommodating apparatus containing clamping jaws, which can be connected to the lamp base in a force-fitting and/or interlocking manner, engage at least partially around the lamp base, are articulated, via lever arms, on the lamp housing or a lampholder mount, which is fixed to the housing and is connected to the lamp housing, and can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device, which has at least one adjusting element, which is arranged between the lever arms and pushes the lever arms apart from one another for opening the clamping jaws into an opening position, in which the lamp base is released, and brings the lever arms together for closing the clamping jaws into a locking position, in which the lamp base is fixed.
US07866854B2
A housing has a component storage cavity and an open bottom. A door covers and uncovers the open bottom. The door preferably has a latch that can be released with one hand. A window in the door transmits light from the housing. A partition divides the component storage cavity into a lamp section and a control component section. There is an opening through the partition. A removable control component mounting plate is dimensioned to cover the opening and thus become part of the control component section. A removable lamp reflector lies inside the housing behind the window. The mounting plate and reflector preferably each have a latch that can be released with one hand.
US07866850B2
A removable light fixture assembly is provided. The light fixture assembly includes an LED lighting element and a compression element. Operation of the compression element from a first position to a second position generates a compression force which reduces thermal impedance between the LED assembly and a thermally-conductive housing.
US07866844B2
A light flux control member has a back face provided with a first recess portion and ventilation grooves. Output light of the light emitting element arranged as to correspond to the first recess portion enters into the light flux control member via the first recess portion and ventilation grooves being emitted from a light control emission face of the light flux control member after inner-propagation. Refraction of incident light to second recess portions formed in the ventilation grooves hardly generate inner-propagation light which has travelling directions near to a direction of reference optical axis L. This avoids emission from the light control emission face from providing a ring-like bright part. In addition, heat emitted from the light emitting element can be released at a high efficiency because a space in the first recess portion communicates with the outside of the light flux control member.
US07866842B2
Reflector (1) for light concentration and direction in fluorescent lamps with parabolic shape made of thin synthetic film with reflective surface and vertically positioned louvres (4) made of thin flexible and synthetic film through which the reflector (1) is fitted on the fluorescent lamps (3). In the centre of the louvres (4) there is an especially shaped opening (6) which adjusts to the diameter of the lamp (3), so that the lamp (3) can pass through the openings (6) of the louvres (4), retain the reflector (1) on the fluorescent lamp (3) and rotate some degrees in relation to the lamp (3) in order to concentrate the light towards the desired direction.
US07866841B2
A flashlight is provided with an end cap which carries an axially-actuated switch for turning the flashlight on and off with a convenient one-handed operation. The switch is designed with a latching function and a mode selection function which can be cycled through high, low and strobed light outputs with a partial throw of the switch. Cut-out portions are provided in the end cap for guiding a user's finger toward the switch and away from the sidewalls of the end cap.
US07866840B2
A flashlight and tool combination comprises a flashlight having a body, an illumination member, a power source and a switch for switching the illumination member on and off. The flashlight body has on one portion thereof a tool connector. The combination further comprises a tool assembly comprising a tool component and a connector component, the connector component being received by the connector member on the body of the flashlight. A fastener for releasably securing the connector component to the connector member is provided.
US07866834B2
The image sensor 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 can capture the retroreflective sheet 17 subjected to infrared light emitted from the infrared emitting diodes 11 since the retroreflective sheet 17 is exposed when the open-close portion 19 is opened. Therefore, it is possible to detect the input device 3. On the other hand, when the open-close portion 19 is closed, the image sensor 15 can not capture the retroreflective sheet 17 since the reflective sheet 17 is not exposed. Therefore, the input device is not detected.
US07866819B2
Devices systems, and methods can measure, diagnose and/or characterize an eye of a patient, including physiologic and optical properties, such as hydration and tear volume in relation to an optical surface of the eye, including topography of a corneal surface of the eye and/or a wavefront elevation map of the eye. The system forms an image of a tear meniscus along an eyelid. The eye can be illuminated so that the meniscus appears as a dark band in the image. Tear volume can be determined by measuring a height across the tear meniscus. The tear volume can be used to determine the optical properties of the tear of the eye and to diagnose conditions of the eye. The patient can be screened for treatment of the eye with refractive surgery using a measured pupil size, hydration and topography and/or wavefront.
US07866818B2
A goggle based light-weight VOG system includes at least one digital camera connected to and powered by a laptop computer through a firewire connection and allows for region of interest image processing. The VOG system is a modular design whereby the same goggle frame or base is used to build a variety of digital camera VOG systems. The VOG system may track and record head position and goggle slippage. An animated eye display may provide data in a more meaningful fashion. An EOG system may be incorporated directly into a goggle base. The digital camera may digitally center the pupil in both the X and Y directions. A calibration mechanism may be incorporated onto the goggle base. The VOG system may be a modular design whereby the same goggle frame or base is used to build a variety of digital camera VOG systems.
US07866814B2
This invention is related to contact lenses. In particular, the present invention is related to a toric contact lens design with thickness zones in the carrier portion of the lens for increased rotational stability.
US07866810B2
An improved large-format inkjet printer that is capable of providing more efficient and higher quality printing on a variety of print media, including for example, paper, fabric, corrugated media, and plywood. The improved printer provides improvements to the platen assembly, rail assembly, service station assembly, printhead assembly and vacuum assembly to provide improved printing capability. In addition the printer provides a table assembly that can be integrated into the platen assembly to provide a secure and flush surface for supporting various types of print media.
US07866809B2
A mailing ink, an ink tank for mailing, an ink jet recording method for mailing and an ink jet recording apparatus for mailing that can reconcile preferable tint and visibility as indicia with readability by a 2-D bar code reader. The ink is a mailing ink used in ink jet recording. In the mailing ink, the ink tank, the ink jet recording method, and the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink provides an ‘a*’ of from −10 to 15 and a ‘b*’ of from −50 to −15 according to the CIE L*a*b* color system in a printed portion obtained by applying the ink to a recording medium so as to give an application amount of ink of 4.5 mg per square inch, and provides an integrated value of reflection spectrum of 90 or lower in a wavelength region of from 380 nm to 730 nm in the printed portion.
US07866805B2
An introducing liquid for an ink jet head in the invention is used to fill the ink jet head before introducing ink into the ink jet head. The introducing liquid has a surface tension satisfying the following equation (1), and a contact angle of not more than 25 degrees with respect to an ink passage member of the ink jet head to be applied. An ink jet head of the invention is to be filled with the introducing liquid. 6mN/m<(St10−St1000)<16mN/m (1) where St10 is a surface tension in a lifetime of 10 msec, and St1000 is a surface tension in a lifetime of 1000 msec.
US07866803B2
A replaceable printer component including an electronic tag and an angled protective ramp. The electronic tag is attached to a surface of the replaceable printer component. The angled protective ramp extends from the surface of the replaceable printer component adjacent the electronic tag. The angled protective ramp has a height that is greater than a height of the electronic tag.
US07866799B2
A liquid discharge head includes a substrate which has a heating resistive element for generating a bubble in a liquid, and a first wall member which faces the heating resistive element. A discharge port which discharges the liquid is provided in the first wall member, and an ink channel communicated with the discharge port is formed between the substrate and the first wall member. In the liquid discharge head, the substrate includes a second wall member around the heating resistive element, the second wall member being protruded in a direction toward the discharge port, the first wall member includes a protrusion portion in a surface facing the substrate, the protrusion portion being protruded toward the heating resistive element, and an end portion of the protrusion portion exists in a region in which the second wall member surrounds the heating resistive element.
US07866788B2
A method of printing on a substrate and a printer are provided. The method uses a printer comprising a print head and a mask having a hole therethrough, the mask being disposed between the print head and the substrate, and comprises aligning the hole with the print head; printing on the substrate through the hole; and misaligning the hole with the print head so that the print head is covered by the mask. The method may allow the servicing of a print head in the array while the printer is printing on the substrate using at least one of the remainder of the print heads in the array.
US07866785B2
A droplet-ejection detecting device for detecting ejection of droplets from a plurality of nozzle orifices, includes: a beam scanning mechanism which scans a plurality of droplet ejection lines along which droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices fly, by emitting a beam to intersect the droplet ejection lines, thereby subjecting the droplets to irradiation with the beam; a light receiving unit which receives light obtained as a result of the irradiation; and an ejection determining mechanism which determines safe ejections of the droplets from the nozzle orifices based on a received-light signal output from the light receiving unit.
US07866783B2
An inkjet recording apparatus which discharges ink onto a recording medium to form an image, the inkjet recording apparatus including: a recording head having a nozzle for discharging ink; a conveying belt for supporting a recording medium and conveying the recording medium to a position facing the nozzle; a cleaning roller for cleaning the conveying belt; a cleaning liquid storage section for storing cleaning liquid to be applied to the cleaning roller; a contamination detector for detecting a density of contamination of the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage section; a liquid supplying section for controlling supply of cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid storage section in accordance with a density of contamination detected by the contamination detector; and a liquid draining section for draining at least a part of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage section.
US07866781B2
A method and apparatus to check an operation of a piezoelectric inkjet head includes a first current detection unit to detect a first current output from a piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric inkjet head when a predetermined voltage is applied, a second current detection unit to detect a second current from a capacitor having a capacitance with the same magnitude as a capacitor component of the piezoelectric element when the voltage is applied to the capacitor, and a third current detection unit to detect a third current corresponding to a difference between the first current and the second current, as the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric element according to the application of the voltage.
US07866777B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and a pressure generator capable of causing pressure fluctuation to liquid in the pressure chamber, the liquid ejecting head causing pressure fluctuation to the liquid in the pressure chamber by driving the pressure generator, and discharging the liquid from the nozzle opening due to the pressure fluctuation, and a driver that supplies a discharge pulse to the pressure generator to drive the pressure generator. The discharge pulse that the driver generates includes a preliminary contracting element that contracts the pressure chamber without discharging a liquid droplet, a holding element that maintains the voltage at the end of the preliminary contracting element for a predetermined amount of time, a preliminary expanding element that changes the voltage so as to expand the pressure chamber to pull in the meniscus, and a discharging element that changes the voltage so as to contract the expanded pressure chamber to discharge a liquid droplet. The duration of the preliminary contracting element is set to the natural vibration period Tc of the pressure chamber or more, and the duration from the beginning of the preliminary contracting element to the end of the holding element is set to three times the natural vibration period Tc.
US07866776B2
In an ink jet head driving method, a first drive pulse signal is transmitted to a first actuator that is formed in a first ink chamber confronting a print area on a recording medium and from which ink is to be discharged. The first drive pulse signal comprises a reserve drive pulse signal transmitted to temporarily increase a volume of the ink chamber and a discharge drive pulse signal transmitted sequentially with the reserve drive pulse signal to temporarily reduce the volume of the ink chamber and thereby cause ink to be discharged from the first ink chamber. In synchronization with the reserve drive pulse signal, a second drive pulse signal is transmitted to a second actuator that is formed in a second ink chamber confronting a non-print area of the recording medium adjacent to the print area thereof and that is configured to discharge ink. The second drive pulse signal has one of a voltage value and a pulse width at which the volume of the second ink chamber is varied but does not cause ink to be discharged from the second ink chamber.
US07866773B2
An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel, thereby mounting the caps to the panel. The caps include plugs for receipt in a vertical channel in the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.
US07866760B2
A method and system is provided for refilling vehicle operational brake circuits after a large consumption of compressed air. The operational brake circuits are compressed air consumer circuits of a consumer part of a vehicle compressed air system. The operational brake circuits also include at least one additional compressed air consumer circuit provided with a compressed air reservoir. The actual pressure values in the operational brake circuits and in the additional compressed air consumer circuit are continuously determined and compared against a lower threshold value. If the values are below the threshold value, the identified operational brake circuits are blocked as defective and communication is established between the additional compressed air consumer circuits and the intact operational brake circuits in order to refill the operational brake circuits from the compressed air reservoirs of the additional compressed air consumer circuits.
US07866746B2
The present invention can include a frame member which attaches the monitor panel at a back side of a vehicle seat, a skin member covering the vehicle seat, a pad member having a seat outer shape, the frame member is harder than the pad member, and the frame member is arranged at a back side of the vehicle seat in place of the pad member and covered by the skin member and the monitor panel is attached to the frame member through the skin member.
US07866744B2
A chronometer and triathlon bicycle saddle construction having a bodywork supported by a frame to be coupled to a supporting tubular element of a bicycle, the bodywork having an enlarged bearing region operating for supporting the ischiatic tuberosities of a bicycle user, where the enlarged bearing region substantially corresponds to a middle central zone of the saddle bodywork, the saddle construction further having a water-bottle supporting element at the rear part of the saddle and integral with the saddle bodywork.
US07866737B2
An active material actuated louver system having an actuator mechanism operable to selectively place a louver or louver system in an open or closed state of operation. The actuator mechanism includes a cable or wire formed from an active material, such as a shape memory alloy.
US07866734B2
An inflatable shaping system has a frame, rectangular with four sides, similar to the rear of a trailer or truck. The frame has a hinged connection and swings from an over-the-road configuration and to a deflated stowed position against the side of the trailer. Upon the frame, the system has an inflatable body and a durable skin covering the frame and the inflatable body. The inflatable body has a continuous attachment to the frame. The inflatable body has at least one inflatable element connected by a flexible adhesive or device. The inflatable elements remain contained between the frame and the durable skin, generally outwardly from the trailer. In communication with the inflatable elements, a pump system supplies air for their inflation and removes air for their deflation. The pump system operates remotely in the vicinity of the truck.
US07866732B2
A sliding door drive assembly for a motor vehicle having a sliding door includes a transmission operatively connected to a motor for transmitting a rotating force to an output shaft. A cable drum is fixedly secured to the output shaft and rotates therewith. First and second cables are wound about the cable drum in opposite directions. The first cable extends from the cable drum forward along the sliding door. The second cable extends from the cable drum rearward along the sliding door. Support guides extend tangentially out from the cable drum to guide the first and second cables outwardly and away from the cable drum along a path minimizing frictional forces. Front and rear pulley assemblies are mounted to the motor vehicle and are operatively coupled to the first and second cables between the sliding door drive assembly and the sliding door for tensioning the first and second cables.
US07866720B2
A shovel is provided having a scoop, a shaft coupled to the scoop, a handle coupled to the shaft, and an aperture within the center of its scoop. The aperture in the scoop is configured and positioned to provide an auxiliary handle for a user to grasp in addition to the shovel handle coupled to the shaft.
US07866717B2
A device for collecting and packaging solid waste or toxic material is provided. A first arm and a second arm are coupled with a lever, wherein at least one arm is slidably coupled with the lever. A bag may be positioned in an open position when the first arm is located distally from the second arm, and the bag may be closed by an operator manipulating the arms towards each other. The device may include a motor or a spring or springs to drive the arms towards or away from each other. A plate, a pole and a handle may be coupled with the arms. The plate may be positioned relative to the arms to stabilize the waste or toxic material for insertion into the bag. The bag may include an adhesive, paper, plastic, recycled plastic, cellulose in combination or singularity.
US07866713B2
A locker structure is disclosed. The structure comprises a housing, latch, bolt, sliding member triggering rod, positioned within the housing, wherein the sliding member has a bottom edge provided with a slot holding a spring and a steel bead such that the sliding member moves to urge at the bolt or disconnected from the bolt form a locking state and the handle cannot be opened, or open the locker via an external handle, the sliding member is provided with a securing hole to lock with a body plate having a vertical long slot, and a spring and steel beads are provided between the plate body and the sliding member such that the plate body can be triggered to slide up and down by means of the long hole so as to change the urging position of the triggering rod and the triangular latch can change into different position adaptable to door opening at the left and right side.
US07866708B2
An apparatus includes a connector to connect a first tubing section and a second tubing section together. The connector that includes a body that includes a first opening to receive the first tubing section, a second opening to receive the second tubing section, and a passageway. The apparatus includes a member that is adapted to be moved from a retracted position to an extended position to form a sealed connection between a tubular member that is connected to the first tubing section and the passageway.
US07866705B2
A blade guard for a runner blade of an ice skate. The blade guard includes a channel extending a distance between first and second ends. The channel has an open top and a bottom surface and first and second opposing side surfaces extending from the bottom surface to the open top. The blade guard also includes at least one recess disposed below the channel and extending a distance transverse to the distance of the channel. The at least one recess includes first and second countersink portions at opposite ends of the distance and a center portion. A first shoulder is defined between the first countersink portion and the center portion and a second shoulder is defined between the second countersink portion and the center portion.
US07866700B2
A frame for a machine may include a load transfer member attached to a load support member and to a first plate member and a second plate member. Additionally, the first and second plate members may each include an aperture shaped to receive a trunnion. The load transfer member may be disposed proximate to the apertures.
US07866695B2
An energy absorbing device for the interior of a motor vehicle of the specification is described. The device includes two elements which are arranged movably relative to one another, having at least one actuator which is arranged between these elements and at least one receiving apparatus on the elements for fastening the actuator. The energy absorbing device is simple to manufacture and takes up a small amount of installation space, it uses a receiving apparatus shaped as a recess which is made in the elements and encloses the actuator at least partially.
US07866694B2
An airbag has a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially the same shape as the front panel positioned on an opposite side to the occupant. Furthermore, an inflation restricting section, which restricts the inflated shape of the airbag, is formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of the front panel. When the airbag is inflated, the occupant side of the airbag is pulled inwards, thereby forming a cavity on the occupant side.
US07866691B2
An occupant classifying device for a vehicle seat includes an occupant classifying apparatus for classifying an occupant type on the basis of a seating load applied to the vehicle seat, a first load sensor provided at a rear portion of the vehicle seat in order to measure a rear load that is a part of the seating load, a second load sensor provided at a front portion of the vehicle seat in order to measure a front load that is a part of the seating load, a rear load ratio calculating apparatus for calculating a rear load ratio indicating a ratio of the rear load in the seating load on the basis of the measured rear and front loads and a securing determining apparatus determining whether or not a child restraint system is secured to the vehicle seat on the basis of the calculated rear load ratio.
US07866690B2
An air belt apparatus that can reduce the required tolerance level of a pipe is provided. Gas supplied from an inflator 12 flows into a bag body 16 through a pipe 18 so as to inflate a lap bag 15. The inflator 12 is connected to a gas inlet 16a of the bag body 16 via the pipe 18. The gas inlet 16a is cylindrical, and the pipe 18 is inserted in this cylindrical gas inlet 16a so as to extend beyond an inner end of the gas inlet 16a.
US07866681B1
An air spring assembly includes a pedestal that has one end fixed to a suspension arm and includes a second end with a platform that supports an air spring assembly. An air spring piston is fixed to the platform. A lower portion of a flexible bellows is fixed to the air spring piston and an upper portion of the flexible bellows is mounted to a vehicle frame structure. A linear moveable member has one end fixed to the upper portion of said flexible bellows and an opposite end slidingly received within an internal cavity of the pedestal such that the upper and lower portions of the flexible bellows articulate linearly with respect to each other.
US07866675B2
A composite ice blade may have a metal ice edge bonded to a metal foil. The metal foil may be bonded to a plastic core to form a composite sandwich having a center plastic core and metal sides. The ice edge may be bonded to the foil by welding or brazing, then formed into shape to accept the plastic core. The plastic core may be injection molded directly into the formed metal structure, or bonded to the metal components in a secondary operation.
US07866665B2
A sheet conveying device includes: a feed unit that feeds sheets from a predetermined position; a conveying unit that conveys the sheets fed by the feed unit toward an image forming position at which images are to be formed on the respective sheets; and a registration unit that is provided at an upstream of the image forming position and positions the sheets by being bumped with the sheets conveyed by the conveying unit, wherein the feed unit and the registration unit are configured to operate so that a first timing at which a precedent sheet is bumped to the registration unit and a second timing at which a subsequent sheet is fed by the feed unit matches when a plurality of sheets are consecutively fed by the feed unit.
US07866662B2
A vacuum belt feeder comprising a means of conveyance having a pitch, for retrieving items from a supply zone, and then distributing them at target locations in a discharge zone.
US07866657B2
A paper-feeding roller including a rubber composition containing short fibers in which the short fibers has an average fiber diameter not less than 10 μm nor more than 100 μm and an average fiber length not less than 0.01 mm nor more than 4 mm. At least one part of all of the short fibers is radially oriented at an angle not less than 10 degrees nor more than 90 degrees with respect to a plane which contacts a surface of the paper-feeding roller, with one end of each of the radially oriented short fibers disposed exposably on the surface of the paper-feeding roller.
US07866655B2
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body provided with an opening, an image forming unit attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body via the opening, a cover supported pivotally on the apparatus main body so as to cover the opening, and a sheet feeding unit disposed below the opening. The sheet feeding unit includes a sheet storing portion that is supported pivotally on the apparatus main body for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding roller that feeds a sheet toward inside the apparatus main body, and a housing that supports the sheet feeding roller thereon in a rotatable manner. The cover has a housing supporting portion that abuts on the housing from above the housing when the cover is in a closed state.
US07866648B2
Disclosed is a multiple stapling apparatus that can staple at least two or more parts of a sheet by exactly supporting the sheet a stapling position of a sheet finisher which finishes the sheet ejected from a digital output device. The multiple stapling apparatus includes a clamp shaft (65) parallel to a moving direction of the stapler, a first guide (50) having a first base wall (51) axially rotated around the clamp shaft (65) at a predetermined angle on the clamp shaft, supporting the sheet stacked on the compile tray, and second guides (60a and 60b) having second base walls (61a and 61b) slid along the clamp shaft along with the stapler, supporting the sheet on the compile tray when the first base wall is opened, wherein the first guide is axially rotated at a predetermined angle around the clamp shaft to open the first base wall when the stapler moves at a predetermined distance along the clamp shaft from a hole position (94). In case that the sheet is supported by the first base wall, the edge of the sheet can be stapled by rotation of the stapler. In case that the sheet is supported by the second base wall, two or more parts of the sheet can be stapled while the stapler is moved along the supported sheet.
US07866646B2
A sheet post-processing apparatus of the invention includes a sheet guiding unit configured to have plural components including paper carrying components be attached thereto, a tray onto which a sheet of paper is discharged, and a protection cover attached to the sheet guiding unit at a portion in close proximity to the tray side. A protection cover has a cover main body, a screw attachment portion, a screw cover that covers the screw attached to the screw attachment portion, and a slit used for the tip end of the screw cover to be inserted into the cover main body to be fixed thereto.
US07866642B2
A modular universal holding fixture and corresponding methods, accommodating a wide range of workpiece contours, geometries, sizes, and configurations. The fixture may include a fiducial base, a registration frame, and a bridge module. Fixable to a fiducial (reference) location, the fiducial base may be attached in alignment to the registration frame. The bridge module may have a central cavity and guide tracks on top, exterior, and interior support surfaces. The bridge module transversely engages the registration frame for longitudinal movement to a registration position, and supports a tooling for transverse movement. The bridge module may repositionably constrain the tooling at an indexed position. The bridge module may be configured to engage multiple types of tooling and additional tooling headers, supports, and side actuators. A tooling may be passive linear actuators positioned by a N/C operated gantry engaged with the registration frame.
US07866635B2
A fence system, and method for making same, includes at least one support member, and at least one infill material having an edge. At least one union strip is coupled to the at least one support member, the at least one union strip including at least one channel configured for receiving the edge of the at least one infill material. In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one channel is U-shaped, and the edge is configured in a U-shape for matingly engaging the at least one U-shaped channel.
US07866628B2
A pipe coupling member has a tubular body (20) and a valve unit (22) slidably set in the through-hole of the tubular body. The valve unit has a valve holder (26) and a rotary valve member (30) supported by the valve holder so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the axis of the through-hole. The valve holder comprises a valve seat portion (26-1) and a valve support portion (26-2) that are separately disposed in series in the axial direction or the direction of the axis of the though hole. The valve support portion rotatably supports the rotary valve member. When the valve holder moves axially in the through-hole, the rotary valve member is rotated by a cam mechanism (32) and displaced between a closed rotational position and an open rotational position while its spherical outer peripheral surface sliding relative to an annular valve seat of the valve seat portion. When in the closed rotational position, the rotary valve member sealingly engages all around the annular valve seat to close the fluid path. A spring member (28) urges the valve support portion to urge the valve holder toward the closed rotational position. When the coupling member is decoupled, the rotary valve member therein is surely placed in the closed rotational position.
US07866623B2
A computer retail display stand includes a base with an adjustable rear locking bracket assembly that can be engaged with an in-store locking bar, adjusted as necessary for the particular configuration of the in-store locking bar. A support platen on which a computer can be disposed for display is rotatingly coupled to the base. Informational material can be supported on a brochure tray that slides into and out of the base at the front of the stand.
US07866609B2
Passive removal of suction air for producing a laminar flow, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. One such method includes forming a laminar flow region over an external surface of an aircraft by drawing air through the external surface and into a plenum. The method can further include passively directing the air from the plenum overboard the aircraft. For example, the air can be passively directed to a region external to the aircraft having a static pressure lower than a static pressure in the plenum, as a result of the motion of the aircraft. Flows from different sections of the external surface can be combined in a common plenum, and the corresponding massflow rates can be controlled by the local porosity of the external surface.
US07866608B2
Device for controlling a vortex trail generated by the oblong element of an aircraft bearing surface
A device for controlling a vortex trail generated by an oblong element of an aircraft bearing surface includes a control component arranged on a fixing element of the oblong element and on a bearing surface such that a base of the control component contacts the leading edge of the bearing surface. The control component has a triangular shape, on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, whose two adjacent sides form flanks interconnected by a rounded edge.
US07866599B2
A hypersonic waverider aircraft is disclosed that includes a first engine and an inlet including a throat. The inlet is configured to generate three-dimensional flow compression during hypersonic flight with a weak shock wave that begins at the leading edge surfaces of the inlet and coalesces ahead of the throat, and a weak shock wave that begins at the point of coalescence of the weak shock wave and extends to the throat. The inlet includes a v-shaped lip open to freestream airflow in one side of the inlet.
US07866595B2
A yarn package manipulator permits an operator to mechanically grasp and manipulate packages or spools of stranded materials, such as yarn for loading and replenishing such materials in a manufacturing process. The package manipulator is suspended from a lifting device such as a cable hoist and has a control handle coupled to its frame for the operator to maneuver the device and carried materials. Selectively extensible fingers are pivotally attached to a pivot arm extending from the manipulator frame. The fingers are operable to grip the package by its core and pivots about a horizontal axis so that the spool of stranded material may be oriented for loading onto a creel or other station in a manufacturing process.
US07866592B2
The present disclosure relates to a revolving rack for the distribution and storage of chain on spools and a method of distribution and storage thereof, and more specifically, to a revolving rack with multiple spools placed on removable spool holders attached to a manual or automatic rotating mechanism that is user activated to place a selected spool at a desired operative position for distribution of chain. The revolving rack including a rotating mechanism connected to a frame with two roller chains placed on bottom sprockets and top sprockets having a built-in mechanism to hold a selected spool at a fixed height. Spools are inserted in spool holders and then adapted on the revolving rack. A drive mechanism rotates the spool holders a desired position either manually or electrically. The revolving rack also includes a sturdy frame having an operative section for receiving the rotating mechanism and a fixation section with a forklift-type interface. The spool holders include a central support placed on a spool holder equipped with a friction based stabilizer to prevent rotation and unwinding of chain.
US07866590B2
A winder including a frame including at least one spindle configured to support at least one cake, the spindle able to rotate about a first axis approximately perpendicular to the diameter of the cake, and at least one crosswinding device configured to deposit at least one strand on the spindle with a first traversing movement. The strand is further deposited on the spindle by a follower with a second traversing movement. The follower includes a control device for controlling the second traversing movement.
US07866585B2
In one aspect of the invention, a rotary shaft impactor has a rotor assembly connected to a rotary driving mechanism. The rotor assembly has a plurality of autogenous bed pockets, the pockets having a wall intermediate a distal and a proximal end. A least one of the pockets comprises a plurality of inserts arranged adjacent one another in a row and attached to at least the proximal or distal end wherein a first end of at least one insert is complementary to a second end of an adjacent insert.
US07866584B2
The invention relates to a vertical mill comprising a grinding track (1) and at least one grinding roller (2). The grinding track (1) is provided with a central zone (Ia) made of a harder material and two laterally adjacent edge zones (Ib, Ic) made of a softer material. The width (a) of the central zone (Ia) is smaller than or equal to the width of the grinding roller (2).
US07866581B2
A process for preparing a toner including the step of pulverizing a resin composition with a jet type pulverizer comprising a venturi nozzle and an impact member arranged so as to face the venturi nozzle, wherein r2/r1 is 0.3 or less, wherein r1 is a radius of the largest circle R1 among the circles formed with 3 points including any given 2 points located on the outer circumference of the impact side of the above impact member, and one point located on a line connecting the 2 points in the shortest distance on the impact side; and r2 is a radius of the largest circle R2 among the circles formed with 3 points including 2 points located on an outer circumference of the impact side, intersecting with a line perpendicularly at a given point with the line connecting the 3 points forming the circle R1, and one point located on a line connecting the 2 points in the shortest distance on the impact side; and a pulverization member and a jet type pulverizer, each being used in the process.
US07866579B2
A spreader (100) for spreading material, which in one embodiment comprises an upper bracket (120), a shaft (140), a return spring (160), a lower bracket (180), first and second sets of chain links (200a and 200b), and a spreader plate (220). The upper and lower brackets (120 and 180) are preferably aligned in the same vertical plane. The first and second chain links (200a and 200b) are located on opposite sides of the spreader (100) and on either side of the shaft (140). Upon rotation of the spreader (100) the first and second sets of chain links (200a and 200b) experience a centrifugal force sufficient to cause the spreader plate (220) to move down the shaft (140) and upon ceasing rotation the spreader plate (220) returns to a default position proximate to the top of the shaft (140).
US07866576B1
A combination shower arm and water filter having an integrated design for attachment between a water pipe behind a shower wall and a showerhead. The combination shower arm and water filter including a body having a first hollow arm and a second hollow arm connected to a central cartridge holding portion. The filter holding portion has a central opening with a filter cartridge or element removably held in a hollow chamber formed above the filter holding portion by means of a cap that is removably secured to the an upwardly extending annular portion formed on the filter holding portion. Water entering the combined shower arm and filter assembly through the first hollow arm is directed into the hollow chamber for passage through filter media in the filter cartridge or element before it exits through the second hollow arm and out a showerhead.
US07866575B2
An engine assembly may include a fuel injector having a housing, an actuation mechanism, and a valve member. The housing may define a high pressure region, a low pressure region, a longitudinal bore, and a valve seat having an aperture extending therethrough. The actuation member may be disposed within the longitudinal bore and may include a first axial end surface. The valve mechanism may include a second axial end surface abutting the first axial end surface. The first and second axial end surfaces define an outer contact perimeter and a chamber within the outer contact perimeter. A radial surface area defined by the chamber formed by the first and second axial end surfaces may be at least 25 percent of a radial surface area defined within the outer contact perimeter.
US07866569B2
A railroad cross tie having an inner core with at least one longitudinally extending metallic reinforcing member and an outer casing. The cross tie includes first and second end caps. The first end cap is disposed proximate a first end of the inner core and the second end cap is disposed proximate a second opposite end. One embodiment of the cross tie includes an expansion gap longitudinally disposed between the first and second end caps. Longitudinal dimensions of the expansion gap varies in response to differential thermal expansion between the inner core and the outer casing. In other embodiments, the end caps are mechanically interlocked with the inner core and the outer casing overlays a portion of the end caps. The disclosed structures securely and reliably attach the end caps to the cross tie. A method of manufacturing cross ties is also disclosed.
US07866566B2
In a method for transferring data from a tachograph (1) onto a smartcard (3), the smartcard (3) is moved out of and back into the tachograph (1) by an electromotive drive (8) as a function of stipulated conditions. In the process, spring contacts (6) of the tachograph (1) rub over contact areas (5) of the smartcard (3) and remove any dirt which may be present. The conditions for starting the electromotive drive (8) and the intended operation of the electromotive drive (8) are stored in a memory (10) of an electronic control device (9).
US07866559B2
A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its bearer. The feature is made by printing a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially overlaps the core layer. One example is Xerographic printing of information about the ID document applicant and the applicant's photo. The process also applies a second material representing second information adjacent to the first material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials. The first and second materials adhere differently to the laminate and core layers such that removal of the laminate layer from the core layer causes a separation of the first and second materials. The relief pattern is made to give the document a tactile feel as well as create optically variable effects.
US07866545B2
The invention relates to a method for verifying the origin of bank notes from an automatic teller.In the inventive method for verifying the origin of bank notes, in particular forgeries, from an automatic teller, data characterizing bank notes to be paid out or already paid out from a sensor device for checking the bank notes to be paid out or already paid out for authenticity and/or type and/or state are detected, the data of the bank notes to be paid out or already paid out are stored, check data are generated by means of the sensor device for each bank note whose origin is to be verified, whereby the check data of the bank note to be verified are compared with the stored data of the paid out bank notes and the paid out bank note is ascertained whose stored data have the greatest match to the check data of the bank note to be verified, and the verification of origin for the bank note to be verified from the automatic teller is regarded as furnished if the match exceeds a given threshold value.
US07866542B2
A system and method for resolving identities that are indefinitely resolvable is presented. A resolution manager retrieves an account and resolves the account to existing entities. When the account is resolved into an existing entity, the resolution manager proceeds through a sequence of steps to ensure a load order independent resolution outcome by unresolving the entity, and possibly related entities, if resolution ambiguity arises. When the account does not resolve to an existing entity, the resolution manager creates a new entity with the account, and checks whether the new entity has relationships with other entities. If so, the resolution manager proceeds through the sequence of steps to ensure a load order independent resolution outcome as discussed above.
US07866537B1
A wrapper used to enclose various things that are generally flat or can be flattened. The wrapper consists of two planar sheets that are essentially identical in shape and peripherally sealed to one another. The wrapper has a v-shaped indentation on its top, which makes the wrapper easy to open by holding the wrapper at both ends near the top and gently pulling both ends away from one another until the wrapper tears into two pieces beginning at the indentation and continuing in the general direction of the bottom of said wrapper.
US07866534B2
There is provided a conductive ball mounting apparatus. The conductive ball mounting apparatus includes: a conductive ball mounting mask disposed to oppose a substrate having a plurality of pads coated with an adhesive flux, the conductive ball mounting mask having a plurality of ball mounting through holes for mounting each of conductive balls on each of the plurality of pads, the plurality of ball mounting through holes being arranged to oppose to the plurality of pads; and a conductive ball supplying unit for moving or removing the conductive balls on the conductive ball mounting mask by sucking an air on an upper surface side of the conductive ball mounting mask. The conductive ball mounting mask includes through portions formed to block passing of the conductive balls.
US07866531B2
A method for fabricating multi-sheet structures in which a first sheet is arranged on a planar support and a blowing agent is placed on at least one selected portion of the first sheet. A second sheet is positioned over the first sheet so that the second sheet overlies the selected portion of the first sheet and the first and second sheets are then secured together by friction stir welding in a pattern which encloses the selected portion of the first sheet. Additional sheets may be secured together in a like fashion. Thereafter, the sheets are heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the blowing agent.
US07866525B2
A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.
US07866506B2
An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
US07866504B2
A storage apparatus includes a container body, a lid member with an arm, a shaft, an urging member, and a slot. The container body has a top opening. The lid member opens and closes the top opening of the container body, and is held swingably to the container body. The arm extends downward from the lid member. The shaft supports the arm pivotably to the container body, and is fitted into the slot so as to pivotably hold the arm. The urging member urges the lid member upward. The slot extends up-and-downward. Moreover, the container body further has a receiver. The receiver is brought into contact with the lid member so as to support the lid member when the pivotably-supporting shaft moves relatively within the slot so as to move the lid member downward. Therefore, the arm and pivotably-supporting shaft hardly deform because no excessive load acts onto them.
US07866502B2
A venting container including a lid and base having an inner cavity and a side wall that terminates in a rim, the lid including a central panel and a peripheral sealing lip that surrounds the panel, the peripheral sealing lip having a generally inverted U-shaped cross section that defines a lid channel into which the container rim fits, the sealing lip including at least one venting feature in the form of a flexible venting button that is adapted to transition from a first position to a second position upon application of an actuation force, the venting button being further adapted and positioned whereby when the container rim is positioned in the lid channel and the venting button is in the first position, sealed engagement of the lid to the container is effectuated and when the venting button is in the second position a venting air passage is provided from the container cavity to the container surroundings. In a second embodiment, the venting feature is in the form of a downwardly protruding venting boss provided to the lid closure and a boss seat formed in the base closure whereby the venting boss is received with the boss seat when the lid is oriented in a first non venting attachment position and the venting boss abuts against a surface of the base closure to provide a vent passage between the lid and base upon removal and repositioning of the lid to a second venting attachment position.
US07866497B2
A bottle security device locks onto a bottle neck to prevent theft of the bottle or its contents. The device includes a housing and a cap which receives a portion of the bottle neck and rotates relative to the housing. A spiraling cam surface provides a mechanism during rotation of the cap to move a securing member between a secured position to engage the bottle neck and an unsecured position to disengage from the bottle neck. A locking mechanism is provided to prevent rotation of the cap to keep the device locked on the bottle neck.
US07866493B1
A portable storage apparatus for holding hospital supplies includes a planar back wall extending along an entire longitudinal length of the storage apparatus and a plurality of storage compartments directly affixed to an anterior surface of the back wall and protruding forwardly therefrom. The apparatus further includes at least one flexible protective shield anchored to the back wall and selectively adapted between raised and lowered positions such that the compartments are exposed and isolated from an ambient region surrounding the storage apparatus. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for hanging the storage apparatus on the door such that the back wall contiguously lays against a planar side of the door and a mechanism for biasing the protective shield to a locked position.
US07866488B2
A support and method for supporting equipment within a rack system regardless of its design is disclosed. The base of the support includes a surface capable of supporting the equipment reducing unintended movement of the equipment. Brackets capable of being securely attached to the rack system, regardless of whether it is two-post or four-post in design, are associated with the base of the support. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of selecting a design of rack system, attaching the support of the present system, and placement of the equipment to be supported.
US07866482B2
A filter screen to be used in conjunction with a shale shaker in removing solid matter from drilling fluids includes a filter plate having a plurality of perforations, a plurality of hold-down apertures, and a pair of end caps attached to the filter plate, wherein each end cap is configured to isolate the hold down apertures from the plurality of perforations.
US07866480B2
A substrate container and a bottom plate are connected with a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the container and bottom plate, by, e.g., a threaded connection between two members of the connector mechanism. Also provided are a duck-billed valve for venting the container and a dampener for minimizing damage due to shocks.
US07866467B2
An improved digital media enclosure having two primary components, a sleeve into which the digital media is placed, and an envelope into which the sleeve is placed. At least one surface of the sleeve is printed with a plurality of identification markings on at least one of the sleeve's outer surfaces. The identification markings are each positioned at a first radial distance from a center of the sleeve in regularly angled intervals around the center. The envelope includes a pocket into which the sleeve fits. There is an opening in the envelope pocket located at substantially the first radial distance from the planar center of the sleeve pocket. The opening is also positioned at a same angle as the identification markings, such that any of the identification markings will show through the opening when the sleeve is placed in the sleeve pocket in any of its possible orientations.
US07866465B2
A multi-compartment storage and mixing container for separately storing two or more components and for mixing the components in the container immediately before use. The container comprises an outer container and an inner assembly. The inner assembly comprises a plunger assembly comprising a stem and a plurality of spaced apart partitions mounted perpendicularly thereon. The inner assembly is transformable from a first storage position, where two or more separated sealed compartments are defined within the container, to a second mixing position, where there is free communication between all portions within the container.
US07866463B2
The invention relates to a belt conveyor including a longitudinal conveyor belt and a plurality of stations for supporting the conveyor belt distributed longitudinally along the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a matrix made of a resilient material and a frame embedded in the matrix, and at least some support stations each including a support member for supporting the belt and a framework supported on the ground. The support member is fixed on the framework at a height greater than two meters relative to the ground. The support stations are spaced far apart from one another. The conveyor does not comprise a device for supporting the belt between stations.
US07866461B2
Roller actuating device for flattening machines used for metal products in the shape of sheet metal, strips or the like, also used with similar machines for other applications, comprising a device for transmitting motion to driven rolls (8), extremely functional and capable of transmitting higher torques as well as their independent control. Such device overcomes the frequent problems concerning the space available for installing gimbal adapters. This can be achieved by using adapters (4) provided with teeth which, with the same flange diameter, are able to provide higher torques, and in any case, can be used in any applications in which it is necessary to have reduced operating angles of the adapters.
US07866457B2
A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.
US07866454B2
A torque converter includes at least two thrust bearings disposed on respective axially-opposite sides of a radially-inward portion of a stator. The stator includes a non-rotatable member, a rotatable member, and a one-way clutch. The rotatable member has a cylindrical portion having an inner peripheral surface interlocked with the one-way clutch, and an extension portion which extends from an approximately axially-central region of the cylindrical portion in a radially-outward direction relative to the cylindrical portion, and has an axial thickness less than that of the cylindrical portion. The thrust bearings are disposed to clamp the extension portion from respective axially-opposite sides of the extension portion at respective positions located radially outwardly relative to the cylindrical portion, so as to facilitate reduction in axial dimension of the torque converter.
US07866449B2
The invention relates to a magnetic rail brake device of a railway vehicle, including a magnetic base or carrier element, and a magnetic coil which can be connected to a voltage source by means of a connecting mechanism that is on the base or carrier element and is provided with at least two electrical terminals. An end face of the connecting mechanism is disposed within an imaginary enveloping area of the base or carrier element.
US07866448B2
The invention relates to an aircraft brake for braking a wheel received on an axle presenting in succession a large-diameter cylindrical upstream portion, a conical portion, and a smaller-diameter cylindrical downstream portion suitable for receiving the wheel, the brake comprising: a stack of disks; a structural engaged on the axle and having the disks mounted thereon, the structural part comprising a support member for receiving braking actuators and including a centering portion for centering the structural part on the upstream cylindrical portion of the axle; and a torsion tube receiving the disks, the torsion tube being made integrally with the support member and the centering bearing surface and extending substantially to extend the centering bearing surface in register with the conical portion of the axle; and a braking force takeup member separably fitted on a free end of the torsion tube remote from the centering bearing surface.
US07866438B2
A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a loudspeaker driver in a loudspeaker driver aperture defined in a ground plane and installing a grille in relation to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases as the distance from the loudspeaker driver increases. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver.
US07866437B2
A stethoscope with a figure-eight configuration designed for one-handed operation and further comprising improvement to the headpiece resonance chamber. The ear tubes of the stethoscope are roughly S-shaped and together form a figure eight design. The lower portion of each ear tube is connected by a resistant force mechanism that maintains the stethoscope in the closed configuration. By applying one-handed compressive force to the resistant force mechanism attached to the lower portion of the stethoscope's figure-eight construction, the earpieces are separated and the stethoscope adopts the open configuration. Both the headpiece and the diaphragm are interchangeable to allow a variety of different shapes and sizes.
US07866426B2
A riding type mower comprises: a plurality of wheels; a vehicle body supported by the plurality of wheels; a water-cooled engine located in a rear region of the vehicle body; a hood for covering the engine; a driver's seat located forwardly of the hood; a rollover protection frame located between the driver's seat and the water-cooled engine, the rollover protection frame having a pair of right and left support columns spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction; a radiator for the water-cooled engine located between the pair of the support columns of the rollover protection frame.
US07866423B2
An automotive vehicle drive unit assembly which is located near the sides of a vehicle includes a first driving axle shaft, a second driving axle shaft, a first gear box, a second gear box, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor. The first driving axle shaft drives a first wheel hub of the vehicle and the second driving axle shaft drives a second wheel hub. Together the first and second driving axle shafts define an axis of rotation about which the first and second wheel hubs rotate. The first gear set drives the first wheel and the second gear set drives the second wheel. A first electric motor is mounted in an angular relationship relative to the axis of rotation and drives the first gear set. A second electric motor is mounted in an angular relationship relative to the axis of rotation and drives the second gear set. A plurality of electric motors can be used to drive each wheel hub.
US07866420B1
A tensioning system for an endless track of a crawler-type vehicle includes an actuator, such as a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston, which is coupled to a roller to translate the roller into and out of engagement with the endless track to tension or slack the endless track, respectively. The tensioning system has a mechanical stop that limits retraction of the actuator, and thus limits how much slack can be created in the endless track. The actuator automatically adds tension to the endless track when an undertensioned condition is present and automatically removes tension from the endless track when an overtensioned condition is present. To add additional slack to the endless track for removing the endless track for service, repair, or replacement, the mechanical stop may be removed which allows additional retraction of the actuator and thus disengagement of the roller from the endless track.
US07866419B2
An insert for a drill bit that includes a plurality of encapsulated particles dispersed in a first matrix material, where the encapsulated particles include a coarse particle encapsulated within a shell, and wherein the shell comprises abrasive particles dispersed in a second matrix material is disclosed.
US07866414B2
A well system may be provided comprising a first primary inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to a surface device and a first secondary inductive coupler. The first secondary inductive coupler may be further configured to be communicably coupled to one or more completion components provided in a first portion of the well. In addition, the well system may comprise a second primary inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to the surface device and a second secondary induction coupler. The second secondary inductive coupler may be further configured to be communicably coupled to one or more completion components provided in a second portion of the well. The flow through at least one of the first and second portions of the well may be adjusted via at least one of the one or more completion components. A method for completing a well comprising inductive couplers may also be provided.
US07866400B2
Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system.
US07866383B2
A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (50). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having a plurality of openings (46) in a sidewall portion thereof and an internal flow path (44). A plurality of radially extendable filter members (52) are each operably associated with at least one of the openings (46) of the base pipe (42). The radially extendable filter members (52) have a circumferential dimension that is less than a longitudinal dimension thereof. The radially extendable filter members (52) have a radially retracted running configuration and a radially extended operating configuration, in which, the radially extendable filter members (52) preferably contact the wellbore (50).
US07866377B2
A method of using a minimal surface or a minimal skeleton to make a heat exchanger component is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a stereolithography file from design data, slicing the stereolithography file into two-dimensional patterns, repeating the two-dimensional patterns sequentially to produce a three-dimensional minimal surface component or minimal skeleton component, and depositing at least one layer of a material having a high thermal conductivity onto a top surface of a base, wherein the deposited material forms either a three-dimensional minimal surface component or a three-dimensional minimal skeleton component. Also provided are the heat exchanger components made by the embodiments of the method using either minimal surfaces or minimal skeletons.
US07866372B2
In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of making a heat exchanger core component comprising the steps of generating a stereolithography file from design data, slicing the stereolithography file into two-dimensional patterns, repeating the two-dimensional patterns sequentially to produce a three-dimensional core component, and depositing at least one layer of a material having a high thermal conductivity onto a top surface of a base. In another embodiment there is provided a heat exchanger core component made by an embodiment of the method wherein the core component comprises a triply periodic design that is repeated in three dimensions.
US07866371B2
A method of forming a gating fixture for a lost wax casting process includes determining an optimal orientation of a gate in relation to a part, and forming a fixture that can repeatably be used to consistently locate the gate relative to the part. In one example, stereolithography is used to form the fixture.
US07866366B2
An article of flexible furniture having a core formed from a plurality of laminar panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels being inter-connected to provide a cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away firm each other, a pair of supports at opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said cellular and extend the length of said partition.
US07866362B2
The invention provides a transfer tool which can preferably maintain a shape while improving a strength at a time of using, and has an improved usability. The transfer tool is provided with a first case (1) holding a replacement part including at least a transferring object, a second case (2) detachably engaged with the first case (1) and holding a non-replacement part constituting at least a part of a feeding mechanism part feeding the transferring object to a transferred object, a holding portion (3) outside fitted detachably to a predetermined region of the first case (1) and the second case (2) and capable of holding the first case (1) and the second case (2), and an engagement portion (X) detachably engaging the first case (1) and the second case (2) in a opposite direction of the holding portion (3).
US07866356B2
A vapor emission control system includes an electrically operated shutoff valve in the fuel vapor vent recirculation line to the filler tube. The electrically operated valve is controlled by an electronic controller responsive to signals from a fuel level indicator and a fuel cap sensor in the tank. In one embodiment, the valve closes when the fuel level indicator indicates a full tank condition and when the fuel cap sensor indicates that the fuel cap is off the filler neck. The present invention thus provides a positive shutoff of fuel vapor to the filler tube during refueling.
US07866347B2
An isolation tool for use in a pipe comprises a seal unit, the seal unit being mounted to a launching assembly. The seal unit is adapted for location in a section of pipe, the seal unit adapted to be inserted into the pipe via a single opening in the pipe wall. The seal unit comprises seal elements for engaging the pipe wall to isolate a section of pipe. The seal elements are initially retained in a retracted configuration. Hydraulic pressure is applied to a cylinder, a piston located in the cylinder being translated into the seal unit, causing compression of the seal elements.
US07866343B2
A faucet includes a first valve plate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the base material. An amorphous diamond material is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond material has a coefficient of friction that is lower than that of diamond-like carbon and has a hardness that is greater than that of diamond-like carbon.
US07866341B2
An apparatus includes a transfer unit under an atmospheric condition and having a robot therein; and at least one process chamber connected to one side of the transfer unit with a slot valve there between, and being alternately under a vacuum condition and under an atmospheric condition.
US07866330B2
A cleaning tool to clean a surface of a liquid confinement system of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed, the liquid confinement system having an aperture to allow passage of a beam of radiation therethrough of an immersion lithographic apparatus. The cleaning tool includes a sonic transducer, a reservoir configured to hold liquid between the sonic transducer and the surface to be cleaned, and a barrier positioned in the reservoir under the aperture to form, in use, a shield to sonic waves.
US07866323B2
A receptacle for receiving smoking waste includes a canister and a cap disposed on the canister. The cap includes a flow-inhibiting surface for affecting gas flow into the canister and a container member forming a containing area disposed horizontally inward of the flow-inhibiting surface for receiving smoke rising from the collection area. The cap can have at least one snuffing area for snuffing smoking material and at least one depositing area for depositing smoking waste into the canister. The opening for depositing smoking waste can allow for 360 degrees access to the user.
US07866313B2
An oral airway includes a first component having a first guiding surface and a second component having a second guiding surface. The first component and the second component are adapted to be removably coupled together such that the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct, for example, a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation. The first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation. The first and second components may be maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The first and second components also may be maintained in coupled disposition by magnetism.
US07866311B2
Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.
US07866310B2
A pneumatic gun with easily removable bolt. A bolt is coupled to a bolt pin to be introduced into the rear of a receiver of the pneumatic gun. The striker defines a notch to receive the bolt pin the notch is open ended towards the rear of the gun. A cap is coupled to the striker so that it can rotate between an open orientation and a closed orientation. In the open orientation, the cap defines a slot that aligns with the notch of the striker to permit the bolt pin to enter the notch and the closed orientation of the cap captures the striker within the notch so that the striker and bolt move as a unit.
US07866301B2
A self-guided armature assembly for a single pole solenoid assembly includes an armature stem and an armature. The solenoid assembly includes a flux ring component and an actuator body. The armature is movable inside the flux ring. An axial air gap is defined between the top armature surface of the armature and a bottom stator surface of a stator assembly. A sliding air gap is defined between an inner diameter surface of the flux ring and an outer diameter surface of the armature. The self-guided armature is guided along the flux ring via a guiding interaction between the armature and the flux ring. The sliding air gap is smaller than the axial air gap. A stem clearance gap is defined between the armature stem and the actuator body. The sliding air gap is also smaller than the stem clearance gap.
US07866289B2
In a camshaft adjusting device including a vane cell adjuster component for coupling a camshaft to a crankshaft to be driven by the crankshaft in an adjustable angular relationship, wherein a vane rotor is mounted onto the camshaft by a central hollow clamping bolt including a control valve for controlling the flow of control fluid to and from the vane cells so as to control the relative angular position of the camshaft, an additional fixing means is provided between the vane rotor and the camshaft for assisting a rotationally fixed coupling of the vane rotor with the camshaft.
US07866280B2
A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including: providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.
US07866279B2
A device is described for training a wild bear to be at a particular location on a regular daily schedule that matches the hunter's hours. The device provides multiple food enclosures, a scent dispenser, and a timer. The timer causes one of the food enclosures to be opened at each set interval, and dispenses a scent to signal the bear that “dinner is served”. The food enclosure which is opened will preferably only remain open for a limited time interval, for exemplary purposes one hour, so that the wild bear must be present at the scheduled time. Consequently, food is accessible only for one hour each day. The food enclosures are configured to allow a varied diet to be provided for the bear to keep him interested.
US07866278B2
A thin-film deposition system has a vacuum chamber and a plasma generator. The plasma generator includes a case, a cathode disposed in the case, an anode assembly disposed at an end of the case, a discharge power supply for applying a discharge voltage between the cathode and the anode assembly, and a gas supply means for supplying a discharge gas into the case. Electrons within a first plasma produced in the case are extracted into the vacuum chamber according to the discharge voltage. An evaporated material in a gaseous state inside the vacuum chamber is irradiated with electrons emitted from the plasma generator to produce a second plasma. The potential at the anode assembly is controlled by anode potential-controlling means such that the electrons within the second plasma are directed at the plasma generator and the ions within the second plasma are directed at the substrate.
US07866272B2
A control handle for a vessel, the control handle having a handle bar, two handles, at least one throttle control arranged in connection with one or both handles, and an additional control. A vessel having a control handle for a vessel with a handle bar, two handles, at least one throttle control arranged in connection with one or both handles, and an additional control. The throttle control can be a twist grip. The additional control can be for adjustment of one or several of: shifting between forward or backward propulsion of the vessel, force distribution between motors provided on the vessel, adjustment of an angular position of trimming tabs of the vessel, adjustment of a banking angle of a propeller drive provided in the vessel, and adjustment of a position of a reversing scoop of a water jet.
US07866265B1
A flare apparatus constructed of a flare case with a primer functionally coupled to a propellant charge. Loaded within the flare case is a flare cup, having within, a starter composition, a flare composition, and a flash charge. The flare composition is functionally coupled to the flare starter composition, and the flash charge is functionally coupled to the flare composition. Upon primer activation the propellant charge is ignited. Flame and hot gasses from the propellant charge propel the flare cup out of the flare case and downrange while also igniting the flare starter composition within the flare cup. The flare starter composition ignites the flare composition, which produces a visual artifact and subsequently ignites the flash charge which produces a visual and audible artifact at or near the end of its flight.
US07866264B2
An initiator that includes a header body, an insulating spacer, an initiator chip, a plurality of terminals and a plurality of contacts. The insulating spacer is coupled to the header body. The initiator chip that forms at least a portion of an exploding foil initiator and includes a plurality of electric interfaces. The initiator chip is secured to a side of the insulating spacer opposite the header body. The terminals extend through the header body. The contacts electrically couple the electric interfaces to the terminals. The cover is coupled to the header body and cooperates with the header body to house the insulating spacer, the initiator chip and the contacts. A method for forming an initiator is also provided.
US07866258B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the composition of gases within a cargo container. The apparatus includes at least one sensor, at least one controller and at least one gas permeable membrane being adapted to facilitate the passage there through of different molecules at different rates. Said membrane defining a first region and a second region, the first region being for holding cargo and the second region defining a gas buffer region, said at least one inlet and/or outlet being in communication with said buffer region. The invention further relates to a container.
US07866254B1
A liquid may be aged and infused using a wooden infusion apparatus having grain oriented along a longitudinal axis of a rod. One preferred infusion apparatus comprises machining a grain oriented wooden cylinder into the shape of a spiral having a longitudinal central axis. A preferred method is disclosed for continuously machining wooden rods into spirals, and subsequently toasting them. Another infusion apparatus comprises a plurality of wooden discs connected by a longitudinal central axis in the form of a rod, the wooden discs which are toasted. The present invention allows for more control over the time required to properly age the wine and to impart the wood flavor by giving the producer more control over the amount of wood surface area that is exposed to the wine. The rate of infusion is increased substantially when the wood grain extends along the longitudinal axis of the infusion apparatus. The shape and size of the infusion apparatus may be customized to fit any container from a huge wine barrel to a small liquor bottle. Additionally, the infusion spiral may be connected to a lid or bung of a container, and may thereby be removed when desired by merely opening the lid or bung. The infusion spiral can be replaced, by this same manner, with a different type of wood infusion spiral or a fresher infusion spiral to enhance the flavor imparted to the wine without having to fish around in the container for the infusion spiral.
US07866240B2
A cutting angle display device for use in a miter saw for displaying an optimum cutting angle of a construction member and a miter saw having the cutting angle display device. A first construction member having a first cut end will be installed on a first wall, and a second construction member having a second cut end will be installed on a first wall in such a manner that the first and second cut ends are spliced with each other at a corner portion between the first and second wall. To provide the first and second cut ends with the optimum cutting angle, an angle between the first and second wall is input, and a microcomputer selects the optimum cutting angle based on the input angle, and the selected optimum cutting angle is displayed. A user can cut the construction member by means of the miter saw with the displayed optimum cutting angle.
US07866238B2
A sawing apparatus is implemented to cut rolls out of an elongated log. An in-feed conveyor pushes the log, and a braking system stops the log at a controlled position. A clamping system then holds the log in place while a saw blade travels to cut a roll out of the log. While the log is being cut, a bending pressure is applied on the log. The roll then is unloaded onto a discharge conveyor.
US07866227B2
A transmission M of a vehicular power transmission system has a first shifting part and a second shifting part which shift a power of an internal combustion engine, a first shift clutch transmitting and interrupting the power to the first shifting part, and a second shift clutch transmitting and interrupting the power to the second shifting part. A start clutch transmitting and interrupting the power to the first shift clutch and the second shift clutch is constructed of a centrifugal clutch C having a clutch shoe. The resulting configuration provides a vehicular power transmission system which has excellent efficiency of power transmission and durability, as well as being capable of being manufactured at low cost, and being capable of relieving a start shock.
US07866226B2
An electromotive actuator for deflecting a mechanical part, comprising a rotatable component and a non-rotatable component of a deflection gear, whereby the rotatable component can be driven by an electric motor in such a way that it can be moved linearly relative to the non-rotatable component between a first position and a second position. The two components of the actuator are constituents of a ball-ramp adjustment device, whereby a rotatable component of the ball-ramp adjustment device is non-rotatably connected to the rotor of the electric motor and acts directly or indirectly on the mechanical part that is to be deflected.
US07866213B2
A method for identifying an unfolded non-synchronous blade vibration frequency in blades on a rotating rotor using a plurality of probes spaced from each other about the rotor. A set of data is acquired from the probes during a predetermined number of rotor revolutions and is processed using a Fourier analysis to generate an output representative of frequencies and phase shift angles corresponding to blade vibrations. The phase shift angles are used to identify a subharmonic for a blade vibration frequency to provide an output identifying the vibration frequency. A space dispersion and time dispersion of probes is described to increase the accuracy of the subharmonic determination using the phase shift angles.
US07866212B2
A mechanical vibration sensor adapted to be brought into contact with an object for sensing mechanical vibrations in the object, includes a body of a soft elastomeric material having high transmissivity and low attenuation properties with respect to a preselected type of energy waves; and a pair of transducers mounted, by mounting members having high attenuation properties with respect to the energy waves, in spaced relationship to each other to define a transmission channel between the transducers. Such sensor is particularly useful in a method and apparatus for controlling snoring by a person, by utilizing a stimulus device effective, when sensing snoring, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt the person's snoring.
US07866207B2
Methods and apparatuses for detecting radial flows of conductive fluid are provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, shields are used to prevent or reduce circulating electrical currents from causing a voltage difference that would adversely affect the measured voltage difference between two adjacent electrodes. The shields may be a conduit through which conductive fluid may flow. Groups of sensors, e.g., two or more, may be placed within the shield. The shields may have any cross-section shape. Generally, once the circulating electrical current flow between the electrode pairs is substantially reduced or eliminated, only the voltage difference from the localized induced electric field remains. This way, a true induced voltage may be measured, and thus an accurate value for the fluid velocity may be determined.
US07866205B2
There is provided a sample operation apparatus in which, by a static electricity force acting between a probe and a sample, an accurate position is gripped without the sample being moved, and the sample can be operated by the probe for an observation, a grip, a release, or the like. In a casing body capable of being sealed, there are installed a sample operation tweezers comprising an observation probe and a grip probe, and a sample base fixing a substrate on which the sample is mounted. By the facts that a surface of the substrate is treated such that its hydrophilic nature is higher than the sample operation tweezers, and that a humidity in the casing body is controlled by a humidity control device, there is made such that an actuation of a grip, a movement, a separation or the like of the sample is performed under a state in which water films are formed on the sample, the substrate and a surface of the sample operation tweezers.
US07866200B1
A pin channel is formed from a unitary piece of sheet material into a U-shape with integral support posts adapted to support a hanger. The support posts are formed from bosses shaped in the sheet material with no assembly of parts or pieces.
US07866196B2
A method for manufacturing a circular metal tank, from an elongated sheet of metal. The upper and lower longitudinal edges of the metal sheet are bent to produce a first “L” bend and a second “chair” bend, respectively. The sheet of metal is moved in a helical trajectory such that the second bend comes into proximity above the first bend. The second bend and the first bend are welded together such that the wall of the cylindrical tank is formed. Welding of the bends serves to stress relieve or anneal the bent metal, thereby preventing cracks in the metal which may result in leaks and/or compromise the structural integrity of the tank. The first and second bends additionally cooperate to form a helical roller track on the outside of the tank. The tank is supported and rotated about its longitudinal axis on a plurality of rollers that engage the roller track.
US07866195B2
A door lock indicator device is disclosed. The door lock indicator device can include a rotatable portion, a lock status display, and a switch (e.g., a button). The rotatable portion can define an opening shaped to receive a key blade. The door lock indicator device can be installed on a face of a door lock with the opening aligned with a keyhole of the door lock. Rotating a key blade within a keyway of the door lock can cause the rotatable portion to rotate with the door lock's cylinder. The lock status display can include a first indicator light and a second indicator light. Activating the switch can cause the lock status display to indicate a direction of a most recent rotation of the rotatable portion and/or a locked or unlocked status of the associated door lock.
US07866189B2
A dehydration-sintering furnace for dehydrating and/or sintering an optical fiber preform for use in production of an optical fiber includes a muffle for accommodating the optical fiber preform, a heater for heating the muffle, and a pressure fluctuation absorbing apparatus connected to the muffle. Since the pressure fluctuation absorbing apparatus is thermally insulated from a room temperature atmosphere or heated, vapor produced in a dehydration-sintering process is prevented from condensing (liquefying) in a pressure fluctuation absorbing apparatus, thereby preventing reduced dehydration effectiveness in the muffle and reduced quality of the optical fiber preform.
US07866183B2
A drink bottle and method of manufacturing same.
US07866180B2
A self cooling container for a beverage includes a receptacle holding a refrigerant under pressure. When an outer cap of the container is opened, the refrigerant is exhausted, cooling the receptacle and the beverage surrounding it. The receptacle includes an inner receptacle member and one or more walls extending around the receptacle member, with spaces between adjacent walls being established at descending pressure values outward from the inner receptacle, which is held at a high pressure.
US07866175B2
The present invention concerns a cooling or heating apparatus including at least a 5 compressor (1), a condenser (2), an expansion apparatus (7), a vaporizer (9) and a space for liquid accumulation (10). The invention is characterized essentially by a control system consisting of an electronic bubble detecting device (4) for detecting the occurrence of bubbles in the refrigerant condensate. The bubble detecting device (4) is attached in proximity to the condenser's (2) outlet or to its exit line, the bubble detecting device (4) is in electrical connection with an expansion apparatus (7) that is controlled electrically. The bubble detecting device (4) gives signals to the expansion apparatus (7). Gas bubbles in the condenser liquid affect the control system so that when the amount of gas bubbles registered/signal analyzed by the bubble detecting device (4) exceeds the set signal value for the presence of bubbles in the condensate there is a signal to the expansion apparatus' electric control unit (7) to shut off or alternatively to decrease the refrigerant flowthrough. When the gas bubble amount is absent or alternatively is less than the predetermined set signal value the expansion apparatus (7) is given a signal from the bubble detecting device (4) to the expansion apparatus' electric control unit (7) to increase the refrigerant flowthrough.
US07866172B2
Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.
US07866161B2
A gas engine plant that includes a combustion engine adapted to combust gaseous fuel receives fuel containing hydrocarbons, reforms the fuel by cracking the heavier hydrocarbons in the fuel while minimizing cracking of methane, and feeds the reformed fuel in gaseous form to the combustion engine.
US07866152B2
In a housing of a hydrostatic transaxle, an HST including mutually fluidly connected hydraulic pump and motor, an axle, and a deceleration gear train interposed between the hydraulic motor and the axle are disposed. The deceleration gear train includes an L-shaped counter shaft. The L-shaped counter shaft consists of mutually perpendicular first and second shaft portions. The first shaft portion is disposed in parallel to a motor shaft of the hydraulic motor. The second shaft portion is disposed in parallel to the axle. A first gear fitted on the motor shaft meshes with a second gear fitted on the first shaft portion. A third gear fitted on the second shaft portion meshes with a fourth gear fitted on the axle.
US07866148B2
A method of operating an engine for a vehicle includes operating the cylinder to achieve controlled autoignition of an air and a fuel mixture within the cylinder. During a transient condition, such as a gear change, an exhaust throttle is adjusted to maintain controlled autoignition within the cylinder. In this way, it is possible to sustain autoignition operation throughout the gear change.
US07866146B2
An exhaust gas purifying apparatus includes a primary diesel particulate filter provided in an exhaust line of a diesel engine, a secondary exhaust line branched from the exhaust line from an upstream side of the primary diesel particulate filter, and a secondary diesel particulate filter provided in the secondary exhaust line. The secondary diesel particulate filter has a soot storage capacity smaller than the soot storage capacity of the primary diesel particulate filter. The apparatus further includes a differential pressure measuring part for measuring a differential pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the secondary diesel particulate filter.
US07866141B2
The invention relates to a dual-flow turbojet engine comprising an engine which is disposed in a nacelle and is provided with case which defines jointly with the said nacelle an annular passage through which a secondary flow supplied by a fan placed upstream of the engine can flow, a primary nozzle which is fixed to the case downstream of the engine, an internal wall for guiding the main hot flow supplied by the engine and an external wall contacting the secondary flow. Said invention is characterized in that sound attenuating means is provided for at least one part of the internal wall and the external wall is provided with means for cooling said internal wall.
US07866131B2
The invention relates to a vertical bagging machine (1), equipped with a first linear motor (18) for displacing a transversal seal unit (10) in a first direction, preferably vertically (20), and a second linear motor (19) for executing a displacement in a second direction, preferably horizontally (21), in order to displace a heat-sealing jaw (11) in the latter direction or to cause two heat-sealing jaws (11, 12) to be displaced against one another by means of a gear (22). The linear motors (18, 19) are interconnected (23) by means of a cross formation. Each linear motor (18, 19) consists of a primary part (24, 26) and a secondary part (25, 27). The cross formation (23) forms a stable connection for the linear motors (18, 19) that act in displacement directions running perpendicularly to one another
US07866128B2
Substantially triangular shaped container bottoms include a bottom wall with a concave surface. The container bottom can be used with a container body having an interior chamber for receiving at least one article. Exemplary embodiments include a container bottom attached to a container body wherein the container bottom includes a central surface area that is inwardly concave towards an interior chamber of the container body. Methods of loading a plurality of articles in a container are also provided.
US07866121B2
The present invention relates generally to composite fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wind tower systems and methods of manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composite FRP wind tower system including a plurality of tower cells for functional engagement with adjacent tower cells along mating surfaces to form a tower section, each tower cell including a lower end and an upper end for telescopic engagement with a tower cell of an adjacent tower section.
US07866115B2
Floorboards are shown, which consist of a core and a surface layer and are provided with decorative joint edges which are formed by removing the surface layer.
US07866110B2
Floor panels (1, 1′) are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element 15 in a locking groove 14 which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
US07866108B2
A fire retardant head-of-wall assembly configured to seal a linear head-of-wall construction joint or gap when exposed to a heat source such as a building fire is disclosed. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly comprises a header track having an elongated intumescent strip affixed lengthwise on at least one of the outer sidewall surfaces of the header track and above a centrally located and outwardly protruding lengthwise corrugated groove. The intumescent strip comprises expandable graphite and a fire retardant (C2-C8 alkyl diamine phosphate). When exposed to a heat source such as a building fire, the intumescent strip expands so to fill the head-of-wall construction joint or gap, thereby retarding or preventing the spread of smoke and fire. The inventive fire retardant head-of-wall assembly has been certified as complaint with respect to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s standards set forth in its Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems—UL 2079.
US07866101B2
A fire protection system for homes and other structures including a pliable multi-layered shroud of fire-resistant material having an inflatable support structure embedded therein. The inflatable support structure includes a web of inflatable channels for rapid deployment from a folded configuration to an inflated configuration in which the fire-resistant material partially envelops a structure. The shroud is packed in an enclosure having a bi-fold top panel for ease of access. The enclosure also has one or more air hose couplings to which the inflatable support structure is connected for rapid inflation and deployment out of the enclosure. A plurality of tethers are also provided as tie-downs, which anchor the heat resistant shroud. The system affords ample rapid deployment protection from neighboring fires and heat exposure therefrom.
US07866088B1
Vegetables are grown by (a) applying an effective amount of a fumigant to the soil where the vegetables will be grown; (b) placing a barrier mulch film over the fumigated soil; (c) planting vegetables in the soil under the barrier mulch film; (d) maintaining the barrier mulch film in place over the soil for substantially the entire growing season to reduce weeds and to control temperature; and (e) harvesting the vegetables. The barrier mulch film contains: (i) an upper layer comprising a polyolefin and a sunlight reflecting/absorbing agent; (ii) a second layer comprising an adhesive; (iii) a third layer comprising a barrier plastic; (iv) a fourth layer comprising an adhesive; and (v) a lower layer comprising a polyolefin and a sunlight absorbing agent.
US07866082B2
A long range, high intensity spotlight for human incapacitation and control that uses an incoherent collimated constant light source of sufficient intensity and focus to cause temporary incapacitation of a person for a period of time when illuminated by the beam without causing permanent physical harm. The high intensity spotlight comprises a head portion at one end having a window opening and a handle portion connected to the head portion and containing electronic circuitry and thermal air management for controlling operating temperature of the lamp. A paraboloid reflector is mounted in the head portion to face the window opening, and a high intensity electric arc Xenon lamp is adjustably mounted within the reflector so that the electrode gap is located as close as possible to the focus of the reflector. An adjustable mounting base allows the position of the reflector to be adjusted until the optimum focus is reached. A properly positioned cathode wire feed optimizes the lamp performance.
US07866079B2
A modular barrel assembly for firearms that includes a breech section formed from a high-strength material and a barrel section. the barrel section generally is formed separately from the breech section and can be formed from a different, lighter-weight material. Once formed, the barrel and breech sections are attached together to form the complete barrel assembly.
US07866078B1
A mechanism (40) for locking and adjusting the assembly tension of the stock (20) to a receiver (12) of a firearm (10), characterized in that it comprises locking and tensioning means (50) integrally connected in an swinging manner to the stock (20) and in turn provided with a contact profile (51) adapted to be commanded in rotation around a hinging pin (41) and an engagement portion (54) adapted to cooperate with a stock bolt (16) integral with the receiver (12), in order to make said locking and tensioning means (50) pass, following the rotation of the contact profile, from an unlocked position of the stock bolt (16) to an engagement position of said stock bolt with increasing tension, and vice versa.
US07866077B2
A striker assembly for a firearm and a method of assembly the striker assembly is disclosed. The striker assembly includes a generally cylindrical body having a first distal end, a middle portion, and a second distal end. A coaxial spring encompasses the middle portion of the body and abuts an annular ring on the first distal end. The striker assembly also has a spacer having a first side and a second side with the first side of the spacer abutting a ridge on the second distal end of the body. A snap ring holds the spacer in place on the spacer's second side, and the snap ring is secured by a circumferential groove in the second distal end of the body. Finally, the striker assembly includes a cap that abuts the coaxial spring and encompasses the second distal end of the body, the spacer, and the snap ring.
US07866072B2
A game animal tagging apparatus includes a substantially transparent flexible plastic strip having a front side, a back side, and predetermined dimensions, with a pocket member disposed on a portion of the front side. The plastic strip has at least one wing portion and an adhesive covers at least 20 percent of the front side of the plastic strip, and a removable protective member covers at least all of the adhesive.
US07866064B2
An article of footwear with an interchangeable pod system is disclosed. The interchangeable pod system includes an outsole, a pod set, and a cleat set. The pods are attached to the outsole by means of the members of the cleat set. Variations in the types of pods and cleats used allow a wearer to reconfigure the article of footwear in order to maximize performance on a given surface in a given set of surface conditions as well as other parameters.
US07866063B2
An article of footwear with a shock absorbing heel system is disclosed. The heel system includes a lower heel plate, a set of support members, and an upper heel plate. Also, the heel system includes a heel cover configured to hide the upper heel plate from view. The lower heel plate is associated with a cantilever portion that supports the upper heel plate laterally. As force is applied to the heel system, the support members may compress slightly and the cantilever portion may lower, absorbing energy and or shocks applied by the ground.
US07866056B2
A method is described for calibrating apparatus including a measurement probe mounted on a machine, such as a machine tool. The machine is arranged to capture machine position data indicative of the position of the measurement probe and the measurement probe is arranged to capture probe data indicative of the position of a surface relative to the measurement probe. The measurement probe may be an analogue or scanning probe having a deflectable stylus. The first step of the method involves moving the measurement probe at a known speed relative to an artefact whilst capturing probe data and machine position data. In particular, the measurement probe is moved along a path that enables probe data to be captured that is indicative of the position of two or more points on the surface of the artefact relative to the measurement probe. A second step of the method comprises analyzing the machine position data and the probe data and determining from that data the relative delay in capturing probe data and machine position data (i.e. the so-called system delay).
US07866041B2
The present invention provided a method of manufacturing a duct for a gas turbine engine or the like from sheet metal material; the method comprising the steps of: fabricating a duct from sheet material (10,12,14) including rolling or folding metal sheet along ruled lines to form a ruled surface geometry approximately corresponding to at least part of a desired irregular final duct geometry; welding corresponding rolled or folded parts of the duct skin together and positioning the duct on a heat treatment fixture (30) having a shape corresponding to the said desired irregular duct geometry; the material of the heat treatment fixture having a greater thermal expansion coefficient than the duct material; heating the duct and fixture substantially to a stress relieving temperature of the duct material such that differential thermal expansion of the duct and fixture at the said stress relieving temperature causes the duct to distort and adopt the shape of the exterior surface of the fixture on which the duct is located.
US07866035B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the design and manufacturing of inexpensive photovoltaic or thermal receivers for cost-effective solar energy conversion of concentrated light. Particular embodiments in accordance with the present invention disclose the design of a photovoltaic receiver and a low-pressure, low-flow-rate liquid cooler. Embodiment of the present invention also disclose a preferred low-cost and scalable manufacturing approach.
US07866031B2
A seal is provided around a vacuum interrupter and an air-filled cavity, and a tube is provided within the seal. The tube has a first end open to the air-filled cavity and a second end open to an exterior of the seal. The seal, the vacuum interrupter, and the air-filled cavity are encapsulated.
US07866029B2
A method for forming a pattern film with a narrower width than the resolution of an exposure machine and a resist used independently of etching is provided. The method comprises the steps of: forming a first frame layer having end surfaces facing each other across a space having a width W1; forming a second frame layer having end surfaces facing each other across a space having a width W2 that is larger than the width W1, the space having the width W2 being located right above the space having the width W1; forming a trench-forming film provided with a trench having a minimum width W3 that is smaller than the width W1 so as to fill at least a part of the spaces having the width W1 and the width W2 respectively; and forming a pattern film so as to fill at least a part of the trench.
US07866025B2
The invention provides a rotary wing aircraft helicopter vehicle rod end and method of making a rod end. The rotary wing aircraft rod end includes a nonelastomeric inner member having an outer bonding surface segment and an axial bore with a center bore axis, a nonelastomeric outer member having an inner bonding surface segment and an axial bore center bore axis, and molded in place alternating elastomeric shims and nonelastomeric shims connecting the nonelastomeric inner member to the nonelastomeric outer member. The rod end includes a first inner elastomeric shim bonded to the nonelastomeric inner member outer bonding surface segment and to a first inner nonelastomeric shim and a second outer elastomeric shim bonded to the nonelastomeric outer member inner bonding surface segment and to a second outer nonelastomeric shim. The nonelastomeric inner member has a molded misalignment rotary wing aircraft rod end orientation with the outer nonelastomeric outer member.
US07866018B2
In a fastener tool, a constant flow of compressed air is supplied. When the tool is not in use however the constant flow of compressed air results in waste. The tool is therefore provided with a trigger that is adapted when in a first position to stop the flow of compressed air through the tool in order to disable the tool and when in a second position to actuate installation means.
US07866017B2
A method of manufacturing a ventilation diffuser bag includes providing a perforated, occupant facing side of the diffuser bag and an air mover; molding a non-perforated, support facing side of the diffuser bag having an opening to allow air flow therethrough and including an integral air mover support, the air mover support including an endless sidewall extending from the opening for supporting the air mover, the endless sidewall including a retaining edge spaced from the non-perforated side for suspendably retaining the air mover, and a vibration dampening suspension portion; mounting the air mover in the air mover support such that the air mover engages the retaining edge; disposing an air permeable material adjacent the non-perforated side; and permanently connecting edges of the perforated, occupant facing side to edges of the non-perforated, support facing side such that the air permeable material is disposed between the perforated side and the non-perforated side.
US07866014B2
A casket comprises a shell, a lid closable on the shell, and a hinge mounting the lid to the shell. The hinge comprises a first hinge leaf attached to the shell, a second hinge leaf attached to the lid, a first link having a first end pivoted to the first hinge leaf, a second link having a first end fixed to the second hinge leaf, and the first and second links having respective second ends selectably fixable to one another at a plurality of positions along a length of the second link.
US07866000B2
A swing hinge apparatus of a portable terminal is provided. In the portable terminal, a pair of housings is rotatably assembled while facing each other. The swing hinge apparatus includes a lower casing mounted and fixed to a first housing from among the pair of housings, a cam member mounted and fixed to a second housing from among the pair of housings and rotatably received in the lower casing, a guide groove formed on the lower casing and extending along a circumference, and a guide protrusion formed on a first surface of the cam member and moving along the guide groove according to rotation of the cam member, wherein both ends of the guide protrusion have inclined outer walls, both ends of the guide groove have inclined inner walls, and the guide protrusion is engaged with one of the inclined inner walls of the both ends of the guide groove, so as to limit a range of rotation of the cam member.
US07865999B2
A track and arm type door controller assembly. A channel member and a gripping member each having a toothed surface are provided, with the gripping member slidably disposed in the channel member. When the pin is retracted, the gripping member teeth are spaced from the channel member teeth, and the gripping member may freely slide along the track. When the pin is advanced, the teeth engage and the gripping member is in a fixed, non-sliding position. An elongated spring and a spring clip or a latch may be provided that releasably engage to hold the door open. A set screw may adjust the tightness of the engagement of the elongated spring and spring clip of latch. A friction assembly may be provided to slow the motion of the door.
US07865997B2
A dry type cleaning technology is disclosed. Dust adhering to a cleaning object is removed with a cleaning medium caused to flow by a high-speed airflow. The removed dust is separated from the cleaning medium with a porous member including holes through which air, dust, and granular material can pass but the cleaning medium cannot pass. An area on the porous member where air is received to cause the cleaning medium to flow and an area on the porous member where air is received to suction the dust separated from the cleaning medium are switched.
US07865996B1
A sootblower of the short travel rotary furnace wall type having features which permit indexing of the angular position of the screw tube assembly during successive operating cycles. Indexing of the arc swept by the sootblower nozzle is provided through the use of a novel cam plate component and operating the sootblower in a manner which provides for indexing between operating cycles.
US07865988B2
A sleep surface is formed by joining longitudinal sides of two juxtaposed air bladders, thereby providing a continuous sleep surface having two independently inflatable air chambers. A support member can be inserted between the two independently inflatable air bladders to provide a continuous sleep surface that eliminates vertical displacement of a user.
US07865984B2
An apparatus includes a mounting bracket configured to be secured to an underside of a litter. A storage basket is configured to engage ends and sides of a bottle. A movable mechanism couples the storage basket to the mounting bracket, the mechanism being configured for allowing the storage basket to be lowered away from the litter to provide access to the bottle, and allowing the storage basket to be secured against the underside of the litter to restrict movement of the bottle. A latch system is also included to hold the storage basket secured to the underside of the litter. The storage basket is automatically leveled by the movable mechanism when it is lowered away from the litter.
US07865981B2
A bed base has parts adapted to be assembled together manually without the use of a tool or separate, non-integrated connectors. These parts include side members, corner connectors, and a cross-rail assembly. The side members are assembled into a rectangular support and attached at its corners by a male-female connection mechanisms in lower portions of the side members. The corner connectors overlap and lock together the upper portions of adjacent side members at the corners and are attached by male-female connection mechanisms. Each opposed side member includes a notch along an upper portion and the notches in the opposed side members are aligned upon assembly. The cross-rail assembly, which sits across the opposed side members within the notches, has an orthogonal leg member near each end. Each individual leg member projects through a corresponding notch and terminates in one component of two-component connector. The other component of each two-component connector is in the side member with the other component's corresponding notch.
US07865976B2
A helmet with large vent openings includes a vent shield to prevent the penetration of foreign objects and a vent airflow regulator positioned over the vent shield so as to regulate the amount of airflow allowed within the interior of the helmet. The vent shield is attached to the foam liner during the in-mold process, while the vent airflow regulator is positioned behind the vent shield after the in-mold process in a post-applied manner. A foam insert is positioned behind the vent airflow regulator and also has vent openings.
US07870614B1
Database management and security is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, data sets containing sensitive data elements are analyzed using aliases representing sensitive data elements. In another embodiment, the sensitive data elements are stored in an encrypted form for use from a secure access, while the alias is available for standard access.
US07870610B1
Various approaches for detecting unauthorized actions on a computing platform are disclosed. In one approach, a memory region is designated as tainted if data is received from an untrusted source (such as the network) and written to that region. Thereafter, destination regions may be designated as tainted based on an operation having source and destination parameters in which at least a portion of an address range of the source overlaps an address range of a tainted memory region, and data from the source is used to update the destination. If an argument in an invocation of a function call references a tainted memory region, the call is determined to be unauthorized and data is output indicative of the unauthorized call.
US07870607B2
A system for providing access to at least one specified application within a software system. The software system comprises security software and a software tool suite. The security software is adapted to authorize a user to access at least one specified application on a computer system comprising a security standard. The software tool suite is adapted to create or modify a user profile for the user. The user profile comprises at least one transaction necessary for the user to access the at least one specified application. The software tool suite is adapted to integrate in real time the user profile into the security software. The software tool suite is adapted to create a user profile report in real time to verify that the user profile is in compliance with the security standard of the computer system.
US07870604B1
A computer system includes functionality enabling a provider edge router to determine whether network data such as VRF information is properly associated with a corresponding virtual private network. A first node through which the network data is transmitted generates a signature value uniquely associated with the virtual private network. The first node forwards the signature value along with the network data to a second node of the physical network. The second node, in turn, verifies that the network data (such as VRF information) is properly associated with the second node (and virtual network) based on its own generation of a signature value, which is compared with the signature value received from the first node.
US07870598B2
This disclosure provides a policy specification framework to enable an enterprise to specify a given insider attack using a holistic view of a given data access, as well as the means to specify and implement one or more intrusion mitigation methods in response to the detection of such an attack. The policy specification provides for the use of “anomaly” and “signature” attributes that capture sophisticated behavioral characteristics of illegitimate data access. When the attack occurs, a previously-defined administrator (or system-defined) mitigation response (e.g., verification, disconnect, de-provision, or the like) is then implemented.
US07870590B2
A system for multicast streaming of programs over a packet network includes a node having a processor that conditions a video bitstream such that packets containing an I-frame are located near program specific information (PSI) packets, the processor marking a random join point (RJP) in the video bitstream immediately preceding the I-frame and PSI packets, the node outputting the conditioned and marked video bitstream across the packet network. An edge device of the network includes a buffer that caches packets of the conditioned and marked video bitstream video starting at the RJP, and sends the cached packets to a client receiver.
US07870567B2
Provided are a method, system, and program for configuring a device using information from a device table. Device information is obtained for a device coupled to a system. The device information is provided to a device driver executing in the system. The device driver calls a method in response to determining the device driver does not support the device identified by the device information. The method provides device configuration information from a device table to the device driver. The device driver uses the device configuration information in the device table to configure the device for use in the system.
US07870564B2
A method, system, and architecture for managing computer systems is provided. A management system employs management objects (MOs) to provide administrators the ability to intuitively express the administrative intent in an information technology (IT) environment, and to act out the administrative intent based on the information gathered by the management system. Managed elements of an IT environment, such as, by way of example, hardware components, software applications, software updates, software distribution policies, configurations, settings, etc., may be expressed as MOs. Actions, such as, by way of example, detect, install/apply, remove, remediate, enumerate, etc., may be associated with the MOs. The management system manages the computer systems by deploying the appropriate MOs and their associated actions onto the computer systems, and performing the actions on the computer systems.
US07870560B2
There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program product for receiving a message, the message being processable by a component on one of a plurality of processing threads. A message is received from a first component on a current thread. The communication style that was used by the first component is determined. Responsive to receipt of the message, the communication style that is desired to be used by a second component is determined. Responsive to determining that the two components are asynchronous, communication takes place with the second component using the current thread.
US07870552B2
Disclosed are a system, method and computer-readable medium relating to managing resources within a compute environment having a group of nodes or computing devices. The method comprises, for each node in the compute environment: traversing a list jobs having a fixed time relationship, wherein for each job in the list, the following steps occur: obtaining a range list of available timeframes for each job, converting each availability timeframe to a start range, shifting the resulting start range in time by a job offset, for a first job, copying the resulting start range into a node range, and for all subsequent jobs, logically AND'ing the start range with the node range. Next, the method comprises logically OR'ing the node range with a global range, generating a list of acceptable resources on which to start and the timeframe at which to start and creating reservations according to the list of acceptable resources for the resources in the group of computing devices and associated job offsets.
US07870532B2
A lithography simulation method of obtaining a resist image by a simulation using a first function and a second function, the lithography simulation method comprising: determining a mask transmission function from a mask layout, modulating the mask transmission function using the first function to determine a modulated mask transmission function, obtaining an optical image of the mask layout using the modulated mask transmission function, and applying the second function to the optical image to obtain the resist image of the mask layout.
US07870522B1
A method communicates data with efficient conversion between representations in a high-level modeling system. The data is communicated from a first block in a first external format and the data is communicated to a second block in a second external format. The first block has a first internal representation of the data and the second block has a second internal representation of the data. The first internal representation is converted to the second internal representation without intermediate representation in the first and second external formats in response to different first and second external formats or different first and second internal representations. Conversion between the representations of the data is bypassed in response to like first and second external formats and like first and second internal representations. A signal instance is created that communicates the data between the blocks. Converters between data representations are installed in the signal instance on demand.
US07870520B2
A semiconductor device yield calculation method and a computer program that include selecting from a designed device pattern a specified first pattern and a second pattern that differs from the first pattern, finding a probability that the second pattern passes a test when the first pattern passes the test for each of a plurality of distances between the first pattern and the second pattern, and finding a yield of the device pattern based on a product of the probability and a yield value for the first pattern.
US07870517B1
An improved method and system for performing extraction on an integrated circuit design is disclosed. Extraction can be performed at granularities much smaller than the entire IC design, in which a halo is used to identify a geometric volume surrounding an object of interest to identify neighboring objects and generate an electrical model. The extraction approach can be taken for Islands, Nets, as well as other granularities within the design. Re-extraction of a design can occur at granularities smaller than a net. Some approaches utilize Island-stitching to replace an island within a net. An approach is also described for improving cross-references for cross-coupled objects.
US07870508B1
In one embodiment, a method for controlling display of data includes identifying a data item selected by a user from multiple data items displayed on a display screen, and modifying the appearance of the multiple data items. The method further includes causing the multiple data items to be displayed on the display screen in the modified form, together with additional information pertaining to the selected data item, where the additional information is presented without obscuring the multiple data items displayed on the display screen.
US07870495B2
A method of offering a service provided by a server computer in a communication network comprises a step (E11) of sending a service description document comprising a description of a functionality implemented during a preprocessing or post-processing of data in XML format of a message exchanged during the execution of the service on the communication network.Use for specifying the various processings applied to data in XML format.
US07870491B1
In various embodiments, user support in computer software applications may be provided on the basis of user interaction histories. Critical points may be defined throughout the applications and the user interaction histories at these critical points may be stored and indexed for future retrieval. User interaction histories at these critical points may also be scored to determine, for example, whether the system should intervene. In some embodiments, when providing user support, an entity may access the user interaction history (e.g., using the index). The user interaction history may assist the entity in determining how to assist the system user at their current point in the application. In some embodiments, user support may be not limited to assisting the system user with a problem. For example, user support may include presenting a promotion or advertisement to the system user based on the user interaction history.
US07870488B2
An audio and video editing system is disclosed. The editing system uses a displayable object document that comprises: (i) a verbal transcript of an audio recording (e.g., a stored version of a recorded interview, etc.), and (ii) one or more hyperlinks into one or more video recordings, where each video recording is a stored version of a video recording (e.g., of a participant in a interview, etc.). Each hyperlink in the object document associates a portion of the stored video recording with a hyperlink caption in the object document. Each time code that appears in the object document is a hyperlink caption that points to a different portion of the video recording. A user can access a desired portion of the video recording by selecting the associated hyperlink caption in the object document.
US07870485B2
A system that generates multiple documents using a template document and a data source. During operation, the system receives the data source, which includes parent records, child records, and metadata which describes the data stored in the parent and child records. Next, the system receives the template document which includes tables. The system then generates a flat data source from the data source, wherein the flat data source includes column names for the tables in the template document. Next, the system generates an intermediate document using the template document by concatenating multiple replicas of the template document to obtain an initial version of the intermediate document and by using the flat data source to populate the column names in the tables within the initial version of the intermediate document. The system then generates a final document by using the child records to populate rows in the tables within the intermediate document.
US07870475B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for saving and tagging a content item available on a computer network, including saving and bookmarking a reference to a content item. According to one embodiment of a method according to the present invention, a user navigates to a content item and selects a control to save a bookmark to the content item. A bookmarking and tagging server receives one or more items of tag information that are related to the bookmarked content item, which are saved in conjunction with the one or more items of tag information.
US07870470B2
An apparatus for detecting synchronization of a Broadcasting Channel (BCH) in an asynchronous mobile communication system. A Viterbi decoder calculates a zero state path metric and a minimum path metric through an Add-Compare-Select (ACS) process and a trace-back process while decoding a frame of a received BCH. A Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) checker performs CRC check on the decoded BCH frame. A controller detects Transmission Time Interval (TTI) synchronization of the received BCH using the CRC check result and a result obtained by comparing a difference between the zero state path metric and the minimum path metric with a threshold.
US07870466B2
To eliminate the need for buffering in order to calculate data length information on data as an object of computation, a first exclusive-OR unit 53 executes computation of exclusive-OR of a cyclic code R(x) of the integral multiple bit bits block A(x) and a data string of M bits, containing the fraction bits block B(x). A first shifting unit 54 shifts the exclusive-OR of the cyclic code R(x) and the data string of M bits, containing the fraction bits block B(x), by {M−H(k)} bits toward a least significant side, where M is a parallel width and H(k) is a bit length of the fraction bits block B(x). An R′(x) generation unit 55 generates a cyclic code R′(x) that is a cyclic code of the data after shifting. To obtain R″(x), a second shifting unit 56 shifts the cyclic code R(x) by H(k) bits toward a most significant side. A second exclusive-OR unit 57 executes computation of exclusive-OR of the cyclic code R′(x) and data R″(x).
US07870459B2
A high density high reliability memory module with power gating and a fault tolerant address and command bus. The memory module includes a rectangular printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, a length of between 149 and 153 millimeters and first and second ends having a width smaller than said length. The memory module also includes a first plurality of connector locations on the first side extending along a first edge of said board that extends the length of the board and a second plurality of connector locations on the second side extending on said first edge of said board. The memory module further includes a buffer device in communication with the circuit board for accessing up to four ranks of memory devices mounted on the first side and second side of the circuit board. In addition, a power savings means is included for causing all or a portion of the buffer device to be in an inactive mode in response to current activity at the memory module. The memory module also includes a locating key having its center positioned on said first edge and located between 82 mm and 86 mm from said first end of said card and located between 66 and 70 mm from said second end of said card.
US07870454B2
A design structure for a system for and method of performing high speed memory diagnostics via built-in-self-test (BIST) is disclosed. In particular, a test system includes a tester for testing an integrated circuit that includes a BIST circuit and a test control circuit. The BIST circuit further includes a BIST engine and fail logic for testing an imbedded memory array. The test control circuit includes three binary up/down counters, a variable delay, and a comparator circuit. A method of performing high speed memory diagnostics via BIST includes, but is not limited to, presetting the counters of the test control circuit, presetting the variable delay to a value that is equal to the latency of the fail logic, setting the BIST cycle counter to decrement mode, presetting the variable delay to zero, re-executing the test algorithm and performing a second test operation of capturing the fail data, and performing a third test operation of transmitting the fail data to the tester.
US07870453B2
According to an example embodiment, there is an integrated circuit arrangement with at least one application circuit to be tested, and with at least one self-test circuit for testing the application circuit and generating at least one pseudo-random test sample. wherein said The pseudo-random test sample is converted into at least one test vector that is programmable and/or deterministic and is supplied to the application circuit for testing purposes via at least one logic gate and at least one signal that is applied to said logic gate. The output signal arising in dependence on the deterministic test vector is evaluated by the application circuit by at least one signature register. Furthermore, there is a method of testing the application circuit such that Built In Self Test (BIST) hardware connected to the additional deterministic logic is reduced; it is suggested that the signal supplied to the logic gate is made available by a Bit Flipping Function (BFF) logic circuit based on at least one self-test circuit.
US07870448B2
A method of in system diagnostics through scan matrix, and an integrated circuit chip in which the diagnostics are performed, are disclosed. The integrated circuit chip operable in a plurality of Boundary Scan test modes in which at least a part of the circuitry in the integrated circuit chip is tested, the integrated circuit chip comprises a scan matrix controller and an instruction register. The scan matrix controller is provided for partitioning said circuitry into multiple matrices, each of the matrices having a plurality of scan elements. The instruction register is provided for holding instructions for the scan matrix controller for partitioning the chip into said multiple matrices. The scan matrix controller is further arranged to test each of said matrices according to instructions in the instruction register by applying a test signal to the tested part of the circuitry.
US07870440B2
A system that detects multiple anomalies in a cluster of components is presented. During operation, the system monitors derivatives obtained from one or more inferential variables which are received from sensors in the cluster of components. The system then determines whether one or more components within the cluster have experienced an anomalous event based on the monitored derivatives. If so, the system performs one or more remedial actions.
US07870438B2
A system, method and computer program product for sampling computer system performance data are provided. The system includes a sample buffer to store instrumentation data while capturing trace data in a trace array, where the instrumentation data enables measurement of computer system performance. The system further includes a sample interrupt generator to assert a sample interrupt indicating that the instrumentation data is available to read. The sample interrupt is asserted in response to storing the instrumentation data in the sample buffer.
US07870434B2
A method uses an integrated circuit having a debug status register. The integrated circuit is for being debugged by a hardware debugger external to the integrated circuit and has a processing unit for executing debug software. The debug status register is coupled to the processing unit and is for being coupled to the hardware debugger. The method includes updating the debug status register with hardware status flags arising from running the hardware debugger and software status flags arising from running the debug software. The method further includes masking locations in the debug status register where the hardware status flags are located from being read by the debug software while allowing the hardware status flags and the software status flags to be read by the hardware debugger. This is particularly useful in using the hardware debugger in debugging the debug software.
