US08759641B1

An inbred corn line, designated D065125, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line D065125, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line D065125 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line D065125 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line D065125, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line D065125 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08759639B1

A novel maize variety designated X18C331 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X18C331 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18C331 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18C331, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18C331. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18C331.
US08759635B1

A novel maize variety designated X08C967 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08C967 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08C967 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08C967, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08C967. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08C967.
US08759629B2

A soybean cultivar designated S110124 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S110124, to the plants of soybean cultivar S110124, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S110124, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S110124. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110124. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110124, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S110124 with another soybean cultivar.
US08759626B2

A novel soybean variety, designated XB25E12 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB25E12, cells from soybean variety XB25E12, plants of soybean XB25E12, and plant parts of soybean variety XB25E12. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB25E12 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB25E12, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB25E12, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB25E12. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB25E12 are further provided.
US08759624B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XBP54005 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP54005, cells from soybean variety XBP54005, plants of soybean XBP54005, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP54005. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP54005 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP54005, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP54005, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP54005. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP54005 are further provided.
US08759617B2

Extraction and purification of recombinant proteins rendered difficult to extract from transgenic plants by using an extraction solution containing reducing agents and surfactants or an extraction solution containing reducing agents and organic solvents.
US08759615B2

Exemplary methods include a method for transforming an algal cell by preparing a transformation construct, preparing a particle for bombarding the algal cell, adhering the transformation construct to the particle, bombarding the algal cell with the particle, and growing the algal cell into a colony. The transformation construct is replicated within a nuclear genome of the algal cell and the growing of the algal cell is in a nutrient medium. Another exemplary method may include a method for genetically modifying an algal cell, by adding nucleic acid to the algal cell while the algal cell is suspended in a solution of low conductivity, introducing the nucleic acid into the algal cell by application of an electrical pulse resulting in a transformed algal cell, and selecting a colony that includes the transformed algal cell.
US08759611B2

The present invention relates to control of pest infestation by inhibiting one or more biological functions. The invention provides methods and compositions for such control, By feeding one or more recombinant double stranded RNA molecules provided by the invention to the pest, a reduction in pest infestation is obtained through suppression of gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and to particular combinations of transgenic pesticidal agents for use in protecting plants from pest infestation.
US08759605B2

High-capacity disposable absorbent inserts for reusable outer covers are disclosed.
US08759600B2

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for contacting radially flowing fluids with solid particles (e.g., catalyst) with reduced tendency for fluidization of the particles, and especially a sealing portion of the particles at the top of a particle retention zone disposed between screens at upstream and downstream positions relative to radial fluid flow. Fluidization is reduced or eliminated by offsetting openings of the screens in the axial direction, such that upstream openings in the upstream screen are above highest downstream openings in a downstream stream. The offset in openings imparts a downward flow component to radially flowing fluid, thereby reducing solid particle fluidization without the need to induce a specific pressure drop profile along the entire axial direction of the screens.
US08759592B2

A process for preparing methylmercaptopropionaldehyde in a single reaction unit, is provided. According to the preferred embodiment, the process comprises, simultaneously contacting a gaseous mixture comprising acrolein with a liquid mixture comprising methylmercaptopropionaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, a catalyst and methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal in the reactive absorber; absorbing the acrolein from the gaseous mixture into the liquid mixture; reacting the absorbed acrolein with the methyl mercaptan or the methylmercaptopropionaldehyde methyl thiohemiacetal to obtain methylmercapto-propionaldehyde; removing gaseous impurities and by-products from the liquid mixture; and separating the obtained methylmercaptopropionaldehyde product from the reactive absorber, directing a portion of the separated product to storage or further processing and recycling the remaining portion to the reactive absorber; wherein the methyl mercaptan optionally comprises dimethyl sulfide or dimethyl ether.
US08759585B2

The invention provides a process for preparing diphenylmethanediamine, comprising the steps of: a) reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid, b) neutralizing the predominant part of the acid with ammonia and/or aqueous ammonia solution, c) separating the reaction mixture from step b) into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, d) neutralizing the other part of the acid, present in the organic phase, with aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution, e) separating the reaction mixture from step d) into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, f) treating the aqueous phase obtained in step c) or optionally the combined aqueous phases from steps c) and e) with at least one oxide or hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal, g) removing the ammonia obtained in step f).
US08759584B2

Compounds of formula (I) or salts thereof, in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X and Y are defined as in claim 1, can be prepared by a process characterized in that a compound of the formula (II) or a salt thereof, is reacted to a compound of the formula (III) or a salt thereof, and an aluminium(III) source, optionally, in the presence of a protic additive or solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols or amines. The compounds (I) are suitable to be used for the preparation of heterocyclic compounds corresponding to (I) where the group Al(X)(Y) is replaced with an optionally substituted carbon atom, or s-triazine derivatives thereof.
US08759582B2

Present invention relates to an improved and commercial process for the preparation of lacosamide ((R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropanamide) of formula (I). Present process utilizes high purity crystalline solids of formulae (XXXII) and (XIII) as key intermediates. Lacosamide is indicated for the adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures in patients aged at least 17 years.
US08759575B2

The invention relates to a method for catalytically producing formic acid. A polyoxometallate ion, which is used as a catalyst, of the general formula [PMoxVyO40]5− is brought into contact with an alpha-hydroxyaldehyde, an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, or a glycoside in a liquid solution at a temperature below 120° C., wherein 6
US08759573B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing optionally substituted P-hydroxymandelic compounds and derivatives thereof. The method for preparing the mandelic compounds of the invention comprises condensing in water, in the presence of an alkaline agent, an aromatic compound bearing at least one hydroxyl group and having a free para position, with glycoxylic acid, wherein said method is characterised in that said reaction is carried out in a piston-flow reactor.
US08759572B2

The present invention generally refers to a process for the preparation of L-thyroxine derivatives. More in particular, the present invention relates to a iodination reaction of an aromatic derivative with an appropriate iodinating agent, so to afford the related iodinated compound as disodium salt, which may represent a useful intermediate for the synthesis of the L-thyroxine mono-sodium salt, and the free form thereof.
US08759569B2

The present invention relates to a process for the production of isocyanates, preferably diisocyanates and polyisocyanates of the diphenylmethane series (MDI), by reacting an amine with phosgene in the liquid phase or in the gas phase to form the corresponding isocyanates, subsequent removal of the solvent in at least two steps to obtain at least two solvent streams, individual treatment of the at least two solvent streams, and recirculation of at least a portion of the solvent streams.
US08759567B2

To provide a process for safely producing a perfluoroacyl peroxide with good productivity.By supplying a perfluoroacyl halide-containing organic solvent solution, an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide or a metal peroxide, and an aqueous basic alkali metal compound solution to a tubular reactor to allow them to react with one another, in a flow rate ratio of, as represented by molar ratio of the compounds in the solutions, from 1.00 to 1.35 of the basic alkali metal compound and from 0.60 to 40 of hydrogen peroxide or the metal peroxide per 1 of the perfluoroacyl halide, the yield of a perfluoroacyl peroxide based on the material perfluoroacyl halide can be remarkably improved as compared with conventional technique.
US08759566B2

Provided is a process for producing α-hydroxycarboxylic esters from α-hydroxycarboxylic amides and aliphatic alcohols, wherein it is a production process which is inhibited in a production cost and enhanced in a conversion rate and a selectivity and which is industrially advantageous. To be specific, it is a production process for α-hydroxycarboxylic ester characterized by subjecting α-hydroxycarboxylic amide and aliphatic alcohol to a gas phase reaction in the presence of a zirconium dioxide catalyst. A catalyst lifetime is improved to a large extent by using a zirconium dioxide catalyst containing a specific element.
US08759565B2

Disclosed are processes to prepare monocarboxylic acid esters (mono- and/or diesters) of polytrimethylene ether glycol that are substantially free of residues from the catalyst used to produce the polytrimethylene ether glycol esters, as well as methods for their preparation and end uses thereof. The esters, such as the bis-2-ethylhexanoate esters, have uses as functional fluids.
US08759560B2

The invention provides a surface-modified zirconia nanocrystal particle, wherein the surface of the zirconia nanoparticle is modified by organic sulfonyloxy groups, and a method of producing a zirconia nanocrystal particle whose surface is modified by carbonyloxy groups, organic phosphoryloxy groups or aryloxy groups. This makes it possible a highly stable surface-modified zirconia nanocrystal particle having a solvent dispersibility by a simple method. Further, it is possible to the surface-modified zirconia nanocrystal particle of the invention is equipped with a surface modifier having a structure that can be easily substituted with a desired functional group according to use. Furthermore, it is possible to the method of producing the surface-modified zirconia nanocrystal particle which is capable of easily producing that.
US08759555B2

The present invention relates to intermediates useful for the synthesis of calcipotriol or calcipotriol monohydrate, to methods of producing said intermediates, and to methods of stereoselectively reducing said intermediates.
US08759552B2

The present invention provides a continuous process for the epoxidation of an olefinic compound with an oxidant, which process comprises reaction of an olefinic compound with an oxidant in the presence of a catalyst in an apparatus that comprises a reactive distillation column, which column comprises (i) a reactive section, which comprises the catalyst (ii) a rectifying section situated above the reactive section and adapted to allow separation of reagents and/or by-products from products (ix) a stripping section situated below the reactive section and adapted to allow separation of product from reagents and/or by-products (x) a vessel situated below the stripping section and adapted to provide a source of heat for the column and in which initial vaporization of one or more of the reagents can occur, wherein the temperature in the reactive section (i) is a temperature at which the reaction between the olefinic compound and the oxidant takes place and the temperature in the stripping section (iii) is higher than the temperature in the rectifying section (ii).
US08759551B2

The invention provides a process for continuously producing a urethane (meth)acrylate, containing causing a mixed liquid of a compound (A) having a hydroxyl group and a (meth) acryloyl group and a compound (B) having an isocyanate group to pass continuously and densely through a tubular microchannel formed in a heat-conducting reaction device, and reacting the hydroxyl group of the compound (A) with the isocyanate group of the compound (B).
US08759548B2

The present invention is directed to inhibitors of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such GSNOR inhibitors, and methods of making and using the same.
US08759546B2

The present invention discloses a physical nano-complex for preventing and treating cancer and a method for manufacturing the same. The composition contains EGCG and nanogold, wherein the ratio of the EGCG to the nanogold is in a range from 23:0.5˜23:10 (ppm/ppm). The present invention further discloses a method for manufacturing the composition, wherein the method is to mix the EGCG and the nanogold sufficiently by an ultrasonication process, which makes the EGCG and the nanogold combine to each other well.
US08759537B2

This invention relates to compounds of formula I their use as inhibitors of the microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1), pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use as medicaments for the treatment and/or prevention of inflammatory diseases and associated conditions. A, M, W, R1, R2, R6, R7, R8 have meanings given in the description.
US08759536B2

Disclosed are novel rhodanine derivatives which are inhibitory of HIV activity. Also provided are a method for preparing the novel rhodanine derivatives, and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of AIDS containing the rhodanine derivatives as active ingredients. Having high inhibitory activity against HIV, the rhodanine derivatives can be effectively used in the prophylaxis or therapy of AIDS.
US08759526B2

The present invention provides dyes, reactive dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes are also provided that comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been modified by the addition of charged and polar groups to provide beneficial properties.
US08759525B2

The invention provides synthetic processes and synthetic intermediates that can be used to prepare 4-oxoquinolone compounds having useful integrase inhibiting properties.
US08759524B2

A process is provided for efficiently producing an optically active 3-quinuclidinol derivative of high optical purity using a readily available ruthenium compound as an asymmetric reduction catalyst. This process is a process for producing an optically active 3-quinuclidinol derivative represented by the following formula (III) comprising asymmetrically hydrogenating a 3-quinuclidinone derivative represented by the following formula (I) in the presence of a ruthenium compound (II) represented by formula (II): Ru(X)(Y)(Px)n[R1R2C*(NR3R4)-A-R5R6C*(NR7R8)] (in the formulas, R represents a hydrogen atom or C7 to C18 aralkyl group and the like, X and Y represent hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms and the like, Px represents a phosphine ligand, n represents 1 or 2, R1 to R8 represent hydrogen atoms or C1 to C20 alkyl groups and the like, * represents an optically active carbon atom and A represents an ethylene group and the like).
US08759523B2

The present invention relates to a process comprising the step of dehydrating a compound of Formula (I): with a suitable dehydrating reagent to form a compound of Formula (II): wherein R1-R7 are as defined herein. Compounds of Formula (II) have shown promise as intermediates to compounds useful for treating bacterial infections.
US08759518B2

A compound of Formula (1), is disclosed wherein P1 and P2 are alcohol protecting groups or 1,3-diol protecting group, R is selected from: wherein R4a is selected from alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl and cycloalkyl, Rc is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkaoxy, haloalkyl, monohaloalkyloxy, and dihaloalkyloxy, Rd is selected from alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, CF3, halo and NO2 and X is selected from O, N—H, N-alkyl and S, Ra and Rb are same or different and each represents hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryl group of 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group of 7 to 12 carbon atoms.
US08759509B2

A procedure for using thermolabile groups to protect a hydroxyl function, above all in nucleosides, nucleotides, oligomers, nucleic acids during the reactions of organic synthesis. Various new compounds that can be used to implement the procedure. The way of using thermolabile groups to protect hydroxyl functions consists in a primary, secondary and tertiary hydroxyl group converting into a groups during the reaction between a compound and a compound whose hydroxyl group is to be blocked. The blocking reaction is carried out by means of widely known methods appropriate for that purpose in the presence of a chemically basic catalyst. The obtained product has its hydroxyl group blocked. Then the compound with the group blocked can be used for the purposes of various chemical processes. After their completion, the hydroxyl group is unblocked by dissolving it in a solvent at a temperature of 50-95° C.
US08759507B2

The invention provides a method for generating an oligonucleotide with which an exon may be skipped in a pre-mRNA and thus excluded from a produced mRNA thereof. Further provided are methods for altering the secondary structure of an mRNA to interfere with splicing processes and uses of the oligonucleotides and methods in the treatment of disease. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods and means for inducing skipping of several exons in a pre-mRNA.
US08759501B2

The invention provides methods for the synthesis of oligosaccharides comprising an aminooxy group. The invention further provides oligosaccharides comprising an aminooxy group, methods for coupling oligosaccharides comprising an aminooxy group to glycoproteins, and oligosaccharide-protein conjugates. Also provided are methods of treating a lysosomal storage disorder in a mammal by administration of an oligosaccharide-protein conjugate.
US08759498B2

Compositions comprising lignin and low levels of undesirable impurities, such as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, or metals, are disclosed.
US08759497B2

The aim of the invention is to provide a method for producing protein hydrolysates that have defined molecular weight limits without carrying out enzymatic or pH-adjusting process steps. For this purpose, the method for producing protein hydrolysates from proteinaceous plant and animal materials is characterized by splitting the materials up in an aqueous medium under a targeted pressure build-up in a reaction chamber, the temperature and reaction being controlled by a characteristic curve of the system, and separating the suspension after splitting into a sediment containing the insoluble components of the starting material, and an aqueous supernatant in which the cleavage products of the materials are dissolved.
US08759488B2

The present invention provides a mutant streptavidin subunit which comprises one or more amino acid substitutions compared to a wildtype streptavidin subunit at any one of residue positions equivalent to positions (50, 51, 52, 53) and (54) of SEQ ID NO. 2 and wherein amino acid residues at positions equivalent to positions (23, 27, 43, 45, 49, 79, 88, 90, 92, 108, 110) and (128) of SEQ ID NO. 2, in said mutant streptavidin subunit, are wildtype, wherein (i) when said mutant streptavidin subunit unit is comprised in streptavidin, said streptavidin has a lower off rate for biotin or for a biotin conjugate than wildtype streptavidin or (ii) when said mutant streptavidin subunit is in monomelic form said mutant monomelic streptavidin has a lower off rate for biotin or a biotin conjugate than monomelic streptavidin. The invention also encompasses nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the mutant streptavidin subunit and vectors and cells comprising the nucleic acid. Further, methods of capturing biotinylated molecules and cells and therapeutic methods are encompassed.
US08759487B2

A method of generating atelocollagen is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a human telopeptide-comprising collagen with a protease selected from the group consisting of neutrase, subtilisin, ficin recombinant human trypsin and recombinant human pepsin, wherein said human telopeptide-comprising collagen is expressed in a non-animal cell, thereby generating the atelocollagen. Compositions comprising the atelocollagen generated thereby are also disclosed.
US08759485B2

Chemokine binding activity of viral TNF receptors and related proteins. The invention relates to a C-terminal domain (CTD) of viral tumor necrosis factor receptors (vTNFRs) CrmB or CrmD or CTD homologues (CTD1, CTD2 and CTD3) from poxvirus and their functional homologues, including derivatives, and fragments, for use in binding chemokines and their analogues and/or to enhance the immunomodulatory properties of TNFRs or in blocking binding of chemokines to their corresponding cell surface receptors and/or to modulate chemokine biological activity.
US08759469B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a compound comprising at least a urethane group —HN—C(═O)—O, said process comprising a step (E) in which a compound (I) comprising at least an isocyanate functional group —N═C═O is reacted with an organic compound (II) carrying at least a hydroxyl group —OH, said reaction being carried out in a presence of a carbene (III) used as a catalyst.
US08759463B2

A cross-linkable resin shaped article which contains a heat curable resin, cross-linking agent, and condensed aromatic polycyclic compound which has a (meth)acryloyloxy group, a cross-linked resin shaped article which is comprised of that cross-linkable resin shaped article which is cross-linked, and a laminate which is obtained by using these are provided. The cross-linkable resin shaped article and cross-linked resin shaped article of the present invention are excellent in heat resistance and further are useful in production of a low linear expansion laminate.
US08759459B2

Systems and methods for the maintenance of active chromium-based catalysts and their use in polymerization processes are described. In one embodiment, a system for the introduction of multiple polymerization components to activate a chromium based catalyst within a mix tank is described. Other described features may include materials and methods to purify the liquid medium of a catalyst slurry so that the catalyst slurry maintains a high level of activity. The active chromium-based catalyst may provide polyolefins with a number of desirable properties in a reliable, consistent, and predictable manner.
US08759458B2

The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyarylene ether block copolymers comprising, in a first stage, the reaction of at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound comprising 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl in a molar excess and of at least one aromatic dihalogen compound, to form a polybiphenyl sulfone polymer, and then, in a second stage, the reaction of the polybiphenyl sulfone polymer with at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound and of at least one aromatic dihalogen compound.The invention further relates to the resultant polyarylene sulfone block copolymers and to the use of the polyarylene sulfone block copolymers for the production of moldings, fibers, films, or foams.
US08759456B2

Disclosed is an addition reaction-curable organopolysilmethylenesiloxane copolymer composition including: (A) an organopolysilmethylenesiloxane copolymer represented by formula (a) shown below: which has in one molecule at least two alkenyl groups bonding to silicon atoms; (B) an organopolysiloxane represented by formula (b) shown below: R2aSiO(4-a)/2  (b) which has in one molecule at least two alkenyl groups bonding to silicon atoms; (C) an organohydrogenpolysilmethylenesiloxane and/or organohydrogenpolysiloxane; and (D) a platinum group metal-based catalyst. The copolymer composition excels in heat resistance, electrical insulation, mechanical strength, and optical properties, and exhibits good water resistance, hydrolysis resistance and gas barrier properties under severe use conditions without suffering gas permeability and poor chemical resistance inherent in silicone rubber.
US08759444B2

Disclosed are multichromophores, and methods, articles and compositions employing them. Disclosed are methods, articles and compositions for the detection and analysis of biomolecules in a sample. Provided assays include those determining the presence of a target biomolecule in a sample or its relative amount, or the assays may be quantitative or semi-quantitative. The methods can be performed on a substrate or in an array format on a substrate. Disclosed are detection assays employing sensor biomolecules that do not comprise a fluorophore that can exchange energy with the cationic multichromophore. Disclosed are biological assays in which energy is transferred between one or more of the multichromophore, a label on the target biomolecule, a label on the sensor biomolecule, and/or a fluorescent dye specific for a polynucleotide, in all permutations.
US08759417B2

An aqueous ink ensuring less blurring and high color formation on plain paper, satisfactory color formation and fixing property on special paper and excellent ejection stability is realized by using a microcapsule of a colorant encapsulated with a polymer and rendered dispersible in water and specifying the amount of the aromatic ring in the polymer to be from 20 to 70 wt % of the polymer.
US08759413B2

A process for the preparation of lanthanum containing polyacrylates for optical applications. The process consists in dispersing lanthanum oxide in acrylic acid to form a monomer mixture. An aromatic carboxylic acid is added to the monomer mixture and then a cross linking agent is added thereto. Such a monomer mixture is subjected to the step of polymerization by gamma radiation.
US08759403B2

A pharmaceutical composition for nasal administration comprising: a nanoemulsified curcumin component; a liquid medium for the curcumin component; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The curcumin component is a natural curcuminoid, a synthetic curcuminoid, a metabolite of a natural or synthetic curcuminoid, or a mixture thereof. The excipient is effective in increasing the bioavailability of the curcumin component.
US08759399B2

Aromatic N-halosulfonamide organic compounds have been known for over one hundred years. The ability of these compounds to release active halogen ions has been utilized in a range of biocidal and fungicidal applications. This disclosure deals with the use of halo active aromatic sulfonamide organic compounds as odor control and/or biocidal agents in a cleaning solution for use with bovines and other dairy animals.
US08759388B2

Disclosed are beta and gamma-amino isoquinoline amide compounds and substituted benzamide compounds. In particular, the invention provides compounds that affect the function of kinases in a cell and that are useful as therapeutic agents or with therapeutic agents. The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions including eye diseases such as glaucoma, cardiovascular diseases, and diseases characterized by abnormal growth, such as cancers. The invention further provides compositions containing the beta or gamma-amino isoquinoline amide compounds or substituted benzamide compounds.
US08759387B2

The present invention relates to an arylalkylamine compound represented by the following formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a process for preparing the same, and use of the above-mentioned compound as an activating compound (CaSR agonist) of a Ca sensing receptor, a pharmaceutical composition containing the above-mentioned compound as an effective ingredient, etc. The symbols in the formula represent the following meanings: Ar: optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl here, the cyclic portion of the heteroaryl is bicyclic heterocyclic ring in which 5- to 6-membered monocyclic heterocyclic ring containing 1 or 2 hetero atom(s) and benzene ring are fused; R1: a group selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted cyclic hydrocarbon group, and optionally substituted heterocyclic group; n: an integer of 1 to 3; X: single bonding arm, —CH2—, —CO—, —(CH2)m—CO—, —CH(R2)—CO—, —(CH2)p—Y—(C(R3)(R4))q—CO—, —NH—CO— or —N(R5)—CO—; in the above-mentioned respective definitions of the X, the bonding arm described at the left end represents a bond with R1; m is an integer of 1 to 3; p is an integer of 0 to 2; q is an integer of 0 to 2; Y: —O— or —SO2—; R2: phenyl or lower alkyl; R3, R4: each independently represents hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; R5: lower alkyl; provided that the ring portion of the group represented by R1 is neither naphthylidine nor partially saturated group thereof, and, when X is —CH2— or —CO—, R1 is not naphthyl.
US08759378B2

Methods of treating blood disorders are described.
US08759370B2

The present invention relates to methods of alleviating and inhibiting a lymphoproliferative disorder in a mammal, the method comprising administering one or more rapamycin derivatives (including rapamycin) to the mammal. Further, the invention provides a method for identifying agents which are useful for alleviating and inhibiting a lymphoproliferative disorders, as well as a method for identifying agents which are capable of inhibiting metastasis of lymphatic tumors in a mammal.
US08759363B2

Quinazoline derivatives are provided that specifically inhibit proliferation of T cells without affecting the level of IL-2 secreted from said T cells. These compounds as well as pharmaceutical composition comprising them are useful for the treatment of indications mediated by T cell proliferation.
US08759355B2

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Various substituents in the formula (I) are as defined in the specification. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of formula (I), the preparation method of compound of formula (I), and the use of the compound for the preparation of a medicament for treating and/or preventing human peroxisome proliferators activated receptor δ (hPPARδ)-associated diseases and risk factors.
US08759353B2

The invention relates to compositions and co-crystals each comprising VX-950 and a co-crystal former selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-amino salicylic acid, phenylalanine, threonline, tartaric acid, adipic acid, succinic acetate, proline, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, anthranilic acid, and d-Biotin. Also within the scope of this invention are methods of making and using the same.
US08759350B2

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises (1) a carbostyril derivative and (2) a serotonin reuptake inhibitor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carbostyril derivative may be aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof, which is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer. The serotonin reuptake inhibitor may be fluoxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, milnacipran, citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline or escitalopram. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is useful for treating patients with mood disorders, particularly depression or major depressive disorder.
US08759347B2

The invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: wherein Z, X, J, R2 and W are set forth in the specification, as well as solvates, hydrates, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit protein tyrosine kinases, especially c-fms kinase. Methods of treating autoimmune diseases; and diseases with an inflammatory component; treating metastasis from ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, hairy cell leukemia; and treating pain, including skeletal pain caused by tumor metastasis or osteoarthritis, or visceral, inflammatory, and neurogenic pain; as well as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and other diseases in which bone resorption mediates morbidity including rheumatoid arthritis, and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, prosthesis failure, osteolytic sarcoma, myeloma, and tumor metastasis to bone with the compounds of Formula I, are also provided.
US08759335B2

The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08759318B2

Phosphoramidate compounds derived from guanine bases having enhanced therapeutic potency are provided, and these compounds in particular have enhanced potency with respect to treatment of viral infections, such as hepatitis C virus. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions to treat viral infections are also provided.
US08759310B2

The invention relates to the therapeutic use of stabilized oligoribonucleotides as immune modulatory agents for immune therapy applications. Specifically, the invention provides RNA based oligoribonucleotides with improved nuclease and RNase stability and that have immune modulatory activity through TLR7 and/or TLR8.
US08759307B2

A method and oligonucleotide compound for inhibiting replication of a nidovirus in virus-infected animal cells are disclosed. The compound (i) has a nuclease-resistant backbone, (ii) is capable of uptake by the infected cells, (iii) contains between 8-25 nucleotide bases, and (iv) has a sequence capable of disrupting base pairing between the transcriptional regulatory sequences in the 5′ leader region of the positive-strand viral genome and negative-strand 3′ subgenomic region. In practicing the method, infected cells are exposed to the compound in an amount effective to inhibit viral replication.
US08759303B2

This invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treating myelodysplastic syndrome. In one embodiment, this invention relates to methods for treating myelodysplastic syndrome with ezatiostat or a salt thereof and lenalidomide.
US08759297B2

Provided herein are compositions for increasing transport of agents across the blood-brain barrier, in some embodiments in both directions, while allowing their activity once across the barrier to remain substantially intact. The agents are transported across the blood-brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. In some embodiments the agents are therapeutic, diagnostic, or research agent. Also provided herein are nucleic acids encoding proteins contained in the compositions.
US08759284B2

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Many embodiments provide a swallowable device for delivering the agents. Particular embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. Embodiments also provide various drug preparations that are configured to be contained within the capsule, advanced from the capsule into the intestinal wall and degrade within the wall to release the drug to produce a therapeutic effect. The preparation can be coupled to an actuator having a first configuration where the preparation is contained in the capsule and a second configuration where the preparation is advanced out of the capsule into the intestinal wall. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US08759283B2

A method to measure enhancement in the quality of life of an animal fed a super senior pet food composition comprising quantitating the gene expression levels of one or more genes in said animal and comparing said levels in the animal to levels in the animal prior to administration of said super senior pet food composition. A method to enhance the quality of life of an animal by modulating the expression level of one or more genes in said animal in order to mimic the pattern of expression seen in vivo after administration of a super senior pet food composition.
US08759279B2

A film formed from a biodegradable polymer matrix within which is contained at least one fragrance is provided. The ability to incorporate a fragrance into the polymer matrix is achieved in the present invention by controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, including the nature of the fragrance, the nature of the biodegradable polymer, the manner in which the polymer matrix and fragrance are melt processed, etc. For example, the fragrance may be injected directly into the extruder and melt blended with the biodegradable polymer. In this manner, the costly and time-consuming steps of pre-encapsulation or pre-compounding of the fragrance into a masterbatch are not required. Furthermore, to obtain a balance between the ability of the fragrance to release the desired odor during use and likewise to minimize the premature exhaustion of the odor during melt processing, the fragrance is selected to have a boiling point (at atmospheric pressure) within a certain range, such as from about 125° C. to about 350° C.
US08759277B1

The invention involves foam stabilization compositions that rely upon anonionic/hydrophobic interaction. According to the invention, an associative thickener is used to provide long range nonionic/hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic groups of the surfactants present in the same. The interaction must be of sufficient character so that the components can maintain long range intermolecular networking, causing longer lasting and increased foam production, even in the presence of hydrophobic/oily soils. The system provides an environmentally friendly alternative for traditional foaming enhancers such as cocamide DEA.
US08759266B2

A lubricant composition for improving electrical properties in lubricant systems to reduce the formation of sludge and varnish is disclosed. The lubricant composition comprises a base oil and an effective amount of antistatic additive to provide the composition with an electrical conductivity of at least about 50 pS/m at 25° C. and a dielectric strength of at least 300 V/mil.
US08759265B2

An aqueous hydraulic fluid composition comprising of one or more lubricants such as a monovalent metal salt, ammonium, or alkanolamine salt of a dicarboxylic acid, such as a C21 dicarboxylic acid is described in which the aqueous hydraulic fluid composition demonstrates increased thermal stability when exposed to elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time while being able to tolerate the presence of 10% v/v synthetic seawater. The aqueous hydraulic fluid composition contains less than about 20% by weight (preferably none or substantially none) of an oil selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof.
US08759264B2

The invention relates to water-based hydraulic fluids comprising a) water, b) at least one glycol, a polyglycol, or both, and c) 0.1 to 30 wt % of at least one compound of formula 1, where M is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, or ammonia, Ar1 and Ar2 are independently monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic groups that can have substituents or can comprise heteroatoms.
US08759263B2

The invention relates to the use of an O/W emulsion, in particular a PIT emulsion, for lubricating conveyor belt systems in food industries as well as a lubricant concentrate based on an O/W emulsion, in particular a PIT emulsion, of wax esters.
US08759255B2

The invention relates to compositions containing a) one or more pesticides, b) one or more copolymers obtained by the copolymerization of i) glycerol, ii) at least one dicarboxylic acid, and iii) at least one monocarboxylic acid, c) one or more amphoteric surface-active substances, and d) water. The compositions are particularly suitable for controlling and/or combating weeds, fungal diseases, or insect infestation.
US08759254B2

The present invention relates to a product for use with new plants comprising a package which is optionally degradable, wherein said package forms an enclosed space is provided. At least one plant enhancer at least one pesticide, and/or at least one pesticide is located in the enclosed space formed by the package. The invention further is directed to method for treating a plant and to method for reducing shock to a plant.
US08759252B1

The various embodiments of the invention relates to the composition of a hydrogen sulfide capture material and the related method of manufacture. The hydrogen sulfide capture material is formed by solubilizing an iron source in acid to form an aqueous solution comprising iron chloride, neutralizing the aqueous solution with a caustic solution to form a neutralized solution, washing the neutralized solution to separate it into water and a slurry, forming a thickened slurry by removing additional water from the slurry, separating the thickened slurry to produce filtered water and a wet filter cake, and drying the wet filter cake to form granules. The hydrogen sulfide capture material of the present invention removes hydrogen sulfide for a longer time and at a faster rate than the materials of the prior art, thereby improving the efficiency and decreasing the cost of sour gas treatment.
US08759250B2

The invention is directed to shaped composite adsorbent material, comprising particulate activated carbon material, bound by a suitable binder, preferably selected from the group of sodium alginate calcium alginate, chitosan, polyacrylamide, polyethylene oxide and mixtures thereof, more in particular a combination of chitosan and alginate, whereby the activation of the carbon material has taken place before binding the material.
US08759248B2

A method of making catalysts includes loading a quantity of catalyst material and quantity of carrier in into a plasma gun in a desired ratio and vaporizing the catalyst material and carrier in a reaction chamber, thereby forming a vapor cloud. The vapor cloud is quenched in a quench chamber to form solid nanoparticles, wherein the quench chamber comprises a frusto-conical body having a wide end, a narrow end, and a quench region formed between the wide end and the narrow end, and a reactive mixture inlet configured to receive the vapor cloud and to supply the vapor cloud into the quench region in the direction of the narrow end. The quench chamber further includes at least one conditioning fluid inlet configured to supply a conditioning fluid into the quench region in the direction of the narrow end. The nanoparticles are bonded to supports.
US08759247B2

The methanol electro-oxidation catalysts include nano-oxides of rare earth metals (i.e., cesium, praseodymium, neodymium and samarium) and platinum nano-particles. The nano-oxides of the rare earth metals are dispersed during synthesis of a support material, preferably formed from mesoporous carbon. The platinum nano-particles form between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, the rare earth metal forms between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, and carbon and oxygen forming the balance (between about 70 wt % and about 80 wt %) of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst.
US08759246B2

The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compositions employing half-metallocene compounds with a heteroatom-containing ligand bound to the transition metal. Methods for making these hybrid metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins also are provided.
US08759245B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing iron-containing porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials where the organic compound ligand is bonded to a central metal and has a large surface area and pores of molecular size or nano size, by irradiating microwaves instead of heat treatments such as the conventional electric heating, etc. as the heat source of the hydrothermal or solvothermal synthesis reaction, after reacting a metal or metal salt and organic compound to form crystal nuclei by a predetermined pre-treatment operation in the presence of a solvent. In another aspect, a method of the present invention further comprises the step of purifying the obtained porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials by treating them with inorganic salt. In particular, a method of the present invention is characterized by not using a hydrofluoric acid.
US08759241B2

A method for making a catalyst composition suitable for various purposes, such as the reduction of nitrogen oxides, is provided. The method includes combining dawsonite or a dawsonite derivative with a catalytic active element.
US08759237B2

The invention relates to a lithium silicate glass ceramic, which contains at least 8.5 wt.-% transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of oxides of yttrium, oxides of transition metals with an atomic number from 41 to 79 and mixtures of these oxides. The invention also relates to a corresponding lithium silicate glass, a process for the preparation of the glass ceramic and of the glass as well as their use.
US08759236B2

Rubberized polyolefin fabrics, particularly rubberized polyolefin fiber containing fabrics and a method for vulcanizing rubber without melting or lowering the performance of the fibers. A plurality of fibrous layers are molded and rubberized under high pressures, producing fabrics having customized stiffness properties.
US08759227B2

A method for processing a target object includes arranging a first electrode and a second electrode for supporting the target object in parallel to each other in a processing chamber and processing the target object supported by the second electrode by using a plasma of a processing gas supplied into the processing chamber, the plasma being generated between the first electrode and the second electrode by applying a high frequency power between the first electrode and the second electrode. The target object includes an organic film and a photoresist layer formed on the organic film. The processing gas contains H2 gas, and the organic film is etched by a plasma containing H2 by using the photoresist layer as a mask while applying a negative DC voltage to the first electrode.
US08759224B2

In a method of forming a pattern structure, a cut-off portion of the node-separated line of a semiconductor device is formed by a double patterning process by using a connection portion of the sacrificial mask pattern and the mask pattern to thereby improve alignment margin. The alignment margin between the mask pattern and the sacrificial mask pattern is increased to an amount of the length of the connection portion of the sacrificial mask pattern. The lines adjacent to the node-separated line include a protrusion portion protruding toward the cut-off portion of the separated line.
US08759223B2

A method of etching a substrate comprises forming on the substrate, a plurality of double patterning features composed of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride. The substrate having the double patterning features is provided to a process zone. An etching gas comprising nitrogen tri-fluoride, ammonia and hydrogen is energized in a remote chamber. The energized etching gas is introduced into the process zone to etch the double patterning features to form a solid residue on the substrate. The solid residue is sublimated by heating the substrate to a temperature of at least about 100° C.
US08759212B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a cap insulating film, including Si and C, on a substrate; forming an organic silica film, having a composition ratio of the number of carbon atoms to the number of silicon atoms higher than that of the cap insulating film, on the cap insulating film; and forming two or more concave portions, having different opening diameters, in the organic silica film, by plasma processing in which mixed gas including inert gas, N-containing gas, fluorocarbon gas and oxidant gas is used.
US08759208B2

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing contact holes in a CMOS device by using a gate-last process, comprising: forming high-K dielectrics/metal gates (HKMG) of a first type MOS; forming and metalizing lower contact holes of the source/drain of a first type MOS and a second type MOS as well as forming HKMG of a second type MOS simultaneously, wherein the lower contact holes of the source/drain are filled with the same material as that used by the metal gate of the second type MOS; forming and metalizing contact holes of metal gates of a first type MOS and a second type MOS as well as upper contact holes of the source/drain, wherein the upper contact holes of the source/drain are aligned with the lower contact holes of the source/drain. The method reduces the difficulty of contact hole etching and metal deposition, simplifies the process steps, and increases the reliability of the device.
US08759189B2

A reprocessing method of a semiconductor device, the reprocessing method includes adjusting a resistance value of a first resistor by first trimming the first resistor, wherein the first resistor is electrically connected between a first pad and a second pad, forming a second resistor on the first trimmed first resistor, and adjusting a resistance value of the second resistor by second trimming the second resistor.
US08759186B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a metal oxide semiconductor layer and a first insulating layer on a substrate. A gate is formed on the first insulating layer. The first insulating layer is patterned by using the gate as an etching mask so as to expose the metal oxide semiconductor layer to serve as a source region and a drain region. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate to cover the gate and the oxide semiconductor layer, where the dielectric layer has at least one of hydrogen group and hydroxyl group. A heating treatment is performed so that the at least one of hydrogen group and hydroxyl group reacts with the source region and the drain region. A source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the source region and the drain region respectively are formed on the dielectric layer.
US08759175B2

A flash memory structure having an enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio (CCCR) may be fabricated in a self-aligned manner while using a semiconductor substrate that has an active region that is recessed within an aperture with respect to an isolation region that surrounds the active region. The flash memory structure includes a floating gate that does not rise above the isolation region, and that preferably consists of a single layer that has a U shape. The U shape facilitates the enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio.
US08759173B2

Semiconductor materials, particularly III-V materials used to form, e.g., a finlike structure can suffer structural damage during chemical mechanical polishing steps. This damage can be reduced or eliminated by oxidizing the damaged surface of the material and then etching away the oxidized material. The etching step can be accomplished simultaneously with a step of etching back a patterned oxide layers, such as a shallow trench isolation layer.
US08759172B2

A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a metal gate conductor of a gate structure on a channel portion of a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric cap is formed on the metal gate conductor. The gate dielectric cap is a silicon oxide that is catalyzed by a metal element from the gate conductor so that edges of the gate dielectric cap are aligned with a sidewall of the metal gate conductor. Contacts are then formed to at least one of a source region and a drain region that are on opposing sides of the gate structure, wherein the gate dielectric cap obstructs the contacts from contacting the metal gate conductor.
US08759167B2

An object is to improve field effect mobility of a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor. Another object is to suppress increase in off current even in a thin film transistor with improved field effect mobility. In a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer, by forming a semiconductor layer having higher electrical conductivity and a smaller thickness than the oxide semiconductor layer between the oxide semiconductor layer and a gate insulating layer, field effect mobility of the thin film transistor can be improved, and increase in off current can be suppressed.
US08759165B2

A manufacturing method of an array substrate includes the following steps. A first conductive layer, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, an etching stop layer, and a first patterned photoresist are successively formed on a substrate. The etching stop layer and the semiconductor layer uncovered by the first patterned photoresist are then removed by a first etching process. A patterned gate insulating layer and a patterned etching stop layer are then formed through a second etching process. The first conductive layer uncovered by the patterned gate insulating layer is then removed to form a gate electrode. The semiconductor layer uncovered by the patterned etching stop layer is then removed to form a patterned semiconductor layer and partially expose the patterned gate insulating layer.
US08759156B2

A method of producing a laminate insert package includes providing a first metal layer, printing a first dielectric layer on the first metal layer, providing a second metal layer, printing a second dielectric layer on the second metal layer, and printing a dielectric spacer layer on the first dielectric layer. At least one semiconductor chip is attached to either the first or the second metal layer. A first layer assembly comprising the first metal layer, the first dielectric layer, the dielectric spacer layer and a second layer assembly comprising the second metal layer and the second dielectric layer are brought together. The first and second layer assemblies are laminated to form a laminate insert package, whereby the at least one semiconductor chip is embedded within the laminate insert package.
US08759154B2

A method for assembling die packages includes attaching contacts on a first side of a plurality of first die to substrate pads on a top surface of a composite carrier. The composite carrier includes a package substrate including at least one embedded metal layer having its bottom surface secured to a semiconductor wafer. The composite carrier minimizes effects of the CTE mismatch between the die and the package substrate during assembly reduces warpage of the die. After the attaching, the semiconductor wafer is removed from the package substrate. Electrically conductive connectors are attached to the bottom surface of the package substrate, and the package substrate is sawed to form a plurality of singulated die packages.
US08759153B2

A graphene layer is generated on a substrate. A plastic material is deposited on the graphene layer to at least partially cover the graphene layer. The substrate is separated into at least two substrate pieces.
US08759151B2

A fixture assembly and method of forming a chip assembly is provided. The fixture assembly includes a first plate having an opening sized to accommodate a chip mounted on a laminate. The fixture assembly further includes a second plate mated to the first plate by at least one mechanical fastening mechanism. The fixture assembly further includes a space defined by facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate and confined by a raised stepped portion of at least one of the first plate and the second plate. The space is coincident with the opening. The space is sized and shaped such that the laminate is confined within the space and directly abuts the stepped portion and the facing surfaces of the first plate and the second plate to be confined in X, Y and Z directions.
US08759141B2

A backside illuminated image sensor is provided which includes a substrate having a front side and a backside, a sensor formed in the substrate at the front side, the sensor including at least a photodiode, and a depletion region formed in the substrate at the backside, a depth of the depletion region is less than 20% of a thickness of the substrate.
US08759135B2

According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a camera module includes, disposing a first member on the image sensor, the first member includes a first non-conductor, a first metal film covering the first non-conductor, and a first insulation film covering the first metal film, disposing a second member on or above the first member, the second member includes a second non-conductor, a second metal film covering the second non-conductor, and a second insulation film covering the second metal film, and applying a predetermined voltage between the first member and the second member or between the image sensor and the second member, thereby breaking at least parts of the first insulation film and the second insulation film.
US08759131B2

Techniques are provided for manufacturing a light-emitting device having high internal quantum efficiency, consuming less power, having high luminance, and having high reliability. The techniques include forming a conductive light-transmitting oxide layer comprising a conductive light-transmitting oxide material and silicon oxide, forming a barrier layer in which density of the silicon oxide is higher than that in the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer over the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer, forming an anode having the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer and the barrier layer, heating the anode under a vacuum atmosphere, forming an electroluminescent layer over the heated anode, and forming a cathode over the electroluminescent layer. According to the techniques, the barrier layer is formed between the electroluminescent layer and the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer.
US08759130B2

A method for making a light emitting diode includes the following steps. A substrate having a first epitaxial growth surface is provided. A carbon nanotube layer is placed on the first epitaxial growth surface of the substrate. A surface of the first semiconductor layer is exposed by removing the substrate and the carbon nanotube layer. The surface of the first semiconductor layer is defined as a second epitaxial growth surface. An active layer and a second semiconductor layer are grown on the second epitaxial growth surface in that order. A surface of the active layer contacted the first semiconductor layer engages with the second epitaxial growth surface. A part of the first semiconductor layer is exposed by etching a part of the active layer and the second semiconductor layer. A first electrode is applied on the first semiconductor layer and a second electrode is applied on the second semiconductor layer.
US08759125B2

In accordance with certain embodiments, semiconductor dies are embedded within polymeric binder to form, e.g., freestanding white light-emitting dies and/or composite wafers containing multiple light-emitting dies embedded in a single volume of binder.
US08759118B2

A system and method for plating a contact is provided. An embodiment comprises forming protective layers over a contact and a test pad, and then selectively removing the protective layer over the contact without removing the protective layer over the test pad. With the protective layer still on the test pad, a conductive layer may be plated onto the contact without plating it onto the test pad. After the contact has been plated, the protective layer over the contact may be removed.
US08759115B2

An assay device for performing an assay on a liquid sample using a detection conjugate capable of binding to an antigen and containing a label. The device includes a substrate surface having a sample addition zone, a reaction zone and an absorbing zone, the zones being connected by at least one fluid passage, wherein the device has a first functionality verifying feature located between the sample addition zone and the reaction zone, and a second functionality verifying feature located within the absorbing zone. Both functionality verifying features are capable of undergoing a detectable change when contacted by the sample, in which the assay device further includes at least one alignment verification zone. There is further provided a kit of parts and a method of conducting an assay.
US08759108B2

In order to provide a reagent kit for detecting LA which can clearly separate a lupus anticoagulant (LA)-positive specimen group from an LA-negative specimen group, it is configured that the reagent kit for detecting LA contains a first clotting time-measuring reagent and a second clotting time-measuring reagent and at least one of the first clotting time-measuring reagent and the second clotting time-measuring reagent contains alkali metal salt. The presence or absence of LA can be determined using the kit.
US08759101B2

Compositions and methods for modifying the production levels of alkaloids in plants are provided. Alkaloid production can be genetically controlled by modulating the transcriptional activation of PMT genes mediated by members of the ERF family and/or Myc family of transcription factors. Novel nucleotide sequences encoding the Myc family of transcription factors are also provided.
US08759096B2

Disclosed is a microfluidic chip and method using the same. The microfluidic chip comprises a substrate having a surface, and at least a tissue culture area formed on the surface of the substrate. The tissue culture area has a microfluidic channel formed by a plurality of connected geometrical structures (nozzle-type channels) having a predetermined depth. The microfluidic channel has an inlet and an outlet, which are at two ends of the microfluidic channel, for medium inputting and outputting, respectively. Additionally, at least an air-exchange hole is formed on the bottom of the microfluidic channel. By using the microfluidic chip for tissue culture, lateral flow speed and stress can be decreased, so as to prolong survival time of tissues (e.g. liver tissues).
US08759095B2

The invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic tools and applications, particularly useful in diseases that affect vascular health and in inflammatory diseases. In particular, said diagnostic and therapeutic tools employ suitable detection or modulation of endothelial glycocalyx.
US08759078B2

A biochemical reaction cassette comprises: a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance; a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate; an elastic member; and an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member.
US08759077B2

Nucleic acid microparticles are sequenced by performing a sequencing reaction on the microparticles using one or more selectively exciting the microparticles in an excitation pattern, optically imaging the microparticles at a resolution insufficient to resolve individual microparticles, and processing the optical images of the microparticles using information on the excitation pattern to determine the presence or absence of the optical signature, which indicates the sequence information of the nucleic acid. An apparatus for optical excitation of the microparticles comprises an optical fiber delivering a first laser beam, and an interference pattern generation module coupled to the optical fiber. The interference pattern generation module splits the first laser beam into second and third laser beams and generates the excitation pattern for selectively exciting the microparticles by interference between the second and third laser beams.
US08759074B2

The invention relates to a device (7) for applying electromagnetic energy to a reactive medium, with said device being designed to be connected to an electromagnetic radiation generator using a means of transmission (4) of said radiation, with the device being remarkable in that it includes at least one loss transmission line (70) that features an interface that transfers electromagnetic energy towards the reactive medium, with said transfer interface being arranged so as to assure, throughout the length of the said line, a pre-determined distribution cross-section for the density of the electromagnetic energy delivered to said medium by said line. The invention also relates to a device for processing, by electromagnetic radiation, of a reactive medium including such an application device. The present invention can be applied to the sector of devices for thermal treatment of a reactive medium, specifically by microwave or high-frequency radiation.
US08759065B2

Nucleic acid and corresponding amino acid sequences of a cold adapted subtilisin-like activity protein, insolated from antarctic marine origin, preferably from an Antarctic bacteria (Polaribacter sp) that can be used in a variety of industrial contexts and commercial purposes including laundry detergents, food processing, leather processing and skin care products. Nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the cold adapted subtilisin-like protein are also described.
US08759063B2

Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.
US08759061B1

The present invention relates to DNA polymerases with a special mutation which have an enhanced mismatch discrimination, the preparation and use thereof. The thermostable DNA polymerases with this mutation are particularly suitable for diagnostic and molecular-biological methods, e.g., allele-specific PCR.
US08759054B2

The present invention relates to DNA loaded gold nanoparticles embedded in sharp carbonaceous carriers useful for higher DNA delivery efficiently into plants. These nanogold embedded carbon matrices are prepared by heat treatment of biogenic intracellular gold nanoparticles. The DNA delivery efficiency is tested on model plants. These materials reveal good dispersion of the transport material, producing a greater number of GUS foci per unit area. The added advantages of the composite carrier are the lower plasmid and gold requirements. Plant cell damage with the prepared carbon supported particles is very minimal and can be gauged from the increased plant regeneration and transformation efficiency compared to that of the commercial micrometer sized gold particles. This can be attributed to the sharp edges that the carbon supports possess, which lead to better piercing capabilities with minimum damage.
US08759052B2

Process for the production of a biogas containing methane from an organic matter amenable to anaerobic digestion comprising feeding an anaerobic digester with the organic matter, said anaerobic digester containing a digestion medium comprising microorganisms capable of digesting said organic matter, wherein the total inorganic carbon concentration of the digestion medium is maintained above 9000 mg of equivalent CaCO3/l and the buffering capacity is maintained above 200 mmol/l by the addition of a buffering reagent comprising sodium bicarbonate to the digestion medium.
US08759050B2

A process of producing ethanol from whole stillage, includes obtaining a supply of whole stillage from an ethanol production facility after ethanol has been extracted therefrom; pre-treating the whole stillage to convert hemicellulose portions of the whole stillage into sugars; adding enzymes to the whole stillage to convert cellulose portions of the whole stillage to sugars; fermenting the whole stillage to create a beer mixture; and distilling the beer mixture to separate ethanol therefrom. The pre-treating step may include adding acid to the whole stillage to decrease its pH level; heating and pressurizing the whole stillage; holding the whole stillage under pressure and heat for a dwell time; removing pressure from the whole stillage to cause flashing; and cooling the whole stillage before the enzymes are added.
US08759046B2

A method of producing a prenyl alcohol(s) by culturing a mutant cell into which a fusion gene of farnesyl diphosphate synthase gene and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene has been introduced and recovering the prenyl alcohol(s) from the resultant culture.
US08759044B2

Disclosed herein are methods of producing alcohol esters during a fermentation by providing alcohol-producing microorganisms which further comprise an engineered polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having lipase activity.
US08759043B2

The invention relates to a process for the biocatalytic production of ambroxan by means of a polypeptide with the activity of a homofarnesol-ambroxan cyclase, which are a novel class of enzymes.
US08759037B2

Methods for amplifying nucleic acids are provided. The methods can be used to minimize sequence specific bias caused by the preferential amplification of certain nucleic acid sequences. Methods are described which can lower the efficiency of AT rich templates relative to GC rich templates, thereby minimizing GC bias during amplification reactions with multiple templates of different sequence. The methods are suited to solid phase amplification, for example, utilizing flow cells.
US08759036B2

Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for synthesizing and amplifying pools of probes using precursor oligonucleotides. In some aspects the precursor is amplified and nicking enzymes are used to separate the full length probes from the amplification products. The methods enable the preparation of single stranded DNA probes of defined sequence and length that are suitable for use in target detection assays.
US08759022B2

The invention provides a method for selecting pharmaceutical compounds affecting mevalonate or cholesterol. The method having a step for putting into contact with the pharmaceutical compounds to be tested, cells of the MSC type obtained by a method for producing cells of the MSC type from human pluripotent cells or from induced stem cells, including a step for cultivating human pluripotent cells or induced stem cells in a culture medium of: 1) one or more growth factors selected from FGFs, HGF, PDGFs, EGF, herugulins and VEGFs; and 2) one or more antioxidants selected from ascorbic acid and its derivatives, vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine.
US08759000B2

A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems.
US08758999B2

The present invention relates to primers for the universal amplification and detection of Archaea, which primers are designed based on a multiple sequence alignment of Archaea Type II chaperonin (thermo-some) genes. For detection of Archaea having templates with a GC content of below 60%, primers are designed so that inosine residues are found at degenerate positions. For amplification of higher GC content templates, degenerate positions are replaced with specific nucleotide bases found in the high GC organism. The primers are useful for detecting, identifying and quantifying Archaea in a sample and for determining a phylogenetic relationship of a test Archaea organism.
US08758988B2

The invention relates generally to methods and compositions for the cryopreservation and/or vitrification of tissue including articular cartilage and the preparation of said tissue for clinical or research use, including but not limited to joint replacement and the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis.
US08758984B2

A method of forming gate conductor structures. A substrate having thereon a gate electrode layer is provided. A multi-layer hard mask is formed overlying the gate electrode layer. The multi-layer hard mask comprises a first hard mask, a second hard mask, and a third hard mask. A photoresist pattern is formed on the multi-layer hard mask. A first etching process is performed to etch the third hard mask, using the photoresist pattern as a first etch resist, thereby forming a patterned third hard mask. A second etching process is performed to etch the second hard mask and the first hard mask, using the patterned third hard mask as a second etch resist, thereby forming a patterned first hard mask. A third etching process is performed to etch a layer of the gate electrode layer, using the patterned first hard mask as a third etch resist.
US08758979B2

Methanofullerene derivatives having side chains with acid-labile protecting groups. The methanofullerene derivatives may find application as photoresist materials, and particularly as positive-tone photoresists.
US08758976B2

The present invention relates to a positive photosensitive polyimide composition that includes polyimide, a polyamic acid, and a photoactive compound. An organic insulating layer for organic light-emitting devices (OLED), which includes the positive photosensitive polyimide composition, may control a taper angle and outgassing, and has excellent adhesion in respects to a substrate, water repellent control ability, and storage stability and the like.
US08758975B2

A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support and one or more layers, one of the one or more layers is a photosensitive layer containing an initiator compound, a polymerizable compound and a binder polymer, and a layer being in contact with the support of the one or more layers contains a copolymer containing a repeating unit having a zwitterionic structure and a repeating unit having a structure capable of interacting with a surface of the support.
US08758971B2

An image-forming method uses an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a surface layer formed of a hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide in which a ratio of the number of carbon atoms to the sum of the number of silicon atoms and the number of the carbon atoms in the surface layer is 0.61 or more and 0.75 or less, and the sum of the atomic density of the silicon atoms and the atomic density of the carbon atoms in the surface layer is 6.60×1022 atoms/cm3 or more, and the peak wavelength of pre-exposure light is shorter than the peak wavelength of image exposure light.
US08758970B2

A method of deinking an image-bearing member using an organic solvent includes receiving the image-bearing member. The member has thereon a continuous or discontinuous image layer formed of toner particles that do not include colorant, and colorant particles or molecules. The colorant particles or molecules are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the toner particles. The organic solvent is hydrophobic or oliophilic and the colorant is insoluble in the organic solvent. The hydrophobic or oliophilic organic solvent is applied to the image-bearing member, so that a majority of the toner image layer is dissolved off the image-bearing member and the colorant is removed from the image-bearing member. A deinked reflection density of the image-bearing member in a selected test area from which the toner image layer was dissolved is within 0.15 of an unprinted reflection density of the image-bearing member before deinking.
US08758966B2

Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter that includes a colorant including a phthalocyanine-based compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and a triarylmethane-based compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, wherein the substituents of Chemical Formulas 1 and 2 are the same as same as defined in the detailed description, and a color filter prepared using the same.
US08758962B2

In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for sub-pellicle defect reduction on photomasks. One embodiment of a photomask for use in photolithography includes a substrate on which a pattern is formed, the substrate having a frontside and an opposite backside, and a protective coating formed on at least one of the frontside and the backside, the protective coating comprising silicon-based compound.
US08758949B2

A reversible electrochemical system includes a first electrode comprising liquid silver metal and a second electrode, said first and second electrodes separated by a oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte; a conduit for directing a first reactive material across the second electrode; and a conduit for contacting second reactive material with the first liquid silver electrode, wherein the cell is capable of steam electrolysis when the polarity of the electrodes is selected such that the liquid silver is an anode and the cell is capable of electrical energy generation when the polarity of the electrodes is selected such that the liquid silver is a cathode.
US08758948B2

Embodiments include an iron-air rechargeable battery having a composite electrode including an iron electrode and a hydrogen electrode integrated therewith. An air electrode is spaced from the iron electrode and an electrolyte is provided in contact with the air electrode and the iron electrodes. Various additives and catalysts are disclosed with respect to the iron electrode, air electrode, and electrolyte for increasing battery efficiency and cycle life.
US08758945B2

The over charge protection of a lithium ion cell is improved by using an electrolyte comprising at least one redox shuttle additive that comprises an in situ generated soluble oxidizer or oxidant to accelerate other forms of chemical overcharge protection. The oxidizer can be employed in combination with radical polymerization additives.
US08758939B2

Disclosed is an anode active material including: a crystalline phase comprising Si and a Si-metal alloy; and an amorphous phase comprising Si and a Si-metal alloy, wherein the metal of the Si-metal alloy of the crystalline phase is the same as or different from the metal of the Si-metal alloy of the amorphous phase.
US08758931B2

A lithium-ion battery package can include flexible foil, a first conductor patch exposed on the flexible foil, a second conductor patch exposed on the flexible foil, a folded orientation of the flexible foil that includes a contact between the first conductor patch and the second conductor patch, and an expanded orientation of the flexible foil that includes a space between the first conductor patch and the second conductor patch. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US08758928B2

An electrode assembly of a lithium secondary battery is specially designed such that the positive and negative layers are formed at a side thereof with a large uncoated negative lead area and a large uncoated positive lead area. In addition, the collecting area is located correspondingly to the negative lead area or the positive lead area. And then the clasping assemblies are fixed outside the positive lead area or the negative lead area. In this way, the two pressing pieces are firmly pressed against the positive lead area or the negative lead area. On the one hand, the respective layers of the positive lead area or the negative lead area are pressed closely against one another, and on the other hand, the innermost layer of the positive lead area or the negative lead area is allowed to be maintained in a tight electrical contact with the collecting area.
US08758926B2

Provided is a separator for an electrochemical device including a plate-like porous substrate, and a porous thin-film coating layer formed on at least one surface of the plate-like porous substrate and containing crosslinked polyester. The crosslinked polyester coating layer hardly affects the air permeability of the separator. Also, the crosslinked polyester coating layer has good hydrophilicity and wettability to an electrolyte, and thus improves the performance of the battery. Also, the crosslinked polyester coating layer has excellent resistance to heat and deformation, and thus prevents the thermal shrinkage of the separator.
US08758925B2

Provided is a battery system in which an interior part of a battery structure includes phase-change particles including a capsule and phase-change materials. The phase-change materials have a high latent heat of phase change at a specific temperature, and are encapsulated in the capsule. The capsule is made of an inert material. The battery system in accordance with the present invention can prolong a service life of the battery by inhibiting temperature elevation inside the battery under normal operating conditions without substantial effects on size, shape and performance of the battery, and further, can inhibit the risk of explosion resulting from a sharp increase in temperature inside the battery under abnormal operating conditions, thereby contributing to battery safety.
US08758920B2

The present application is intended to prevent an excessive pressure from acting on a battery due to an expansion of the battery. A battery accommodating device having a battery chamber, which is formed in a housing and in which a battery is accommodated, the battery chamber being covered with a cover member, and has a lock part which fixes the housing and the cover member and a lock release part which unlocks the lock part when the battery has expanded. An output device includes a lock member which, while the cover member is being mounted to the housing, engages with a part of the cover member to prevent separation of the cover member and a displacement transmitting member, which transmits an expansive displacement of a battery to the lock member and releases the engagement of the lock member with a part of the cover member.
US08758913B2

Disclosed herein is a membraneless micro fuel cell. A cathode fluid and an anode fluid with a low Reynolds number flowing along a cathode channel and an anode channel are formed to have an interface with each other through a micro passageway and to be mixed by only diffusion so that the direct mixing of the cathode fluid and the anode fluid is prevented, making it possible to prevent reactants from being depleted at an electrode surface as well as to increase the efficiency of the fuel cell.
US08758911B2

A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed that includes a substrate, a main recording layer, a reinforcing layer, and a continuous layer which are overlaid in this order on the substrate. The reinforcing layer is provided between the main recording layer and the continuous layer so as to improve the S/N ratio of the magnetic recording medium and reduce the write fringing effect. The reinforcing layer has a granular structure. The saturation magnetization Ms of the reinforcing layer is higher than the saturation magnetization of the main recording layer.
US08758909B2

A magnetoresistive element that includes a free ferromagnetic layer comprising a reversible magnetization directed substantially perpendicular to a film surface, a pinned ferromagnetic layer comprising a fixed magnetization directed substantially perpendicular to the film surface, and a tunnel barrier layer disposed between the free and pinned ferromagnetic layers, wherein the free and pinned layers contain at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, and Ni, at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Cr, and Mo, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, P, C, and Si, and wherein the free layer, the tunnel barrier layer, and the pinned layer have a coherent body-centered cubic structure with a (001) plane oriented, and a bidirectional spin-polarized current passing through the coherent structure in a direction perpendicular to the film surface reverses a magnetization direction of the free layer.
US08758908B2

Aqueous precursor solutions are described that comprise at least one monazite-based material precursor, at least one xenotime-based material precursor or a combination thereof; and a plurality of fine suspended particles of an oxide material. Contemplated oxide composites, as described herein, comprise a plurality of fibers surrounded by at least one monazite or xenotime-based material, wherein the oxide composite has nearly a fully dense matrix. Contemplated embodiments disclosed herein provides a method for producing an oxide composite with nearly fully dense matrix and with all fibers surrounded by a monazite- or xenotime-based material that prevents embrittlement at temperatures at least as high as 1200° C. Oxide composites are described that contain a plurality of fibers, a matrix containing at least one or more oxide materials, and at least one monazite-based material, xenotime-based material or combination thereof, wherein the monazite-based or xenotime-based material is formed from the aqueous precursor solutions disclosed herein. Contemplated methods of production include: a) providing a composite comprising oxide-reinforcing fibers and a porous matrix of oxide materials, and b) infiltrating the porosity in the matrix with a solution that contains precursors for at least one monazite-based material, at least one xenotime-based material or a combination thereof; and c) heat treating the composite to convert the precursors to monazite, xenotime, or combinations thereof.
US08758883B2

The claimed invention relates to a luminescent decorative material, which is visible even at night, of which different decorative properties are obtained in the daytime or under lighting due to the presence or absence of luminescence. The claimed invention provide a luminescent sheet (plane sheet) having see-through property and containing a transparent part, through which it is possible to see the area behind the plane sheet, and a luminescent part.
US08758880B2

Monomeric or polymeric compounds comprising at least one moiety of the formula (Ia) wherein X is CR, where R is H or a substituent as defined in claim 1, or is another ketopyrrole moiety e.g. of the formula (Ib) or (Ic) with this moiety and all other symbols are as defined in claim 1, show good solubility in organic solvents and excellent film-forming properties. In addition, high efficiency of energy conversion, excellent field-effect mobility, good on/off current ratios and/or excellent stability can be observed, when the polymers according to the invention are used in semiconductor devices or organic photovoltaic (PV) devices (solar cells).
US08758879B2

There is provided a composite hat stiffener, a composite hat-stiffened pressure web, and a method of making the same. The composite hat stiffener has a composite hat section having a first side and a second side. The composite hat stiffener further has a plurality of composite stiffening plies coupled to the composite hat section. The plurality of composite stiffening plies include a body ply coupled to the first side of the composite hat section, a wrap ply coupled the body ply, and a base ply coupled to the body ply and the wrap ply. The composite hat stiffener further has a pair of radius filler noodles coupled to the composite hat section and disposed between the plurality of composite stiffening plies. The composite hat stiffener further has an outer ply coupled to the second side of the composite hat section.
US08758875B2

A formable laid interior decoration material (10) for an automobile is formed by laminating air-permeable design layer (11), apertured resin layer (12) having formed a plurality of apertures (12a) penetrating it in a thickness direction, shape-retaining felt layer (13) containing melted fibers, non-air-permeable resin sheet layer (14), and padding material (15), in this order. Formable laid interior decoration material (10) for an automobile is formed in a shape that conforms to a shape at a location where the material is laid in the automobile. The laminated body of air-permeable design layer (11), apertured resin layer (12), and shape-retaining felt layer (13) preferably has an air permeability of 1 to 30 cc/cm2/second.
US08758874B2

A laminated base material includes a lamination and integration of prepreg base materials each of which includes many reinforcing fibers arranged substantially in one direction and a matrix resin adhered to the reinforcing fibers, wherein at least one of the laminated prepreg base materials is formed with a prepreg base material having, throughout its whole surface, many incisions each extending in a direction crossing the reinforcing fibers, substantially all of the reinforcing fibers divided by incisions, and wherein a length L of each of reinforcing fiber segments formed by the incisions is 10 to 100 mm, a thickness H of the prepreg base material is 30 to 300 μm, and a fiber volume content Vf of the reinforcing fibers is 45 to 65% and arranging directions of the reinforcing fibers between one and another laminated prepreg base materials have at least two directions different each other.
US08758869B2

An optical element is provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. The optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.
US08758860B1

A process for endowing a polymeric article with a surface layer of an ion-conducting polymer to yield electrical surface resistivity sufficiently low for electrostatic discharge applications is provided. The polymeric article contains one or more immobilized, polymeric components having amine functional groups. The presence of the ion-conducting polymer in the surface layer lowers the surface electrical resistivity into the range suitable for electrostatic discharge applications, between about 1×105 and about 1×1012Ω/□. Plastic electrostatic dissipation materials produced by the inventive process may find use in the optical, electronics, automotive, entertainment, sporting goods, and medical sectors.
US08758859B2

A housing includes a plastic substrate, an active layer formed on the plastic substrate, and an exterior layer formed on the active layer. The active layer contains polysiloxane and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. The exterior layer contains silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide, and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.
US08758855B2

A coating film forming apparatus that holds a substrate upon a spin chuck and forms a coating film by supplying a chemical liquid upon a top surface of said substrate comprises: an outer cup provided detachably to surround the spin chuck; an inner cup provided detachably to surround a region underneath the substrate held upon the chuck; a cleaning nozzle configured to supply a cleaning liquid for cleaning a peripheral edge part of the substrate, such that the cleaning liquid is supplied to a peripheral part of a bottom surface of the substrate; a cutout part for nozzle mounting, the cutout part being provided to the inner cup to engage with the cleaning nozzle; and a cleaning liquid supply tube connected to the cleaning nozzle, the cleaning nozzle being detachable to the cutout part in a state in which the cleaning liquid supply tube is connected.
US08758850B2

A spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) element and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed having a free sub-layer structure with enhanced internal stiffness. A first free sub-layer is deposited, the first free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), annealing is performed of the STTMRAM element at a first temperature after depositing the first free sub-layer to reduce the B content at an interface between the first free sub-layer and the barrier layer, the annealing causing a second free sub-layer to be formed on top of the first free sub-layer and being made partially of B, the amount of B of the second free sub-layer being greater than the amount of B in the first free sub-layer. Cooling down the STTMRAM element to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature and depositing a third free sub-layer directly on top of the second free layer, with the third free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), wherein the amount of B in the third sub-free layer is less than the amount of B in the second free sub-layer.
US08758847B2

A medical device includes a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a body lumen, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The tubular device includes an inner liner including a coating on an inner surface thereof, a reinforcing layer surrounding at least a portion of the liner; and an outer layer surrounding the reinforcing layer and inner liner. The liner and outer layer may include multiple sections having different properties than one another, adjacent sections attached together by seams, which may be offset from one another. Apparatus and methods for making tubular devices with coated liners are also provided.
US08758842B2

A process for producing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, comprising initiating the culture of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid producing bacteria belonging to propionic acid bacteria under anaerobic conditions and culturing the bacteria under aeration into a medium when the concentration of a carbon source in the medium is 3.5% by mass or less.
US08758838B2

Provided are anti-inflammatory compositions comprising (a) an anti-inflammatory agent selected from the group consisting of olive leaf extract, holly herb, sappan wood, feverfew, and combinations of two or more thereof, and (b) an anti-inflammatory agent comprising at least one lipophilic aminoacid and at least one metal salt. Also provided are personal care products comprising such compositions, and methods of use thereof.
US08758832B1

Nutraceutical compositions for improved administration of important phytochemicals from pomegranate to a human or animal. More particularly, enables oral or enteral dosage forms containing phytochemicals from pomegranate for administering on a routine basis. In at least one instance the natural contents of a pomegranate are encapsulated into a pill form or concentrated juice that provides for more efficient administration than eating a pomegranate but contains the same key ingredients present in the fruit. Enables the recipient to receive the benefits of the fruit but allows for the dosages to be taken in pill or concentrated juice form. Composition is chemically similar or equal to a natural pomegranate but is in a powder, pill or concentrated liquid form.
US08758829B2

The present invention relates to a process for removing fluorine from krill material by subjecting the krill to disintegration and to an enzymatic hydrolysis process prior to or simultaneously with a removal of the exoskeleton particles producing a fluorine-reduced product. The process of the invention can process krill material with a high polar lipid content for producing superior quality, low fluorine, products suitable for the food and feed as well as the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industry.
US08758819B2

A cosmetic composition comprising at least one compound selected from bioactive/biocompatible microparticulates such as bioactive glass or bioactive ceramics, and an intradermal delivery vehicle selected from the group consisting of hyaluronans, hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and/or homologues, analogues, derivatives, complexes, esters, fragments and subunits of hyaluronic acid in an amount sufficient to facilitate deposition and penetration of said bioactive microparticulates through tissue at a site to be treated.
US08758812B2

This invention relates to a non-toxic composition which bind acetaldehyde present in the stomach, intestine and/or colon. The composition comprises one or more acetaldehyde-binding compound(s) comprising one or more free sulphhydryl and/or amino groups. The compound(s) are mixed with a non-toxic carrier that effects sustained release of said compound(s) in the gastrointestinal tract. This invention relates also to food additives and food compositions and packages comprising the composition.
US08758798B2

Surgical implants are provided which include a film comprising a first therapeutic agent and a mesh comprising a second therapeutic agent. The surgical implant includes a film in direct contact with a mesh. The first therapeutic agent may be released at a first rate and the second therapeutic agent may be released at a second rate.
US08758797B2

A blood vessel model which imitates a human blood vessel including an aqueous gel made from polyvinyl alcohol having an average polymerization degree of 300 to 3500 and a saponification degree of 90% by mole or more, and silica particles; and a method for producing a blood vessel model which imitates a human blood vessel, including filling a mixed solution containing polyvinyl alcohol having an average polymerization degree of 300 to 3500 and a saponification degree of 90% by mole or more, silica particles and water in a mold for forming a blood vessel model, and freezing the mixture at a temperature of −10° C. or lower, followed by thawing. The blood vessel model can be suitably used as a blood vessel model for practicing insertion of a stent graft into an aneurysm, a blood vessel model for practicing resection or ligation surgery of a blood vessel, and the like.
US08758796B2

The present invention is directed to a novel poly(diol citrates)-based coating for implantable devices. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using implantable devices coated with citric acid copolymers or citric acid copolymers impregnated with therapeutic compositions and/or cells.
US08758790B2

The invention provides microcapsules having an average diameter of 0.1 to 25 μm, obtained by a process (a) or (b), wherein, (a1) preparing an aqueous emulsion comprising actives and optionally oil components and/or emulsifiers; (a2) treating the emulsifier with an aqueous solution of anionic polymers to form a matrix; (a3) contacting the matrix with an aqueous solution of cationic polymers to form a capsule and optionally (a4) separating the aqueous phase from the capsules, or (b1) preparing an aqueous emulsion containing actives and optionally oil components and/or emulsifiers; (b2) treating the aqueous emulsion with an aqueous solution of cationic polymers to form a matrix; (b3) contacting the matrix with an aqueous solution of an anionic polymer to form a capsule and optionally (b4) separating the aqueous phase from the capsule. The microcapsules are useful in paint and lacquer formulations.
US08758787B2

An insect repellent material includes a carrier such as a polyethylene, a molecular sieve or zeolite material, and a repellent such as geraniol. The molecular sieve/zeolite material provides the insect repellent material with a slow-release quality and also permits the carrier to hold more insect repellent than it would otherwise if so desired.
US08758781B2

The present invention pertains to the development of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) scaffolds derived from the forestomach of a ruminant. Such scaffolds are useful in many clinical and therapeutic applications, including wound repair, tissue regeneration, and breast reconstruction. In addition, the present invention features methods of isolating ECM scaffolds from mammalian organs, including but not limited to the ruminant forestomach. The invention further features laminated ECM scaffolds containing a polymer positioned between individual ECM sheets. The polymer may optionally contain bioactive molecules to enhance the functionality of the scaffold.
US08758780B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical composition for subcutaneous injection comprising a paliperidone compound wherein the composition releases the paliperidone with an immediate onset of action and continuously for at least 3 weeks, and wherein the composition has a pharmacokinetic profile in vivo with substantially no burst release of the paliperidone. The compositions are useful as medicaments for the treatment of psychotic disorders and diseases.
US08758779B2

The invention relates to a taste masked pharmaceutical composition comprising duloxetine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of such compositions. The invention further discloses an inclusion complex comprising duloxetine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof with one or more cyclodextrin or derivatives thereof.
US08758776B2

The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.
US08758770B2

Methods and compositions for the enteral treatment of autoimmune disease such a multiple sclerosis with polypeptide therapeutics. Enteral therapeutics comprise monomeric alpha-MSH polypeptides such as ACTH. Therapeutic formulations of the invention may be used to reduce the incidence or severity of autoimmune disease. For instance methods for the oral treatment of multiple sclerosis with alpha-MSH and ACTH are described.
US08758765B2

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve an EsaC polypeptide.
US08758757B2

Humanized monoclonal antibodies which bind to IFNAR-1, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the humanized antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the humanized antibodies.
US08758756B2

An anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody including an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 3 is provided. The antibody binding to a labeling agent and used for labeling cells is also provided. A novel method for screening an anti-EGFR antibody is further provided.
US08758729B2

The invention describes the modification of polyamine-based materials to form polyguanidine compounds that are useful for their antimicrobial, anticaries, and muccoadhesive properties. The present invention also relates to methods for preventing or treating periodontal disease and caries which include delivering a therapeutically effective amount of an oral composition containing a polyguanidine compound into an oral cavity.
US08758720B2

High purity water produced by reverse osmosis. A feedwater is pretreated to remove hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity, and the pH is raised to 8.5 or more to ionize solute species such as boron that are sparingly ionized when in neutral or near neutral pH aqueous solution. Ultrapure water resulting is suitable for industrial use.
US08758716B2

An atmosphere of a carbon source comprising an oxygenic compound is brought into contact with a catalyst with heating to yield single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon source comprising an oxygenic compound preferably is an alcohol and/or ether. The catalyst preferably is a metal. The heating temperature is preferably 500 to 1,500° C. The single-walled carbon nanotubes thus obtained contain no foreign substances and have satisfactory quality with few defects.
US08758715B2

Porous wall hollow glass microspheres are provided as a template for formation of nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, In addition, the carbon nanotubes in combination with the porous wall hollow glass microsphere provides an additional reaction template with respect to carbon nanotubes.
US08758712B2

A wet scrubber (8) for cleaning a process gas containing sulphur dioxide comprises an absorption vessel (40) operative for bringing the process gas into contact with an absorption liquid to absorb sulphur dioxide from the process gas. The wet scrubber (8) further comprises an acidification system (90) operative for mixing absorption liquid that has absorbed sulphur dioxide from the process gas with a carbon dioxide containing gas, an absorbent dissolution tank (54) operative for adding an absorbent material to at least a portion of the absorption liquid, and a return pipe (104) operative for returning to the absorption vessel (40) at least a portion of the absorption liquid that has been mixed with the carbon dioxide containing gas.
US08758709B2

A slide holder comprising a rectangular frame having two side walls facing each other, a first end wall facing a second end wall, the second end wall having a latch pivotally attached thereto, the latch capable of being pivoted in such a manner as to enable locking and unlocking of the slide holder in a slide holder carrier. The slide holder carrier has a first end wall, a first side wall, a second end wall, a second side wall, and a shaft running from the first end wall of the slide holder carrier to the second end wall of the slide holder carrier. At least one slide holder is rotatably mounted on the shaft.
US08758705B2

The dispenser includes a dispensing head extending downward from a cylinder body section with a cylindrical inner space and having a dispensing cylinder with the diameter smaller than that of the inner space of the cylinder body section; a piston capable of being inserted from the inner space of the cylinder body section into the dispensing cylinder section and moving up and down between a dispensing start position located in an upper portion of the dispensing cylinder section and a dispensing end position in a lower portion of the dispensing cylinder section; and a sucking mechanism sucking a liquid from a dripping port at a tip of the dispensing cylinder section up to a position above the dispensing start position inside the inner space of the cylinder body section. The piston is always at the dispensing start position under a liquid surface whenever the dispensing operation is started.
US08758693B2

A valve lift mechanism for actuating a valve in the vertical direction, and a regenerative thermal oxidizer including the valve and lift mechanism is disclosed. The valve is allowed to move vertically and oscillating rotary motion is possible. Vertical movement is achieved using the valve lift mechanism without the use of compressed air. In certain embodiments, the valve lift mechanism includes a torque motor. Preferably, a non self-locking screw jack is used to adjust the vertical height of the valve. Vertical movement can reduce the torque needed to rotate the valve, and also facilitates servicing of the valve. For example, if the valve experiences high temperature, and consequently expands, rotating the valve against the mating seal plate can be difficult, if not impossible. By lowering the valve slightly, the frictional forces between the valve and the mating seal plate are reduced, allowing freer rotational movement of the valve.
US08758690B2

A sterilization indicator having a compound that is of the heating type when put into contact with atoms of oxygen O and/or nitrogen N; and a thermochromic dye, in thermal contact with the compound.
US08758673B2

A portable thermal oven includes a metal frame and a plurality of terracotta panels disposed inside of the frame and defining an enclosed chamber having a front panel, a rear panel, two opposite side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel. The furnace also includes a terracotta door hingedly disposed in the front panel and including a handle on one side thereof for opening and closing the door. A plurality of gas manifolds and a plurality of gas burners are disposed on each of the two opposite sides of the chamber and a ventilation hatch is disposed in the top panel for exhausting fumes and excess heat. A first and a second gas cylinder and pipes for connecting the gas cylinders to the manifolds for supplying gas and/or air to the manifolds are also provided.
US08758659B2

A method of forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad. The method includes polymerizing one or more polymer precursors and forming a chemical-mechanical planarization pad including a surface, forming grooves in the surface defining lands between the grooves, wherein the grooves have a first width, and shrinking the lands from a first land length (L1) at the surface to a second land length (L2) at the surface, wherein the second land length (L2) is less than the first land length (L1) and the grooves have a second width (W2) wherein (W1)≦(X)(W2), wherein (X) has a value in the range of 0.01 to 0.75.
US08758657B2

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.
US08758650B2

Graphene-based thermopiles are provided. The graphene-based thermopiles may include thermocouples having one or more graphene strips that may be polarized to adjust their Seebeck coefficients. The polarized graphene strips may have larger Seebeck coefficients than the materials conventionally used in thermopile devices. As a result, the graphene-based thermopiles may generate large output voltages using fewer thermocouples than conventional thermopile devices.
US08758649B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing a formulation comprising an organic semiconductor (OSC) and one or more organic solvents, to novel formulations obtained by this process, to their use as coating or printing inks for the preparation of organic electronic (OE) devices, especially organic field effect transistors (OFET) and organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, to a process for preparing OE devices using the novel formulations, and to OE devices prepared from such a process or from the novel formulations.
US08758644B2

An oxygen-scavenging component and methods for producing the oxygen-scavenging component are provided. The oxygen-scavenging component, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, includes an oxygen-scavenging group preferably having at least one double bond. The oxygen-scavenging component may be combined with a polymer and/or an oxidation catalyst to form an oxygen-scavenging composition.
US08758643B2

A method of producing magnesium-based hydrides is provided that can enhance production efficiency while securing safety. An Mg ingot including Mg is cut to make a number of Mg flakes. An accumulated matter made by accumulating a number of Mg flakes are compressed and shaped to form a compressed matter of Mg flakes. The compressed matter of Mg flakes is placed in hydrogen gas such that Mg reacts with hydrogen gas, to produce magnesium-based hydrides. Since the Mg flakes have a low risk of explosion, this allows safer production of magnesium-based hydrides. Moreover, compression of the Mg flakes causes distortion in the flakes, which makes it easy for Mg to react with hydrogen gas, allowing enhancement in yield of magnesium-based hydrides.
US08758642B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising flammable refrigerant, fire hazard-reducing agent, and optionally a lubricant suitable for use in a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to compositions comprising lubricant and fire hazard-reducing agent and methods for reducing flammability of flammable refrigerant, for delivering a fire hazard-reducing agent to a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus, and for replacing a non-flammable refrigerant with a flammable refrigerant.
US08758635B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for making a thermoacoustic element. In the method, a graphene film is arranged on a metal substrate. A nonmetal substrate is stacked with the graphene film located on the metal substrate to form a laminate structure. The graphene film is sandwiched between the nonmetal substrate and the metal substrate. The metal substrate is removed from the stacked structure. A number of through-holes are formed in the nonmetal substrate. The graphene film is exposed through the plurality of through-holes.
US08758633B1

Disclosed is a method for fabricating nanofluidic channels having a height of from about 1 nm to about 10 nm. Generally, the method includes formation of doped silicon parallel strips in a silicon substrate, formation of a native oxide layer on the substrate, and etching of the native oxide layer at one of the strips to form a channel of a depth of between about 1 nm and about 10 nm. The method also includes bonding a second wafer to the surface, the second wafer including through etched windows to provide probe contacts to two of the parallel strips during use. These parallel strips provide high-frequency transmission lines in the device that can provide broadband dielectric spectroscopy measurement within the nanochannels.
US08758625B2

Use of a porous hollow fiber membrane for producing a clarified biomedical culture medium by a method including a filtration step of distributing a biomedical culture medium over the porous hollow fiber membrane, a tube wall of the hollow fiber membrane being constituted of a blend of a hydrophobic polymer and polyvinylpyrrolidone. A content of the polyvinylpyrrolidone is not lower than 0.2% by mass and not higher than 3% by mass relative to a total mass of the porous hollow fiber membrane, and, when the tube wall is divided in a membrane-thickness direction equally into three regions, a content of the polyvinylpyrrolidone in an outer circumferential region including an outer face is higher than a content of the polyvinylpyrrolidone in an inner circumferential region including an inner face, and an average pore size in the inner face is larger than an average pore size in the outer face.
US08758619B2

A membrane supported biofilm apparatus has a plurality of hollow fiber gas permeable membranes in a tank containing water to be treated. A biofilm supported on the membranes occupies between about 40% and 80% of the volume of water to be treated in a reactor. Wastewater treatment processes are described. A process to denitrify water or treat oxidized contaminants comprises introducing hydrogen into an inner volume of the membranes to grow autotrophic organisms in the biofilm near the membrane and heterotrophic organism near the water. Another process is operated as a biomass concentration of at least 10 g/L and up to about 40 g/L to maintain a biofilm having a surface area of over 1000 square meters per cubic meter of tank volume. A hybrid process has suspended biomass and a membrane supported biofilm.
US08758617B2

The invention discloses a wastewater processing method of hydrolysis-acidification enhanced by addition of zero-valent iron (ZVI), including the following steps: 3˜6 ZVI-filling layers are settled in the middle of an anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor. Excess sludge taken from sewage treatment plant using as seed sludge is added into this anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor for startup and domestication. In the present invention, ZVI are added into this anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification reactor to accelerate organic matters degradation and produce more acetic acids, accompanied with higher COD removal obtained. ZVI can be protected from rust in this anaerobic biological environment due to the air isolation. Also, ZVI can enhance anaerobic hydrolysis of wastewater through reducing refractory pollutants involved in wastewaters. This novel method made the effluent from the hydrolysis-acidification reactor present less COD concentration and simpler substrate form, benefiting for the following anaerobic methanogenesis or aerobic treatment.
US08758616B2

The invention, belongs to the field of wastewater treatment technology, is a two-phase anaerobic reactor enhanced by addition of zero valent iron (ZVI). In the reactor, 2˜4 ZVI-filling layers are settled in the middle of the anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification tank, the effluent of which is fed into the rear anaerobic methanogenic tank. The degradation of organics is effectively enhanced in the anaerobic hydrolysis-acidification tank with dosing of ZVI, which may produce more acetic acid that is a desired substrate for the subsequent methanogenesis. Meanwhile, the acidic environment of the hydrolysis-acidification tank is helpful for the dissolution of ZVI to maintain its activity. The reactor is reasonably designed with high performance and strong shock resistance in anaerobic treatment of various wastewaters. Tests in lab-scale showed that hydrolysis-acidification and methanogenesis in this combined system were significantly improved compared with a reference reactor without addition of ZVI.
US08758615B2

Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial. The totalization system senses the volume of biomaterial in at least one stage of an anaerobic digestion process and a controller controls the flow control system based upon the sensed volume of biomaterial.
US08758612B2

Process and device for separating liquid from a multiphase mixture contained in a vessel and comprising solid particles and at least one liquid phase forming together at least one suspension, and a gas phase in which at least part of the mixture is circulated through at least one cross-flow filter located outside the vessel, therefore separating said part of the mixture into a filtered liquid and a concentrate.
US08758608B2

A continuously flowing, inner circulatory, quasi-fluidized-bed reactor for resin ion exchange and adsorption. The reactor comprises a main body casing, an inclined pipe separator, an outlet weir, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a reducing fluidization tank, a guide plate, a resin regeneration tank, a resin discharge pipe, and a return pipe for regenerated resin and a distributing ejector. The reactor is particularly suitable for advanced treatment of supply water, wastewater, biochemical effluent and reclaimed water by using (magnetic) powder resin.
US08758606B2

A fluid dispenser device including an outlet duct through which fluid can pass, a dispenser that can be actuated so as to cause fluid to be dispensed through said outlet duct, and an irradiation device that is adapted to irradiate the fluid while said fluid is passing through said outlet duct.
US08758600B2

Initial high sulfur levels of a hydrocarbon feedstock are reduced to desired low levels without the need for integration of substantial new equipment or hardware with existing hydroprocessing reactors. Ionic liquids are utilized as organic sulfur extraction agents and are added to and mixed with the hydrocarbon feedstock containing organosulfur compounds in, or upstream of, an existing cold separator vessel. The ionic liquid and hydrocarbon mixture is maintained in contact under conditions which promote the formation of ionic sulfur-containing derivatives that are soluble in the ionic liquid to be formed, thereby enabling extractive removal and separation of the organosulfur compounds from the feedstock.
US08758585B2

A sensor for determining the concentration of a gas in gas mixtures, which has a measuring and a reference electrode as well as a polymer layer, which is in contact with the gas mixture and with the measuring electrode. A pH sensitive electrode is provided as the measuring electrode.
US08758583B2

The present disclosure provides an orientation-nonspecific sensor port for use in analyte meters designed to detect and quantify analyte levels in a fluid sample along with methods of using the same. The present disclosure also provides compositions and methods for facilitating the correct insertion of a sensor into a corresponding analyte meter.
US08758581B2

A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
US08758572B2

The present invention is a novel method for removing tritium oxide contamination from a solution with water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. In so doing the original water is decontaminated of the tritium oxide and may be discharged.
US08758567B2

Methods for increasing one or more barrier properties of a sheet of paper or paperboard, which method comprises (a) preparing a dispersion having a cationic zeta potential by combining (1) a mixture containing one or more anionic pigments with (2) one or more polyamine-epihalohydrin cationic wet strength resins; (b) coating at least one side of the sheet of paper or paperboard with the dispersion at a coating weight of from about 0.1 g/m2 to about 20 g/m2; (c) drying the coated sheet of paper or paperboard; (d) coating the dried sheet of paper or paperboard with a functional barrier top coating formulated to provide resistance to one or more of the following (1) liquid water, (2) water vapor, (3) oil, (4) grease, (5) gas permeability, (6) skid, or (7) static. Also claimed are dispersions used in the methods, which dispersions have a cationic zeta potential for use as a preliminary coating on a sheet of paper or paperboard in advance to a functional barrier top coating, which dispersions comprise: (a) a mixture containing: (i) one or more anionic pigments in an amount of at least about 20% dry weight of the anionic pigment-containing mixture, (ii) one or more neutral or cationic water soluble binders in an amount up to about 80% dry weight of the anionic pigment-containing mixture, and (b) one or more polyamine-epihalohydrin cationic wet strength resins in a weight ratio of resin:anionic pigment from about 0.03:1 to about 0.8:1.
US08758566B2

The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing paper or board, wherein paper or board pulp is diluted with acidic water and wherein the pH value of the pulp is raised with an alkali simultaneously with increasing the solids content of the pulp by filtration, compression and evaporation on the wire, press and drying sections, and, at the same time, filler is precipitated from the acidic water into the paper or board structure. The invention also relates to moistening of paper or board, with a dry matter content of over 40%, in acidic water, after which the pH value is raised with an alkali, and the paper or board is dried, or it is dried after the moistening without raising the pH value.
US08758565B2

This invention relates to a paper substrate containing high surface sizing and low internal sizing and having high dimensional stability, as well as methods of making and using the composition.
US08758554B2

A silicone tape having inherent elasticity and flexibility to allow for its significant stretching, which when unrolled from its tape roll, and its laminar film removed, can be stretched around the furniture or other componentry to hold it in position until any applied adhesive hardens, during furniture repair or manufacture.
US08758542B2

The present invention relates to a membrane filter comprising a plurality of pores of substantially the same size. The membrane filter may be supported by at least one support (e.g. in the form of a support grid) and is able to handle a large flux and pressure in use. The invention also relates to a method of fabrication of such a filter membrane using a solvable mold.
US08758516B2

Disclosed herein is a flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing apparatus for performing a desired process for a substrate positioned in a chamber after establishing a vacuum atmosphere in the chamber. The vacuum chamber is divided into a chamber body and an upper cover to ensure easy opening/closing operations of the upper cover.
US08758509B2

A thin plate of synthetic single crystal diamond material, the thin plate of synthetic single crystal diamond material having: a thickness in a range 100 nm to 50 μιη; a concentration of quantum spin defects greater than 0.1 ppb (parts-per-billion); a concentration of point defects other than the quantum spin defects of below 200 ppm (parts-per-million); and wherein at least one major face of the thin plate of synthetic single crystal diamond material comprises surface termination species which have zero nuclear spin and/or zero electron spin.
US08758506B2

The invention relates to a method for pulling a silicon single crystal from a melt which is contained in a crucible, comprising immersion of a seed crystal into the melt; crystallization of the single crystal on the seed crystal by raising the seed crystal from the melt with a crystal pull speed; widening the diameter of the single crystal to a setpoint diameter in a conical section, comprising control of the crystal pull speed in such a way as to induce a curvature inversion of a growth front of the single crystal in the conical section.
US08758502B2

A slurry formulation for production of a patch or a strip of a thermal barrier coating includes 20-60 dry weight percent of alkali metal silicate binder, 40-80 dry weight percent of ceramic fillers including at least one ceramic filler selected from the group consisting of yttria-stabilized zirconia and magnesia, 0-20 dry weight percent of additives, wherein the dry weight percent of the alkali metal silicate binder, the ceramic fillers and the additives add up to 100%, and one of a solvent and suspension agent.
US08758498B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least two fluorosilanes and at least one aminosilane, a condensation product of said fluorosilanes and said aminosilane, and a surface protective agent made thereof.
US08758493B2

A method and system for reducing an amount of ammonia in a flue gas stream. The system 100 includes: a wash vessel 180 for receiving an ammonia-containing flue gas stream 170, the wash vessel 180 including a first absorption stage 181a and a second absorption stage 181b, each of the first absorption stage 181a and the second absorption stage 181b having a mass transfer device 184; and a liquid 187 introduced to the wash vessel 180, the liquid 187 for absorbing ammonia from the ammonia-containing flue gas stream 170 thereby forming an ammonia-rich liquid 192 and a reduced ammonia containing flue gas stream 190 exiting the wash vessel 180.
US08758486B2

A method of cleaning a filter element includes directing a jet of pressurized gas from a nozzle onto a filter element, with the jet having a non-round cross-sectional shape that is a same general cross-sectional shape as the opening in a tube sheet holding the filter element. The nozzle has a channel for the pressurized gas that is obstruction-free.
US08758484B2

A process of removal of CO2 from a flue gas (2). The process comprises the steps of: a) providing a flue gas comprising CO2 (2), b) contacting the flue gas of step (a) with an ammonia-comprising medium (9), to absorb CO2 from said flue gas; and c) condensing ammonia (4) present in the flue gas leaving step (b), to remove ammonia from said flue gas. A system for removal of CO2 from a flue gas. A system for removal of CO2 from a flue gas. The system comprises a CO2 absorber (1) receiving the flue gas (2) and comprising an ammonia-comprising medium (9). The system further comprises an ammonia condenser (4) receiving flue gas (3) leaving the CO2 absorber.
US08758481B2

Dehumidifier for photovoltaic modules, of a series of photovoltaic concentration modules, formed by a common air inlet and outlet access that communicates all the modules, and which passes through a bed of moisture absorbing material, having an electrical self-adjusted resistance (15) installed therein. The circuit is completed with a solenoid valve (13), a flow switch (19), a non-return valve (12); a pressure switch (16) and a timer relay (20). The process is based on pressure differences existing within the photovoltaic modules throughout the day, and consists of two steps: drying air by passing through the bed of absorbent material before entering into the photovoltaic modules and the regeneration of the drying system, which can be automatically or manually by connecting a compressor or fan.
US08758475B2

The present invention provides a process for simply and easily producing fine metal particles or fine metal oxide particles in the form of a dry powder which can be used as extremely fine particles in a good dispersion state without causing coagulation for a long time even if not stored in a dispersion solvent. Fine metal particles or fine metal oxide particles in the form of a dry powder are prepared using a dispersion in which fine metal particles or fine oxide metal particles having a surface oxidation film are dispersed in an organic solvent in a stable state, while once covering the particle surface with covering agent molecules containing, at a terminal, a functional group having an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, or a sulfur atom as a group capable of forming a coordinative bond with metal, and by removing the dispersion solvent, washing and removing excess covering agent molecules with a polar solvent without damaging the covering agent molecule layer covering the fine particle surface, finally evaporating the polar solvent used for washing and drying.
US08758470B2

The intake air filter according to the invention is for cleaning intake air for internal combustion engines, in particular in vehicles. To this end, the intake air filter comprises an openable housing (10) with an inlet (14) and an outlet (15). Disposed between the inlet (14) and the outlet (15) is an annular, closed main filter element (17) and an annular, closed secondary element (31). The secondary element (31) is connected to the outlet (15), whereby no contamination can pass through to the outlet (15) when the main filter element (17) is replaced. A centering device (29, 30, 40, 41, 42) is provided on the end face opposite the outlet (15) between the secondary element (31) and the main filter element (17), said centering device being used to fix the position of the secondary element (31) within the main filter element (17). This prevents relative movements between the main filter element (17) and the secondary element (31).
US08758465B2

A block-base bag is for vacuum cleaners. The bag includes, in the interior thereof, a diffuser made of strips of material and/or sheet materials with oblong-shaped flow openings. Such bags are distinguished by excellent dust storage capacity and extension of the useful life.
US08758459B2

A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.
US08758453B2

Present invention relates to a process for treating hair for achieving better oxidative coloration with improved durability and improved hair conditioning. Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is a process for treating hair comprising the steps wherein hair is dyed with a composition comprising one or more hair dye and at least one oxidizing agent wherein the composition is obtained by mixing two compositions wherein the first composition, composition A, comprises one or more hair dye and the second composition, Composition B, comprises at least one oxidizing agent, and in a further step hair is treated with a composition (Composition C) comprising at least one surfactant other than amino acid surfactant with the condition that at least two of the compositions A, B and C comprise at least one amino acid surfactant and composition C is substantially free from sulphate surfactants.
US08758445B2

A wrist implant requires minimal resection of the distal radius and preserves the sigmoid notch and articulation with the head of the distal ulna. The wrist implant generally includes a radius portion, a carpal portion and a carpal ball. The wrist implant includes a primary articulation and a secondary rotational articulation. The primary articulation occurs between the radius portion and the carpal ball. The secondary articulation occurs between the carpal ball and the carpal portion.
US08758442B2

A composite interbody spinal implant including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, and opposing anterior and posterior portions; a first integration plate affixed to the top surface of the body; and an optional second integration plate affixed to the bottom surface of the body. At least a portion of the first integration plate, optional second integration plate, or both has a roughened surface topography including macro features, micro features, and nano features, without sharp teeth that risk damage to bone structures, adapted to grip bone through friction, inhibit migration of the implant, and promote bone growth. Also disclosed are processes of fabricating a roughened surface topography, which may include separate and sequential macro processing, micro processing, and nano processing steps.
US08758441B2

A vertebral body replacement includes first and second end plates, and a compliant connector section between the end plates having one or more helical cuts to provide limited compliance between the end plates. The compliant connector section can be provided in a separate spacer that fits between the end plates or directly in one or more of the end plates. The adjoining end plate surfaces, and/or adjoining surfaces of the spacer, include a rotational interlock to inhibit rotational motion between the surfaces and allow a modular stacking assembly of the vertebral body replacement to accommodate a wide range of patients.
US08758439B2

An implant support device associated with succeeding spinal vertebrae, including a harness exhibiting a plurality of legs, each extending from a rotatable bearing or suitable interconnecting support. Each of the legs terminates in an angled tang, this being engaged with a surface of a selected vertebrae. Additional features include undercut portions defined between the legs and arcuate/hemispherical mounting locations surrounding the bearing in individually rotatably permitting fashion. Inter-vertebral support cushions are also positioned between succeeding vertebrae, and can be incorporated with or provided separately from the web support harnesses.
US08758434B2

An IOL having an optic and a peripheral stabilizing ring. The optic and the ring are connected by a flexible bridge. An area on the ring coinciding with a feature on the optic helps to locate the optic within the ring in an unstressed state until the capsular bag collapses and locks the optic into place.
US08758431B2

Methods and devices for augmenting an atrioventricular valve leaflet is disclosed. A method according to an exemplary embodiment includes piercing a leaflet of the valve to at least a portion of the leaflet's thickness to form a pierced section; and extending the leaflet using said pierced section. A device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a catheter comprising: a longitudinal tube having a lumen; and a cutting element extendable from the lumen. The cutting element is adapted for forming a limited cut in an atrioventricular valve. A device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a catheter comprising a longitudinal tube having a lumen; a cutting element extendable from the lumen and adapted for forming a cut in a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve; and a frame, configured to attach to the leaflet and stay attached to the leaflet when the heart beats.
US08758408B2

An implantable spinous process fixation device includes a k-shaped component comprising an elongated plate and top and bottom deformable plates extending at first and second angles from a first surface of the elongated plate, respectively, thereby defining first and second spaces between the elongated plate and the top and bottom deformable plates and a compression element configured to compress and move the first and second deformable plates toward the elongated plate and to change the first and the second angles, respectively. The first and second spaces are configured to receive first and second spinous processes, respectively. Compressing and moving the first and second deformable plates toward the elongated plate results in engaging the first surface of the elongated plate and first surfaces of the top and bottom deformable plates with lateral surfaces of the first and second spinous processes, respectively.
US08758406B2

Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using tack anchors, bone anchoring systems are described. The tack anchor may include a body and a securing element. The body may include one or more compressible flanges, an opening and, a cavity. The cavity may include an opening near or proximate the flanges, and be configured to receive a suture. The securing element may be configured to slide into the opening of the body to secure a portion of one or more sutures in the cavity such that the ends of the sutures are accessible through the cavity opening. In some embodiments, tack anchor tool for insertion of a tack anchor into tissue and/or bone is described.
US08758399B2

An apparatus for occluding a venous or arterial puncture site is disclosed including a plug insertable within, or adjacent to, a puncture site in a wall of a body lumen. An insert is forced into an aperture within the plug to cause expansion thereof. The insert may be drawn into the aperture by applying tension to a line passing therethrough and secured to the insert. Barbs may secure to the plug to engage the wall of the body lumen or adjacent tissue tract. Elongate members passing through the wall of the plug may be forced outwardly into the wall of the body lumen or adjacent tissue as the insert is forced into the aperture.
US08758396B2

Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.
US08758388B2

The invention relates to a device and a method for the removal of a heart valve stenosis, in which a filter catheter is arranged in a vessel section located downstream of the heart valve, and a valvuplasty catheter is arranged in the area of the heart valve. The filter catheter has in one embodiment of the invention at its distal end a radial filter which is unfolded radially until it fits up against the vessel wall. The catheter lumen is closed in such a way that blood must flow through the filter. After the filter has been unfolded, the valvuplasty catheter is inflated in the area of the heart valve to remove the heart valve stenosis, while debris and plaque which are released are collected in the filter. In an alternative membrane, the filter catheter may be sealed relative to the vessel wall by means of a sealing element, while an external filter is connected to the filter catheter to filter debris and plaque from the blood.
US08758387B2

A probe including a housing, a rectal muscle air bag, a rectal tube, an anal muscle air bag, and an anal tube is provided. The rectal muscle air bag mounts to the housing a first distance from a non-insertion end. A rectal tube is connected to the rectal muscle air bag at a first end and to a first pressure sensor at a second end. The anal muscle air bag is mounted to the housing a second distance from the non-insertion end. The anal tube is connected to the anal muscle air bag at a first end and to a second pressure sensor at a second end. The first distance is selected to position the rectal muscle air bag adjacent a rectal muscle, and the second distance is selected to position the anal muscle air bag adjacent an anal muscle when the housing is inserted in the rectum.
US08758374B2

The disclosure provides methods for repairing nerves and inhibiting atrophy of a muscle via a side-to side neurorraphy using a bridging element between a first epineurial window on a donor nerve and a second epineurial window on a recipient nerve.
US08758365B2

A guiding accessory, for use in conjunction with a guidewire and a catheter of an implant system, facilitates passage of an elongate and flexible conductor of a relatively compact therapy delivery device to an implant site, for example, within the cardiac venous system, when a therapy generator of the device is held within a distal portion of the catheter, and the catheter, device and guiding accessory are advanced along the guidewire. The guiding accessory includes a helically extending wall that forms a lumen within which the device conductor and guidewire extend. After advancing the catheter, guiding accessory and device to the implant site, the helically extending wall is unwound from around the device conductor, for removal, preferably, by pulling proximally on a tension line, which is attached to a proximal end of the wall.
US08758364B2

A clot removal device and method for removing a clot from a blood vessel may include an expandable clot engagement element, an expandable clot capture element, and a sheath surrounding and compressing the capture element and the engagement element. The sheath may be removable to thereby enable the capture element to expand in a blood vessel in which the sheath is deployed, and to enable the engagement element to expand within the capture element.
US08758362B2

The invention relates to a monocanaliculonasal and/or monocanalicular intubation assembly particularly intended for lacrimonasal imperforation including a probe (1) made of a first material, in particular a flexible material such as silicone, the probe having a substantially cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis; and a device for inserting the probe into a lacrimal canal or canaliculus. The device includes an insertion tube (10) made of a rigid material, such as a metal, having a distal end opening and a proximal end opening, the tube having a shape and a size enabling it to receive the probe therein; and a mandrel (20) for pushing the probe and expelling the same from the insertion tube by the distal end opening.
US08758361B2

An insertion device is disclosed which is suitable for use of liquid as lubricant such as normal saline. The insertion device for inserting a lens into an eye comprises a main body having a nozzle at its front end, and a pushing member for pushing the lens set in the main body into an eye through the nozzle. The pushing member includes an introducing portion through which liquid is introduced and a flow path for supplying the liquid introduced from the introducing portion into the main body.
US08758357B2

A system and method for developing customized apparatus for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises a plurality of complementary surfaces based on a plurality of data points from the MRI or CT data. Thus, each apparatus may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned with at least one other apparatus used during the surgical procedure.
US08758354B2

An extramedullary cut guide alignment assembly allows various adjustments to the cut guide without introducing bending stresses in the rest of the assembly. More particularly, the angular orientation of the cut guide with respect to the tibia may be freely changed during use, while maintaining the angular orientation of the proximal fixation arm of the alignment assembly with respect to the proximal tibial surface to which the arm is affixed. To achieve this decoupling of the angular orientations of the fixation arm and cut guide, the proximal fixation arm is pivotably mounted to the cut guide alignment assembly. Thus, the alignment assembly may be adjusted as necessary to achieve a desired angular orientation of the cut guide mounted thereto, while the pivotable junction between the alignment assembly and the proximal fixation arm automatically adjusts to accommodate the changing angular arrangement.
US08758353B2

Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
US08758342B2

A cordless cautery and cutting surgical device includes a modular battery and a surgical handle operable to removably hold the battery thereto. The handle has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly and a surgical bipolar end effector having jaws and a cutting blade therebetween. The signal-generation assembly selectively supplies radio-frequency signal to the end effector when powered for electrocautery of tissue between the jaws. The handle defines therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment and removably holding therein the battery. A motor assembly is disposed in the handle and is electrically connected to the battery and/or the signal-generation assembly and is powered and controlled thereby. The motor assembly physically couples to the blade and/or at least one jaw for moving the blade/jaw(s). The second connector part electrically connects the battery to the signal-generation assembly and/or the motor assembly when the battery is removably disposed in the compartment.
US08758337B2

The disclosure describes a user interface that may be used to control ablation therapy and monitor ablation therapy progress in systems that utilize wet electrode ablation techniques. The user interface presents a virtual electrode depth icon to a user that indicates the size of a lesion that may be created with the selected virtual electrode depth. The virtual electrode depth may be changed by the user according to the ablation therapy most appropriate for a patient, and the user may interact with the user interface to define the virtual electrode depth. In this manner, the user interface may be a touchscreen or other input device such as a mouse, pointing device, or keyboard. The user interface may also provide a thermometer icon that represents a patient temperature, a timer icon that represents a remaining time for therapy, and other representations of therapy progress.
US08758335B2

An internal indifferent electrode device including a flexible shaft, an energy transmission device adapted to be inserted into the body supported on the shaft, and a connector adapted to mate with the power return connector of a power supply apparatus.
US08758333B2

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a fiber optic guidewire having a hypotube with a plurality of openings that provide variable stiffness and tracking characteristics between at least one proximal segment and one distal segment of the guidewire. In some embodiments, the guidewire further comprises a mandrel disposed within the hypotube, the mandrel cooperating with the optical fibers to permit the distal end of the hypotube to be shaped as desired by a user. Methods of manufacturing and using the guidewire are also disclosed.
US08758330B2

Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling the level of one or more target cell types in the blood fluid and/or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject. Devices and systems are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen; one or more sensor configured to detect one or more target cell types in blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; at least one reactive component disposed in the at least one treatment region; and at least one controller in communication with the one or more sensor and in communication with the at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen.
US08758324B2

Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling the level of one or more target cell types in the blood fluid and/or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen; one or more sensor configured to detect one or more target cell types in blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; at least one reactive component disposed in the at least one treatment region; and at least one controller in communication with the one or more sensor and in communication with the at least one controllable flow barrier to the at least one lumen.
US08758320B2

A disposable diaper comprising: a fastening tape having a tab part which is formed at one end of a tape substrate, a fixing part which is formed at the other end of the tape substrate, and an adjustment part which is formed between the tab part and the fixing part; a diaper main body having a front part, a back part and a crotch part positioned between the front part and the back part; wherein an attachment is fixed to the tab part, the fastening tape is attached to a side end of the front or back part of the diaper main body at the fixing part, the adjustment part is folded and temporarily joined to the diaper main body and/or the fastening tape at a joining part, and a length of the fastening tape between the attachment and the joining part which is the nearest to the attachment is longer than a length between an outer edge of the diaper main body and the joining part which is the nearest to the attachment. According to the disposable diaper of the present invention, the length of the fastening tape is adjustable in accordance with a size of a wearer's waist, and hence the disposable diaper of one size can be worn by people of various body types.
US08758319B2

In a standing part (342) of each side wall part (34) in an absorbent product (1), an inwardly bending part (3423) is formed between a first elastic member (35) and a second elastic member (36). When the absorbent product (1) is worn, the inwardly bending part (3423) where no elastic member is provided comes into contact with a wearer to be deformed into surface shape, and a portion in the vicinity of the inwardly bending part (3423) and the first elastic member (35) contacts with the wearer in surface shape. Therefore, the wearer is prevented from being compressed excessively by the first elastic member (35) and the second elastic member (36) and excrement is prevented from leaking out to the outer side of the absorbent product (1).
US08758314B2

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed that involve a fistula-isolating device for use when reduced pressure is applied to a wound bed having a fistula. In one instance, the fistula-isolating device includes an adjustable passageway member and a perimeter member that contracts under reduced pressure and that automatically accommodates wound beds of different heights. In another instance, the fistula-isolating device involves a body shaped as a frustro-conical body that is readily sized for different depth wound beds. Other systems, methods, and devices are presented.
US08758313B2

An apparatus and method for cleansing and applying therapy or prophylaxis to wounds, in which irrigant fluid, which may contain a physiologically active material, and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing. A means for fluid cleansing may also be provided to recirculate fluid back to the dressing. The cleansing means removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The apparatus may also provide means for distributing such materials in a precise and time-controlled manner over the wound bed. It may also contain a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound.
US08758308B2

A disposable infusion device comprises a base arranged to adhere to a patient's skin, a cannula arranged to extend from the base to beneath the patient's skin to deliver a liquid medicament to the patient, and a source arranged to provide the cannula with a liquid medicament. The source includes a compressible tube that pumps the liquid medicament to the cannula.
US08758304B2

The invention relates to an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament, comprising: an elongate housing, a syringe with a hollow needle and a bung for displacing the medicament, wherein the syringe is slidably arranged with respect to the housing, spring means for pushing the needle from a covered position inside the housing into an advanced position past the proximal end and for supplying the dose of medicament, activating means for locking and releasing the spring means. The spring means is a torsion spring grounded at one end in the housing and at the other end in a lead nut rotatable about a longitudinal axis but axially constrainable. The lead nut is arranged for translatively moving a piston rod by means of a lead screw thread. The piston rod is prevented from rotating relative to the housing and arranged to be coupled to the bung in order to push it forwards. The lead nut is engaged to the housing in an initial position prior to manual operation of the activating means in a manner to prevent rotation and disengaged from the housing by the activating means upon manual operation.The activating means is a trigger button, arranged at a distal end of the housing. Prior to manual operation the trigger button, the piston rod and the lead nut are coupled for joint translation in proximal direction. In the initial position the lead nut is engaged to the housing by at least one spline feature. The lead nut is arranged to disengage from the housing on translation in proximal direction from the initial position.
US08758301B2

Exemplary embodiments provide firing mechanism assemblies that minimize or eliminate a misfire of an automatic injection device that causes a delay in the delivery of an injection. Exemplary embodiments provide automatic injection devices including firing mechanism assemblies that minimize or eliminate a misfire that causes a delay in the delivery of an injection. Exemplary embodiments provide methods for minimizing or eliminating misfire that causes a delay in delivery of an injection in automatic injection devices. Exemplary embodiments provide methods for using automatic injection devices that are free of a misfire that causes delay in delivery of a therapeutic substance into a patient's body.
US08758299B2

An injection device that comprises a chamber configured for containing a substance to be injected and a needle operatively associated with the chamber and having a length sufficient to deliver the substance to an intradermal injection site. A collar surrounds the needle, defining a collar cavity. The collar also has a peripheral forward skin-contacting surface that surrounds and is radially spaced from the needle and injection site by an area that is sufficiently large to allow a patient's skin to move into the collar cavity to properly position the needle for intradermal delivery of the substance to the injection site to allow spread of the injected substance under the skin while inhibiting or preventing backpressure within the skin from forcing the substance out through the injection site.
US08758298B2

An applicator used to apply microneedle arrays to a mammal. In particular, an application device for applying a microneedle device to a skin surface comprising a flexible sheet having a raised central area attached to the microneedle device and a supporting member at or near the periphery of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet is configured such that it will undergo a stepwise motion in the direction orthogonal to the major plane of the sheet.
US08758284B1

The present invention includes an orthotic brace which offers advantages in being able to be adjusted to fit the small of the back of a specific wearer, and may be altered to be converted from a smaller LSB-type brace or a larger LSO-type brace, and may have optional ventral supports removably attachable thereto. The present invention also includes a thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthopedic (TSLO) brace variant featuring a supplementary sternal support adapted for ease of donning and removal once its strap system is fitted to the wearer.
US08758281B2

A vibration and modulation system is provided for an array of air cells. The vibration and modulation system includes an air source, a high-pressure reservoir in fluid communication with the air source, and at least one valve coupled between the high-pressure air source and the array of air cells. A control assembly is coupled with the at least one valve and selectively controls a position of the valve to effect a vibratory action in the array of air cells.
US08758274B2

Techniques relate to operating a medical device by classifying a detected posture state of a patient. This classification may be performed by comparing the detected posture state of the patient to posture state definitions available within the system. Each definition may be described in terms of a parameter (e.g., vector) indicative of a direction in three-dimensional space. The posture state definitions may be calibrated by automatically estimating values for these parameters, thereby eliminating the need for the patient to assume each posture state during the calibration process to capture actual parameter values. According to another aspect, the estimated parameter values may be updated as the patient assumes various postures during a daily routine. For instance, estimated vectors initially used to calibrate the posture state definitions may be changed over time to more closely represent posture states the patient actually assumes, and to further adapt to changes in a patient's condition.
US08758270B2

A coil for transmitting torque comprises a wire having a longitudinal axis and first and second longitudinal edges extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal edge is formed with a first pattern and the second longitudinal edge is formed with a second pattern complementary to the first pattern, the first and second patterns being configured to interlock with one another when the wire is wound into a helical shape.
US08758266B2

A treatment tool for an endoscope includes a sheath member, a treatment part, an operating part body, an operating wire, a slider, and a force limiting part. When a predetermined force is applied to the force limiting part with advance and refraction of the slider, the force limiting part engages a wall surface of the insertion passage of the operating wire and fixes the slider by being compressed in an advance-and-retraction direction and expanding in a radial direction.
US08758263B1

A system and a method of performing a frameless image-guided biopsy uses imaging, a six-dimensional robotic couch system, a laser guidance system, an optical distance indicator, and a needle control apparatus. A planning CT scan is made of the patient with stereotactic fiduciary markers to localize and produce digitally reconstructed radiographs. Two stereoscopic images are generated using an imaging device to visualize and identify a target tumor. The images are fused with the digitally reconstructed radiographs of the planning CT scan to process tumor location. The tumor location data are communicated to the movable robotic couch to position the target tumor of the patient at a known isocenter location. A biopsy needle is guided with a laser alignment mechanism towards the isocenter at the determined depth using a needle positioning apparatus and an Optical Distance Indicator, and a biopsy sample of the target tumor is obtained.
US08758262B2

An automated system for monitoring respiratory diseases, such as asthma, provides noninvasive, multimodal monitoring of respiratory signs and symptoms that can include wheeze and cough. Some embodiments employ a mobile device, such as a cell phone, in which raw data from a microphone and an accelerometer are processed, analyzed, and stored. Data can be collected continuously. Time domain and frequency domain analyses of signals to determine, e.g., energy, duration, and spectral content of candidate sounds can be employed to discriminate symptoms of interest from background sounds and to establish significance. Accelerometer signals are analyzed to determine activity levels. Analyses of a user's symptoms and activity level prior to, during, and after an event can provide meaningful determinations of disease severity and predict future respiratory events. The system can provide a summary of data, as well as an alarm when symptom severity reaches a threshold.
US08758260B2

A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) includes an implantable heart sound sensor to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound. The heart sound is associated with mechanical activity of a patient's heart. Additionally, the IMD includes a heart sound sensor interface circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor to produce a heart sound signal, and a signal analyzer circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor interface circuit. The signal analyzer circuit measures a baseline heart sound signal, and deems that an ischemic event has occurred using, among other things, a measured subsequent change in the heart sound signal from the established baseline heart sound signal.
US08758258B2

A beat detection device includes: a pulse wave sensor adapted to detect and output a pulse wave signal; a body motion sensor adapted to detect and output a body motion signal due to a body motion of a human body; a pulse wave signal filtering section adapted to generate an adaptive filter based on the body motion signal to extract a noise signal in the pulse wave signal, and to output a beat signal obtained by eliminating the noise signal from the pulse wave signal; and a filter coefficient setting section adapted to set a coefficient of the adaptive filter to be a predetermined value in response to detection of increase in a body motion change beyond a predetermined threshold value based on the body motion signal.
US08758253B2

An ultrasonic probe is disclosed which includes a cMUT chip having a plurality of vibration elements whose electromechanical coupling coefficient or sensitivity is changed according to a bias voltage and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, an acoustic lens arranged above the cMUT chip, and a backing layer arranged below the cMUT chip. An electric leakage preventing unit is provided at the ultrasonic wave transmission/reception surface side of the acoustic lens or between the acoustic lens and the cMUT chip. The electric leakage preventing unit can be, for example, an insulating layer such as a ground layer. Such a structure makes it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe capable of preventing electric leakage from the ultrasonic probe to an object to be examined so as to improve the electric safety and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the probe.
US08758251B2

An ultrasound endoscope having an ultrasound transducer mounted on a rigid tip end section at the distal end of an elongated endoscopic insert section, on the front side of a inclined casing wall section in which illumination windows and an optical image pickup assembly are fitted. For protrusion of a medical instrument into a body cavity, an instrument outlet of a biopsy channel is opened in a casing of the rigid tip end section in an obliquely upward direction from behind the ultrasound transducer. As far as a proximal end of the rigid tip end section, the biopsy channel is constituted by a flexible tube which is extended in the axial direction of the insert section and joined by way of a curved connecting pipe with a terminal passage which is formed internally of a casing of the rigid tip end section and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the latter. The instrument outlet is opened in a flat top surface of a plateau which is provided on the casing of the rigid tip end section on the rear side of the ultrasound transducer, the flat top surface of said plateau being located at a level lower than a top end the ultrasound transducer and the illumination windows fitted in the inclined casing wall section.
US08758248B2

Methods and systems for ultrasound imaging are presented. The method includes configuring a plurality of apertures in a transducer array of an ultrasound imaging device, where the apertures include one or more transducer elements. Further, one or more reference pulses are delivered to a plurality of target regions to detect corresponding initial positions. Additionally, a pushing pulse is delivered to at least two of the plurality of target regions through at least two of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures is focused at specific target regions in the plurality of target regions using a compound delay profile. Subsequently, one or more tracking pulses are delivered to the plurality of target regions for detecting corresponding displacements of at least the specific target regions. Further, ultrasound imaging methods that deliver a plurality of short pushing pulse segments and/or tracking pulses to corresponding target regions in an interleaving manner are described.
US08758245B2

A diabetes management system or process is provided herein that may be used to analyze and recognize patterns for a large number of blood glucose concentration measurements and other physiological parameters related to the glycemia of a patient. In particular, a method of monitoring glycemia in a patient may include storing a patient's data on a suitable device, such as, for example, a blood glucose meter. The patient's data may include blood glucose concentration measurements. The diabetes management system or process may be installed on, but is not limited to, a personal computer, an insulin pen, an insulin pump, or a glucose meter. The diabetes management system or process may identify a plurality of pattern types from the data including a testing/dosing pattern, a hypoglycemic pattern, a hyperglycemic pattern, a blood glucose variability pattern, and a comparative pattern. After identifying a particular pattern with the data management system or process, a warning message may be displayed on a screen of a personal computer or a glucose meter. Other messages can also be provided to ensure compliance of any prescribed diabetes regiments or to guide the patient in managing the patient's diabetes.
US08758242B2

At least one of a medical device, such as an implantable medical device, and a programming device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep. Sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and time spent in deeper sleep states are example sleep quality metrics for which values may be determined. In some embodiments, determined sleep quality metric values are associated with a current therapy parameter set. In some embodiments, a programming device presents sleep quality information to a user based on determined sleep quality metric values. A clinician, for example, may use the sleep quality information presented by the programming device to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy delivered to the patient by the medical device, to adjust the therapy delivered by the medical device, or to prescribe a therapy not delivered by the medical device in order to improve the quality of the patient's sleep.
US08758229B2

Axial visualization systems which utilize axially aligned imaging instruments for visualizing through an imaging hood purged of blood via a transparent fluid are described where an imaging element extending from a support shaft may be aligned within a working lumen defined through a deployment catheter. The imaging element may be positioned distal to the hood in its collapsed state and within the hood in its expanded state. The imaging element may be configured to seat itself securely within the catheter or to angle itself to adjust the viewing angle. Additionally, a disposable visualization sheath having a transparent lens may also be utilized to house an imaging instrument therein.
US08758228B2

An endoscope system includes an overtube (2) and an endoscope (1), where the overtube (2) is equipped with a shape-holding section (2b) capable of shape-holding and relaxing, a balloon (2a) provided at the distal end of the shape-holding section (2b) to fix the overtube (2) to a body cavity, and an endoscope passage hole (13) serving as a conduit through which the endoscope (1) is passed and the endoscope (1) is equipped with a shape-holding section (1b) capable of shape-holding and relaxing and a balloon (1a) provided at the distal end of the shape-holding section (1b) to fix the endoscope (1) to the body cavity. When one of the endoscope (1) and overtube (2) is inserted, the shape-holding section of the other shape-holds, and the body cavity is pulled with the balloon (1a) inflated, making it possible to reduce insertion length.
US08758224B2

A surgical instrument having a tissue vitality comparator is provided to view images of tissue relative to the surgical instrument and compare the images with predetermined reference images. The surgical instrument includes a pair of jaws for capturing tissue and one or more light sources 14 illuminating the captured tissue. The surgical instrument additionally includes a light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle having a first end for viewing the tissue between the jaws and a second end on a handle portion of the surgical instrument for observing the tissue. A tissue comparison chart having a plurality of reference images is provided on the handle of the surgical instrument for comparison with the image observed through the second end of the light pipe with fiber optic imaging bundle.
US08758221B2

The present invention includes a source reservoir with potential energy for a system for facilitating obesity control. The system includes a remote transmitter, a gastric band including at least one inflatable portion for containing a fluid, at least one reservoir for containing the fluid, and a high precision pump unit in communication with the reservoir for controlling pressure within the inflatable portion.
US08758218B2

A method of treating urinary incontinence includes making an incision and exposing tissue of a urethra. The method additionally includes inserting a non-porous sheet into the incision and forming a cuff around the urethra with the non-porous sheet by directing a first end of the non-porous sheet through a slot formed in a second end of the non-porous sheet. The method additionally includes directing an extending member that is attached to the non-porous sheet to a location exterior of a pelvis. The method further includes configuring the cuff to tighten around the urethra when pulling on the first end of the non-porous sheet, and configuring the cuff to be loosely positioned around the urethra when pulling on the extending member.
US08758212B2

A sulfur-sand limestone mortar and methods of preparing the sulfur-sand limestone mortar and disposing of elemental sulfur, are disclosed. In embodiments, the sulfur-sand limestone mortar includes elemental sulfur, limestone powder, and sand. Modifiers, such as plasticizers, are not required and are not used in embodiments of the sulfur-sand limestone mortar. In embodiments of the method to prepare the sulfur-sand limestone mortar, each of the elemental sulfur, limestone powder, and sand are heated to at least 140 C, then combined, and then allowed to solidify.
US08758196B2

A method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle may include beginning synchronization between a speed shift gear of a target gear and an output shaft to shift gears from a current gear to a lower gear set as the target gear in response to deceleration of the vehicle, after the synchronization between the output shaft and an input shaft by the speed shift gear of the target gear has been completed, maintaining the synchronized state therebetween for a predetermined time period, and completing engagement with the target gear to complete the shifting of the gears after the maintaining of the synchronized state.
US08758192B2

A powertrain includes a first electric motor coupled to an internal combustion engine with a ratio changing device and a second motor selectively coupled to the engine through an engine disconnect clutch, the second motor further coupled to an input shaft of a transmission. A method to control the powertrain includes monitoring a propelling torque provided by the second motor, monitoring a speed of the second motor, determining a condition of the second motor based upon the propelling torque and the speed of the second motor, selecting a control mode for the first motor based upon the condition of the second motor and controlling the first motor, the second motor, and the engine disconnect clutch based upon the control mode.
US08758187B2

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least 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 clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least nine forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08758180B2

A hydraulic circuit for a vehicle powertrain includes a first line for carrying fluid to a torque converter, a second line for carrying fluid from the torque converter, a third line for carrying fluid to a balance dam and an electric motor, and a fourth line for supplying actuating pressure to a clutch, said lines being coaxial.
US08758178B2

An electric vehicle driving device 10 includes a first motor 11, a second motor 12, a first planetary gear mechanism 20, a second planetary gear mechanism 30, a clutch device 40, and a wheel bearing 50. The first planetary gear mechanism 20 is a planetary gear device of single pinion type. The second planetary gear mechanism 30 is a planetary gear device of double pinion type. The first motor 11 is connected to a first sun gear 21 and a second sun gear 31. The second motor 12 is connected to a first ring gear 24. The clutch device 40 is connected to a first carrier 23. A second carrier 33 is connected to the first ring gear 24. A second ring gear 34 is connected to the wheel bearing 50.
US08758174B2

A robot server assembly (20) having a back panel (21), a ball feed collector plate (23) extending outwardly from the bottom of back panel with its horizontal plane positioned an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the back panel (21), a rotatable ball pickup mechanism (24) positioned between a the ball collector mounting section (22) of the back panel and the ball feed collector plate and having a plurality of ball pickup structures (78, 80, 81, 82) extending into the collector plate; a ball guide (25) at the upper end of the back panel; a substantially transparent front cover (28) attached to the front surface of the back panel (21) and extending from the bottom of the ball guide (25) to ball pickup mechanism (24) to define an enclosed ball passageway (30); an oscillator (32) is mounted to the top of the back panel above the ball guide, with a serving head assembly (34) attached to the oscillator through a pivot guide (35). The robot server assembly (20) includes a digital controller (204) that operates multiple functions of the robot server assembly from a menu of functions and can be interfaced with a personal computer for the development of specialized drills.
US08758171B2

The fitting method includes a step of preparing a relationship C in which a face angle at or before impact and a hitting result are considered when a plurality of golf players swing using a plurality of golf clubs with different head physical property values; a step of obtaining measurement result of the face angle by a subject (golf player) hitting a ball with a test club; and a step of determining a head physical property fitted to the subject on the basis of the relationship C and the measurement result of the face angle. Preferably, the relationship C is a relational expression F1. The relational expression F1 may be a relational expression F11 of the face angle and the hitting results. The relational expression F1 may be a relational expression F12 of the face angle and the head physical properties.
US08758164B2

A golf club head with sound tuning. The golf club head includes a hollow body that defines an interior cavity and at least one tuning member extends across the interior cavity. The tuning member dimensions, stiffness and dampening characteristics are selected to alter the vibration behavior of the golf club head.
US08758159B2

An iron type golf club head with improved performance is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses an iron type golf club head having a frontal face portion made out of a lightweight material that is separate and distinct from the material used to form the remaining body portion of the iron type golf club head. The thinner material allows the frontal face portion of the iron type golf club head to be made thinner, yielding improved performance characteristics such as a higher Coefficient of Restitution (COR) of greater than about 0.770, a lower Center of Gravity (CG) location of less than about 5.0 mm from a ground, and a lower primary resonant frequency of less than about 5,000 Hertz.
US08758150B1

The present invention is a golf training aid designed to completely and effectively instruct a golfer how to setup for a successful golf shot. The golf training aid includes a substrate having a predetermined geometrical shape, preferably rectangular, having visual indices, preferably imprinted on a top surface of the substrate, to aid the golfer in addressing a golf ball or setting up to execute a golf shot. The visual indices include a plurality of club head/ball alignment indices, a hand alignment indicator, a feet alignment indicator, an eye alignment indicator, a stance width indicator, and a directional indicator.
US08758123B2

A system and method are disclosed for operating a gaming machine on a gaming network is disclosed. The gaming machine allows playing a wagering game and includes a storage device to store an instruction set for the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. An interface is coupled to the storage device and is capable of communication with the network to receive at least a part of the instruction set for the wagering game from the network. The wagering game provides access to a community event over the network.
US08758122B2

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a sponsored hybrid game that includes: a gambling game; an entertainment game; a game world engine constructed to communicate gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game that trigger at least one wager in the gambling game; and a sponsorship module integrated with the game world engine constructed to: receive sponsorship terms involving allocation of gameplay resources during sponsored gameplay of the sponsored hybrid game between at least one player profile and at least one sponsor profile; allocate gameplay resources associated with at least one sponsor profile to at least one player profile based on the sponsorship terms for use in sponsored gameplay; and allocate gameplay resources resulting from a payout of gameplay resources during the sponsored gameplay using the sponsorship terms.
US08758121B2

An apparatus and method providing at least one input device which enables a player to deposit an amount of money into a gaming device and a memory device configured to store the deposited amount of money. The gaming device displays the deposited amount of money on a credit display. The gaming device includes a wagering game and at least one input device configured to enable the player to initiate a play of the game by inputting a wager using the deposited amount of money. The game includes a plurality of award opportunities. The gaming device determines which of the award opportunities to employ based on the deposited amount of money. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an enhanced award opportunity if the deposited amount of money is at least a designated amount.
US08758117B2

The disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a selection game having a plurality of selectable positions and a plurality of awards interdependently distributed or associated with the selectable positions. For one, a plurality, or all the selectable positions, the award associated with such selectable position is interdependent in that such award has a relationship to one or more of the awards associated with the selectable positions bordering such position. In various embodiments, the value of the award associated with such selectable position has a relationship to one or more of the values of the awards associated with the selectable positions bordering such position. Based on these interdependencies, when each of the selectable positions is selected, the award, or value of the award, associated with the position provides certain information which can be subsequently used to make better informed position selections.
US08758112B2

A gaming system comprises a primary game monitor arranged to monitor outcomes of a sequence of primary games. An outcome generator provided by the gaming system determines an outcome of a secondary game in dependence on the outcomes of the sequence of primary games.
US08758111B2

In various embodiments, players may wager regarding multiple outcomes.
US08758099B2

A method for cutting a food strand into portions including the steps: feeding the food strand through a feed device towards a cutting device; continuously measuring a cross section of the food strand during feeding with a measuring device; continuously generating a marking on a surface of the food strand through a marking device; continuously detecting the marking through three first detectors arranged on identical sides of the marking with respect to the feed direction; continuously determining a size of a cross sectional surface of the food strand through a processing device from image data generated by the first detectors and a fourth detector; controlling the cutting device and/or the feed device through a control device using data of the size of the cross sectional surface; and continuously detecting the marking through a fourth detector arranged on another side of the marking than the three first detectors.
US08758096B2

A glass setting plate for a glass polishing system supports a lower surface of a glass in a glass polishing system for polishing a glass used for liquid crystal displays. The glass setting plate is made of a composite material obtained by molding and curing a mixture of granite particles and thermosetting resin.
US08758091B2

Polishing pad conditioning system. The system includes a first rotatable platen supporting a polishing pad containing asperities having a radius of curvature. A second rotatable platen supports a disk of bulk material having holes therethrough, the second rotatable platen supported for translation as well as rotation. Means are provided for pushing the polishing pad and bulk material into contact at an interface during rotation and translation and means are provided for passing a slurry through the holes in the bulk material to the interface whereby the radius of curvature of the pad asperities is increased. Water may be delivered to the bulk material for cooling. A process for conditioning a polishing pad is also disclosed.
US08758084B2

An apparatus for grinding hand knives, in particular for meat processing, with at least one grinding tool is proposed, by means of which a knife ground finish, in particular during the reconditioning of hand knives after use, is made possible in a repeatable manner with reproducible grinding quality. This is achieved according to the invention in that a knife magazine (6, 7) for accommodating at least one hand knife is provided, in that a driven manipulating device (3, 4, 5) having at least one knife gripper (5) is provided, in that at least one sensor unit (22) for at least partly recording the knife contour is provided, and in that an electronic evaluating and control unit for evaluating the sensor data and for activating the manipulating device (3, 4, 5) is provided.
US08758081B2

A cup-possessing garment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a pair of cup sections 12 for covering respective breasts and a pair of gathering sections 20 provided so as to cover at least a part of a front face of each cup section 12 in order to gather the pair of cup sections toward the front center, and each of the pair of gathering sections 20 is composed of a first portion 22 attached to a side portion of the cup section 12, and a second portion 24 formed with higher elasticity than the first portion 22 and formed in such a manner that ends of the second portions on the front center side join together in order to connect the first portions 22 to each other on the front center side.
US08758080B1

A toy having a looped string and three handles, each of the handles having a grip section, an eyelet through which the string passes, and a swivel between the eyelet and the grip section. The swivels allow the eyelets to rotate relative to the grip sections so that a handle can be held at the grip section and one or both of the other handles can be rotated without resulting in tangling of the string about the eyelet of the held handle. The grip sections are considerably larger and more massive than the eyelets so that the centers of mass of the handles are generally displaced from the string. In an alternate embodiment a pivot is included between each grip section and associated eyelet. A wide variety of motions and maneuvers can be performed by swinging one or more of the handles while holding or releasing one or more of the handles and/or holding or releasing one or more sections of the string. Another alternate embodiment is a triangular sheet of fabric with handles rotatably attached at each corner by swivels.
US08758073B2

An adhesive includes a base resin and a mixture. The base resin maintains a shape of the adhesive. The mixture is mixed in the base resin and a monomer reacts with the base resin and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator to initiate a polymerization reaction of the monomer as it is irradiated with UV light. The output pad electrode of the driving part and the input pad electrode of the display panel are electrically and physically connected to each other by using the adhesive cured as the UV light is irradiated, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process of a display apparatus and preventing a short that may be generated between pad electrodes.
US08758066B2

A contact probe and method of forming the same are provided, where the contact probe can include a shell including a body having a shell cavity. The contact probe can also include at least one plunger slidably received in the shell cavity and extending through at least one opening in at least one end of the shell. The contact probe can further include a biasing device configured to exert a biasing force on the at least one plunger and at least one insulation member including an insulative material. The at least one insulation member can be disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of at least one of: the shell and the at least one plunger.
US08758044B2

A SATA connector assembly is provided with an insulating housing, a plurality of data and power terminals, a PCB and an FFC, wherein the data and power terminals inserted in the insulating housing, the PCB secured to the insulating housing, the FFC soldered on the PCB, the data and power terminals are electrically interconnected the FFC by the PCB. The provision of the unitary construction feature of FFC can save the production cost due to its eliminating cable management equipment and the step of cable managing processes.
US08758043B2

A fitting confirmation construction includes a confirmation part in a first connector and a confirmation opening in a second connector. A rib is provided in the confirmation opening. A height of the confirmation part is equal to a height of the rib and the confirmation part and the rib are positioned on a same line, on a viewing direction which is viewed from an obliquely upper position rearward in an inserting direction of the second connector through the confirmation opening, in a state that the second connector is completely fit with the first connector.
US08758042B2

A device for connecting a cable (17) to an electric component arranged in a housing (18) comprising a support (1) and at least one contact member (2, 3) retained therein. The contact member (2, 3) has a cutting area (6, 7) that cuts through the insulation of the cable (17) and contacts a conductor of the cable. The contact member (2, 3) further has a contact area (4, 5) that contacts a conductor arranged in the housing (18). The support (1) is received in an opening of the housing (18) and the cable (17) is retained between the support and the housing (18). A particular advantage of this solution is that the support which carries the contact members simultaneously fulfills the strain relief function by clamping the cable between itself and the housing.
US08758037B2

The invention provides an electric socket and a bearing body therefor. The bearing body includes a housing for accommodating the electrically connecting terminal, having a plurality of sidewalls that are connected and a bottom; a baffled portion on one of the sidewalls; a rib provided on the sidewall and extending longitudinally from one side to the other side of the one of the sidewalls; and a plurality of conductive pins penetrating the bottom. When the electrically connecting terminal is fit into the housing, the baffled portion opposes against the fastener of the electrically connecting terminal, and the rib is located against an outer surface of the electrically connecting terminal, thereby preventing detachment of the electrically connecting terminal from the electric socket.
US08758033B2

A blockout device for a USB port is disclosed. The blockout device prevents contamination, damage or misuse of the USB port when not in use. The blockout device includes a locking member, a body member and a shell. The locking member has a bottom and a top. The bottom of the locking member includes a plurality of teeth for engaging the USB port. The body member has a top, a bottom and sides defining a channel therein. The locking member is positioned within the channel of the body. The shell has a cavity that receives the locking member and the body member. The locking member and the body member are positioned within the cavity of the shell when the blockout device is installed in the USB port.
US08758028B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a connector, and a component connected to the connector. The component includes a first and third electrically conductive portion on a first surface, a second electrically conductive portion on a second surface, and a first and second cover portions. The second electrically conductive portion is connected to the first electrically conductive portion. The third electrically conductive portion is kept in contact with a terminal of the connector, and connected to the second electrically conductive portion. The first and second cover portions cover at least a part of the first and second electrically conductive portion.
US08757998B2

A coinjection molding apparatus is disclosed that provides first and second material melt streams to a nozzle. The nozzle defines a first material melt passage for receiving the first material melt stream, a second material melt passage for receiving the second material melt stream and an outer layer melt passage, which receives a portion of the first material melt stream from the first material melt passage. The first material melt stream from the first material melt passage forms an inner layer of a molded article, the second material melt stream from the second material melt passage forms a core layer of the molded article, and the first material melt stream from the outer layer melt passage forms an outer layer of the molded article, wherein the three melt streams combine prior to entering a mold cavity.
US08757997B2

A hard candy, namely lollipops, suckers or similar confectionary comestibles and a method of making and packaging the same by a depositing manufacturing process which produces a multi-colored and multi-flavored lollipop which colors and flavors extend entirely through the lollipop body and hard shell and are visible in the final packaging and particularly to a double depositing method incorporating a soft chewy center into a deposited lollipop body which soft center is entirely surrounded by and of a different consistency and viscosity from the hard outer candy shell.
US08757995B2

A tire vulcanization mold comprises a mold body having an inner surface for molding a tire outer surface and at least one vent passage for the escape of gas in the mold during vulcanization, the vent passage with an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being opened on the inner surface of the mold body, the outlet end communicating with an exterior of the mold body, wherein the vent passage communicates with the inner surface of the mold body at an angle of not less than 60 degrees, and less than 90 degrees with respect to a normal line perpendicular to the inner surface at the inlet end.
US08757993B2

In a gear pump according to the present invention, a wall surface portion of a casing (2) includes a drive side partition surface (41) on which tooth crests (11) of a drive gear (10) slide, a driven side partition surface (42) on which tooth crests (21) of a driven gear (20) slide, a suction side inner peripheral surface (43) that connects the drive side partition surface (41) and the driven side partition surface (42) on a suction chamber (3) side, and a discharge side inner peripheral surface (44) that connects the drive side partition surface (41) and the driven side partition surface (42) on a discharge chamber (4) side. Tapered portions (60) are provided in connecting portions between the respective partition surfaces (41, 42) and the discharge side inner peripheral surface (44) to cause tooth spaces (12, 22) surrounded by the wall surface portion of the casing (2) and teeth of the gears (10, 20) positioned near the partition surface (41, 42) side of the connecting portions to communicate gradually with the discharge chamber (4) as the gears (10, 20) rotate.
US08757983B2

When cold and in the non-coated state, the aerodynamic profile is substantially identical to a nominal profile determined by the Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z′ given in Table 1, in which the coordinate Z′ is the quotient D/H where D is the distance of the point under consideration from a first reference plane P0 situated at the base of the nominal profile, and H is the height of said profile measured from the first reference plane to a second reference plane P1. The measurements D and H are taken radially relative to the axis of the turbine, while the X coordinate is measured in the axial direction of the turbine.
US08757978B2

A blower impeller includes a substantially cylindrical cup portion, and a plurality of blades arranged on an outer circumferential surface of a circumferential wall portion of the cup portion. The cup portion includes on an inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall portion thereof a plurality of axially extending first ribs and a plurality of second ribs arranged between the first ribs. The first and second ribs are arranged in a circumferential direction. A virtual envelope joining radially inner end portions of the first ribs has a smaller diameter than that of a virtual envelope joining radially inner end portions of the second ribs.
US08757972B2

A disclosed example self-contained counter rotating turbo prop system includes a power generating system that produces electric power for a de-icing system. A bearing/generator assembly includes a plurality of permanent magnets and coil assemblies separated by an air gap. Relative rotation between first and second parts of the bearing/generator assembly provides for the generation of electric power utilized to drive the heating elements mounted to the propeller blades.
US08757971B2

A fan mounting assembly includes a mounting tray and a fan. The mounting tray includes a base plate and at least one mating block protruding from the base plate. The fan includes a housing and a blade accommodated in the housing. The blade is configured to blow air from a first side of the fan to a second side of the fan. The fan having a mating surface located at the second side and mated with the at least one mating block.
US08757970B2

A fan bracket and the fan fixing apparatus using the same are disclosed, in which the fan bracket, including a pair of fixing members, is used for fixing a fan assembly inside a housing. Each fixing member has a first panel and two positioning elements, in which the first panel is configured with a first end, a second end and a first side in a manner that the first and the second ends are located opposite to one another while enabling the first side to be located between the two ends. In an embodiment, there is at least one fixing plate disposed on the first side that each fixing plate has at least one first screw hole. Moreover, the two fixing members are symmetrically and respectively disposed at the first and the second ends of the first panel whereas each fixing member is configured with a second screw hole.
US08757958B2

A gas turbine engine fan section includes first and second composite layers providing a generally cylindrical case. Axially spaced apart rings are arranged between the first and second composite layers and form reinforcing ribs that provide a fan containment area axially between the rings. A belt is arranged over and spans the fan containment area between the reinforcing ribs. A fan blade has a tip in proximity to the first composite layer without any intervening structural support between the tip and the first composite layer, which provides a fan blade rub resistant surface. A method of manufacturing a fan containment case includes wrapping at least one first composite layer around a mandrel. Axially spaced apart rings are arranged circumferentially about the first composite layer. At least one second composite layer is wrapped around the rings and first composite layer to provide reinforcing ribs at the rings.
US08757950B2

A screw has a head with a cross-shaped groove having first to fourth wing grooves, each having bilaterally-formed inner side faces defined by opposing base-end inner side faces, opposing intermediate inner side faces and opposing distal-end inner side faces angled at angles relative to each other so that the first angle of the base-end inner side face
US08757941B2

A cutting plotter includes a medium supporter, a first guide rail, a second guide rail, a carriage, a work tool, a working controller, and a second direction displacement detector. The second direction displacement detector is configured to measure a second guide rail displacement amount. The second guide rail displacement amount indicates a magnitude of displacement of a moving path of the carriage from a predetermined moving path with respect to the second guide rail in a direction perpendicular to a second direction when the carriage is moved in the second direction along the second guide rail. The working controller is configured to execute a control in which a movement control of the second guide rail on the first guide rail is added so that the second guide rail displacement amount is corrected in a movement control of the carriage on the second guide rail.
US08757938B2

A tool for guiding a drill from both sides of a post having a top and at least one circumscribing side so that a single longitudinal axial bore is formed, the tool comprising: a first part adapted to clamp over the top of the post and position first and second guide plates on opposing sides of the post, the first and second guide plates having openings formed therein; and a second part adapted to position two opposing drill bushings in the openings in the first and second guide plates.
US08757929B2

A hose splicing system comprises a first clamping tool and a hose fitting adapter. The first clamping tool includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member. An inner surface of at least one of the first clamp member and the second clamp member includes a recess configured to receive an end of a hose. In addition, the first clamping tool includes a hinge coupled to the second clamp member. Further, the first clamping tool includes a lock member pivotally coupled to the first clamp member. The hose fitting adapter has a central axis, a first end configured to be inserted into the end of the hose, a second end configured to releasably connect to a rigid hose end connector, and a through bore extending axially from the first end to the second end.
US08757925B2

A concrete finishing tool includes a body having a chassis, a guard, and frame supports. An extension handle is attached to the body, and a motor is attached to the body and operatively connected to a driving gear and driven gear to rotate blades having a quick change coupling mechanism. An integrated handle is configured on the body and houses a switch for the motor that is powered by a power supply.
US08757922B1

A concrete casted paving stone of rectangular shape is described and has two pairs of opposed parallel side walls. In a first of the two pairs of side walls, an engaging projection is formed in one side wall and a through slot in the other side wall for receiving the stone-engaging projection of another paving stone therein. The second pair of opposed parallel side walls each have a slot and a further stone-engaging projection in a section thereof. The stone-engaging projections of the second pair of side walls are disposed adjacent the side wall of the first pair which contains the slot and the slot extends through the rear wall of these stone-engaging projections. The paving stone may be used as a permeable paving stone wherein to evacuate water from an upper surface of a paved surface into the underlying support bed.
US08757917B2

An assembly (1) between a side member (2) and a rear panel (3), for instance in a piece of furniture, a wardrobe or a kitchen element. The assembly consists of a flange part (3a) of the rear panel (3) inserted sidewards into a locking slot (6a) in the side member (2), the insertion of the flange part (3a) being effected via a longitudinal slot (8) at the access to the locking slot (6). The rear panel (3) is secured to the side member (2) by at least one part (10) of the side member (2) extending into at least one withdrawal slot (20) in the rear panel (3), or by at least a part (21) of the rear panel extending into at least one withdrawal slot (23) in the side member (2). Hereby an assembly is obtained which is not only light of weight, but which is also solid and robust and easy to set up.
US08757916B2

A method for manufacturing a bearing shell assembly for a ball joint includes the following steps: a) a bearing shell having a plastic extension is produced; b) a spring element is arranged in a region of the plastic extension; and c) the spring element is fastened to the bearing shell by deformation of the plastic extension. The invention further relates to a bearing shell assembly for a ball joint, including a bearing shell and a spring element, the spring element being non-detachably connected with the bearing shell.
US08757915B2

An adapter unit capable of preventing breakage of a positioning key for accurately connecting first and adapters. A key is formed on an inner peripheral surface of a hollow cylindrical portion of a receptacle adapter such that a front end thereof is rearward of a front end of the hollow cylindrical portion. Projecting portions are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion at locations away from the key in a circumferential direction, for receiving a front end of a hollow cylindrical portion of a plug adapter inserted into the hollow cylindrical portion of the receptacle adapter. Receiving portions are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical portion of the plug adapter, for receiving the projecting portions. The front end of the key is rearward of the front end of each projecting portion.
US08757910B2

A printer having a printer deck and a media support mechanism having a flexible biased mount is provided. In one configuration, the media support mechanism includes an adjustable side guide that is mounted in a biased clamp mechanism. The biased clamp mechanism includes opposing clamps arranged in the same plane that each have two portions with at least one biased toward the other portion. Each opposing clamp includes a top portion and a bottom portion fixed to the printer deck by a shoulder bolt wherein the bottom portion engages a coil spring and is spring biased from the deck toward the top portion of the clamp to engage the mounting portion of the side guide. The coil springs are selected to apply sufficient force to facilitate holding the side guide sufficiently in place during operation and to also allow a reasonable force to adjust the width of the side guide.
US08757908B2

A foldable keyboard includes a base, a receiving module, and connecting assemblies. The base includes a number of touch panel units. The receiving module includes a number of plates. The plates are pivotably connected to each other in series. The connecting assemblies are for biasing touch panel units into the folded configuration when the base is covered by the plates.
US08757905B2

A conversion adapter apparatus is provided that connects a camera body and an interchangeable lens. The conversion adapter apparatus includes a camera body side installation portion to receive a camera body, a lens side installation portion to receive an interchangeable lens, and a first communication contact group provided on the camera body side installation portion and connected to a communication contact group. The conversion adapter apparatus additionally includes a second communication contact group provided on the lens side installation portion and connected to the communication contact group and a conductive member that electrically connects the first communication contact group and the second communication contact group. A position of the first communication contact group around a camera optical axis and a position of the second communication contact group around the camera optical axis are different from each other.
US08757900B2

A body-mount camera crane includes a camera platform pivotally attached to the front ends of the left and right tubes and an accessory platform pivotally attached to the back ends of the left and right tubes. A hip belt is pivotally attached to the left and right tubes at an intermediate position. In use, the crane is supported largely on the operator's hips via the hip belt. The elevation of the lens is changed by pivoting the crane up and down. The operator correspondingly pivots the camera platform to keep the camera level. Alternatively a parallelogram linkage keeps the camera platform level. The length of the tubes may be adjusted based on the weights of the camera and the accessories, such as batteries, on the accessory platform, to keep the crane balanced.
US08757899B2

An optical connector assembly includes: an optical connector having a connection portion at a top end thereof, the connection portion being connected to an optical module, the optical connector having a latch and a lever disposed on a side surface thereof, the latch securing connection between the optical connector and the optical module, the lever releasing the latch; a housing having a through-hole that incorporates the optical connector therein and an opening that is formed at a position at which part of the lever of the optical connector protrudes through the opening, the opening communicating with the through-hole; and a cover having the housing disposed therein, the cover having a plate-like protruding portion on an inner wall thereof, the protruding portion protruding toward the housing; wherein when the protruding portion is located at a position of the opening, the protruding portion presses the lever.
US08757896B2

An adapter for an optical fiber connector includes a fixing base and two terminals. The fixing base has a main portion and two assembly portions formed on the main portion. The terminal has a positioning portion, a connecting portion, and an inserting portion. The connecting portion and the inserting portion extend from opposite ends of the positioning portion, and the positioning portion is positioned in the assembly portion of the fixing base.
US08757893B1

Cable assemblies and optical connector subassemblies having retractable alignment pins and coded magnetic arrays for optical alignment are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector subassembly includes a connector body, an optical coupling assembly within the connector body, first and second alignment pins, and a pin switch coupled to the first and second alignment pins. The connector body includes a front surface, a first pin bore and a second pin bore. The optical coupling assembly includes at least one magnetic component, and an optical coupling face. The optical coupling assembly receives at least one optical fiber. The first alignment pin is disposed within the first pin bore and the second alignment pin is disposed within the second pin bore. Actuation of the pin switch translates the first and second alignment pins between a protracted state and a retracted state.
US08757892B1

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for connecting optical fibers. In one aspect, a connector includes a transfer tube for equalizing the pressure between two chambers within the two connectors when the connectors are mated. The chambers may house biasing elements coupled to optical fiber holders to provide a pressure independent force against optical fiber terminals. The optical fiber holders may include side openings for receiving optical fibers.
US08757889B2

A rolling element bearing, in particular a roller/needle bearing, having a cage including at least one inner cage and at least one outer supporting cage, said cages having windows (3) which are adapted to the rolling elements (8) and have lateral end rims (4) connecting a plurality of windows (3) and crossbars and in which the rolling elements (8) are guided and secured from falling out. Either the inner cage and the supporting cage are configured as a split inner cage ring and/or a split supporting cage ring and the rings can be attached to each other at the ends or the inner cage and the supporting cage are configured as inner cage shells and/or supporting cage shells and the shells can be attached to each other at the ends.
US08757888B2

A shaft may have functional elements arranged thereon and at least one bearing point. At least one rolling bearing with rolling bodies may be arranged between the shaft and the at least one bearing point, the bearing having at least one rolling body cage configured to accommodate the rolling bodies and an outer ring. The rolling body cage may be fixed at least one of directly and indirectly to the shaft by a carrier ring and the outer ring may be fixed in the bearing point. The carrier ring may include the rolling body cage fixed thereon, the cage having a greater radial extent than the functional elements. The carrier ring may have a radial extent smaller than the greatest radial extent of one of the functional elements.
US08757882B2

Provided is a fluid dynamic bearing device, which fixes a lid member (10) to a bracket (6) or forms the lid member (10) and the bracket (6) integrally so that the bracket (6) exerts the release resistance of the lid member (10). As a result, the fluid dynamic bearing device can alleviate a fixing force required between a housing (7) and the lid member (10) or can make their fixture unnecessary, to thereby maintain the release resistance of the lid member (10) irrespective of a material of the housing (7).
US08757881B2

Bearing assemblies and bearing packages, incorporating said bearing assemblies, utilize opposing polycrystalline diamond compact bearing surfaces which can be immersed in a process fluid such as a wellbore fluid. The bearing assemblies are mounted to support the shaft for both axial and radial loading of the shaft. A static bearing surface is mounted in a static bearing housing. A rotating bearing surface, which opposes the static bearing surface, is mounted in a rotating bearing housing which supports the rotating shaft and co-rotates with the shaft. The rotating bearing surface opposes the static bearing surface and is rotatably supported thereon.
US08757866B2

A device (10) for mixing and dispensing bone cement includes a mixing cylinder (20), in which a mixing plunger (21) is arranged, the mixing plunger (21) being axially movable by an actuation rod (50) guided out in a sealed manner at a first cylinder end (30). A sealing plunger (42) is arranged in a region of the first cylinder end (30), is axially movable on the actuation rod (50) and seals the mixing cylinder (20) in a gas-tight manner. A sterilization plunger (41) is arranged in the region of the first cylinder end (30) between the mixing plunger (21) and the sealing plunger (42), is axially movable on the actuation rod (50) separately from the sealing plunger (42), and seals the mixing cylinder (20) in a gas-permeable manner. The sterilization plunger (41) and the sealing plunger (42) form a two-part plunger system (40).
US08757856B2

A vehicular warning device comprises a light bar with at least one light source and a light bar support. The light bar support includes a frame member and a light bar mounting member. The frame member is rigidly mounted to a portion of a vehicle and the light bar mounting member is mounted to the frame member. The light bar is mounted to the light bar mounting member. Illumination from the at least one light source can be shifted between at least a first position and a second position.
US08757853B2

A system and method for controlling a vehicle headlamp, the headlamp being equipped with an automatic switching unit between high beam and low beam lighting modes and with a bending light function (DBL). The method comprises a step of making the bending light function (DBL) change from a first active state to a second state for detecting a combination of conditions comprising an active state of the automatic switching unit between high beam and low beam lighting modes and an active state of the high beam lighting mode.
US08757852B2

The present disclosure relates to a lighting apparatus that includes a light engine that is coupled to a heat sink. The light engine provides a light source that generates light, and heat that is generated by the light source is dissipated, at least in part, via the heat sink.
US08757851B1

An illumination device includes a telescoping mast with a stern navigation light source, a first rear facing illumination source, a second rear facing illumination source, a front-facing inboard light source stationed between the first and second light sources, a weather receiver which receives location-based weather information, and a geo-location receiver in communication with the weather receiver. The mast automatically telescopes and retracts, and the stern navigation light source automatically turns on and off, based at least in part on the information. The illumination device can be provided in an outboard marine motor, or as a system for retrofitting existing outboard marine motors.
US08757845B2

The present disclosure provides one embodiment of an illumination structure. The illumination structure includes a light-emitting diode (LED) device on a substrate; a lens secured on the substrate and over the LED device; and a diffuser cap secured on the substrate and covering the lens, wherein the lens and diffuser cap are designed and configured to redistribute emitting light from the LED device for wide angle illumination.
US08757838B2

The invention relates to a lighting device including a plurality of light emitting tiles. Each light emitting tile has at least one interface, which is adapted for signal transmission. By adding a connection element in between two neighboring interfaces of two neighboring light emitting tiles, the two light emitting tiles are connected in a daisy chain bus system. The daisy chain bus system is adapted for transmitting signals, the signals being indicative of power and/or color of each light emitting tile.
US08757835B2

In a variable shaped lamp shade of an LED lamp, the lamp shade is made of a translucent material matched with an LED lamp strip and a lamp holder and includes at least one strip-shaped optical refraction unit having an external refractive surface, an internal refractive surface corresponding to the external refractive surface, and an assembling structure for matching the lamp holder. The external refractive surface or internal refractive surface is a curved surface without an inflection point and the curved surface has a constant or gradually changing curvature; and a non-curved surface is formed on the other side. The variable shaped lamp overcomes the problems of conventional LED lamp strips having a low illumination and a non-uniform illumination caused by a direct projection or an installation of a conventional lamp shade, and a low light utility caused by a too-large illumination range.
US08757834B2

In a variable shaped lamp shade of an LED lamp, the lamp shade is made of a translucent material matched with an LED lamp strip and a lamp holder and includes at least one strip-shaped optical refraction unit having an external refractive surface, an internal refractive surface corresponding to the external refractive surface, and an assembling structure for matching the lamp holder. The external refractive surface or internal refractive surface is a curved surface without an inflection point and the curved surface has a constant or gradually changing curvature; and a non-curved surface is formed on the other side. The variable shaped lamp overcomes the problems of conventional LED lamp strips having a low illumination and a non-uniform illumination caused by a direct projection or an installation of a conventional lamp shade, and a low light utility caused by a too-large illumination range.
US08757820B2

A vehicle rear viewing device includes a rear under view mirror provided to face an inner surface of a rear windshield and capable of reflecting an area below and behind a vehicle to an occupant in an interior of the vehicle. A marker indicator is to allow the occupant to view the area below and behind the vehicle through the rear under view mirror to visually recognize a position of a rear end of a vehicle body. A rear wiper is provided on a rear part of the vehicle body so as to face an outer surface of the rear windshield. The marker indicator is provided so as to be covered with at least a part of the rear wiper along a front rear direction of the vehicle in front of the rear wiper when the rear wiper is in an initial position.
US08757815B2

A lamp unit 10 includes a lamp 100, a lamp holder 102/103 for holding the lamp 100, a handle section 108 used when removing the lamp unit 10 from a projector, and a support section 251/252 for supporting the lamp unit 10 from below. The support section 251/252 includes a front side support section 251 for supporting the lamp unit 10 at a front side of the lamp unit 10, and a back side support section 252 that is disposed behind the lamp 100 and is for supporting the lamp unit 10 at a tip thereof located outside an outer circumference of the lamp 100 when the lamp unit 10 is viewed from front.
US08757814B2

A light source unit includes an optical wheel having a plurality of segment areas, the segment areas including at least two luminescent material layers having different characteristics and a transmission portion provided in a circumferential direction. The light source unit further includes a rotation driving unit for driving to rotate the optical wheel, an excitation light source for shining light onto the optical wheel, a light emitting element, and a light guiding optical system for collecting a light beam from the optical wheel and a light beam from the light emitting element to a same optical path. The excitation light source is selectively turned on to illuminate the transmission portion or the at least two luminescent material layers, and the light emitting light source is turned on for a period of time during which the excitation light source does not shine the excitation light.
US08757809B2

An illumination device comprising a first light source generating first light beam having a first spectral distribution and a second light source generating a second light beam having a second spectral distribution. A first dichroic reflector is positioned in the first light beam and transmits a part of the first light beam and reflects a part of the second light beam. The first and second light beam propagates initially primarily in a first direction along an optical axis and reflecting means reflects the second light beam towards the dichroic reflector. The light sources, the dichroic reflector and reflecting means are mutually arranged such that the second light beam propagates primarily in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction and towards the first light source after being reflected by the reflecting means and such that the second light beam propagates substantial in the first direction after being reflected by the dichroic reflector.
US08757804B2

Detecting position information related to a face, and more particularly to an eyeball in a face, using a detection and ranging system, such as a Radio Detection And Ranging (“RADAR”) system, or a Light Detection And Ranging (“LIDAR”) system. The position information may include a location of the eyeball, translational motion information related to the eyeball (e.g., displacement, velocity, acceleration, jerk, etc.), rotational motion information related to the eyeball (e.g., rotational displacement, rotational velocity, rotational acceleration, etc.) as the eyeball rotates within its socket.
US08757801B2

An ophthalmic apparatus including an operation stick to adjust an optical unit, comprising: a rotary dial that is provided on a side surface of the operation stick and rotates with respect to the operation stick; a trigger arranged on a top of the operation stick while being decentered with respect to the operation stick; and a control unit adapted to control to perform one of movement and focusing of the optical unit with respect to an object in accordance with rotation of the rotary dial and perform control to cause the optical unit to start a predetermined operation in accordance with press of the trigger.
US08757800B2

The invention relates to a method, a computer program product and a system for designing or producing a spectacle lens for a spectacle wearer. Said method consists of the following steps: individual user data or application data of the spectacle wearer is obtained; the design concept for the spectacle lens having a plurality of evaluation points is determined; a main beam path through the plurality of evaluation points is determined; a local wavefront is specified for each of the main beams in the surroundings of the respective main beam; optical properties of the spectacle lens are determined on the evaluation points by determining an influence of the spectacle lens on the local wavefronts in the surroundings of the respective evaluation point; and the design concept is evaluated in accordance with the determined optical properties and the individual user data.
US08757794B2

An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an access cover, a paper feed tray, and a paper discharge tray provided on a side thereof in a rotatable manner. A rotation pivot of the paper feed tray and a rotation pivot of the access cover are arranged on the same axis, and a rotation pivot of the paper discharge tray is arranged with a shift from the rotation pivot of the access cover.
US08757793B2

A medium support unit of a liquid ejection device has a negative pressure chamber and a medium support surface so that an ejection medium is supported on the medium support surface by suction, and includes a plurality of first recesses and at least one second recess. The first recesses are in communication with a negative pressure generating unit, and aligned along a width direction. The second recess is disposed at a position corresponding to an end part in the width direction of the ejection medium, and arranged to accept liquid ejected from a liquid ejection head. The second recess is in communication with an adjacent one of the first recesses at a position inward of the end part of the ejection medium. The first recesses are respectively in communication with the negative pressure generating unit via the negative pressure chamber partitioned into a plurality of units in the width direction.
US08757791B2

An image forming apparatus including an image forming device to form an ink image on a recording sheet, a discharger to discharge the sheet bearing the ink image in a face-down manner, and a stacker to stack the discharged sheet thereon. The stacker includes a first surface to deform a rear end portion of the sheet, and a second surface which has a surface to press a front end portion of the sheet and is slanting so as to rise in the sheet discharging direction. The first and second surfaces are arranged such that the first surface or an extended surface thereof intersects at an angle with the second surface or an extended surface thereof to form an intersection line and such that when the front edge of the recording sheet reaches the second surface, the rear edge of the recording sheet has not yet been discharged by the discharger.
US08757787B2

A treatment solution for ink-jet recording includes water; and basic amino acid or a salt thereof which is contained in the treatment solution in an amount of not less than 1% by weight.
US08757786B2

An ink set is disclosed which includes a yellow ink composition containing a resin-coated yellow pigment in which a yellow pigment is coated with a crosslinked water-soluble resin, a water-soluble polymerizable compound and water; a magenta ink composition containing a resin-coated magenta pigment in which a magenta pigment is coated with a crosslinked water-soluble resin, a water-soluble polymerizable compound and water; a cyan ink composition containing a resin-coated cyan pigment in which a cyan pigment is coated with a crosslinked water-soluble resin, a water-soluble polymerizable compound and water; and a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent for aggregating components in the ink compositions.
US08757763B2

A method for manufacturing a liquid-jetting head includes: providing a flow passage unit in which a plurality of jetting ports and a plurality of individual liquid flow passages are formed; providing a plurality of actuator units which are arranged to be adjacent to each other on a surface of the flow passage unit and each of which includes a plurality of actuators having individual electrodes corresponding to the individual liquid flow passages; providing a drive circuit for each of the actuator units which supplies a drive signal to each of the actuators; providing a plurality of wiring members each of which is fixed on one of the actuator units to electrically connect the actuator unit and the drive circuit; folding base materials of the wiring members; and joining the base materials to the actuator units after folding the base materials.
US08757761B2

A film paid out from a feed side film roll is conveyed so that an application target area of the film is located on a suction table in an application portion. Image-capturing cameras are disposed so as to be adjacent to ink-jet application heads so that one application head and one image-capturing camera are integrated with each other in terms of position of installation to form one application head unit portion. Each application head unit portion is moved above the suction table by a three-dimensionally movable XYZ-direction driving unit. A position where application will be performed next is image-captured by each of the image-capturing cameras in advance during the applying operation due to each of the application heads. A result of image capturing by each of the image-capturing cameras is processed by an image processing unit.
US08757758B2

An image registration system for determining a relative location of a first pattern and a second pattern includes a fiducial having a fiducial origin, a first side, and a second side. A first camera captures a first fiducial image of the first side of the fiducial and the fiducial origin and a first pattern image of the first printed pattern. A second camera captures a second fiducial image of the second side of the fiducial and a second pattern image of the second printed pattern. An image registration controller processes the first fiducial image, the first pattern image, the second pattern image, and the second fiducial image to determine the relative location of the first pattern and the second pattern.
US08757750B2

Crosstalk in a piezo printhead is reduced by selecting an actuation signal for a nozzle, determining a time delay and a pulse width extension based on adjacent actuation signals of adjacent nozzles, and applying the time delay and pulse width extension to the actuation signal.
US08757749B2

A liquid ejection device, includes: a drive waveform signal output circuit which outputs a drive waveform signal to serve as a reference for the drive signal; a modulator which pulse-modulates the drive waveform signal and thus generates a first modulated signal and a second modulated signal having a different phase from the first modulated signal within a range from greater than 90 degrees to smaller than 270 degrees; a first digital power amplifier; a second digital power amplifier a first low pass filter which performs low pass filtering of the first amplified digital signal and thus generates a first demodulated signal; and a second low pass filter which performs low pass filtering of the second amplified digital signal and thus generates a second demodulated signal; wherein the first demodulated signal and the second demodulated signal are combined and applied as the drive signal to the capacitive load.
US08757748B2

A liquid ejection device comprising a plurality of ejection parts for ejecting liquid in cavities, an inspection part for inspecting the ejection parts. The ejection parts are classified into a plurality of ranks according to the characteristics of individual ejection parts. The inspection part performs inspection in accordance with a determination reference corresponding to the ranks. The inspection is performed consecutively on those among the plurality of ejection parts that are classified in the same rank.
US08757745B2

The printing apparatus includes: a print unit to print on a medium using a pigment ink and a dye ink; a stir mechanism capable of stirring at least the pigment ink; and a control unit to perform control to make the duration of the stirring operation executed prior to starting the printing operation longer when the pigment ink is included in the ink to be used in the printing operation than when it is not.
US08757742B2

An adjustable rack assembly for a washing appliance. The adjustable rack assembly includes a rack having a first side wall and an opposing second side wall, a first rail assembly having a first plurality of horizontal rails, and a second rail assembly having a second plurality of horizontal rails. A first support assembly is coupled to the first side wall of the rack and includes a first support plate configured to be removably coupled to the first rail assembly at a first horizontal rail of the first plurality of horizontal rails. A second support assembly is coupled to the second side wall of the rack and includes a second support plate configured to be removably coupled to the second rail assembly at a first horizontal rail of the second plurality of horizontal rails.
US08757740B2

A dish washing machine includes a tub, which is open at the front and at the bottom, is at least partially made of non-rusting metal and which has walls, a separate housing, and a mounting floor at least partially made of plastic. The tub is placed on the mounting floor to form a washing compartment, and the washing compartment wall is formed from the mounting floor. According to the invention, the visible surface inside the washing compartment of the washing compartment wall formed by the mounting floor has, at least in part, a different appearance than that of the plastic of the remaining mounting floor. The different appearance is obtained by an insert made of stainless steel on the mounting floor. A stainless steel surface that, to the user, appears highly effective can thus be obtained in the entire interior of the washing container even in the case of a platform for a dish washing machine having a tub made of stainless steel that is placed on a plastic mounting floor.
US08757731B2

The invention relates to a method for introducing a vertical shaft underground and to a shaft driving machine set up particularly for performing the method, wherein a cutting wheel is rotated solely about a horizontal axis until a penetration trough having a predetermined penetration depth is formed, and the cutting wheel is then also rotated about a central vertical axis until a shaft foot is dug out to the penetration depth. A relatively high sinking rate is thereby achieved for the shaft.
US08757730B2

The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus for a ground processing machine, especially a ground milling machine, with the ground processing machine comprising at least one processing device for mechanically processing a ground surface and/or for applying a ground cover layer, comprising: at least one detection device for contactless detection at least in sections of a condition of the ground surface and/or the ground cover layer as produced by the processing device, and an evaluation device for the automated evaluation of the condition detected by the detection device. The present invention further relates to a ground processing machine, especially a ground milling machine, comprising at least one such monitoring apparatus.
US08757724B2

The device of present invention is seating device that is incorporated into a pack. The pack carries the component parts of the seating device for carrying the device afield. The seating device is deployed with the pack fitting securely under the seating device and capable of holding more cargo than just the seating device. The device uses various belt configurations to secure the seating device to tree, pole or post for deployment. The legs of the device also have various embodiments including sectional legs that are also stored within the pack.
US08757723B1

A portable cushion and foot rest allows mass transit passengers, especially those in economy class, to rest their feet on an adjustable step. The cushion and foot rest adds comfort to passenger's “bottoms” as well as rests their feet for long flights. The cushion and foot rest folds easily for easy carry-on and stays in position by the weight of the passenger sitting on it. The cushion and foot rest can alleviate aches, pain and leg and foot cramping.
US08757721B2

A soldier platform system and method includes a soldier platform system in a vehicle. In an embodiment, the soldier platform system includes a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat and straps. The soldier platform system also includes a restraint harness belt. The restraint harness belt is secured to the seat assembly. In addition, the soldier platform system includes mounting assemblies. The straps attach the seat to the mounting assemblies. The soldier platform system further includes a ratchet platform that has a platform upper assembly and a platform lower assembly. The soldier platform system also has a strap retractor and a retractor strap. The retractor strap is extractable from the strap retractor, and the retractor strap is retractable by the strap retractor. Additionally, the strap retractor retracts the retractor strap upon achieving a strap threshold. Moreover, the strap retractor is secured to the platform lower assembly.
US08757719B2

In a vehicle seat, a first slide mechanism disposed on a side wall side of the vehicle compartment is provided with a hinge mechanism having a biasing member that flips up a seat body toward the side wall, and a second slide mechanism disposed on the inner side of the vehicle compartment is provided with a coupling/decoupling switching mechanism for locking or unlocking the mutually coupled second slide mechanism and seat body. The seat body is flipped up by the biasing member when the coupling/decoupling switching mechanism is in the unlocking position. A flip-up position detecting unit is provided for detecting a predetermined flip-up position of the seat body within a slidable range of the seat body, and the coupling/decoupling switching mechanism is switched to the unlocking position when the flip-up position detecting unit detects the flip-up position.
US08757717B2

A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a partitioned back rest. The back rest has a first segment and a second segment. The segments are each equipped with an inclination adjuster. The adjusters include means for limiting the inclination of one segment relative to the other.
US08757714B2

A lock for locking an object in a vehicle in place comprises a base comprising a side surface and a front surface. The side surface has at least one opening, and the front surface has a ballast retainer and a hub mounting portion. A hub is rotatably coupled to the hub mounting portion. A ballast, which is operatively coupled to the hub, is housed within the ballast retainer. At least one locking member is also operatively coupled to the hub. The ballast is configured to automatically reposition itself within the ballast retainer from an initial unlocked position to a final locked position in response to a change in velocity of the vehicle. This repositioning of the ballast actuates the hub, and causes the at least one locking member to extend past the at least one opening.
US08757713B2

A multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly for a motorcycle is presented. The multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly is adaptable to provide backrest support to a driver and at least one passenger. The multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly comprises a frame structure, a slide deck housing, a left side pivoting means, a right side pivoting means, a left sliding mechanism, a right sliding mechanism and a control interface. The slide deck housing is mounted with a slide deck rail, a tour-pack and a backrest. The backrest and the tour-pack are designed to move along the slide deck rail to achieve a plurality of seating configurations such as a passenger supporting configuration and a driver supporting configuration. The control interface allows the multi-configurable tour-pack and backrest assembly to move between the passenger supporting configuration and the driver supporting configuration to provide the backrest support to the driver and the passenger.
US08757704B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a composite panel and a method of manufacturing the composite panel. The composite panel includes first and second fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) layers. The composite panel also includes a core layer disposed between the first and second FRP layers. The core layer includes one of: a honeycomb material and a foam material. The composite panel further includes an exterior layer disposed on a surface of the first FRP layer opposite the core layer and an interior layer disposed on a surface of the second FRP layer opposite the core layer. The layers are cured together in one processing step.
US08757687B2

A crush box arranged between a side member of a vehicle body and a bumper reinforcement member, the crush box including: a main body portion arranged in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and formed in a tubular shape, the main body portion having first and second portions; a vehicle body attaching portion arranged at a first end of the main body portion; and a bumper attaching portion arranged at a second end of the main body portion, wherein vertical cross-sections of both the first portion adjacent to the vehicle body attaching portion and the second portion adjacent to the bumper attaching portion are polygonal shapes, and the number of vertices of the polygonal shape of the vertical cross-section of the second portion is greater than the number of vertices of the polygonal shape of the vertical cross-section of the first portion.
US08757683B2

An apparatus (1) for a motor vehicle lock (2), includes at least a catch (3) with an axis of rotation (14), a work arm (4), an impact arm (15), and a catch bolt recess (16) arranged between the work arm and the impact arm, wherein the work arm comprises a first metallic member (9) and forms a first position (5) and a primary position (6). The apparatus further includes at least a latch case (19) and a pawl (7) with a cantilever arm (17), an axis of rotation (18), and a locking position (8).
US08757679B2

A locking device (1) comprising at least one locking mechanism (2) having a catch (3), a pivotal first pawl (4), and a second pawl (5), with which the first pawl (4) can be blocked from being swiveled. The locking device (1) further comprises a motor-driven actuating mechanism (6), which displaces at least one operating lever (7) in such a manner that the operating lever (7), during its movement cooperates with both pawls (4, 5) one after the other. The locking device is used to lock or unlock seat backs of motor vehicles.
US08757678B2

A locking device for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, is provided with a locking mechanism for the mechanical locking of a movable catch of the locking mechanism with a counter-element, and with an actuator unit for the actuation of the catch via a drive. A hosing is provided in which the locking mechanism is arranged and mounted, with regard to the required installation space. The locking device provides the possibility of the formation of structurally different variants of the locking device. The actuator unit (4) is arranged in the housing as a shared housing (2) together with the locking mechanism (3).
US08757672B2

Various embodiments of a longitudinal fitting or other fluid conduit for a piping system are provided. The fitting can comprise a body including a first portion, a second portion, and a barrier between the first and second portions. The first portion can include a first inner surface that defines a first opening that is sized and configured to receive a first piping system component. In various embodiments, the barrier can be positioned between the first inner surface and a second inner surface of the second portion; the barrier can at least partially define a reservoir. When the first piping system component is secured to the fitting by a securing liquid, such as solvent cement, the barrier and/or reservoir can resist the liquid from reaching the second inner surface, thereby reducing the likelihood that the second inner surface will become damaged or otherwise compromised by chemically reacting with the securing liquid.
US08757670B2

A pipe connector constructed in the interior of a joint pipe. In the pipe connector, an O-ring made of a flexible rubber, a stop ring which is in tight contact with and supports the outer circumference of the pipe inserted into the joint pipe, and an elastic stopper are installed in sequence such that the pipe connector can be pressed and fixed to the outer circumference of the pipe, which is inserted into and connected to the joint pipe, in order to provide air tightness and water tightness to the pipe. Consequently, the pipe is inserted into the joint pipe with one touch without being detached or dislodged, is coupled such that water tightness can be maintained, and is separated by pressure in the direction in which the pipe proceeds.
US08757668B2

A connector for connecting at least two receptor modules for a liquid medium, wherein the connector has a first connection end for the connection to a first receptor module and a second connection end for the connection to a second receptor module. The connector has a pressure equalization chamber between the first and second connection ends, in which a compressible insert is disposed. The compressible insert lies in part against the interior wall of the pressure equalization chamber. A least one longitudinal channel for a fluid communication between the first and second connection ends is provided between the interior wall of the pressure equalization chamber and the compressible insert. The compressible insert can be compacted as a result of a volume expansion of the liquid medium due to temperature conditions.
US08757667B2

A connector for a flow managing device in fluid communication with an outlet conduit is disclosed. The connector can comprise a receiving member, an engaging member, and an adapter. The receiving member can be secured to the adapter, which can be secured to a side wall of a basin near an outlet coupled to the outlet conduit. The adapter can comprise a curvature plate having a curvature that complements a curvature of the side wall. The adapter can further comprise an adapter bore through the curvature plate and an adapter conduit extending from the curvature plate and at least partially overlapping the adapter bore. The flow managing apparatus can be secured to the engaging member, which can be engaged with the receiving member. Fluid from the basin can flow through the flow managing device, the engaging member, the receiving member, and the adapter and into the outlet conduit.
US08757651B1

A collapsible motorized two-wheeled cycle system features a two-wheeled cycle frame. The system features an upper hinge connected to a frame top horizontal member anterior component posterior end and a frame top horizontal member posterior component anterior end. A conical stiffener plug is located on the frame top horizontal member posterior component anterior end for snugly protruding into a conical stiffener plug aperture located on the frame top horizontal member anterior component posterior end. The system features a lower hinge connected to a frame bottom horizontal member anterior end and a frame anterior vertical member lower end. The system features a steering assembly located on a frame top horizontal member anterior end having a handlebar, a front fork, and a front wheel.
US08757643B2

A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.
US08757642B2

A retractable wheel assembly includes a bracing member and a wheeled arm pivotally coupled to the bracing member. The wheeled arm is sized and positioned such that the wheeled arm rotates through an aperture of the bracing member. The wheeled arm includes an arm member, a wheel, and an aperture cover shaped and positioned such that when the wheeled arm is in a retracted mode, the aperture cover covers a majority of the aperture, but not substantially all, thereby forming a wheel gap. The wheel assembly includes a deployment arm and a trap member operationally coupled to the deployment arm, including a trap flange sized and positioned to cover the wheel gap when in a closed mode and to substantially uncover the wheel gap in an open mode. The retractable wheel assembly includes a handle operationally coupled to the trap member.
US08757638B2

A compact lightweight flexible disposable game carrying sled comprises a flexible high density polyethylene sheet configured to receive game thereon and be dragged along the ground during transport of the game. A plurality of sets of holes defining lines are in spaced locations along the sheet. A plurality of tie down lines are included, with each tie down line weaving through one set of holes to couple the line to the flexible sheet. The tie down lines are configured to completely encircle the game to secure the game to the sheet. A plurality of intersecting uniform material thickness fold lines extend across the sheet, allowing the sheet to be folded to form a compact structure for storage and for transport when not in use and unfolded when the game carrying sled is to be used.
US08757637B2

A system for leveling a vehicle which includes three zones with a first zone at the front end, and the second and third zones on opposite sides of the vehicle. All zones include leveling jacks, each having a blind side and a rod side. At least one leveling jack is located in the first zone, and at least two leveling jacks are located in each of the second and third zones, straddling the wheel on that side. The blind sides of the jacks in each zone are connected. In operation, once the vehicle is stationary, all of the jacks are extended from a retracted position to an extended position meeting the surface upon which the vehicle is located. Fluid is then applied to the blind side of one of the second and third zone leveling jacks to raise the lower of the two sides. The front end is then leveled.
US08757628B1

A ball capture game assembly provides a structure having spaced access channels through which balls are removed to score points. The assembly includes a housing having a bottom, a top, and a perimeter wall defining an interior space. At least one channel is coupled to the housing. Each channel has an inner opening in fluid communication with the interior space and an outer opening configured for fluid communication with ambient space outside the housing. A plurality of balls is positioned in the interior space of the housing. A tip of an elongated member is selectively couplable to each of the balls whereby each ball is removable from the interior space by insertion and withdrawal of the elongated member through the channel.
US08757624B2

Systems, methods and apparatus for providing, hosting and conducting a wagering game associated with Blackjack, which includes steps and/or components configured for generating a random initial hand of playing cards in the underlying game to form an initial player hand and an initial dealer hand; comparing the random initial player hand of playing cards with a preset qualifying criteria comprising the initial player hand being composed of playing cards which are consecutively ranked; conducting the Blackjack game until a final outcome is achieved; determining a payout award which is at least partially determined by the number of consecutively ranked playing cards in the final player hand if the preset qualifying criteria is satisfied by the initial player hand; and providing the determined payout award or collecting the wager if the preset qualifying criteria is not satisfied.
US08757615B2

Disclosed is a compact bill accumulation device which has a bill accumulation space with decreased depth and does not cause bill accumulation errors. The bill accumulation device (100) is provided with front guides (8) and reverse guides which form a bill accumulation space, and with a bill stopper (6) which, disposed on the front guides (8), stops bills released by a by a feed roller (1), wherein bills stopped by said bill stopper (6) are accumulated on a stage (4). Multiple V-shaped grooves are formed on elongate ribs (18) and disposed along the long direction of the ribs, said grooves extending in the short direction thereof; said ribs (18) are arranged in rows and at prescribed intervals on either side of the front guides (8) so as to be perpendicular to said released bills.
US08757603B2

Apparatus for lifting substrates from substrate supports are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate lift may include: a substrate support having a plurality of lift pins movably disposed through the substrate support to selectively raise and lower a substrate; an actuator coupled to the plurality of lift pins to control the position of the plurality of lift pins, wherein the actuator has a first port for receiving air at a first pressure to cause the actuator to extend the plurality of lift pins and a second port for receiving air at a second pressure to cause the actuator to retract the plurality of lift pins; and a pressure regulator coupled to the actuator to reduce the first pressure to a magnitude that is less than that of the second pressure.
US08757597B2

A terminal post for a barrier includes an upright portion having an aperture positioned, so that in use: the aperture is located in a region of the upright portion above a ground engaging portion of the upright portion; and wherein located on one side of the aperture is a transverse reinforcing member which includes a slot for receiving a cable. At least one groove, or pair of notches is provided located beneath the aperture, and form(s) a predetermined fail line, along which the post will deform, upon receiving a substantially inline impact, which causes the transverse member to move to release the cable, and wherein the aperture is dimensioned to allow the terminal end of the cable formally retained by the slot to pass therethrough.
US08757596B2

A guard rail is provided with noise-reducing measures and includes a plurality of substantially vertical posts supporting a longitudinal guard rail beam. Furthermore the guard rail is provided with plate-shaped noise-reducing modules attached to the supporting, substantially vertical posts. Advantageously, the guard rail may be perforated so that the sound is allowed to pass into the noise-reducing modules at the rear.
US08757595B2

One possible embodiment for the invention could be a carpet-anchoring carpet stretcher comprising a front telescopic portion, the front telescopic portion reversibly anchors only to a carpet and connects to a rear anchor portion, the front telescopic portion further comprises a stretching mechanism that lengthens the front telescopic portion; the rear anchor portion, the rear anchor portion having a base with two opposing ends, each opposing end pivotally connecting to one end of a respective anchor leg while the other end of the respective anchor leg reversibly anchors only to the carpet; wherein the stretching mechanism generates a rearward force to the rear anchoring portion that laterally redistributes a portion of the rearward force to otherwise prevent the creation of one or more wrinkles in a portion of the carpet located proximately between the anchoring legs.
US08757590B2

A fluid flow connector including a housing assembly, having a first end and a second end arranged along a common longitudinal axis, and a resilient fluid flow conduit member having a forward end, disposed alongside the first end of the housing assembly, formed with a selectably closable slit and with at least one side opening. The resilient fluid flow conduit member is positionable in a closed position wherein the slit is closed but the at least one side opening is open and in an open position, allowing the slit to open and leaving the at least one side opening open, whereby when the resilient fluid flow conduit member is in the open position, the selectably closable slit and the at least one side opening each provide a fluid flow pathway between an interior of the resilient fluid flow conduit member and the first end of the housing assembly.
US08757588B2

A valve having an electromagnetic drive including a core that is arranged between two pole pieces and has a winding applied thereon which, at least in the direction of a dimension determining the structural size of the valve, rests on the core without a bobbin wall interposed.
US08757587B2

An electromagnetic valve includes a valve seat, a valving element, and a solenoid part. The valve seat has an annular shape and defines a valve hole. The solenoid part includes a coil, a core guide part, a fixed core, and a movable core. The coil becomes an electromagnet upon energization thereof. The core guide part is arranged radially inward of the coil. The movable core is accommodated and reciprocated inside the core guide part in accordance with whether the electromagnet is turned on or off. The valving element moves integrally with the movable core to open or close the valve hole. The core guide part includes a magnetic unbalance part where magnetic force applied between the core guide part and the movable core is different between on one side and the other side of the core guide part in its radial direction.
US08757584B2

An actuating device, particularly for actuating valves connected externally, includes a housing (10) and a coil body (12) arranged in the housing. The coil body has a coil winding (14) at least partially enclosing a coil tube (16), a pole core (20) connected at the coil tube free end, an armature (22) guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner at least in the pole tube (16) within an armature chamber (24) and interacting with an actuating part (26) for actuating the respective valve part. The pole tube (16) is designed as a receiving sleeve for the armature (22). The sleeve is fixed with its free end region to a fixed bearing point. The fixed bearing point is formed by two support parts (118, 124) of the pole core (20) that delimit a receiving gap between them, in which the free end region of the receiving sleeve is fixed in a clamped manner.
US08757580B2

The invention relates to a height-adjustable pedestal comprising a height adjustable pedestal platform, a spring device that provides a spring force according to a corresponding spring characteristic, and a lever mechanism that is interconnected between the spring device and the pedestal platform in such a way that the spring force is transferred by the lever mechanism to the pedestal platform in the form of a lifting force that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal platform, in order to facilitate the height-adjustment of the pedestal platform, wherein the lever mechanism is configured such that it at least partially compensates for a variation of the spring force that occurs according to the spring characteristics.
US08757577B2

A slide rail device includes forward/rearward-movement restricting grooves formed on an upper rail; lock portions which are movable in the forward and/or rearward direction relative to the upper rail, wherein the lock portions are lock-engaged with the lock grooves and the forward/rearward-movement restricting grooves when the lock release lever is positioned at the locked position, and the lock portions are released from the lock grooves when the lock release lever is positioned at the unlocked position; and restricting lugs formed on an upper rail, wherein the restricting lugs restrict the lock portions from moving forward or rearward from the forward/rearward-movement restricting grooves, to which the lock portions correspond, by the lock portions coming in contact with the restricting lugs when the lock release lever is positioned at the unlocked position.
US08757573B1

An adjustable cup holder incorporates an elongated clamp assembly and cup support assembly. The clamp assembly has a proximal end and a distal clamping end. The cup support assembly is connected at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, and comprises a body portion and a pair of arcuate cup-encircling arms having respective spaced-apart free ends. A pivot pin enables pivot adjustment of the cup support assembly at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, such that the cup support assembly is movable between a desired in-use position depending from the clamp assembly, and a folded stowed position beside the clamp assembly. In the stowed position, the clamp assembly passes between the spaced-apart free ends of the cup-encircling arms and into an area defined between the cup-encircling arms.
US08757569B2

A supporting apparatus includes a base member, a securing assembly secured to the base member, and a supporting assembly secured to the securing assembly. The supporting assembly includes a slid-way module and a bracket. The bracket is secured to the slid-way module and supports a monitor. The slid-way module includes a main body and an adjusting member. The main body includes two guiding ways and a sliding portion. The sliding portion is slidably engaged between the two guiding ways. The adjusting member includes a holding portion located between the sliding portion and the two guiding way, a resilient piece, and a controlling portion rotatably installed on the holding portion. The resilient piece is located between the holding portion and the controlling portion. The controlling portion is rotatable to deform the resilient piece to adjust friction force between the holding portion and the two guiding ways.
US08757567B2

Brackets for photovoltaic (“PV”) modules are described. In one embodiment, a saddle bracket has a mounting surface to support one or more PV modules over a tube, a gusset coupled to the mounting surface, and a mounting feature coupled to the gusset to couple to the tube. The gusset can have a first leg and a second leg extending at an angle relative to the mounting surface. Saddle brackets can be coupled to a torque tube at predetermined locations. PV modules can be coupled to the saddle brackets. The mounting feature can be coupled to the first gusset and configured to stand the one or more PV modules off the tube.
US08757566B2

A hand rail mounting system having a rail with an open end and a barrel with a open end configured to fit about closely about an outer surface of the first rail. The rail may be slidably received within the barrel. A clamp is positioned within the barrel and extends into the open end of the rail, with a portion of the end of the rail between the clamp and the barrel. A screw extends through the barrel and engages the saddle. The screw configured so that rotating the screw will draw the clamp toward the barrel and capture the end of the rail within the barrel between the barrel and the clamp. The end of the rail is generally contained within the barrel.
US08757558B2

A cable tray is provided. The cable tray may include first and second side rails with a rung located therebetween. The rung may be attached to the first side rail by way of a first clinching connection. The rung may be attached to the second side rail by way of a second clinching connection. In accordance with other embodiments, first and second lancing connections may be used instead of or in addition to the clinching connections. A method of constructing a cable tray is also provided.
US08757547B2

An aircraft nacelle air intake includes a duct extending around the circumference of the air intake and elements (24) for the localized injection of hot air into the duct to make the hot air circulate in the duct along its circumference, characterized in that the injection elements (24) include a collector tank in a plane secant with the direction of the stream of air flowing through the duct including at least one hole (44) allowing the air stream flowing in the duct to pass through it and a plurality of injection orifices (46) which are connected to a hot air supply and arranged around the passage hole or around and/or between the passage holes (44).
US08757543B2

A support assembly for guiding a flap on an aircraft wing during deployment of the flap. The assembly includes an arcuate guide track mountable to an aircraft wing and defining a two-dimensional path, a carriage mounted on the guide track so as to slide along the track during flap deployment, a part-spherical bearing, and a shaft having one end attachable to a flap and the opposite end coupled to the carriage via said part-spherical bearing. The shaft is free to pivot relative to the carriage about a center of the part-spherical bearing in all directions, as the carriage slides along the track.
US08757536B2

The present invention consists of an aerial device, comprising a structure and a rotating element equipped with at least one blade, suitable for effecting a rotation relative to the structure around a rotation axis, wherein the device is equipped with means making it possible to cause the rotating element to rotate relative to the structure and wherein these means include a gas generator and a pipe that makes it possible to guide the gas towards an orifice at a distance from this rotation axis in order to cause the rotating elements to rotate by means of the gas ejected through the orifice, characterized in that the generator outlet and the pipe are part of the rotating elements and are suitable for rotating around the rotation axis relative to the structures.
US08757530B2

A pitman of a jaw crusher has an upper part, which includes an upper supporting point for supporting the pitman in the body of the jaw crusher, and a lower part having a lower supporting point for supporting the pitman in the body of the jaw crusher through a toggle plate. The lower part of the pitman includes sidewalls and honeycomb structure open to the crushing direction, which structure has one or more cross-sectional supports reaching from the first sidewall of the pitman to the second sidewall.
US08757523B2

Processing waste materials to recover valuable metals, such as copper, from the materials. The disclosed systems and methods employ processes that further refine the waste materials to concentrate the metallic material after the waste materials are initially processed. Processes include employing air separation and screening. Processes also include employing a dynamic sensor and a vacuum pressure separator to separate metals from other materials. A central processing facility may process metal concentrate from multiple concentration facilities.
US08757522B2

Cooling water is pressurized and supplied via a pipe to an electrified atomization head installed in an atomization cooling area. The jetted particles of the cooling water from the electrified atomization head are electrified and atomized. An electrification voltage is applied from a voltage application unit to the electrified atomization head, and the external electric field generated by applying a voltage between a water-side electrode unit and an induction electrode unit is applied to the cooling water in a jetting process so as to electrify the atomization water and facilitate adsorption to people.
US08757514B1

The apparatus and its method of use is directed to a spraying system which has a strut rotationally joined at an upper end of an elongated pole. A sprayer is removably engaged with the strut. An electrical actuator is also engaged with the strut and is positioned for operating the sprayer. An electrical circuit includes components for controlling the sprayer, for video recording a spray target, for viewing the recording on a monitor. The strut is adapted by an offset to place the operating line of the actuator's trigger coincident with the sprayer's operator. The pole may be adjusted as to length for higher and lower targets.
US08757509B2

A method for controlling a boiler includes firing a boiler, and monitoring a temperature deviation between a boiler temperature and a heating temperature profile over time. If the temperature deviation exceeds an allowable deviation, the boiler is shut off.
US08757507B2

A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system and related systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating user-friendly installation of the thermostat are described. For one embodiment, automated installation verification is performed by the thermostat by automatically sensing which wires have been inserted, selecting a candidate HVAC operating function (e.g., heating or cooling) that is consistent with a subset of HVAC signal types indicated by the inserted wires, applying control signals to the HVAC system to invoke that HVAC operating function, and processing a time sequence of acquired temperature readings to determine whether that HVAC operating function was successfully carried out. For one embodiment, the initial automated testing of the heating and cooling functions are only carried out at times for which such heating or cooling function would normally be invoked during normal operation of the thermostat. Automated determination of a heat pump call convention is also described.
US08757501B2

A scalable, high-bandwidth connectivity architecture for portable storage devices and memory modules may utilize EHF communication link chip packages mounted in various two-dimensional and three-dimensional configurations on planar surfaces such as printed circuit boards. Multiple electromagnetic communication links between devices distributed on major faces of card-like devices may be provided with respectively aligned pairs of communication units on each device. Adjacent communication units on a printed circuit board may transmit or receive electromagnetic radiation having different polarization, such as linear or elliptical polarization. Power and communication between communication devices may both be provided wirelessly.
US08757496B2

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce costs for biological sample measurement devices by means of providing a novel method for easily and reliably identifying types of biological sample measurement sensors. Specifically, the present invention provides a biological sample measurement device provided with a main body case, a sensor insertion port, a connector, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed inside of the main body case in the vicinity of the connector, and a connector terminal. The light-emitting element can irradiate light onto a biological sample measurement sensor attached to the connector. The light-receiving element can receive reflected light or transmitted light from the biological sample measurement sensor attached to the connector. The type of the biological sample measurement sensor is identified on the basis of the light received and recognized by the light-receiving element.
US08757492B2

Disclosed is a scanner device comprising: a scanner unit that scans a symbol and obtains image data; a judgment unit that judges whether or not a capture distance from the scanner unit to the symbol is a short distance; and a decoding unit that, in a case where the capture distance is judged to be the short distance, makes setting to perform at least one of increase of error permissivity for the image data with respect to threshold values for judging a size of the symbol, and reduction of the number of collation times for decoding results of the image data, in a case where the capture distance is judged to be a long distance, makes setting to perform at least one of lowering of the error permissivity, and increase of the number of collation times; and decodes the image data in response to the setting.
US08757489B2

A portable device includes coded information reading means, digital image acquisition means and an illuminator, associated with the acquisition means for acquiring images. The illuminator is powerable by a driving signal which corresponds to a first current signal in a first operating mode for illuminating an image to be acquired and is powerable by the driving signal which corresponds to a second current signal in a second operating mode for emitting a visual indication indicating the outcome of the reading of the coded information, read by coded information reading means. The illuminator, which acts as a flash to acquire an image in the first operating mode, thus also acts as a visual indication of the reading outcome in the second operating mode and illuminates with a continuous or intermittent light the space in front of the illuminator to indicate to an operator that the coded information has been read.
US08757483B1

A payment card is provided with a display. A card may be provided to a user with a number of inactivated products. The products may be assigned to the user at card issuance. A user may then activate these products online or via phone. Accordingly, a user may be provided with a cross-selling platform for new products. Discounts, fee waivers, and/or value may be added to an account when an inactivated product is activated.
US08757481B2

An electronic label system includes a host and at least one electronic label. The host includes a first control unit for generating a text message, a first storage unit storing a graphic database, and a converting unit configured to convert the text message to a graphic message according to the graphic database. The electronic label is configured to communicate with the host for receiving the graphic message therefrom, and includes a display unit and a second control unit configured to control the display unit to display the graphic message.
US08757479B2

A personalized package creation system uses an imaging device to capture an image of a barcode. An image capture module decodes the barcode to retrieve data, such as package dimension data and one or more package structural parameters. Based on the package dimensions and the structural parameter, a processing device defines a set of cutting instructions. An automated package generation device applies the cutting instructions and uses a cutting device to creating a package.
US08757477B2

A visual beacon, such as a Quick Response (QR) code or other type of artificial visual beacon is identified based on a coarse position and content information, and optionally, the type of the visual beacon. For example, position may be based on latitude and longitude, e.g., from a satellite positioning system, or the CellID from a cellular network. The content information may be based on a sampling of the content before or after decoding. The content information may alternatively be all of the decoded content or an image of the visual beacon. Thus, for example, a mobile platform may generate a visual beacon identifier using the position and content information, which is transmitted to a navigation assistance server. The server can access and transmit to the mobile platform a navigation assistance message associated with the visual beacon identifier. If no visual beacon identifier is found, the server may enter the information.
US08757476B2

Herein disclosed is a receptacle repair insert, which may have an insert body with at least an outer surface. The outer surface may have a first shape and be effective to attach to a receptacle body having at least an inner surface with a second shape. The inner surface may define at least one orifice and the insert body may be effective to fit into the at least one orifice. The receptacle repair insert may also have at least one extension movably connected to the insert body wherein the extension is effective to create a door. The extension may block at least a portion of the at least one orifice. Further disclosed is a method for replacing at least one mailbox door using at least one embodiment of the receptacle repair insert.
US08757472B2

The invention relates to a method for joining ceramic composite parts comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one superhard material to at least one other part, the method comprising treatment of a joining surface or surfaces of the ceramic composite part; and disposition onto the treated surface or surfaces, or portions thereof, of a material capable of bonding to the ceramic composite part as well as to the at least one other part upon the application of sufficient heat. The invention extends to articles comprising a ceramic composite part comprising ceramic material and at least one superhard material, bonded to at least one other part, the article including at least one layer selected from an attachment layer, a brazeable layer, and an oxidation resistant (braze compatible) layer or combinations thereof included at an interface between the ceramic composite part and the other part.
US08757466B2

A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.
US08757463B2

Systems and methods for carrying a load on the back of a user and backpacks having a convex back panel are described. The convex back panel of the backpack may curve outward from the center of a wearer's back to minimize contact between the backpack and the wearer's back The backpack may also have a center-support panel for contacting the spinal region of the back of the wearer of the backpack. The center-support panel may have grooves for distributing a load along a wearer's back.
US08757462B2

A vehicle-mounted equipment carrier includes a single-piece frame member. The vehicle-engaging and equipment-engaging members extend outward from a central portion. Optionally, the equipment carrier may be mounted in at least a first and second operational orientation. The interior of each equipment support is hollow such that one equipment support may be stacked within another. Straps pass through and are secured to the frame member. The straps are further connected to a vehicle to secure the frame member to the vehicle.
US08757457B2

The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.
US08757453B1

A pouring spout for a paint can has an arcuate base joined to a lip. The base has an arcuate rib with a pocket accommodating a portion of the circular bead of the paint can and an arcuate flange spaced from the rib providing a passage into the pocket. Bosses joined to the flange and rib are compressed against the bead to bias the rib into tight sealing relation with the bead.
US08757444B2

A device for dispensing individual components of a two-component adhesive includes first and second manifold members, each having a distribution chamber therein. A set of conveying tubes is supported within the dispensing device and collectively present a predetermined total cross-sectional flow area to the first distribution chamber. An array of openings and an array of passages extend through the second member. The openings receive the discharge ends of the conveying tubes. The passages are disposed in fluid communication with the second distribution chamber. The passages collectively present a predetermined total cross-sectional flow area to the second distribution chamber member. The openings and the passages are laterally spaced with respect to each other such that the discharge ends of the tubes are interspersed among the passages. The cross-sectional flow areas presented to the first and second distribution chambers are different.
US08757441B2

The present invention provides a container assembly for use with a reusable urn or vessel. The assembly includes a (1) flexible pouch, (2) a fitment connected to the pouch and having a flexible flange and a first fluid passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber, (3) a tubing adapter having a first end connected to the fitment and a second end having a member for connecting to a tubing and a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway; and (4) wherein the flexible flange is capable of bending to conform to an interior wall of the urn or vessel to place the second fluid passageway in alignment with an axis of a through hole in the urn or vessel.
US08757437B2

A gas line leakage monitor for beverage dispensing system is configured to prevent unintended environmental discharge of a beverage dispensing gas such as CO2. The monitor includes a gas inlet coupled to the source of gas and a gas outlet coupled to the dispensing portions of the system. The monitor includes a flow sensor detecting when gas is flowing through the monitor. The monitor includes a timer coupled to the flow sensor and tracking the amount of time that the flow sensor detects at least each episode of un-interrupted flow of gas through the monitor. The monitor includes a shut-off valve coupled to the timer for stopping the flow of gas through the monitor and to the system's dispensing portions when the timer indicates an episode of un-interrupted gas flow through the monitor meets a pre-set threshold. The monitor includes a manual reset for opening the shut-off valve.
US08757432B2

A pop-up type dispenser is provided for paper towels, in which a specially sized and shaped hole in the dispenser top cooperates with a stack of paper towels housed in the dispenser. The towel stack has at least two interfolded webs of perforated absorbent sheet material in which the perforations of one web are not aligned with the perforations of an adjacent web. The towels may be withdrawn through the opening one sheet at a time, by a user pulling on a first sheet of said one web protruding through said opening without needing to touch a next sheet on the adjacent web or a subsequent sheet on the one web.
US08757430B2

Decorative grass and methods of providing same are disclosed wherein the decorative grass is either maintained in flattened configuration until restraint is removed and/or the decorative grass is curled and/or crimp at a point of use and/or sale.
US08757418B2

A self-anchoring, low profile container anchor with directional release and attachment capability comprises a lower base member, an upper movable member adapted for attachment to a container, and a seal member on the base member. The seal member is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a periphery of a controlled pressure zone. A sealing valve disposed on a valve seat is operably connected to the movable member for lifting off the valve seat and vent the controlled pressure zone when the movable member is raised a first predetermined distance. However, the movable member can tilt a second predetermined tilting distance without the sealing valve lifting off the valve seat, thus providing tilt resistance.
US08757415B2

A device housing, especially for accommodating an electronic unit or a mechatronic unit, has parts which are sealed against one another in assembled condition via an encircling, stationary seal. At least one pressure-relief device is integrated into the seal for admission of air into the housing. The seal is formed at least in part as a lip that opens under overpressure conditions inside the housing. To allow any water that has penetrated to flow away, the housing is mounted vertically, with the pressure-relief device disposed at the bottom.
US08757414B2

Herein described is a bin for collecting solid waste, in particular urban waste, provided with a device for weighing the products deposited by a single user, of the type made up of two containers, the outer covering one and the inner one for collecting waste. Such bin includes a rigid frame arranged in the gap between the two containers. Such frame rests on four stanchions on the bottom of the more outer container, where the wheels are applied, whereas on the upper edge some load cells are arranged, which support the most inner container so as to be able to detect the weight of the waste deposited in the bin by the user.
US08757411B2

An electronic device enclosure includes a rear plate defining a through hole, a side plate having a hook, a clipping device, and a rotating device. The clipping device includes a clipping member and a first resilient member. The clipping member may slide relative to the rear plate between a lock position and an unlock position. When the clipping member is located in the clock position, the hook is engaged in the through hole. When the clipping member is located in the unlock position, the hook is disengaged from the through hole. The rotating device is rotatably coupled to the side plate and may drive the clipping member to slide from the lock position to the unlock position. The first resilient member may drive the clipping member to slide from the unlock position to the lock position.
US08757400B2

A test tube rack (1) that is suited for storing and transporting test tubes. The test tube rack (1) according to the invention includes a bottom plate (3), a cover plate (2), and a centering plate (4), which are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. The plates have a substantially rectangular shape. At each corner a screw connector (8) is arranged, through which the plates are joined to each other. The screw connectors (8) are designed such that, when stacking a plurality of test tube racks (1), the screw connectors (8) of one test tube rack (1) partially engage with the screw connectors (8) of another test tube rack (1), and thereby ensure a secure connection, at least with respect to lateral shifting. Additionally, the screw connectors (8) can be provided with a locking mechanism, which allows a rigid connection between test tube racks (1).
US08757397B2

A storage system for elevating objects from a surface, such as storing a bicycle off the ground, the storage system including a first mounting plate coupled to a wheel; a second mounting plate spaced from the first mounting plate and coupled to a plurality of wheels; a first wheel assembly spaced from the first mounting plate; a second wheel assembly spaced from the second mounting plate; a cable operatively engaging each of the wheels; and a coupler extending from the first wheel assembly and a second coupler extending from the second wheel assembly. Each of the mounting plates may be made from a unitary piece of material, and each plate may include a plurality of arched channels for rotatably adjusting the mounting plates, e.g., to provide for generally linear alignment of pulley wheels when installing the system.
US08757385B2

Packaging for electrical equipment is disclosed in which metal electrically conductive staples are stapled—in contrast to tacked—through the packaging to provide an electrical path between the inside and the outside of the packaging. On the inside of the packaging, each staple clutches and is electrically connected to a wire that is connected to a jack on the electrical equipment. This provides an electrical path between the outside of the packaging and the electrical equipment. When the electrical equipment is to be tested or configured, the testing tool is connected to the staples on the outside of the packaging with spring-load clips. This provides as many electrical paths between the testing tool and the electrical equipment as necessary or desirable and for very little cost.
US08757382B1

Aspects of the disclosure involve a pill-filtering article that is located and secured inside a pill container. According to one example embodiment, an assembly of articles distributes one pill at a time in the form of a single-pill dispensing apparatus that includes a pill-storage container and such a pill-filtering article. The container has an inner wall, an upper portion with a rim region where a cap may be secured, and a lower portion for containing pills. The pill-filtering article has a size and a shape that facilitates securing the article inside the pill-storage container near the inner wall, above the lower portion, and below the upper rim region, and also configured with a plurality of channel-defining regions including a first channel-defining region through which one-pill at a time passes and including a second channel-defining region through which one pill at a time passes.
US08757379B2

A screw driver tool box includes an accommodating box, a plurality of screw heads, and a driver rod. Both sides of the accommodating box are provided with a turnable accommodating base respectively. The accommodating base is provided with a plurality of accommodating troughs for allowing the driver heads to be inserted therein. One end of the driver rod is formed with a handle portion, and the other end thereof is formed into a connecting end. The connecting end is provided with an insertion trough for allowing the driver heads to be inserted therein. The present invention is characterized in that: the accommodating box comprises a sleeve. One end of the sleeve is formed into an opening for insertion. The walls around the opening are provided with a plurality of grooves and a plurality of clamping claws. The clamping claws protrude from the opening. A through-hole is provided on a wall of the accommodating box to correspond to the opening. By the above-mentioned structure, a screw driver tool box which is easy to carry and convenient in use is obtained.
US08757372B2

Disclosed are embodiments of a folded paper CD/DVD case. The case can be biodegradable, and uses reduced or minimal material. The case can be made without the use of cuts or glue, nor does the case require special equipment or machinery to manufacture. The case can hold plural media such as, e.g., two CDs or DVDs. The footprint of the case can be reduced or minimal, that is, e.g., only minimally larger than one or more CDs or DVDs it will hold. The case can have a pentagonal or pentagon-like shape.
US08757369B2

The invention relates to a container, in particular for moisture-sensitive goods, with a container body and a container cover which can be opened and closed, and with a transponder which is arranged in the container cover. The transponder is covered by at least a layer of a desiccant material and is therefore protected against moisture damage which could influence the electrical characteristics of the antenna.
US08757366B2

A hinge rod retainer for a modular conveyor belt. The retainer retains a hinge rod within a passageway, while allowing room for rod expansion or contraction relative to the belt width. The retainer comprises a flexible portion and a support forming an outside edge of the modular conveyor belt. The flexible portion comprises a flexible hook including an opening for allowing passage of the hinge rod into the passageway. The flexible hook defines a trapping region between the passageway and outside edge of the modular conveyor belt for trapping a hinge rod end.
US08757363B2

Various methods, apparatuses, and program products that are used to control at least a portion of a conveyor, determine information about an article conveyed by the conveyor, or otherwise operate a conveyor are provided. One method includes detecting whether a second conveyor controller is connected to the first conveyor controller and, in response to detecting that there is a second conveyor controller connected to the first conveyor controller, identifying whether the second conveyor controller is connected to a predetermined network interface of the first conveyor controller. The method further includes configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate a motorized roller in a first predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is connected to the predetermined network interface and configuring the first conveyor controller to rotate the motorized roller in a second predetermined direction if a second conveyor controller is not connected to the predetermined network interface.
US08757351B2

Disclosed is a unit cell transfer apparatus for arranging and delivering unit cells to a folding device, which is used in a continuous process for manufacturing a stack/folding type electrode assembly having a structure of planar unit cells wound up over a separate film.
US08757343B2

A clutch mechanism includes a pulley, an armature, an electromagnet, a plate spring and a damper. The armature combines with the pulley in a direction of a rotation axis. The electromagnet generates attracting magnetic force, which attracts the armature in a joining direction. The plate spring generates resilient force, which urges the armature in an opposite direction from the joining direction. The damper includes an impact mitigation part mitigating an impact when the armature collides with the pulley. The pulley, the armature, the damper and the plate spring are arranged in this order in the direction of the rotation axis. The damper includes a contact portion contacting part of the armature in the direction of the rotation axis. The plate spring includes a pressing part pressing the contact portion on the armature during both the joining and unjoining of the armature and the pulley.
US08757337B2

A rotary damper 1 includes a synthetic resin-made accommodating case 4 for accommodating in its interior 2 a viscous fluid 3 which is constituted by silicone oil or the like and whose viscosity declines with a temperature rise, and a synthetic resin-made rotor 9 which is disposed in the interior 2 of the accommodating case 4 rotatably, i.e., so as to be rotatable in R1 and R2 directions about an axis O, and which partitions the interior 2 of the accommodating case 4 into at least two chambers, i.e., in this embodiment, two chambers consisting of chambers 5 and 6 and two chambers consisting of chambers 7 and 8, in cooperation with the accommodating case 4.
US08757334B2

A semi-active device is used to damp vibrations moving relative to two elements between which the device is fixed. This device includes: a first member extending axially along a longitudinal axis; a second member extending axially along the same longitudinal axis, the two members being guided translatably relative to one another; a friction element extending between the two members and connecting them completely to each other by friction in an axial translational direction for any force below a threshold ‘s’, the force tending to create a relative translational movement of the two members along the longitudinal axis; an adjustment device enabling the value of the threshold to be adjusted. Thus adjusting the slip threshold of the friction element enables the dissipation conditions to be adjusted.
US08757326B2

A lift truck includes a frame defining a main structural component of the lift truck, a mast assembly secured to the frame, first and second lower forks, first and second upper forks, and first and second pallet stops. The lower forks are secured to the frame and are provided for supporting a lower load carried by the lift truck. The upper forks are located above the lower forks and are provided for supporting an upper load carried by the lift truck. The upper forks are movable with respect to the lower forks along the mast assembly. The pallet stops position the lower load on the lower forks and are secured in place between the mast assembly and the frame at laterally spaced apart locations. Each pallet stops includes a surface for contacting the lower load and for maintaining the lower load at a desired axial position.
US08757322B2

A folding sawhorse created by two pivotally connected frames containing a plurality of stress bearing structures on their inner surfaces forms a 60 degree angle when locked in place by a locking shelf. The frame components include two parallel vertical members separated at a distance by an upper horizontal brace and parallel lower horizontal brace. A U-shaped load bearing support is connected to the upper surface of the upper horizontal braces and provides four surfaces across which a load may be distributed when the folding sawhorse is in use. The trapezoidal locking shelf is pivotally connected to the lower horizontal braces and contains a central hinge, allowing the shelf to fold when the sawhorse is collapsed along its central vertical hinge.
US08757312B2

A frame structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a body frame having a head pipe, down tubes, seat rails and upper tubes and a unit swing power unit swingably supported by the body frame. The seat rails have front ends joined to downwardly extending portions of the down tubes. The down tube has a second bending portion formed at the rear end of the horizontal extending portion and an obliquely upwardly extending portion extending rearwardly and upwardly at a position behind the second bending portion. The obliquely upwardly extending portion has a rear end joined to the seat rail. The power unit support portion is formed behind the bending portion.
US08757307B2

Method for operating a hybrid drive, in particular a parallel hybrid drive, of a vehicle. The parallel hybrid drive includes an internal combustion engine and at least one electric drive, at least one energy storage device, and a vehicle transmission. During deceleration phases in which a torque required on the transmission input side is present, the internal combustion engine is operated either in drag mode or at a minimum drive torque.
US08757306B2

There is provided a drive system for a vehicle. The system includes: an internal combustion engine (ENG); a transmission mechanism (TM) a one-way clutch (OWC); a rotated driving member (11); an electric motor (MG1) that rotates the output shaft of the internal combustion engine; an electric motor generator (MG2) that transmits the rotational power to the rotated driving member and performs regenerative operation by receiving the rotational power output from the rotated driving member; and a controller (50) configured to cut off a fuel supply to the internal combustion engine and control the electric motor to rotate the output shaft of the internal combustion engine while the electric motor generator performs the regenerative operation.
US08757304B2

An electric vehicle includes a plurality of electric devices; and a power control unit having a housing, the power control unit is arranged within a motor room, the housing has an upper case, a lower case, and a heat sink housing, the heat sink housing has a heat sink portion, the electric devices are each arranged at the upper and lower sides of the heat sink housing, the electric devices are covered with the upper case and the lower case, the lower case is formed with a recess, and cables that connect an electric device arranged outside the housing and the electric device covered with the upper case enter inside of the upper case through the recess from the undersurface of the heat sink housing, and the cables are connected to the electric device covered with the upper case.
US08757298B2

A drilling unit for drilling a borehole and having an outer drill bit being rotationally driven by a primary rotary drive mechanism about a primary axis of rotation and having an outer bit cutting face disposed for drilling engagement with formation material. The outer drill bit defines an inner bit passage intersecting the outer bit cutting face. An inner drill bit is rotationally driven within the inner bit passage by a secondary rotary drive mechanism and has a secondary axis of rotation that can be the same or can be laterally offset from the primary axis of rotation. An inner bit cutting face is defined by the inner drill bit and is located within the inner bit passage. Rotation of the outer drill bit for borehole drilling causes orbital rotation of the inner drill bit about the primary axis of rotation simultaneously with rotation of the inner drill bit about the secondary axis of rotation for continuously cutting away formation material at the central region of the borehole being drilled.
US08757295B2

The invention relates to a drill for realizing a partially tapered bore hole in a soil covering a hardpan layer. The drill comprises a rotatable drivable unit that is provided with a carrying structure and a multiple number of cutting elements carried by the carrying structure. The multiple number of cutting elements are arranged along a line extending substantially radially and outwardly from a central axis of the rotatable drivable unit. Further, lower ends of cutting elements in a radial inner section are mainly positioned in a plane transversely to the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit. Lower ends of cutting elements in a radial outer section are mainly positioned in a downwardly tapered surface having a symmetry axis coinciding with the rotation axis of the rotatable drivable unit. The lower ends of the cutting elements may subscribe, during rotation, a truncated cone surface.
US08757293B2

A coring method and apparatus is provided for extracting a core sample from a subterranean formation and/or drilling a hydrocarbon well, the coring apparatus having: a pneumatic reciprocating hammer having a first end for operatively connecting the pneumatic reciprocating hammer to a drill string, a second end having a hammer bit and a reciprocating piston for reciprocating the hammer bit; and a coring member operatively connected to the pneumatic reciprocation hammer, the coring member comprising an impact anvil and a hollow coring barrel forming an internal longitudinal chamber for accommodating the core sample, the coring barrel positioned below the impact anvil; whereby when the hammer bit strikes the impact anvil, the coring barrel is driven into the formation and the core sample is extracted into the internal longitudinal chamber of the coring barrel.
US08757288B2

A handheld work apparatus having an electric drive motor has a battery pack (11) serving as a power supply unit for the drive motor. A receptacle for the battery pack (11) is provided on a housing (2) of the work apparatus. In order to simplify the mounting and arrange the battery pack (11) in a more favorable manner, a receiving compartment is provided in the housing (2) and a system carrier is arranged therein, to which electrical components (12, 13, 16) and electrical lines are affixed. A battery compartment (6) is formed in the system carrier (5) and contact elements for contacting the battery pack (11) are arranged on the system carrier (5). The electrical components (12, 13, 16) are interconnected and connected to the contact elements (18) by the lines located on the system carrier (5).
US08757283B2

The aerator features a rotatable tine assembly so as to avoid obstacles or aid in the extrication of the aerator therefrom. The tine assembly includes a plurality of tines mounted about a crank shaft and projecting through said retractor plate. Each tine rod passes between two rollers, one serving as a fulcrum is mounted directly on the retractor plate while the other is mounted upon a spring arm that biases the tine rod as far as possible into a forward position. The aerator is driven by the tines used to puncture the ground.
US08757282B2

Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simpler untrained and automatic self-servicing of a fire extinguisher. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO2 canister located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO2 canister as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.
US08757278B2

Sneak path elimination in diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools. A system for selectively actuating multiple well tools includes a control device for each tool, a well tool being operable by selecting a respective control device; conductors connected to the control devices, which are selectable by applying a predetermined voltage across a respective predetermined pair of the conductors; and at least one lockout device for each control device, the lockout devices preventing current from flowing through the respective control devices when voltage across the respective predetermined pair of the conductors is less than a predetermined minimum. A method includes selecting a well tools for actuation by applying a predetermined minimum voltage to a set of conductors; and preventing actuation of another well tool when the predetermined minimum voltage is not applied across another set of conductors, at least one conductor being common to the two sets of conductors.
US08757265B1

Frac valves used in completing oil and gas wells are provided. The valves comprise a cylindrical housing adapted for assembly into a liner for a well. The valve housing defines a conduit for the passage of fluids through the housing. Preferably the conduit has a substantially uniform diameter. The housing has a port which can allow fluids to pass from the conduit to the exterior of the valve. The port may be shut off or left open by a valve body mounted on the housing. Preferably, the valve body is mounted between inner and outer walls provided in the housing. An actuator is provided to move the valve body between its open and closed positions. It comprises a receiver that is adapted to receive an activation signal. Thus, the valve may be actuated by introducing a transmitter into the housing conduit which transmits an activation signal.
US08757258B2

A cascading liquid air removal filter system is disclosed. Said system comprising a filter system having a bristles element. Said bristle element comprises a plurality of bristles each having a first end and a second end. Said bristles element comprises a plurality of fluid passages between said bristles. Said filter system is attached to a column of a well having one or more sections, between said column and a casing of said well. Said filter system comprises a filter outside diameter. Said casing comprises a casing internal diameter. Said filter outside diameter is equal to or larger than said casing internal diameter. Said fluid passages comprise a plurality of non-linear paths through said bristles element for a liquid passing through said filter system. Said filter system provides only said non-linear paths for said liquid to travel from a first end to a second end of said filter system.
US08757257B2

The present invention relates to a crown-shaped separation device for separating oil and water in a well. Separator joints are sleeved on a central tube, and a separator is arranged between adjacent separator joints. Settlement cups are sleeved on the central tube, and two adjacent settlement cups are inserted together. A multi-rib separating bowl is embedded in the settlement cup. The settlement cup is crown shape. The bottom of the settlement cup is formed with multiple ribs. An angle is formed between the convex rib of the bottom of the settlement cup and the horizontal line. The top edge of the settlement cup is sawtooth shape corresponding to the shape of the cup bottom. An annular space is formed between the cup base of the settlement cup and the central tube. The central tube corresponding to the annular space is provided with a fluid inlet. The shape of the multi-rib separating bowl is identical to that of the bottom of settlement cup, and the multi-rib separating bowl is provided with a fluid passage. The downhole device solves the effective separation of oil and water.
US08757247B2

A heat pipe structure includes a pipe body, a thin-sheet member, and a plurality of bosses. The pipe body internally defines a receiving space, in which a working fluid is provided. The thin-sheet member includes a plurality of first extended sections and a plurality of second extended sections. The first and the second extended sections are connected to and intersected with one another to thereby define a plurality of intersections and open spaces on the thin-sheet member. The bosses are provided on at least some of the intersections of the first and the second extended sections to provide supporting strength for the heat pipe structure as well as vapor-liquid circulation of the working fluid in the heat pipe structure.
US08757230B2

In an anti-skid device of fit-in type, less time and effort are needed for adjusting the inner width of anti-skid bodies. The anti-skid device is such that two or more anti-skid bodies having a U-shaped cross-section are fitted therein with a tire of a car and arranged in circumferential direction of the tire so as to be connected with one another. An exterior part of each anti-skid body is provided with a contact member for contacting with an outside surface of the tire, while an interior part is provided with a contact member for contacting with an inside surface of the tire. The exterior part or the interior part of each anti-skid body is attached thereto with a shaft 7 along an axial direction of the tire T. The shaft can move forward and backward in the axial direction of the tire. The contact member 6 is provided at an inner end of the shaft. An elastic member 9 is provided to apply a forward movement force to the shaft attached thereto with the contact member. The contact member is pressed against the outside surface or the inside surface of the tire by an elastic force of the elastic member. The contact member moves forward by the elastic force of the elastic member when the outside surface or the inside surface of the tire moves to opposite side to the contact member. The contact member moves backward against the elastic force of the elastic member when the outside surface or the inside surface of the tire moves to the contact member side.
US08757219B2

An apparatus for loading material into a stent strut can comprise a suction pump connected to an opening to a lumen within the stent strut. The stent strut is immersed in the material. As the suction pump draws gas out of the lumen, the material is drawn into side openings to the lumen.
US08757211B2

A flow control valve, particularly an electromagnetic proportional directional flow control valve (1), has a valve housing (2), in which a control piston (3) is guided to be displaced axially. The control piston (3) actuates at least one fluid-conducting connection (4) between a fluid inlet (5) and an outflow opening (6). An actuator part, in particular an armature (8), can be actuated by an actuator, particularly a proportional magnet, and acts on the control piston (3). A pressure detecting piston (9) serves for the action of the actuator part on the control piston (3). The fluid inlet (5) is connected in a fluid-conducting manner by a pressure detecting channel (11) to a pressure detecting chamber (12) such that the fluid pressure prevailing in the pressure detecting chamber (12) loads the pressure detecting piston (9) and the control piston (3) with a force (F) in the direction of relief of the actuator, and a further fluid-conducting connection (4′) between the fluid inlet (5) and a further outflow opening (6′) is actuated.
US08757208B2

A proportional motion control valve includes an electro-mechanical actuator that provides an infinitely controlled pressure setting in response to an electric signal applied to the electro-mechanical actuator. In another aspect, a proportional motion control valve includes a pilot-operated valve disposed intermediately with respect to a cage and a valve body to fluidly isolate an internal cavity of the valve body from a bore of the cage. The pilot-operated valve is subjected to a hydraulic opening force of pilot fluid that is present in the bore of the cage. A spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the valve body and arranged to subject the pilot-operated valve to a closing spring force.
US08757198B2

A spring retaining sleeve includes a cylinder press-fit connection surface which has a press-fit diameter and a press-fit length. To enable cost-effective production of a stable press-fit assembly, at least one end of the cylinder press-fit connection surface, an optimized insertion chamfer for long press-fit assemblies is provided with a ratio of press-fit diameter to press-fit length of greater than thirty five percent.
US08757197B2

The invention prevents overshoot from occurring in flow rate on the output side of a flow rate regulator when output flow rate is changed or the gas type distributed is changed. Thus, an automatic pressure regulator is provided to supply gas pressure to a flow rate regulator that includes a piezoelectric element driving type pressure regulating valve, a control pressure detector provided on the output side of the pressure regulating valve, and a controller to which a detected value P2 of the control pressure detector and a set value Pst for control pressure are input, wherein the controller supplies a control signal to a piezoelectric element driving unit of the pressure regulating valve using a proportional control system to perform valve opening regulation in which the proportional control system of the controller is set to control to bring about a residual deviation in control pressure by disabling an integral action.
US08757190B2

A cleaning system for cleaning one or more valve seats in a valve and for cleaning one or more interior surfaces of said valve with a cleaning agent, where said cleaning system are preferably arranged in a mixproof valve (1) consisting of at least a valve body (2), one or more valve seats (5, 9), a first valve plug (4) with a first stem (6) and a second valve plug (8) with a second stem (10), the second valve plug having a central hollow part (11) for guiding the first stem. Said cleaning system has nozzle means (17) for creating two different spray patterns, said nozzle means being arranged between and/or on the first stem and the hollow central part of the second valve plug, where a first spray pattern is primarily used for cleaning the interior surfaces of said valve and where a second spray pattern is primarily used for cleaning one or more of said valve seats, while the valve is open between a product area (14) and a drain area (15).
US08757184B1

A multi-folded full-automatic opening-closing umbrella comprises a frame, cloth, a middle rod set, an upper nest, a lower nest, a handle, an umbrella opening/closing transformation ratio mechanism disposed in the middle rod set, and an umbrella opening/closing driving mechanism disposed in the handle and the middle rod set. The umbrella opening/closing driving mechanism drives the middle sleeve of the middle rod set to move up and down relative to the inner sleeve, and linkage opening/closing functions of the sleeves of the middle rod set and the cloth are realized at the same time.
US08757170B2

The present device generally relates to a waterless electronic hookah machine. The waterless electronic hookah machine has a main body portion, a handle section and a flexible wire cable (or “connector”). The flexible wire cable electrically connects the main body portion with the handle section. The handle section has a removable mouthpiece containing a cartridge having a liquid. When a user activates a push button or vacuum switch on the handle section, a power source in the main body portion sends power through the flexible wire cable to an atomizer located in the handle section which then heats the liquid in the cartridge of the mouthpiece and a vapor is created for the user to inhale. The device allows multiple users (generally up to six) to use the device at the same time wherein each user may experience a different flavor smoke. Flavors may be easily switched without the need to rinse out the electronic hookah machine. The user is able to adjust the voltage going to the handle.
US08757168B2

A cigar holder operable to retainably engage a cigar. The cigar holder may include a cigar retention member and a clamping assembly. The cigar retention member may be positionable with respect to the clamping assembly to supportably retain a cigar therein when the clamping assembly is secured to a number of different support structure orientations. In an embodiment, the jaw assembly may comprise a base support structure for supportably engaging the cigar holder on a surface.
US08757153B2

This disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating ventilatory parameters, analyzing those parameters and providing useful notifications and recommendations to clinicians. That is, modern ventilators monitor, evaluate, and graphically represent multiple ventilatory parameters. However, many clinicians may not easily recognize data patterns and correlations indicative of certain patient conditions, changes in patient condition, and/or effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Further, clinicians may not readily determine appropriate ventilatory adjustments that may address certain patient conditions and/or the effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Specifically, clinicians may not readily detect or recognize the presence of double triggering during ventilation. According to embodiments, a ventilator may be configured to monitor and evaluate diverse ventilatory parameters to detect double triggering and may issue notifications and recommendations suitable for a patient to the clinician when double triggering is implicated. The suitable notifications and recommendations may further be provided in a hierarchical format.
US08757136B2

A gas hob includes at least one gas burner, at least one pan support which is used to place a food container over a gas burner, and at least one operational control and/or display element which is arranged on the gas hob. The pan support includes at least one setback section that defines an operational area wherein the operational control and/or the display element is arranged in order to ensure that the operational control and/or the display element do not take up too much room.
US08757129B1

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for treating and delivering a fuel to a combustion chamber of an engine in order to improve efficiency of the engine. In one aspect of the invention, a fuel injector that cooperates with an internal combustion engine to combust a first fuel to produce power is presented. The fuel injector includes a fuel inlet, a pre-conditioning vortex chamber, and an excitation chamber. The fuel injector includes a vortex chamber that conforms a pulsed amount of the first fuel to produce a vortex that includes a coherent dynamic pressure wave. The fuel injector also includes an excitation mechanism that at least partially ignites the fuel.
US08757128B2

A fuel injection device includes at least one fuel injector, one mounting hole in a cylinder head for the fuel injector, and a decoupling element between a valve housing of the fuel injector and the wall of the mounting hole. As a lenticular spring element, the decoupling element has a nonlinear, progressive spring characteristic curve, such that a low rigidity of the decoupling element prevails during idle operation and a high rigidity of the decoupling element prevails during nominal system pressure.
US08757124B2

A movable wall member, in form of an exhaust valve spindle (1) or a piston (7) for an internal combustion engine, comprises a base portion (17, 20) of an alloyed steel having a carbon-content in the range from 0.15 to 0.35% by weight, and an outer portion (14, 5) forming the surface of the wall member facing a combustion chamber. The outer portion is of a hot-corrosion-resistant alloy, which is nickel-based, chromium-based or cobalt-based. At least one buffer layer (18, 21) of an alloy is located in between the base portion and the outer portion. The alloy of the buffer layer is different from the alloyed steel of the base portion and different from the hot-corrosion-resistant alloy of the outer portion. The alloy of the buffer layer comprises from 0% to at the most 0.09% C in percent by weight of the buffer layer, and that the buffer layer has a thickness of at least 1.5 mm.
US08757105B2

A level control system for controlling a liquid level in a vessel containing a two-phase fluid includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure parameters related to the vessel. The parameters include liquid level in the vessel, vapor flow rate leaving the vessel, pressure in the vessel, temperature of the vessel, and feed-liquid flow rate entering the vessel indicative of a state of the vessel. A predictive controller is configured to receive output signals from the plurality of sensors and predict a volume of liquid over a predetermined time period in the vessel based on output signals from the plurality of sensors and a variation in pressure, thermal load, or combinations thereof in the vessel. The controller is configured to generate a liquid level set point of the vessel based on the predicted volume of liquid in the vessel; and further control a liquid level in the vessel based on the generated liquid level set point by manipulating one or more control elements coupled to the vessel.
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