US08653075B2

Object of the present invention are novel substituted compounds of the formula 1, wherein A, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined as in the description. Another object of the present invention is to provide antagonists of CCR3, more particularly to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08653071B2

The present invention relates to novel α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand compounds of the formula (I), and their derivatives, stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions containing them. The present invention relates to novel α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand compounds of the formula (I), and their derivatives, stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions containing them.
US08653061B2

This invention relates to novel acetylcysteine compositions in solution, comprising acetylcysteine and which are substantially free of metal chelating agents, such as EDTA. Further, this invention relates to methods of making and using the acetylcysteine compositions. The present compositions and methods are designed to improve patient tolerance and compliance, while at the same time maintaining the stability of the pharmaceutical formulation. The compositions and methods of this invention are useful in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose, acute liver failure, various cancers, methacrylonitrile poisoning, reperfusion injury during cardio bypass surgery, and radiocontrast-induced nephropathy, and can also be used as a mucolytic agent.
US08653054B2

Novel chemical agents are described herein. More specifically, 2-(N-substituted piperazinyl) pregnane and 2-(N-substituted piperazinyl) androstane derivatives exhibiting cytotoxicity on a variety of cancer cell lines are disclosed herein.
US08653049B2

The invention provides a compound (which can act as an adjuvant) of Formula I or Formula (II), wherein R1 R4 R5 R6 and R7 are each independently selected from hydrogen, acetyl, hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety and a lipid acyl moiety; R2 is a hydroxyl, a hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety, a lipid acyl moiety; or an amino hydrocarbyl group optionally substituted with a hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety or a lipid acyl moiety; R3 and R8 are each independently selected from acetyl, a hydrocarbyl, a lipid moiety and a lipid acyl moiety; X is a peptide chain; The above normuramylglycopeptide compounds can be located in liposomes and micelles and can function as immunomodulators, along with a desired antigen (or DNA encloding the antigen), in (e.g. DNA) vaccines.
US08653044B2

The invention provides anti-apoptotic agents and therapies and uses thereof. Specifically, the anti-apoptotic agents and therapies involve human Xist gene, Xist RNA, Xist gene product, and antagonists and small molecule mimics of these nucleic acids and proteins.
US08653034B2

Disclosed are surprising discoveries concerning the role of anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids in tumor vasculature and in viral entry and spread, and compositions and methods for utilizing these findings in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Also disclosed are advantageous antibody, immunoconjugate and duramycin-based compositions and combinations that bind and inhibit anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids, for use in the safe and effective treatment of cancer, viral infections and related diseases.
US08653027B2

The present invention is based on the discovery that Humanin and humanin analogues protect pancreatic beta cells in vitro and in vivo from apoptosis. Accordingly, humanin and its analogues are useful for preventing and treating diabetes and promoting beta cell survival in a number of applications.
US08653019B2

A stain remover which comprises a copolymer made from as essential ingredients (a) a polymerizable monomer having a polyfluoroalkyl group with less than 8 carbon atoms and represented by the general formula H2C═CXCOO—Y—Rf and (b) a fluorine-free polymerizable monomer represented by the following general formula: H2C═CXCOO—(RO)n—X. The stain remover is effective in minimizing the amount of an organic solvent to be used. It imparts to a substrate the excellent property of removing stains therefrom and a satisfactory texture.
US08653017B1

A portable cleaning article includes a coated capsule and cleaning agent, in which the cleaning agent is contained within the coated capsule, the characteristic in that: the coated capsule having a thin-film layer and an oil layer that is coated over the surface of the thin-film layer to form a portable cleaning article. When the coated capsule is brought into contact with water by the user, the coated capsule dissolves in water for the cleaning agent to exert its cleaning function.
US08653015B2

A solvent blend cleaner useful for reflux cleaning of chemical manufacturing equipment, including that used in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, comprises a blend of environmentally friendly and safe solvents selected on the basis of specific criteria, such as vapor pressure, vapor density, boiling point, specific heat, and heat of vaporization, among other things; achieves excellent cleaning even upon further dilution with water; and avoids the disadvantages associated with the use of conventional commodity solvents in reflux cleaning methods. Desired solvency, cleaning and wetting properties of the inventive formulations in use can be achieved through blending of solvents having the selected criteria. Additives, such as surfactants, can be added to enhance cleaning and lower solvent requirements.
US08653012B2

Solid, particulate dicarboxylic acids may be fluid loss control agents and/or viscosifying agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids in treatments such as well completion or stimulation in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The fluid loss control agents may include, but not be limited to, dodecanedioic acid, undecanedioic acid, decanedioic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, and mixtures thereof having a mesh size of from about 20 mesh to about 400 mesh (about 841 to about 38 microns). A mutual solvent or a blend of at least two alcohols subsequently added to the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid will at least partially dissolve the solid, particulate dicarboxylic acid fluid loss control agents, and optionally also “break” or reduce the viscosity of the aqueous viscoelastic surfactant treating fluid.
US08653007B2

Compositions, methods and related uses are provided relating to cleaving modified DNA. For example, a set of DNA fragments obtainable by enzymatic cleavage of a large DNA is described where at least 50% are similarly sized and have a centrally positioned modified nucleotide. In addition, an enzyme preparation is provided that includes one or more enzymes that recognize a modified nucleotide in a DNA and cleave the DNA at a site that is at a non-random distance from the modified nucleotide. The one or more enzymes are further characterized by an N-terminal conserved domain with greater than 90% amino acid sequence homology to WXD(X)10YXGD. The related uses include creating a methylome, methods of purifying DNA fragments containing a modified nucleotide and diagnostic applications.
US08652996B2

Disclosed herein are irreversible thermochromic ink compositions including a solvent and a sublimable dye dissolved in the solvent. The solvent and the sublimable dye can be, optionally, encapsulated. Written marks made with the thermochromic ink compositions can be subjected to a force directing component and/or a heat source, to promote sublimation of the sublimable dye, thereby causing the written mark to change color or become substantially colorless.
US08652989B2

To provide a photocatalyst having high selectivity and carrying out a reductive reaction with light having a longer wavelength. A photocatalyst has a structure in which a semiconductor and a substrate are joined, in which the substrate causes a catalytic reaction by transfer to the substrate of excited electrons, which are generated by applying light to the semiconductor.
US08652982B2

Provided is a mono- or multilayer ceramic substrate which exhibits a high flexural strength. The substrate contains a sintered ceramic which includes respective crystal phases of quartz, alumina, fresnoite, sanbornite, and celsian, in which the relationship between the diffraction peak intensity A in the (201) plane of the fresnoite and the diffraction peak intensity B in the (110) plane of the quartz, measured by a powder X-ray diffractometry in the range of the diffraction peak angle 2θ=10 to 40°, is A/B≧2.5. The fresnoite crystal phase preferably has an average crystal grain size of 5 μm or less. In firing to obtain this ceramic sintered body, the maximum temperature falls within the range of 980 to 1000° C.
US08652981B2

Silicon nitride materials with high strength, fracture toughness values, and Weibull moduli simultaneously, due to unique large grain reinforcing microstructures and well engineered grain boundary compositions. The invention demonstrates that, surprisingly and contrary to prior art, a silicon nitride material can be made which simultaneously has high strength above about 850-900 MPa, a Weibull above about 15 and high fracture toughness (above about 8 and 9 MPa·m1/2), and has reinforcing grains longer than 5 μm, typically longer than 10 μm in the microstructure without compromising its properties and reliability. The product of this invention can be processed using a variety of densification methods, including gas-pressure sintering, hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing, but is not limited to these, and does not require multiple heat treatments for all of these features to be achieved.
US08652976B2

The invention relates to a fixable nonwoven interlining material for use in the textile industry, comprising at least one melt-spun fiber layer and at least one additional fibrous material layer, the fixable interlining material being provided with an adhesive substance at least in partial regions. A particularly high elasticity of the fixable interlining material is achieved by the fact that the melt-spun fibers are composed of an elastic fibrous material, and the at least one layer of fibrous material is composed of staple fibers, and the at least one elastic melt-spun fiber layer and the at least one staple fiber layer are laid one on top of the other in the form of a flat unbonded fiber fabric, and are subsequently bonded by use of a bonding step known as such.
US08652973B2

A processing method for forming a structure including an amorphous carbon film includes performing a preliminary treatment of removing water from a surface of the underlying layer by heating the inside of the reaction chamber at a preliminary treatment temperature of 800 to 950° C. and supplying a preliminary treatment gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen gas and ammonia gas into the reaction chamber while exhausting gas from inside the reaction chamber; and, then performing main CVD of forming an amorphous carbon film on the underlying layer by heating the inside of the reaction chamber at a main process temperature and supplying a hydrocarbon gas into the reaction chamber while exhausting gas from inside the reaction chamber.
US08652972B2

The present invention relates to new storage-stable solutions which can be used in semiconductor technology to effect specific etching of copper metallization layers and also Cu/Ni layers. With the new etch solutions it is possible to carry out etching and patterning of all-copper metallizations, layers of copper/nickel alloys, and also successive copper and nickel layers.
US08652968B2

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device may include forming spacer line patterns on sidewalls of photoresist. A planarization etching process may be performed on a subsequently added planarization layer, after forming a mesh-shaped mask pattern from the spacer line patterns.
US08652966B2

A semiconductor manufacturing method includes: forming a seed film including a first metal over a bottom surface and a side wall of an opening portion formed over interlayer insulating films and a field portion located over the interlayer insulating film except the opening portion, forming a resist over the seed film and filling the opening portion with the resist, removing part of the resist, exposing the seed film formed over the upper portion of the side walls of the opening portion and the field portion, forming a cover film including a second metal, whose resistivity is higher than that of the first metal, over the seed film located over the upper portion of the side wall of the opening portion and the field portion, exposing the seed film by removing the resist, and forming a plating film including the first metal over the exposed seed film.
US08652964B2

A process of forming an electronic device, by forming the source and drain contacts using photolithography, incorporating a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) over the electrical contacts to form an increased work function of the source and drain electrodes and further forming more favorable charge injection properties or within the channel region to improve film morphology and therefore improve charge transport. The SAM material is added to the photoresist stripper during a step of the photolithography process of forming electrical contacts.
US08652961B1

Methods and structure for adapting MEMS structures to form electrical interconnections for integrated circuits. A first portion and a second portion of the metal conductor, which can be electrically isolated within a CMOS IC device, can be etched to form an unetched portion of the metal conductor. The MEMS device can be patterned, from a MEMS layer formed overlying the metal conductor, via a plasma etching process, during which the unetched portion of the metal conductor is protected from the plasma. The metal conductor can be electrically coupled to the CMOS IC device via a conductive jumper or the like. Furthermore, the integrated CMOS-MEMS device can include a MEMS device coupled to a CMOS IC device via an electrically isolated metal conductor within the CMOS IC device. Also, the metal conductor can be electrically coupled to the substrate of the CMOS IC device via a conductive jumper.
US08652960B2

A semiconductor structure comprises a top metal layer, a bond pad formed on the top metal layer, a conductor formed below the top metal layer, and an insulation layer separating the conductor from the top metal layer. The top metal layer includes a sub-layer of relatively stiff material compared to the remaining portion of the top metal layer. The sub-layer of relatively stiff material is configured to distribute stresses over the insulation layer to reduce cracking in the insulation layer.
US08652958B2

A vertical geometry light emitting diode with a strain relieved superlattice layer on a substrate comprising doped AlXInYGa1-X-YN. A first doped layer is on the strain relieved superlattice layer AlXInYGa1-X-YN and the first doped layer has a first conductivity. A multilayer quantum well is on the first doped layer comprising alternating layers quantum wells and barrier layers. The multilayer quantum well terminates with a barrier layer on each side thereof. A second doped layer is on the quantum well wherein the second doped layer comprises AlXInYGa1-X-YN and said second doped layer has a different conductivity than said first doped layer. A contact layer is on the third doped layer and the contact layer has a different conductivity than the third doped layer. A metallic contact is in a vertical geometry orientation.
US08652942B2

A method for manufacturing electronic parts, which is characteristic in that it permits reduction of contamination to the semi-cured adhesive layer formed on semiconductor wafer and the cohesive sheet used therein is superior in adhesiveness for example to the lead frame, the method comprising a semi-cured adhesive layer-forming step of forming a semi-cured adhesive layer by coating a pasty adhesive entirely over the rear face of a wafer and curing the pasty adhesive partially by radiation-ray irradiation or heating into the sheet shape, a fixing step of fixing the semi-cured adhesive layer formed on a wafer and a ring frame by bonding them to the cohesive layer of a cohesive sheet, a dicing step of dicing the wafer together with the semi-cured adhesive layer with a dicing blade into semiconductor chips, and a pick-up step of picking up the chips carrying the semi-cured adhesive layer from the cohesive layer of the cohesive sheet after radiation-ray irradiation, wherein the photopolymerization initiator in the cohesive layer of the cohesive sheet has a particular property.
US08652931B1

The present invention is related to the trench manufacturing field in semiconductor, especially a manufacturing method of STI structure with difference depth which is apply to the imaging sensor including forming a dielectric layer with different thickness on the substrate which includes a first region and a second region, then forming a first type trench in the thick dielectric layer and a second type trench in the thin dielectric layer, and etching the substrate of the first region and the substrate of the second region, and thus form a first STI and a second STI with different depth which are located in the substrate of the first region and the second region respectively.
US08652930B2

A method of fabricating a reduced surface field (RESURF) transistor includes forming a first well in a substrate, the first well having a first conductivity type, doping a RESURF region of the first well to have a second conductivity type, doping a portion of the first well to form a drain region of the RESURF transistor, the drain region having the first conductivity type, and forming a second well in the substrate, the second well having the second conductivity type. A plug region is formed in the substrate, the plug region extending to the RESURF region.
US08652929B2

The present invention discloses a CMOS device of reducing charge sharing effect and a fabrication method thereof. The present invention has an additional isolation for trapping carriers disposed right below an isolation region. the material of the additional isolation region is porous silicon. Since porous silicon is a functional material of spongy structure by electrochemistry anodic oxidizing monocrystalline silicon wafer, there are a large number of microvoids and dangling bonds on the surface layer of the porous silicon. These defects may form defect states in a center of forbidden band of the porous silicon, the defect states may trap carriers so as to cause an increased resistance. And with an increase of density of corrosion current, porosity increases, and defects in the porous silicon increase. The present invention can reduce the charge sharing effect due to heavy ions by using a feature that the defect states in the porous silicon trap carriers, the formation of a shallow trench isolation (STI) region and a isolation region underneath only needs one time photolithography, and the process is simple, so that radioresistance performance of an integrated circuit may be greatly increased.
US08652921B2

A semiconductor device has a substrate that includes a cell array region and a dummy pattern region surrounding the cell array region. The cell array region includes a cell structure having a plurality of cell active pillars extending in a vertical direction from the cell array region of the substrate and includes cell gate patterns and cell gate interlayer insulating patterns alternately stacked on the substrate. The cell gate patterns and cell gate interlayer insulating patterns have sides facing the cell active pillars. The dummy pattern region includes a damp-proof structure.
US08652914B2

An aspect of the invention includes a method for forming a semiconductor device with a two-step silicide formation. First, a silicide intermix layer is formed over a source/drain region and a portion of an adjacent extension region. Any spacers removed to accomplish this may be replaced. Dielectric material covers the silicide intermix layer over the source/drain region. A contact opening for a via is etched into the dielectric material. A second silicide contact is formed on the silicide intermix layer, or may be formed within the source/drain region as long as the second silicide contact still contacts the silicide intermix layer.
US08652908B2

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a nitrogen-containing lower gate insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate, forming an upper gate insulating layer on the nitrogen containing lower gate insulating layer, forming a lower metal layer on the upper gate insulating layer; and selectively removing the lower metal layer in the first region such that a lower metal layer pattern remains in the second region, wherein the upper gate insulating layer in the first region prevents the lower gate insulating layer in the first region from being etched during removing of the lower metal layer in the first region. A semiconductor device fabricated by the method is also provided.
US08652899B2

The present invention provides a pixel structure including a substrate, a patterned electrode disposed on the substrate, a first insulating layer disposed on the patterned electrode, a common electrode disposed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer disposed on the common electrode, and a drain disposed on the second insulating layer. The first insulating layer has a first through hole, and the second insulating layer has a second through hole. The drain includes a first portion electrically connected to the patterned electrode via the first through hole and the second through hole, and a second portion extending onto the common electrode. The common electrode is coupled with the patterned electrode to form a first storage capacitor and is coupled with the second portion to form a second storage capacitor.
US08652897B2

Provided are semiconductor memory devices and the methods of fabricating the same. The method may include forming a plurality of diode patterns in each of a plurality of first trenches, each of the plurality of first trenches including at least two active regions, the plurality of diode patterns occupying a plurality of spaces, treating the plurality of diode patterns to form a plurality of semiconductor patterns in each of the plurality of spaces, removing portions of the plurality of semiconductor patterns to form a recess in each of the plurality of spaces, treating the of the plurality of semiconductor patterns to form a plurality of diodes in each of the plurality of spaces, forming a bottom electrode on each of the plurality of diodes, forming a plurality of memory elements on each of the bottom electrodes, and forming a plurality of upper interconnection lines on the plurality of memory elements.
US08652892B2

Some example embodiments of the invention comprise methods for and semiconductor structures comprised of: a MOS transistor comprised of source/drain regions, a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, channel region; a carbon doped SiGe region that applies a stress on the channel region whereby the carbon doped SiGe region retains stress/strain on the channel region after subsequent heat processing.
US08652891B1

The present invention discloses a semiconductor device, comprising a plurality of fins located on a substrate and extending along a first direction; a plurality of gate stack structures extending along a second direction and across each of the fins; a plurality of stress layers located in the fins on both sides of the gate stack structures and having a plurality of source and drain regions therein; a plurality of channel regions located between the plurality of source and drain regions along a first direction; characterized in that the plurality of gate stack structures enclose the plurality of channel regions. In accordance with the semiconductor device and the method of manufacturing the same of the present invention, an all-around nanowire metal multi-gate is formed in self-alignment by punching through and etching the fins at which the channel regions are located using a combination of the hard mask and the dummy gate, thus the device performance is enhanced.
US08652890B2

Methods are provided for fabricating an integrated circuit that includes metal filled narrow openings. In accordance with one embodiment a method includes forming a dummy gate overlying a semiconductor substrate and subsequently removing the dummy gate to form a narrow opening. A layer of high dielectric constant insulator and a layer of work function-determining material are deposited overlying the semiconductor substrate. The layer of work function-determining material is exposed to a nitrogen ambient in a first chamber. A layer of titanium is deposited into the narrow opening in the first chamber in the presence of the nitrogen ambient to cause the first portion of the layer of titanium to be nitrided. The deposition of titanium continues, and the remaining portion of the layer of titanium is deposited as substantially pure titanium. Aluminum is deposited overlying the layer of titanium to fill the narrow opening and to form a gate electrode.
US08652879B2

A package includes a first plated area, a second plated area, a die attached to the first plated area, and a bond coupling the die to the second plated area. The package further includes a molding encapsulating the die, the bond, and the top surfaces of the first and second plated areas, such that the bottom surfaces of the first and second plated areas are exposed exterior to the package. Additional embodiments include a method of making the package.
US08652876B2

A method of manufacturing a phase-change random access memory includes: sequentially depositing an insulating layer, a first electrode layer, a phase change material layer, and a transfer material layer on a substrate; forming an array pattern in the transfer material layer using a laser interference lithography process; forming a metal layer on the transfer material layer having the array pattern formed; forming a second electrode layer by removing the transfer material layer; and forming a phase change layer by etching the phase change material layer using the second electrode layer as a mask. Accordingly, the manufacturing process of the phase-change random access memory may achieve an increase in speed and may be simplified.
US08652871B2

A thin film photovoltaic device on a substrate is being realized by a method for manufacturing a p-i-n junction semiconductor layer stack with a p-type microcrystalline silicon layer, a p-type amorphous silicon layer, a buffer silicon layer comprising preferably intrinsic amorphous silicon, an intrinsic type amorphous silicon layer, and an n-type silicon layer over the intrinsic type amorphous silicon layer.
US08652866B2

A sensor device and method. One embodiment provides a first semiconductor chip having a sensing region. A porous structure element is attached to the first semiconductor chip. A first region of the porous structure element faces the sensing region of the first semiconductor chip. An encapsulation material partially encapsulates the first semiconductor chip and the porous structure element.
US08652864B2

A solid-state image pickup device includes an element isolation insulating film electrically isolating pixels on the surface of a well region; a first isolation diffusion layer electrically isolating the pixels under the element isolation insulating film; and a second isolation diffusion layer electrically isolating the pixels under the first isolation diffusion layer, wherein a charge accumulation region is disposed in the well region surrounded by the first and second isolation diffusion layers, the inner peripheral part of the first isolation diffusion layer forms a projecting region, an impurity having a conductivity type of the first isolation diffusion layer and an impurity having a conductivity type of the charge accumulation region are mixed in the projecting region, and a part of the charge accumulation region between the charge accumulation region and the second isolation diffusion layer is abutted or close to the second isolation diffusion layer under the projecting region.
US08652851B2

An oligonucleotide-based molecular probe includes at least one pin loop, the pin loop including a loop sequence complementary to a target sequence. A first stem sequence is attached to one end of the pin loop, the first stem having at least one fluorescent label attached thereto. A second stem sequence is attached to the other end of the pin loop. The second stem has a plurality of quencher molecules attached thereto.
US08652848B2

A method for analyzing blood cells in a whole blood sample obtained from a cat is provided. An electrical measurement result and an optical measurement result of the whole blood sample are acquired. The electrical measurement result is obtainable by electrically measuring blood cells in the whole blood sample and the optical measurement result is obtainable by optically measuring blood cells in the whole blood sample. On the basis of the electrical measurement result and the optical measurement result, volume of red blood cells in the whole blood sample is calculated.
US08652845B2

The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into mesodermal cells, comprising the step of culturing pluripotent stem cells in a serum-free medium without forming an embryoid body and without coculturing with cells from a different species.
US08652843B2

Disclosed are DDR1 binding agents and methods of using the agents for treating diseases such as cancer. The disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to an extracellular domain of DDR1 and modulate DDR1 activity. The disclosure further provides methods of using agents that modulate the activity of DDRI, such as antibodies that specifically bind DDR1, to reduce the tumorigenicity of tumors comprising cancer stem cells by reducing the frequency or number of cancer stem cells in the tumor. Also described are methods of treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effect amount of an agent or antibody of the present invention to a patient having a tumor or cancer.
US08652838B2

The present invention relates to the cloning and sequence of a biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces platensis that produces platensimycin and platencin. Also provided are engineered micro-organisms for the production of these compounds, and analogs thereto, as well as methods of screening for compounds with anti-bacterial activity.
US08652835B2

A device for mechanically decollating cells from a cell composite, particularly a shear rotor, a cell isolation unit including such a shear rotor and a method for decollating cells from a cell composite. The aforementioned device includes a rotor having a rotor wall, which is concentrically arranged in a receptacle. A rotor seat is connected to a motor and to which the rotor can be fixed in a detachable manner. A rotational movement of the motor can be transmitted to the rotor by means of the rotor seat. The rotor tapers longitudinally towards the bottom of the receptacle so that different circumferential speeds of the rotor can be transmitted to a liquid sample in the receptacle via the rotor wall.
US08652834B2

A culturing apparatus has a culture vessel having a first elastic seal bonded on its upper surface and a culture space formed thereon, and a joint for supplying solution such as a medium to the culture vessel and a second elastic seal having microprojection formed at the lower face. The first elastic seal has a valve for supplying or discharging solution. The second elastic seal is formed with microprojection at the position corresponding to a valve for preventing a spill. The culture vessel and the joint are sucked between the first elastic seal and the second elastic seal, thereby forming an integral seeding device.
US08652833B2

To provide a cell culture chamber capable of reproducing a cell function in vivo, and a method of producing the same. The cell culture chamber according to the present invention has a concave-convex pattern formed on the surface on which cells are cultured. A concave portion of the concave-convex pattern includes cell culture portions and micro flow channels communicating with the cell culture portions. The bottom surface of each of the cell culture portions has a width 1.0 to 20 times an equivalent diameter of each of the cultured cells. A cell adhesion-inducing substance is formed only on the bottom surface and the side walls of the concave portion.
US08652830B2

An apparatus for stimulating cell includes a cell culture chamber, a control device, and first and second exciters. The cell culture chamber includes cell and culture medium. The control device receives first and second exciting signals, and controls magnitudes and phases of the received first and second exciting signals so that a sound pressure level in a focused zone is higher than a sound pressure level in a zone other than the focused zone, and outputs first and second controlled exciting signals. The first and second exciters receive the first and second controlled exciting signals and excite the cell culture chamber.
US08652826B2

A composite marine bacterial liquid for the synergic degradation of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HMW PAHs) and the preparation method thereof. The composite marine bacterial liquid is generated by mixing the fermented culture liquid of a stain of Cycloclasticus sp. PY97M and a stain of Marinobacter sp. D15-8W, the cell concentration of each is 107-109 CFU/mL. The preparation method includes: inoculating the seed liquid of Cycloclasticus strains and Marinobacter strains individually into the sodium acetate medium or M8 medium, fermenting under the condition of defoaming by flowing addition of defoamer, and mixing the fermented cultures to obtain the composite marine bacterial liquid, then preparing a 5-fold concentrated liquid by centrifuging and storing at 4° C.
US08652821B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for purifying RNA-free DNA from a sample.
US08652813B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for the expression of recombinant β-glucosidase variants, as well as their use in the production of fermentable sugars from cellulosic biomass.
US08652811B2

The present invention provides methods to obtain dry compositions of reaction compounds that maintain the biological activity of the compounds upon re-solubilization after a certain storage time. Preferably, the dry composition comprises a polymerase, and the dry composition is usable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification after re-solubilization.
US08652809B2

The invention relates to using a lipid acyltransferase polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 68) in the manufacture of ultra-heat treatment milk (UHT) for improving the stability, the perceptible sensory difference, the smell, and the taste; and for reducing the cholesterol content, and for eliminating or reducing creaming of the UHT milk. The invention also relates to a method of producing UHT milk, wherein the method comprises admixing a lipid acyltransferase with milk and heating the mixture to make it a UHT milk.
US08652795B2

The present disclosure relates to a mutant lactate oxidase having increased stability, a nucleic acid encoding the mutant lactate oxidase, an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid, a host cell comprising the nucleic acid or the expression vector, a method of determining lactate in a sample, the use of the mutant lactate oxidase for determining lactate, a device for determining lactate in a sample using the mutant lactate oxidase and a kit for determining lactate comprising the mutant lactate oxidase.
US08652794B2

An isolated recombinant luciferase having luciferase activity. The recombinant luciferase has an amino acid sequence which differs from the wild-type luciferase from Photinus pyralis, Luciola mingrelica, Luciola cruciata, Luciola lateralis, Hotaria parvula, Pyrophorus plagiophthalamus, Lampyris noctiluca, Pyrocoelia miyako or Photinus pennsylvanica. In the sequence of the recombinant luciferase, the amino acid residue corresponding to phenylalanine 295 in Photinus pyralis wild-type luciferase or to leucine 297 in Luciola mingrelica, Luciola cruciata or Luciola lateralis wild-type luciferases, is mutated compared to the corresponding amino acid which appears in the corresponding wild-type luciferase sequence. The recombinant luciferase has increased thermostability compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase.
US08652792B1

The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient Sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified Sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous Sphingan solution, in particular PUB-deficient Sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified Sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof.
US08652778B2

The invention provides methods to detect molecular recognition events. The invention also provides methods to detect the presence of or identify a target species based on its interaction with one or more probe species. The methods of the invention are based on amplification of the signal due to each molecular recognition event. The amplification is achieved through photopolymerization, with the polymer formed being associated with the molecular recognition event. In one aspect, a fluorescent polymer, a magnetic polymer, a radioactive polymer or an electrically conducting polymer can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another aspect, a polymer gel swollen with a fluorescent solution, a magnetic solution, a radioactive solution or an electrically conducting solution can form the basis of detection and amplification. In another aspect, detectable particles can be included in the polymer formed. In another aspect, sufficient polymer forms to be detectable by visual inspection.
US08652775B2

Alkyl amines act to release formaldehyde cross-linking that occurs in biological samples. Thus, contacting alkyl amines to formaldehyde fixed samples is a useful way to render biological components of the samples, including nucleic acids or proteins, more accessible to detection and characterization.
US08652774B2

The present invention provides methods to process multiple sensors by providing a sensor plate and HT plates. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, methods for assembling microarray pegs and microarray plates are described for high throughput microarray processing.
US08652773B2

The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.
US08652769B2

Devices, compositions, and methods for handling, separating, packaging, and utilization of spermatozoa (1) that can be derived from previously frozen sperm samples collected from a male mammal. Specifically, techniques to uniformily stain (2) spermatozoal DNA even when derived from previously frozen sperm and separation techniques to separate and isolate spermatozoa even when derived from previously frozen sperm samples into X-chromosome bearing and Y-chromosome bearing populations having high purity.
US08652754B2

A resist composition having a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (I), a resin being insoluble or poorly soluble in alkali aqueous solution, but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid and not including the structural unit represented by the formula (I), and an acid generator represented by the formula (II), wherein R1, A1, R2, Q1 and Q2, L1, ring W, Rf1 and Rf2, n and Z+are defined in the specification.
US08652753B2

A resist composition having; a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (I), a resin being insoluble or poorly soluble in alkali aqueous solution, but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid and not including the structural unit represented by the formula (I), an acid generator, and a salt having an anion represented by the formula (IA). wherein R1, A1, A13, X12, A14, R1A and R2A are defined in the specification.
US08652745B2

The present invention provides a process for producing a colored toner having a textured surface, the process includes forming a polymer composition of at least one polymer and a colorant, where the at least one polymer has a softening temperature from about 60° C. to about 160° C.; forming an aqueous mineral suspension of at least one multivalent metal phosphate; forming a dispersion by combining the polymer composition and the aqueous mineral suspension under agitation to form a solid portion comprising dispersed particles of the polymer composition; heating the dispersion to a temperature above a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer composition and increasing the pH to above 7.0; cooling the dispersion including the dispersed particles of the polymer composition to a temperature of from about 1° C. to about 89° C.; and recovering the particles.
US08652744B2

A method for producing toner particles by ejecting a liquid from at least one ejection hole to form the liquid into liquid droplets, and solidifying the liquid droplets to produce toner particles. The ejecting is accomplished by applying a vibration to the liquid in a liquid column resonance-generating liquid chamber in which an ejection hole is formed to form a standing wave through liquid column resonance, and ejecting the liquid from the ejection hole which is formed in a region corresponding to an antinode of the standing wave to thereby form the liquid into the liquid droplets. Toner produced by the method.
US08652739B2

The present invention provides a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image including toner particles having residual ammonium ions and silica particles containing a chlorine compound as an external additive.
US08652738B2

A contact developing method including supplying a two-component developer to an electrostatic latent image on a rotating image bearing member by rotating a developing sleeve and a rotatable magnet having multiple magnetic poles provided inside the developing sleeve, to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The developing sleeve and the image bearing member rotate in the same direction while facing each other. The two-component developer comprises a non-magnetic toner and a carrier. The carrier comprises a magnetic core particle and a resin layer covering the magnetic core particle. The resin layer comprises a conductive particle and a resin. The conductive particle comprises an alumina-based material and a conductive layer covering the alumina-based material. The resin is obtained by heating a copolymer comprising a monomer A unit and a monomer B unit.
US08652728B2

A toner comprising toner particles containing a binder resin comprising a crystalline polyester resin, a non-crystalline polyester resin and an acryl resin having a cross-link structure, and the acryl resin having a cross-link structure has a cross-link site derived from a crosslinking agent represented by the following formula (1): CH2═CR1—C(═O)O—Z—OC(═O)—CR2═CH2  Formula (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and Z is a hydrocarbon group of 2 to 90 carbon atoms, provided that the hydrocarbon group may include an ether linkage, an ester linkage, a heterocyclic ring or a substituent.
US08652726B2

A toner for developing an electrostatic image, includes: colored particles containing a colorant and a binder resin, and two or more kinds of inorganic particles that are externally added to a surface of the colored particles, in which the two or more kinds of inorganic particles contain titanium-containing particles and silica-containing particles, an exposure ratio of the surface of the colored particles is about 25% or less, and a ratio of the silica-containing particles that are in contact with the colored particles is about 10% by number or less.
US08652723B2

A toner composition including a colorant-polyester polymer having at least one colorant and at least one polyester resin, an optional non-colorant polyester polymer, an optional additional colorant, an optional wax, and an optional additive, where the colorant is covalently linked to some or all of the polyester resin and the polyester resin is obtained by polymerizing a lactone using an enzyme catalyst. Methods for preparing a toner composition including an emulsion aggregation process.
US08652721B2

A toner is provided including a mother particle and an external additive covering the surface of the mother particle. The mother particle includes a binder resin and a release agent. The external additive includes a hydroxyapatite silica complex porous particle having a number average particle diameter of 160 nm or less.
US08652717B2

An image bearing member having an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer overlying the electroconductive layer, and a cross-linked surface layer overlying the photosensitive layer, which contains a cross-linked polymer and a first compound consisting essentially of a nitrogen atom and a phenyl group, biphenyl group, and condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon group, or a second compound consisting essentially of a nitrogen atom and hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, or aryl groups, substituted or non-substituted alkyl groups, substituted or non-substituted alkoxy groups, substituted or non-substituted aralkyl groups, substituted or non-substituted aryl group, substituted or non-substituted alkylene groups, cyano groups, nitro groups, or —OCO═CH2R16, in which R16 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted alkoxy group, or a substituted or non-substituted aryl group.
US08652716B2

Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer, such that the layer constituting the outermost surface of the photosensitive layer is formed by polymerizing a cross-linkable charge transporting material having a reactive hydroxyl group and a cross-linkable charge transporting material having a reactive alkoxy group, and the ionization potential of the outer surface of the layer constituting the outermost surface is higher by about 0.1 eV or more than the ionization potential of the inner surface of the layer constituting the outermost surface.
US08652714B2

The present invention provides an electrophotographic photoconductor including an intermediate layer having sufficient electron transportability and blocking property and capable of suppressing image defects such as fogging and dots. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to the present invention includes a conductive support, a photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive support, and an intermediate layer disposed between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer, wherein the intermediate layer comprises metal oxide particles and a binder resin. The metal oxide particles are surface-treated with an alkoxysilane oligomer represented by the following Formula (1): SinOn-1(OR1)m(OR2)l  Formula (1) wherein R1 and R2 each individually represents a C1-4 alkyl group; n represents an integer of 2 to 20; and m and l each individually represents an integer of 0 or more and satisfies an equation of m+1=2n+2.
US08652710B2

In a lithographic device manufacturing method, sub-resolution assist features are provided to equalize the intensities of the diffraction orders that form the image of the pattern on the substrate. In the case of bright lines against a dark field used with a positive tone resist for forming trenches at or near resolution, the assist features may comprise narrow lines equidistantly between the feature lines. In this way an improvement of exposure latitude may be obtained without reduction of DOF.
US08652705B2

A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material.
US08652704B2

The direct alcohol fuel cell of the present invention is a direct alcohol fuel cell comprising an anode 20 having an anode catalyst layer 2, a cathode 30 having a cathode catalyst layer 3, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 arranged between the anode 20 and cathode 30, the direct alcohol fuel cell generating electricity by supplying the anode 20 with alcohol and water; wherein the cathode catalyst layer 3 contains a metal complex and/or a metal complex fired product formed by firing the metal complex as a catalyst.
US08652699B2

This fuel cell system is for suppressing a backflow of water from an exhaust pipe outlet that discharges a reactant-off gas, without decreasing the performance and fuel consumption of a fuel cell, the exhaust pipe being configured to switch between a main discharge pipe and a sub discharge pipe by a switching means to discharge the reactant-off gas. The sub discharge pipe includes a rising gradient portion formed to incline upwards above a gradient of the main discharge pipe and a falling gradient portion formed to incline downwards at the downstream of the rising gradient portion. The switching valve switches to allow the reactant-off gas to be discharged from the main discharge pipe if an amount of reactant-off gas to be discharged is equal to or above a threshold value of an amount of discharge, and allow the reactant-off gas to be discharged from the sub discharge pipe if the amount of reactant-off gas to be discharged is below the threshold value of the amount of discharge.
US08652687B2

The present invention provides an electrically conductive electrode comprising particles of an electroactive material and a conductive graphene polymer binder that bonds multiple particles of the electroactive material together, wherein the binder is in an amount of from 0.01% to 90% by weight based on the total electrode weight. Also provided are (a) a precursor solution or suspension to the graphene polymer binder for the electrode; (b) a paste containing electroactive particles and a graphene polymer dispersed in a liquid; (c) a method of producing the electrode from the precursor paste; and (d) an electrochemical cell (a battery or supercapacitor) containing such an electrode.
US08652680B2

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a first collector electrically connected to the first electrode plate, the first collector including a fuse part; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the first collector; a cap plate sealing an opening of the case and electrically connected to the first collector, the cap plate including a short circuit hole, the short circuit hole being adjacent to the fuse part; a first short circuit member in the short circuit hole; and a second short circuit member spaced apart from a top surface of the cap plate and electrically connected to the second electrode plate, at least a portion of the second short circuit overlapping the first short circuit member.
US08652670B2

What is provided is a battery system (1) including: a battery side control unit (40) which is generates a battery side information signal having battery information of the battery cells (2); a battery accommodation casing (3) which accommodates the battery cells (2) and the battery side control unit (40); a battery side communication unit (34) which transmits the battery side information signal; a controller side communication unit (32, 33) which generates a synthesized battery side information signal; and a controller side control unit (50) which is electrically connected to the controller side communication unit (32, 33) and generates controlling information corresponding to each battery cell inside the battery accommodation casing (3) based on the battery information and the address information included in the synthesized battery side information signal received from the controller side communication unit (34).
US08652665B2

A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve and an actuator for opening and closing the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required and to close the valve when lesser battery electrical output is required to operate a device. A controller controls operation of the actuator to open and close the valve based on a monitored rate of change in electrical output, such as voltage, compared to a rate of change threshold, wherein the valve is opened when the monitored rate of change exceeds the threshold.
US08652664B2

A fuel cell sealing plate taking-out method that may include taking out a sealing plate from a stack of sealing plates one by one while an air layer exists between adjacent sealing plates of the stack of fuel cells. A protrusion may be formed beforehand at one or more surfaces of each sealing plate. Due to the air layer existing between adjacent sealing plates, it may be possible to take out the sealing plate one by one from the stack of sealing plates.
US08652663B2

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, a can housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly sealing a top opening of the can, and a protective circuit module in a space between the cap assembly and the electrode assembly.
US08652660B2

An aspect of the present invention relates to a glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium, which is comprised of glass with a glass transition temperature of equal to or greater than 600° C., an average coefficient of linear expansion at 100 to 300° C. of equal to or greater than 70×10−7/° C., a Young's modulus of equal to or greater than 81 GPa, a specific modulus of elasticity of equal to or greater than 30 MNm/kg, and a fracture toughness value of equal to or greater than 0.9 MPa·m1/2.
US08652659B2

A glass substrate for information recording medium, said glass substrate being composed of an aluminosilicate glass containing 60-75% by mass of SiO2, 5-18% by mass of Al2O3, 3-10% by mass of Li2O, 3-15% by mass of Na2O and 0.5-8% by mass of ZrO2 relative to the entire glass components. The glass substrate for information recording medium contains neither As (arsenic) nor Sb (antimony), while containing at least one substance selected from the group consisting of SO3 (sulfurous acid), F (fluorine), Cl (chlorine), Br (bromine) and I (iodine), as a refining agent. The molar ratio of the total amount of the refining agent to the amount of Al2O3 is within the range of 0.02-0.20.
US08652656B2

Novel aryl silicon and aryl germanium host materials, and in particular host materials containing triphenylene and pyrene fragments, are described. These compounds improve OLED device performance when used as hosts in the emissive layer of the OLED.
US08652647B2

Disclosed is a mica paper composite and a process for making the mica paper composite. Articles comprising the mica paper composite are also disclosed.
US08652638B2

The present disclosure relates to cutting tool edges that include on a rake face a superabrasive layer and a HPHT sintered or HPHT bonded cap layer. The cap layer improves adhesion between the superabrasive layer and an optional coating system for the cutting insert and acts as a thick anti-friction layer and/or a thermal barrier coating.
US08652634B2

Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method are provided.
US08652632B2

Disclosed herein is a structure having a spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a metal coating on the film. The thin film is made by directing a monomer vapor or pyrolyzed monomer vapor towards a substrate at an angle other than perpendicular to the substrate, and polymerizing the monomer or pyrolyzed monomer on the substrate.
US08652622B2

The disclosure provides a polyimide film laminate and a metal clad laminate employing the same. The polyimide film laminate includes a first polyimide film, a second polyimide film disposed on the first polyimide film, and a third polyimide film disposed on the second polyimide film. Particularly, the first polyimide film has a thermal conductivity of between about 0.2-0.9 watts/m·K and a breakdown voltage greater than about 3KV, the second polyimide film has a thermal conductivity of more than about 1 watts/m·K, and the third polyimide film has a thermal conductivity of between about 0.2-0.9 watts/m·K and a breakdown voltage greater than about 3KV.
US08652621B2

The present invention provides an article with at least one switching segment. The switching segment comprises a shape-memory compound and an isolating region surrounding the shape memory compound. The present invention also provides a method of producing such an article.
US08652609B2

A corner plate for connecting pieces of duct that facilitates automatic feeding and provides horizontal stack stabilization. The corner plate includes sled features that provide regular and even vertical spacing when stacked. The sled features also interact with an adjacent corner plate allowing motion in a feed direction to facilitate automatic feeding while resisting lateral motion in a non-feeding direction to stabilize the stack of corner plates in a horizontal direction. The corner plate also includes tabs that prevent nesting and facilitate automatic feeding.
US08652608B2

Floor mats for absorbing liquids, comprising a shell having a first and a second portion connected to each other in such a way that the first and the second portions of the shell form a pocket, and an absorbent material, which is a superabsorbent material is arranged in the pocket. The first and/or the second portion of the shell has a length in a range of 200 mm to 1000 mm and a width in a range of 200 mm to 600 mm, wherein the floor mat comprises three sections having a first thickness and two sections having a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness.
US08652607B2

Imaging layers, optical disks, and methods of preparation of each, are disclosed.
US08652602B1

Auxetic structures exhibiting negative Poisson's ratios are disclosed including planar auxetic structures formed from x-axis and y-axis strands of selected waveforms. Portions of the auxetic structure referred to as unit cells comprise four joints formed by two adjacent x-axis strands overlapping two adjacent y-axis strands display symmetry about x and y axes. Each unit cell comprises four sub-unit cells formed from segments of ½ wavelength of the wave form. The planar auxetic structures may be formed into three-dimensional auxetic structures or cylindrical or spherical auxetic structures.
US08652591B2

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a retardation film which uses a low-substituted cellulose ester and has improved retardation after saponification and improved wet heat stability of internal haze; a polarizing plate which uses the retardation film; and a liquid crystal display device. An optical film of the present invention contains a cellulose ester and a compound represented by general formula (1), and is characterized in that the compound has an average degree of substitution within the range of 3.0-6.0 and contains a component having a degree of substitution of 4 or less in an amount of 30-80% by mass (inclusive). (In the formula, R1-R8 each represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted allylcarbonyl group, and R1-R8 may be the same as or different from one another.)
US08652589B2

The method for manufacturing a hydrogen permeation barrier comprises the steps of a) depositing on a substrate (SUB) a layer system (LS) comprising at least one layer (L1,L2,L3); characterized in that step a) comprises the step of b) depositing at least one hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) comprising an at least ternary oxide. The apparatus comprises a sealable volume and a wall forming at least a portion of a boundary limiting said volume, wherein said wall comprises a hydrogen permeation barrier comprising a layer system (LS) comprising at least one layer, wherein said layer system comprises at least one hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) comprising an at least ternary oxide.Preferably, said at least ternary oxide is substantially composed of Al, Cr and O, and said depositing said at least one hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) is carried out using a physical vapor deposition method, in particular a cathodic arc evaporation method.Preferably, step a) comprises depositing on said substrate at least one of: an adhesion layer (AdhL), a hydrogen storage layer (HStL), a protective layer (ProtL), in particular a thermal barrier layer (ThBL), a diffusion barrier layer (DBL), an oxidation barrier layer (OxBL), a chemical barrier layer (ChBL), a wear resistance layer (WRL).Excellent hydrogen permeation barrier properties can be achieved, and the layer system can be tailored as required by an envisaged application.
US08652587B2

This invention adopts plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using the apparatus including a chamber, a pair of rotary electrode reels including a feed-out reel and a take-up reel, a plasma source, a material gas supplier, and an exhaust unit, and includes applying a negative voltage applied to the rotary electrode reels from the plasma source while a conductive substrate is fed-out from the feed-out reel and is wound on the take-up reel so that the entire surface of the substrate portion between reels contacts the material gas, whereby plasma sheath is formed along the surface of the substrate portion between reels, and the material gas is activated in the plasma sheath and thus contacts the surface of the substrate, thus forming the film on the surface of the substrate.
US08652577B2

A method of manufacturing a cathode active material is provided. The method includes the step of precipitating step for providing a solution of a deposition component onto composite oxide particles including lithium Li and nickel Ni, removing a solvent from the solution on the composite oxide particles within a short time period, and precipitating the deposition component on surfaces of the composite oxide particles; and heating step for heating under an oxidation atmosphere the composite oxide particles with the deposition component precipitated on the surfaces.
US08652576B2

A method and a system is provided to form deletion windows on a glass substrate. The method includes the steps of applying a provisional masking substance of the glass substrate for masking predetermined regions of said glass substrate. The method also includes applying a reflective material on the glass substrate including the provisional masking substance. The method further includes applying heat to the glass substrate for removing the provisional masking substance of the glass substrate forming the deletion windows.
US08652573B2

Method of depositing a film having a substantially uniform thickness by means of chemical vapor deposition, comprising: providing a reaction chamber; providing a substrate in said reaction chamber; subjecting the substrate to a series of deposition cycles, wherein each deposition cycle includes the steps of: (a) during a first time interval, supplying a first reactant to the reaction chamber; (b) during a second time interval, supplying a second reactant to the reaction chamber; and (c) during a third time interval, supplying neither the first nor the second reactant to the reaction chamber; wherein a start of the second time interval lies within the first time interval, such that a pre-exposure interval exists between a start of the first time interval and the start of the second time interval, during which pre-exposure interval the first reactant is supplied to the reaction chamber while the second reactant is not.
US08652562B2

A method for producing a powdery seasoning of the present invention includes hydrolyzing a protein material with a liquid koji mold cultured in a medium containing wheat bran which has been ground to pass through a 0.3 mm mesh sieve to prepare a hydrolysate, and spray drying the hydrolysate without removing a solid. According to the method for producing the powdery seasoning of the present invention, provided is a powdery seasoning which is spray-dryable without undergoing any solid removal process such as squeezing or filtering after hydrolysis, and achieves higher storage stability than prior art powdery seasoning prepared from a protein hydrolysate liquid.
US08652561B2

A method for frying foodstuffs, the method comprising a fryer having inlet and outlet longitudinal ends, an oil recirculating system coupled to the fryer, a heat exchanger for heating the oil in the oil recirculating system, a hood above the fryer for collecting steam generated during the frying process, a conduit for conveying steam from the hood, and a compressor for compressing the steam, the compressor having an input connected to the conduit and an output for compressed steam connected to the heat exchanger.
US08652557B2

Whole grain baked products and mixes having milled whole grain durum wheat are provided. Whole grain durum baked products and mixes utilize milled whole grain durum flour having a generally white-like color wherein durum particulate matter is visually indistinguishable from durum fines by the unassisted eye. Through the use of milled whole grain durum flour, white-like whole grain durum products including white-like whole grain durum breads can be prepared that satisfy generally accepted color and baking performance characteristics for traditional white breads.
US08652554B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing instant dried scorched rice with excellent resilience, comprising washing a mixture of nonglutinous rice and glutinous rice, followed by soaking, adding polygonatum concentrate and rice starch, as a separate process, to the washed rice to prepare rice cooking water, followed by performing rice cooking to prepare cooked rice, mixing the cooked rice with purified water in a scorched rice forming apparatus to prepare scorched rice and grinding to prepare instant dried scorched rice. As the instant dried scorched rice prepared according to the method of the present invention has an internal texture having a developed network structure, and the scorched rice exhibits superior spreading and soft texture and the starch of the scorched rice is easily eluted to provide a predetermined turbidity, and to enrich the inherent flavor as well, and also the scorched rice soup exhibits superior qualities, comparable to traditional homemade scorched rice soup, and can be stored for a long period of time, thus being considerably useful for the food industry.
US08652543B2

Compositions are disclosed containing, as active ingredients, an extract of Allium species, an extract of Citrus species and either an extract of Paullinia species and an extract of Theobroma species, or an extract of Salix species and zinc sulphate, and the method of preparation of these compositions, and cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical application of these compositions.
US08652541B2

A method for weight reduction, involving pharmaceutical compositions, particularly homeopathic medicines for weight reduction, including the following components: Adonis vernalis, Calcium carbonicum Hahnemann, Capsicum, Cascara, Fucus vesiculosus, Graphites and Kalium Carbonicum and Phytolacca, as well as a nutritient.
US08652539B1

The present invention provides a mitochondria regulator composition, which comprises a wild bitter gourd extract. The mitochondria regulator composition can regulate the function of mitochondria in a cell, and further regulate the efficiency of adaptive thermogenesis and energy expenditure in a cell.
US08652535B2

The present invention provides a novel method for preventing and treating memory and cognitive impairment resulting from oxidative stress, inflammation and the process of aging, as well as, neurodegenerative conditions. The method is comprised of administering a composition comprising a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans synthesized and/or isolated from a single plant or multiple plants to a host in need thereof. The present also includes a novel method for simultaneously inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, preventing ROS generation and augmenting anti-oxidant defenses. The activity of this composition is conducive to ultimately preserving cognitive function and providing a level of neuroprotection.
US08652530B1

The instant invention is the storage of Type II collagen containing tissue in carbonated water. Such Type II collagen is useful for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis in mammals as well as the treatment of arthritis in mammals. Such Type II collagen is also useful for the prevention of arthritis in mammals. The instant invention is also a method for the preparation of a nutritional supplement that includes the steps of: (a) separating water-insoluble undenatured Type II collagen containing animal tissue from animal tissue not containing Type II collagen; (b) subdividing and sterilizing said tissue under conditions which do not change the original structure of the Type II collagen to produce a subdivided and sterilized product; (c) packaging the subdivided and sterilized product in carbonated water.
US08652522B2

It is an object of the present inventions to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the iontophoresis wherein a drug stability is excellent, and it is easy to blend and fill up when manufactured and it is possible to manufacture at low cost. A pharmaceutical composition for an iontophoresis according to the present invention, is characterized in that the composition contains a nonionic synthetic polymer, betamethasone sodium phosphate and solvent. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of a pharmaceutical composition for an iontophoresis according to the present invention, the composition is characterized in that the nonionic synthetic polymer is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of a pharmaceutical composition for an iontophoresis according to the present invention, the composition is characterized in that the mixing amount of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is 0.5 to 30.0 percent by weight.
US08652513B2

A film-forming starchy composition for the film-coating of solid forms or the preparation of films. The inventive composition has an amylose content of between 25 and 45%, preferably between 30 and 44% and still more preferably between 35 and 40%, the percentages being expressed by dry weight in relation to the dry weight of starch contained in the composition, and includes at least one stabilized starch. A method for the film-coating of solid forms is disclosed and includes spraying the film-forming composition onto a moving nuclei bed. The film-forming composition is used for the production of films and capsules.
US08652508B2

Dietary formulations in the form of an oil emulsion providing total enteral or parenteral nutrition, or in the form of food oil suitable for oral administration is provided. The formulations include about 2-60% by calories of a C20 or longer omega-3 fatty acid and about 0.05% to 1% by calories of arachidonic acid, where the formulation provides less than 1% of total calories from linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, and where the fatty acids provide 5-60% of the total calories of said dietary formulation. Methods for treatment of diseases and disorders using the dietary formulations are also provided.
US08652507B2

The present invention is directed to compositions having at least one neocartilage particle, juvenile cartilage particle or a combination thereof and a matrix, and methods and devices that include the compositions.
US08652505B2

A medical implant for drug delivery comprising an inner layer of polymer material including a drug dispersed therein and an outer layer which may then mediate the release of the drug in a controllable manner. The outer layer may adhere and/or penetrate the underlying layer and offer a protective coating along with improved mechanical strength along with the ability to hydrate and become permeable to water and allow for drug release.
US08652501B2

Primer coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The primer coatings can include a material with a high content of hydrogen bonding groups, such as some types of epoxy polymers and melamine formaldehydes. Coatings subsequently disposed over the primer coating can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.
US08652500B2

Disclosed are tissue graft compositions made of particles having different densities, methods of making these compositions, and methods of using these compositions for promoting tissue restoration in a patient.
US08652491B2

The present invention relates generally to compositions or formulations for transdermal or transmucosal administration of anti-cholinergic agents such as oxybutynin. The invention utilizes a novel delivery vehicle and is a substantially malodorous-free and irritation free transdermal formulation which is substantially free of long chain fatty alcohols, long-chain fatty acids, and long-chain fatty esters. A method is disclosed for administering such formulations to a person in need thereof while reducing the incidences of peak concentrations of drug and undesirable side effects associated with oral anti-cholinergics.
US08652485B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising peptides for preventing or treating allergy to house dust mites, and in particular to optimal combinations of peptides for preventing or treating said allergy.
US08652482B2

The present invention is directed to the examination of the pattern of immunodominant T cell epitopes in the E6 protein of Human Papilloma virus and its further characterization in terms of its amino acid sequence and Human Leukocyte Antigen restriction. These epitopes are identified based on their ability to induce specific T cell responses and therefore, are important as sources of antigens for immunotherapies to treat cervical and other cancers. The present invention contemplates identifying a number of similar epitopes restricted by a wide variety of Human Leukocyte Antigen types so that they can be used together to develop preventative or therapeutic vaccines, which can be used for the general human population.
US08652473B2

The present invention relates generally to growth factor receptor epitope peptides, particularly EGF family receptor epitope peptides. The invention also relates to the use of the receptor peptides in generating antibodies which have anti-tumor or anti-cancer activity or in stimulating an immunological response. The invention further relates to antibodies specifically directed against the receptor peptides. Methods for generating an immune response and for treatment of tumors and cancer are also provided.
US08652469B2

M-CSF-specific RX1-based or RX-I derived antibodies are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing such antibody, kits containing a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of preventing and treating bone loss in or remodeling in a subject afflicted with an osteoblastic or osteolytic disease.
US08652466B2

The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer and other diseases using molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly immunoglobulins (e.g., antibodies), comprising a variant Fc region, wherein said variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid modification relative to a wild-type Fc region, which variant Fc region binds an FcγR that activates a cellular effector (“FcγRActivating,” such as FcγRIIA or FcγRIIIA) and an FcγR that inhibits a cellular effector (“FcγRInhibiting,” such as FcγRIIA) with an altered Ratio of Affinities relative to the respective binding affinities of such FcγR for the Fc region of the wild-type immunoglobulin. The methods of the invention are particularly useful in preventing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a disease, disorder, or infection where either an enhanced efficacy of effector cell function mediated by FcγR is desired (e.g., cancer, infectious disease) or an inhibited effector cell response mediated by FcγR is desired (e.g., inflammation, autoimmune disease).
US08652460B2

A recombinant replication competent retrovirus for gene deliver and gene therapy is provided. The recombinant retrovirus has a heterologous nucleic acid sequence, a sequence encoding a cell- or tissue-specific ligand or a sequence for transcriptional targeting, or a combination of both a cell- or tissue-specific ligand and a cell- or tissue-specific transcriptional targeting sequence.
US08652459B2

The present invention deals with a method for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of HIV, in particular a prophylactic vaccinal method, comprising at least: administering to a patient a first antigen comprising the broadly neutralizing epitopes of the Membrane Proximal Ectodomain Region (MPER) of gp41, and administering to the same patient a second antigen comprising a modified polypeptide comprising three contiguous segments N, L and C represented by the formula N-L-C and comprising: a N-helix region of gp41(N), a C-helix region of gp41(C), and a connecting loop comprising a synthetic linker (L) between the N and C-helices, the linker replacing amino acids 593-617 of gp41, the numbering scheme being based upon the prototypic isolate HIV-1 HxB2 Clade B strain, said polypeptide comprising the calveolin-1 neutralizing and 98.6 D epitopes, but not 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes, not the fusion peptide, the polypeptide having a minimal immunogenic cross-reactivity with human interleukin 2.
US08652456B2

The present invention relates to aqueous preparations comprising at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymer with cationogenic groups which comprises at least one monomer with at least one protonatable nitrogen atom and at least one further monomer copolymerizable therewith in copolymerized form, and at least one cosmetically acceptable carrier, where the pH of the aqueous preparation has a value in the range from pH 4 to pH 6.
US08652455B2

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to target enzymatic peracid production to a target surface. The peracid benefit agent produced by the targeted perhydrolytic enzyme can be use for a variety of applications such as bleaching, whitening, disinfecting, destaining, deodorizing, and combinations thereof. Specifically, a fusion protein comprising a perhydrolytic enzyme and at least one peptidic component having affinity for a target surface (excluding body surfaces and oral care surfaces) is used in combination with a suitable substrate and a source of peroxygen to enzymatically produce a peracid on or near the surface of the target material. In a preferred aspect, the target surface is a cellulosic material.
US08652435B2

An improved process for reduction-oxidation desulphurization uses an oxidizer operating at a pressure greater than the absorber where a liquid reduction-oxidation catalyst solution contacts a sulfur-containing gas feed stream.
US08652434B2

The present invention discloses a compound comprising an expanded percarbonate salt having less than about 24 wt. % hydrogen peroxide. Also disclosed in this invention is a composition including the above-mentioned compound and a liquid loaded thereon. Further, there is disclosed a method of manufacturing the above-described compound.
US08652430B2

The present invention provides an organic dispersion of inorganic platelets, which includes an organic solvent and H-form inorganic platelets dispersed therein. The H-form inorganic platelets have a particle size of between about 20 and 80 mm and the organic dispersion has a sold content of between about 1 and 20 wt %. A method for forming the organic dispersion is also provided.
US08652427B2

Method for preparing material containing amorphous iron oxide hydroxide, the method including: mixing an aqueous ferrous salt solution and hydroxide solution or solid hydroxides at the temperature of below 70° C., filtering the reaction solution, washing the filter cake, preparing suspension solution of the filter cake, blowing an oxygen-containing gas into the suspension solution to oxidize the ferrous iron, and then filtering and drying. The material after being used as desulfurization agent can be repeatedly regenerated through oxidation in an oxygen-containing gas. A desulfurization agent, and methods for preparation and repeated regeneration thereof. The desulfurization agent contains the material and organic binders, and may also include a small amount of additives. The organic binders are selected from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sesbania powder, and cellulose powder, and the additives are selected from sawdust, rice husk power, and bran.
US08652423B2

A vial and closure assembly including a vial and a closure configured to be threadably coupled to the vial. The vial has an opening end that is defined by a vial rim and at least one thread located proximate to the open end of the vial. The closure includes a top wall with a skirt wall depending from the top wall. A septum pocket is provided in the top wall and is configured to receive a septum positioned therein. A protrusion depends from the top wall, extends into the septum pocket, and is configured to engage the septum so that the septum creates an essentially vapor-tight seal with the vial rim when the closure is threadably coupled to the vial.
US08652421B2

The invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.
US08652412B2

Methods and systems for programmed dispensation of consumable compositions are provided. A method for sterilizing a beverage container may include, but is not limited to: (a) detecting a sterilization status of a container; and (b) controlling functionality of a controllable device according to the sterilization status. A system for sterilizing a beverage container may include, but is not limited to: (a) means for detecting a sterilization status of a container; and (b) means for controlling functionality of a controllable device according to the sterilization status.
US08652407B1

A self-contained assay device that is capable of detecting various analyte(s), including bioanalytes, in specimens for example, from biological sources.
US08652403B2

An apparatus for generating superheated steam capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms associated with an item includes a gas heater for heating a gas, a steam generator coupled to the gas heater and having a reservoir for supplying water, wherein the heater heats the gas such that when water is combined therewith, a mixture of superheated steam and gas capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms is discharged from the apparatus. The generation of the steam-gas mixture may be done at one atmosphere of pressure and the mixing may be done prior to expelling the fluid from the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured as a hand-held device, A method of treating an item for microorganisms includes generating a superheated steam at approximately one atmosphere of pressure, directing a flow of the steam onto the item, and reducing or eliminating microorganisms using the steam.
US08652399B2

A sputtering target for producing a metallic glass membrane characterized in comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of a ternary compound system or greater with at least one or more metal elements selected from Pd, Zr, Fe, Co, Cu and Ni as its main component (component of greatest atomic %), and being an average grain size of 50 μm or less. The prepared metallic glass membrane can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This sputtering target for producing the metallic glass membrane is also free from problems such as defects in the metallic glass membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, can be produced efficiently and at low cost, and does not generate many nodules or particles. Further provided is a method for manufacturing such a sputtering target for forming the metallic glass membrane.
US08652391B2

Substrate containers formed from improved compositions comprise a polymer and carbon nanotubes to provide enhanced characteristics. In some embodiments, the carbon fibers, e.g., nanotubes, can be mechanically blended or incorporated into the polymer, while in some embodiments carbon nanotubes also may be covalently bonded to the polymer to form corresponding covalent materials. In particular, the polymer can be covalently bonded to the side walls of the carbon nanotubes to form a composite with particularly desirable mechanical properties. The processing of the nanotubes can be facilitated by the dispersion of the nanotubes in an aqueous solution comprising a hydrophylic polymer, such as ethyl vinyl acetate. A dispersion of nanotubes can be combined with a polymer in an extrusion process to blend the materials under high shear, such as in an extruder.
US08652388B2

Thickness gradients in large, cobonded composite structures resulting from gravity-induced resin migration during curing is substantially reduced by rotating the structure during the resin infusion and curing stages. The layup for the structure is placed on a rotatable tool fixture and vacuum bagged. The tool fixture is mounted on a central support tube provided with motors for rotating the tool fixture about the axis of the tube. The tube has internal passageways that deliver resin to the bagged layup and carry away excess resin from the layup using vacuum pressure. The resulting composite structures exhibit thickness gradients less than 10%.
US08652387B2

Method of producing an administering device for infusing or injecting a product, whereby in order to mold a housing shell serving as a case for components of the administering device in a multi-component injection molding process at least one pre-molded, transparent insert part made from a first plastic material is inserted in an injection mold molded to a shape matching the shape of the housing shell, a dimensionally stable, curable second plastic material is injected into the injection mold around the insert part to render it watertight and an opening left free in the second plastic material is closed to render it watertight by injecting on an elastomeric third plastic material.
US08652384B2

An apparatus for molding a semiconductor device includes an upper mold chase and a lower mold chase. The mold chases are capable of being aligned with each other, forming spaced cavities for receiving a lead frame array that includes semiconductor dies for encapsulation. The cavities are aligned in spaced, vertical columns and gates are provided at the opening of each column of cavities. A molding compound is passed through the gates and flows uninterrupted through each cavity and encapsulates the semiconductor dies.
US08652371B2

Methods and apparatuses for making PMC's and composites include an infusing step wherein the resin reservoir and the preform are maintained under substantially the same vacuum pressure during the infusing step. Substantially the same vacuum pressure may be accomplished using a collapsible resin reservoir that is enclosed within or external to the vacuum bagging assembly of the fiber preform. This method results in a maximum achievable vacuum compaction pressure and simplified resin infusion process. This process may be used to manufacture prepregs and aerospace grade fiber reinforced resin composites, also disclosed herein, that have fiber volume, void content and laminate quality that meets or exceeds those made using an autoclave.
US08652366B2

Disclosed are aerosol-mediated methods for synthesizing particles for biomedical and drug delivery applications. The method is based on the production of particles from sprayed polymeric micro or nano-droplets obtained by, for example, an air-jet nebulization process that is followed by gelation and/or hardening in a crosslinking fluid, non-solvent, precipitating solvent, or supercritical fluid.
US08652362B2

The present invention provides a modified curing agent for a thermosetting resin, such as epoxy resin. As one example, the epoxy curing agent comprises: (a) multiple nano graphene platelets; (b) a chemical functional group having multiple ends with a first end being bonded to a nano graphene platelet and at least a second end reactive with the epoxy resin; and (c) reactive molecules acting as a primary cross-linking agent for the epoxy resin; wherein the nano graphene platelet content is no less than 0.01% by weight based on the total weight of the modified curing agent. A modified curing agent containing reactive molecule-functionalized NGPs enable excellent dispersion of NGP in a resin matrix and the resulting nanocomposites exhibit much better properties than those of corresponding nanocomposites prepared by directly mixing dried NGPs with the thermosetting resins.
US08652352B2

Photoresponsive shape memory nanoparticles have a layered smectic ordering and include a photoresponsive moiety selected from the group consisting of azobenzene, stilbene, and spiropyran. Multiple cycles of contraction and extension in these materials can be controlled by UV and visible light. By changing light intensity and exposure time, the magnitude of actuation can be modulated.
US08652345B2

A method of forming a patterned substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate (300) having a structured surface region comprising one or more recessed features (310). The method includes disposing a first liquid (325) onto at least a portion of the structured surface region. The method includes contacting the first liquid with a second liquid (330). The method includes displacing the first liquid with the second liquid from at least a portion (315) of the structured surface region. The first liquid is selectively located in at least a portion of the one or more recessed features.
US08652342B2

A semiconductor fabrication apparatus and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same performs semiconductor etching and deposition processes at an edge of a semiconductor substrate after disposing the semiconductor substrate at a predetermined place in the semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The semiconductor fabrication apparatus has lower, middle and upper electrodes sequentially stacked. The semiconductor substrate is disposed on the middle electrode. Semiconductor etching and deposition processes are performed on the semiconductor substrate in the semiconductor fabrication apparatus. The semiconductor fabrication apparatus forms electrical fields along an edge of the middle electrode during performance of the semiconductor etching and deposition processes.
US08652340B2

A technique is provided for a structure. A substrate has a nanopillar vertically positioned on the substrate. A bottom layer is formed beneath the substrate. A top layer is formed on top of the substrate and on top of the nanopillar, and a cover layer covers the top layer and the nanopillar. A window is formed through the bottom layer and formed through the substrate, and the window ends at the top layer. A nanopore is formed through the top layer by removing the cover layer and the nanopillar.
US08652338B2

A magnetic recording medium a magnetic recording medium includes a soft magnetic layer formed on a substrate, magnetic patterns made of a protruded ferromagnetic layer separated from each other on the soft magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between the magnetic patterns, a nitrogen concentration therein being higher on a surface side than on a substrate side.
US08652337B1

A mechanism is provided for fabricating nanochannels for a nanodevice. Insulating film is deposited on a substrate. A nanowire is patterned on the film. Insulating material is deposited on the nanowire and film. A first circular hole is formed in the insulating material as an inlet, over a first tip of the nanowire to expose the first tip. A second circular hole is formed as an outlet, over a second tip of the nanowire opposite the first tip to expose the second tip. A nanochannel connects the first and second holes by etching away the nanowire via an etchant in the first and the second holes. A first reservoir is attached over the first hole in connection with the nanochannel at a previous location of the first tip. A second reservoir is attached over the second hole in connection with the nanochannel at a previous location of the second tip.
US08652335B2

A scavenger support and a process for removing metal from solution by contacting the solution with the scavenger support, whereby the scavenger support binds to at least some of the metal in solution thereby decreasing the amount of metal in solution. The scavenger support is a functionalised support having pendant groups selected from 1,3-ketoesters or 1,3-ketoamides or mixtures thereof having a structure according to formula 1, wherein a number of the pendant groups are reacted with an amine: wherein R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl group; X is O or NR2, wherein the free valence of O or NR2 is bonded to a support optionally via a linker; and R2 is hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or heterocyclyl group.
US08652334B2

Polydisperse and charged polysaccharides are fractionated into low polydispersity fractions (preferably having pd<1.1), each containing species within a narrow range of molecular weights. An aqueous solution of the polydisperse polysaccharides is contacted with an ion exchange resin in a column and the polysaccharides are subjected to selective elution by aqueous elution buffer. The selective elution consists of at least 3 sequential elution buffers having different and constant ionic strength and/or pH and in which the subsequent buffers have ionic strength and/or pH than those of the preceding step. The new preparations are particularly suitable for the production of PSA-derivatised therapeutic agents intended for use in humans and animals.
US08652322B2

The invention relates to a multi-component part transducer assembly for determining the pressure of a fluid of interest. One part of the assembly comprises a reusable transducer, another part a disposable component comprising a flexible membrane which is in pressure connection with the fluid of interest, and another part comprises a locking component for securing the reusable and disposable parts together.
US08652316B1

An electrophoresis system includes a pedestal including a base, two enlargements at both ends of the base respectively, two cavities in the enlargements respectively, and a transparent plate on top of the base; a photographic filter member provided on the top of the base; a control panel on one enlargement; an electrophoresis tank provided between the enlargements; a covering member releasably provided on the pedestal for concealing the electrophoresis tank; a gel block in the electrophoresis tank for holding DNA samples in place; LED lamps in each cavity, the LED lamps being for emitting blue light toward the DNA samples; a hollow mount on the covering member and including a sliding tray; a photographic filter releasably disposed on the tray; and a picture taking device mounted on the hollow mount.
US08652305B2

The invention relates to a cathodic sputtering target composition comprising at least a solid lithium-based electrolyte and an inorganic carbon free polymer, and to a method for the manufacturing of cathodic solid sputtering targets using such a composition. The invention also relates to solid sputtering targets obtained by such a method and to their use for the preparation of solid thin films by a sputtering physical vapor deposition process, in particular for the preparation of solid electrolyte thin films inside thin film batteries.
US08652301B2

A method is provided for controlling organic contaminants, such as xylans, pitch or both, that interfere with bleaching of fibers and/or cause other interference(s) in papermaking systems. The method includes contacting fibers before any bleaching thereof with a composition which contains a hemicellulolytic enzyme and an organic contaminant removal adjuvant to liberate the organic contaminants from the fibers. The treated fibers can then be bleached and further used, for example, in making paper. The present invention also relates to the treatment compositions and to paper products made with fiber materials treated with these compositions. A method of enhancing enzymatic degradation of a substrate as well as formulations and systems for achieving the same are also provided. Various substrates can be degraded or otherwise processed, including biomass, paper mill sludge, and animal hides. Enzymatic degradation can be enhanced by including one or more polymeric surfactants.
US08652299B2

During the joining of PTFE parts (10), a binder (20) is applied to the joint surfaces of the PTFE parts, e.g. by welding, before the parts are joined. By establishing a bond between PTFE and binder in a separate, initial process, the parameters of this initial process may be determined regardless of other conditions, such as maintaining the dimensions, and the quality of this bond may be controlled and approved before the subsequent joining of the PTFE parts. During the subsequent joining, the temperature may be kept at a level, which is sufficiently low so as not to deform the PTFE material permanently, or the joining may be carried out by a process, which does not require heating, for example gluing.
US08652298B2

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for semiconductor manufacturing are provided. One wafer processing apparatus includes: a top electrode; a bottom electrode; a first radio frequency (RF) power source; a second RF power source; a third RF power source; a fourth RF power source; and a switch. The first, second, and third power sources are coupled to the bottom electrode. Further, the switch is operable to be in one of a first position or a second position, where the first position causes the top electrode to be connected to ground, and the second position causes the top electrode to be connected to the fourth RF power source.
US08652296B2

A side gas injector for a plasma reaction chamber is provided. The side gas injector includes a circular distribution plate and a cover plate. The circular distribution plate includes an injection hole for injecting a reaction gas and a distribution channel part for distributing the reaction gas such that the reaction gas introduced from the injection hole can be radially simultaneously jetted in a plurality of positions along an inner circumference surface of the distribution plate. The cover plate is coupled to a top of the distribution plate and seals a top of the distribution channel part.
US08652279B2

The invention relates to a method for the production of sandwich components with an open core structure and a cover layer applied to each side, wherein the cover layers are formed with a curable plastic material, and the sandwich component is cured in a closed device under pressure. A charging gas, which may be nitrogen or air, is introduced to the core structure prior to at least partial solidification of the cover layers, wherein a charging gas pressure p Charging gas is selected that is less than or equal to an operating pressure p operating of the closed device in order to, in particular, at least largely prevent the formation of sink marks in the cover layers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a press for implementing the method.
US08652271B2

A bath containing nickel ions and formic acid is injected into a film-forming aqueous solution flowing in a circulation pipe connected to feed water pipe made of carbon steel in a BWR plant. This film-forming aqueous solution is supplied into the feed water pipe through the circulation pipe, and then, a nickel metal film is formed on an inner surface of the feed water pipe. After the nickel metal film is formed, a film-forming aqueous solution containing iron (II) ions, formic acid, nickel ions, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrazine is supplied to the feed water pipe. A nickel ferrite film is formed on the surface of the nickel metal film in the feed water pipe. Then, the nickel ferrite film is come into contact with water containing dissolved-oxygen at 150° C. or above to transform the nickel metal film into a nickel ferrite film. A thick nickel ferrite film is formed on the inner surface of the feed water pipe. Corrosion of the carbon steel member composing the plant can further reduce.
US08652270B2

Disclosed are methods for treating and coating a ferrous metal substrate, such as cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, and electrogalvanized steel. These methods include contacting the ferrous metal substrate with an aqueous pretreatment composition comprising: (a) a Group IIIB and/or IVB metal compound; (b) phosphate ions; and (c) water.
US08652266B2

A system and method for removing polymer residue from around a metal gate structure formed on a surface of a substrate during a post-etch cleaning operation includes determining a plurality of process parameters associated with the metal gate structure and the polymer residue to be removed. A plurality of fabrication layers define the metal gate structure and the process parameters define characteristics of the fabrication layers and the polymer residue. A first cleaning chemistry and second cleaning chemistry are identified and a plurality of application parameters associated with the first and second cleaning chemistries are defined based on the process parameters. The first and second application chemistries are applied sequentially in a controlled manner using the application parameters to substantial remove the polymer residue while preserving the structural integrity of the gate structure.
US08652250B2

A composition used for high-strength impermeable concrete. The composition contains sand, stone, cement, water reducer, water and reinforced impermeable sand. The reinforced impermeable sand includes aeolian sand and binder covering the surface of the aeolian sand. The reinforced impermeable sand can fill the gap between the sand and the stone, and well combine various components in the composition, and suppress the seepage phenomenon of the molded concrete, thereby greatly improving the strength and impermeability of the concrete.
US08652248B2

A cement mix for preparation of a magnesium silico-phosphate cement (MSPC) with an altered hardening rate is provided. The cement mix comprises on the order of 1% of an [MF6]n− salt or acid. Upon addition of water, the mix produces a final set cement that has similar physical properties to those of a cement prepared from a mix lacking the additive, but with a significantly altered setting time. In some embodiments of the invention, the additive is provided in the form of a coating for the MgO component of the mix. In preferred embodiments, H2TiF6, Na2TiF6 and/or K2TiF6 are used as retarders, while K3AlF6 is used as an accelerant. Other embodiments use M′nMF6 compounds wherein M′ is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or H, and M is chosen from inter alia Ti (n=2), Zr (n=2), P (n=1), Al (n=3), and Sb (n=1).
US08652238B2

An air directing device for motorcycles with an inner air directing plenum and an engine air cleaner bottom housing. The inner air directing plenum nests into the air cleaner bottom housing half. The walls of the air cleaner housing include an aperture that aligns with the forward opening of the inner air directing plenum. The air cleaner housing bottom base plate includes an aperture that aligns with the rear portion of the inner air directing plenum and also aligns with the location of the rear cylinder of a twin cylinder motorcycle engine. An optional outer air directing plenum attaches to the top housing half of an engine air cleaner. The space created between the top housing half and the inside surface of the outer plenum allows an air flow when the motorcycle is in motion that helps cool the rear cylinder of a twin cylinder motorcycle engine.
US08652232B2

A process is described for preparing cubic metallic nanoparticles, comprising: a) preparing an aqueous solution containing a source of a metal from group VIII, a reducing agent R1 and a stabilizer; b) preparing an aqueous solution containing a source of a group VIII metal and a stabilizer at a temperature strictly higher than 70° C. and less than or equal to 80° C.; c) mixing at least a portion of the aqueous solution obtained in step a) with the aqueous solution obtained in step b) to obtain, in the presence of a reducing agent R2, metallic nanoparticles in the cubic form representing at least 70% by number of the entire quantity of metallic nanoparticles which are formed; d) depositing said metallic nanoparticles derived from step c) on a support.
US08652231B2

Novel metal complexes useful in the area of agriculture, notably as agents for treating metal deficiency. The novel metal complexes comprise at least one metal selected from the metal trace elements essential for the development of plants, at least one first ligand selected from the lignosulfonates, and derivatives thereof, and at least one second ligand selected from the multidentate organic ligands.
US08652230B2

A filter fabric having improved filtering properties for hot gas filtration containing a nonwoven aramid mat The mat has a basis weight of at least 9.7 ounces per square yard (330 grams per square meter) and is characterized by a pore size distribution in which the number of pores in a given range as measured by ASTM F316-03 test method is plotted against pore size. In a preferred embodiment, the percentage of pores having a size in between 10 and 26 microns is greater than 50% while the percentage of pores having a size of greater than 50 microns is less than 0.5%.
US08652218B2

A powered leg prosthesis includes powered knee joint comprising a knee joint and a knee motor unit for delivering power to the knee joint. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic lower leg having a socket interface coupled to the knee joint and a powered ankle joint coupled to the lower leg opposite the knee joint comprising an ankle joint and an ankle motor unit to deliver power to the ankle joint. The prosthesis further includes a prosthetic foot coupled to the ankle joint, at least one sensor for measuring a real-time input, and at least one controller for controlling movement of the prosthesis based on the real-time input.
US08652217B2

Prosthetic devices having vacuum components operative to evacuate the interior of a prosthetic socket thereof, and control systems for use therewith. The evacuation devices preferably include at least an electrically powered vacuum pump and associated power source, and a vacuum accumulator connected to the vacuum pump. Associated control systems may be of various designs and may employ wired or wireless communication. Control of an evacuation device may be based on vacuum level, residual limb volume, residual limb motion, user activity level or other device parameters.
US08652210B2

Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08652209B2

A process for nucleotomy of an intervertebral disk to create a nuclear space and a method for replacing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk after a nucleotomy are provided. The methods position a nuclear implant between two overlying and underlying vertebrae of a spine segment in the form of one or more continuous wire arranged as a stack of helices inside the nuclear space.
US08652192B2

The present invention is a vascular stent comprising a cylindrical wall radially expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and including a plurality of cells. At least one cell includes a first primary member having a first restrainer member and a second primary member having a second restrainer member. When the cylindrical wall is in the expanded state, the first and second primary members are located a greater distance from each other than when the cylindrical wall is in the compressed state. The first and second restrainer members join to maintain the cylindrical wall in the compressed state. An expansion force applied to the cylindrical wall causes the first and second restrainer members to separate, thereby freeing the cylindrical wall to expand from the compressed state to the expanded state.
US08652191B2

Described are medical devices which are or can be used to form tubular medical devices, and related methods. Preferred devices include tubular grafts of biomaterial having lumen walls which present no seam edge that traverses the entire length of the lumen, illustratively including devices having lumen walls which have a discontinuous seam presenting multiple seam edges. Such a device may include a tubular structure formed by inserting a plurality of extensions of a biomaterial sheet through a plurality of corresponding apertures of the sheet.
US08652189B2

A physiological thermal stimulation probe, comprising: (a) an electrically controlled heat control element with a relatively low thermal capacity and adapted for contact with tissue on one side thereof; (b) a thermal sink/source with a relatively high effective thermal capacity and a relatively low thermal impedance, such that said thermal sink/source sink can rapidly change a temperature of said heat control element, at a rate above 10 degrees Celsius per second, from a temperature of below 100 degrees Celsius; and (c) circuitry which activates said heat control element to achieve a desired temperature stimulation profile of said tissue.
US08652175B2

A surgical implant is provided that includes first and second abutment surfaces between which are positioned a force imparting mechanism. A sheath is positioned between the first and second abutment surfaces, and surrounds the force imparting mechanism. The sheath is fabricated from a material that accommodates relative movement of the abutment members, while exhibiting substantially inert behavior relative to surrounding anatomical structures. The sheath is generally fabricated from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a copolymer of polycarbonate and a urethane, or a blend of a polycarbonate and a urethane. The force imparting member may include one or more springs, e.g., a pair of nested springs. The surgical implant may be a dynamic spine stabilizing member that is advantageously incorporated into a spine stabilization system to offer clinically efficacious results.
US08652172B2

An anchor for securing tissue to bone can include a flexible first tubular member, a flexible second tubular member, and a first suture member. The first tubular member can include a first wall defining a first passage between first and second ends. The second tubular member can include a second wall defining a second passage between first and second ends. The first suture member can couple the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The first suture member can pass through the first wall and the first passage and the second wall and the second passage. The first tubular member and the second tubular member can engage each other and deform to form an anchoring mass upon tensioning the first suture member. A method of preparing an anchor for securing tissue to bone and a method of securing a tissue to a bone are also provided.
US08652168B2

Wound closure methods and apparata are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of the blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. Methods and apparata for providing ways of inhibiting anticoagulants and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed.
US08652155B2

A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis and an end effector coupled to the transducer and extending from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The surgical device also may comprise a lower jaw extending parallel to the end effector. The lower jaw may comprise a clamp face extending toward the longitudinal axis. Also, the lower jaw may be slidable relative to the end effector to bring the clamp face toward a distal end of the end effector.
US08652122B2

Disclosed is a laser device for machining material, comprising a laser beam source which supplies pulsed laser radiation, and a variable deflection unit that introduces said laser radiation into the material at different, selectable points so as to create optical breakthroughs. The inventive laser device further comprises a pulse-selecting apparatus which modifies selected laser pulses of the pulsed laser radiation regarding at least one optical parameter in such a way that no more optical breakthroughs can be created using the modified laser pulses.
US08652116B2

A preferential bend structure may have a first face and an opposing second face. The preferential bend structure may include at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force.
US08652114B2

A two-piece wearable absorbent article (such as a diaper) including an outer cover, and particularly, an absorbent insert for use therewith, are disclosed. The insert has a fastener component disposed at either or both a forward region and a rearward region thereof, for fastening the insert within the outer cover. The end of the insert associated with the region bearing the fastener component may have a specified stiffness, to help the insert to retain structural integrity while fastened within an outer cover and while being worn. The insert may include an end support stiffener that helps impart stiffness.
US08652112B2

An ostomy device is provided including an ostomy pouch having an entrance opening, a body attachment wafer having a through-going opening and a coupling layer, which couples the pouch to the body attachment wafer and has a central opening therein. The body attachment wafer includes a plastic film, which is coated with a layer of skin friendly adhesive on the side thereof distal to the ostomy pouch. The coupling layer is affixed to the body attachment wafer along an attachment line extending around the central opening in the coupling layer, the attachment line being distanced from the central opening in the coupling layer. The region around the entrance opening of the pouch is affixed to the coupling layer in a landing zone located between the attachment line and the opening in the body attachment wafer.
US08652110B2

In a valve-equipped hand switch and a chemical liquid introduction system, a contrast medium in a syringe is delivered to a patient line through a first port, a main passage around a spacer portion, and a second port. Furthermore, a pressure (about 300 psi) of the contrast medium delivered by a chemical liquid introduction device is transmitted as a reaction force through a third plunger from a handle portion of an operation piston held by an operator. As such, the operator can directly feel the pressure of the introduced contrast medium, which gives a sense of ease to the operator during operation.
US08652102B2

The present invention may provide devices suitable for insertion into a body passage. The devices may include a conduit and a distal head region located at the distal end of said conduit. A plurality of apertures on the surface of said head region and conduit may be used to direct a liquid spray outwards from said device. The apertures may be designed and spatially arranged such that when the device is inserted into a body passage, the liquid spray emitted from said apertures may be capable of both reducing the frictional contact between the device and the walls of said passage and of cleansing said passage of undesired solid and other particulate matter.
US08652094B2

The present invention relates to a syringe (20) defining a reservoir (21) for containing a liquid and comprising an end-piece (10) encompassing a channel (11) providing a passageway for the transfer of the said liquid, characterized in that the said channel (11) comprises two portions, a first portion (12) and a second portion (13), the said first portion (12) extending from the free distal end (14) of the end-piece (10) in the direction of the reservoir (21), and the said second portion (12) extending between the first portion (12) of the channel (11) and the proximal end (15) of the end-piece (10) and connecting the said first portion (12) to the reservoir, the said first portion (12) having an average diameter that is greater than the average diameter of the said second portion (13).
US08652087B2

Very accurate measurements of mass transfer can be made rapidly by permitting diffusion of an agent desired to be measured into or out of a small, very precisely known volume of a microdialysis probe, then rapidly pumping or flushing (“pulsing”) the probe with a known volume of fluid as a single pulse. The diffusion and pulsing may be repeated. The method, hereinafter called pulsatile microdialysis (PMD) to distinguish it from prior art continuous flow microdialysis, is useful for measurements in a number of processes, including protein binding, adsorption to binding agents such as activated charcoal, release from microemulsion drug delivery systems, determination of drug diffusion coefficients and concentrations, and for various other purposes.The method is based on mathematical manipulation of Fick's Laws. Resulting equations were verified against experimental data using methazolamide, warfarin and benzocaine as test drugs.
US08652076B2

A hand movement device comprises a glove for positioning about a hand of a user, a first anchor element adapted to be positioned about a base surface of glove, a second anchor element adapted to be positioned at a tip of a finger portion of the glove, an active spring member positioned between the first and second anchor elements, said active spring member being fixedly secured to said first anchor element and moveable through said second anchor element to thereby allow said spring member to bend about a joint of the finger when said finger is flexed, an activating element positioned adjacent the active spring member to heat or cool said active spring member thereby causing the spring member to bend or straighten, and an intermediary support device for housing said spring element and for connecting the first anchor element to said second anchor element.
US08652075B2

In a walking assistance device for providing a walking assistance force to a femoral part of a user, the walking assistance force generated by a power generator is effectively transmitted to the femoral part of the user while avoiding the user from experiencing any undue pressure or discomfort. The walking assistance device includes a rigid femoral support frame having a base end connected to an output end of an electric motor unit and a free end extending from the base end to a position opposite to a front part of the femoral part of the user, and a flexible belt attached to the free end of the femoral support frame to be releasably worn around a circumference of the femoral part of the user at a height corresponding to the free end of the femoral support frame.
US08652074B2

A walking assist device which assists the knee joint with well synchronizing with the upper leg motion during the swing phase at low cost may be provided. The walking assist device comprises an upper link, a lower link, a rotary joint, an actuator, and a controller. The upper link is to be attached to an upper leg of a user. The lower link is to be attached to the lower leg of the user. The rotary joint swingably connects the lower link to the upper link. The rotary joint is coaxially aligned with the user's knee joint when the user wears the walking assist device. The actuator swings the lower link relative to the upper link. The controller controls the actuator so that the lower link guides the user's walking motion.
US08652062B1

A multi-function electronic necklace includes an Mp3 player with built in wifi connectivity and GPS voice-command in a uniformly dimensioned lanyard which passes simply for a decorative necklace. The necklace includes a microphone and a receptacle for attachment of a Bluetooth headset.
US08652061B2

Visible light is a treatment option for Segmental Vitiligo (SV), and visible light-induced repigmentation is associated normalization of sympathetic. Currently it is difficult to predict individual patient's response to visible light therapy. Therefore, the present invention uses the Laser Doppler Flowmeter to serve as a response predictor for visible light on treating SV. The present invention recruited 14 Segmental Vitiligo patients for evaluating clinical information. FirstLaser Doppler Flowmeter was used to evaluate the cutaneous blood flow of SV lesion and contralateral normal skin, and then treated them with visible light irradiate, cold-stress, rewarmed, and recorded the change of skin blood flow, finally the patients received regular visible light treatment for 3 months, and patients have a sign of repigmentation after the treatment.
US08652060B2

A perfusion trend indicator inputs a plethysmograph waveform having pulses corresponding to pulsatile blood flow within a tissue site. Perfusion values are derived corresponding to the pulses. Time windows are defined corresponding to the perfusion values. Representative perfusion values are defined corresponding to the time windows. A perfusion trend is calculated according to differences between representative perfusion values of adjacent ones of the time windows.
US08652043B2

An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08652039B2

A system and method for diagnosis and treatment decisions based on information maximization is disclosed. Utilizing patient information as well as clinical records from other patients can reduce the uncertainty in both diagnosis and treatment options. The information maximization may consider additional data such as risk, cost, and comfort in making a proper medical decision.
US08652024B1

A implantable blood pump system includes a pump unit, a first percutaneous cable section, a control unit, and a second cable section connecting the control unit to the first cable section. All components except the control unit are sterilized. The connection between cable sections is removable. The connection between the control unit and second cable section is unremovable once it is assembled. The second cable section has a length sufficient to place an end outside of the sterile field for mating with the control unit during implantation.
US08652014B2

The present invention is a heavy training bag for pugilistic, martial and other similar arts, which provides uniform resistance and contains non-settling filler material. The bag comprises an optional support core contained within a cushion core, which in turn is contained within an impact core, which in turn is contained within an optional outer cover; further wherein the impact core is comprised of at least a rib, but preferably, a plurality of ribs.
US08652009B2

We have disclosed a modular personal network (MPN) that includes multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Functions of the MPN may be modified by adding or removing components. The MPN may communicate with a personal computer. General purpose devices may include a control unit, a display, a user input, and an audio output. The MPN may provide a variety of functions, including time, communication, entertainment, organization, guidance, athletic, medical, travel, outdoors, identity, security, and military.
US08652006B2

A powertrain system includes a multi-mode transmission having a plurality of torque machines. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes identifying all presently applied clutches including commanded applied clutches and the stuck-closed clutch upon detecting one of the torque-transfer clutches is in a stuck-closed condition. A closed-loop control system is employed to control operation of the multi-mode transmission accounting for all the presently applied clutches.
US08651996B2

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 first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include four clutches and three brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08651991B1

A drive module that includes a housing, first and second axle shafts, a differential assembly, a propulsion motor, a brake element fixed to the housing, a torque-vectoring transmission and a mode gear. The differential assembly is mounted in the housing for rotation about a rotational axis and has a differential case and a pair of output members. A first one of the output members is coupled to the first axle shaft for common rotation. The torque-vectoring transmission cooperates with the differential assembly to transmit rotary power to the second axle shaft. The mode gear is movable between a first position and a second position. Positioning of the mode gear in the first position permits transmission of rotary power between the propulsion motor and the differential assembly. Positioning of the mode gear in the second position couples the differential assembly to the housing to inhibit rotation of the first axle shaft.
US08651989B2

Multi-mode operation is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission provides for multiple gear ratios and power flow configurations including fixed gear operation. An improved input-split planetary gear set configuration is provided for the multi-mode electrically variable transmission. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission may be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range more frequently. Further, the transmission reduces clutch torques and provides improved functionality in range-extended electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The multi-mode electrically variable transmission is provided with a fixed gear operating capability for improved highway cruising and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.
US08651976B1

A golf ball comprising a core comprising an inner core center and an outer core layer disposed over the inner core center. The inner core center has a deflection of greater than 0.210 inch under a load of 100 kilograms, and the entire the core has a deflection ranging from 0.130 inch to 0.105 inch under a load of 100 kilograms. A mantle layer is disposed over the core and a cover is disposed over the mantle.
US08651971B1

A swing tag game has: a first swing support supporting a first seat for a first player; a middle module comprising a middle module emitter and a middle module receiver; first player inputs including a first player middle module first control corresponding to an attack; a second swing support supporting a second seat for a second player; second player inputs including a second player middle module first control corresponding to an attack; an attack defense resolution; and an indication output such as lights, sound or vibration. The middle module can be formed as a glove gun. The middle module can be formed as a sleeve and the middle module can be for indicating a successful hit.
US08651968B1

An amusement apparatus includes an elongate member having an upper extremity and a lower extremity with a pivot point. A self-contained child-supporting assembly is mounted to the elongate member between the upper and lower extremities for rotation and includes a seat to receive a child in a sitting position, handles to be taken up by hand by a child seated on the seat, and footrests to provide foot support for a child seated on the seat. A leveraging arm extends from the upper extremity of the elongate member to an outer end having an upright handle. The leveraging arm has a transverse handle between the upper extremity of the elongate member and the upright handle. The transverse and upright handles are available to be taken up by hand to reciprocally pivot the elongate member at the pivot point to impart rotation to the child-supporting assembly about the elongate member.
US08651967B2

A torque transmission device connects two rotary shafts having shaft ends opposing each other, such that torque is transmitted through a torque transmission mechanism provided to a shaft end surface of each of the two rotary shafts. A first rotary shaft of the two rotary shafts has a double-supported structure where both end portions of the first rotary shaft are supported by bearings, respectively. A second rotary shaft of the two rotary shafts has a cantilever structure where only one end portion of the second rotary shaft opposite to the torque transmission mechanism is supported by a bearing, and the second rotary shaft is spaced from one bearing of the bearings supporting the first rotary shaft, the one bearing being provided at a side of the torque transmission mechanism.
US08651962B2

A game machine (2) receives via a server apparatus (3) and displays on a game image (110), a comment transmitted from a terminal apparatus (7) of a user. When a user of the game machine (2) indicates a reply to the comment, the game machine (2) requests the server apparatus (2) to transmit as a reply comment, a comment for reply which is specified in advance by the user, to a user who is a transmitter of the comment to be replied. By following the request, the server apparatus (3) transmits the comment for reply to the terminal apparatus (7) of the user who is a destination of reply.
US08651956B2

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.
US08651946B1

A gaming system including one or more gaming machines, wherein the gaming system monitors the coin out of the gaming machines and triggers a system game award to one or more gaming machines based upon a predetermined criteria that includes the coin out value.
US08651943B2

A gaming machine for changing a payout ratio through technical intervention of a player is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a display arranging a plurality of symbols; and a control section executing a first game rearranging the plurality of symbols with a preset payout ratio, and awarding a payout to a player on the basis of a result of the first game, and executing a payout ratio increasing game that increases the payout ratio and is only executable when predetermined conditions are satisfied, and awarding a payout to the player on the basis of a result of the payout ratio increasing game, wherein the control section executes the payout ratio increasing game, in which the preset payout ratio changes in a predetermined range.
US08651941B2

A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player.
US08651940B2

A video slot machine has an array of individual symbol reels, such as a grid of 4×5 reels. The symbols include conventional symbols and special symbols. In the examples, the special symbols are wild symbols. Each wild symbol is associated with a particular direction, such as a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or both. After an initial spin, an award for symbol combinations is paid out. If a wild symbol appears in the array, all reels along the designated direction are respun to give the player another chance at winning. Awards are paid again for new winning symbol combinations. If new wild symbols appear, another respin is performed along the direction(s) designated by the new wild symbols. The designated direction associated with a wild symbol may change for each game.
US08651931B2

An electronic video poker machine configured to allow play of a defined series of hands of video poker. The electronic video poker machine comprises at least one display device, at least one input device, a memory and at least one computer processor configured to display at least a first hand and at last one subsequent hand of at least three cards. A player is provided a first hand of cards on the display. The player identifies which cards from the hand to hold using the input device. The remaining cards from the hand are discarded and draw cards are dealt to replace the discarded cards. The discarded cards are returned to the deck after the draw, making those discarded cards available for subsequent hands in the defined series of hands.
US08651927B1

A combine harvester that employs a sieve assembly having a frame structure with movement that facilitates pressurizing an air supply connected thereto. Various aspects of the subject disclosure provide for sieve elements having internal air passages that are supported in the frame structure. A plurality of pressurized air ports are disposed along the frame structure or sieve elements and are oriented at an angle so as to direct pressurized air upwardly through the sieve elements. The pressurized air supply is in communication with the air ports.
US08651922B2

A powerhead for a hand held power tool includes a powerhead assembly, the powerhead assembly being operably couplable to a hand held motive source, the powerhead assembly having a rotatable implement, the implement being selectively rotated by the motive source when the motive source is operably coupled to the powerhead assembly, the implement further being rotatable about an implement axis, the implement axis being disposed transverse to a powerhead assembly longitudinal axis, the implement axis intersecting the powerhead assembly longitudinal axis. A hand held power tool and a powerhead of forming a powerhead for a hand held power tool are further included.
US08651919B2

An adhesive sheet comprising a sheetlike base material and, superimposed on one major surface thereof, an adhesive layer, wherein the average surface roughness on one major surface of the base material is in the range of 0.1 to 3.5 μm and on the other major surface thereof is in the range of 0.05 to 0.7 μm. In this structure, the average surface roughness values on both the major surfaces of the base material as a constituent of the adhesive sheet are regulated so as to fall within respective specified ranges, so that not only can any blocking occurring in backwinding of reeled adhesive sheet be inhibited but also any occurrence of minute unevenness (waving) on the wafer surface after grinding can be inhibited, and further that the transparency of the adhesive sheet can be maintained.
US08651918B1

Industrial pallet has a body with an open bay, in which a work piece can be secured such that it can be worked on from either side of the pallet. An overhead gantry and/or flipping unit may be employed to move from station to station and/or flip the work piece itself or the work piece mounted in the pallet. Aside from the flipping unit, robotic moving and/or loading may be employed by the overhead gantry, which has two axes of motion only. Such components can be combined in a manufacturing system to make parts.
US08651911B2

A light-emitting apparatus of the present invention includes: a first electrode formed on an insulating surface; a first insulating layer covering an end portion of the first electrode and having a tapered edge; a second insulating layer formed on the first electrode and the first insulating layer and formed of one kind or a plurality of kinds selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride; an organic compound layer formed on the second insulating layer; and a second electrode formed on the organic compound layer.
US08651910B2

A top emission type organic electroluminescent display device includes a first substrate including a pixel region, a switching thin film transistor and a driving thin film transistor in the pixel region on the first substrate, a passivation layer covering the switching thin film transistor and the driving thin film transistor and exposing a drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor, a first electrode on the passivation layer and connected to the drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor, a buffer pattern in a border of the pixel region and overlapping an edge of the first electrode, a first spacer on the buffer pattern along a first direction, the first spacer having a first thickness and a dam shape, a second spacer on the buffer pattern along a second direction, the second spacer having a second thickness and a dam shape, a third spacer on the buffer pattern at a crossing portion of the first and second spacers, the third spacer having a third thickness and a columnar shape, wherein the third thickness is thicker than the first thickness or the second thickness, an organic emission layer on the first electrode between adjacent buffer patterns, a second electrode on the organic emission layer and the first, second and third spacers, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a seal pattern between peripheries of the first and second substrates.
US08651897B2

The present invention includes a USB3 device with solderless USB3 connector interfaces, which comprises: a USB3 device main body that houses a carrier body made of rigid material; four interface pins in the outer row that conform to the USB2.0 standard; five interface pins in the inner row that conform to the USB3.0 standard; and a substrate and electronic circuitry; and a USB3 device sub-body that houses: a carrier body made of rigid material; and five interface pins that conform to the USB3.0 standard wherein each interface pin has an upper convex part and a lower concave part; the upper convex part and the lower concave part forms a spring coil pin; and the spring coil pin can withstand multiple times of compression; a top casing; a bottom casing; and a case assembly.
US08651895B2

For the connection of a programming device to a hearing device an insertable plate (21) into the casing or frame of the hearing device is provided, comprising on one side contacts (29) to the hearing device electronics and on the other side contact pins (27), provided for the connection of a contact adapter/cable system of the programming device.
US08651894B1

An electric meter socket for connecting electrical conductors thereto includes a meter socket block configured to receive at least one lug assembly. The lug assembly is configured to receive an electrical conductor and may include a lug and sliding nut. The lug includes a slide path that allows the sliding nut to be removed from the lug so an electrical conductor can be placed in the lug for connection to the meter socket. To prevent the sliding nut from sliding out of the lug until an electrical conductor is ready to be connected, the meter socket block includes at least one breakable tab that blocks the slide path, thus retaining the sliding nut within the lug. The breakable tab may be removed when an electrical conductor is ready to be connected. Methods of assembling a meter socket and of connecting electrical conductors thereto are also provided, as are other aspects.
US08651892B2

The present disclosure describes a system for connecting two connectors to each other. The system includes a first connector having a first connector surface, and the first connector surface includes a transparent shape. Further, a second connector, having a second connector surface, includes a portion that includes a second connector color. Particularly, the second connector is configured to be inserted into the first connector, enabling a superimposition and alignment of the transparent shape with the portion of the second connector surface, thereby visually indicating a valid connection between the two connectors.
US08651888B2

An electrical connector including a housing provided thereon with an opening through which a flat circuit device is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing, and a holding member formed in a body on the housing to be operative to hold the flat circuit device inserted in the housing and then to release the flat circuit device from holding by the holding member, wherein the holding member has a movable arm portion extending from an inside surface portion of the housing, and the movable arm portion is provided thereon with an engaging portion operative to engage with the flat circuit device inserted in the housing for holding the same and a releasing portion protruding from the movable arm portion through an aperture provided on the housing toward the outside of the housing and is operative to move the movable arm portion for disengaging the engaging portion from the flat circuit device.
US08651880B2

An electrical power connector includes an electrically insulative housing defining multiple front mating portions, multiple rear partition plates, an accommodation chamber between each two adjacent partition plates corresponding to one respective mating portion, stepped stop portions in top and bottom sides in each mating portion and springy hooks suspending in top and bottom sides in each accommodation chamber, and pairs of conducting terminals mounted in the mounting chambers and having respective front mating end portions suspending in the mating portions with respective openings and positioning rods thereof the respectively kept in engagement with the springy hooks and stepped stop portions of the electrically insulative housing. The structural design enables the conducting terminals to have the advantages of low impedance, low power loss and high power transmission efficiency during application.
US08651877B2

A structure and method for manufacturing the same for manufacturing a contact structure for microelectronics manufacturing including the steps of forming first and second metal sheets to form a plurality of outwardly extending bump each defining a cavity. Symmetrically mating the first and second metal sheets in opposing relation to each other to form upper and lower bumps each defining an enclosure therebetween wherein the mated first and second sheets form a contact structure. Coating the contact structure with an insulating material, and fabricating helix shaped contacts from upper and lower bumps. The helix shaped contacts having first and second portions being in minor image relationship to each other.
US08651864B2

Shape memory dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory material sleeves or plates or elements extending along the abutment. Each of the sleeves has a length with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.
US08651861B2

A sulcus impression tip for injecting dental impression material for making dental impressions. The tip includes a body having a gripping portion and a discharge tip having a bore there through which permits a friction fit with the outside diameter of needle cannula. The needle cannula extends approximately 2 millimeters past a distal end of the discharge tip. The body further defines an angle for holding the gripping portion to permit the discharge tip and needle cannula to be positioned for easy access in the oral cavity by the dentist. The discharge tip is sized and shaped to separate the gum from the tooth in the selected region so that the needle cannula is positioned to permit exact positioning for placement of the dental impression material along the sulcus.
US08651860B2

Dental preparation uses a tooth preparation guide custom-made for fitting with teeth of a patient. The preparation guide includes one or more guide channels for guiding a cutting tool. The preparation guide enables modification of the teeth as planned with high level of precision. A dental prosthesis for installing onto prepared teeth of the patient is provided before preparation of the teeth. The prosthesis includes features that are complementary to the prepared teeth. The prosthesis can be installed immediately after preparing the teeth using the preparation guide. With the high level of accuracy and precision in the preparation of teeth, no modification of the prosthesis would be needed for installation.
US08651858B2

A method of creating a 3-D anatomic digital model for determining a desired location for placing at least one dental implant in a patient's mouth. The method comprises the act of obtaining a first dataset associated with hard tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of obtaining a second dataset associated with soft tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of combining the first dataset and the second dataset to create a detailed structure of hard tissue and soft tissue having variable dimensions over the hard tissue.
US08651857B2

A dental appliance for correcting tooth alignment. The appliance includes a body for seating on an arch of teeth. The body is at least partially elastically deformable and has a seated condition into which it is elastically deformable to be seated on an arch of teeth. The body is constructed, when seated on an arch of teeth, for applying, by virtue of said elastic deformation, a correction force on one or more misaligned teeth, at or adjacent a base of the crown of each misaligned tooth, in a direction in which each misaligned tooth is to be moved to correct its alignment.
US08651847B2

A device for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers may include a blower device that subjects the plastic preforms to a gaseous medium in order to expand the plastic preforms into plastic containers. The blower device may include a blower nozzle, which can be applied onto an opening of the plastic preforms in order to subject them to the gaseous medium. The blower device may include a carrier for the blower nozzle through which the gaseous medium can flow, and a connection mechanism in order to arrange the blower nozzle on the carrier in a removable fashion. The blower nozzle can be removed from the carrier without tools.
US08651846B2

A reference physical quantity and a current physical quantity are successively compared with each other in association with an elapsed time during which a moving part operates or an operating position of the moving part, and a deviation of the physical quantity is determined. An average of absolute values of the determined deviations of the physical quantities is calculated, and a threshold corresponding to the elapsed time during which the moving part operates or the operating position of the moving part is calculated such that the threshold increases as the calculated absolute value increases. Abnormality is detected if the calculated threshold is exceeded by the determined deviation of the physical quantity.
US08651840B2

An example plunger pump for fabricating soft capsules includes switch and plunger bodies that form an accommodation space, the switch body has liquid suction and injection holes both communicative with the accommodation space, the plunger body has a channel for accommodating a plunger rod, and a rotary switch closely press-fit to the switch body to form a hermetic surface. The plunger rod linearly reciprocates in the channel so that the accommodation space periodically reaches maximum and minimum values of capacity. The structure of a rotary switch switches between opening and closing states of the liquid suction and injection holes, whereby it is substantially free of leakage of medical solution and there is no mixing and dissolving with lubricating oil during normal operation of the plunger pump, to thereby enhance the precision in the loading amount and eliminate the problem of contamination of the medical solution by the lubricating oil.
US08651839B2

A multi-stage oil-free screw compressor includes: a suction throttle valve for controlling air intake into the compressor; a piston assembly for operating the suction throttle valve; and a structure for supplying a working pressure to the piston assembly. In order to reduce startup load at the time of startup of the compressor, the suction throttle valve is fully closed while a secondary side of a compressor body is opened to the atmosphere. When a negative pressure and the air pressure, that provide the working pressure, are used for slightly opening the suction throttle valve in order to switch the compressor to a loaded mode after a motor for driving the compressor is accelerated to its top speed, the air pressure is provided by a control pipe line that is defined by the same pipe line that forms a drain pipe line. This permits the control pipe line to be opened to the atmosphere as needed during the startup time. Thus is provided the oil-free screw compressor achieving improved startup reliability.
US08651837B2

An electrical submersible pumping (ESP) system for use in a wellbore having a pressure equalization system that employs modules with a bellows. The bellows axially expands and contracts in response to pressure fluctuations encountered in the wellbore. The modules are attachable in series on a lower end of a motor of the ESP to form the string, where the string can range from a single module to a multiplicity of modules, depending on the application. The bellows has a conduit axially inserted through the bellows that includes an umbilical and has an end in pressure communication with the motor.
US08651836B2

An electrical submersible pump assembly has a motor module coupled to a centrifugal pump module by a seal section module. A shaft assembly extends through each of the modules for causing the motor module to rotate the pump module. At least one of the modules has a sleeve extending around the shaft that is of a harder material than the shaft. A torque transmitting ring is deformed between an inner diameter of the sleeve and an exterior portion of the shaft. The inner diameter of the sleeve is a continuous cylindrical surface free of any torque transmitting shoulders. Friction created by the torque transmitting ring transmits the entire rotational force from the shaft to the sleeve.
US08651822B2

A wind turbine rotor blade including outer skin materials made of fiber-reinforced plastic, a crossbeam material, and a trailing edge sandwich material disposed closer to a trailing edge than a trailing edge end of the crossbeam material, wherein a reinforcing material is provided on an inner surface of the outer skin material on a front side located closer to the trailing edge than a trailing edge end of the trailing edge sandwich material.
US08651813B2

A fluid dynamic body provides one or more fixed size escapelets through a foil body to reduce the induced and interference drag caused by trailing vortices and similar wake turbulence. The escapelets, which can be provided in both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic structures, such as wings, tail sections; rotary blades, guy wire frames, wing sails, and various underwater keels and wing keels. The escapelets transfer energy from an inlet located in the high-pressure surface of the foil or foil body to an outlet located in the lower-pressure surface, allowing energy that would normally form a vortex at the tip of the foil to be redirected and dissipated in a beneficial way. As a result, drag is reduced and fuel economy is increased. For example, in aircraft, escapelets can increase the authority of ailerons and similar flight control surfaces, allowing aircraft that were not previously spin recovery rated to become spin recoverable.
US08651800B2

An air induction system consisting of a cylindrical main flow tube, a helical vane disposed within the main flow tube, and, preferably, a noise absorbing perforated tube disposed within the main flow tube in concentric relation to the helical vane. The twist direction of the helical vane provides air flow rotation in the same direction of rotation as the turbine wheel. The helical vane causes noise reflection and enhancement of noise attenuation by the perorated tube and its adjoining one or more acoustic cavities.
US08651799B2

A turbine vane or blade segment includes at least one airfoil extending radially outwardly from a radially inner band. A plurality of cooling passages are formed in the radially inner band in fluid communication with an internal plenum in the airfoil and exiting the inner band via a plurality of exit holes in the one of the axially-extending side edges of the inner band. The plurality of exit holes are confined to a region along the one of the axially-extending side edges where static pressure PS along the one of the substantially axially-extending side edges lies in a pressure range substantially between the stage inlet total pressure PT and a pressure that is substantially about 1.5 times the dynamic pressure range ΔPD, below the stage inlet total pressure.
US08651793B2

Method and system for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers and swap bodies, between railways and roads. The standard cargo holders are loaded onto driverless transport vehicles by means of handling equipment or are received by said transport vehicles, and the driverless transport vehicles transport the standard cargo holders between the handling equipment and a loading and unloading zone. Alternatively, a driving zone for driverless transport vehicles for transporting standard cargo holders to or from the handling equipment adjoins the handling equipment, and a loading and unloading zone for transporting standard cargo holders adjoins the driving zone.
US08651785B1

One embodiment of a quick release fastener insertable into apertures in platen tables and other surfaces, having at one end a threaded recess (30) to receive studs or bolts, and having a transversely displaceable member (60) to secure the fastener in the aperture. The displaceable member (60) is moved between the inoperative and operative positions by a tool engageable operating rod (80).
US08651784B2

A family of anchor devices that include a back plate mounted behind a mounting surface with a flange mounted in front of the mounting surface and generally a ring or hook carrier member that engages an anchor ring or a hook. In several embodiments the carrier can rotate without axles pins or the like allowing the load to align the device in a direction of maximum convenience and strength. A first embodiment provides a rotating ring in a recessed retaining cup that provides for maximum flexibility. A second embodiment provides a rotating ring in a clip carrier in a raised mounting flange. A third embodiment provides a swivel insert hook carrier that can rotate. A fourth embodiment includes a ring that engages a notch in a raised carrier. Fifth and sixth embodiments provide attachments for one or multiple hooks in a fixed-mounted, non-rotating flange.
US08651783B2

A support device (100) for carrying an inner load holder (50/60) in use within an outer transport and storage container (10). The device includes a base member (101, 102, 103, 105) for being secured or securable to a floor (16) of the outer container, having at least one formation (104) for restraining lateral movements of the inner load holder relative to the device in a plane generally parallel to the floor. The device further includes a mechanism (108) for releasably restraining said inner load holder in a direction perpendicular to said floor or base, wherein said mechanism includes at least one sliding bolt member (110) for selectively engaging with a complementary feature (62) of the inner load holder and when so engaged, providing said restraining.
US08651775B2

A vibration-reduction mechanism for a gear cutting machine is provided with a vibration-reduction mechanism that includes balancer shafts arranged in parallel to a crank shaft. The balancer shafts rotate synchronously with the crank shaft at the same speed as the speed of the crank shaft. One balancer shaft rotates in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the crank shaft while the other balancer shaft rotates in the same direction as the rotational direction of the crank shaft. The vibration-reduction mechanism also includes: main balancer weights detachably attached onto the crank shaft; and sub balancer weights detachably attached onto the balancer shafts. The balancer weights are selected on the basis of a stroke width of the main shaft and on the basis of a lead corresponding to the helical angle to be formed in the workpiece W.
US08651770B2

An erosion control ballast and soil confinement mat for use in water flow conditions is provided. The mat is made of a non-buoyant, relatively heavy and substantially flexible material with a plurality of pores stamped or pre-cast therein that allow for the inflow of water, the establishment of vegetation growth through the mat, and the in-filling of the pores with supplemental ballast materials such as gravel or soil. The bottom side of the mat has protrusions that extend into the underlying surface to prevent horizontal shifting and confine soil materials and/or another erosion control mat such as an erosion control blanket or turf reinforcement mat, while also preventing migration of the mat itself under high shear force water flow. The top surface of the mat may be provided with flaps that cover the pore openings during periods of strong water flow to prevent excessive water flow from entering the pores and eroding the underlying soil.
US08651760B2

The present invention relates to a device for applying a composition to human keratinous materials, the device comprising: a container (2) that is provided with a wiper member (7) and that contains a cosmetic or care-product composition (P); an applicator (3) for applying the composition contained in the container, the applicator comprising: an applicator member (5) for applying the composition; a handle (6); and a stem (4) that connects the applicator member to the handle, the stem extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and including a visible portion that presents a cross-section that varies over more than half of its length (l), and that passes through at least one maximum (M) that is situated at a non-zero distance from the ends (4a, 4g) of the visible portion.
US08651752B2

A mirror contact member includes a first eccentric portion that is eccentric with respect to a rotation center of the mirror contact member, and a second eccentric portion that is eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the mirror contact member substantially at the same eccentricity as that of the first eccentric portion. When a mirror is displaced to a mirror-down state, the mirror is contacted with the first eccentric portion. A bounce regulation member is disposed to be rotatable about the second eccentric portion.
US08651747B2

An auxiliary bearing including a support structure extending at least partially around a circumference of a shaft. A first pedestal may extend in a radially-inward direction from the support structure. First and second beams may extend from opposite sides of the first pedestal in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. First and second rollers may be operatively coupled to the first and second beams, and the first and second rollers may be configured to engage the shaft.
US08651746B2

The present invention provides a rolling bearing capable of suppressing the generation of retainer noise and abnormal vibration by specifying the circumferential width of axial grooves formed on the guide face of an outer ring guide retainer or an inner ring guide retainer. In a rolling bearing 1 according to the present invention, axial grooves 13 are formed on the outer circumferential face of the outer ring guide type retainer 10 thereof. The displacement amount xo of the center position of the retainer 10, the outer diameter Doc of the retainer 10, the guide diameter Dog of the outer ring 2, the circumferential width h of the axial grooves 13, the guide clearance ΔLc between the outer ring 2 and the retainer 10, and the clearance ΔP between the pocket 11 and the rolling element 4 satisfy the following relational expressions: [ Mathematical ⁢ ⁢ expression ⁢ ⁢ 1 ] ⁢ x o = 1 2 ⁢ ( D oc - D og + D og 2 - h 2 - D oc 2 - h 2 ) ( 1 ) [ Mathematical ⁢ ⁢ expression ⁢ ⁢ 2 ] ⁢ Δ ⁢ ⁢ L o + 2 ⁢ ⁢ x o Δ ⁢ ⁢ P < 1 ( 2 ) are satisfied.
US08651739B2

The invention relates to an X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) for a phosphor storage plate (20), having two openings (14, 44) for inserting the phosphor storage plate (20) into the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) and for withdrawing the phosphor storage plate (20) arranged in the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) from the cassette. Two flaps (18, 48, 54, 80, 84) are also provided for closing the two openings (14, 44). The invention also relates to a system (10) comprising said type of X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) and a reading out device (34) for reading out the phosphor storage plate (20) arranged in the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82). The reading-out device (34) comprises a feeding element (32) for feeding the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) into the device. Said feeding element (32) is designed in such a manner that if the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) is fed into the feeding element with one of its openings (14), the other opening (44) of the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) is accessible to an operator.
US08651736B2

A temperature measurement system includes a temperature probe including a temperature sensor. The system also includes a reader, and a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the reader. The system further includes a container housing a plurality of probe covers associated with the temperature probe. The container includes an information feature providing information related to the plurality of probe covers. The reader is configured to read the information and direct a signal to the controller indicative of the information.
US08651730B2

A food mixing unit is equipped with a weighing system having a memory device for storing at least one recipe of foods to be loaded into the mixing unit and at least one weight detecting device to detect the weight of the foods loaded. Foods to be loaded are taken from relative stocking areas and the food weight is controlled by the weight detecting device and based on the food recipe, as foods are loaded into the mixing unit. A plurality of chemical and/or physical parameters is measured for each of the food stored in the relative stocking areas by using of a food analysis tool and the food recipe is modified according to the measured values of chemical and/or physical parameters and rewritten in the memory device of the weighing system.
US08651729B2

A turbine vibrator has a housing, an eccentric rotor mounted in an air chamber of the housing and two covers mounted respectively in two mounting recesses of the housing. Two threaded walls defined respectively around the mounting recesses of the housing have same threaded directions. Therefore, the mounting recesses, the air chamber and the other mounting recess are formed sequentially so axes of the mounting recesses and the air chamber are disposed along a same line. Manufacturing processes of the housing is reduced and shearing forces applied to the shafts of the eccentric rotor are reduced so the turbine vibrator has a prolonged useful life. Moreover, as a rotating direction of the eccentric rotor and the fastening directions of the covers are the same, when the turbine vibrator operates, the covers tighten against the housing. The first and second covers do not drop from the housing.
US08651713B2

A system is for a landing site for a helicopter or a load suspended from a helicopter, where landing positioning references are visualized as a luminous pattern on the landing site, and where the landing positioning references are formed as lines of light projected on the landing site from one or more light sources arranged at the landing site. A method is for forming of landing positioning references visualized as a luminous pattern on the landing site.
US08651711B2

A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity. Fixtures that attach to modules include rails, sockets, heat sinks and two-dimensional structures with recessed electrodes for improved electrical safety.
US08651707B1

Disclosed is an optical lens for guiding light of an LED to produce a quasi-elliptical light pattern, and the optical lens has a lens body. The optical lens comprises an emitting surface and an incident surface. The emitting surface is a curved surface, and an illumination side of the emitting surface is in a quasi-elliptical shape with a long axis and a short axis, and the length of the long axis is a, and the length of the short axis is b, and the lens body has a lens height c. The length a of the long axis, the length b of the short axis, and the lens height c satisfy the relations of 1
US08651704B1

Systems and methods for solid-state light source heat management are provided. A solid-state light source, e.g. having one or more LEDs, can be mounted within an enclosure. In some embodiments, a heat sink associated with semiconductor material and/or power electronics can be placed on a separate side of the enclosure that is thermally insulated or separated from the state-light source. The enclosure can include a first side or portion that allows light from the solid-state-light source (e.g., LEDs) to pass through to a target area. A fluid transfer conduit may be connected to the second side or portion of the enclosure for passing a fluid (e.g., air, water, coolant, etc.) across the heat sink to transport heat generated by the power electronics and/or semiconductor material away. The heated fluid can then be routed to, as examples, an HVAC system, a vent, water heating systems, heat exchanger systems, and/or storage systems (e.g., batteries).
US08651701B2

A light source device that irradiates a discharge vessel with a laser beam to produce radiant light that is reflected by an ellipsoidal reflecting surface efficiently utilizes the light produced by directing the laser beam through an unirradiated region where reflected light from the ellipsoidal reflector is blocked by the discharge vessel, through an opening side of the ellipsoidal reflector to the discharge vessel. The discharge vessel has an emission substance enclosed inside which is excited by the laser beam and produces radiant light, is arranged at a focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector. A planar mirror, with which radiant light reflected by the ellipsoidal reflector is reflected in a different direction has a window in an unirradiated region where reflected light from the ellipsoidal reflector is blocked by the discharge vessel through which the laser beam passes to the discharge vessel.
US08651697B2

Disclosed is a lighting system and a method to change the internal light source of the lighting system, wherein maintenance and aesthetic considerations make it necessary to access the internal light source solely from the front of the lighting system without moving or removing a sign face. Access, in part, is provided by a light baffle track system inside the light system that turns a flexible light baffle (i.e., the light source) within the service box from a substantially vertical orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation as the flexible light baffle is removed and reinstalled through the service box and front access door. The flexible light baffle and light baffle track system work in concert to efficiently turn the flexible light baffle solely within the service box such that the height and depth of the service box is minimized.
US08651692B2

An LED based lamp comprises: an enclosure with an opening that comprises a light emission plane through which light is emitted from the lamp; a plurality of LEDs located along at least one wall of the enclosure and operable to generate light of a first wavelength range, wherein the LEDs are configured such that in operation their emission axis is oriented within a plane that is substantially parallel with or directed away from the light emission plane; and a first light reflective surface located on the base of the enclosure and configured such that in operation light is reflected through the light emission plane. A light emitting sign comprises the lamp of the invention with a light transmissive display surface overlying the light emission plane.
US08651690B2

A light-emitting diode light bar includes a printed circuit board and a light-emitting diode. The printed circuit board has a protective layer, a first signal line, and a first extension line. The LED is disposed on the first signal line and the first extension line. The protective layer is formed above the first signal line and the first extension line, and has an opening that exposes a portion of the first signal line, and a portion of the extension line, such that a first exposed length of the first signal line is substantially equal to a second exposed length of the first extension line.
US08651675B2

The light-shielding coating contains (a) a resin, (b) a coloring material, (c) inorganic fine particles, and (d) a surfactant and/or an oil. The concentration of Component (d), the surfactant and/or the oil, is higher in the uppermost layer of the coating than in the lower layer. The content ratio of Component (d) is in the range of 10 to 40 weight % relative to the total weight of the light-shielding coating. The optical element features this light-shielding coating.
US08651666B2

An interactive image projecting device that projects an image onto a display surface and controls the projected image based upon movement of the image projecting device or the detection of another image. The image projecting device includes a projector that generates an image from a control unit. The device includes a position indicating emitter that generates a position indicator and an image sensor that is operable to detect the position indicator from either the device including the image sensor or a position indicator from another device. Based upon the sensed position indicator from another device, the control unit operates to modify the image projected from the device such that the image from a first device can interact with an image from a second device. The first and second devices each have a wireless transceiver such that the devices can communicate with each other during operation.
US08651665B2

Disclosed is a projector, the projector including a light source, an illumination unit illuminating light incident from the light source, and a display device enabling to realize an image by receiving the light irradiated from the illumination unit, and whose center is positioned at an axis different from an optical axis of the illumination unit.
US08651664B2

A method and apparatus comprising a projector system and a structure connected to the projector system. The projector system is configured to project an image on an exterior surface of an aircraft. The structure is configured to be connected to the aircraft and has a shape configured to reduce an undesired airflow caused by the projector system when the aircraft is in flight.
US08651655B2

Printer, comprising a media path that in one embodiment is arranged so that a print height is lower than a highest point of the media path.
US08651654B2

A pinch roller apparatus for a printer is provided having a support plate securely mounted to a housing of the printer, a pinch housing movably supported by the support plate, and a series of pinch rollers rotatably held within the pinch housing. The pinch housing has alignment pins for engagement with the housing of the printer through movement of the pinch housing relative to the support plate. The engagement aligns the pinch rollers with a driven roller rotatably mounted to the housing to provide pinched contact for media being transported through the printer.
US08651652B2

A printer device includes a housing (32) that defines an interior space. A platform (36) includes a first position extending along a plane within the interior space for receiving media to be printed with fluid. A mechanism (200) selectively applies a force to the platform (36) to move the platform (36) to a second position at an angle relative to the plane.
US08651650B2

An inkjet recording ink containing a colorant, a surfactant A, a surfactant B, a water soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein the surfactant A is expressed by any one of Structural Formula (1) and Structural Formula (2), and the surfactant B is expressed by Structural Formula (3): in Structural Formula (1), R1 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an acyl group; Rf represents —CF3 or —CF2CF3; and m, n and p are natural numbers; in Structural Formula (2), M represents alkali metal, ammonium, phosphonium, or alkanolamine; Rf represents —CF3 or —CF2CF3; and q is a natural number; in Structural Formula (3), R3 and R4 each represent hydrogen or an alkyl group; and r, s, t and u are natural numbers.
US08651649B2

An image forming method including: applying a treatment liquid containing a copolymer of epihalohydrin and dimethylamine to a recording medium having a coated layer; and applying an ink composition containing a self-dispersing pigment, a solvent, a surfactant, wax particles and water to the recording medium.
US08651641B2

An ink cartridge is adapted to be mounted in a holder of a printer and includes: an ink containing bag which is configured in a bag shape and capable of containing a liquid in an inner portion; a flow path member having a flow path that guides the ink contained in the ink containing bag to an outside and a supply port connected to the flow path; and a containing box including a plant derived material accommodating the liquid containing bag; in which an outermost layer forming an outer surface of the ink containing bag has a shock buffering section that buffers against an impact from the outside via the containing box.
US08651638B2

An inkjet printing apparatus comprises an ink tank including an ink accommodating unit, an ink leading-out mechanism for leading out the ink in the ink accommodating unit to an outside, and a housing, and an ink tank holder for removably retaining the ink tank, wherein a space is formed between the ink leading-out mechanism and the housing, and when the ink tank is mounted to the ink tank holder, an ink flow passage is formed by contact of an outer periphery of an ink leading-out needle in the ink tank holder with a sealing member in the ink leading-out mechanism, further comprising restriction means for restricting a position of the ink tank to the ink tank holder such that when removing the ink tank from the ink tank holder, the ink tank stops in a state where a tip end of the ink leading-out needle is in the space.
US08651632B2

A group timing delay device shifts the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of one of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops from the nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other along a nozzle array direction. A charging device includes a common charge electrode associated with liquid jets from the nozzle groups and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and liquid jets which provides a charging waveform that is independent of a print and non-print drop pattern. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation devices and the group timing delay device to produce a print drop charge state on print drops of a drop pair, a first non-print drop charge state on non-print drops of the drop pair, and a second non-print drop charge state on third drops.
US08651627B2

A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of individual electrodes, a piezoelectric layer formed on each of individual electrodes, and a common electrode which is formed on the piezoelectric layer and is an electrode common to the individual electrodes. Further, a protection film covering a region, which is not covered by the common electrode on the individual electrode, is provided.
US08651621B2

A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises a low adhesion coating, wherein when the low adhesion coating is disposed on an ink jet printhead front face surface, jetted drops of ultra-violet gel ink or jetted drops of solid ink exhibit a low sliding angle with the printhead front face surface, wherein the low sliding angle is less than about 1° to less than about 30°. In embodiments, the low adhesion coating is an oleophobic coating that exhibits a contact angle of greater than about 35° with ultra-violet gel ink or solid ink. The coating can further be used for an ink jet printhead flexure chute.
US08651619B2

An ink reclamation receptacle receives ink purged from an inkjet printing apparatus. Ink in the reclamation receptacle wets a porous membrane positioned in the reclamation receptacle, and flows into a flow channel. Negative pressure applied to a port that is placed in fluid communication with the flow channel withdraws ink from the flow channel for use in the inkjet printing apparatus, while ink wetting the pores in the membrane resists a flow of air into the flow channel.
US08651614B2

In an inkjet printing apparatus, a printing medium is conveyed in a conveying direction by causing the printing medium to adsorb to the surface of the endless belt by electrostatic force. When printing, the surface potential of the printing medium directly below the printing head is acquired. The discharge speed of the ink that has been associated in advance with the acquired surface potential is obtained, and an amount of variation in the landing position of the ink is determined based on the scanning speed of the printing head, the distance from the printing head to the printing medium, and the discharge speed of the ink. The timing of discharge of ink from the printing head is corrected to cancel out the determined amount of variation, and printing is performed based on image data in accordance with the corrected timing.
US08651608B2

Disclosed are FIFO type methods, systems and apparatus for electronically registering image data relative to a rastering device or other marking device. According to an exemplary method, a FIFO type data queuing configuration is provided, where the length of data memory segments associated with the FIFO are a function of a spatial profile associated with the ink jet rastering device.
US08651606B2

An inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method are provided which can correct, with high precision, print position deviations among a plurality of printing element arrays in each of a plurality of print modes that use different groups of printing elements in each printing element array. The adjustment values for the print position deviations between the first and second printing element arrays are differentiated between the high-speed mode and the high-quality mode. In the high-speed mode, all printing elements in the first and second printing element arrays are used. In the high-quality mode, a part of the printing elements in each of the first and second printing element arrays are used. Based on these adjustment values, the ink ejection timings of the first and second printing element arrays are adjusted.
US08651602B2

A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a head; a main tank storing liquid; a sub-tank for temporarily storing the liquid stored in the main tank, before the liquid is supplied to the head; a liquid amount detector for detecting a liquid amount in the sub-tank; a supplier for supplying the liquid from the main tank to the sub-tank; a first housing; a second housing holding the sub-tank, pivotable with respect to the first housing, and positioned at a close position at which the head is close to the first housing or a distant position at which the head is far from the first housing; and a controller for, when the second housing is located at the close position, controlling the liquid supply based on the detected liquid amount.
US08651595B2

A safety cabinet has a body, a pair of doors each pivotal on the body about a respective axis between an open position and a closed position, respective spaced outer guides on the body juxtaposed with the doors, and respective elements displaceable along the guides and coupled to the doors for movement between outer positions when the respective doors are in the open position and inner positions when the respective doors are in the closed positions. A catch between the guides is engageable with the elements and shiftable therewith. A spring also between the guides is engaged between the catch and the body and biases the catch inward toward engagement with the elements. A release device secured between the catch and the body normally holds the catch in an outer position with the spring in a tensioned condition but can release the catch and thereby push the elements with the catch into their inner position to close the doors.
US08651587B2

A hydraulic brake system equipped for anti-slip control and for active brake interventions has a self-priming pump. A pressure retention valve prevents the brake system's low-pressure accumulator and the wheel brakes from being evacuated below atmospheric pressure during a sensitive brake operation. A two-position valve deactivates the bias of the pressure retention valve by opening a fluid path from the low-pressure accumulator to the pump when it is desired that the wheel brakes be retracted farther to reduce drag and excessive wear of the brake friction elements.
US08651580B2

A truck body that efficiently hauls oil sands, which typically coagulate and adhere together in one consolidated mass. The adhesion of this consolidated mass to the surface of the truck body is minimized and the buildup of “carryback” is effectively prevented during haul cycles. Hauled amalgamated materials are dumped from the truck body such that the amalgamation breaks down and is safely dumped. One typical material that displays such a coagulated conglomerate massing is “oil sands” from which oil is extracted. A non-stick surface is provided on the truck body to overcome the natural adhesiveness displayed by this material and, when being dumped from a truck body, provides a means to assist in releasing the material from the truck body without leaving significant “carryback” that tends to buildup over haul cycles. Plus, the body design encourages the material to break down as it is dumped.
US08651578B2

A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle, includes a first arm, a second arm rotatably supported by the first arm, a pawl including external teeth engageable with internal teeth, a cam portion and plural pawl-side cam surfaces arranged at the cam portion, a cam including a cam surface engaging with the cam portion formed at the pawl, and a biasing member biasing the cam to rotate and causing the cam surface to press the cam portion in a radial direction. The plural pawl-side cam surfaces or the cam surface is configured in a manner that the plural pawl-side cam surfaces and the cam surface are in contact with each other when the external teeth and the internal teeth are in an engaged state and in a manner that clearances generated between each of the plural pawl-side cam surfaces and the cam surface in the radial direction are all uniform.
US08651573B2

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom having a seat cushion and a seat bottom frame subassembly adjacent the cushion. The seat bottom frame subassembly has a platform portion with an aperture, a first substantially rigid support member suspended from the platform portion across the aperture, and a second substantially rigid support member suspended from the platform portion across the aperture. The first support member and the second support member are configured to move between the retracted position and a deployed position when a load is applied to the cushion. The first support member and the second support member cooperate to support the cushion when the first support member and the second support member are in the deployed position.
US08651571B1

A mountable child safety seat that can be mounted on a door and more preferably, either a bathroom stall door or a bathroom door. The child safety seat includes a number of support columns with adjustable inserts that can be used to accommodate bathroom doors of a wide variety of heights to allow an adult caregiver to secure the child safety seat to the door. The child safety seat includes a seat belt to ensure that the infant or toddler will be secure while using the child safety seat.
US08651566B2

A vehicle reinforcing structure includes a roof member, a pillar member that has in its upper part an extension part that extends along the roof member, and a reinforcing member that is joined so as to bridge the extension part and the roof member. The reinforcing member has a first welded part welded to the extension part, and a second welded part welded to a front edge of the roof member. The first welded part and the second welded part are provided such that an imaginary area created with straight lines that connect the respective edges of the welded parts substantially fits within the area of the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member further has an open area on the vehicle interior side of the first welded part on the rear side of the second welded part, the open area being in contact neither with the pillar member nor with the roof member.
US08651565B2

The invention relates to a carrier element for a motor vehicle made of steel, which comprises at least one closed cross-sectional area and at least one rolled profile produced from a tailored strip, which extends in longitudinal direction of the carrier element. In addition to this, the invention relates to a body of a motor vehicle. The object of making available a carrier element for a motor vehicle that cannot only be produced in a simple manner and can provide high strengths with same manufacturing costs is solved in that through the rolled profile a carrier element having at least one at least partially closed cross-sectional area is formed.
US08651561B2

In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together.
US08651555B2

An improved structure for car cover comprises a main unit with a compartment inside and multiple conduits for the external connectivity for the main unit, and a transmission component that can be driven by external power supply and is located inside the compartment of the main unit, and multiple passive components located at the peripheral of the transmission component inside the compartment to allow synchronous movement, and at least one wire duct on each passive component for a flexible elastic cable to wrap around, and an active end on each flexible elastic cable to pass through a conduit to outside of the compartment, and multiple link mechanisms that are composed of multiple links and use one end to connect to the main unit and the other end to connects to an active end of a different flexible elastic cable, and a soft piece of shield that is attached to the multiple link mechanisms and able to varies with the length of the multiple link mechanisms to change the coverage area.
US08651548B2

A moving apparatus forcefully closes a movable body after moving the movable body to a prescribed position and includes first and second sliders and an impelling device. After the movable body has been opened, the first slider is locked in position and the second slider is attached to the movable body. As the movable body is being closed and moved to the prescribed position, the second slider moves relative to the first slider tensioning the impelling device. Once the movable body has reached the prescribed position, the second slider releases the movable body and is locked in position, and the first slider is attached to the movable body. The impelling device then urges the first and second sliders towards one another causing the movable body to close.
US08651547B2

A system for reducing the air resistance of a truck, particularly an articulated vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a cargo space that is limited downward by a loading floor and in the height thereof by a roof wall spaced apart therefrom. The aim is to provide a system that minimizes the face area of the truck and thus the fuel consumption in dependence on the actual cargo space used. According to one embodiment, the roof wall is height-adjustable opposite the loading floor.
US08651546B2

A vehicle center console trim assembly includes a console body and a cover. The console body includes a first side section and a ledge extending laterally from the first side section along a lower body portion of the console body. The cover is coupled to the console body and overlies a side surface of the first side section to form a side pocket between the cover and the side surface of the first side section with the ledge defining a bottom surface of the side pocket. The cover includes an upper cover portion that extends along an upper body portion of the console body, which is spaced above the lower body portion of the console body, with the upper cover portion concealing the ledge of the first side section of the console body from view in a downward vehicle looking direction from a location above the console body.
US08651542B2

A placement device comprises a vacuum gripper (110) and a holder (120). The gripper, formed as a vacuum needle, is movable relative to the holder along a first axis. The gripper and the holder are mutually coupled by a membrane (160) allowing the gripper to tilt away from the first axis.
US08651534B2

A locking device for locking a leaf of a leaf installation has first and second locking elements with respective first and latching elements. The second latching element is located at an end facing the first latching element and capable of a latching operative engagement with the first latching element. The second locking element is stationarily disposed relative to the leaf installation. The first locking element is disposed with regard to the leaf to move correspondingly to a movement of the leaf, so that the first locking element is moved translationally into a locking position towards the second locking element and away from the second locking element into an unlocking position. One of the locking elements has an activating element operable to allow for the latching operative engagement between the latching elements in a blocking position and to prevent the latching operative engagement in a release position.
US08651533B2

A duct mating assembly includes first and second ducts having side surfaces connected along their edges to define an interior air space. A coupling portion is formed on one of the first or second ends of the ducts. The coupling portion of the first duct includes first and second sections joined by side sections. The first section of the first duct includes a fifth portion that extends to a sixth portion. A transition portion is positioned between the fifth and sixth portions. The transition portion steps downward and extends forward and then steps back up relative to the fifth portion for preventing air leakage between the first and second ducts. The second section of the first duct includes a first snap feature formed thereon and the fourth section of the second duct including a second snap feature formed thereon, the first and second snap features are operative to connect the second and fourth sections of the first and second ducts.
US08651530B2

A pipe coupling including an annular clamp having an opening at at least one end of its axial length for inserting therein a pipe, the annular clamp including two clamp members, an annular seal disposed in the annular clamp, and a mechanical fastener that includes a threaded shaft with a washer flange, the washer flange having a lower rim, wherein when nuts are tightened on both ends of the threaded shaft, the lower rim bites into the annular seal.
US08651529B2

An integrable bookstand adapted to be integrated into a hard back cover of a book is disclosed. The integrable bookstand having a withheld and deployed conformations.In the withheld conformation the bookstand is coplanar with the hard back cover, rendering the latter storable in tandem between other flat articles.
US08651525B2

A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body, a seat mounted onto the vehicle body, a seat belt configured to be fastened by a person seated on the seat, a retractor for winding in the seat belt, and a retractor mounting device mounted to the vehicle body. The retractor mounting device includes a retractor bracket, and a cover disposed outward relative to the retractor bracket to cover the retractor bracket from an outward direction, and the retractor is mounted to an inner surface of the retractor bracket in the vehicle width direction.
US08651516B2

A curtain airbag device capable of inflating and deploying without suffering a burst of a cushion part at an end of a cushion part protector near an inflator. The curtain airbag device includes a cushion part extending in a front to back direction of the vehicle, accommodated in a state rolled up from a lower end toward an upper end thereof, and inflating and deploying downward when gas is supplied thereto. The curtain airbag device includes an inflator for supplying gas to the cushion part from a predetermined position at the upper end of the cushion part, and an elongated protector 180 having an arc-like open curve cross section that is open downward and covering the cushion part, with an inner surface thereof making contact with the cushion part. The cross section of the protector being defined by the open curve, with an end point P of the open curve on a vehicle inner side smoothly going up at a first end near the inflator so that the open curve has an increasing distance between end points thereof.
US08651513B2

An airbag having a cushion part defining an insertion hole that is positioned between first and second sewing lines provided to a base fabric and that is provided for the insertion of the inflator from an outside to an inside. A diffuser positioned within the cushion part and in which the inflator is inserted from the insertion hole. The diffuser has a tubular portion with a portion formed by folding layers of fabrics and being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line. The diffuser fabric of the tubular portion on a side adjacent to the base fabric being additionally sewn to the base fabric along a second sewing line. The diffuser includes a guide member 1 that extends and covers the insertion hole with a surface that continues from an inner surface of the diffuser. The guide member being sewn to the base fabric along the first sewing line.
US08651499B2

An alerting system for signaling the displacement of a leading end portion of a hose or the like, carried by a vehicle, includes a hose-gripping unit, a visible or audible signal generator, and a mounting box for connecting the gripping unit to support structure. Displacement of the hose from the gripping unit may generate an alarm signal to enable the operator to immediately bring the vehicle to a stop, or it may generate a signal simply to indicate when one of several hoses has been intentionally deployed.
US08651497B2

A seal assembly has a first seal member, a second seal member, and a third seal member. The first seal member has a wear surface that contacts a first wall of the cavity at two sealing locations. The second seal member has a wear surface that contacts a second wall of the cavity at two sealing locations. The third seal member extends between and resiliently connects the first seal member to the second seal member.
US08651493B1

Targets, a target range system, and methods for economical operation of a target range. A preferred method includes providing a target range site; providing a target resembling a conventional target in dimension and appearing, yet having a weight that is substantially less than the weight of the conventional target. The target has a plurality of interconnecting plates made of recyclable material and is devoid of hazards comprising munitions, fuels, and radioactive materials. The ingress and egress routes for the target are reduced as compared to routes for conventional targets and enable cost savings. The targets are also readily recycled, enabling additional economic advantage.
US08651485B2

A playing card shuffling device includes a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the playing card shuffling device.
US08651480B2

A finisher 100 includes a pair of bundle discharge rollers 130, a lower stack tray 137, and a width-direction aligning portion 200. The width-direction aligning portion includes a pair of aligning members 1 and a driving motor. The aligning member includes a pair of first aligning members 91 that is rotatably supported while being movable in the sheet width direction orthogonal to the discharge direction and a pair of second aligning members 92. The driving motor rotates the pair of first aligning members and moves the pair of first aligning members in the width direction. When the pair of first aligning members rotates and one of the pair of second aligning members abuts on the sheet, the pair of second aligning members forms opposite surfaces in which the sheet can be aligned in the width direction, and the pair of first aligning members align the sheet by the opposite surfaces.
US08651478B2

A sheet conveying device includes a first conveying unit configured to convey a sheet in a conveying direction; a conveying path configured to guide the sheet to the first conveying unit, the sheet having been conveyed by the first conveying unit in a direction opposite to the conveying direction; a second conveying unit configured to convey the sheet in the conveying path; a rotation direction detecting unit configured to detect a rotation direction of the second conveying unit; and a control unit configured to perform control, at startup, to drive the first conveying unit in a direction that causes the sheet to be conveyed in the conveying direction, and if the rotation direction detecting unit detects rotation of the second conveying unit, to drive the second conveying unit in the rotation direction that is detected by the rotation direction detecting unit.
US08651473B2

In one embodiment, there is provided a feeder that includes: a feed table on which a plurality of papers are staked in one direction, wherein some of the papers are bundled by a staple; a take-out module configured to sequentially take out the stacked papers from an outermost surface of the papers; a first detector configured to detect whether or not the staple exists in the papers within a distance h measured from the outermost surface; a controller configured to control the take-out module in a first mode or a second mode. When the staple is detected in the papers within the distance h, the controller controls the take-out module in the first mode. When the staple is not detected in the papers within the distance h, the controller controls the take-out module in the second mode.
US08651471B2

A part positioning assembly is an illustrative embodiment of the part positioning assembly includes a base, a post carried by the base and a puck detachably carried by the post.
US08651470B2

A clamp mechanism for a workpiece having an oblique surface is provided. The clamp mechanism includes a base, a fixing member, and a locking assembly. The base includes a main body, a pivot shaft, and two holding portions on the main body which are away from the pivot shaft, and each holding portion defines a curved sliding slit extending around the pivot shaft. The locking assembly includes a locking member and an engaging member engaging with the locking member. The locking member passes through and slides along the sliding slits of the holding portions of the base. One end of the fixing member is rotatably connected to the base, and the locking member passes through the other end of the fixing member.
US08651466B2

In a liquid-sealed type vibration isolator having a first orifice flow channel 56 and a second orifice flow channel 60, a valve member 66 formed of a rubber elastomeric membrane for opening and closing the second orifice flow channel 60 is provided on a partitioning member 40 so as to be orthogonal to the direction of flow in the second orifice flow channel. The valve member is held at the outer peripheral portion thereof by a wall surface of a valve housing chamber 68, and includes inside the outer peripheral portion thereof a membrane portion 66B which is subjected to the flexural deformation by the liquid flow in the second orifice flow channel to close openings 60C and 60D of the second orifice flow channel. Communicating holes 76 which bring the second orifice flow channel into communication are provided at positions not overlapped with the opening of the membrane portion 66B. Accordingly, the switching of characteristics is enabled with an inexpensive structure.
US08651465B2

A method of manufacturing a bushing assembly that includes a vibration damping rubber bushing having a round cylindrical resin outer cylinder, which is assembled by press fitting an outside peripheral face of the outer cylinder in an axial direction into a cylindrical metal mated component having a circular inside peripheral face. The vibration damping rubber bushing is press fit into the mated component with a rigid powder composed of material harder than the outer cylinder deposited in a section of the resin outer cylinder that is situated on the outside peripheral face and that mates with the inside peripheral face of the mated component, and the outer cylinder and the mated component are assembled in a mated condition such that the rigid powder intervenes between the outside peripheral face of the outer cylinder and the inside peripheral face of the mated component.
US08651460B2

Provided is a wall grommet, which can be installed through the surfaces of walls to route wiring in the walls' interior spaces. In particular, the wall grommet is configured for running power cords inside walls and presenting the electrical connectors of a power cord in a manner such that power cords are hidden from view. The grommet may comprise a power module and a back cover. The power module comprises a housing, which defines an interior space that is adapted to hold either the female connector or male connector of a power cord. The back cover can be attached to the housing to secure the electrical connector of the power cord in the housing.
US08651446B2

A pc tablet holder for suspending pc tablets above the mid-body section of a user lying on bed with the back against the headboard. The holder has a tripod configuration with front legs made from a resilient elongated round bent in inverted “U”-shape and held in position by a string. A rear leg is connected to the “U”-shape's vertex by a retainer. A top clamping element, having a surface to catch the pc tablet's top edge, is carried at the “U”-shape's vertex. A bottom clamping element, having a space to receive the pc tablet's bottom edge, is carried by the string. The holder is placed on the bed with front legs across the user's mid-body section and the rear leg adjacent the user's crotch area. A pc tablet is removably clamped between the top and bottom clamping elements, achieving a hands-free holding of the pc tablet.
US08651441B2

A support assembly for an item of furniture has an elongated support structure with a first pair of feet fast with the support structure at its lower end; a passage defining arrangement defining a guide passage fast with the support structure and extending lengthwise; a support member displaceable with respect to the support structure which has a second pair of feet at its lower end; an elongated a guided pin fast with the displaceable support member that is complementary to and longitudinally slidably engaged with the passage defining arrangement, so that the displaceable support member is slidably displaceable along a rectilinear guide path which is transverse to lines drawn between both the pairs of feet, the passage defining arrangement comprising a hollow carrier with a pair of longitudinally spaced precision washers which engage the guided pin, the dimensions of the washers and the guided pin being such that automatic frictional engagement of the guided pin occurs, in use, with inner walls of the washers in response to pivoting of the displaceable support member about a pivot axis which is transverse to the displaceable support member's guide path, automatically to anchor the displaceable support member frictionally against sliding displacement relative to the support structure.
US08651431B1

A method and apparatus for improved aircraft control through the use of adjustable winglets. The adjustable winglets are located at the terminal ends of an aircraft's wings and may pivot about an axis parallel to the yaw axis of the aircraft. The adjustable winglets may also include outboard ailerons for improved control of the aircraft.
US08651428B2

An aircraft wing assembly, comprising: a fixed wing portion; a first and second flight control surfaces; a first and second actuators operatively coupled to the first and second flight control surfaces for moving respective first and second flight control surfaces with respect to the fixed wing portion; a control system operatively coupled to the first and second actuators for controlling movement of the first and second flight control surfaces; and a third actuator selectively engaged with the second flight control surface for engaging and moving the second flight control surface out of a path of movement of the first flight control surface only in the event of a failure in the second actuator or its control, so as to avoid direct contact between the first and second flight control surfaces.
US08651423B2

The present invention provides a fireproof bulkhead, having a highly porous structure with an intumescent coating, the highly porous structure being formed as a reticulated foam or as a highly porous pimple or nub structure.
US08651420B2

Overhead stowage compartments are provided for an aircraft. The stowage compartments feature an opening device that can be displaced or rolled up. This may make it possible to prevent lights or air outlets from being covered by pivoting a door upward, as well as to preserve the headroom during the opening process and to prevent collisions between the doors. The architecture of the aircraft may be optimized in this fashion.
US08651414B2

An airplane, including a fuselage having an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis of the airplane, and at least one wing attached to the fuselage between front and back ends of the fuselage and a substantially cylindrical central portion and a rear scaleable portion on which a vertical tail assembly and a rear propulsion assembly are attached. Between a section for connecting the rear portion to the central portion of the fuselage and the back end: the maximum width of each fuselage section is constant or increases towards the rear up to a maximum fuselage width L; the height of each fuselage section decreases towards the rear, such that the back end of the fuselage forms a thin trailing edge substantially horizontal in the indicating line of the airplane and substantially rectilinear; a reactor for the propulsion assembly is provided in a so-called semi-buried configuration in the fuselage.
US08651412B2

The invention relates to a device for holding an elastically deformable winding article, in particular a flexible medical instrument such as a medical guidewire or a catheter, with a winding article receptacle and with a housing part (14) covering the winding article receptacle at least in parts, which form a receptacle space for holding the winding article, the winding article receptacle and the housing part being connected to one another such that they are twistable relative to each other and a winding article guide being provided in the receptacle space, which winding article guide arranges a number of turns of the winding article next to each other when winding the winding article. (FIG. 2 is provided to this end)
US08651393B2

A rail repair insert enables repair of rails and rail-like structures. A rail defect is initially identified and removed as contained within a volumetric material portion so as to form a contoured void while maintaining continuity of the rail opposite the void. A pre-formed insert is then placed into the void thereby effecting a rail-to-insert interface. Current is driven through the interface as force directs the insert against the rail. Resistance heat and pressure weld the insert to the rail. The flash welding aspects remove oxides and other impurities from the interface, and the forge welding aspects create a robust solid state weld. Excess material, whether flash, rail, or insert-based, is removed during the finishing processes to provide a virtually seamless rail repair. The solid state weld repair insert may be used to repair any number of targeted metallic rail-like structures.
US08651392B2

A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A bellows is fixed between an upper portion of the piston and an upper portion of the guide member to define a liquid space between an outer periphery of the upper portion of the piston and the bellows. The fluid in the liquid chamber can flow in and out of the liquid space via a through-hole and a radial hole.
US08651391B2

An energy saving air quality control system modulates supply fan speed by use of controlled, variable-frequency drive controls for automatic dampers or suction pressure to maintain adequate air flow across the evaporator coil at partial cooling loads. Indexing the fan speed to maintain the suction pressure of the energized coil controls the maximum relative humidity of the conditioned space. Demand ventilation in the system balances air quality and energy consumption by controlling the outdoor air damper in response to indoor CO2 and humidity levels. The control system variously either (1) produces a variable 0-10 VDC output signal to modulate the outside ventilation air damper as required to keep the CO2 and humidity concentration below a set point; (2) produces a 0 or 24 VAC signal to either open or close a two-position outside air damper for as long a time period as is required in order to keep the CO2 concentration and humidity below a set point; or (3) allows manually setting the outside air damper to provide proper ventilation air at maximum occupancy and maximum air flow and modulates the supply fan speed as required to keep the CO2 concentration and humidity level as measured by a CO2 monitor and leaving air dewpoint temperature below set point.
US08651382B2

A two-dimensional code reading device 20 is provided with image pickup device 22 which receives light reflected from either of a first inclined portion 12 and a second inclined portion 13 in a direction forming an angle θ satisfying expression (1) with respect to the normal-line direction R, and light source 21 which irradiates either of the inclined portions from a direction forming an angle α satisfying expression (2) with respect to the normal-line direction R: 30°≦θ≦35°  (1) Δθ=θ−180°+α+2β  (2) where β is less than 90°, Δθ is not less than −10° but not more than 10°, and θ and α are angles in a turn direction reverse to a turn direction at which either of the inclined portions forms the angle β with respect to the normal-line direction R.
US08651378B2

A system for monitoring a validator that assesses a token includes an input device for receiving messages from a machine including a validator. The messages contain data indicative of validator events such as an assessment of a token resulting in acceptance of the token and an assessment of a token resulting in rejection of the token. The system further includes a processor for deriving timing information for the validator events and for comparing the data and timing information with predetermined criteria. Personnel alerts are raised when predetermined criteria are satisfied, and maintenance of validators may be scheduled in dependence upon criteria related to assessments of tokens resulting in rejection.
US08651369B2

Systems and methods are provided for enabling a portable electronic device to retrieve information about an object when the object's symbology, e.g., a barcode, is detected. According to one embodiment a method is providing in which symbology associated with an object is detected and decoded to obtain a decode string. The decode string is sent to one or more visual detection applications for processing, wherein the one or more visual detection applications reside on the portable electronic device, and receiving a first amount of information about the object from the one or more visual detection applications. The method also includes sending the decode string to a remote server for processing and receiving a second amount of information about the object from the remote server. The first amount of information is combined with the second amount of information to obtain cumulative information which is displayed on the portable electronic device.
US08651367B1

A charitable collection canister comprising, in combination a container having a money recess therein. There is next a lid having an inside surface. The lid is removably coupled to the container. The lid has a money slot, with the money slot having an inwardly and rearwardly oriented tab. The canister has an internal light emitting diode, with a battery electronically coupled thereto. Lastly, there is a window panel, with the window panel being coupled to the inside surface of the lid. The light emitting diode is visible through the window panel.
US08651363B2

A practical bonding technique is provided for solid-phase room-temperature bonding not requiring a profile irregularity of the order of several nanometers, in which a high-vacuum energy wave treatment and continuous high-vacuum bonding are not required. Since an adhering substance layer is thin immediately after a surface activating treatment using an energy wave, a bonding interface is spread by crushing the adhering substance layer to perform bonding, so that a new surface appears on a bonding surface, and objects to be bonded are bonded together. In order to crush the adhering substance layer more easily, a bonding metal of a bonding portion of the object to be bonded requires a low hardness. According to the results of various experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was found that the hardness of the bonding portion which is a Vickers hardness of 200 Hv or less is particularly effective for room-temperature bonding.
US08651362B2

A braze joint is made between two workpieces by first forming a thermal shrink fit region between the two workpieces adjacent to, or around, a braze or filler region in which a filler metal is located adjacent to, or within. The filler metal is suitably heated so that it flows in the braze or filler region to form the braze joint of the two workpieces. Cutouts may be formed in the thermal shrink fit region adjacent to the braze or filler region to extend the braze joint region or provide paths for gas byproducts in the brazing process.
US08651358B2

A palletized framing system for a motor vehicle body assembly system in which the pallet with a body structure positioned thereon is positioned at the framing station on balls to establish the vertical Z dimension with the pallet free to float on the balls in longitudinal X and lateral Y dimensions, whereafter positioners carried by one of the gates of the framing station engage and lock onto the pallet to precisely position the pallet and the body structure at the framing station at X and Y dimensions corresponding to the precisely attainable X and Y positioning of the gate.
US08651357B2

An embodiment of a robotic welding apparatus comprises a robot having a welding torch and a base, where the base rotates about an axis of rotation. The embodiment further comprises an indexing table including a plurality of workpiece holding positions, where the indexing table is fixedly connected to the base substantially at a center position of the indexing table, and where the indexing table rotates about the axis of rotation.
US08651355B2

To provide a bonding apparatus capable of bonding at a high speed without performing a height measurement of a bonding point before a searching operation and the bonding. A confocal optical system mounted on a bonding arm pivotable upward and downward and configured to perform detection of a focus of a bonding point located on a surface of a bonded part, a bonding tool configured to be movable integrally with the bonding arm and perform bonding, and position detecting means configured to detect the position of the bonding tool, wherein the bonding tool is configured to move downward by a predetermined distance from a position of the bonding tool detected by the position detecting means by focus detection by the confocal optical system to a preset bonding point (amount of downward movement from a focus) during the downward movement of the bonding tool to the bonding point and stop on the bonding point.
US08651348B2

A tool box includes a box body having a top cover and a bottom cover which are pivoting on each other, two foldable sets which are both assembled to the top cover and the bottom cover, at least one positioning base is assembled between the two foldable sets. Under this arrangement, the positioning base can be rotated outward relative to the bottom cover by the operation of the two foldable sets. Therefore, the user can pull out the tool bit from the positioning base directly without bending up the tool bit by the finger thereof at first.
US08651347B1

The subject matter discloses an apparatus, having an envelope and a base for holding a grenade, a rear cover connected to the envelope for attaching said envelope to a vest; a top cover to secure the grenade from above when positioned in a downward position and moving upwards to an upward position; a spring connected to the top cover and to the envelope and a button that causes the top cover to move to the upward position when pressed by the user. The button is located below the top cover and connected only to one of the envelope or the rear cover. The user of the apparatus can release the grenade from the apparatus while pressing the button and the envelope is designed to enable the user to hold the grenade and the grenade lever singlehandedly when pressing the button and when releasing the grenade from the apparatus.
US08651337B2

A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container. The air compressor injects air into the interior of the container through the outlet of the needle to increase the pressure inside the container, and the vent valve of the inflation plug opens if the pressure of the container rises above a set threshold.
US08651336B2

A long-life substance dispensing device for a washing machine, particularly a dishwasher, comprises: —a body (20′, 30′) designed to be sealingly fixed to a structure of the washing machine, —a support means (40) adapted to contain a total amount of a substance sufficient for performing a plurality of washing cycles, —an actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) which is electrically controllable for causing delivery of at least one dose of the substance contained in the support means (40). The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) comprises at least one drive element and one driven element (47′) capable of cooperating to obtain the delivery. The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) is arranged for being able to take on an operative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is operatively coupled with the driven element (47′), and an inoperative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is decoupled from the driven element (47′).
US08651329B2

A system and related method is disclosed for resetting a stalled pump in a fluid dispensing system. In one embodiment, the presence of a user's hand is detected to start a pump actuator associated with a refill container. A controller associated with a motor actuates the pump actuator by rotating a motor shaft in a first direction. The current sensor is monitored and when the current sensor detects a predetermined level of current the motor shaft is reversed to a starting position.
US08651326B2

A singulating and counting device includes a bulk housing for storing a plurality of substantially identical articles, an exit channel, and in the exit channel, forwardly- and rearwardly-directed jet apertures, each of which is fluidly connected to a positive pressure source. A forwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the forward jet aperture can accelerate singulated articles in the exit channel, thereby increasing the interval between individual articles and rendering them more easily and accurately counted. A rearwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the rearwardly-directed jet aperture can cause articles in the exit channel to return to the housing. A controller operatively connected with the pressure source(s) selectively controls the application of positive pressure to the aforementioned apertures to induce or halt singulation of the articles; the controller may be operatively associated with a sensor that detects and counts articles passing through the exit channel.
US08651320B2

An apparatus for dispensing open-ended objects such as pharmaceutical vials includes: a housing having an internal cavity configured to house open-ended objects, the housing including a guide and a floor; a pick-up unit mounted to the housing, the pick-up unit including an endless member and at least one pick-up member attached to the endless member; and a drive unit. The endless member engages the drive unit and the guide for movement relative thereto. As the drive unit drives the endless member, the at least one pick-up member travels on a pick-up path, at least a portion of which is within the housing.
US08651318B2

A beverage can closure element (10) with a cover element (12) is specified for configuring in an opening in a beverage can (30) and a locking mechanism (16) embodied and/or configured on the cover element (12) which is embodied and/or configured in a manner that the beverage can closure element (10) configured in an opening in a beverage can (30) can be locked in an opening of a beverage can (30). The cover element (12) is embodied and configured so that, if the beverage can closure element (10) is configured in an opening of a beverage can (30), the cover element (12) is elastically deformable between at least two states. The locking mechanism (16) is configured and embodied in such a manner on the cover element (12) that the locking mechanism (16) in at least one state of the cover element (12) of the at least two states of the cover element (12) is configured further inwards in a radial direction relative to the cover element (12) than in at least one other of the at least two states of the cover element (12).
US08651312B2

A canister includes a container and a lid that is able to be coupled to the container. The container includes a bottom wall and a side wall formed to include a mouth opening into a product-receiving chamber. The container includes an annular side wall that is formed to include a neck finish. The neck finish is configured to accept the lid of the canister.
US08651310B2

A foldable box includes a floor having a fixed exterior wall extending from the floor in a vertical direction upwards and an exterior wall having a shaft arranged in the base area of the exterior wall. The foldable box further includes a guide opening in the fixed exterior wall area in which the shaft is arranged, the guide opening including an opening section extending basically in the vertical direction through which the shaft may be guided out from the top, and a lateral opening section extending in a lateral direction from an outside of the fixed exterior wall area inwards, in which the shaft may be shifted basically in a lateral direction. A cam arranged in the base area of the exterior wall has a cam contour which is implemented such that the cam contour, when erecting the exterior wall, gets into contact with a contact surface arranged at the fixed exterior wall area such that the shaft is moved inwards in the lateral opening section.
US08651309B2

A collapsible, re-usable container of unitary construction is disclosed. The container is able to be locked into a flat, folded configuration as well as locked into an open, unfolded configuration, and includes a base, two opposing end walls that are pivotably attached to the base, and two opposing side walls, which are pivotably attached to both the base and to the side walls.
US08651308B1

The present invention is related to a cosmetic package container, in particular, to a three-piece assembly of a cosmetic package container in a hollow spherical shape, comprising a cap unit and a base unit respectively of a semi-spherical hollow shape assembled in a top-down manner together with as a central ring unit having a net structure and attached to an opening of the base unit. A paste of cosmetic material is filled into the container via a filling perforation at the bottom portion of the base unit. The outer surface of the central ring unit is provided with threads for parts of the container to be fastened with ease to form a complete assembly of the container. The cap and base units are of a double-layered structure formed of different materials such that the outer appearance of the container can be of various decorative designs and is practical to use.
US08651298B2

A freestanding display rack used for supporting and displaying product at a point of sale. The display rack can be shipped in a knocked-down flattened condition in a compact package and assembled without using tools. The display rack comprises a pair of spaced apart side panels and a plurality of shelves extend between and supported at their opposite ends on the side panels by a plurality of mechanical interlocking engaged between the shelves and the side panels. The plurality of mechanical interlocking comprises slots in the side panels and tabs integral with the shelves on opposite ends thereof extended through the slots. An opening formed in an end of each of the tabs projecting through the slots in the respective side panel. A locking pin inserted in each the opening to prevent withdrawal of the tabs from the slots. A graphics header extends above the shelves and side panels.
US08651292B2

The invention disclosed is a positionable utility tray. The tray apparatus is adapted to be mounted in the interior of an automobile and can be fixed in a chosen position by locking a securing mount into a vehicle receiving socket, such as an auxiliary power outlet. The invention utilizes a securing mount using a tapered plunger and expanding collet to force fingers outwardly onto the socket inner surface, thereby securing the utility tray. The utility tray further utilizes fastener projections to mount tray accessory components such as trash cans, mobile device holders, and the like.
US08651290B1

A device and method to organize a plurality of toothbrushes to promote sanitary toothbrush drying and storing. This device allows the user to insert a toothbrush into the holder after use. The user will align the bristles of the toothbrush so that the bristle portion of the brush is facing down and plumb relative the horizon to allow the toothbrush to air-dry. The holder can be configured with multiple receiver members to store multiple toothbrushes while preventing cross-contamination. One embodiment features a toothbrush holder affixed to a wall while a second embodiment features a freestanding toothbrush holder. This device may also incorporate a cup holder, or a loop portion with an aperture disposed therein. The base of the holder may take various shapes and sizes. The holder may be flush-mounted, or may feature a mounting offset between the mounted surface and the receiver plate to aid in securing the toothbrush.
US08651285B2

Provided are nonwoven polymeric fiber webs using an improved curable composition. Such curable composition comprises a reaction product of an amine and a reactant in the form of an amino-amide intermediate. To the amino-amide is added an aldehyde or ketone to form the curable binder composition. The composition when applied to the polymeric fibers is cured to form a water-insoluble polymer binder which exhibits good adhesion and thermo-dimensional stability.
US08651264B2

A transport device and a method for the transport of articles are disclosed. The transport device is provided with a plurality of single lanes for the single articles having a width (BE). Each single lane is provided with one separating element. Adjacent single lanes are separated by one of the separating elements. The widths (BE) are adjustable with at least one displacing means. At least two adjacent single lanes form a group of lanes with a width (BG). Several of the groups of lanes formed in such a way are slidable to each other. The widths are adjustable with at least a further displacing means.
US08651254B2

An apparatus for a disk brake comprises a caliper body having an inner peripheral surface and a seal groove disposed at the inner peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface is dimensioned to slidably receive a piston therein, wherein the piston moves in a direction of a braking direction axis, and the seal groove is dimensioned to receive a seal therein so that the seal can seal a space between the inner peripheral surface and the piston. The seal groove comprises a movement restricting part that restricts movement of the seal in the direction of the braking direction axis, and a movement permitting part formed as a step facing radially inwardly.
US08651248B2

A brake disk is described that has a friction ring and a disk chamber connected to the friction ring via connecting links. Bores, into which the connecting links are inserted, are formed in the circumference of the friction ring. The connecting links are calibrated using a die before being inserted into the bore. A calibration ball is introduced into the bore with the aid of which the wall of the bore is calibrated when the connecting link is inserted.
US08651244B2

A hydraulic brake device includes a carrier body. The carrier body is integrally molded. The carrier body has at least one assembling portion disposed thereon for assembling purpose. The carrier body has at least one connecting portion respectively extending from the at least one assembling portion. At least one hydraulic brake assembly movably is mounted on the at least one connecting portion of the carrier body. The carrier body with the at least one brake assembly are adapted to assemble with a bicycle for providing a stable assembling effect, a high structural strength, and lightweight effect.
US08651242B2

In a method for adapting control functions in elevator systems using portable call terminals for providing calls, values of the control parameters are set and then used in the control of the elevator system. The values of the control parameters are dependent on the location of the call terminals. An elevator system includes: at least one elevator; at least one freely locatable call terminal; and a control system responsive to the call terminal. The control system is configured to control the elevator system based on at least one control parameter. A value of the control parameter is determined based on a location of the call terminal within a building after the portable call terminal is arranged at the location.
US08651228B2

The invention is an electric powered mechanism for lifting and lowering at the wheels for an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record. The electric powered wheel mechanism may be utilized to bring the foot of the rod or piston in contact with the ground or in closer proximity to the ground or level the source prior to emitting the seismic energy or to adjust weight on the acoustic energy delivery system while seismic energy is being delivered.
US08651224B2

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a first pump driven by an engine of the vehicle to supply fluid under pressure to a power steering motor assembly through a supply conduit. A second pump driven by the engine of the vehicle supplies fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is below a predetermined value. The second pump is inactive when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is above the predetermined value. The second pump has vanes located in slits. A valve which is in fluid communication with the slits has a first condition in which fluid under pressure is supplied to the slits. The valve has a second condition in which the slits are in fluid communication with a reservoir.
US08651221B2

A saddle riding type vehicle having a structure that supports a handle is provided. A handle cover includes first and second covers and a pulley cover. The first cover covers a front or rear part of a handle. The second cover covers the other side of the front or rear part of the handle. The pulley cover is provided in a space surrounded by the first and second covers. The first cover is provided with a pulley providing groove that covers a part of a pulley. The pulley is provided in the pulley providing groove. The pulley cover is provided on a side where the second cover is provided to the first cover. The pulley cover is attached to the first cover and covers the pulley together with the pulley providing groove.
US08651213B2

A braking device of a saddle-ride type vehicle that can reduce a load acting on a joint is provided.A joint 200 at a front-wheel brake output side which connects a metal pipe and a flexible brake hose is mounted on a body frame 2 via a mount rubber 260 under a floating state.
US08651208B2

A power reception unit includes a secondary self-resonant coil receiving electric power from a power transmission unit of a power feeding device by resonating with a primary self-resonant coil included in the power transmission unit through an electromagnetic field. The power reception unit is stored in an engine room where a driving power generation unit including an engine and motor generator are stored. In detail, the power reception unit is arranged at the bottom of the engine room. A shielding member is provided to electromagnetically shield the engine room from inside and outside. For example, the shielding member is formed of a cloth, sponge, or the like having an electromagnetic shielding effect, and is arranged at the inner surface of the engine room.
US08651206B2

Devices, systems, and methods for inspecting and objectively analyzing the condition of a roof are presented. A vehicle adapted for traversing and inspecting an irregular terrain includes a chassis having a bottom surface that defines a higher ground clearance at an intermediate location, thereby keeping the center of mass low when crossing roof peaks. In another embodiment, the drive tracks include a partially collapsible treads made of resilient foam. A system for inspecting a roof includes a lift system and a remote computer for analyzing data. Vehicles and systems may gather and analyze data, and generate revenue by providing data, analysis, and reports for a fee to interested parties.
US08651200B2

A device is for vertical tool guiding for a drill floor. On the drill floor is arranged at least one rig. Each rig is arranged on a rig foundation supported on the drill floor rotatably about a first, vertical axis (A) and arranged to be able to displace a tool in a horizontal working sector (Sa, Sb, Sc) that in a vertical projection at least touches or cuts through the central axis (C) in a through drill floor opening. Each rig is provided with a vertical guide track.
US08651199B2

A transmission assembly for a power tool includes a first transmission path comprising a high speed transmission path, a second transmission path comprising a low speed transmission path, a controller for one of engaging and disengaging the high speed transmission path, and a clutch for enabling the low speed transmission path to operate at a lower speed than an output of the transmission assembly when the high speed transmission path is engaged.
US08651186B2

The present invention relates to methods useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore and is subjected to ionizing radiation that alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.
US08651178B2

A packer for a well. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.
US08651175B2

A top drive assembly that includes a gauge for measuring strain in a linkage coupling the top drive to a drilling rig frame. The strain measuring gauge, which can be a strain gauge, is disposed on a pin that pivotingly links members of the linkage coupling. When a motor in the top drive assembly operates to rotate an associated pipe string, the torque generated by the motor can be estimated by monitoring strain measured in the pin.
US08651173B2

A modular control system includes a control module removably attachable to an exterior of a downhole tool. A controlled device, the controlled device providing a function for the downhole tool. The controlled device controlled by the control module.
US08651164B2

The present invention presents a novel alternative to side-hinged swinging doors that offers access to a broad egress opening width needed to meet higher occupancy egress requirements while simultaneously qualifying as a fire/smoke barrier. In a preferred embodiment, a single overhead coiling fire door shaft assembly is counter-balanced to allow a fire door curtain to automatically close at a governed controlled descent upon reaching an established critical low battery condition. An operator is provided that will run the door under both normal condition and during a power failure or fire/smoke condition at an established average door speed, and also provide established levels of low battery warning signals/actions while also providing the ability to open as required for emergency egress until the temperature at the opening is not conducive for human life.
US08651163B1

Ultrasonic welding tools for joining two or more components include a horn and an anvil. The horn work surface(s) has a plurality of protrusions, each having a base, a lower portion projecting from the base, and an upper domed portion projecting from the lower portion, substantially resembling a domed cone. The anvil work surface(s) has a plurality of protrusions, each having a basal portion and an upper tapering portion projecting from the base, substantially resembling a pyramid. The span of each pyramid base is no greater than the span of each domed cone base. The geometric center of each domed cone base on each horn work surface aligns with the geometric center of the valley surrounded by four adjacent pyramids on the matching anvil work surface.
US08651161B2

Described is a sheet-fed offset printing press including: a printing unit 20 printing on paper sheets 1; and laminate unit 40 for applying lamination to the paper sheets 1 printed by the printing unit 20, the lamination unit 40 being provided downstream of the printing unit 20 in a transport direction of the paper sheets 1.
US08651154B1

A tire traction device installable on a vehicle tire tread surface, including a parallelepiped strip of a polymeric material, the strip having a protruding tread in a repeat pattern across an exterior surface, each strip having an interlocking hinge at the strip front and rear end by which the strip connects to other such strips by means of an insertable pin, the strip secured to the vehicle wheel by means of an adjustable belt member, the belt member having a buckle piece and a thread piece, secured around the vehicle wheel rim by means of a fastener.
US08651153B2

A device and method for increasing tire friction is provided. The device is especially suitable for use on slippery roads, such as roads which have snow and/or ice. The device is permanently secured to the vehicle wheel assembly and easily installed over the tire for use. The device has a plurality of friction grips which independently move from an inactive first position secured to a sidewall of a housing center of the device to an active second position secured over the tire of the vehicle wheel assembly.
US08651152B2

Included are tread bands for use on retreaded tires and methods for retreading a tire using such tread bands. Embodiments of such tread bands include a primary groove having a top opening that is open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom opening that is open to a back face of the tread band. The groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. Particular embodiments may also further include an overflow reservoir having a reservoir opening that is open to the back face of the tread band, the reservoir opening being positioned adjacent to an edge of the secondary groove bottom opening.
US08651150B2

This method, for simultaneously weaving on a loom two fabrics (42, 44) provided with piles (424, 444), comprises the steps of weaving an inner layer (FL2, FL4) and an outer layer (BL2, BL4) for each distance fabric, binding the inner and outer layers with connecting warp yarns (401-404) extending between the inner and outer layers, weaving pile warp yarns (501, 502) between the distance fabrics, and cutting the pile yarns. During weaving, the inner and outer layers of each distance fabric are kept apart by respective lancet means (202, 204). Moreover, for each pick (P1-P13) and for each connecting warp yarn (401-404) and each pile warp yarn (501, 502), one selects on the basis of the information relating to the layer (BL2, FL2, BL4, FL4) in which said warp yarn has been interlaced in the previous pick, on the basis of the shedding pattern and amongst several predetermined positions, a position (A1-A8, B1-B12) to be taken by a shedding element (10) driving said warp yarn (401-404, 501, 502) during said pick.
US08651142B2

A flow modulating device comprises flow modulating elements 8 of a shape memory alloy, which are acted upon by resilient elements 10. The flow modulating elements 8 and resilient elements 10 are mounted on a common support ring 6. At one temperature, the flow modulating elements 8 overcome the resilient force of the resilient elements 10 to lie against the wall of a duct 4 in which the device is situated. The flow modulating elements 8 thus offer a relatively low resistance to flow in the duct 4. At a second temperature, the force of the resilient elements 10 overcomes that of the flow modulating elements 8 to deflect them inwardly of the duct 4, so increasing the flow resistance of the device.
US08651140B2

A valve arrangement has several valve clusters which are designed for different nominal flow rates. Each valve cluster (1c) comprises a valve base (2) fitted with valve units (4), the valve units (4) respectively having a control portion (13), which is connected by way of electrical interface means (23) with internal signal transmission means (22) of the valve base (2). Irrespectively of the flow rate category the overall height of the valve bases (2), the width of the component mounting sites and of the valve units (4) and also the electrical interface means (23) are identically configured in the case of the valve clusters of all flow rate categories. The modification of the nominal flow rates is performed more especially by the choice of different overall lengths of the valve units (4).
US08651135B2

According to one embodiment, a flow rate adjusting unit is disposed on a gas passageway and includes a valve that adjusts the flow rate of a gas and an actuator that controls the displacement amount of the valve. A displacement amount storage unit stores displacement amount information in which a displacement amount of the valve, used when a gas flows into the gas passageway at a flow rate defined according to a process procedure before performing the process procedure, is obtained in advance for each process procedure. A setting circuit acquires the displacement amount corresponding to the process procedure from the displacement amount storage unit, and controls the actuator on the basis of the acquired displacement amount.
US08651126B2

An apparatus and a method for removing condensate and unwanted gas from vapor/liquid systems while preventing steam loss are provided. The steam trap apparatus replaces the automatic valve type, non-sanitary steam trap with an efficient, controllable, and sanitary steam trap. In addition, the improved steam trap apparatus allows for real-time data collection and eliminates the need for additional piping and actuated valves for sterilization and cleaning purposes.
US08651122B2

A water-conducting domestic appliance includes a container with an expansion opening, an expansion component on the container, and an anti-twist device securing the expansion component in its assembly position.
US08651116B2

The present invention relates to a dental cleaning aid. The aid includes a threader (or leader) including a monofilament. A follower is provided for following the threader and the follower is at least in part wider than the monofilament. Preferably, the aid includes a loop or fold fastening arrangement by which the threader and follower are fastened together. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes a fold or loop of the follower engaged with a fold or loop of the threader.
US08651115B2

A process for treating a tobacco material comprising: (a) extracting a tobacco material with a solvent to produce a tobacco extract and a tobacco residue; (b) contacting the tobacco extract with an antioxidant; and (c) contacting the mixture of (b) with an antioxidant scavenger, to produce a treated tobacco extract. The treated tobacco extract is reapplied to the tobacco residue to form a treated tobacco material. In addition, a smoking composition, a smoking article and a smokeless tobacco oral delivery product contain the treated tobacco material.
US08651114B2

Method of opening a cigarette wrapper including cutting open a cigarette transported in a guiding groove of a feeder of a machine for recovering tobacco from defective and/or substandard cigarettes with at least one revolving disc knife located above the feeder, in which the at least one revolving disc knife is applied to the cigarette in such a way that the axis of rotation on which the said disc knife is perpendicularly mounted lies on a plane parallel to the plane over which the cigarette axis is translated, and the plane of the disc knife does not contain the cigarette axis and is parallel to the said cigarette axis, the possibility of rotation of the cigarette around its axis in the guiding groove is blocked, whereby tensile stress is applied in the cigarette wrapper facilitating its opening.Assembly for applying the method according to the invention.
US08651113B2

Magnetically responsive therapeutic carriers comprise nanoparticles including single-domain nanoparticles comprising magnetite and having an average particle size ranging between 1 and 50 nanometers, clusters of the single-domain nanoparticles, the clusters having an average cluster size ranging between 5 and 1000 nanometers, and mixtures of the two. The single-domain nanoparticles are encapsulated with a silica coating. A silane coupling agent is bonded to the silica coating and has a specific pendant functional group capable of selectively binding with the therapeutic. Preferably, the bond between the specific pendant functional group and the therapeutic is a covalent bond. The movement of magnetically responsive nanoparticle therapeutic constructs, with concentration and extravasation/endocytosis at a target site, such as cancerous tumors, uses a controllable magnetic field generator adapted to move the therapeutic constructs in three dimensions, and is enhanced using a repetitively-varying magnetic field. A method for treating cancer comprises administering and magnetically guiding a therapeutic construct comprising paclitaxel.
US08651111B2

Human and mammalian skin undergoes a variety of changes associated with chronological aging. Various environmental factors, disease states and genetic disorders may accelerate both the appearance of aging skin and also the structural and functional changes associated with aging skin. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is one of the classic known and well-defined means of accelerating or worsening the aging of the skin and this is frequently termed photoaging. Other environmental factors, such as oxidative stress, free radicals, environmental toxins such as ozone and cultural customs or habits such as tobacco smoking are other known probe accelerators in photo aging skin. A wide variety of other factors known and unknown contribute to accelerated or premature aging of the skin. This invention discusses methods where electromagnetic radiation, in particular, light, can be used to photobiomodulate the activity of living cells to delay, diminish, retard or even reverse the structural and functional effects of aging of the skin and other living cells and tissues. In particular methods described for improving the appearance, structure, function of aging skin, including up and down regulating the genotypic markers for the phenotype of aging skin.
US08651110B2

A condom, including a non-porous sheath member, having an open end and a rounded end, and shaped to cover the glans and body portion of a penis, and at least one rib having at least one outer portion and at least one inner portion, wherein the at least one outer portion is attachedly fixed to said non-porous sheath member, and wherein an inner cylinder formed by at the at least one inner portion is exclusive from said non-porous sheath member, and including at least one lubricant within the inner cylinder and at least one hole extending from the inner cylinder through the outer portion to provide for flow of the lubricant outwardly from the inner cylinder through the at least one hole pursuant to application of a predetermined pressure, wherein the at least one rib extends at least one of substantially from the open end to the closed end and substantially about a circumference of the non-porous sheath member.
US08651109B2

Disclosed are devices for supporting a prolapsed organ. An exemplary device comprises a ring-like body optionally having a naturally occurring substantially flat and substantially planar compact configuration, the ring-like body configured with a size suitable for insertion into a vagina and to be expanded by a support element such that in the expanded configuration an outer periphery of the ring-like body contacts a portion of the vagina and stretches at least a portion of a prolapsed vaginal wall, thereby substantially alleviating prolapse of at least one pelvic organ. The device optionally includes a support element comprising two moveably connected arms configured to support the ring in the expanded configuration.
US08651102B2

An emergency ventilation apparatus, system, and method for providing ventilation to patients in emergency situations, the system comprising an angled laryngoscope handle and a ventilation-aid securement device. The handle is configured to hold a laryngoscope blade between approximately twenty and forty degrees relative to a lower portion of the handle for more effective intubation of patients. The securement device fits atop a portion of a ventilating mask and is adjustably secured to the patient fitted with the mask by an adjustable strap or similar device. The securement device fits flexibly over the mask providing a seal between the mask and the patient's face. A version of the securement device includes a thumbscrew for engaging with the mask to secure it. Another version of the securement device is further capable of securing an endotracheal tube to a patient using a thumbscrew to advance a retaining arm for engaging the tube.
US08651097B2

An archery bow is provided including a cable guard and/or cable guide that can flex to selectively move a cable relative to a plane in which a bowstring of the bow travels to minimize cam lean, limb twist, and/or cable wear. The cable guard and/or guide can move toward the bowstring plane as the bowstring is drawn, and away from the bowstring plane, out of the way of the bowstring and any attached arrow, after the bowstring is released. The cable guard can define a bore, for example, an elongated bore, extending through it along an axis that is generally parallel to the bowstring when the bowstring is undrawn. The cable guard bore can operate as a cable guide, and can include a rounded opening to minimize abrasion to a cable moving through it. A ceramic element can be included in the bore to minimize abrasion to the cable.
US08651096B2

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium storing machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, controlling the amount of energy delivered to a projectile from a source of compressed gas.
US08651095B2

A compound bow or crossbow employs bowstring cams with bowstring cam grooves and power cord cam grooves. Preferably a pair of generally identical power cord cam grooves are positioned axially above and below the bowstring cam groove. The power cords are anchored to a fixed anchor point, e.g., a pylon, on the near end of the riser or on the near side of the crossbow bar or stock. The power cords do not cross over to the other limb. The reduction in the number of cam wheels and pulleys and in the number of strings or cords results in greater efficiency and higher transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow or bolt. There is no drop-off in pull weight at full draw. The bolt or arrow accelerates throughout the travel of the bowstring, resulting in significantly higher velocity.
US08651086B2

An internal combustion engine is provided. Facing pistons eliminate a cylinder head, thereby reducing heat losses through a cylinder head. Facing pistons also halve the stroke that would be required for one piston to provide the same compression ratio, and the engine can thus be run at higher revolutions per minute and produce more power. An internal sleeve valve is provided for space and other considerations. A combustion chamber size-varying mechanism allows for adjustment of the minimum size of an internal volume to increase efficiency at partial-power operation. Variable intake valve operation is used to control engine power.
US08651083B2

A cylinder block is provided with a cylinder bore and a thermally sprayed metallic coating disposed on an internal wall of the cylinder bore. The internal wall has first and second wall sections that are located at different axial locations along the internal wall of the cylinder bore. The thermally sprayed metallic coating is disposed on the internal wall of the cylinder bore by spraying droplets of a molten metal. The thermally sprayed metallic coating includes a first thermally sprayed coating portion having a first iron oxide concentration and a second thermally sprayed coating portion having a second iron oxide concentration. The first thermally sprayed coating portion is disposed on the first wall section. The second thermally sprayed coating portion is disposed on the second wall section. The second iron oxide concentration is different from the first iron oxide concentration.
US08651079B2

A valve operating mechanism includes a pin housing housed in a lash adjuster and a lash adjustment chamber. A sync pin is slidably received within the housing between an activating position and a deactivating position. A ball valve assembly is provided within the housing for communication with the chamber, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve operating mechanism is operable in an active mode and a deactive mode. In the active mode, the sync pin is in the activating position, a valve is in an active state and the valve operating mechanism is configured to adjust valve lash. In the deactive mode, the sync pin is in the deactivating position and the valve is in a deactive state. The valve operating mechanism is configured to generate valve lash to allow the operating mechanism to move between the active mode and the deactive mode.
US08651073B2

A lift-control device for a poppet valve of an internal-combustion engine including a first valve-lift means, a second valve-lift means, and a means for selective de-activation of the second valve-lift means. In an embodiment, the first valve-lift means is configured to define a first valve-lift law and is operatively connected with a rocker that acts on a stem of said valve to move said stem according to the first valve-lift law; and the second valve-lift means is configured to define a second valve-lift law and is operatively connected with the rocker. In an embodiment, the first valve-lift means comprises a profile of a cam or eccentric acting on the rocker to cause it to oscillate about a first axis so as to move the valve stem according to the first valve-lift law; and the second valve-lift means comprises an auxiliary rocker that co-operates in contact with the first valve-lift means.
US08651070B2

A method to control coolant flow through an engine, especially for a motor vehicle, wherein the coolant is heated by the engine and cooled by a radiator and the coolant flow depends on the number of rotations of the engine. To prevents cavitations and high pressures on heat exchangers and to allow an optimal coolant flow, a magnetic field for controlling magneto rheological fluid to regulate the coolant flow is used.
US08651069B2

A wax-type thermostat for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine (ICE) provided with a radiator and a coolant loop circuit linking the radiator to the ICE, and a by-pass conduit. The thermostat comprises a thermostat body with one inlet from the radiator, one inlet from the ICE, and one outlet to the ICE. The thermostat further comprises a closure element integral to a first piston that closes or opens a thermostat internal pathway running from the inlet from the radiator to the outlet to the ICE, a main wax chamber thermally connected to the coolant within the thermostat body, and a spring to return the closure element towards its closing position. Also provided is a first means for moving the first piston when a volume variation in the wax occurs.
US08651065B1

An animal water tank that is heated to prevent freezing. The tank has a bottom with at least one upwardly extending sidewall to define sides of the tank. A tunnel defining a watertight channel extends across the tank. The tunnel has a top, sides, and a bottom. Ends of the tunnel terminate at openings in sides of the tank. A burner assembly in the tunnel produces heat from a combustible fuel to heat the tunnel. Openings in sides of the tank are covered by fin plates having fins obliquely angled downward to form louvered openings. Access panels cover the fin plates and extend vertically up the sidewalls of the tank to form chimneys that allow combustion gasses from the burner to draft upwardly out of the tank. Insulation may be added to sides of the tank to retain heat in the water.
US08651047B1

A spray shield assembly includes a spray shield handle, a universal joint carried by the spray shield handle and a spray shield carried by the universal joint.
US08651044B2

An image forming apparatus includes a generating mechanism to generate foam from a liquid or gel which may take a foam state, a coating roller having a peripheral surface supplied with the foam to coat the foam on the peripheral surface onto a surface of a recording medium, and a transport passage to transport the foam from the generating mechanism to the coating roller by an accumulation force of the foam.
US08651024B2

A cartridge ammunition load and/or method. Such a load may comprise a shot casing, a combustible propellant charge, a wad, and a plurality of shot. The shot may include shot of a first size and a second size, wherein the second size is within 80-95% of the first size. The first-size shot may be arranged in a stack of one or more planar rings, and may have the second-size shot disposed in a central interstice of one or more of the rings. Embodiments may include any number of layers of shot of the first and second size, and the second-size shot need not be present between every pair of adjacent layers of first-size shot.
US08651010B2

The invention relates to the trigger and firing mechanisms for pistols. The inventive pistol comprises a frame (1), a barrel (2) with a cartridge chamber (3), a cartridge feeding mechanism (4), a fired case removing mechanism and a breech block return spring (12). The breech block (13) is slidable parallel to the barrel axis and comprises a firing mechanism, which consists of a firing spring stop (14), a firing spring (15), a striker (16) having a firing pin tip (17), a cocking notch (18) and rest pads for a firing spring (19) and for a striker spring (20). The breech block (13) includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip (17) in a position, which makes possible the chambering of a cartridge, said mechanism having a striker spring (21), the force of which in a precompressed condition is greater than the precompressed force of the firing spring (15). The striker spring stop (22) is installed in the breech block (13) for fixing the precompressed force of the striker spring (21). The invention improves the positioning accuracy of the striker during the loss of resilience of the spring thereof.
US08651003B1

A power-operated toilet paper dispensing device for automatically providing a desired quantity of existing toilet paper as needed by a user may include a housing adapted to be affixed to a support surface. Further, the device may include a plurality of spindles situated within the housing. Each of the spindles may receive and support a corresponding roll of toilet paper. A mechanism may be included for automatically and independently rotating each of the spindles along a corresponding first rotational path defined within the housing. Such a mechanism may be automatically responsive to a triggering event such that a first one of the spindles automatically and independently articulate along the corresponding first rotational path while a second one of the spindles remains statically disposed at a fixed position within the housing. Additionally, the automatically and independently rotating mechanism may automatically detect the triggering event at a location exterior of the housing.
US08651000B2

The invention relates to a cutting device for slicing food products, comprising a driven circular blade rotating about a blade axis revolving on a track about a center axis, and a cover element rotatable relative to the circular blade on the side of the circular blade facing away from a product to be sliced. A holding device is provided that is designed for counteracting the self-rotation of the cover element about the blade axis.
US08650992B2

A driver accessory includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion movable relative to the first housing portion, an input shaft at least partially received in the first housing portion and defining a first axis, and an output shaft at least partially received in the second housing portion and defining a second axis. The output shaft is supportable by the housing in a first position relative to the input shaft in which the first and second axes are substantially parallel, and in a second position relative to the input shaft in which the first and second axes are non-parallel. The driver accessory also includes a locking mechanism operable to secure the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion when the output shaft is in the first position and the second position relative to the input shaft.
US08650989B1

A roofing material removal device that includes a wheeled frame, a plurality of vertical cutting blades being secured to a front of the wheeled frame, each of the vertical cutting blades being rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, at least one horizontal cutting blade being secured to the wheeled frame, the horizontal cutting blade being slidable in a lateral motion along a substantially horizontal plane, a first motor being coupled to the vertical cutting blades for rotating the vertical cutting blades, and a second motor being coupled to the horizontal cutting blade for moving the horizontal cutting blade in a lateral motion.
US08650982B2

An electric telescopic steering apparatus includes a jacket having a lower jacket and an upper jacket in order to telescope the jacket; and a screw shaft arranged along a longitudinal direction of the jacket and held under a rotation-locked state. The screw shaft includes one end portion supported by one of the lower jacket and the upper jacket. The electric telescopic steering apparatus further includes a nut screwed on another end portion of the screw shaft and supported by another of the lower jacket and the upper jacket; a driving section configured to drive a rotation of the nut; and a displacement absorbing section provided between the one end portion of the screw shaft and the jacket. The displacement absorbing section is configured to permit the one end portion of the screw shaft to be displaced on an X-Y plane defined by an imaginary X-axis and an imaginary Y-axis which are substantially perpendicular to an axis of the screw shaft, and configured to permit an angle of the axis of the screw shaft to vary about the X-axis and the Y-axis.
US08650980B2

The present invention relates to a transmission having a housing, having a first drive output shaft, having a second drive output shaft and having a clutch system for distributing a torque between the drive output shafts. At least two transmission components are operatively connected between the drive output shafts and generate lubricating oil pressure. A separate tube extends within the housing from the at least two transmission components to the clutch system in order to supply lubricating oil to the clutch system.
US08650977B2

An electric actuator has a housing (2), an electric motor (3), a speed reduction mechanism (6), a ball screw mechanism (8) and a rotation sensor (9). The ball screw mechanism (8) has a screw thread shaft (23) that moves axially but cannot rotate relative to the housing (8). A nut (24) is inserted over the screw thread shaft (23) and can rotate relative to the housing (2), via a rolling bearing (11), mounted on the housing (2), but cannot move axially. A swing link (13) is arranged to perform the pendulum motion interlocked with the linear motion of the driving shaft (7). A magnet (18) is mounted on the end of a pivotal shaft (17) to form the reference point of the pendulum motion. The position of the driving shaft (7) is detected by the rotation sensor (9) arranged opposite to the magnet (18) via a predetermined air gap.
US08650974B2

The invention relates to a device for collecting samples from a powder stream guided in a powder line (3). The device comprises a housing (1) that is disposed on the powder line (3), a slide (5) which comprises a sample well (13) disposed upwardly relative to the powder stream, and a pushing device. There is a sample container (18) provided that matches the sample well (13). An associated withdrawal device (19) comprising withdrawal tongs (20) can be inserted into the housing (1) in such a way that the withdrawal tongs (20) are located axially above the sample well (13) in the inoperative position of the slide (5) and can be fitted on the sample container (18) and connected to the same.
US08650969B2

A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a rotation shaft, a magnetostrictive member, and a plurality of detectors. The rotation shaft is rotationally supported. The magnetostrictive member is disposed on a surface of the rotation shaft and being deformable in accordance with a magnitude of rotation torque applied to the rotation shaft to change magnetic permeability. The plurality of detectors are disposed on a periphery of the rotation shaft. Each of the detectors is configured to detect a change in magnetic permeability of the magnetostrictive member in a form of an electrical change. The detectors are configured to detect different amounts of electrical change from one another if amounts of change in deformation are same throughout the magnetostrictive member.
US08650956B2

Vibration test arrangements incorporate an isolation device. In order to allow the isolation device to operate on one side only of a component subject to vibration testing a clamp association is provided between isolation elements. An abutment pressure to retain and present the component is generated between the isolation elements utilizing the clamp association and an appropriate displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism is controlled by a controller in a control loop incorporating a sensor to determine operational characteristics of the arrangement and appropriate drivers for the displacement mechanism.
US08650945B2

A valve stem connectible to a tire pressure sensor includes a valve stem body and a grommet attached to the valve stem body. The grommet includes a first flange and a second flange extending radially outward from the valve stem body. A retention member attached to the valve stem body includes a base member and a standoff extending from the base member. The standoff is selectively moveable between a first position in which a distal end of the standoff is disposed at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the valve stem body, and a second position in which the standoff is disposed at a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis, the first radial distance being greater than the second radial distance. An outer peripheral edge of the second flange is disposed at a third radial distance that is less than the first radial distance.
US08650932B2

A detection and identification system includes a sensor unit (100) having a sensor array that detects and identifies at least one chemical included in an air flow. The system also includes a pump (120) that drives the air flow through the detection and identification system, in which the pump receives the air flow that has passed out of the sensor unit. The system further includes an adsorption unit (130) that dries and cleans the air flow within the detection and identification system, to obtain a substantially dry and clean air flow, in which the adsorption unit receives the air flow that has passed out of the pump. The system also includes at least one valve (140) that receives the substantially dry and clean air flow that has passed through the adsorption unit. The valve provides the substantially dry and clean air flow to the sensor unit in a close-loop circulation operation to thereby clean a sensor array. The system receives input air from an external environment and then to the sensor unit, and provides exhaust air out to the external environment, in an open-loop flow operation of the detection and identification system in which the input air sample is analyzed and identified.
US08650923B2

Profiles (50) are formed in a production line with a cross-section that varies along their length from a plane metal strip (10) that is unwound from a tape reel (9). Edge cutters (14) and roll-forming units (17-24) are displaceable individually sideways relative to the strip, and are individually controlled. The formed profile is curved in a curving station integrated into the production line and having roller pairs (82, 84; 83, 85) that can be controlled to roll sides of the profile (50) such that they become thinner so that the profile is curved or twisted as it is formed. The roller pairs and the sideways displacement and the angular motion of the roll-forming units are controlled so that the roller pairs follow the sides and such that a line (II) between the axles of one roller pair is held perpendicular to the surface being rolled.
US08650916B2

Flat knitting allows production of textile structures (e.g., for use in footwear uppers) of a final desired shape such that textile cutting steps can be avoided. Flat knitted elements also can be formed directly in desired three dimensional shapes, which can help avoid the need to use additional support structures (e.g., in footwear construction). By selectively placing multiple different yarns and/or stitch patterns at multiple different locations in the overall structure during the knitting process, flat knitted products may have multiple different physical properties (e.g., different stretchability, different moisture management capabilities, etc.) at multiple different locations or zones within a single, unitary construction (e.g., different properties at different zones or locations within a single footwear structure). Additionally, flat knitting can be used to produce pockets, tunnels, or other layered structures in the final product.
US08650906B2

A system and process to re-liquefy boil-off liquid natural gas in varied amounts by a process using a screw compressor having an effective compression range from about 10 to about 100 percent of its rated capacity.
US08650900B2

Disclosed are an ice bin installed in a refrigerator or the like and a refrigerating machine having the same. One auger having spiral transfer wings rotates to transfer ice cubes that are introduced between the transfer wings, which allows a constant amount of ice or an amount of ice selected by a user to be dispensed. In addition, a shutter is disposed at a lower side of the auger to define a dispensing space, which may reduce a length of a casing in a depth direction and, thereby, result in a reduced size of the ice bin.
US08650894B2

A system and method is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint. During operation of the compressor in a heating mode, the compressor has different output capacities based on the outdoor ambient temperature.
US08650890B2

A closed space forming unit (41-48) forms a closed space (37, 38) around an adsorption member (51, 52) supporting thereon an adsorbent for desorbing and adsorbing moisture. An active species generating unit (101, 102) supplies active species, for decomposing odorous components, into the closed space (37, 38).
US08650888B2

The present invention relates to a cryostat having a service neck for access to a superconducting magnet. In many cryogenic applications components, e.g. superconducting coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), superconducting transformers, generators, electronics, are cooled by keeping them in contact with a volume of liquefied, the whole cryogenic assembly being known as a cryostat. In order to operate a superconducting magnet, it must be kept at a temperature below its superconducting transition temperature. A cryostat must provide access to the vessel containing the liquefied helium for the initial cooling of the magnet to its low operating temperature, for periodic refilling of systems where there is a loss of helium, and provide sufficient access whereby to enable operation and maintenance of the magnet. The present invention seeks to provide an access neck to a cryostat such as helium vessel with a minimum heat load and accordingly provides a cryostat assembly, wherein a service neck comprising at least one positive and one negative current lead is arranged such that one of the leads is formed by the neck tube wall and the space between a neck tube wall and the second current lead forms a gas path for venting and/or filling or other services.
US08650882B2

A wall element of a gas turbine engine having an inner hot surface, and an outer cooler surface, during use. A plurality of projections is provided on the outer surface to facilitate heat transfer to a coolant flow during use. The projections are arranged in a first density pattern and in a second higher density pattern for increased cooling. The second higher density pattern is positioned adjacent a hotter region of the tile than the first density pattern to reduce the thermal gradient throughout the wall element.
US08650878B2

A turbine system includes a valve coupled to a leak off line from a leak packing of a first turbine, the valve controlling a first steam flow used to maintain a constant self-sustaining sealing pressure to a second turbine across numerous loading conditions. A related method is also provided.
US08650877B1

The present invention is a solar panel that generates electricity and extracts heat. A set of such panels may be assembled into a blind. The blind may have a frame that can be retrofit on an existing window. Fluid in the panel is heated by incoming solar radiation, causing it to move, constrained by a one-way valve, in one direction. A Tesla Valve may be used as the one-way valve. The moving fluid may pass through a generator, generating electricity. Heat may be extracted from the fluid by a heat exchanger. The heat may be used to heat a building.
US08650868B2

There is provided an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not an output measurement unit is abnormal, in order to determine abnormality of the output measurement unit. When the output measurement unit is abnormal, the operation of an elastic actuator is controlled not in accordance with a measurement result of the output measurement unit but in accordance with an internal state model.
US08650867B2

An exhaust manifold including a manifold body made of a first material and at least one heat shield insert provided inside the manifold body and made of a second material. The first material is a low cost material and the second material is a higher grade, temperature-resistant material. The manifold body includes a plurality of runners, collector and an outlet. The shield insert is preferably provided in the collector region adjacent to the outlet. The heat shield insert may have a curved sheet configuration or a tubular configuration depending on applications. The heat shield properly insulates the manifold body from the exhaust gas to protect the manifold body. The exhaust manifold, which is made from a combination of different materials, provides a more cost-effective solution in high temperature applications.
US08650866B2

An exhaust insert for use with an internal combustion engine transfers heat from exhaust gases to a liquid-cooled exhaust manifold. One end of the exhaust insert extends into the exhaust port of a cylinder head, and the other end of the exhaust insert extends into an exhaust manifold. Exhaust gases are received from the cylinder head by the exhaust manifold through the exhaust insert. The exhaust insert is in contact with a surface of the exhaust manifold so as to transfer heat from the exhaust gases away from the cylinder head to the exhaust manifold.
US08650865B2

An exhaust gas routing device for an internal-combustion engine having a thermoelectric generator is fluidically connected with an exhaust gas line and a pipe guiding a coolant. The generator has a plurality of thermoelectric yoke pairs which are arranged between a first surface heated by the exhaust gas and a second surface cooled by the coolant. The exhaust gas routing device has a device guiding the exhaust gas along the first surface at a flow velocity that increases in the flow direction of the exhaust gas.
US08650863B2

The present invention is intended to improve a SOx reduction rate which is a ratio of an amount of SOx reduction with respect to an amount of SOx occlusion in SOx poisoning recovery processing. In the present invention, in the SOx poisoning recovery processing in which the SOx occluded in an NOx storage reduction catalyst is reduced by decreasing the air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storage reduction catalyst to a predetermined air fuel ratio in a repeated manner, the length of a period in which the air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storage reduction catalyst is decreased is made longer in a relatively early time during the processing than in a relatively late time during the processing.
US08650861B2

A method for inducing the regeneration of a particulate filter associated with an exhaust gas emitting engine while being operated in a vehicle in variable driving conditions. The method includes turning on, for a time period, a heating device in physical contact with the filter subject to the following conditions: i) an average pressure of the exhaust gas at the entrance of the filter is greater than a predetermined value; and ii) an instantaneous pressure of the exhaust gas at the entrance of the filter is at a high improbable value. The time period for such heating device to stay turned on is sufficiently long to reach the particulate ignition temperature and for such instantaneous pressure to get from such high improbable value to a significantly lower value. The average pressure is obtained by averaging a plurality of pressure data sensed at the entrance of the filter.
US08650854B2

A turbofan engine includes a core nacelle housing a spool having a turbine. A turbofan is arranged upstream from the core nacelle and is coupled to the spool. A fan nacelle surrounds the turbofan and core nacelle. A bifurcation supports the core nacelle relative to the fan nacelle and extends radially between the nacelles. The core and fan nacelles provide a bypass flow path receiving bypass flow from the turbofan. In the example, the nacelles provide a fixed nozzle exit area. The bifurcation includes an inlet that is in communication with a passage. The passage is selectively opened and closed by a valve to provide air from the inlet to a vent opening near the nozzle exit area. By opening the valve, the nozzle exit area is effectively increased to provide increased bypass flow through the turbine engine.
US08650851B2

Systems and methods for controlling fuel flow within a machine are provided. A plurality of fuel types provided to the machine and a plurality of fuel circuits associated with the machine may be identified, each of the plurality of fuel circuits adapted to be provided with one or more of the plurality of fuel types. A fuel flow parameter for calculating fuel flow may be identified, and a respective fuel flow for each of the one or more fuel types provided to each of the plurality of fuel circuits may be calculated based at least in part on the identified fuel flow parameter. Based at least in part on the calculation of the respective fuel flows, operation of one or more fuel flow control devices providing fuel to the plurality of fuel circuits may be controlled.
US08650834B2

The present invention is directed to a method of forming a molded core component. A mat formed from cellulosic fiber and resin is provided. The mat is consolidated in a first press until the resin is substantially fully cured, and then removed from the first press. The consolidated mat is then placed in a second press having a mold cavity shaped to form at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The consolidated mat is reformed in the second press to form a molded core component having at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The molded core component has a variable density, preferably of between about 10 lbs/ft3 and 80 lbs/ft3.
US08650833B1

A method for installing a roof vent includes the steps of providing a base component having an outer flange having a bottom surface and surrounding a central opening; providing a top cover; mounting the top cover on the base component over the central opening to permit the air to flow through the central opening, but to exclude water from entering the central opening; and welding a riser box on the bottom surface of the base component around the central opening, the riser box being sized and shaped to fit around the curb of the roof. The base component is then mounted onto the curb such that the base component covers the building venting aperture and the riser box fits around the curb.
US08650832B2

A system for installing tubing of hydronic thermal control systems in the walls of buildings. It allows for the stable incorporation of the tubing in the walls while ensuring good thermal conductivity between the tubing and the building's room. The system features a wall including a hydronic thermal management system. The wall comprises a vertically-extending wall support structure, tubing panels secured to the wall support structure, the panels being constructed from wood material, tubing in the tubing panels for carrying a heat transfer fluid, and drywall panels secured over the tubing panels. A filling material is applied between the tubing and the drywall panels. Also a high thermally conductive layer, such as aluminum foil, is used between the filling material and the drywall panels or between the filling material and the tubing panels.
US08650828B2

A reinforced concrete component with at least one upper and at least one lower longitudinal reinforcement layer, and one transverse force reinforcement, wherein the latter is passed above an uppermost and a lowermost longitudinal reinforcement in its extension. The transverse force reinforcement is formed by at least 20 trapezoidal or triangular sheet metal components made from structural steel. Each sheet metal component has at its two ends one splay/chamfer. The chamfer is passed to the uppermost or lowermost longitudinal reinforcement, respectively.
US08650823B2

A subfloor component includes an insulating foam panel having first and second opposing faces and a plurality of intersecting grooves to define, in cross-section, a plurality of pedestals having walls that extend into the panel from the first face toward the second face. The subfloor component also includes a moisture-resistant film attached to the first face of the panel and that conforms to the pedestals, and a hardboard layer on the second face of the panel. A method of manufacturing subfloor components is also disclosed.
US08650818B1

A mounting apparatus for door jambs and window frames utilizing a pair of angled legs attached to and extends along the entire length of an elongated element of the jamb or frame opposite the door or window opening, respectively. The angled legs may be moved inwardly or outwardly along the backside of the door jamb or window frame to accommodate the installation of drywall or filler compound. The angled legs may achieve a fire resistant status in combination with a metal stud found in an adjacent wall.
US08650814B2

A multi-storied garage having an energy efficient ventilation system that incorporates a unique window array and vertically mounted energy producing wind turbines located in a corner of the garage structure that would otherwise be unusable for vehicle parking.
US08650806B1

A thermally isolated portable expandable shelter may include a frame substantially similar in configuration to a shipping container and a movable portion comprising a plurality of rigid panels. The shelter may be movable between a stowed state and a fixed state, wherein the plurality of panels is folded into the frame in the stowed state and fold out during deployment. In some embodiments the plurality of panels may comprise structural insulated panels so that an interior defined by the expandable shelter is thermally isolated from an exterior. The portable expandable shelter may have reduced installation time, improved strength in both the stowed and deployed states, and reduced energy requirements.
US08650799B2

A vehicle door opening warning system for a car includes a sensor for sensing the approaching of another car from behind when a person is opening the car door, a car door-opening control unit stops the car door from being opened when the sensor senses the approaching of the other car from behind, and a warning light and a buzzer are activated to give a visual warning signal and an audio warning signal when the car door is being opened.
US08650797B2

A DLC-coated fishing lure includes a fishing lure base material made of metal and having a predetermined shape; an intermediate layer made of one selected from a first group, a second group and a third group, the first group consisting of at least one kind of metal selected from the IIIb group, the IVa group, the Va group and the VIa group in the periodic table of elements, the second group consisting of at least one of a carbide, a nitride and a carbonitride of the at least one kind of metal, and the third group consisting of a mutual solid solution made of at least one selected from the first group and the second group, the intermediate layer being formed on a surface of the fishing lure base material; and a DLC layer having a thickness ranging from about 0.05 μm to about 0.55 μm and formed on the intermediate layer, the DLC layer presenting an appearance of a interference color.
US08650796B1

A device for protecting a fishing rod which comprises a hollow telescopic tube having a closed top end and an open bottom end. The hollow telescopic tube fits over and provides protection to the fishing rod. A mechanism is for securing the hollow telescopic tube at the open bottom end to the fishing rod.
US08650794B2

Embodiments include a method and apparatus for removably connecting a firearm, accessory, or tool to a surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. The apparatus may include a first connecting member operatively connectible to the firearm, accessory, or tool and a second connecting member operatively connectible to the surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. The first connecting member and second connecting member are capable of connection to one another to connect the firearm, accessory, or tool to the surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment.
US08650781B1

The present invention is directed to a mounting bracket for the license plate of a utility trailer. Conventional mounts position the plate below the taillights where the plates are frequently bent by contact with the ground either during towing or manipulation by the tongue. The present lit bracket extends upwardly from the tail light holes, or alternatively affixes to the back gate of the utility trailer, to position the plate out of harm's way.
US08650774B2

Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.
US08650770B1

This invention is a method and apparatus for drying wet objects, comprising passing air through the wet objects thereby having air absorb moisture from said wet objects; compressing the air adiabatically, thereby heating it; extracting heat from the air by passing it through the hot side of a heat exchanger thereby cooling it; expanding the air adiabatically, thereby cooling it further, below its dew point; separating the condensate from the air; restoring to the air all or part of the heat by passing it through the second side of the heat exchanger; and redirecting all or part of the air back to the wet objects thereby forming a loop in the flow of the air.
US08650764B2

An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color is disclosed. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.
US08650763B2

A shaving razor that improves stability, corresponding user control and offers a closer shave is provided. The shaving razor can include a razor handle configuration that reduces the propensity for the shaving razor to roll in a user's hand and improves the maneuverability of the razor cartridge during shaving. In addition, the shaving razor can include a biasing pivoting member producing a progressively increasing return torque on the razor cartridge that forces the cartridge into flat contact with the skin thus improving glide and shaving closeness.
US08650752B2

A semi-finished product having a hollow and an expansion diameter portion is manufactured in advance (first step), and a press device for folding an outer cylinder (4) and an inner cylinder (5) around an entire die set (DS) is used, thereby performing drawing with a body of the semi-finished product as the center in a constant temperature atmosphere at any temperature between a room temperature and 870° C. (second step).
US08650737B2

An elongated product is formed such that first a core is formed, the outer surface of the core being made of plastic. Thereafter, a tubular metal layer is extruded such that the layer is seamless. When the metal layer is extruded, a clearance is allowed between the metal layer and the core. After the metal layer has cooled, the diameter of the metal layer is reduced such that the metal layer contacts the plastic core. Thereafter, the metal is annealed such that the flexibility of the metal layer increases.
US08650731B2

A rivet tool capable of measuring size of blind rivet has a body and multiple interchangeable nosepieces. The body further has multiple rivet body measuring holes formed through the body. Diameters of the rivet body measuring holes match rivet bodies of corresponding blind rivets. Accordingly, the rivet tool of the present invention employs the rivet body measuring holes to measure a size of a rivet body of a blind rivet to rapidly, conveniently and correctly obtain a size of a rivet body of a blind rivet and further to correctly choose a nosepiece with a matching size.
US08650726B2

When a pretensioner is activated, a buckle main body experiences abrupt acceleration in a direction toward webbing. An inertial amass body of a stopper member is then rotated toward a frame member against an urging force of a torsion spring urged through a lever member. Further, the lever member abutting on the stopper member is also rotated toward the frame member, making each projecting piece face each abutment portion of a slide button. Further, when the slide button is slidingly moved against an urging force of a button spring, each abutment portion makes contact with each projecting piece of the lever member, stopping the slide movement of the slide button. Thus, unintentional disengagement between a latch and a tongue plate can be prevented.
US08650722B2

A clip for a vehicle including: a substantially hollow clip main unit that has a distal end portion to be fixedly pressed into a fixation member on a vehicle body side, and a base portion in which an opening is formed; and a main unit support member that is capable of supporting the clip main unit from an inside thereof in a state where the main unit support member is completely inserted into the opening of the clip main unit, wherein a clip linking device is provided to the clip main unit and the main unit support member for engaging the clip main unit with the main unit support member so as to restrict the relative displacement in the insertion direction between the clip main unit and the main unit support member, in a state where the main unit support member is half-inserted into the clip main unit.
US08650719B2

An improved hose clamp having an annular band having an inner face, tensioning means, and an annular spring liner; the spring liner having a circumferential shoulder near an edge of the liner; and a central, cylindrical, flat, contact portion of smaller circumference than the shoulder, and of smaller width than the inner face of the band. The shoulder is adapted to abut the inner face and the contact portion is adapted to contact a hose or other article to be clamped.
US08650708B2

An upright surface treating appliance includes a main body having a user operable handle, and a support assembly for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface using the handle. The support assembly includes a yoke pivotably connected to the main body, and a pair of domed-shaped wheels rotatably connected to the yoke. A surface treating head is connected to the yoke. The yoke is shaped so that a section of the yoke is located between the rims of the wheels. To afford a compact appearance to the appliance, the outer surfaces of the wheels and the section of the yoke together at least partially delimit a substantially spherical volume.
US08650706B2

A hose equipped with a cord, wherein the hose and the cord can be easily assembled together and easily maintained. A cord-equipped hose, wherein opposite ends of a flexible hose are respectively provided with tube holders each constructed from a pair of half tubes. The tube holders each sandwich an end of the flexible hose with the pair of half tubes joined together and each form, between the joined ends of the half tubes, a lead-out opening for an electric power source cord. Opposite ends of the electric power source cord in the flexible hose are respectively led out of the lead-out openings of the tube holders and held in position.
US08650705B2

A floor-type vacuum cleaner includes a housing and rollers attached to the housing that are configured to provide movement of the housing. Each roller is disposed on a roller axle so as to be rotatable. At least one of the rollers includes a rigid hub and an air-filled, rubber, resilient, damping tire. Alternatively, at least one of the rollers has a damping property and includes alternating concentric layers of rigid and flexible components, with air being disposed between at least one of the rigid components and at least one of the flexible components.
US08650693B2

A solar panel includes a cleaning assembly, the solar panel being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along a semi-circular path and the cleaning assembly comprising an oblong brush held across the front face of the solar panel and slidable back and forth along the front face of the solar panel.
US08650686B2

A specialty support surface for a variable width bed that can easily change its width from a wide bariatric mattress to a standard width so it can fit through a standard hospital door frame. The support surface can be placed on any bariatric bed frame that is designed to reduce its width to fit through a standard door. The support surface has the normal traverse air cells (used to reduce or relieve pressure). In addition, transverse air cells have independently controlled compartments on their ends. By inflating or deflating the controlled compartments, the length of the transverse air cells can be varied. These controllable compartments are controlled through an electronic controller by simply pressing a keypad on its touch panel. The electronic controller is used to control air pressure to the various compartments of the specialty support surface. The mattress replacement can be single or multi zone.
US08650684B1

An airway management pillow operable to provide a secure airway of a patient in a supine position by providing a combination of a head-tilt chin lift technique and a jaw thrust technique. The airway management pillow further includes a base having a contoured surface. Integrally formed with the base on opposing sides thereof are a pair of formable lateral wings. Disposed within the pair of lateral wings are lateral wing support members that are manufactured from a malleable metal. A plurality of mandible engaging members are formed with the pair of lateral wings that project inwards in a perpendicular manner and are operable to engage at least a portion of the posterior of the mandible of the patient engaged with the airway management pillow. A support frame is disposed within the base and is operably coupled with the lateral wing support members.
US08650672B2

A water leakage protecting device includes a ratchet, a pawl and an auxiliary floater. The ratchet is formed on an outer wall of a floater of a water inlet valve. The auxiliary floater has a floating cavity and a weight cavity therein. The weight cavity has a water drain hole at a bottom thereof. The auxiliary floater is coupled to the water inlet valve through a rotating shaft. The pawl corresponds in position to the ratchet and is connected to one side of the auxiliary floater close to the floater of the water inlet valve. The water leakage protecting device can avoid water waste and ensure toilet safety.
US08650671B1

Various embodiments are directed towards toilet fill valves with adjustable bowl fill flow. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a water inlet, a water outlet, a bowl fill outlet port, and a bowl fill valve. The bowl fill valve has an integrally molded portion that forms a bowl fill valve inlet port. The integrally molded portion of the bowl fill valve inserts into the bowl fill outlet port so that the bowl fill valve inlet port is coupled to the bowl fill outlet port.
US08650668B2

A protective garment including an outer shell and an inner liner coupled to the outer shell and positioned such that the inner liner is positioned between a wearer and the outer shell when the garment is worn. The inner liner includes a base material and a high lubricity material which has a higher lubricity than the base material. The high lubricity material is woven into the base material to form a plurality of discrete contact areas that each comprise at least two separate warp fibers or yarns of high lubricity material each being individually woven with at least two separate weft fibers or yarns of high lubricity material.
US08650667B2

Swimming goggles includes goggle bodies and face-contact pads. Each face-contact pad is mounted to the goggle body wherein an upper bottom surface and a lower bottom surface, respectively being in contact with positions above and below each eye of a wearer, are asymmetrically formed, and a distance from a lens front surface of the goggle body and an extension surface of the lens front surface to the lower bottom surface is greater than a distance from the lens front surface and the extension surface to the upper bottom surface. The swimming goggles does not leave un-wanted mark of the face-contact pad around the eyes of the wearer, a wearer does not feel uncomfortable, and water does not enter inside the goggles even when a high water pressure is applied at the time of diving or the like.
US08650663B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a bunting bag useable with a child seat to cover a child and a method of using a bunting bag. The bunting bag may include a rear blanket having one or more slots that permit one or more straps of a child seat to be positioned through the rear blanket to secure a child within the child seat. The bunting bag may also include a front blanket positioned atop the rear blanket and coupled therewith to form an interior space within which the child may be placed. The front blanket may have a left portion or flap and a right portion or flap that are separable from each other to provide access into the interior space. The bunting bag may further include an insulating blanket removably coupled atop of the front blanket.
US08656511B2

A method for attaching a conductive particle to the apex of a probe tip comprises the steps of: moving the apex of a probe tip close to a conductive particle and applying a bias voltage between the probe tip and the conductive particle so that the conductive particle can permanently attach to the apex. The method uses only a bias voltage to transfer and attach conductive particles to the apex of a probe tip, and no surface treatment of the probe tip is required.
US08656506B2

In accordance with one or more aspects of the rights enforcement of unencrypted content, a nameplate associated with unencrypted content is generated. The nameplate includes an identifier of the unencrypted content and an identifier of an authorized user of the unencrypted content. The nameplate is sent to a device of the authorized user for rights enforcement of the unencrypted content on the device. In accordance with one or more other aspects of the rights enforcement of unencrypted content, a nameplate for unencrypted content to be played back on a device is obtained. The nameplate includes an identifier of the unencrypted content and an identifier of an authorized user of the unencrypted content. The device presents, during playback of the unencrypted content on the device, the identifier of the authorized user of the unencrypted content.
US08656504B2

A method and apparatus are provided for protecting confidential information. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of files where each file contains at least one item of secret information, password protecting the plurality of files with a master password, detecting entry of passwords into a master password entry field, comparing entered passwords with the master password to identify incorrect master passwords and deleting the plurality of files upon successive entry of incorrect master passwords a predetermined number of times.
US08656502B2

A product update is used to add a licensing control mechanism to an installed computer program. The computer program is preferably a malware scanner or other program which requires regular product updating in order to remain effective in its normal functionality.
US08656500B2

A method and a device for controlling user dialogues on a technical installation that is to be controlled or to be maintained, for example, a cash dispenser or a deposit refund device. According to said method or said device, a calculating unit evaluates the data relating to the state of the technical installation and in accordance with said data, emits at least one visual request consisting of textual and/or pictorial instructions (INSTR, CHK) for a user who controls the technical installation. The method processes the data using a directed graph (GRPH) comprising nodes (1000, . . . , 1300 . . . ) and edges (INSTR; CHK) connecting the nodes. Said nodes relate to different maintenance conditions of the installation, and the edges relate to the instructions (INSTR; CHK) for the user for transferring the installation from one of the nodes to another node.
US08656489B1

A method and apparatus for accelerating a load point scanning process. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus comprise creating, at an initial scan, a detection area map identifying files referenced by detection areas. Upon a subsequent scan, determining whether the detection area has changed with respect to the detection area map. If the detection area map has changed, re-evaluating the detection area and repopulating the detection area map entry. In another embodiment, the method and apparatus avoid rescanning files as allowed using information in a file attribute cache.
US08656487B2

Deterring output of data from a computing platform may be accomplished by launching a driver to filter write requests to selected output ports of the computing platform, receiving a write request, and denying the write request when the write request is for a selected output port identified as being in a read-only mode.
US08656480B2

The present invention relates to a subscriber station security-related parameter negotiation method in a wireless portable Internet system. The subscriber station security-related parameter negotiation method includes security-related parameters in transmitting/receiving basic capability negotiation request messages and basic capability negotiation response messages such that the subscriber station and the base station negotiate the subscriber station security-related parameters. The security-related parameters include an authorization policy support subfield used to negotiate an authorization policy between the subscriber station and the base station, and message authentication code mode subfields used to negotiate a message authentication code mode. The base station can inform the subscriber station that authentication or message authentication is not performed and is omitted according to a service provider policy by writing it on the authorization policy support subfield or message authentication code mode subfield. In addition, the subscriber station and the base station can select an authorization policy formed with at least one combination through the authorization policy support subfield of the security negotiation parameters. According to the present invention, the service provider of the wireless portable Internet system can more efficiently and flexibly manage the system by providing a scheme for omitting an authentication function and a message authentication function as well as for supporting various authorization policies and message authentication functions.
US08656476B2

The system monitors activities, movements, and other behavior patterns necessary to determine whether an avatar is a spam advertisement. A storing mechanism stores a “black list” and a black list score consisting of a list of spam avatar identifications (UUIDs) matching avatars that have been flagged as confirmed or suspected spam advertisers. Another mechanism allows the owner to redraw or otherwise re-render a distinguishing mark or other audible signature when an avatar has been detected as being a spam advertiser. Yet another mechanism signals to the owner an offending avatar that they have been added to the black list or had a report filed against them, and a reason as to why (the methods used to identify them). Another mechanism allows for a black listed avatar to be removed from the black list, and scores to be decreased and for the virtual universe and users to utilize the black list and score.
US08656475B2

Disclosed is a method and system for controlling access for a mobile agent in a home network environment. The method includes the steps of: issuing a role ticket to the mobile agent; verifying access authority to service requested by the mobile agent through the role ticket; and granting the mobile agent access authority to the service. Accordingly, a table for managing access authority of a user is distributed to devices, so that it is possible to provide the mobile agent access control method and system capable of minimizing network traffic in the home network environment.
US08656471B1

A first request from a client using a first protocol is translated into one or more second requests by a servicer using a second protocol through a virtual request using the first protocol. A client may use parameters of the first protocol to pass virtual request components to the servicer. A format agreement between the client, servicer and/or authentication service may allow the servicer and/or authentication service to translate virtual request components over the first protocol to one or more second requests using the second protocol. Virtual request components may also prove the authenticity of the virtual request received by the servicer to an authentication service. Once satisfied the virtual request is valid, the authentication service may issue a credential to the servicer to send the one or more second requests to an independent service. Virtual requests may be included in various protocols, including credential-based protocols and certificate exchange-based protocols.
US08656458B2

A method and system for authenticating an internet user identity by cross-referencing and comparing at least two independent sources of information. A first IP address of an internet user is identified and the geographical location of the first IP address is traced to determine a first location. The geographical-location of a communication voice device of said internet user is identified to determine a second location. The first and second locations are compared for geographical proximity to confirm the identity of the internet user. Based upon geographical proximity of said locations, a score is assigned to the internet user, and access to a website is allowed or limited based upon said score. Alternatively, additional authentication information can be required or access can be terminated. Geographical information is maintained in an updatable cache.
US08656457B2

A method for controlling locking state transitions in a terminal in accordance with one or more state transition rules, the method including the steps of providing at least one writable memory location comprising first state information associated with a first locking state of said terminal, said at least one writable memory being configured for an irreversible transition from said first locking state to a second locking state; receiving a request for a transition to said second locking state, said request comprising second state information associated with said second locking state; on the basis of said first and second state information and said state transition rules, checking whether said requested transition is allowable or not; and storing said second state information in said writable memory if said requested transition is allowable according to said state transition rules.
US08656455B1

A method is used in managing data loss prevention policies. A device having data loss prevention (DLP) logic based on policies is provided. An attempt to perform an action that is prohibited by the DLP logic is performed at the device. An override code to allow performance of the action is determined at the device.
US08656454B2

A data store including a file location attribute is described. In an embodiment, the location attribute for a data element, such as a file or database record, is stored with the bytes of data and records the geographic location of the data element. Writing to this attribute is limited to a single trusted entity, such as an operating system, to ensure that the location data can be trusted and when a data element is moved or replicated, the attribute is updated to reflect the new location of the data element. This location data is made available to users and applications by a metadata service which tracks the locations of data elements and responds to requests from users. Access control policies can been defined in terms of location and stored at the metadata service and the metadata service can then enforce these policies when responding to requests.
US08656446B2

A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder. For data security protection during data transfer, all communication are authenticated and encrypted.
US08656445B2

The present invention allows Internet Protocol television (IPTV) services to be provided to different types of subscriber devices over different types of networks via a multimedia subsystem, such as an IP multimedia subsystem. A given subscriber may have one subscription supporting IPTV services to different types of subscriber devices. Each of the subscriber devices may register with a given IPTV application server, which will interact with the various subscriber devices using a common session control protocol, such as the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The IPTV sessions may support delivery of various types of streaming content, such as audio or video content, for broadcast or on-demand services. Different IPTV sessions are used to support broadcast and on-demand services. However, within a given broadcast or on-demand IPTV session, channels may be changed or the streaming media may be controlled within the respective IPTV sessions.
US08656425B2

Media content is received from at least one external device that is coupled to a video processing device. Subscriber channel content is generated based on the media content. The subscriber channel content is transferred to a video distribution network to produce a personalized subscriber channel.
US08656424B2

Distributed navigation of broadcast signals is provided through an on-line application connected through a second network connection. A customer receives the broadcast signals through a first network connection, and navigates the broadcast TV content through an on-line application by a browser connected through a second network connection. The present on-line application provides flexible and re-configurable content services, which will need to be customized once for each service provider, but will render consistently on a variety of PC and non-PC client devices. Further, the present on-line application can provide targeted advertising by maintaining an advertising profile for each viewer, determined in part by recording data about the navigating of the content of the broadcast signals, and by recording a plurality of selections of the viewer transmitted to the on-line application. The on-line capability further provides ease for roaming access.
US08656421B2

A system and method for controlling network bandwidth that uses a timer to monitor the length of time that a set top box is set to a channel and, in response to the timer reaching a time limit, requesting a response from a user to verify that the channel is still being watched. If a response is not received with a specified time duration, the signal for the IPTV channel may be disconnected. The system may be configured to include “thin client” middleware on a network server or “thick client” middleware on a set top box, for example, to operate in conjunction with a network server.
US08656418B2

A window manager process hosts proxy window objects created by an application in a window manager display structure. A process in a device creates a local proxy view object within a window manager display structure for the window manager process. The process registers an identifier for a remote proxy window object which corresponds to an application display structure. The application controls processing of data used by the application. The process assigns the identifier for the remote proxy window object to the local proxy view object in the window manager display structure to create a composite display structure and renders the composite display structure to display an image on a display device. The image corresponds to the objects of the application display structure represented by the remote proxy window object. The window manager process controls rendering of the composite display structure.
US08656415B2

There is provided a method for use in a computer for redirecting an audio stream from a first audio endpoint to a second audio endpoint in the computer having a controller and a computer operating system for execution by the controller. The method includes directing the audio stream from a client application running on the computer operating system through a first audio resource stack of the computer to the first audio endpoint. The method further includes creating an audio endpoint bridge using the computer operating system, where the audio endpoint bridge provides a path for the audio stream to be directed from the first audio resource stack to pass through a second audio resource stack to the second audio endpoint. The method may also enhance the audio stream to reduce noise and redirect the audio stream to the second audio endpoint using the audio endpoint bridge.
US08656413B2

A wrapper can receive a request for application data. The wrapper wraps a first reference to an cross-session object and a second reference to a wrapper mapper object. Thereafter, the cross-section object can be accessed using the first reference and the wrapper mapper object is polled using the second reference to access a session-local object. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08656410B1

Processing an object that shares a parent with another object is disclosed. An indication is received with respect to an object that shares a parent object instance with one or more other objects that a change associated with the object is to be made to a data comprising the shared parent object instance. The parent object instance is cloned to create a new parent object instance. The new parent object instance is designated as the parent of the object instance.
US08656409B2

Systems and methods provide a single reader single writer (SRSW) queue structure having entries that can be concurrently accessed in an atomic manner with a single memory access. The SRSW queues may be combined to create more complicated queues, including multiple reader single writer (MRSW), single reader multiple writer (SRMW), and multiple reader multiple writer (MRMW) queues.
US08656407B2

Implementations of the present disclosure provide methods including executing a virtual machine configured to execute a plurality of applications and perform a plurality of I/O operations; storing meta information for a first I/O operation performed by the virtual machine in an I/O information holder for the virtual machine; receiving a request to begin an I/O profiling session on the virtual machine after storing the meta information; and reporting an I/O event record for a second I/O operation performed by the virtual machine using the meta information for the first I/O operation, wherein the second I/O operation is performed after beginning an I/O profiling session on the virtual machine.
US08656405B2

A mechanism is provided for scheduling tasks across multiple processor units of differing capacity. In a multiple processor unit system with processor units of disparate speeds, it is advantageous to have the most processing-intensive tasks run on the processor units with the highest capacity. All tasks are initially scheduled on the lowest capacity processor units. Because processor units with higher capacity are more likely to have idle time, these higher capacity processor units may pull one or more tasks onto themselves from the same or lower capacity processor units. A processor unit will attempt to pull tasks that utilize a larger percentage of the timeslice. When a higher capacity processor unit is overloaded or near capacity, the higher capacity processor unit may push tasks to processor units with the same or lower capacity. A processor unit will attempt to push tasks that utilize a smaller percentage of the timeslice.
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