US08802947B1

A wheat variety designated W020852C1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W020852C1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W020852C1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W020852C1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W020852C1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W020852C1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods.
US08802946B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH987005. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH987005, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH987005 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH987005.
US08802945B2

An inbred corn line, designated CB15, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line CB15, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line CB15 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line CB15 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line CB15 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line CB15.
US08802943B2

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated XF6752, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line XF6752 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line XF6752, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line XF6752, and plants produced according to these methods.
US08802942B2

The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPID7052, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPID7052 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPID7052, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPID7052, and plants produced according to these methods.
US08802941B1

A novel maize variety designated PH1 K9F and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1 K9F with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1 K9F through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1 K9F or a locus conversion of PH1 K9F with another maize variety.
US08802937B1

Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean cultivar, designated 21232, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-120876. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the cultivar, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 21232 cultivar, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program.
US08802934B2

The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.
US08802928B2

The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various economically important yield-related traits in plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a Yield Enhancing Protein (YEP). The YEP is selected from a Nucleosome Assembly Protein 1-like polypeptide (NAP1-like), a Like Sm polypeptide (Lsm protein), a truncated Cyclin H (CycHTr) polypeptide, a Remorin polypeptide, and a DREB protein. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a YEP, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants. The invention also provides hitherto unknown YEP-encoding nucleic acids, and constructs comprising the same, useful in performing the methods of the invention.
US08802920B2

The invention provides acellular tissue matrices made from collagen-containing tissues of animals genetically modified so as to be deficient in the galactose 1,3-galactose epitope and methods of making and using such acellular tissue matrices.
US08802903B2

The present invention relates to processes for producing ethanol using a stacked bed reactor comprising a first bed comprising a first hydrogenation catalyst and a second bed comprising a second hydrogenation catalyst and one or more diluents. The diluents may be selected from the group consisting of silica, silica-alumina and mixtures thereof.
US08802902B2

Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using pressure driven distillation to separate the crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillations column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. A second column is at higher pressure than a first column.
US08802897B2

A method for hydrogenating optionally substituted phenols with one hydroxyl group to cyclohexanones over modified, palladium-comprising supported catalysts. This is possible surprisingly in selected alcoholic solvents with high selectivity. Here it is even possible to recycle the catalysts employed, which hitherto has only been possible with considerable loss of selectivity.
US08802890B2

The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing isocyanates from an amine compound. The process comprises the steps of a) Providing chlorine; b) Providing carbon monoxide; c) Reacting said chlorine and said carbon monoxide for providing phosgene, the carbon monoxide being provided in an adjustable molar excess; d) Providing an amine compound and phosgenating said amine compound using said phosgene thereby providing said isocyanate; the process further comprises adjusting said adjustable molar excess, i.e. the molar excess of carbon monoxide, for adjusting the color of the isocyanate.
US08802888B2

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of trans 4-amino-cyclohexil ethyl acetate HCl wherein d) hydrogenating 4-nitrophenyl acetic acid in a protic solvent at a temperature between 40-50° C. in the presence of Pd/C under 0.1-0.6 bar overpressure, and e) further hydrogenating the 4-aminophenyl acetic acid obtained in situ in step a) at a temperature between 50-60° C. under 1-4 bar overpressures, then f) heating to reflux the 4-aminocyclohexil acetic acid obtained in step b) for 1-3 hours in hydrochloric ethanol, and if desired after removing the solvent acetonitrile was added to the residue obtained and distilled off.
US08802882B2

Silicon precursors for forming silicon-containing films in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, such as films including silicon carbonitride, silicon oxycarbonitride, and silicon nitride (Si3N4), and a method of depositing the silicon precursors on substrates using low temperature (e.g., <550° C.) chemical vapor deposition processes, for fabrication of ULSI devices and device structures.
US08802881B2

Benzolipoxin analogs, methods of their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are provided. The compounds and compositions are useful in methods for treatment of various diseases, including, inflammation, autoimmune disease and abnormal cell proliferation.
US08802880B1

A process is provided for recovering a first polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from a feed mixture including at least one additional fatty acid (e.g., a second fatty acid (FA)). The process optionally comprises: performing a main step of chromatographic separation using an aqueous organic eluent and collecting a first stream of eluent enriched in the first PUFA and a second stream of eluent enriched in the second FA; subjecting the second stream of eluent to a concentration step to obtain a concentrated portion including the second FA, and a depleted portion comprising eluent, but depleted of the second FA. The water-to-organic ratio of the depleted portion is lower than the water-to-organic ratio of the second stream of eluent. The process also includes: at least partially recycling the depleted portion for use in the main step of chromatographic separation.
US08802874B2

The invention features methods for the preparation of naturally occurring trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids and their structural analogs. The invention further provides new derivatives and analogs of trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids that can be prepared according to these methods. The invention also provides compositions and methods using trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoid derivatives for the prevention, amelioration and treatment of a variety of diseases or conditions associated with inflammation or inflammatory response, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, or abnormal cell proliferation or cancer.
US08802871B2

Provided are compounds and methods useful for the preparation of compounds useful as inhibitors of beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme.
US08802867B2

Methods and kits are provided for producing sense RNA molecules. The sense RNA molecules can be used in various research and diagnostic applications, such as gene expression studies involving nucleic acid microarrays.
US08802865B2

The present invention is directed to a novel 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the androgen receptor.
US08802864B2

This invention relates to the use of triazolone derivatives of Formula (I) for the modulation, notably the inhibition of the activity or function of fatty acid synthase (FAS). Suitably, the present invention relates to the use of triazolones in the treatment of cancer.
US08802862B2

The present invention provides a method for producing 1,2-benzisothiazol-3-one compounds by reacting a 2-(alkylthio)benzonitrile compound with a halogenating agent in the presence of water, the method being characterized in that the reaction proceeds while the halogenating agent and water are gradually and simultaneously added to a reaction system containing the 2-(alkylthio)benzonitrile compound. The invention allows the simple and economical production of highly pure 1,2-benzisothiazol-3-one compounds, which are useful as antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, etc.
US08802861B2

The present invention is related to thiazole derivatives of Formula (I) in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders and/or inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, bacterial or viral infections, kidney diseases, platelet aggregation, cancer, transplantation, graft rejection or lung injuries.
US08802853B2

Arylalkenyl and aryalkynyl substituted imidazoquinoline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral, and neoplastic, are disclosed.
US08802850B2

The present invention relates to new cyclopropyl modulators of P2Y12 receptor activity, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08802849B2

The invention relates to novel tricyclic benzo[4,5]thieno-[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-yl-amin derivatives, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The subject of the invention too the process for producing the compounds and their use as a pharmaceutically active agent and as pharmaceutical compositions for prophylaxis and/or treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer.
US08802841B2

A 1,2-dideoxy-1,2-diamino oligosaccharide or polysaccharide in its free base, salt or metal-complex form as shown in General Formula 1 and derivative thereof is described. R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H and a carbohydrate moiety, with the proviso that at least one of the groups R1, R2 or R3 is a carbohydrate moiety; R4 is selected from the group consisting of: H, optionally substituted C1-20-alkyl, optionally substituted heteroalkyl, optionally substituted C2-20-alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-20-alkynyl, optionally substituted C3-10-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl.
US08802840B2

The invention relates to the use of bicyclic nucleosides and nucleotides based on formula (II) for the treatment of infectious diseases, and in particular, viral infections.
US08802830B2

A method of preparing an anthracyclin such as epirubicin from a starting material comprising 13-dihydrodaunorubicine (13-daunorubicinol). The method comprises producing N-Trifluoroacetyl-13-daunorubicinol from 13-daunorubicinol by acylation. The N-Trifluoroacetyl-13-daunorubicinol is reacted with an aprotic solvent and an acylating agent to produce an intermediate sulfoxy salt which is treated with a strong base to produce 4′-keto-N-Trifluoroacetyldaunorubicin. The 4′-keto-N-Trifluoroacetyldaunorubicin is reacted with a reducing agent, such as borohydride of an alkaline metal, to produce N-Trifluoroacetyl-4′-epi-daunorubicin. The N-Trifluoroacetyl-4′-epi-daunorubicin is hydrolyzed in a basic solution to produce an intermediate compound. The intermediate compound is reacted with a halogenizing agent to produce a 14-Hal-derivative. The 14-Hal derivative is hydrolized in the presence of a formate of an alkaline metal to produce the desired final compound.
US08802829B2

Rinsable dyes with improved fugitivity are formulated by attaching dyestuff compounds with amine-capped sulfonic solubilizing groups to commercially available ethoxylated aniline, so that the surfactant effect of the ethoxylated aniline counteracts the substantivity of the dyestuff compound, while the neutralization of the sulfonic solubilizing groups reduces substantivity.
US08802824B2

Provided is a kind of modified recombinant human endostatin that has the structure of CH3O—(CH2CH2O)m—CH2CH2CH2—NαH-Endostar, wherein the average molecular weight of CH3O—(CH2CH2O)m—CH2CH2CH2— is 20-40 kD. The modified recombinant human endostatin enhances the stability in vivo, improves blood drug concentration, prolongs half-life, markedly increases the activity of inhibiting the endothelial cells proliferation, thus reduces drug dosage and decreases administration frequency. Its application for preparing anti-tumor pharmaceutical compositions is also provided.
US08802823B2

The present invention relates to Fc variants having decreased affinity for FcγRIIb, methods for their generation, Fc polypeptides comprising optimized Fc variants, and methods for using optimized Fc variants.
US08802819B2

The invention relates to a method for homogeneous solution phase peptide synthesis (HSPPS) of a N-terminal peptide fragment PEP-N and a C-terminal peptide fragment C-PEP, with C-PEP carrying a specific diketopiperazine (DKP) comprising C-terminal protecting group, which contains a handle group HG, with HG being connected to the C-terminus of the peptide fragment; thereby this specific DKP comprising C-terminal protecting group can be selectively cleaved from the peptide as a conventionally used C-terminal protecting group. By the use of this DKP and HG comprising C-terminal protecting group, certain process steps in convergent peptide synthesis based on a combination of HSPPS and solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) can be avoided. The invention relates further to a method for the preparation of such specifically protected fragment C-PEP by SPPS by using a linker comprising a specific dipeptide and HG for connecting the growing peptide chain to the resin, which linker forms said DKP group, when the peptide fragment C-PEP is cleaved from the supporting resin; and further to the intermediates of the preparation method.
US08802816B2

The invention relates to methods of separation and/or purification of impurities yielding a purified heterologous protein product devoid of related impurities or with substantially minimal quantities of such glycosylated impurities. More specifically, the invention relates to the identification of glycosylated forms of insulin analogues such as glargine impurities characterized post expression in yeast based systems such as Pichia pastoris. The invention also relates to methods used to clone gene encoding the protein insulin glargine; inserting the related gene in a suitable yeast host; producing culture of the recombinant strain, stimulating expression of the heterologous polypeptide, its secretion and purification post fermentation and related enzymatic conversions.
US08802814B2

The invention relates to a method for the production of biosourced aliphatic polyester powder having a volume median diameter of less than 30 μm, comprising: a step consisting in supplying an aliphatic polyester having an inherent viscosity of less than 0.5 dl/g; and a step consisting in grinding the polyester, so as to obtain a polyester powder having a volume median diameter of less than 30 μm. The invention also relates to a powder in which the particles have a volume median diameter of less than 30 μm and are impregnated with a compound selected from among polyols and/or carboxylic acids. The invention further relates to the use of the powder for the production of cosmetic, pharmaceutical and perfume products.
US08802813B2

The invention relates to novel polymers comprising cyclohexylene groups which are especially suitable for use in birefringent films with negative optical dispersion, to novel formulations and polymer films comprising them, and to the use of the polymers, formulations and films in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.
US08802806B2

The present invention relates to a two-component sealant comprising a first part and a second part wherein a) the first part (X) comprises: (i) a polyalkyleneoxide polymer having one or more unsaturated end groups (ii) an addition reaction catalyst b) the second part (Y) comprises: (i) an organosiloxane comprising one or more Si—H groups. The present invention also relates to medical devices used in connection with the sealant, mixing devices for delivering and mixing the first part and the second part of the sealant, and methods for applying the sealant.
US08802802B2

Disclosed is a method for producing polyethylene films which have high resistance to deformation or elongation under loading in tension. The method comprises orienting in the machine direction (MD) a high density polyethylene film at a drawdown ratio effective to give the film an MD tensile strength at yield greater than or equal to 50,000 psi, wherein the HDPE has a density greater than 0.940 g/cm3.
US08802801B1

A self-healing polymer additive includes diene (e.g. butadiene, cyclohexadiene, pentadiene, tetrahydrofuron or their derivatives) and dienophile (e.g. maleic anhydride, maleamide, conjugated carbonyls or their derivatives etc.). One polymer includes tetrahydrofuron and maleimide. Furfurylamine 12 (1-10 gm) is diluted in acetone. Under an inert atmosphere an equivalent amount of granular maleic acid is added slowly, and the reaction is allowed to take place. Resulting maleamic acid precipitates. The maleamic acid product is separated, dried and purified by re-crystallization. The maleamic (1-5 gm) acid is dissolved in acetic anhydride along with a catalytic amount of sodium acetate. The resulting solution is heated for a few hours in 80-120° C. The precipitated final product is separated, purified and dried in a vacuum. The self-healing polymer is dissolved in a solvent, and self-healing molecules are cross linked and are mixed with a polymer matric for various applications such as coatings and structural materials.
US08802798B2

A photoresist material for lithography using a light of 220 nm or less which comprises at least a polymer represented by the following formula (2) and a photo-acid generator for generating an acid by exposure: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R5 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R4 is an acid-labile group or one of a specified subset of alicyclic hydrocarbon groups, alicyclic hydrocarbon groups, or hydrocarbon groups; R6 is a hydrogen atom or one of a specified subset of hydrocarbon groups or alicyclic hydrocarbon groups; x, y and z are optional values which meet x+y+z=1, 0
US08802785B2

The invention relates to a controlled polymerization process for preparing (meth)acrylate-based AB diblock copolymers with a B block which has a narrow monomodal molecular weight distribution, and an A block which has a broad bimodal molecular weight distribution, and to the use thereof, for example, as a binder in adhesives or sealants.
US08802779B2

The propylene-based polymer composition of the present invention includes 41 to 95 parts by weight of a propylene-based polymer (A) having a Tm measured by DSC of not less than 120° C. and not more than 170° C., and 59 to 5 parts by weight (provided that the total of (A) and (B) is 100 parts by weight) of a propylene/ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (B) that contains 84.0 to 60.0 mol % of constitutional units derived from propylene, 15.0 to 30.0 mol % of constitutional units derived from ethylene, and 1.0 to 10.0 mol % of constitutional units derived from an α-olefin having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and has a B-value of not less than 0.9 and not more than 1.5. This polymer composition is excellent in transparency, low-temperature impact resistance, and mechanical properties (flexibility or rigidity, etc.) and also excellent in heat resistance.
US08802771B2

The present invention provides two-component polyurethane compositions comprising, as one component, polyisocyanate compositions of the isocyanurate of one or more bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane or, preferably, a mixture of two or more of these, and of the isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI trimer), and, as the other component, a mix of a soft polyol having a hydroxyl functionality of from 2.5 to 5.0 and a molecular weight of from 500 to 3,000, and a hard polyol. Such compositions provide coatings, especially clear topcoats, which exhibit excellent scratch and mar and solvent resistance in addition to a good balance of hardness and flexibility without the need for increasing the volatile organic content (VOC) of the compositions. Also provided are compositions of a polyisocyanate compositions of the isocyanurate of one or more bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane with soft polyol which have lower VOCs.
US08802763B2

A curable organopolysiloxane composition in grease or paste form, which including: (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atom in one molecule; (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to silicone atom in the molecule; (C) gallium and/or a gallium alloy having a melting point of 0 to 70° C.; (D) a thermally conductive filler having an average particle size of 0.1 to 100 μm; (E) a platinum-based catalyst; and (F) a polysiloxane of the following general formula (1): wherein R1 may be the same or different and represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R2 represents an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, an alkenyl group or an acyl group, a is an integer of 5 to 100, and b is an integer of 1 to 3.
US08802760B2

Provided are a composition for an anisotropic conductive adhesive, a method of forming a solder bump and a method of forming a flip chip using the same. The composition for an anisotropic conductive adhesive includes a low melting point solder particle and a thermo-curable polymer resin. The anisotropic conductive adhesive includes forming a mixture by mixing a polymer resin and a curing agent, and mixing a deforming agent, a catalyst or a reductant with the mixture.
US08802751B2

The invention relates to impact-modified polymer compositions, containing a polymer blend of polycarbonate with polyester and/or polyamide, plus an impact modifier blend of core/shell and functional polyolefin impact modifiers. The impact modifiers can provide the polymer blend composition with improved impact strength at equivalent loading, and also allow for higher amounts of polyester and/or polyamide in the blend without sacrificing impact strength.
US08802747B2

A lithography method for forming nanoparticles includes patterning sacrificial material on a multilayer substrate. In some cases, the pattern is transferred to or into a removable layer of the multilayer substrate, and functional material is disposed on the removable layer of the multilayer substrate and solidified. At least a portion of the functional material is then removed to expose protrusions of the removable layer, and pillars of the functional material are released from the removable layer to yield nanoparticles. In other cases, the multilayer substrate includes the functional material, and the pattern is transferred to or into a removable layer of the multilayer substrate. The sacrificial layer is removed, and pillars of the functional material are released from the removable layer to yield nanoparticles.
US08802744B2

The present invention provides polysiloxane-polyether copolymers comprising at least one polyether moiety, characterized in that there is at least one polyether moiety capped with at least one —O—C(O)—O—R″ unit where R″ is identical or different alkyl moieties, a process for preparation thereof and use thereof, especially for polyurethane foam production.
US08802742B2

A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.
US08802737B2

A method for improving tetracycline-resistance of A. baumannii, by providing a ginger compound combined with tetracycline to against A. baumannii infection, wherein the ginger compound comprises [6]-dehydrogingerdione, [6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol or [10]-gingerol, [6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol.
US08802729B2

Biodegradable detergent compositions comprising enzymes and 1,3-propanediol are provided. The 1,3-propanediol in the composition is biologically derived and enhances the stability of the enzymes in the composition. The compositions also exhibit a low anthropogenic CO2 emission profile.
US08802726B2

The present invention relates to the use of nitric oxide releasing compounds for retarding or reversing muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne and Becker dystrophies.
US08802719B2

Methods of preparing (+)-1,4-dihydro-7-[(3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-(methylamino)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-4-oxo-1-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid are disclosed. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising (+)-1,4-dihydro-7-[(3S,4S)-3-methoxy-4-(methylamino)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-4-oxo-1-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid, and methods of treatment using such compositions.
US08802717B2

Stereomerically pure (+)-2-[1-(3-Ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, substantially free of its (−) isomer, and prodrugs, metabolites, polymorphs, salts, solvates, hydrates, and clathrates thereof are discussed. Also discussed are methods of using and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the (+) enantiomer of 2-[1-(3-Ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione are disclosed. The methods include methods of treating and/or preventing disorders ameliorated by the reduction of levels of TNF-α or the inhibition of PDE4.
US08802716B2

IAP binding molecules and compositions including these are disclosed. The IAP binding molecules interact with IAPB (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins) in cells and may be used to modify apoptosis in cells treated with such molecules. Embodiments of these compounds have a Kd of less than 0.1 micromolar. Methods of using these IAP binding molecules for therapeutic, diagnostic, and assay purposed are also disclosed.
US08802710B2

A compound of formula (I): is described, as well as enantiomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and uses thereof.
US08802704B2

The invention relates to oxadiazole compounds of formula I. The compounds are useful e.g. in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
US08802700B2

The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08802697B2

Described herein are inhibitors of FGFR, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods of using such compounds and compositions to inhibit the activity of tyrosine kinases.
US08802694B2

The present invention relates to compounds that bind to and modulate the activity of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, to processes for preparing these compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and to methods of using these compounds for treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders, including those associated with dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS).
US08802693B1

An embodiment relates to a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, a therapeutically suitable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof, for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions that are mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and methods of use thereof. Another embodiment is a method of administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, a therapeutically suitable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof, to a mammal in need thereof.
US08802683B2

The present invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing mucostitis with one or more compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, disclosed herein, or compositions comprising the same.
US08802674B2

Compounds of the formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein m, n. X, R1, R2, R3, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds and using the compounds for treatment of diseases associated with LRRK2 receptor, such as Parkinson's disease.
US08802672B2

The present invention relates to new dopamine D3 and D2 ligands of formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and Q are as described herein, and/or geometric isomers and/or stereoisomers and/or diastereomers and/or salts and/or hydrates and/or solvates and/or polymorphs thereof. The invention also relates to processes for preparing the same, to compositions containing the same and to their use in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions which requires modulation of dopamine receptors.
US08802671B2

Use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a bacterial infection provided that the bacterial infection is other than a Mycobacterial infection, said compound being a compound of formula (I) a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt, a quaternary amine, a stereochemically isomeric form, a tautomeric form or a N-oxide form thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, cyano, hydroxy, Ar, Het, alkyl, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkyloxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, Ar-alkyl or di(Ar)alkyl; p is 1 to 3; s is 0 to 4; R2 is hydrogen; halo; alkyl; hydroxy; mercapto; optionally substituted alkyloxy; alkyloxyalkyloxy; alkylthio; mono or di(alkyl)amino wherein alkyl may optionally be substituted; Ar; Het or a radical of formula R3 is alkyl, Ar, Ar-alkyl, Het or Het-alkyl; q is 0 to 4; R4 and R5 each independently are hydrogen, alkyl or benzyl; or R4 and R5 may be taken together including the N to which they are attached; R6 is hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, hydroxy, Ar, alkyl, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkyloxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, Ar-alkyl or di(Ar)alkyl; or two vicinal R6 radicals may be taken together to form together with the phenyl ring to which they are attached a naphthyl; r is 1 to 5; R7 is hydrogen, alkyl, Ar or Het; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyl, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di(alkyl)aminocarbonyl, Ar, Het, alkyl substituted with one or two Het, alkyl substituted with one or two Ar, Het-C(═O)— or Ar—C(═O)—; provided that when the R3 bearing radical is placed in position 3 of the quinoline moiety; R7 is placed in position 4 and R2 is placed in position 2 and represents hydrogen, hydroxy, mercapto, alkyloxy, alkyloxyalkyloxy, alkylthio, mono or di(alkyl)amino or a radical of formula then s is 1 to 4.
US08802670B2

Compounds of Formulae Ia and Ib, and stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia and Ib for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08802660B2

The present invention relates to methods and compositions that control, i.e., antagonize/inhibit or agonize/stimulate, de novo glucocorticoid production in the skin. Such methods and compositions can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including inflammation, acute wounds, chronic non-healing wounds, keloid, fibrotic or hypertrophic scars, and epithelial-derived cancer.
US08802657B2

The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of Raf protein kinase. The present invention also provides compositions thereof, and methods of treating Raf-mediated diseases.
US08802655B2

4-Hydroxybenzomorphans containing carboxamide or thiocarboxamide at the 3-position are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications. A compound of formula is disclosed, as are pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, such as acetic, benzenesulfonic (besylate), benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethenesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid salts. These compounds are useful for the treatment of pain.
US08802650B2

Disclosed are nutritional compositions including human milk oligosaccharides that can be administered to preterm infants, term infants, toddlers, and children for improving airway defense mechanisms.
US08802645B2

The invention provides two types of oligonucleotides for treating an inflammatory disorder: an oligonucleotide which is able of altering the splicing of a pre-mRNA encoding a C5 in order to decrease the amount of a C5a and an oligonucleotide which is able of altering the splicing of a pre-mRNA encoding a IL-1RAcP in order to increase the amount of a soluble IL-1RAcP. The invention further provides the use of said oligonucleotides for preventing or treating an inflammatory disorder.
US08802643B1

A method of treating cancerous tumors is presented herein. The method includes injecting an effective dose of a plasmid encoded for IL-12, B7-1 or IL-15 into a cancerous tumor and subsequently administering at least one high voltage, short duration pulse to the tumor. The electroporation pulses may be administered at least 700V/cm for a duration of less than 1 millisecond. The intratumor treatments with electroporation may be administered in at least a two-treatment protocol with the time between treatments being about 7 days. The intratumor treatments with electroporation may be administered in a three-treatment protocol with a time of four days between the first and second treatments and a time of three days between the second and third treatments. It was found that the intratumor treatments using electroporation not only resulted in tumor regression but also induced an immune memory response which prevented the formation of new tumors.
US08802636B2

The present invention features a novel therapy for effecting weight loss which involves treating a subject with a sympathomimetic agent (e.g., phentermine or a phentermine-like drug) in combination with an anticonvulsant sulfamate derivative (e.g., topiramate) such that the subject experiences weight loss.The combination methods of the present invention also are effective against symptoms associated with Syndrome X. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and kits for use in the practice of these novel therapies.
US08802632B2

Antiproliferative compounds having a structure represented by formula (II), where n, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined herein, can be used to treat tumors, optionally when conjugated to a ligand such as an antibody:
US08802630B2

A novel use of a neuropeptide for treating brain injury in a subject in need thereof is provided. The present invention also provides various amenable routes of administering urocortin, that is, via injection intracerebroventricularly and intraperitoneally, and via intravenous bolus administration.
US08802626B2

Disclosed herein are improved osteogenic devices and methods of use thereof for repair of bone and cartilage defects. The devices and methods promote accelerated formation of repair tissue with enhanced stability using less osteogenic protein than devices in the art. Defects susceptible to repair with the instant invention include, but are not limited to: critical size defects, non-critical size defects, non-union fractures, fractures, osteochondral defects, subchondral defects, and detects resulting from degenerative diseases such as osteochondritis dessicans.
US08802625B2

Compositions and methods are provided for promoting organ development in warm blooded animals, and in particular in certain aspects a premature infant or foetus. Compositions and methods are also provided for the administration of at least one colony stimulating factor-1 protein (CSF-1), precursor, variant, analogue, derivative thereof, or combinations thereof, or otherwise, at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding colony stimulating factor-1 protein (CSF-1), precursor, variant, analogue, derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.
US08802612B2

A detergent packet includes a liquid detergent contained within a water soluble pouch. The water soluble pouch is formed from a film including at least one of a polymer of hydrolyzed vinyl acetate and a copolymer of hydrolyzed vinyl acetate and a second monomer. The liquid detergent includes between 5 wt % and 60 wt % water and between 0.5 wt % and 15 wt % inorganic sulfate.
US08802609B2

Semiconductor processing compositions comprising amidoxime compounds having two or more amidoxime functional groups and their use in semiconductor processing to remove photoresist, polymeric materials, etching residues and copper oxides from semiconductor substrates, particularly substrates comprising copper, low-k dielectric material, titanium nitride, and/or titanium oxynitride.
US08802607B2

A composition comprising a) a surfactant comprising an anionic surfactant; b) at least 8 weight % of the composition of a C12-18 fatty alcohol, and c) water. A cleansing method includes applying the composition to skin or hair and washing, and optionally rinsing with water.
US08802600B2

Methods of producing substrates having selected active chemical regions by employing elements of the substrates in assisting the localization of active chemical groups in desired regions of the substrate. The methods may include optical, chemical and/or mechanical processes for the deposition, removal, activation and/or deactivation of chemical groups in selected regions of the substrate to provide selective active regions of the substrate.
US08802598B2

A superconducting element (SE1-SE5) with a central section (20) located between two end sections (21a, 21b) of the superconducting element (SE1-SE5), the superconducting element (SE1-SE5) has a substrate tape (10), a buffer layer (11), a high temperature superconducting (HTS) layer (12), a first protection layer (14), and a shunt layer (17), The superconducting element (SE1-SE5) has at least one elongated opening (19) in the central section (20) elongated between the two end sections (21a, 21b), whereby the at least one elongated opening (19) divides the central section (20) of the superconducting element (SE1-SE5) into at least two HTS strips (18a, 18b, 18c), whereby the shunt layer (17) envelops the surface of each of the HTS strips (18a, 18b, 18c). The superconducting element shows improved electrical stabilization and time stability.
US08802597B2

Compounds of Formula I, and their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts, are disclosed which are useful for controlling undesired vegetation wherein R1 is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with 1-5 R5, isopropyl optionally substituted with 1-5 R6, or phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 R7; R2 is ((O)jC(R15)(R16))kR; R is CO2H or a herbicidally effective derivative of CO2H; R3 is halogen, cyano, nitro, OR20, SR21 or N(R22)R23; R4 is —N(R24)R25 or —NO2; j is 0 or 1; and k is 0 or 1; provided that when k is 0, then j is 0; and R5, R6, R7, R15, R16, R20, R21, R22, R23, R24 and R25 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the compounds of Formula I and a method for controlling undesired vegetation which involves contacting the vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound of Formula I. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a compound of Formula I and at least one additional active ingredient selected from the group consisting of an other herbicide and a herbicide safener.
US08802594B2

The invention concerns a method for anti-sprouting and possible fungicidal treatment of bulbs and/or tubers comprising simultaneous, separate or time-staggered applications to the said bulbs and/or tubers of: eugenol and/or clove oil, and L-carvone and/or mint oil.
US08802589B2

Methods for forming porous anatase titanium dioxide coatings are disclosed. Sol-gel compositions are prepared having at least one porosity agent, are applied to a substrate, and at least one porosity agent is removed. Porous anatase titanium dioxide coatings having at least one of improved antimicrobial properties, self-cleaning properties, hydrophilicity, and/or temperability are also disclosed. Substrates comprising such coatings are also disclosed.
US08802576B2

In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes sequentially forming a first insulator, a second insulator, and a sacrificial layer on a semiconductor substrate, and forming plural core materials from the sacrificial layer and the second insulator. The method further includes forming first and second interconnects on side surfaces of each core material to form plural first interconnects and plural second interconnects alternately, each first interconnect having a first side surface in contact with a core material and a second side surface positioned on an opposite side of the first side surface, and each second interconnect having a third side surface in contact with a core material and a fourth side surface positioned on an opposite side of the third side surface. The method further includes removing the sacrificial layer so that the second insulator remains, after the first and second interconnects are formed.
US08802572B2

Methods of patterning low-k dielectric films are described. In an example, a method of patterning a low-k dielectric film involves forming and patterning a mask layer above a low-k dielectric layer. The low-k dielectric layer is disposed above a substrate. The method also involves modifying exposed portions of the low-k dielectric layer with a plasma process. The method also involves, in the same operation, removing, with a remote plasma process, the modified portions of the low-k dielectric layer selective to the mask layer and unmodified portions of the low-k dielectric layer.
US08802570B2

In a pattern forming method, a pattern having at least either a recess or a protrusion of a curable composition is formed of a curable composition by curing the curable composition into a cured film with a mold having a surface provided with at least either a recess or a protrusion, and separating the mold from the curable composition. The method includes (i) forming a gas generation region containing a gas generator agent so that the gas generation region will be disposed in contact with both the mold and the cured film between the mold and the cured film, (ii) generating a gas from the gas generation region, and (iii) separating the mold from the cured film during or after the step of (ii).
US08802564B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor component includes the steps of manufacturing of a wafer, applying structures of components on the wafer to form a wafer assembly, applying a metal coating on the wafer, removing the metal coating in non-contact areas of the components, applying surrounds on the edge areas of the components, arranging the wafer on a foil held by a clamping ring, separating the components of the wafer compound carried by the foil from one another, arranging a covering mask on the areas of the separated components carried by the foil which are not to be coated, applying a metal coating on the separate components covered with the mask, removal of the mask, and removal of the components from the foil and further processing the separate components wherein that applying a metal coating on the separate components covered by the mask takes place by means of thermal spraying.
US08802563B2

A method is provided which includes providing a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of about 4.0 or less and at least one conductive material embedded therein, the at least one conductive material has an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the dielectric material and the upper surface of the at least one conductive material has hollow-metal related defects that extend inward into the at least one conductive material; and filling the hollow-metal related defects with a surface repair material.
US08802561B1

Techniques disclosed herein prevent wire flaking (collapse). One aspect is an improved way of forming wires over trenches, which may be located in a hookup region of a 3D memory array, and may be used to form electrical connections between conductive lines in the memory array and drivers. The trenches are formed between CMP dummy structures. The trenches are partially filled with a flowable oxide film, which leaves a gap in the trench that is at least as wide as the total pitch of the wires to be formed. A capping layer is formed over the flowable film. After forming a conductive layer over the dielectric layer, the conductive layer is etched to form conductive wires. Some of the capping layer, as well as the CMP dummy structures may be removed. Thus, the conductive wires may be at least temporarily supported by lines of material formed from the capping layer.
US08802545B2

The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a cover ring disposed above the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.
US08802544B2

A method for manufacturing a chip constituted by a functional device formed on a substrate comprises a functional device forming step of forming the functional device on one main face of a sheet-like object to be processed made of silicon; a first modified region forming step of converging a laser light at the object so as to form a first modified region along the one main face of the object at a predetermined depth corresponding to the thickness of the substrate from the one main face; a second modified region forming step of converging the laser light at the object so as to form a second modified region extending such as to correspond to a side edge of the substrate as seen from the one main face on the one main face side in the object such that the second modified region joins with the first modified region along the thickness direction of the object; and an etching step of selectively advancing etching along the first and second modified regions after the first and second modified region forming steps so as to cut out a part of the object and form the substrate.
US08802538B1

Methods for hybrid wafer bonding. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes forming a metal pad layer in a dielectric layer over at least two semiconductor substrates; performing chemical mechanical polishing on the semiconductor substrates to expose a surface of the metal pad layer and planarize the dielectric layer to form a bonding surface on each semiconductor substrate; performing an oxidation process on the at least two semiconductor substrates to oxidize the metal pad layer to form a metal oxide; performing an etch to remove the metal oxide, recessing the surface of the metal pad layer from the bonding surface of the dielectric layer of each of the at least two semiconductor substrates; physically contacting the bonding surfaces of the at least two semiconductor substrates; and performing a thermal anneal to form bonds between the metal pads of the semiconductor substrates. Additional methods are disclosed.
US08802528B2

A PMOS field effect transistor includes a substrate, a first nitride layer, a mesa structure, two gate oxide films, a gate stack layer and a second nitride layer. The substrate has a oxide layer and a first doping area. The first nitride layer is located on the oxide layer. The mesa structure includes a first strained Si—Ge layer, an epitaxial Si layer and a second strained Si—Ge layer. The first strained Si—Ge layer is located on the oxide layer and the first nitride layer. The epitaxial Si layer is located on the first strained Si—Ge layer. The second strained Si—Ge layer is located on the epitaxial Si layer. In the surface layer of the second strained Si—Ge layer, there is a second doping area. The two gate oxide films are located at two sides of the mesa structure.
US08802526B2

Methods of forming non-volatile memory cell structures are described that facilitate the use of band-gap engineered gate stacks with asymmetric tunnel barriers in reverse and normal mode floating node memory cells that allow for direct tunnel programming and erase, while maintaining high charge blocking barriers and deep carrier trapping sites for good charge retention. The low voltage direct tunneling program and erase capability reduces damage to the gate stack and the crystal lattice from high energy carriers, reducing write fatigue and enhancing device lifespan. The low voltage direct tunnel program and erase capability also enables size reduction through low voltage design and further device feature scaling. Such memory cells also allow multiple bit storage. These characteristics allow such memory cells to operate within the definition of a universal memory, capable of replacing both DRAM and ROM in a system.
US08802518B2

A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same, the method comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a dummy gate area on the substrate, forming spacers on sidewalls of the gate area, and forming source and drain areas in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the dummy gate area, the dummy gate area comprising an interface layer and a dummy gate electrode; forming a dielectric cap layer on the dummy gate area and source and drain areas; planarizing the device with the dielectric cap layer on the source and drain areas as a stop layer; further removing the dummy gate electrode to expose the interface layer; and forming replacement gate area on the interface layer. The thickness of the gate groove may be controlled by the thickness of the dielectric cap layer, and the replacement gates of desired thickness and width may be further formed upon requirements. Thus, the aspect ratio of the gate groove is reduced and a sufficient low gate resistance is ensured.
US08802517B2

A CMOS device includes a PMOS transistor with a first quantum well structure and an NMOS device with a second quantum well structure. The PMOS and NMOS transistors are formed on a substrate.
US08802514B2

Transistor devices having a self-aligned gate structure on transparent substrates and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a transistor device includes the following steps. A channel material is formed on a transparent substrate. Source and drain electrodes are formed in contact with the channel material. A dielectric layer is deposited on the channel material. A photoresist is deposited on the dielectric layer and developed using UV light exposure through the transparent substrate. A gate metal(s) is deposited on the exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the undeveloped portions of the photoresist. The undeveloped portions of the photoresist are removed along with portions of the gate metal over the source and drain regions to form a gate of the device on the dielectric layer over the channel material which is self-aligned to the source and drain electrodes.
US08802512B2

A device and method for fabricating a nanowire include patterning a first set of structures on a substrate. A dummy structure is formed over portions of the substrate and the first set of structures. Exposed portions of the substrate are etched to provide an unetched raised portion. First spacers are formed about a periphery of the dummy structure and the unetched raised portion. The substrate is etched to form controlled undercut etched portions around a portion of the substrate below the dummy structure. Second spacers are formed in the controlled undercut etched portions. Source/drain regions are formed with interlayer dielectic regions formed thereon. The dummy structure is removed. The substrate is etched to release the first set of structures. Gate structures are formed including a top gate formed above the first set of structures and a bottom gate formed below the first set of structures to provide a nanowire.
US08802510B2

Methods for forming uniformly spaced and uniformly shaped fine lines in semiconductor processes using double patterning. Dummy lines are formed over a substrate. Sidewall spacer material is deposited over the top and sides of each of the dummy lines. Etching is performed to remove the top surface sidewall spacer material from the tops of the dummy lines. The dummy material is removed by selective etching leaving the spacer material. A photolithographic mask is formed defining inner lines that are desired for a substrate etching step, and temporary lines outside of the desired lines. The temporary lines are partially masked. The temporary lines are partially removed while the inner desired lines are retained. A transfer etch process then patterns an underlying mask layer corresponding to the inner desired lines, and the mask layer is used for etching lines in an underlying semiconductor substrate.
US08802509B2

A semiconductor power device supported on a semiconductor substrate comprising a plurality of transistor cells each having a source and a drain with a gate to control an electric current transmitted between the source and the drain. The semiconductor further includes a gate-to-drain (GD) clamp termination connected in series between the gate and the drain further includes a plurality of back-to-back polysilicon diodes connected in series to a silicon diode includes parallel doped columns in the semiconductor substrate wherein the parallel doped columns having a predefined gap. The doped columns further include a U-shaped bend column connect together the ends of parallel doped columns with a deep doped well disposed below and engulfing the U-shaped bend.
US08802507B2

A semiconductor package device, a semiconductor package structure, and fabrication methods thereof are provided, which mainly includes disposing a plurality of semiconductor chips on a wafer formed with TSVs (Through Silicon Vias) and electrically connecting the semiconductor chips to the TSVs; encapsulating the semiconductor chips with an encapsulant; and disposing a hard component on the encapsulant. The hard component ensures flatness of the wafer during a solder bump process and provides support to the wafer during a singulation process such that the wafer can firmly lie on a singulation carrier, thereby overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, namely difficulty in mounting of solder bumps, and difficulty in cutting of the wafer.
US08802505B2

A semiconductor device is made by forming solder bumps on a first side of a semiconductor wafer. A protective layer is formed on a second side of the semiconductor wafer opposite the first side. The protective layer can be adhesive paste, laminated film, spin-coated resin, epoxy based elastomer, organic rubbery material, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, or other polymer material. The semiconductor wafer is singulated into semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is mounted to a carrier. A molding compound is formed around the semiconductor die. The protective layer provides stress relief for the semiconductor die. The protective layer is removed from the semiconductor die. The protective layer can provide a thermal dissipation, in which case it is made with metal or polymer-based material with a filler such as alumina, zinc oxide, silicon dioxide, silver, aluminum, and aluminum nitride.
US08802500B2

A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a die paddle, having paddle projections along a paddle peripheral side; forming a lead terminal having a lead extension with the lead extension extending towards the paddle peripheral side and between the paddle projections; mounting an integrated circuit over the die paddle; connecting the integrated circuit and the lead extension; and forming an encapsulation over the die paddle and covering the integrated circuit and lead extension.
US08802483B2

A method of forming a self-organized nanostructured solar cell is provided. The method includes depositing a semiconductor film on a substrate, where the semiconductor film includes a mixture of at least two constituents, then activating the semiconductor film during or after the deposition. Here, the activated semiconductor film self-assembles into an organized nanostructure geometry on the substrate, where the organized nanostructure includes a first structure of the at least one constituent having a first polarity and a second structure of the at least one constituent having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity. Further, the invention includes depositing a contact on a top surface of the organized nanostructure geometry.
US08802481B2

Apparatuses capable of and techniques for detecting the visible light spectrum are provided.
US08802478B2

Manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a structure including a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, a first insulating film arranged on the first region, a second insulating film arranged on the first insulating film, a third insulating film arranged on the second insulating film, a fourth insulating film arranged on the second region, a fifth insulating film arranged on the fourth insulating film, and a sixth insulating film arranged on the fifth insulating film, etching the second insulating film and the first insulating film under different etching conditions after etching the third insulating film, and continuously etching the fifth insulating film and the fourth insulating film under the same etching conditions after etching the sixth insulating film.
US08802475B2

A method of fabricating a microelectronic device structure including increased thermal dissipation capabilities. The structure including a three-dimensional (3D) integrated chip assembly that is flip chip bonded to a substrate. The chip assembly including a device substrate including an active device disposed thereon. A cap layer is physically bonded to the device substrate to at least partially define a hermetic seal about the active device. The microelectronic device structure provides a plurality of heat dissipation paths therethrough to dissipate heat generated therein.
US08802474B1

A method of packaging a pressure sensor die includes providing a lead frame having a die pad and lead fingers that surround the die pad. A tape is attached to a first side of the lead frame. A pressure sensor die is attached to the die pad on a second side of the lead frame and bond pads of the die are connected to the lead fingers. An encapsulant is dispensed onto the second side of the lead frame and covers the lead fingers and the electrical connections thereto. A gel is dispensed onto a top surface of the die and covers the die bond pads and the electrical connections thereto. A lid is attached to the lead frame and covers the die and the gel, and sides of the lid penetrate the encapsulant.
US08802469B2

A method for the separation of multiple dies during semiconductor fabrication is described. On an upper surface of a semiconductor wafer containing multiple dies, metal layers are deposited everywhere except where a block of stop electroplating material exists. The stop electroplating material is obliterated, and a barrier layer is formed above the entire remaining structure. A sacrificial metal element is added above the barrier layer, and then the substrate is removed. After the semiconductor material between the individual dies is eradicated, any desired bonding pads and patterned circuitry are added to the semiconductor surface opposite the sacrificial metal element, a passivation layer is added to this surface, and then the sacrificial metal element is removed. Tape is added to the now exposed barrier layer, the passivation layer is removed, the resulting structure is flipped over, and the tape is expanded to separate the individual dies.
US08802467B2

A method of manufacturing an encapsulation structure for encapsulating an LED chip includes the following steps: providing a first encapsulation defining a receiving room for receiving the LED chip therein and a second encapsulation defining a receiving space for receiving the first encapsulation therein; providing a mounting tablet defining an entrance therein, mounting the first encapsulation and the second encapsulation on the mounting tablet with a clearance defined therebetween communicating with the entrance; injecting a liquid transparent resin with phosphorous compounds disturbed therein into the clearance via the entrance; and solidifying the liquid transparent resin to form a transparent resin layer interconnecting the first encapsulation and the second encapsulation.
US08802464B2

A method for fabricating a process substrate includes: providing a first substrate; providing a substrate and an auxiliary substrate; contacting the substrate and the auxiliary substrate with each other in a vacuum state, thereby forming micro spaces of a vacuum state between the substrate and the auxiliary substrate; and increasing a pressure at the outside of the contacted substrate and auxiliary substrate to attach the substrate and the auxiliary substrate to each other by a pressure difference between the micro spaces and the outside of the contacted substrate and auxiliary substrate.
US08802447B2

The present invention provides materials, devices, and methods related to determination of an analyte. In some embodiments, an analyte may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of a luminescent material (e.g., particle) upon exposure to an analyte. The present invention may be particularly advantageous in that some embodiments may comprise an emissive species useful as an internal reference standard. Methods of the invention may also be useful in the quantitative determination of an analyte. In some cases, the present invention may allow for selective determination of an analyte.
US08802444B1

A “real time” method for detecting chemical agents generally and particularly electrophilic and nucleophilic species by employing tunable, precursor sensor materials that mimic the physiological interaction of these agents to form highly florescent berberine-type alkaloids that can be easily and rapidly detected. These novel precursor sensor materials can be tuned for reaction with both electrophilic (chemical species, toxins) and nucleophilic (proteins and other biological molecules) species. By bonding or otherwise attaching these precursor molecules to a surface or substrate they can be used in numerous applications.
US08802442B2

The apparatus and method for detecting blood in urine or feces includes a photodetector configured to detect a transient light emitted in a toilet bowl by luminol and an oxidizer catalyzed by iron in the blood. The apparatus may include dispensers for the luminol, the oxidizer and a base. The apparatus may include a microprocessor and a network connection and may perform statistical analyzes, store data and alert the patient or a healthcare provider if blood is detected. The photodetector may be configured to detect light emitted in the toilet bowl by a fluorophore present in the water and excited by the transient light from the luminol and oxidizer.
US08802441B2

There is provided a method for synthesizing colloidal nanoparticles comprising the step of creating a reactive three-phase foam containing reactants therein for synthesizing the colloidal nanoparticles.
US08802439B2

The present invention provides methods for producing retroviruses or viral vectors with enhanced infectivity. The methods entail transfecting a retroviral vector into a packaging cell that has suppressed expression or inhibited enzymatic activity of a parvulin prolyl peptidyl isomerase (parvulin PPIase), and culturing the transfected packaging cell to allow production of viral particles. The invention also provides methods for enhancing efficiency of gene transfer with a recombinant retrovirus. These methods involve constructing a recombinant retroviral vector expressing a target gene, transfecting into a packaging cell that has suppressed expression or inhibited enzymatic activity of a parvulin prolyl peptidyl isomerase (parvulin PPIase), culturing the transfected packaging cell to allow production of recombinant retroviral particles, harvesting recombinant retroviral particles from supernatant of the cultured cell, and transducing the recombinant retroviral particles into a target cell. Kits for carrying out these methods are also provided in the invention.
US08802430B2

A substrate for use in culturing cells or tissues. The substrate comprises a gel, one or more microstructures partially embedded within a surface of the gel, the one or more microstructures presenting two different curvatures or presenting two different stiffness values or presenting a combination of different curvatures and different stiffness values, wherein the microstructures are disposed at defined locations within the surface of the gel, and wherein the cells and tissues are cultured on an exposed surface of the microstructures.
US08802429B2

A system for detecting microorganisms in a test sample is provided that includes a fluorescently detectable product having both acidic and basic species, wherein the fluorescently detectable product is the reaction product of (a) an enzyme substrate that comprises an enzymatically hydrolysable group and a fluorescent group and (b) a test sample comprising a microorganism having an enzyme that hydrolyzes the hydrolysable group from the fluorescent group of the enzyme substrate. The fluorescently detectable product has an excitation isosbestic point Exλiso where the absorbance of the acid species is the same as the absorbance of the basic species. The system also includes a first light source having a wavelength of Exλiso for irradiating the fluorescently detectable product, The fluorescently detectable product emits light at a wavelength of Emλ1, and the quantity of light emitted at the wavelength Emλ1 is substantially constant across a pH range of 2.5 to 8.0.
US08802422B2

The invention provides methods of manufacturing alkanes from triglyceride oils produced through fermentation of oil-bearing microbes. The processes provided herein can utilize a variety of carbohydrate feedstocks including cane bagasse, sugar beet pulp, corn stover, glycerol, corn starch, sorghum, molasses, waste glycerol, and other renewable materials. These processes further comprise hydrotreating, hydrocracking, isomerization, distillation, and other petrochemical processes for use with oil-bearing microbes and products derived therefrom to manufacture fuels. Particular embodiments include the manufacture of ASTM D975 and ASTM D1655 compliant fuels. Genetically engineered microbes provided herein can be used in the manufacture of renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel.
US08802420B2

Some HBL and NHE enterotoxins are known to cause food-borne diseases in humans. Enterotoxin-deficient mutants of member strains of the Bacillus cereus group that do not produce HBL, HBLa1, HBLa2, or NHE enterotoxins are disclosed. Enterotoxin-deficient mutants are suitable for use as biocontrol agents. Methods for making the mutants and for using the mutants are described.
US08802402B2

A substitution mutation that improves polymerization activity of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase is identified. At least 1 amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of a histidine residue at position 17, a proline residue at position 71, a valine residue at position 131, a methionine residue at position 205, a leucine residue at position 230, and a proline residue at position 239 of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase derived from Alcanivorax borkumensis is subjected to substitution mutation with another amino acid.
US08802401B2

The disclosure relates to engineered P450 polypeptides and use of such polypeptides in chemoenzymatic methods to construct selectively protected carbohydrates, which are useful as building blocks for preparation of carbohydrate derivatives and oligosaccharides
US08802397B2

The present invention relates to methods of producing the polypeptides that are capable of killing cells. The polypeptides comprise a targeting agent covalently attached to a channel-forming moiety. In a preferred embodiment, the channel-forming moiety comprises a colicin and the targeting agent is a reconstructed antibody mimetic derived from monoclonal antibody variants against Epstein-Barr virus gp350/220.
US08802392B2

The present invention provides method of detecting a predetermined biological activity. The method includes using an aqueous mixture comprising a first indicator reagent with a first absorption spectrum and a second indicator reagent. The second indicator reagent is converted by the predetermined biological activity to a second biological derivative with a second emission spectrum. The first absorbance spectrum includes detectable absorbance in at least a portion of wavelengths present in the second emission spectrum. The first indicator reagent is received and concentrated from an aqueous liquid by a substrate, facilitating the detection of the second biological derivative.
US08802389B2

The subject invention relates in part to the surprising and unexpected discovery that insects that are resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins have measurably altered alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as compared to insects that are susceptible to Cry toxins. This and other surprising discoveries reported herein have broad implications in areas such as managing and monitoring the development of insect resistance to B.t. toxins. For example, the subject invention provides a simple and fast assay (enzymatic or otherwise) for detecting ALP activity levels and thereby monitoring the development of resistance by insects to crystal protein insect toxins. There was no prior motivation or suggestion to go about resistance monitoring using this simple and easy approach.
US08802386B2

A method is provided for determining in real time the course of thrombin activity in a sample of blood or plasma as it appears in and disappears from the simple which comprises adding a thrombin substrate to the sample that, per unit time, produces a detectable signal in a quantity that bears relation to the amount of thrombin present. Simultaneously, in a control sample of the same blood or plasma in which thrombin generation is not triggered, the activity of a standard preparation with invariable thrombin activity is measured. The exact molar amount of thrombin present at any moment is obtained by comparison of the activity measured in clotting blood and the simultaneously measured calibrator. The method is useful inter alia for diagnosing hyper- and hypo-coaguable states, either congenital, acquired or drug-induced in humans and animals. Also provided is a kit for use in this method.
US08802377B2

The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners.Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli.
US08802376B2

The disclosure relates to methods for screening candidate antibody molecules which bind to podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) and/or to undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and particularly, although not exclusively, to methods for identifying candidate cytotoxic antibody molecules.
US08802367B2

It is an object to provide a method of suitably analyzing the amount of gene expression of a single-cell.A method of detecting a nucleic acid comprising a step of sampling a single-cell from a sample containing at least a single-cell, a cell lysis step of lysing cell membrane of the sampled single-cell and extracting nucleic acids from the cell, a DNase treatment step of degrading DNA of the extracted nucleic acids with DNase, a step of hybridizing mRNA of the total RNA contained in the single-cell with oligo (dT) fixed onto a carrier, a step of performing reverse transcription of the mRNA hybridized with the oligo (dT) to fix cDNA derived from the single-cell onto the carrier, thereby preparing a single-cell derived cDNA library fixed onto a carrier, and a step of amplifying cDNA fixed onto the carrier and simultaneously detecting an amplification amount of the cDNA.
US08802363B2

The present invention relates to a new method for the preservation of blood platelets. In particular, the present invention provides a method which includes submitting the platelets to zeodration carried out at temperatures between 18° C. and 24° C. The dried platelets thus obtained can be preserved at room temperature for long period of time. The invention also provides kits and compositions for using the preserved platelets.
US08802360B2

In one example, a reticle disclosed herein includes a body having a center, an arrangement of a plurality of exposure patterns, wherein a center of the arrangement is offset from the center of the body, and at least one open feature defined on or through the body of the reticle. In another example, a method is disclosed that includes forming a layer of photoresist above a plurality of functional die and a plurality of incomplete die, exposing the photoresist material positioned above at least one of the functional die and/or at least one of the incomplete die, performing an incomplete die exposure processes via an open feature of the reticle to expose substantially all of the photoresist material positioned above the plurality of incomplete die, and developing the photoresist to remove the portions of the photoresist material positioned above the incomplete die.
US08802358B2

A method of forming an alignment film is provided. A photosensitive polymer material is provided, wherein the photosensitive polymer material defines a first pixel area and a second pixel area respectively defining a first sub-pixel area and the second sub-pixel area. In a first exposure, the photosensitive polymer material is irradiate by a first exposure light and a second exposure light to form a first alignment portion and a second alignment portion with different alignment directions in the first sub-pixel of the first pixel area and the second sub-pixel of the second pixel area respectively. In a second exposure, the photosensitive polymer material is irradiated with the first exposure light and the second exposure light to form a third alignment portion and a fourth alignment portion with different alignment directions in the first sub-pixel of the second pixel area and the second sub-pixel of the first pixel area respectively.
US08802353B2

A radiation-sensitive composition containing 1 to 80% by weight of a solid component and 20 to 99% by weight of a solvent. The solid component contains a compound B which has (a) a structure derived from a polyphenol compound A by introducing an acid-dissociating group to at least one phenolic hydroxyl group of the polyphenol compound A which is synthesized by a condensation between a di- to tetrafunctional aromatic ketone or aromatic aldehyde each having 5 to 36 carbon atoms with a compound having 1 to 3 phenolic hydroxyl groups and 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and (b) a molecular weight of 400 to 2000. The composition containing the compound B is useful as an acid-amplified, non-polymeric resist material, because it is highly sensitive to radiation such as KrF excimer lasers, extreme ultraviolet rays, electron beams, and X-rays, and provides resist patterns with a high resolution, high heat resistance, and high etching resistance.
US08802351B2

A water dispersible composition comprises a polyaniline copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 30,000 and a polymeric acid comprising sulfonic acid groups. The polyaniline copolymer comprises i) about 10 mol % to about 15 mol % of a fluorine-containing first aniline repeat unit based on total moles of repeat units in the polyaniline copolymer, and ii) a second aniline repeat unit comprising no fluorine. The sulfonic acid groups of the polymeric acid are present in a molar amount greater than or equal to total moles of repeat units of the polyaniline copolymer. The composition has a conductivity of at least 0.0001 S/cm.
US08802350B2

A photoresist composition includes a polymer that includes a structural unit shown by the following formula (1), and a photoacid generator. R1 in the formula (1) represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a methyl group, or a trifluoromethyl group, Z represents a group that forms a divalent alicyclic group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms together with a carbon atom bonded to X, X represents an alkanediyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Y represents a hydrogen atom or —CR2R3(OR4), and R2 to R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group, provided that R3 and R4 optionally bond to each other to form a cyclic ether structure together with a carbon atom bonded to R3 and an oxygen atom bonded to R4.
US08802339B2

An overcoat layer for an organic photoconductor drum of an electrophotographic image forming device is provided. The overcoat layer is prepared from a curable composition including a urethane methacrylate functional charge transport molecule, and a photoinitiator. The urethane acrylate functional charge transport molecule is a reaction product of hydroxyl functional charge transport molecule and a monomer having an isocyanate group and an acrylate group. This overcoat layer improves wear resistance of the organic photoconductor drum without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and extending its useful life.
US08802330B2

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite separator for a fuel cell, which can reduce the electrical contact resistance by performing an additional post-treatment to remove residual resin remaining on the surface of the composite separator by plasma etching. In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite separator for a fuel cell, in which a liquid phase resin for gasket is applied to the surface of the composite separator along a predetermined gasket pattern, or a semi-cured resin for gasket in the form of a film with a predetermined gasket pattern is stacked on the surface of the composite separator, and then plasma etching is performed to remove the residual resin and, at the same time, cure the resin for gasket, thus reducing the overall processing time to improve the productivity and preventing a composite material of the separator from being damaged.
US08802328B2

A shaped part that is particularly suited as an interconnector or an end plate for a fuel cell stack, is produced by pressing and sintering a pulverulent starting material. The shaped part has a basic body with a multiplicity of knob-like and/or ridge-like elevations with a height h. Each elevation has two inclined side flanks which lead, proceeding from an end contour of the elevation, via rounded corner portions, directly or via intermediate rectilinear portions, into curved portions with a radius R or R′, which in turn merge into the surface contour, of the basic body. A ratio of the radius R:h or R′:h ranges from 0.25, or preferably from 0.5 to 1.
US08802327B2

The present invention discloses an electrode structure capable of separately delivering gas and fluid which is applied to a passive fuel cell. The electrode structure includes an electrode portion and a water removal plate, and the electrode portion is adjacent to the water removal plate. The water removal plate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of gas passages passing from the first surface to the second surface, and a plurality of liquid passages disposed on the first surface. The surfaces of the gas passages are treated with hydrophobic treatment, and the surfaces of the liquid passages are treated with hydrophilic treatment.
US08802326B2

A fuel cell stack and a bipolar plate assembly is provided that may include straight-through tunnels to transport fluids from one side of a header seal to an opposite side of a header seal, fluidly connecting fuel cell stack reactant headers and bipolar plate reactant flow channels.
US08802321B2

The present invention provides a graded multilayer structure, comprising a support layer (1) and at least 10 layers (2, 3) forming a graded layer, wherein each of the at least 10 layers (2, 3) is at least partially in contact with the support layer (1), wherein the at least 10 layers (2, 3) differ from each other in at least one property selected from layer composition, porosity and conductivity, and wherein the at least 10 layers (2, 3) are arranged such that the layer composition, porosity and/or conductivity horizontally to the support layer (1) forms a gradient over the total layer area.
US08802312B2

A fuel cell according to the present invention includes a power generation unit. The power generation unit is formed by stacking a first metal separator, a first membrane electrode assembly, a second metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a third metal separator. The number of flow grooves in a first oxygen-containing gas flow field is different from the number of flow grooves in a second oxygen-containing gas flow field. The first oxygen-containing gas flow field and the second oxygen-containing gas flow field have the same length, and the flow grooves in the first oxygen-containing gas flow field and the flow grooves in the second oxygen-containing gas flow field have the same depth.
US08802311B2

A fuel cell stack structure includes, for example, a plurality of unit cells each having an aperture formed therethrough. A first fuel cell stack is formed by stacking the plurality of unit cells in a stacking direction and has an internal manifold opening defined by the apertures. A fluid passage within the cell for flowing a fluid that flows within the internal manifold is configured and arranged to flow the fluid in a direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction of the unit cell. The structure also includes an external manifold having an external passage for supplying the fluid to the internal manifold, wherein an external manifold surface facing a flow direction of the fluid creates a vortex in fluid flowing within the external passage proximal to the internal manifold.
US08802308B2

A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.
US08802305B2

A fuel cell system comprises an oxygen removing device having an inlet fluidly connected to at least one of the reactant gas source and an outlet of the cathode gas flow field, and an outlet fluidly connected to each of an anode control valve and a cathode control valve. Various fuel cell operation processes are also disclosed.
US08802304B2

Performance, properties and stability of bifunctional air electrodes may be improved by using modified current collectors, and improving water wettability of air electrode structures. This invention provides information on creating non-corroding, electrically rechargeable, bifunctional air electrodes. In some embodiments, this bifunctional air electrode includes a corrosion-resistant outer layer and an electrically conductive inner layer. In some embodiments, this bifunctional air electrode includes titanium suboxides formed by reducing titanium dioxide. Titanium suboxides may be corrosion-resistant and electrically conductive.
US08802303B2

Implementations and techniques for metal air batteries including a composite anode are generally disclosed.
US08802301B2

An electrolyte for a lithium ion battery includes a vitreous eutectic mixture represented by the formula AxBy, where A is a salt chosen from a lithium fluoroalkylsulfonimide or a lithium fluoroarylsulfonimide, B is a solvent chosen from an alkylsulfonamide or an arylsulfonamide, and x and y are the mole fractions of A and B, respectively.
US08802292B2

A hydrogen-absorbing alloy for an alkaline storage battery with high power characteristics and excellent output power stability and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy for an alkaline storage battery of the invention is represented by ABn (A: LaxReyMg1-x-y, B: Nin-zTz, Re: at least one element selected from rare earth elements including Y (other than La), T: at least one element selected from Co, Mn, Zn, and Al, and z>0) and has a stoichiometric ratio n of 3.5 to 3.8, a ratio of La to Re (x/y) of 3.5 or less, at least an A5B19 type structure, and an average C axis length α of crystal lattice of 30 to 41 Å.
US08802288B2

Current collectors and methods are provided that relate to electrodes that are useful in lithium polymer electrochemical cells. The provided current collectors include a metallic substrate, a substantially uniform nano-scale carbon coating, and an active electrode material. The coating has a maximum thickness of less than about 200 nanometers.
US08802287B2

The present invention provides a solid-state energy storage device having at least one quantum confinement species (QCS), where the QCS can include a quantum dot (QD), quantum well, or nanowire. The invention further includes at least one layer of a dielectric material with at least one QCS incorporated there to, and a first conductive electrode disposed on a top surface of the at least one layer of the dielectric material, and a second conductive electrode is disposed on a bottom surface of the at least one layer of dielectric material, where the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed to transfer a charge to the at least one QCS, where when an electrical circuit is disposed to provide an electric potential across the first electrode and the second electrode, the electric potential discharges the transferred charge from the at least one QCS to the electrical circuit.
US08802277B2

An electrode is provided with a metal terminal extending from a battery module main body, a bolt which has an expanded section configuring a retaining section at a rear end portion and penetrates the metal terminal upward, and an insulating body which insulates the metal terminal and the battery module case one from the other. The insulating body is provided with a drop preventing section which abuts at least a lower surface of the expanded section of the bolt and prevents the bolt from dropping from the metal terminal.
US08802263B2

A battery pack and method of manufacturing the same, the battery pack including a battery, and a plurality of metal cases surrounding the battery, wherein the plurality of metal cases includes a first metal case and a second metal case and the first and second metal cases are welded to each other.
US08802260B2

A method for disassembling a battery pack to separate a secondary battery which can be reused, without impairing the performance of a secondary battery, having remaining life which, constitutes the battery pack. A pair of holding plates is brought into contact with binding plates on both ends of a battery pack to compress the battery pack in the stacking direction. The open circuit voltage before and after the compression is measured, and based on an amount of change of the open circuit voltage before and after compression, a battery pack which can be reused is separated.
US08802247B2

A medium having high medium S/N and excellent corrosion resistance is achieved. In one embodiment, an adhesion layer, a soft magnetic layer, an intermediate layer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer are deposited, in order, on a substrate. The soft magnetic underlayer consists at least of two soft magnetic layers, the first soft magnetic layer formed on the recording layer side being composed of an amorphous alloy containing 85 at. % or less of Co, and the second soft magnetic layer formed on the substrate side being composed of an alloy containing more than 85 at. % of Co.
US08802245B2

A polymer composition comprising 1 to 99 wt % of a copolymer (A) and 99 to 1 wt % of a copolymer (B); the polymer composition used as a light emitting material of a light emitting device having high performances; Copolymers (A) and (B) being copolymers showing fluorescence in the solid state and having a polystyrene-reduced number average molecular weight of 103 to 108, and containing a repeating unit (a) and a repeating unit (b); Copolymer (A) has a relation of 100>XaA>5, where XaA (%) is a percentage of the mol number of repeating unit (a) based on the sum of the mol numbers of repeating units (a), and Copolymer (B) satisfies a relation of XaB≦XaA−5, where XaB (%) is a percentage of the mol number of repeating unit (a) based on the sum of the mol numbers of repeating units (a) and (b).
US08802236B2

A hard, transparent coating for a substrate and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating includes alternating layers of a soft coating and a hard coating. The coating further includes a sensor. The electrical resistivity of the sensor may be measured to determine if the coating has been degraded. The coating may further include a hydrophobic outer layer.
US08802235B2

A multi-arm, star-shaped polymer composition can be configured for drug delivery and imaging applications in vivo. The star polymer architecture can be synthesized using living radical polymerization techniques, including reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer and macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates with a broad range of reaction conditions and functional groups. The star-shaped polymeric carriers can be tailored for preferential delivery of chemotherapeutics into the tumor-draining lymphatics via subcutaneous, peritumoral or intratumoral injections. The carriers can be loaded with the chemotherapeutic agents from about 10% to about 25% w/w. In addition, the carriers can be loaded with imaging agents from about 5% to about 10% w/w. The molecular weights of the polymeric carriers can be about 40 kDa to about 130 kDa. The chemotherapeutics can be cisplatin, geldanamycin or nitric oxide-donating prodrugs. The imaging agent can be a near-infrared dye, such as IR820.
US08802214B2

Structures and manufacturing processes of an ACF array using a non-random array of microcavities of predetermined configuration, shape and dimension. The manufacturing process includes fluidic filling of conductive particles onto a substrate or carrier web comprising a predetermined array of microcavities, or selective metallization of the array followed by filling the array with a filler material and a second selective metallization on the filled microcavity array. The thus prepared filled conductive microcavity array is then over-coated or laminated with an adhesive film. Cavities in the array, and particles filling the cavities, can have a unimodal, bimodal, or multimodal distribution.
US08802204B2

Food packaging inserts comprising a myoglobin blooming agent that promote or preserve the desirable appearance of food products, food packages, and methods of food packing comprising the same, are provided.
US08802202B2

A method of surface coating a metallic object, including removing substantially all of the existing silver sulfide tarnish if present, ultrasonically cleaning the object with immersion in a solvent, uniformly dispersing selected nanoparticles over the surface of the object by sonicating the object in an ultrasonic bath containing the selected nanoparticles. The invention further includes quickly rinsing the object with solvent upon removal from the ultrasonic bath to inhibit formation of large agglomerates, drying the object with a flow of gas, optically inspecting the object for the presence of agglomeration and applying a barrier layer conformal coating and a protective layer conformal coating.
US08802200B2

A method of cleaning off organic deposition material accumulated on a mask includes forming an organic deposition material pattern on a substrate using the mask, which includes a plurality of slots, in a deposition chamber including a deposition source; transporting the mask to a stock chamber that is maintained at a vacuum and adjacent to the deposition chamber; and partially cleaning off the organic deposition material accumulated along the boundaries of the slots of the mask in the stock chamber. A system to clean off an organic deposition material accumulated on a mask having a plurality of slots, includes a deposition chamber including a deposition source; and a stock chamber that is maintained at substantially the same vacuum as the deposition chamber and includes a cleaning device that cleans off the organic deposition material accumulated on the mask.
US08802176B2

An edible baking liner is formed from an edible paper made with large-granule vegetable starch. The liner may be baked with a baking product, and can be consumed without removing the liner from the baking product. The edible baking liner can replace the use of an inedible baking liner. In one aspect, a method of making an edible baking liner may include placing pieces of shredded edible paper into a recess of a mold, pressing an insert into the recess, and removing the formed edible baking liner from the mold.
US08802172B2

The invention concerns a method for preparing a beverage from a soluble beverage powder comprising the steps of: —metering a dose of the soluble beverage powder, —heating the soluble beverage powder dose, —diluting the heated soluble beverage powder dose with a diluent.
US08802168B2

Flavor releasing structures for chewing gum have about 30% to about 60% thermoplastic cellulose material, about 5% to about 50% non-cellulosic thermoplastic polymer, and about 10% to about 40% porous flavor reservoir material. Optionally the flavor releasing structure may comprise about 5% to about 25% plasticizer. The cores may be coated with a flavor barrier coating.
US08802165B2

The present disclosure concerns phenolic extracts containing procyanidins, propelargonidins and prodelfinidins obtained from peel of the almond [Prunus dulcís (Mili.) D. A. Webb, Prunus amygdalus (L.) Batsch., Amygdalus dulcís (Mili.), Amygdalus communis (L.) or Prunus communis (L.)]. In particular, the objective is to obtain extracts rich in proanthocyanidins with type-A bonds. The preparation method disclosed comprises: (a) a maceration of plant material with organic solvents at 25-100° C., (b) purification by liquid-liquid extraction and/or adsorption or ion exchange chromatography, and (c) optionally, a final drying. Also disclosed are the possible activities/properties of these extracts such as anti-oxidant activity and others, which determine the use thereof as a nutritional or health ingredient, and the use thereof in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.
US08802157B2

A method of treatment for epilepsy and other disease states is described, which comprises delivery of gabapentin in a gastric retained dosage form.
US08802155B1

Iminosugar, which possesses known activity as a glycosyltransferase inhibitor, and is used, for example, in the treatment of Gaucher's disease, in crystalline form, a process for its preparation and a pharmaceutical composition thereof.
US08802149B2

Methods for preparing dry powders having hydrophobic and hydrophilic components comprise combining solutions of the components and spray drying them simultaneously in a spray dryer. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic component are separately dissolved in separate solvents and directed simultaneously through a nozzle, usually a coaxial nozzle, into the spray dryer. The method provides dry powders having relatively uniform characteristics.
US08802146B2

A blended electrophilic material with a first component having a functionality of at least three and a second component having a functionality of two is mixed with a nucleophilic material. The blended electrophilic material cross-links with the nucleophilic material to form a non-liquid, three dimensional structure which can applied, e.g., as an adhesion barrier.
US08802137B2

Provided are lipid antiinfective formulations substantially free of anionic lipids with a lipid to antiinfective ratio is about 1:1 to about 4:1, and a mean average diameter of less than about 1 μm. Also provided is a method of preparing a lipid antiinfective formulation comprising an infusion process. Also provided are lipid antiinfective formulations wherein the lipid to drug ratio is about 1:1 or less, about 0.75:1 or less, or about 0.50:1 or less prepared by an in line fusion process. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a patient with a pulmonary infection comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid antiinfective formulation of the present invention. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a patient for cystic fibrosis comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid antiinfective formulation of the present invention.
US08802136B2

Devices for administration of one or more active agents to the skin or mucosa of a host are formed in the nature of a double-disk patch. One outer layer functions as the primary adhesive layer for adhering the patch to the host. The other inner layer contains at least one active agent to be administered to the host. The inner layer is bonded to the outer layer through an opening provided in an interposed active agent impermeable release layer. The release layer separates a circumferential portion of the active agent containing inner layer from the outer adhesive layer to inhibit migration of the active agent therebetween.
US08802132B2

An antimicrobial paper includes a paper web having a grammage between 10 and 60 grams per square meter, a cationizing agent in a concentration ranging between 0.05 wt % and 5 wt %, an antimicrobial agent in a concentration ranging between 0.01 wt % and 3 wt %, the antimicrobial agent and the cationizing agent being added on the paper web having a consistency above 15 wt %, the antimicrobial paper having an antimicrobial agent release of above about 0.01 wt % when wetted.
US08802127B2

The present invention provides implants comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer containing polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA). The present invention also provides methods of maintaining a therapeutic level of a drug in a subject, releasing a therapeutic drug at a substantially linear rate, and treating schizophrenia and other diseases and disorders, utilizing implants of the present invention.
US08802113B2

Compositions suitable for use as adjuvants in the preparation of vaccines, particularly those vaccines useful in the treatment of cancer, are provided. Methods for inhibiting tumor growth in an animal are also disclosed. Methods for immunizing an animal against cancer, such as prostate cancer, are also described. The adjuvants described are comprised of an extracellular matrix material, such as small intestinal submucosal (SIS) tissue. The preparations may take the form of sheets, gels, liquids (injectable), trocar, or other solid or semi-solid preparation. The invention provides for enhanced tumor inhibition of 2-fold or greater, compared to vaccine preparations without the extracellular matrix material, or from 4- to 5-fold, compared to preparations without the adjuvant promoting extracellular materials.
US08802111B2

When preparing HBsAg for use in a combination vaccine, it us known to add a non-ionic detergent after the HBsAg has been purified. Adding detergents after purification of HBsAg is not optimal, however, as it requires a separate processing step during manufacture. Thus the invention uses them during HBsAg purification.
US08802108B2

The present invention relates to a diet product comprising an alginate in an aqueous dissolved or swelled form at a pH value causing the alginate not to gel.
US08802101B2

A liquid aqueous pharmaceutical formulation is described which has a high protein concentration, a pH of between about 4 and about 8, and enhanced stability.
US08802096B2

The present invention relates to binding moieties that specifically bind to a conformational epitope of C5a, in particular human C5a. Preferred binding moieties are anti-C5a antibodies that bind to this conformational epitope. The binding moieties described herein are useful as active agents in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of various acute and chronic diseases, in particular acute inflammatory diseases, such as the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and different degrees of sepsis including sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.
US08802093B2

This invention relates to antibodies that specifically bind HER2/neu, and particularly chimeric 4D5 antibodies to HER2/neu, which have reduced glycosylation as compared to known 4D5 antibodies. The invention also relates to methods of using the 4D5 antibodies and compositions comprising them in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, and infectious disease.
US08802088B2

The present invention relates to a composition which comprises tryptophan whereby 10 to 90%, preferably 20 to 80% of the tryptophan is present as free tryptophan or peptide-bound tryptophan and 10 to 90%, preferably 20 to 80% of the tryptophan is present as polypeptide-bound tryptophan.
US08802086B2

The present invention relates to specially selected catalase enzymes and their use in reducing hydrogen peroxide in applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.
US08802085B2

A method for treating a patient suffering from a wound, ulcer, or inflammation includes providing a topical formulation comprising a carrier and a combination of active ingredients that includes at least one retinoid and at least one blood vessel dilator, and applying the topical formulation to the skin of the patient to cause healing, accelerated healing or prevention of the wound, ulcer or inflammation. Additional active ingredients may include a promoter of mitochondrial function or an antioxidant.
US08802083B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising complexes of human cells and polymer fibers and methods of their use for therapeutic purposes. Methods of making such compositions are also provided. The present invention encompasses compositions comprising poly-β-1→4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers and stored platelets and their use for promoting wound healing and achieving hemostasis.
US08802076B2

Provided are nanoparticles comprising heparin, chitosan, and at least one immunomodulatory agent, e.g. a cytokine. The cytokine can be selected from the group consisting of TNF, IL-12, IL-2, IL-23, IL-1α, IL-10, IL-18, and combinations thereof. Further provided are methods of making a nanoparticle comprising mixing a first composition comprising heparin with a second composition comprising chitosan in the presence of at least one cytokine to form a third composition. Further provided are methods of modulating an immune response comprising co-administering to a subject an antigen or vaccine with nanoparticles comprising heparin, chitosan, and at least one cytokine.
US08802071B2

The present invention is drawn to a composition and method for lifting color and/or imparting shine onto keratinous substrates, the composition containing: (a) at least one fatty quaternary amine compound; (b) at least one nonionic surfactant; (c) at least one compound chosen from an alkyl ether carboxylic acid, an alkyl ether carboxylate, a fatty acid having from about 6 to about 40 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof; and (d) at least one oxidizing agent. The compositions of the present invention may optionally contain at least one thickening agent, at least one alkaline agent, at least one fatty substance other than a fatty acid, and at least one salt.
US08802059B2

An algal extract-based composition for oro-dental use is provided. This composition comprising a mixture of algae with at least Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus spp. is characterized in that said mixture of algae has a proportion of Ascophyllum nodosum of at least 90% of the weight of the mixture and that the proportion of Fucus spp. is at most 10% of the weight of the mixture, and in that said extract is combined with a natural surfactant and/or with a zeolite or a mixture of zeolites. Uses of said composition, in particular for dental prevention and/or care, are also provided. Applications in the oro-dental field, both preventively and curatively.
US08802055B2

A method for magnetic resonance imaging of a human or animal body includes providing a spin crossover complex having the general formula [Mx+(Ly)Hw]AN)z wherein, MX+ is a positively charged metal ion, Ly is a heteroaromatic ligand containing at least one nitrogen atom in its ring system, AN is a negatively charged inorganic anion, w is 0, 1 or 2, x is 2 or 3, y is 2 or 3, and z is 2, 3 or 4. The spin crossover complex is applied as a contrast agent in a magnetic resonance imaging of the human or animal body.
US08802047B2

One-dimensional materials are prepared from an array of nanoparticles positioned in one or more recesses of a substrate, wherein the recesses and the positioned nanoparticles have a comparable diameter of the same order of magnitude such that one nanoparticle is positioned within each of the one or more recesses; wherein a depth of the one or more recesses is from 10 nm to 40 nm; and wherein a diameter of the one or more recesses is adjusted by conformal film deposition and is between one and two times the mean diameter of the nanoparticles, and wherein the nanoparticles have a mean diameter of from 1 nm to 50 nm, and wherein the nanoparticles are catalytic sites for the growth of the one-dimensional materials; wherein the one dimensional materials are non-aggregated and extend in a direction that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the substrate.
US08802042B2

A method for recovering base metal values from oxide ore is provided, where the ore includes a first group metal selected from nickel, cobalt and copper. The method includes reducing ore particle size to suit the latter unit operation, favoring contact for the metal elements, contacting the ore with ferric or ferrous chloride, hydrated or anhydrous, to produce a mix of ore and iron (II or III) chloride subjecting the mixture of the ore and ferric or ferrous chloride to enough energy to decompose the chlorides into hydrochloric acid and a iron oxides from the second group, forming their respective chlorides, selectively dissolve the produced base metal chlorides, leaving the metal as oxides and in the solid state, and recovering the dissolved base metal values from aqueous solution.
US08802031B2

A liquid dispensing device comprising a hollow body having an opening in a lower end thereof for receiving liquid, and an integrated cap member arranged to sealingly close the body, said cap member comprising a resilient diaphragm which is deformable in a downwards direction. The device is suitable for use in automated apparatus.
US08802025B2

The present invention provides a reagent kit for analyzing a sample comprising a first reagent containing a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and an aromatic carboxylic acid and a second reagent containing a fluorescent dye capable of staining nucleic acid, and a method for analyzing a sample using the kit.
US08802023B1

A steam autoclave (steam sterilization system) has a door for opening and closing an opening that defines the entrance to and exit from a steam sterilization chamber. The door may be latched and locked and pneumatically sealed when in a closed position. Preferably, the door has a convex portion that projects into the sterilization chamber when the door is in a closed position for aiding in providing an even distribution of steam throughout the sterilization chamber during operation of the steam autoclave.
US08802013B2

A vol-oxidizer for spent nuclear fuel is provided. The vol-oxidizer includes a reactor module in which the spent nuclear fuel is put and oxidized; a heating module to heat the reactor module to a high temperature; a utility module to control an inner state of the reactor module, being connected with the reactor module; a support module to support the heating module and the reactor module; a drive module to supply a driving force for transferring the spent nuclear fuel within the reactor module; a valve module to control discharge of the spent nuclear fuel being oxidized in the reactor module; and a collecting container module to collect the spent nuclear fuel being oxidized and discharged from the reactor module. The respective modules are assembled and disassembled with respect to one another.
US08802012B2

A method and device for producing a fragranced air stream for fragrancing rooms, objects or the like, wherein fragrance is applied to a strip-like fragrance carrier (4) which is moved in an evaporation duct (1) through which fresh air flows. The fragrance is applied onto the moving fragrance carrier (4) by means of specific spraying before the fragrance carrier (4) enters the evaporation duct (1), and the fragrance carrier (4) is discarded as waste after exiting the evaporation duct (1).
US08802010B2

A chromatographic method including chromatographically separating sample ionic species in an eluent stream, detecting the separated sample ionic species, catalytically combining hydrogen and oxygen gases or catalytically decomposing hydrogen peroxide in a catalytic gas elimination chamber, and recycling the effluent stream from the chamber to the chromatography separation column. The residence time between the detector and the chamber is at least about one minute. Also, flowing the recycle sequentially through two detector effluent flow channels of an electrolytic membrane suppressor. Also, applying heat or UV energy between the detector and the chamber. Also, detecting bubbles after the chamber. Also, a Platinum group metal catalyst and ion exchange medium in the chamber. Apparatus for performing the methods.
US08802008B2

An automatic analyzer for analyzing samples, such as urine and blood, is adapted so that analysis measured values are not affected by carry over by a repeatedly used dispensing nozzle. Coating the surface of the dispensing nozzle with a chemisorbed polyethylene glycol derivative forms a molecular layer that inhibits the adsorption of biopolymers, to reduce carry over by the dispensing nozzle.
US08801997B2

Disclosed is a method of fabricating a flexible device, which includes surface-treating one or both sides of a carrier plate so that regions with different surface-treatments are formed on the same side of the carrier plate, forming a glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film on the surface-treated carrier plate, forming thin film patterns on the glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film, and separating the glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film having the thin film patterns formed thereon from the carrier plate, and in which the surface-treating of the carrier plate enables the glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film to be easily separated from the carrier plate without an additional process such as using a solvent or a laser release technique.
US08801993B2

This invention relates to electrical devices that are implantable inside an animal, including humans. The invention particularly relates to polyurethane headers mounted on the electrical devices to house electrical contacts. The polyurethane headers are formed by (a) mixing (i) a prepolymer comprising a silicon-containing diol of formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1-6alkyl; R5 and R6 are independently selected from C1-6alkylene; R7 is C1-6alkylene, O, S or NR in which R is H or C1-6alkyl; and n is 1 to 3 and a diisocyanate; and (ii) a C2-12alkanediol; (b) injecting the mixture of the prepolymer and the C2-12alkanediol into a mold having a cavity shaped to form a header; (c) allowing the mixture to cure and form a polyurethane header within the mold; and (d) releasing the formed polyurethane header from the mold.
US08801988B2

A dope is cast from a discharge opening of a casting die onto a casting drum. A casting bead is the dope between the discharge opening and the casting drum. A nozzle and a guide path are provided downstream from the discharge opening with respect to a moving direction (direction X) of the casting drum. The guide path is formed on a tapered surface of the casting die. The nozzle supplies an anticoagulant to the guide path. The anticoagulant is guided to a bottom end of the guide path. Upon reaching the bottom end, the anticoagulant forms a pool in the close vicinity of an end E of the discharge opening. The anticoagulant is securely supplied to a side edge portion of the casting bead through the pool.
US08801986B2

Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a molded object. The method includes: supplying a first liquid material to a first region out of a molding enabling region where a powder material is arranged and curing the powder material of the first region using a lamination molding technology to form a first insoluble part insoluble in a solvent; supplying a second liquid material different from the first liquid material to the powder material of a second region, which is provided so as to be surrounded by the first region, out of the molding enabling region and curing the powder material of the second region using the lamination molding technology to form a second soluble part soluble in the solvent; and dissolving the second part in the solvent.
US08801984B2

The present invention relates to a multi-layered microporous polyolefin film for a battery separator and a method for preparing the same. The microporous multi-layered film of the present invention has a characteristics to have both the low shutdown temperature conferred by the polyethylene and the high melt fracture temperature conferred by the polypropylene and heat-resistant filler. In addition, it has the high strength and stability conferred by the micropores prepared under wet process and the high permeability and high strength conferred by the macropores prepared under dry process. Therefore, this multi-layered film can be used effectively to manufacture a secondary battery with high capacity and high power.
US08801980B2

The invention relates to a device for production of dental molded parts from a polymerizable plastic, with a flask (16) and with a heating device (40) for heating the polymerizable plastic in the flask (16). The heating device (40) is movable relative to the flask (16).
US08801976B2

Photochromic dyes are disclosed. A photochromic dye can include a first photo-reactive group and a second photo-reactive group. A first photochromic reaction can be induced in the first photo-reactive group of the photochromic dye by radiation having a first wavelength, and a second photochromic reaction can be induced in the second photo-reactive group of the photochromic dye by radiation having a second wavelength.
US08801971B2

Provided are a copper conductor film and manufacturing method thereof, and patterned copper conductor wiring, which have superior conductivity and wiring pattern formation, and with which there is no decrease in insulation between circuits, even at narrow wiring widths and narrow inter-wiring spacing. Disclosed are a copper conductor film and manufacturing method thereof in which a copper-based particle-containing layer, which contains both a metal having catalytic activity toward a reducing agent and copper oxide, is treated using a treatment solution that contains a reagent that ionizes or complexes copper oxide and a reducing agent that reduces copper ions or copper complex to form metallic copper in a single solution, and patterned copper conductor wiring that is obtained by patterning a copper-based particle-containing layer using printing and by said patterned particle-containing layer being treated by a treatment method using a solution that contains both a reagent that ionizes or complexes copper oxide and a reducing agent that reduces copper ions or copper complexes to form metallic copper in a single solution.
US08801970B2

A nitride phosphor contains europium as an activating element and strontium, or strontium and calcium, as divalent metal elements. The phosphor further includes aluminum and silicon. Of the europium in the phosphor, at least 85% is in the form of Eu2+. The phosphor has a peak emission wavelength of from 590 nm to 650 nm. A phosphorescent body that includes the phosphor can be suitable for converting a wavelength of at least a portion of light emitted from an excitation light source in a light-emitting device.
US08801959B1

A stable, concentratable silicon wafer polishing composition for polishing silicon wafers is provided, containing: water; an abrasive; a cation according to formula (I); piperazine or a piperazine derivative according to formula (II); and, optionally, a pH adjusting agent; wherein the polishing composition exhibits a silicon removal rate of at least 300 nm/min. Also provided are methods of making and using the stabilized, concentratable chemical mechanical polishing composition.
US08801942B2

A method for manufacturing an intraocular retinal implant including: providing a mold capable of supporting growth of a layer of doped diamond, the mold including, on one face, elements all depressed or all projecting with respect to the surface of the face, and constituting a pattern cavity for the electrodes of the implant which it is desired to obtain; producing the doped diamond electrodes by growing a layer of doped diamond in all or part of a space occupied by the pattern cavity elements; forming a first insulating layer on the face of the mold including the pattern cavity; producing interconnection lines by depositing an electrically conductive material at least in spaces not covered by the first insulating layer; forming a second insulating layer on the mold face including the pattern cavity, the second layer covering the interconnection lines, the first and second insulating layers forming a flexible plate of the implant; removing the mold.
US08801931B2

A hybrid method and system of treating wastewater with reduced energy usage is disclosed. The treatment system has a sorption system, an anaerobic digester that digests or converts at least a portion of the solids or sludge from the sorption system, and an aerobic treatment tank that partially reduces oxygen demand of a portion of the sludge from the sorption tank.
US08801927B2

A filter system for filtering fluids has a housing, an inlet, and an outlet. A filter element is arranged inside the housing. A cover closes the housing and provides access to the filter element inside the housing. A securing device prevents the housing from being closed by the cover when the filter element is missing. The filter element has at least one filter element guide path section. The housing or the cover has a rim area with at least one rim guide path section. The filter element guide path section and the rim guide path section supplement one another to a guide path. The securing device comprises at least one securing element arranged on the cover or the housing. The securing element is guided on the guide path when a closing movement is carried out for closing the housing by the cover.
US08801925B2

A removable device that ensures that the port of a filter cartridge is liquid tightly sealed to the port of the head of a housing even when there is insufficient room beneath the bowl to allow one to physically secure the cartridge port to the head port before securing the head and bowl together. The invention uses one or more removably attached alignment devices to center the cartridge in the bowl and maintain it at a height sufficient to ensure that the two ports are aligned and liquid tightly sealed to each other when the bowl and head are mated together.
US08801920B2

A catalytic reforming process for producing gasoline of reduced benzene content includes the steps of reforming a reformer feedstock that includes a naphtha stream to produce a gasoline reformate product stream; splitting the gasoline reformate product stream into one or more relatively benzene-rich fractions and one or more relatively benzene-lean fractions; and hydrogenating the one or more relatively benzene-rich fractions to produce a cyclohexane-rich effluent, at least a portion of which cyclohexane-rich effluent is recycled to constitute a portion of the reformer feedstock.
US08801916B2

A recovery method of nickel according to the present invention comprises pretreatment step to prepare a solution for electrolysis by adding hexanesulfonate salt to a treatment solution including nickel, and nickel recovery step to recover nickel in a metal form by electrolysis of the above solution for electrolysis. The present invention can produce nickel in high purity with simple process with low cost, and can recover and reproduce nickel in a metal form with at least 99.5% of high purity and at least 90% of recovery rate.
US08801910B2

A liquid electrolyte can be desalinated and purified using a system that includes a first electrode and a configuration selected from (a) a second electrode and at least one distinct ion-selective boundary and (b) a second electrode that also serves as the ion-selective boundary. The ion-selective boundary is contained in the liquid conduit adjacent to a porous medium that defines pore channels filled with the liquid and that have a surface charge, and the charge of the ion-selective boundary and the surface charge of the pore channels share the same sign. A liquid including at least one charged species flows through the pore channels, forming a thin diffuse electrochemical double layer at an interface of the liquid and the charged surface of the pore channels. A voltage differential is applied between the electrodes across the porous medium to draw ions in the liquid to the electrodes to produce brine at the electrodes and to create a shock in the dissolved-ion concentration in the bulk volume of the liquid within the pore channels, wherein a depleted zone with a substantially reduced concentration of dissolved ions forms in the liquid bulk volume between the shock and the ion-selective boundary.
US08801908B2

A composite insulating layer and a manufacturing method thereof. The composite insulating layer includes a socket substrate, a connection layer disposed on the socket substrate, a conductive metal layer disposed on the connection layer, an insulating metal layer disposed on the conductive metal layer, an insulating ceramic layer disposed on the insulating metal layer, and a electrodeposition layer disposed on the insulating ceramic layer. The composite insulating layer of the present invention can avoid the electromagnetic interference generated from the pins of the CPU and increase the stability of the CPU.
US08801907B2

The present invention relates to electrochemical cells including a first working electrode 32, a first counter electrode 34, a second working electrode 36, and a second counter electrode 38, wherein the electrodes are spaced such that reaction products from the first counter electrode 34 arrive at the first working electrode 32, and reaction products from the first and second counter electrodes 34, 38 do not reach the second working electrode 36. Also provided is a method of using such electrochemical cells for determining the concentration of a reduced or oxidized form of a redox species with greater accuracy than can be obtained using an electrochemical cell having a single working and counter electrode.
US08801901B1

Embodiments of sized fluff pulp, or fluff pulp treated with a sizing agent, have desirable characteristics for one or more intended applications. The sized fluff pulp can be debonded or non-debonded. In several examples, the one or more desirable characteristics includes a reduction in its absorption characteristics (e.g., the pulp is less hydrophilic). Some characteristics improved by the sized fluff pulp include, but are not limited to, soak and drip capacity and wicking rate. In several examples, the sized fluff pulp are less hydrophilic but retain or exhibit other desirable characteristics for producing non-wovens, including low fiberization energy and fiberized knot percentage.
US08801898B2

The method and arrangement is for adding treatment liquor to comminuted cellulose material, preferably wood chips, during the manufacture of chemical pulp in a continuous process. The process uses a down-flow vessel where chips are descending down the vessel in a plug-flow and where treated chips are continuously fed out at the bottom of the vessel. By arranging more than two parallel pipes offset from the center of the vessel a better distribution of treatment liquor is obtained. Any disturbance of the chip plug flow descending down the vessel is reduced to a minimum.
US08801895B2

A semiconductor manufacturing equipment includes a first chamber that has a first connection hole, a second chamber that has a second connection hole connected to the first connection hole of the first chamber, an O-ring that is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber so as to surround the first connection hole and the second connection hole, and a cover portion that covers a space between the first chamber and the second chamber.
US08801894B2

Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microchannels utilizing an aqueous emulsion of an amphiphilic agent and a water-soluble, hydrogel-forming polymer, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08801891B2

There is provided a substrate warpage removal apparatus and method which can remove warpage of a substrate which has a patterned surface having a film with a pattern, and a non-patterned surface having a film without a pattern. The substrate warpage removal apparatus includes: a holding plate configured to hold a substrate; a processing liquid supply pipe, provided on the side of the non-patterned surface of the substrate, configured to supply an etching liquid to the surface to remove a surface film; and a first laser displacement meter and a second laser displacement meter configured to detect warpage of the substrate. When the controller, based on signals from the first laser displacement meter and the second laser displacement meter, determines that warpage of the substrate has been eliminated, the controller stops the supply of an etching liquid from the processing liquid supply pipe.
US08801876B2

[Problem to be Solved]A Ni-based alloy product consisting of, by mass percent, C: 0.03 to 0.10%, Si: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 1.5%, Sol.Al: 0.0005 to 0.04%, Fe: 20 to 30%, Cr: not less than 21.0% and less than 25.0%, W: exceeding 6.0% and not more than 9.0%, Ti: 0.05 to 0.2%, Nb: 0.05 to 0.35%, and B: 0.0005 to 0.006%, the balance being Ni and impurities, the impurities being P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.01% or less, N: less than 0.010%, Mo: less than 0.5%, and Co: 0.8% or less, wherein a value of effective B (Beff) defined by the formula, Beff (%)=B−(11/14)×N+(11/48)×Ti, is 0.0050 to 0.0300%, and the rupture elongation in a tensile test at 700° C. and at a strain rate of 10−6/sec is 20% or more. This alloy may contain one or more kinds of Cu, Ta, Zr, Mg, Ca, REM, and Pd.
US08801872B2

A case hardened gear steel having enhanced core fracture toughness includes by weight percent about 16.3Co, 7.5Ni, 3.5Cr, 1.75Mo, 0.2W, 0.11C, 0.03Ti, and 0.02V and the balance Fe, characterized as a predominantly lath martensitic microstructure essentially free of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases and carburized to include fine M2C carbides to provide a case hardness of at least about 62 HRC and a core toughness of at least about 50 ksi√in.
US08801862B2

A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode. The controller may modify or disable the hot start feature either prior to a wash cycle, or at an early stage of the first prewash cycle, including if a consumer elects to override the prompted energy savings mode.
US08801855B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a process for obtaining silicon crystals from silicon. The method includes contacting silicon powder with a solvent metal to provide a mixture containing silicon, melting the silicon under submersion to provide a first molten liquid, contacting the first molten liquid with a first gas to provide dross and a second molten liquid, separating the dross and the second molten liquid, cooling the second molten liquid to form first silicon crystals and a first mother liquid and separating the first silicon crystals and the first mother liquid.
US08801851B2

A foamed concrete having a density from 100 to 800 kg/m3 including by mass relative to the total mass of the concrete: a cement; water; from 0.01 to 5% of a water-reducing agent, plasticizer or superplasticizer; from 0.45 to 5% of a foaming agent relative to the amount of water; from 0.01 to 5% of a water-soluble calcium salt; inorganic particles from 0.1 to 300 μm in size; the ratio of foaming agent to calcium salt being from 0.3 to 0.8; excluding foamed concretes including 10% or more by mass of slag.
US08801844B2

An autocatalytic tin plating bath containing Sn2+ ions, Ti3+ ions as reducing agent, an organic complexing agent and phenanthroline or a derivative thereof as stabilizing agent is disclosed. The plating bath is suitable for manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and metallization of semiconductor wafers.
US08801840B2

An evaporated fuel treating device lowers the blow-by volume of evaporated fuel emitted to the atmosphere via a casing having an atmospheric port. The casing has in series a first adsorbent chamber housing an adsorbent material, a space chamber not housing an adsorbent material and a second adsorbent chamber housing an adsorbent material. Each of the chambers is positioned beside an adjacent chamber thereof. The first chamber is disposed closest to the atmospheric port among the adsorbent chambers. An end part of the space chamber on a side of the first chamber has a first partition wall having an opening part with a plurality of first openings provided on a top side of the first partition wall. A current plate has one end positioned between the adjacent first openings and a surface and a rear face of the current plate are disposed along the top and bottom direction.
US08801838B2

This technology relates to the enlargement by water condensation in a laminar flow of airborne particles with diameters of the order of a few nanometers to hundreds of nanometers to form droplets with diameters of the order of several micrometers. The technology presents several advanced designs, including the use of double-stage condensers. It has application to measuring the number concentration of particles suspended in air or other gas, to collecting these particles, or to focusing these particles.
US08801835B1

In some implementations, a method for dehydrating carbon dioxide includes identifying a stream including at least carbon dioxide and water. At least a portion of the stream is dehydrated using an initial lean sorbent including glycerol and a polyhydric alcohol to generate dry carbon dioxide stream and rich sorbent including water. The polyhydric alcohol reduces an amount of glycerol lost to the dry carbon dioxide stream during dehydration. This process may result in the beneficial reduction in the amount of glycerol that leaves the system with the dry carbon dioxide. The dry carbon dioxide and the rich sorbent are separated. The glycerol is recycled by dehydrating the rich sorbent to produce recycled lean sorbent.
US08801832B2

Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed.
US08801827B2

A fertilizer composition is provided that includes boron and sulfur. The fertilizer composition can be a controlled release fertilizer that includes elemental sulfur, an anhydrous boron-containing compound, and a swelling material. The fertilizer composition can be produced by mixing molten elemental sulfur with the anhydrous boron-containing compound and cooling the mixture.
US08801824B2

A filter frame is removably attachable to a box fan. The filter frame is adapted for receiving a standard HVAC-style filter for removing contaminants from air flow induced by the fan. In this manner, a cost-effective means for filtering a flow of air is provided for residential and commercial settings. The filter frame is adaptable to a variety of standard box fan types of different styles and dimensions. The frame is configured to accommodate standard filters, such as those readily available from retail hardware stores and home centers.
US08801822B2

An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for an engine can perform manual regeneration control for regenerating a particulate removal filter by increasing the engine rotation speed. The system can suppress the engine rotation speed increase while maintaining the exhaust gas temperature required to regenerate the particulate removal filter. The system can set the target engine rotation speed to a first set value when a regeneration instruction signal from a manual regeneration switch is received. When, although the engine rotation speed falls within a predetermined engine rotation speed range including the first set value that is the target engine rotation speed for a predetermined time period, the exhaust gas temperature does not reach the filter's regeneration temperature within the predetermined time period, the target engine rotation speed is repeatedly reset by being increased from the first set value by a predetermined rotation speed.
US08801821B2

An exhaust gas after-treatment device has a body containing an after-treatment element and a shield that substantially encloses the outer surface of the after-treatment device. The shield is coupled to the exhaust gas outlet of the after-treatment device such that at least a portion of the exhaust gas exiting the after-treatment device is conducted into the space between the outer surface of the after-treatment device and the shield.
US08801820B2

Distribution of a precoat agent is made uniform in a target gas directing to a filter. To this end, an intake opening of a filter device is formed as a slit-like or rectangular opening extending in a width direction. An accumulation recess is formed in an upper edge portion of the intake opening to have a profile that opens downward as viewed from a longitudinal direction of the intake opening. The accumulation recess is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the intake opening. A precoat agent nozzle is provided in a longitudinal predetermined position of the intake opening for ejecting the precoat agent and carrier gas toward an inner depth surface of the accumulation recess.
US08801817B2

A surface-coated cutting tool according to the present invention includes a base material and a coating film formed on the base material. The coating film includes at least one TiCN layer. The TiCN layer has a columnar crystal region. The columnar crystal region is characterized by having a composition of TiCxNy (in which 0.65≦x/(x+y)≦0.90) and having a (422) plane having a plane spacing of 0.8765 Å to 0.8790 Å.
US08801814B2

A process for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in a reactor, in which a stream comprising the hydrocarbon and a stream comprising the oxygen are fed to the reactor, wherein both streams fed to the reactor are conducted within the reactor separately through in each case one or more spatially separate lines, these lines having turbulence generators in their interior, owing to which, as a result of the imposed deflection of the flow direction downstream of turbulence generators, a highly turbulent flow field forms, and the streams are then mixed in a mixing zone after exiting from the lines and then converted in a reaction zone.
US08801813B2

A gasification apparatus for solid fuel, especially an apparatus for producing syngas by pressurized gasification of coal powder, including a gasification chamber (II) and a syngas cooling and purification chamber (III). The inner wall of the gasification chamber is a water-cooling wall (4). The inner side of the water-cooled wall is evenly coated with a layer of fire-resistant material (16). There is an annular cavity between the water-cooling wall of the gasification chamber and the furnace body. A syngas quencher, a vertical pipe (22), a gas distribution device (24), a defoaming device, and a dewatering and deashing device (21) are provided in the syngas cooling and purification chamber. The apparatus has a simple structure and is easy to operate. A high temperature gasification method for dry powder of carbonaceous material comprises spraying the combustible material and oxygen into the furnace and followed by ignition.
US08801809B2

An aluminum slug anode usable in capacitors is produced from multiple-stacked layers of aluminum foils. The foils are stacked (possibly after cutting them to have an area similar to the area desired for the anode), hot-pressed, sintered, and anodized to generate the anode. A contact in electrical communication with the foils is formed, as by welding a contact across at least some of the foils. A capacitor casing be formed by situating the anode within a casing which serves as a cathode, with the anode being wrapped in a dielectric such as separator paper.
US08801805B2

An agent includes in a cosmetically suitable carrier at least hydrogen peroxide, at least one homo- or copolymer of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and at least one polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is a polycondensation product of polyethylene glycol(s), diisocyanate(s) and optionally ethoxylated fatty alcohol(s).
US08801800B2

Implantable devices for the surgical treatment of bone, and particularly to a bone defect at a joint region, and even more particularly at the subchondral bone level of the joint region, are disclosed. The implantable devices may be formed of a bone material, and configured to serve the dual functions of providing mechanical strength and structural integrity to the area to be treated, while also facilitating the dispersal of a flowable material in the same area. Associated delivery tools are also provided.
US08801783B2

A system for a knee joint includes a first fastener and a second fastener operable to be connected to the tibia and femur, respectively. Furthermore, the system includes a flexible prosthetic ligament member. The ligament member is operably coupled to the first and second fasteners to support the tibia and the femur for relative movement. The ligament member extends from a first end to a second end, and includes an outer wall that defines a hollow longitudinal passage portion. The first end extends into and out of the longitudinal passage portion through the outer wall to define a first adjustable loop, and the second end extends into and out of the longitudinal passage portion through the outer wall to define a second adjustable loop.
US08801781B2

When fitting a patient for an intraocular lens, a series of measurements is taken on the patient's eye that determines a required lens power. Next, a range of preferred shape factors may be found, which determine the base (i.e., spherical) radii of the two lens surfaces, essentially independent of the lens power. The preferred shape factor adjusts the third-order coma of the lens to largely offset the coma of the cornea, so that the image at the retina has a reduced amount of third-order coma. Once a preferred shape factor is determined, the base radii of curvature of the anterior and posterior surfaces are determined from the shape factor and the lens power by algebraic formulas. Finally, one or more aspheric terms are added to one or both of the surfaces in the lens, so that the spherical aberration of the lens largely offsets the spherical aberration of the cornea.
US08801780B2

The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods directed to mounting a plunger tip to a plunger of an IOL injection device. A plunger tip wrench that is operable to releasably retain a plunger tip may be coupled to a holder extending from an end of the IOL injection device to align the plunger tip with the plunger of the IOL injection device. In some instances, the IOL injection device may include a motor and use a back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor to detect a position of the plunger as it is extended to engage the plunger tip. The plunger tip may be positioned relative to the plunger such that the plunger will engage the plunger tip within the entire range of a negative error position and a positive error position.
US08801778B2

An implant having a base body, comprised either entirely or in part of a biocorrodible metallic material wherein at least the parts of the base body having the biocorrodible metallic material are at least partially covered with a coating of a crosslinked CFx layer that is nonpolymerized and has an F/C ratio in the range of 0.5 to 1.5.
US08801777B2

An intravascular device for keeping open a previously constricted site within a vessel and for minimizing tissue debris at such a site from closing off the vessel is provided. The device includes an expandable substantially tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end. The device also includes a flexible netting system that is circumferentially disposed about the body, and extends beyond at least one of the distal end or proximal end. The netting system can expand along with the body to minimize release of tissues debris at the site from closing the lumen of the vessel. The netting system can include a plurality of pores to permit communication between fluid flow within the vessel and the vessel wall, and at least one pharmacotherapeutic agent for the treatment or prevention of certain conditions. A method for placing the device at a site of interest is also provided.
US08801775B2

Waveforms for forming helical stents with opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along their lengths are disclosed. A wire is bent to form a waveform having a series of sinusoidal segments between a first end and a second end thereof. Each sinusoidal segment is longitudinally offset from its adjacent segment(s). Each waveform includes at least one sinusoidal segment having a first portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually increases and a longitudinally offset second portion in which the amplitude between consecutive turns of the wire gradually decreases. The waveform is wrapped from one end to the other about a mandrel to form the stent and depending on the arrangement of sinusoidal segments along the waveform may have opposing and/or alternating pitch angles along a section or an entire length of the stent.
US08801766B2

The present invention generally relates to devices for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, devices of the invention include a housing, a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, and a hollow shaft coupled inside the housing to the deployment mechanism, in which the shaft is configured to hold an intraocular shunt, and the device includes an insertion configuration and a deployment configuration and the insertion configuration involves the shaft being fully disposed within the housing.
US08801761B2

An implant having a receiver that is adapted to receive a polyaxial screw in the bore and either an internal or external cap. The cap can be an external or internal cap and the implant further has at least one locking aid in the form of at least one of a tactile feedback, a visual feedback or an enhanced fixation between the cap and a rod that is received in the receiver.
US08801760B2

A growth control device includes a bone plate having a stepped profile defined by a first level, a second level and an intermediate ramp connecting the first and second levels. The first level includes a first threaded hole for receiving a first bone fastener and the second level includes a second threaded hole for receiving a second bone fastener. The bone plate includes a proximal pair of side female notches, a distal pair of side female notches, a proximal guide hole and a distal guide hole.
US08801750B2

A seamless, self-expanding implantable device having a low profile is disclosed along with methods of making and using the same. The implantable device includes a frame cut out of a single piece of material that is formed into a three-dimensional shape. The implantable device may comprise an embolic filter, stent, or other implantable structure. The present invention also allows complicated frame structures to be easily formed from planar sheets of starting material, such as through laser cutting, stamping, photo-etching, or other cutting techniques.
US08801747B2

This invention is directed to an implant having a coil for embolizing a vascular site, such as aneurysm. The coil has a specific three-dimensional shape that is achieved by winding the coil around a mandrel in a specific pattern and then heat setting the coil and the mandrel, another aspect of the invention. The three-dimensional shape resembles unclosed mobius loops. Also provided are methods of making the coil and methods of embolizing vascular site.
US08801744B2

An introducer sheath. The introducer sheath includes a tubular body. The tubular body extends from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body includes a lumen. The lumen is defined at least partially by a wall. The tubular body includes a secondary channel. The secondary channel is disposed within the wall. The secondary channel is configured to receive a guidewire.
US08801740B2

A lancing device (A) includes a lancing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the lancing depth of a lancet (L) into a target portion (99) by operating an operation member (20c). The lancing adjustment mechanism is designed to provide a nonlinear relationship between the lancing depth of the lancet (L) into the target portion (99) and the operation amount of the operation member (20c). With this arrangement, it is possible to suitably adjust bleeding at the lanced portion, thereby improving the operationality of the lancing device (A).
US08801737B2

A phacoemulsification needle having a hollow passageway terminates in a straight needle tip having a rectangular cross-sectional shape larger than the cross-sectional shape of the needle passageway. The tip is formed off-axis from the passageway, allowing the needle tip to move eccentrically when the needle is subjected to torsional or longitudinal vibratory motion. The inner and outer surfaces of the needle tip are roughened, as by sandblasting, to enhance the cutting effect of the tip when used with a non-longitudinal handpiece. The lip of each needle tip is polished to a high degree of smoothness and the edges of the tip are rounded to lessen the incidence of snags or cuts.
US08801725B2

An instrument for determining the proper orientation for repairing a defect site on a tissue surface generally comprises a shaft, a plurality of probes operatively coupled to the shaft, and at least one indicator operatively coupled to the plurality of probes. The probes are configured to extend beyond a first end of the shaft and are movable relative the shaft. The at least one indicator is configured to display the displacements of the probes relative to the first end so that the displacements of the probes may be compared. A method of using the instrument when repairing a defect on a tissue surface is also disclosed.
US08801719B2

A method and system for performing a total joint arthroplasty procedure on a patient's damaged bone region. A CT image or other suitable image is formed of the damaged bone surfaces, and location coordinate values (xn,yn,zn) are determined for a selected sequence of bone surface locations using the CT image data. A mathematical model z=f(x,y) of a surface that accurately matches the bone surface coordinates at the selected bone spice locations, or matches surface normal vector components at selected bone surface locations, is determined. The model provides a production file from which a cutting jig and an implant device (optional), each patient-specific and having controllable alignment, are fabricated for the damaged bone by automated processing. At this point, the patient is cut open (once), the cutting jig and a cutting instrument are used to remove a selected portion of the bone and to provide an exposed planar surface, the implant device is optionally secured to and aligned with the remainder of the bone, and the patient's incision is promptly repaired.
US08801718B1

A method of using a tenolysis tool with a handle connected to at least two extension members which could be tines of a fork separated by a gap. Between the extension members and at least a portion of the handle may be a torque device selected from the group of a torque release and a torque indicator. By placing a tendon in the gap between the tines, the tool can be twisted so that the tendon is stretched under a torque.
US08801715B2

Methods and apparatuses for displaying images are provided which input two-dimensional tomographic images of the lower limb including the knee joint, display three-dimensional images of the femur and the tibia including the knee joint from the image input, determine an artificial joint to be replaced from the three-dimensional images of each knee joint of the femur and tibia, and determine various parameters used in an artificial knee joint replacement operation using an alignment rod in the marrow to be inserted into the femur based on the artificial joint and reference points of the knee joint determined when determining a femur side artificial joint.
US08801712B2

A bone plate has a main body configured to position adjacent bones with respect to each other. The main body includes a plurality of separate layers bonded together. Each layer is comprised of a radiolucent material and has a first aperture and a second aperture that extend through the layer. The layers are all stacked such that the first apertures of all of the layers are aligned with each other and the second apertures of all of the layers are aligned with each other. An insert can be positioned within the first aperture.
US08801709B2

The present disclosure relates to various apparatus, systems and methods of identifying and treating tissue using at least one electrical property of tissue. Provided is a method for identifying and treating tissue, the method including providing a electrosurgical treatment device including an electrode assembly for measuring one or more electrical properties of a target tissue, the electrode assembly being mounted on a distal end thereof, measuring the one or more electrical characteristics of the target tissue, comparing the measured electrical property values of the target tissue against electrical property values of known tissue types, identifying a tissue type of the target tissue, adjusting an energy delivery configuration of the electrosurgical treatment device to the type of target tissue, and activating the electrosurgical treatment device to treat the target tissue.
US08801705B2

A method for treating a bone body comprises inserting a probe having at least one active electrode into the target tissue and applying a voltage difference between an active electrode and return electrode to ablate the tissue. The method is particularly directed to removing tumors in a bone body and or removing cancellous bone in a bone body. The bone body may be a vertebral body. An apparatus includes a plurality of active electrodes and a distal section including two bends. The bends serve to prevent the active electrodes from impinging upon the shaft of an introducer needle. Also, a kit includes an electrosurgical probe, an electrosurgical generator, an introducer needle, and a fluid connector to connect the introducer needle to a fluid source such that liquid may be supplied to the target site during an application.
US08801699B2

To perform a prostatectomy, a directionally illuminating balloon catheter enters a bladder. The catheter has a multi-lumen shaft. The balloon defines an interior fluidically connected to a balloon inflation lumen and is inflated therethrough. The balloon comprises a light source, a light-radiating surface adjacent the shaft-balloon junction, and a substantially opaque surface disposed at a portion of the balloon other than the light-radiating surface such that the integrated light source illuminates a proximal half of the environment outside the balloon. The balloon is inflated while in the bladder. Light from the light source is directed out through the light-radiating surface to illuminate at least a portion of a procedure area at the bladder-prostate junction. With the light illuminating the portion of the procedure area, at least a portion of a prostatectomy is performed at the portion of the procedure area.
US08801695B2

A tracheostomy tube is provided. The tracheostomy tube includes an outer cannula that comprises an outer cannula connector comprising a first keying feature. The tracheostomy tube further comprises an inner cannula comprising an inner cannula connector including a second keying feature configured to complement the first keying feature when the inner cannula is inserted into the outer cannula. Further, a method is provided, whereby the method comprises inserting an outer cannula into a patient's trachea, and inserting an inner cannula into the outer cannula such that a keying feature on an inner cannula connector of the inner cannula engages a second keying feature on an outer cannula connector of the outer cannula.
US08801691B2

A support catheter for stowing and exchanging guidewires and other working elements comprises a catheter body having a proximal region and a distal region. A single, contiguous lumen is formed from the proximal region through the distal region and has a larger proximal cross-sectional area than distal cross-sectional area.
US08801682B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for separating tissue cells from a fluid, with a collection container forming a collection space, which is connected, on one hand, with a negative pressure source and which is connected, on the other hand, with a supply line for the fluid-tissue cell mixture.It is provided that inside the collection space (18) a communicating tube (16) is arranged, which terminates at a distance from the bottom (17) of the collection container (14), wherein a connection is provided between the communicating tube (16) and the collection space (18) above a fluid-tissue cell mixture level (22) established in the collection container (14), and a suction element (20) which is connected with the negative pressure source (6) is arranged inside the communicating tube (16).
US08801677B2

A medical clamp having a semi-circular front engagement portion with reciprocal transverse grooves formed in the opposing clamp surface. The semi-circular engagement portion allows for easy alignment, safe operation and completely eliminates the possibility of misalignment and unintentional release.
US08801672B2

At the pivotable needle protector (1) according to the invention, the needle (2) is enveloped by a protective tube (3) with a slit on the side and pivotable around a hinge (5), the hinge (5) of the protective tube (3) is connected to an appendix (4) fixed on the part of the needle (2) toward the syringe, in the inside of the protective tube (3) there are valve elements (6) on both sides farthering from the slit (7), functioning as check valve regarding the movement of the needle (2). The solution is characterized by that, before the check valve at least one more valve is formed in the protective tube (3) in direct connection with the needle (2) when moving, preventing only the two-way movement of the needle (2) with the help of one or more flexible valve membranes (8) protruding from the wall of the protective tube (3).
US08801657B2

An apparatus comprising a pump, an input configured to receive information related to a user, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the input, and the user interface. The controller includes a timing module configured to initiate delivery of a drug in time and to adjust delivery according to the received information. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08801656B2

Infusion systems and methods containing unique inner passage configurations are provided to improve the in-line detection of air in a fluid delivery line of an infusion system by reducing the problems associated with the presence of bouncing air bubbles and stuck fluid droplets in the fluid delivery line.
US08801655B2

A disposable, wearable, self-contained insulin dispensing device includes a housing and an insulin source in the housing that is connected to a catheter for injecting insulin into a user.
US08801653B2

A surgical apparatus 10, used in a phaco procedure, includes a filter assembly 44/44a for near, or complete, elimination of air bubbles in an aspiration line of an aspiration system 38. The apparatus 10 includes a suppressor 110, which, during an aspiration mode of operation, maintains a fluid flow rate at 50 cc/min, and, upon an occlusion breaking free, dynamically decreases the fluid flow rate from a high surge rate to the rate at 50 cc/min. The apparatus 10 includes facility for operating in a reflux mode to direct unrestricted fluid flow through the aspiration line of the aspiration system 38.
US08801650B2

Methods and devices for use in tissue approximation and fixation are described herein. The present invention provides, in part, methods and devices for acquiring tissue folds in a circumferential configuration within a hollow body organ, e.g., a stomach, positioning the tissue folds for affixing within a fixation zone of the stomach, preferably to create a pouch or partition below the esophagus, and fastening the tissue folds such that a tissue ring, or stomas, forms excluding the pouch from the greater stomach cavity. The present invention further provides for a liner or bypass conduit which is affixed at a proximal end either to the tissue ring or through some other fastening mechanism. The distal end of the conduit is left either unanchored or anchored within the intestinal tract. This bypass conduit also includes a fluid bypass conduit which allows the stomach and a portion of the intestinal tract to communicate.
US08801649B2

Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.
US08801646B2

An extracorporeal blood system includes: an extracorporeal blood machine; an arterial line extending from the extracorporeal blood machine; a venous line extending from the extracorporeal blood machine; and an access disconnection circuit for detecting a disconnection of at least one of the arterial or venous lines from a patient, the access disconnection circuit including (i) a signal generation source having first and second signal generation source electrical lines each in electrical communication with blood traveling through one of the arterial or venous lines, (ii) a conductive pathway electrically communicating blood traveling through the arterial line with blood traveling through the venous line, and (iii) a signal processing unit positioned and arranged to process a signal generated by the source to detect the disconnection of the at least one of the arterial and venous lines.
US08801644B2

A compression garment for applying compression to a part of a wearer's body includes a flexible member, an inflatable bladder defining an inflatable chamber, and a port for communication between a source of pressurized air and the inflatable chamber. The garment also incorporates noise attenuation. The noise attenuation can include noise attenuating members on an air impingement surface of the inflatable bladder.
US08801643B2

A compression garment assembly comprises a compression garment adapted for placement on a body part in a self-retaining configuration and for removal from the body part. The compression garment has at least one inflatable bladder for applying compression to the body part. A portable controller unit is adapted for fluid connection to the inflatable bladder and is configured for cyclically inflating the bladder. The compression garment and portable controller unit are configured so that the portable controller unit must be disconnected from the compression garment before the compression garment can be removed from the body part. Loss of the portable controller unit by, for example, accidental disposal with the compression garment is thus prevented.
US08801617B2

Devices, systems, and methods for ultrasonically acquiring far-field and near-field images within a body are disclosed. An ultrasound imaging device adapted for insertion within a body includes a first ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a first frequency for acquiring far-field images within the body, and a second ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a higher frequency than the first frequency for acquiring near-field images within the body. The ultrasound imaging device can be connected to a control device and user interface for visualizing far-field and near-field images acquired by the ultrasonic sensors.
US08801612B2

Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.
US08801610B2

Systems and methods for dynamically and intelligently estimating analyte data from a continuous analyte sensor, including receiving a data stream, selecting one of a plurality of algorithms, and employing the selected algorithm to estimate analyte values. Additional data processing includes evaluating the selected estimative algorithms, analyzing a variation of the estimated analyte values based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, comparing the estimated analyte values with corresponding measure analyte values, and providing output to a user. Estimation can be used to compensate for time lag, match sensor data with corresponding reference data, warn of upcoming clinical risk, replace erroneous sensor data signals, and provide more timely analyte information encourage proactive behavior and preempt clinical risk.
US08801603B2

An endoscope of an embodiment includes: a distal end rigid member made of resin; a channel tube connecting member which has a distal end side fitted and fixed in the distal end rigid member and is formed in a tubular shape using a conductive member, and which includes a stepped portion on a part of an outer circumferential surface in a longitudinal direction; and a bending piece member which is formed in a tubular shape using a conductive member and arranged just behind a rear end side of the distal end rigid member, and which has a protruding portion protruding and elastically-deformed toward an inner circumferential surface side, wherein when the bending piece member is fixed to the distal end rigid member with the channel tube connecting member being housed inside thereof, the protruding portion contacts the outer circumferential surface of the channel tube connecting member to establish conduction.
US08801602B2

An endoscope insertion shape observation probe including: a bobbin including a first insulation member provided at a front end of a core made of a magnetic member and a second insulation member provided at a rear end of the core; a coil portion formed by winding metal lines on the core; at least two terminal portions to which the metal lines are electrically connected; and signal lines having wires electrically connected to the terminal portions and extended rearward while being sandwiched between an inner circumferential surface of a tube and an outer circumferential portion of the coil portion, wherein the two terminal portions has the wires brazed respectively on surface sides thereof, the surface sides being directed in opposite directions away from each other toward outward of each magnetic coil unit, which improves resistance property of signal lines connected to plural magnetic coil units without increasing an outer diameter.
US08801601B2

Landmark directional guidance is provided to an operator of an endoscopic device by displaying graphical representations of vectors adjacent a current image captured by an image capturing device disposed at a tip of the endoscopic device and being displayed at the time on a display screen, wherein the graphical representations of the vectors point in directions that the endoscope tip is to be steered in order to move towards associated landmarks such as anatomic structures in a patient.
US08801600B2

A sexual stimulation apparatus which may comprise a plurality of light sources for photostimulation and microbe reduction of the vagina, clitoris, or both; a plurality of vibrators for mechanical stimulation of the vagina, clitoris, or both; a plurality of modes of operation for achieving improved sexual stimulation in a user; a handle for ease of operation; a controller and programmable memory for containing modes of operation and driving the light sources and vibrators of the invention; a vaginal finger; a clitoral finger; a handle for ease of use; a keypad for user entry of commands; a charging and programming port; and a power source which may be a rechargeable battery which may be rechargeable by direct, inductive or other means; and a handle for ease of operation. The invention also comprises a flexible covering that provides smooth sliding engagement with the vagina and clitoris of a user.
US08801594B2

A fluid transfer system for an inflatable sphincter prosthesis is disclosed. The implantable inflatable sphincter prosthesis may include a fluid transfer system and at least one inflatable cuff for occluding a body channel. The fluid transfer system may include an inflate pump, a deflate pump, and three one-way valves.
US08801588B2

The present invention is related to device for selecting one of several triggering apparatuses, which are simultaneously connectable to said device. The triggering apparatuses are arranged for producing each a triggering signal to enable/disable one or more components of a radiation treatment apparatus. The triggering signals depend on detected parameters. The device is configured to receive triggering signals from the several triggering apparatuses, when all of the apparatuses are connected to the device, to receive a selection of one of the triggering apparatuses, to generate a universal triggering signal for the one or more components on the basis of said received triggering signal from the selected triggering apparatus, and to send the universal triggering signal to the one or more components.
US08801587B2

A method for solidifying cementitious wastewater by combining the wastewater with a super absorbent polymer composition that includes a UV-stabilizer to form a mixture and disposing of the mixture as solid construction waste. The UV-stabilizer may be a stabilizing additive in the super absorbent polymer composition that inhibits the reversion from a solid or semi-solid mixture back to a liquid. In some embodiments, the method includes placing the mixture in UV-light non-transmissive packaging. After placing the mixture in the UV-light non-transmissive packaging, the package is closed and can be permanently sealed. The sealed package with solidified material therein can then be disposed as solid construction waste. The super absorbent polymer composition can include zeolite or other molecular sieves.
US08801586B2

Disclosed is a system to separate, enrich, and/or purify a cellular population from a biological tissue, such as a tissue sample. For example, an adipose tissue sample can be acquired and disrupted. The disrupted tissue sample can then be separated and purified. The separated components can include multipotent, pluripotent, or other cell populations.
US08801582B2

A treadmill includes a tread platform having two longitudinal frame bars, a swing unit pivotally mounted at the bottom side of the tread platform, and two inclination angle adjustment blocks. Each inclination angle adjustment block has a core shaft defining an axis line, and a plurality of bearing faces connected to one another and respectively disposed in parallel to the axis line and adapted for selectively supporting the tread platform on the ground. Each bearing face defines with the axis line a respective different vertical distance. The core shafts of the inclination angle adjustment blocks are pivotally coupled to the swing unit to support the inclination angle adjustment blocks at an outer side relative to the longitudinal frame bars of the tread platform. Thus, the treadmill allows manual multi-angle adjustment of the angle of inclination of the tread platform.
US08801570B2

An ignition control type auto lever device may disclose shift mode control signals for P(parking)-R(rear)-N(neutral)-D(drive) that are generated by movement of an auto lever according to a gate pattern, another mode control signal that is generated by movement of the auto lever to a section behind the D(drive), and electric signals generated by at least one or more different operations of the auto lever at a section positioned ahead of the P(parking) position that are sent to a PIC (Personal Identification Card) system.
US08801559B2

A vehicular power transmitting system including an oil pump constructed to sufficiently reduce a required drive torque. A high-pressure-port discharge amount of first and second high-pressure passages of the oil pump is determined such that an amount of consumption of working oil of relatively high pressure can be afforded only by the high-pressure-port discharge amount, during steady-state running of a vehicle in which engine speed is not lower than a predetermined threshold value corresponding to a predetermined lowest target input shaft speed of a continuously variable transmission for its shifting control. The pressure of the working oil discharged from first and second low-pressure discharge passages is kept at a predetermined low level, and the required drive torque of the oil pump is sufficiently reduced.
US08801556B2

A power transmitting device makes a motor in a hybrid vehicle be smaller and lighter, prevents internal resistance and inertia of the generator motor from becoming driving resistance, and can effectively utilize energy. Via a first clutch, power is transmitted from an input shaft to a transmission shaft but power transmission vice versa is blocked, and power transmission from the input shaft to the transmission shaft can be blocked. Via a second clutch, power is transmitted from the transmission shaft to the input shaft, while power transmission vice versa is blocked. Thus, when driving using only the power of the engine, power transmission from the input shaft to the transmission shaft is blocked, thereby preventing transmission of power to the generator motor. Consequently, the generator motor can be made smaller and lighter, and energy losses can be prevented.
US08801553B2

There is provided a sports ball capable of relieving the pain of the hands suffered from impact on the ball and having a soft feel and high flexibility. The sports ball comprises a spherical hollow rubber bladder (2) inflated with air injected into it, a fabric tape reinforcement layer (3) formed by winding a narrow adhesive-impregnated fabric tape (7) around a central spherical portion (6) of the rubber bladder about each of three axes of the rubber bladder with the exception of opposite spherical end portions (5) of the rubber bladder, whereby the fabric tape reinforcement layer is formed as orthogonal lap windings of the fabric tape over substantially all of the spherical surface of the rubber bladder, to provide a fabric tape wound ball core, and surface panels (4) adhered with adhesive to the fabric tape reinforcement layer on the rubber bladder, after vulcanization and forming of the fabric tape wound ball core.
US08801552B2

A blade-opening arrowhead device includes an arrowhead body having a plurality of longitudinal blade slots on an outer surface and a flexible wedge slot extending through a center portion of the body. A blade is pivotally disposable in one of the blade slots and pivotable between a retracted position and a deployed position. A flexible wedge is disposable in the flexible wedge slot. The flexible wedge is configured to apply a wedging force against the blade in the retracted position to maintain the blade in the retracted position until a sufficient external force overcomes the wedging force and pivots the blade to the open position.
US08801546B2

A tape measure is attached to an accessory attached to a flag pole residing in a golf course hole. The accessory includes a mouth openable to engage the flag pole. Once the mouth is closed, the pole resides in a throat surrounded by a plurality of rollers residing co-axial with the pole. The rollers allow the accessory to freely rotate on the flag pole, but include a non-slip outer surface to prevent the accessory from sliding on the pole. Tape is drawn from the tape measure attached to a measuring tape attachment feature to measure the distance to a golf ball, and the accessory freely rotates on the flag pole to provide accurate repeatable measurements. The tape measure is preferably attached to an axially rotating measuring tape attachment feature.
US08801540B2

A golf club iron having a thin front face which is supported by a biasly connected insert that is inserted into a perimeter groove defined in the body of the club which gives the thin front face added support. The insert has a flange about its perimeter, and the perimeter groove has an opening ledge. The insert flange is slightly larger in thickness than the ledge and when the insert is biasly pushed into the perimeter groove a mechanical connection is created between the insert and the body of the club.
US08801536B2

A golf club can include a universal hosel and/or hosel spacer that allows the golf club to be used with a variety of different sized club head shafts. The universal hosel can include multiple steps or ledges, and various inner diameters to accommodate different sized shafts. The spacer can be a self-expanding spacer, and can be pre-coated with epoxy. The spacer can fill in gaps within a hosel, so as to accommodate different sized shafts.
US08801535B2

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a golf putter and methods of using the same. More specifically, embodiments relate to an improved golf putter, designed to allow a golfer to utilize the putter in a novel manner, yielding enhanced results. In one embodiment, a golf putter comprises a club head having a face thereon, the face designed to impact a golf ball; a shaft, connected on a first end to the club head; a golf grip, positioned on a second end of the shaft, the golf grip having a first gripping section positioned beneath a second gripping section; wherein the first gripping section of the golf grip comprises an first ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a control hand of a golfer; and wherein the second gripping section of the golf grip comprises a second ergonomic cross-section, for being gripped by a stabilizing hand of the golfer.
US08801534B1

Disclosed is an attachment for a club. In example embodiments the attachment may be configured to fit at an end of the club, for example, a golf club. In example embodiments, the attachment may include a crown and a body. In example embodiments, the body may be configured to capture a golf ball or, in the alternative, a golf club or a flag stick. In example embodiments the body may include a first aperture and a second aperture wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned with one another and configured to accommodate at least one of the golf club and the flag stick.
US08801531B2

This invention relates to a training aid (strategic Golf Grip and Swing Repeater Training Aid) to assist the golfer in performing the proper golf swing technique for the effective golf swing. This training aid will be placed on the leading wrist of the golfer to develop the proper swing technique and to create muscle memory and to allow for repeated practice for game improvement and consistency. It includes a cover with straps to wrap around the hand of the user, and incorporates a back hand plate to hold the hand and wrist in alignment and place during a golf swing. It may also incorporate a wrist plate.
US08801506B2

A dust collection hood installed on a grinding machine tool which includes a driving motor and at least one grinding portion driven by the driving motor to rotate. The dust collection hood includes a circumferential wall surrounding the grinding portion and a dust collection cap. The dust collection cap is coupled with the circumferential wall to form a dust collection chamber to house the grinding portion, and includes a top fastened to the grinding machine tool. The dust collection chamber is formed at a height gradually decreased from the top towards the circumferential wall. The dust collection cap further includes a dust discharge port communicating with the dust collection chamber and an airflow guiding portion to guide airflow from the dust collection chamber to the dust discharge port. Thus a great amount of dust generated during grinding can be discharged via the dust discharge port.
US08801488B2

A walk-around character assembly or system with enhanced control functionality to provide a performer of a walk-around character the ability to silently and non-visibly trigger audio, animation, and/or special effects. A deflection monitoring (or chin movement) sensor is provided in the head portion of the character costume to detect predefined chin movements, e.g., a performer opening their mouth once or twice within a time period to limit false negatives/triggers. For example, a potentiometer or force sensor may be provided in the chin strap of a character head. The performer is able to trigger an audio response or to animate the mouth of the character head with relatively small movements of their jaw as a controller processes the sensor signals to determine when to generate control signals to operate sound equipment on the character costume.
US08801465B2

A USB device includes a main body, a PCB fixed in the main body and a USB connector connected to the main body. The USB connector includes a shell, a USB plug and a cover. The shell defines a receiving room, a first opening and a second opening and includes an integrally formed enclosure enclosing the receiving room and a first flange outwardly protruding from the enclosure. The USB plug electrically connects to a wire group and is inserted into the shell from the first opening. The cover shields the second opening and is fixed to the shell. The cover includes a second flange engaging with the first flange to cooperatively receive the wire group and connect to the main body.
US08801464B2

A two-piece mezzanine connector for high speed, high density signals. One piece of the connector may have conductive elements with beam-shaped mating contacts. The beams may include openings to control mechanical properties while allowing edge to edge spacing between adjacent beams to be selected to provide desired electrical properties. The openings may be teardrop shaped, with a larger width at a distal end of the beams. Beams associated with signal conductors may have openings that are shaped differently from openings of beams associated with ground conductors. For a first connector piece, mating contact regions of signal conductors may be wider than mating contact regions of ground conductors. For a second connector piece adapted to mate with the first connector piece, mating contact regions of signal conductors may be narrower than mating contact regions of ground conductors. These contact shapes may provide float while maintaining a high contact density.
US08801448B2

A connector is configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path. The connector, in one embodiment, has a body structure, a post structure, a coupler structure and a continuity structure.
US08801443B2

A plug-and-jack for use with an electronic device that is configured to ensure circuitry of the device is protected from electrostatic discharge. In one case, the jack is an audio jack designed to protect high gain circuitry of the device against electrostatic discharge from the leads of an audio plug. The jack includes a mechanical switch that only connects the high gain circuitry to the appropriate portion of the audio plug once the audio plug is fully inserted. At the same time, the mechanical switch also connects the high gain circuitry and corresponding portion of the audio plug to an electrostatic discharge circuit.
US08801442B2

A device for positioning at least one multiple round plug on a profiled support, including an adapter with a plurality of external functional surfaces wherein a first functional surface having latch-type profiles is provided for snap fastening the adapter onto the profiled support, and a further functional surface, offset from the first functional surface is provided with a retaining device for releasable attachment of the housing of a round plug. The adapter includes at least one space which is open toward at least one external functional surface and through which flexible cables can pass.
US08801430B2

A bracket is used in orthodontic treatment with a base fixed to the tooth with a constructive arrangement able to receive locks capable of providing infinite mechanical needs of orthodontic treatment, providing the efficient positioning of the traction wires in order to increase the versatility of the apparatus itself, resulting in an optimized and less painful treatment than the conventional brackets.
US08801427B2

The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.
US08801413B2

A helical gear pump includes a second helical gear provided coaxially with a drive helical gear, a third helical gear engaged with the second helical gear and provided on a third shaft different from a shaft of the drive helical gear and a shaft of a driven helical gear, and a bearing for supporting the third shaft and receiving a thrust force.
US08801409B2

A piston of the type comprising a tubular skirt portion which is closed, next to an end edge, by a head portion, the skirt portion being defined by a respective tube extension and presenting an end edge region configured to affix a head portion formed in a separate piece and having a peripheral contour internal to an axial projection of the outer contour of the skirt portion.
US08801408B2

The invention relates to a piston pump for a motor vehicle braking system having a housing section and a piston guided displaceably in the housing section. The invention further has an intake valve having a valve seat arranged on the piston. The valve seat is configured as a circular sealing edge. A spherical valve body of the intake valve seals against the spherical sealing edge.
US08801396B2

An oil pump system can include a housing defining a pocket for an oil pump, a cavity, and a pump outlet passage connecting the pocket to the cavity. Low and high pressure relief passages can be defined by the housing for selectively fluidly coupling the cavity to a pressure relief area. A pressure relief valve positioned in the cavity can comprise first and second ends, first and second internal bores, and a slot in communication with the first internal bore. A biasing member positioned in the second internal bore can biasing the valve to a first position. The valve can translate to a second position aligning the slot with the low pressure relief passage to selectively provide low pressure relief to the oil pump, and can translate to a third position aligning the slot with the high pressure relief passage to selectively provide high pressure relief to the oil pump.
US08801394B2

A system for driving a pump includes a gas turbine engine having an output shaft, and a torque converter including an input shaft coupled to the output shaft of the gas turbine engine and an output shaft configured to be coupled to an input shaft of a pump. The system further includes a controller coupled to the torque converter, wherein the controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a pressure at at least one of a pump inlet and a pump outlet, and control a speed of the output shaft of the torque converter based on the signal indicative of pressure.
US08801389B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a first motor speed, obtains a reference flow rate, determines a present flow rate, and determines a present power consumption. The controller calculates a difference value between the reference flow rate and the present flow rate, and uses at least one of integral, proportional, and derivative control to generate a second motor speed based on the difference value. The controller attempts to drive the motor at the second motor speed until reaching a steady state condition.
US08801379B2

An assembly includes a nose piece and a boreless compressor wheel having a nose end configured for receipt of the nose piece and a receptacle at a base end configured for receipt of a rotatable shaft. A method includes fitting a nose piece to a boreless compressor wheel, measuring unbalance and, based in part on the measuring, removing material from the nose piece. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US08801378B2

A hub assembly for a tilt rotor includes a yoke having a plurality of yoke arms located substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the hub assembly. An inboard pitch change bearing assembly substantially surrounds a yoke arm of the plurality of yoke arms. An outboard pitch change bearing assembly is located at the yoke arm. The inboard pitch change bearing assembly and the outboard pitch change bearing assembly are operably connectable with a rotor blade to allow pitch change of the rotor blade relative to the yoke about a pitch change axis.
US08801373B2

A metal sealing material used in a sealing device which can reduce a gap between a stator and a rotor of a turbine. The metal sealing material used in a sealing device for a stator and a rotor of a turbine includes a surface layer and a lower layer composed of a porous metal layer, wherein the porosity of the surface layer is smaller than the porosity of the lower layer; the porosity of the surface layer is 60 to 65% and the porosity of the lower layer is 67 to 75% or less; and the porous metal layer has a thickness of 0.3 to 3.0 mm and may include, as a main component, an MCrAlY alloy where M is either one of Ni and Co or both thereof, and h-BN as a solid lubricant.
US08801366B2

A stator blade for a gas turbine with sequential combustion, has a blade airfoil which extends in the radial direction between a blade tip and a shroud, with cooling passages extending inside the blade airfoil, through which a cooling medium can flow for cooling the blade and can then discharge from the stator blade into the hot gas flow flowing through the turbine. The blade airfoil has a sharply curved shape in space in the radial direction, and three cooling passages, which extend in the radial direction, arranged inside the blade airfoil in series in the hot gas flow direction and are interconnected by deflection regions, which are arranged at ends of the blade airfoil, so that the cooling medium flows through the cooling passages one after the other, with change of direction. The cooling passages follow the curvature of the blade airfoil in space in the radial direction.
US08801365B2

This hydraulic machine comprises a wheel supported by a shaft (5), the wheel and the shaft being able to rotate about a vertical axis (X5) while a radial hydrostatic or hydrodynamic bearing (100) is formed between, on the one hand, a radial peripheral surface (52) of the shaft and, on the other hand, an internal radial surface (102) of a member (101) that is fixed relative to the vertical axis. The bearing (100) extends between two edges (121, 122) which, in normal operation, constitute regions for the removal of a film of water formed in the bearing. At least one cavity (130) is created in the fixed member (101) and opens onto its internal radial surface (102) near a first edge (122) of the bearing. The machine comprises means (131, 132, 133) for placing the cavity (130) in fluidic communication with a volume (V1) situated outside the bearing near the second edge (121) of the bearing (100). That allows some (E2) of the film of water from the bearing (100) to be removed towards the second edge (121) if the bearing becomes obstructed near the first edge (122).
US08801358B2

A method and loading system for order-picking articles in the form of individual articles and/or pack units, in which requested articles are packed, in accordance with the orders, onto destination load carriers and despatched. The requested articles (2) which are to be order-picked, in at least one order-picking station (4), are arranged and/or stacked in the pattern of the destination load carrier (3) on requested and transportable auxiliary load carriers (6), each provided for an order or part of an order. The auxiliary load carrier (6) together with a quantity of articles, provided as layers and/or stacks, to be conveyed to a loading station (5) is automatically transferred as a unit onto a placed-in-position destination load carrier (3) supplied, wherein preferably rolling containers and pallets are used as the destination load carriers.
US08801355B2

A grabber accessory for attachment to a prime mover is described, and may include a stanchion, pivotable arm having a proximate end attached to the stanchion to form a pivot point of the arm and a distal end extending generally transverse to the stanchion and terminating in at least one downward tine, and hydraulic cylinder attached between an upper end of the stanchion and a surface of the arm between the proximate and distal ends. The hydraulic cylinder may be configured to raise and lower the arm under hydraulic control from a main hydraulic feed of the prime mover. The accessory further includes a pair of vertically spaced clamping assemblies attaching a lower portion of the stanchion to frame member surfaces of the prime mover so as to secure the accessory in an upright position.
US08801348B2

A blind fastener for clamping together two components through which the fastener extends comprises a sleeve having a radially expandable first end, a threaded fastener for extending through the sleeve, an expansion head threadedly mounted on the threaded fastener whereby movement of the expansion head towards the second end of the sleeve expands the first end, a collar for engaging with the second end of the sleeve and having an aperture through which the threaded fastener extends, the threaded fastener having a head formation for rotation of the threaded when the collar is positioned between the head portion and the sleeve, and said second end of the sleeve and the confronting surface of the collar comprising inter-engaging formations which resist relative rotation of the sleeve and collar but permit their axial separation.
US08801346B2

A chamfering machine for both handheld and stationary use includes: a base having two arms extending toward one side; a motor provided on the base and having a driving shaft; a cutter provided on the driving shaft; a cutting seat consisting essentially of first and second panels; a first handle located between the arms and having two ends respectively provided at the arms; a second handle having one end provided at a bottom portion of the base and a body portion extending in a direction opposite the direction in which the arms extend; and at least one fixing element located below and connected to the arms and having a bottom end lower than the bottom end of the base, wherein the bottom end of the at least one fixing element has at least one connecting portion with at least one fixing hole for connecting to a tabletop.
US08801343B2

A rotating cutting tool includes a single or multi-piece support part having an end face and a circumferential wall, an interchangeable cutting insert provided at or about the end face, and at least one interchangeable guide insert coupled to the support part via a retaining means. The at least one interchangeable guide insert being free of cutting edges and protruding radially relative to the circumferential wall. The at least one interchangeable guide insert including a guide section which protrudes radially furthest outward. The guide section lying axially at the level of the retaining means and offset from the retaining means in the circumferential direction.
US08801341B2

Guiding system defining a moving path for containers having a collar, the system being adapted to be associated to a system for applying a pneumatic force on said containers so as move the containers the one after the other along the moving path according to a forward moving direction, the guiding system including at least a component for reducing the friction between at least the collar of the containers and guide profiles of the guide system, wherein the component includes lubricant dispensing channels having each an inlet, and an outlet associated to a groove.
US08801329B2

One invention relates to a liner (5) for repairing the connection between a main pipeline (100) and a lateral pipe (200). The liner (5) includes a main pipeline lining part (12) that in use forms a tubular portion for lining an inner circumferential portion of the main pipeline (100) and a lateral pipe lining part (14) that in use forms a tubular portion for lining an inner circumferential portion of the lateral pipe (200). Located between the lateral pipe lining part (12) and the main pipe lining part (14) there is a transition zone (16) that in use is arranged to line a junction zone (150) between the main pipeline (100) and the lateral pipe (200). The transition zone (16) of the liner (5) is formed integrally with the main pipeline lining part (12) and the lateral pipe lining part (14).
US08801325B1

The present invention provides a system and method for controlling an asphalt repair apparatus. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a system that may position a heater repair element adjacent a targeted asphalt surface, acquire and analyze surface and heater sensing data, and control heater output to prepare the targeted asphalt surface for repair. Further, the system may be configured to control an asphalt repair apparatus to satisfy user-defined asphalt repair requirements.
US08801314B2

A nib piece with high roundness is obtained in the following manner: in the forming of the nib piece, a punched hole is formed in a base portion of a punched plate which is to be bent; the base portion of the punched plate is bent and shaped into a tubular structure; a pipe member which is aligned with and accommodated in the tubular body, is disposed in an inner portion of the base portion of the punched plate having been bent; and the punched plate is shaped to obtain a structure to wrap an outer periphery of the pipe member. The punched plate includes an engageable joint portion, such as a protrusion and a recess, which engage each other and form a hooked edge when the punched plate is bent into a cylindrical form.
US08801309B2

A disposable writing instrument is provided for carpenters, masons and other tradesmen. The instrument is a lead pencil which comprises one or more accessories, including a level and a ruler. The level is positioned about the center of the instrument. Either or both ends of the instrument are adapted to be used to mark a surface.
US08801305B2

An exposure controller according to the present disclosure is to be arranged on an optical path, and includes first and second light quantity regulators, each of which has a first region that has a property of transmitting a light beam polarized in a particular direction and a second region that does not have the property of transmitting a light beam polarized in the particular direction. The exposure controller regulates the quantity of light by rotating the first and second light quantity regulators.
US08801294B2

A bearing device for a wheel is capable of suppressing radial play and allowing firm and easy connection between a hub and an outer ring of a constant velocity universal joint. Axially extending projections are provided on a shaft portion of a joint outer ring, and the shaft portion is press-fitted into a hole of a hub. Through this press-fitting, recesses held in close fit-engagement with the projections are formed by the projections in an inner diameter surface of the hub, forming a recess/projection fit-engagement structure in which the projections and the recesses are held in close contact with each other over an entire fit-engagement region thereof. A press-fitting margin (Δd) of the projections with respect to the hub and a height (h) of the projections are set to the following range: 0.3<Δd/2h<0.86.
US08801289B2

A circular sleeve is disclosed which fits into a lengthwise bore in a slider to provide a return passage to make sure of smooth rolling in a slider downsized or compact in length. The sleeve is inserted with leaving circular clearances inside the lengthwise bore in the slider. The sleeve has a bridged beam portion and cantilevered beam portions all of which may undergo elastic deformation under urging or impact force caused by rollers while rolling through the return passage. The bridged beam portion is flanked by support beam portions forming the outside circular surface of the sleeve and the cantilevered beam portions are fastened at their inward ends to a middle support beam portion and freed at their outside ends to bend or warp.
US08801288B2

A linear motion guide unit is provided which is downsized in size, maintenance-free for lubrication, and makes it possible to assemble easily and quickly the slider with accuracy. The end cap has outward end surfaces each of which is concaved to provide a first recess to fit over a lubricant applicator of porous compact to apply the rollers while running through the turnaround passages, and a second recess to fit over a retainer plate. The retainer plate is surrounded with a peripheral edge of the end cap and held in place with a snap-fit engagement with the end cap to squeeze the lubricant applicator inside the first recess in the end cap.
US08801282B2

The invention pertains to flexible devices used for zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement, especially to disposable temperature measurement devices. Such a device is constituted of a flexible substrate. An electrical circuit is disposed on a side of the substrate. The electrical circuit includes first and second thermal sensors disposed, respectively, on first and second substrate layers. A heater trace is disposed on the first substrate layer with the first thermal sensor. The first and second substrate layers are separated by a flexible layer of insulation disposed between the first and second substrate layers. The heater trace defines a heater with a central portion that operates with a first power density and a peripheral portion around the central portion that operates with a second power density greater than the first power density.
US08801274B2

A transducer for transducing time-related temperature variations into a difference in potentials includes an upper conductive electrode designed to be exposed to a time-related temperature variation to be measured, a lower conductive electrode, and at least one layer of pyroelectric material based on a III-V nitride directly interposed between the upper and lower conductive electrodes to generate, between the upper and lower conductive electrodes, a difference in potentials corresponding to the temperature variation even in the absence of external mechanical stress.
US08801262B2

A spread illuminating apparatus includes: a light guide plate having protrusions on side surfaces of the light guide plate, a housing frame having recesses in which the protrusions of the light guide plate are introduced, a reflecting sheet arranged on a bottom surface side opposing an emitting surface of the light guide plate, and a fixation device for fixing the reflecting sheet to a bottom surface of the housing frame. The recesses of the housing frame include a first recess which is formed to be opened at a bottom surface side and is at least partially covered by the fixation device, and each of the protrusions to be arranged at the first recess has an opposing surface that opposes the fixation device, and the opposing surface is provided with clearance relative to the fixation device.
US08801260B2

In a lighting device of a display device, a plurality of light emitting elements are mounted on a surface of a light source substrate, and the light source substrate is supported by a light source support member by means of a positioning (fixing) structure such as a metal screw. The plurality of light emitting elements are divided into a plurality of blocks, and the emission light amount can be controlled with respect to each of the blocks. Although the head of the screw is exposed on the surface of the light source substrate, the screw is located between adjacent ones of the blocks. Therefore, even though the illuminating light intensity becomes partially discontinuous owing to the presence of the screw, degradation of display quality originating from such discontinuity can be suppressed.
US08801255B2

An endoscope includes: a distal end rigid portion that configures a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and has a through hole; an LED ceramic substrate including an LED light source mounted on a distal end side thereof, and arranged in the through hole so as to emit light from the through hole; an LED cable configured to be inserted in the insertion portion of the endoscope and to supply electric power to the LED light source; a ceramic cutout portion that configures a proximal end side of the LED ceramic substrate, and allows a conductive pattern for electrically connecting the LED light source and the LED cable to be exposed from inside the LED ceramic substrate and connected to the LED cable; and a reinforcement member having rigidity and fixed to the LED ceramic substrate and configured to cover the ceramic cutout portion.
US08801248B2

A lamp module for a motor-vehicle headlamp. The lamp module comprises a light source defining at least one light-emitting surface that emits a luminous flux and defines a horizontally oriented longitudinal edge and at least one other edge running at a right angle thereto. A reflector maps the light-emitting surface without generating an actual intermediate image in front of the lamp module and defines at least two reflecting and strip-shaped facets longitudinal axes of which are more parallel rather than transversal to the longitudinal edge of the light-emitting surface and disposed at a spacing to the light source where the light-emitting surface is mapped with the same mapping scale in front of the lamp module such that the light-emitting surface is mapped with a longitudinal edge running horizontally and another edge running vertically.
US08801239B2

The present invention relates to luminaires and, in particular, to luminaires comprising light emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a luminaire comprising at least one light emitting diode, a reflector offset from the centerline of the luminaire and a collimator adapted to direct light from the least one light emitting diode along an axis offset from the vertical axis of the light emitting diode.
US08801236B2

A lamp including a first case, a second case, a lamp bottom and a pair of friction units is provided. The second case has a first sidewall and a second sidewall perpendicularly to the first sidewall. The first sidewall has a first positioning portion extending along a normal direction to the first sidewall, and the second case is detachably assembled with the first case to form a case assembly having a first opening. The lamp bottom is embedded into the first opening. The lamp bottom has a second opening and a second positioning portion, wherein the second positioning portion is located on the path of the first positioning portion when the case assembly rotates relative to the lamp bottom. The friction units are disposed at opposing sides of the first opening and contact a portion of the lamp bottom embedded into the first opening.
US08801235B2

A lighting assembly for illuminating an area is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing and at least one light socket disposed within the housing. The light socket is configured to receive at least one light source to emit light therefrom. The assembly also includes a reflective body disposed about the at least one light socket for uniformly disbursing the light, emitted from the light source, out of the lighting assembly. The reflective body includes an array of first reflectors and an array of second reflectors, each disposed about a central axis. Adjacent first reflectors are in an obtuse angular relationship with one another. Each of the second reflectors include a left face and a right face. A reflex angle is formed between the left and right faces of the second reflectors. Each of the adjacent second reflectors are in an obtuse angular relationship with one another.
US08801227B1

A tree top ornament with one or an array of lights, with an attachment mechanism for releasable attachment to the top branch or trunk of artificial and natural trees. The lights are connected to a sleeve designed to fit over the top vertical branch of the tree, but which is supported by a rigid conduit that clamps to the tree branch some distance below the top, so that the top of the branch does not itself bear any of the tree top ornament's weight. The user may selectively attach a variety of clear and semi clear acrylic or glass ornamental tree toppers for illumination by the lights.
US08801226B2

A portable lighting system having an elongated support member, retractable legs, retractable light assemblies, and multiple mounting members that slidably move along the support member to cause the legs and light assemblies to move from a retractable position to an extended and support position and back.
US08801220B2

A color temperature adjusting device of a light source module is revealed. The light source module includes at least one light source and at least one electrochromic device arranged at one side of the light source with a light emitting surface. The light source module is electrically connected to a control module. The control module consists of a light-source driver circuit and a control circuit for electrochromic devices that controls colored/bleached state of the electrochromic device. The light-source driver circuit is used to drive the light source to emit light. After passing through the electrochromic device, a light source is turned into a warm color light source or a cool color light source.
US08801217B2

The invention relates to a recessed light having a base body for holding a light source and a dome-shaped reflector which can be detachably fastened to the base body by means of a connecting element. The connecting element is designed such that an optical element for influencing the emission of light is accommodated and fixed when the base body and the reflector are fitted together.
US08801215B2

The invention comprises an ultraviolet nightlight configured for illuminating walkways and/or for highlighting scorpions. In one embodiment, a nightlight is configured with an ultraviolet source. Photons emitted or radiated by the nightlight interact with a scorpion causing the scorpions to fluoresce. The fluorescing scorpion is readily observed by a human at night, thereby alerting the human and providing a measure of security and/or safety. The nightlight is optionally configured in the ultra violet and visible light range, with the visible component comprised predominantly of blue light. The emitted blue light is used to light or illuminate corridors and/or obstacles with a cool comforting color.
US08801213B2

A lighting device includes a device body adapted to be installed on a surface of a room and first organic electroluminescence element modules including organic electroluminescence elements, the first electroluminescence element modules being held in the device body with light-emitting surfaces of the electroluminescence elements facing toward the surface of the room when the device body is installed on the surface of the room. The lighting device further includes a light-transmitting protection cover configured to cover the light-emitting surfaces of the first organic electroluminescence element modules.
US08801211B2

The present invention discloses a lamp casing structure that can be assembled and installed easily and applicable for different installation methods. The lamp casing structure comprises a plurality of frame strips coupled to one another and disposed around a first transparent cover, a plurality of fasteners disposed at each frame strip and inserted into latch portions of the frame strip and the first transparent cover respectively, so that the lamp casing structure can be assembled and installed simply by a latching step, and the lamp casing structure can be installed on a wall or a ceiling, or embedded into grids of a light steel frame.
US08801208B2

A lighting device 12 includes a light source 17, a chassis 14 housing the light source 17 and an optical member 15a provided to face the light source 17. The optical member 15a includes a light source overlapping portion DN that overlaps a light source installation area of the chassis 14 where the light source 17 is arranged and an empty area overlapping portion DN that overlaps an empty area LN of the chassis 14 where no light source 17 is arranged. A light reflecting portion 40 is formed on at least the light source overlapping portion DA such that light reflectance of the light source overlapping portion DA is relatively higher than that of the empty area overlapping portion DN. A color adjustment portion 50 is formed on the optical member 15a to adjust color of the light source overlapping portion DA and the empty area overlapping portion DN.
US08801202B2

A coude gimbal structure includes a two-axis gimbal system having an outer gimbal pivotable about a first rotational axis, and an inner gimbal supported on the outer gimbal and pivotable about a second rotational axis which intersects the first rotational axis at an intersection point. A folded afocal three-mirror anastigmat has a positive-optical-power primary mirror, a negative-optical-power secondary mirror, and a positive-optical-power tertiary mirror, and a first flat fold mirror, and a second flat fold mirror. A beam path incident upon the primary mirror is reflected from the primary mirror to the secondary mirror. The tertiary mirror lies on the second rotational axis, the first flat fold mirror redirects the beam path reflected from the secondary mirror to the tertiary mirror, and the second flat fold mirror lies at the intersection point and redirects the beam path reflected from the tertiary mirror along the first rotational axis.
US08801200B2

A reflective film structure is provided for being adhered and shaped on multiple processing surfaces of a preformed structural element, in which the processing surfaces form a three-dimensional shape. The reflective film structure includes a thermoplastic adhesive film and a reflective layer. The thermoplastic adhesive film has a thickness ranging from 0.01 mm to 1 mm, and has an internal surface and an external surface. The internal surface is adhered to the processing surfaces. The reflective layer is laminated on the external surface, and massive beads are distributed on an outer surface of the reflective layer. The reflective film structure has a normal direction vertical to the reflective layer. Furthermore, the reflective layer has at least a first and a second reflective region in different directions, which are respectively towards different directions other than the normal direction. The first and the second reflective region are respectively disposed with beads.
US08801191B2

A projection system for projecting light such as images or content upon a liquid surface such as a lake or pool surface. The system includes an agitation assembly selectively operable to agitate a portion of the upper surface of liquid to form a projection screen. The system includes a projector assembly projecting or focusing light onto the projection screen on the upper surface of the liquid. The liquid is translucent to light, but the projection screen on the upper surface reflects a portion of the projected light due to the agitation. The agitation assembly may include an aeration system with a distribution manifold and is positioned below the liquid surface and has outlets discharging gas into the liquid such that air bubbles for the screen. The manifold outlets may be provided at two or more depths, whereby two or more portions of the projection screen are generated at differing times.
US08801188B2

A central distance measuring device, which can be directed at the heliostats, is used to determine the settings of the heliostats of a heliostat field. The distance measuring device measures the space between a plurality of measuring points from the measuring site and, based on this, determines the spatial alignment of the respective heliostat. A computer contains astronomical solar altitude software and controls an actuating device of the heliostat such that the heliostat assumes the alignment intended according to the solar altitude. With the invention, position sensors and/or angle sensors on the individual heliostats are avoided. All heliostats are aligned by a central computer.
US08801184B2

A system for the improved imaging of eye structures based on optical coherence tomography. The system includes an interferometric measuring arrangement, which has an optical element arranged in the measurement arm or reference arm for influencing the polarization state of the light before the light is interferometrically superimposed, a scanning unit arranged in the measurement arm for implementing OCT scans, a detector for recording the produced interference pattern, and an evaluating and documenting unit. At least two different polarization states of the light are produced. The interference patterns produced in the interferometric measuring arrangement are recorded and forwarded to the evaluating and documenting unit which reconstructs OCT scans from the transmitted interference patterns, combines the OCT scans, and presents and/or stores the resulting OCT signals. The system can be used for pachymetry in addition to the pre- and post-operative imaging for analysis and measurement.
US08801166B2

A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a self-dispersible pigment modified by phosphate group; water; a water-soluble organic solvent; a N-hydroxy cyclic imide compound; and at least one selected from the group consisting of boric acids, a chelate agent, a reducing sugar and a sugar alcohol.
US08801164B2

A method and structure for depriming an ink jet printhead. To deprime ink from a printhead at a location between a nozzle (aperture) and a particulate filter (rock screen), a force (pressure) is applied to the ink. The pressure can either be a positive pressure applied to the nozzle from the outside of the aperture plate or a negative pressure (vacuum) applied at a location upstream from the particulate filter. Because openings within the particulate filter are each smaller than the nozzle, there exists a force which is sufficient to move a meniscus of the ink from the nozzle back to the particulate filter, but which is insufficient to move the meniscus beyond the particulate filter, for example due to a surface tension of the meniscus of the ink.
US08801160B2

An ink cartridge includes an ink storage bag, a spout for ink supply and an agitation member individually attached to the ink storage bag, and a cartridge case containing the ink storage bag. The agitation member includes an agitation portion arranged in the ink storage bag and configured to agitate ink, and an operation portion connected to the agitation portion, positioned outside the ink storage bag, and configured to operate the agitation portion. The spout and the operation portion of the agitation member are arranged to one side of the cartridge case, the spout is fixed to the cartridge case, the ink storage bag is extended toward the other side of the cartridge case opposite to the one side thereof, and the ink storage bag has a free end without being fixed to the cartridge case.
US08801158B2

An image printing apparatus including a cartridge mounting unit on which an ink cartridge is detachably mountable. The cartridge mounting unit includes a sensor configured to detect a light transmitted through a remaining amount detecting portion. The image printing apparatus further includes a counter configured to count ejected ink and a storage section configured to store a count integrated value. The image printing apparatus further includes a reset section configured to reset the value stored in the storage section. Moreover, the image printing apparatus includes a temporary count holding section configured to temporally store the integrated value stored in the storage section and restore the value of storage section in response to a trigger signal. Therefore, the image printing apparatus may reliably detect an exchange of an ink cartridge and may accurately detect a remaining amount of ink.
US08801156B2

A method for manufacturing a flow passage assembly includes forming a first flow passage in a first joint interface formed by welding a first surface of a first flow passage forming member to a first surface of a second flow passage forming member using an ultrasonic welding process, and forming, after the first flow passage is formed, a second flow passage in a second joint interface formed by welding a first surface of a third flow passage forming member to one of a second surface of the first flow passage forming member and a second surface of the second flow passage forming member using an ultrasonic welding process. A total area of weld portions used when the first flow passage is formed is greater than a total area of weld portions used when the second flow passage is formed.
US08801151B2

A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a gas chamber surrounding a piezoelectric element in an inkjet head; and a dry gas supply device configured to start supply of dry gas to the gas chamber before supply of electric power to the inkjet head is started, to continue the supply of the dry gas while the supply of the electric power to the inkjet head is continued, and to halt the supply of the dry gas after the supply of the electric power to the inkjet head is halted. While the dry gas supply device halts the supply of the dry gas to the gas chamber, a dry gas supply flow channel opening and closing device is closed to disconnect the dry gas supply device and the gas chamber, and a gas return flow channel opening and closing device is closed to disconnect the gas chamber and the external air.
US08801148B2

An inkjet recording apparatus is provided that is easy to maintain and that is compact. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a line head capable of printing on a recording medium, and a housing with the line head attached, in which the line head is slid along a guide groove provided in the housing so that the line head is detachably attached.
US08801145B2

A record image recording apparatus includes a carriage provided with a recording head and reciprocating in a main scanning directions; a lever member having a lever arm protruding into a moving space of the carriage; a switch member contactable with the lever member; and a guide member guiding the lever arm. When the lever member is guided by the guide member in one direction perpendicular to the main scanning directions, the lever member is switched to be applied with a force in the one direction owing to the switch member. When the lever member is guided by guide member in an opposite direction relative to the one direction, the lever member is switched to be applied with the force in the opposite direction owing to the switch member.
US08801142B2

A method for recording a glitter image includes attaching an ink composition to a recording medium using an ink jet method, attaching an adhesive composition to the ink composition which is attached to the recording medium using an ink jet method, bringing a sheet where a glitter film is formed into contact with the recording medium so that a surface where the adhesive composition is attached and a surface where the glitter film is formed are opposed, heating the adhesive composition, and peeling off the recording medium and the sheet.
US08801137B2

A recording apparatus includes: a first driving unit that rotates a roll member; a second driving unit that drives a transport unit that transports a medium of the roll member; and a control unit that executes a first process for measuring a load occurring when transporting the medium while rotating the roll member 1/N rotations in a transport direction of the medium by driving the first driving unit while the second driving unit is stopped, and after executing the first process, executes a second process for rotating the roll member 1/N rotations in a opposite direction as the transport direction by driving the first driving unit while the second driving unit is stopped and then rotating the roll member 1/N rotations in the transport direction by driving the first driving unit and the second driving unit.
US08801127B2

A wet on wet garment printing device for printing on a textile surface comprises: an ink holder; a printing head mounted for printing onto the textile surface using ink from the ink holder; a wetting applicator for wetting the locations prior to printing using a wetting composition; and an ink regulator configured to identify compatibility of ink in the holding unit with the wetting composition and to operate the wetting applicator only upon successful identification of compatibility.
US08801122B2

A universal mounting system is provided for use in connection with substantially any type of electronic equipment so was to reduce or substantially avoid the need for rail kids or other mounting assemblies that are its equipment specific for mounting equipment to racks. In one implementation, a uniform mounting system (101) includes a number of rail and slider assemblies (112). Each of the rail and slider assemblies includes a slider that is slightly mounted on a support rail. Each of the slider is includes mounting flange is and brackets for mounting the slider to a piece of equipment. The mounting flanges 116 that's collectively define a segmented vertical rail. A safety stop mechanism can be used to define very a offset figurations of the equipment with respect to a front end of the rack.
US08801119B2

An adjustable slide latch device has a slide track unit comprising an outer track and an extendable and retractable inner track held in the outer track, both are collectively provided with (a) a stopper device comprising a stopper piece and an adjustment piece and (b) a limit piece at laterals: the stopper piece disposed at the surface of the inner track comprises base parts which are fixed on the inner track and have (1) equidirectional-extended support arms at both laterals on which there are thrust blocks at rear ends and (2) positioning parts between two support arms; the adjustment piece which is disposed at the stopper piece's other lateral away from inner track and has a pivot part joining the positioning parts can drive two support arms during rotation to adjust space between thrust blocks at two support arms' rear ends and change forces to open and close a drawer.
US08801117B2

An electronic device includes a base, two parallel mounting plates extending from the base, and a dummy hard disk drive. Each of the mounting plates defines two mounting holes. The dummy hard disk drive includes a bottom plate, two side plates pivotably mounted to two opposite sides of the bottom plate, and two end plates pivotably mounted to two opposite ends of the bottom plate. Two mounting rods extend from an outer surface of each of the side plates. The side plates and the end plates can hinge so as to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate, to form a hollow rectangular frame. The mounting rods are inserted in the corresponding mounting holes, to mount the dummy hard disk drive between the mounting plates.
US08801112B2

A brake device includes: a mechanical pressure regulating part having a high-pressure port, a low-pressure port, a pilot pressure input port, and an output port which outputs fluid pressure corresponding to the pressure supplied to the pilot pressure input port by fluid pressures supplied to both of the high- and low-pressure ports, to a chamber for a master piston; a high-pressure source connected to the high-pressure port and the pilot pressure input port; a low-pressure source connected to the low-pressure port and the pilot pressure input port; and an electrically-operated pilot pressure generating part which includes control valves for controlling flows of the brake fluid between the high-pressure source and the pilot pressure input port, and between the low-pressure source and the pilot pressure input port, respectively, and which outputs desired fluid pressure to the pilot pressure input port by controlling flow of the brake fluid with control valves.
US08801099B2

Safety seat for land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft, including a strap framework for holding a sitting portion and comprising vertically extending support straps anchored to a vehicle and embodied as loops stretching between vehicle-mounted anchors above and below the sitting portion, which is secured to a support frame provided with two braces oriented in the direction of extension of the support straps. For securement of the support frame to the strap framework, a front strap or rear strap of each support strap loop is divided into two strap sections, one extending between the support frame and an anchor disposed above the sitting portion, and the other extending between the support frame and an anchor disposed below the sitting portion. Ends of the strap sections associated with the support frame are retained at the braces of the support frame and hold the support frame under tension in a vertical orientation.
US08801096B2

A child safety seat has a seat back and a seat harness with a pair of shoulder straps. Each shoulder strap has a strap portion positioned forward of and extending along a front facing side of the seat back. A headrest is coupled to the seat near an upper end of the seat back. The vertical position of the headrest is selectively adjustable relative to the seat back between a raised position and a lowered position. A strap router is provided on the seat back and maintained at a fixed elevation relative to the seat back as the vertical position of the headrest is adjusted and directs the shoulder straps from a back side of the seat back toward the front facing side. The shoulder straps are directed under a bottom of the headrest. By selectively adjusting the vertical position of the headrest, the bottom of the headrest adjusts the vertical position of the shoulder straps on the front facing side of the seat back by increasing or decreasing the useable length of the strap portions.
US08801094B2

A vehicle seat including a three-dimensional woven knitted fabric including a surface-layer-side base fabric, a back-layer-side base fabric, and an intermediate layer that three-dimensionally connects the surface-layer-side base fabric and the back-layer-side base fabric, the three-dimensional woven knitted fabric being tightly stretched on a seat frame by a locking member provided to an end portion thereof to form a seat surface, wherein an edge portion of the three-dimensional woven knitted fabric has a single-layer structure, which includes only the back-layer-side base fabric among the surface-layer-side base fabric, the back-layer-side base fabric and the intermediate layer, and wherein the locking member is provided to an end portion of the back-layer-side base fabric.
US08801092B2

A wind deflector for a convertible vehicle is connected to a vehicle seat in the region of a headrest. The wind deflector is attached removably to the vehicle seat by connecting elements. A rear wall of the wind deflector extends around the headrest of the vehicle seat and is adjoined by, in each case, lateral air guiding elements with upright protective faces arranged running in the direction of travel and form between them, in a region in front of the headrest, a space that reduces a draft of air. In a further embodiment, the wind deflector can also be provided with a roof-shaped air guiding element.
US08801088B2

A front vehicle body reinforcing structure includes: an upper reinforcing member and a lower reinforcing member attached to an upper portion and a lower portion of the shock absorber housing panel; and a front reinforcing rail and a rear reinforcing rail attached to a front side and a rear side of the shock absorber housing panel in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively, thereby enhancing strength of a front vehicle body.
US08801081B2

An apparatus for reducing injury to a passenger' feet during an offset crash reduces impact energy generated during the offset crash and solve existing problems by eliminating a conventional fourfold welding structure in such a manner that, instead of a conventional reinforced front side rear lower member (member F), a vertical reinforcing member (member Q) of a new structure is fixedly welded to a horizontal reinforcing member (member E), and the bottom of the vertical reinforcing member is spaced apart from a bottom member (member D) to provide an impact absorbing space.
US08801076B2

A sail system and method for controlling the same is provided for use with large land vehicles. When deployed, at a vehicles normal cruising speed it will produce lift which reduces the ground weight of the vehicle, thus reducing friction and increasing fuel economy.
US08801074B2

A body cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicles that enables enhancement of the user's comfort while increasing the rigidity of covering members constituting a center tunnel part. Step floors are configured of forward inclined parts disposed ahead of the floors in a forward rising shape, horizontal parts disposed either substantially horizontally or in a rearwardly rising shape behind these forward inclined parts, and bent parts connecting the forward inclined parts and the horizontal parts. The middle covers are provided on the lower edges thereof with downwardly extending parts extending toward the bent parts.
US08801069B2

An apparatus for gripping a substrate on its peripheral edge including a substrate support having proximate and distal ends, at least one distal rest pad disposed at the distal end, the at least one distal rest pad includes a back stop portion and is configured to support the peripheral edge of the substrate, at least one proximate rest pad disposed at the proximate end, the at least one proximate rest pad being configured to support the peripheral edge of the substrate, and an active contact member assembly disposed at the proximate end, the active contact member assembly including a pusher member, a contact member and a rotatable coupling member that are reciprocably movable towards the distal end for urging the substrate against the back stop portion, the contact member being rotatably secured to the pusher member and free to rotate about an axis of the rotatable coupling member.
US08801066B2

A gripper (1) for a contact lens (CL) includes a gripper head (10) having a bearing surface (11), the bearing surface (11) having at least one opening (110) through which underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens (CL) against the bearing surface (11) and through which overpressure can be applied in order to release the contact lens (CL) from the bearing surface (11). The gripper further includes a detection opening (111) in the bearing surface (11) through which a separate underpressure can be applied.
US08801061B2

A rolling collection tool allows for retrieval of ground objects including pine cones by a user while standing erect. A method for construction of the device is provided in which a plurality of wires are formed into a generally oval shaped chamber and covered in a flexible covering in sets of two or more wires. The chamber is connected to a bail and handle and rolls to pick up and store objects in the chamber until emptied. The objects enter the chamber as the device rolls by temporary separation of the covered wires for the object, and the device retains the objects by resilient return movement of the covered wires to their original position. The flexible covering on the wires rotates around sets of the wires as the device retrieves objects.
US08801051B2

A latch assembly for securing a gate or other pivotal structure that includes a pair of independently retractable outwardly biased latch members carried by a latch carriage. When in an extended position, the latch members define a striker retention slot. Cooperation of the latch members in the extended position provides for retention of a striker member in the striker retention slot. The latch members are supported by rods that pass through the latch carriage.
US08801049B2

A coupler assembly for use with a pipe or piping sections comprising a unitary annular body, forming first and second cylindrical openings for surrounding a pipe or piping sections to facilitate forming a fluid-tight seal therein. The unitary annular body comprises a medial portion and first and second longitudinal portions integrally connected to opposite ends of the medial portion. Extending from the first and second longitudinal portions away from the medial portion are respective first and second locking arrangements for securing the coupler assembly to a pipe or piping sections.
US08801044B2

A method for producing a continuous web of printed material for use in creating mailpieces. The continuous web has a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets are comprising envelope sheets and rectangular content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. Sheets for forming business return envelopes may be printed in series with the content pages and envelope sheets. BREs may include individualized return addresses. A control code may be printed on one or more of the sheets for a given mailpiece, providing information for controlling assembly of the mailpiece. Two sets of sheets may be printed across the width of the web by printing content pages onto the continuous web such that two end-to-end content pages are printed across the width of the web. Positioning of mail content pages and envelope sheets for a given mailpiece may be optimized based on respective processing times determined for the system.
US08801035B2

A mounting apparatus for an external airbag cushion of a vehicle may include a seal side unit provided with a seal side panel that may be arranged on a lower side of a vehicle body and a seal side molding covering a part of the seal side panel that may be exposed to the outside of the vehicle body, and an external airbag module that may be provided inside the seal side unit and allows the external airbag cushion to be deployed outside the seal side molding when the external airbag cushion may be deployed.
US08801031B1

An inflatable restraint assembly includes a curtain airbag module and a ramp assembly. The curtain airbag module has an inflatable curtain portion that is disposed in a stowed configuration prior to deployment and moves to a deployed configuration subsequent to deployment. The ramp assembly is located adjacent to the inflatable curtain portion of the curtain airbag module. The ramp assembly has a pivoting portion that is moveable from a closed position to an open position in response to deployment of the inflatable curtain portion, at least one separable retainer member that retains the pivoting portion in the closed position prior to deployment of the inflatable curtain portion, and a biasing structure that biases the pivoting portion of the ramp assembly toward the open position. The pivoting portion is configured to guide the inflatable curtain portion of the curtain airbag module during deployment of the inflatable curtain portion.
US08801030B2

In one form, a curtain airbag device is provided having a gas introduction portion that is folded so as to be disposed on a side surface of a folded body of a curtain airbag main body on a roof side portion side. When the vehicle is involved in a side collision or an overturn, an inflator discharges a gas, which is supplied to a curtain airbag, thereby causing the curtain airbag to start to be inflated. In this case, the gas from the inflator initially flows into the gas introduction portion so as to inflate the gas introduction portion. Thus, the inflating force of the folded body of the curtain airbag main body and the inflating pressure of the gas introduction portion are superposed each other so as to press a lower edge of a roof side garnish toward the inside of the vehicle cabin.
US08801022B2

A folding type bicycle capable of allowing the user to conveniently fold the bicycle, and having a minimal volume in a folded state is disclosed. The folding type bicycle includes a frame including a front frame, to which a front wheel and a handle are mounted, a center frame, to which pedals are mounted, and a rear frame, to which a rear wheel is mounted. At least one of the front, center, and rear frames includes a hinge plate bent from one end of the at least one frame. The front, center, and rear frames are pivotally coupled through the hinge plate.
US08801021B2

A front fork spring leg, which is capable of stably maintaining air spring, has an inward-facing seal member, an outward-facing seal member, and a piston ring arranged on an outer periphery of a guide of a guide rod sequentially in this order along an axial direction of the guide from a side close to an inner air spring chamber toward a side far from the inner air spring chamber. The inward-facing seal member has a lip which is slidably in contact with an inner periphery of the guide cylinder, with this lip being oriented toward the inner air spring chamber. The outward-facing seal member has a lip which is slidably in contact with the inner periphery of the guide cylinder, with this lip being oriented in an opposite direction to the inner air spring chamber.
US08801013B2

A hanger arrangement for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a pair of front hangers transversely spaced from one another and attached to the vehicle. A pair of transversely spaced rear hangers are spaced longitudinally rearwardly from the front hangers and are attached to the vehicle. A first axle/suspension system is mounted on the front pair of hangers and a second axle/suspension system is mounted on the rear pair of hangers. The pair of front hangers include a rear edge that extends generally downwardly frontwardly toward the front end of the vehicle. The pair of rear hangers include a front edge extending generally downwardly rearwardly toward the rear end of the vehicle.
US08801012B2

A vehicle has a chassis (11) and at least one axle (12, 13) suspended from the chassis for vertical and roll movement relative to the chassis. The axle is mounted on the chassis via a first pivotal mounting means in the form of an upper pair of arms (12a, 13a) which is pivoted on the chassis for vertical pivoting movement relative thereto and which carry an axle support (15, 16) on which the axle (12, 13) is free to pivot in the roll mode. A first damping means (19) acts between the chassis (11) and the first pivotal mounting means (12a, 13a) to control vertical movement of the axle relative to the chassis, and a second damping means acts between the first pivotal mounting means (12a, 13a) and the axle (12, 13) to provide independent control of the roll movement of the axle relative to the chassis. A second lower pair of pivoting arms (12b, 13b) also connect the axle (12, 13) to the chassis to control fore and aft movement of the axle relative to the chassis. When both axles are mounted on the chassis using the above upper (12a, 13a) and lower (12b, 13b) pairs of arms the line of action of the forces (F1-F4) applied to the chassis (11) by the upper arms (12a, 13a) at one end of the chassis may be substantially aligned with the line of action of the forces applied to the chassis by the lower arms (12b, 13b) at the other end of the chassis to reduce and tendency for the chassis to be twisted by these forces.
US08801008B2

A scooter is disclosed which positions a center of gravity of a rider toward the front the scooter so that the rider can more easily perform a 180 degree turn trick. Since the rider is positioned closer to the front wheel, it becomes easier for the rider to flip over the handlebars. Fortunately, the scooter reduces a moment arm that defines a deceleration moment to reduce the likelihood that the rider will flip over the front handlebars.
US08801002B2

A suspension for a wearable device configured to selectively provide roller transportation, the suspension including an axle configured to be at least partially circumferentially restrained along a length of the axle, wherein the axle is movable about a center of rotation located along a suspension axis of the suspension that is substantially coincident with an axis of rotation of a wheel assembly carried by the axle.
US08800997B1

A stepped collet includes a first section of generally hollow cylindrical shape having a first outer diameter and an inner diameter, a wall extending radially inwardly from an outboard end of the first section, and a second section of generally split cylindrical shape cantilevered from the wall and having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter.
US08800993B2

Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.
US08800991B2

The present invention provides a gaming console 40 having display means 41, and game control means 100 arranged to control images displayed on the display means 41. The game control means 100 are arranged to play a game wherein a plurality of symbols 43 are randomly selected and displayed on the display means 41 and, if a winning combination results, the console 40 pays a prize. The console 40 is characterized in that the displayed images include a first image component 31 which displays basic game features and a second image component 50 which displays image features which appear superimposed on the first image component 31. The second image component 50 is transparent, whereby the first image component 31 is visible through the second image component 50 under the control of the control means 100.
US08800987B2

A sheet conveying device (30) includes a plurality of first conveyance rollers (31) and a plurality of second conveyance rollers (32). The sheet conveying device (30) includes stiffening rollers (34). The stiffening rollers (34) are disposed coaxially with at least one conveyance rollers (32) among the first and second conveyance rollers (31) and (32), and have diameters larger than diameters of the conveyance rollers (32). The stiffening rollers (34) includes first stiffening rollers (34a), which apply conveying forces to a sheet (P), and second stiffening rollers (34b), which apply smaller conveying forces to the sheet (P) than the conveying forces to the sheet (P) in the first stiffening rollers (34a).
US08800984B2

The present invention is an improved cutting board device. The device allows a user to prepare food on one side of the cutting board while the other is being cleaned. The device provides a user a quick and easy transition to a new, clean, cutting board work surface without the need to carry waste to a disposal bin, without having to stop to wash and dry the soiled surface of the cutting board.
US08800982B2

A clamping device increases the diameter of a gripping assembly that is inserted into a hole in a workpiece and thus grips the inner circumferential surface of the hole, and particularly relates to such a clamping device that is adapted so that, in the vicinity of a scraper, no clearance occurs between the gripping assembly and a clamp rod, and the scraper. The clamping device is capable of enhancing the durability of a scraper, reducing the amount of pressurized air consumed by blowing, and ensuring the strength of a clamp rod against pulling and so on.
US08800979B2

The mattress assemblies have an array of springs extending from a sheet. Each spring in the array may be manufactured by choosing a position for the spring, cutting a profile of the sheet spring in the sheet, peeling back or bending the profile or tab of the sheet, and shaping the profile to form the sheet spring. The array of springs may be formed from creating a plurality of such springs along rows and columns. In certain embodiments, multiple sheets may be stacked to form the sheet spring array.
US08800978B2

The system is based on the combination of two parts (1 and 1′) of differing densities with complementary tilted protuberances (2 and 2′), coupled to form a single unit. These protuberances vary in shape, length and thickness so that systems of differing rigidity can be obtained, thus achieving cushioning in virtue of the said protuberances (2 and 2′), enabling the path of the force applied to be defined, thus achieving optimum cushioning force. The system is applicable to both pressure cushioning systems (mattresses, pillows, seats, etc.) and impact cushioning systems (footwear, wheels, helmets, etc.).
US08800972B2

A vibration insulation damper (10, 50, 60) insertable into an internal circumferential portion of a coil spring (20) and extending in an axial direction thereof, the vibration insulation damper is provided with an elastic body (14a, 14b, 64a, 64b) having a conical or pyramid outer circumferential surface formed so as to be shortened in distance with respect to the axial direction toward an end portion thereof in the axial direction, and a rib (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e, 56f) protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the elastic body to be brought into pressured contact with the internal circumferential portion of the coil spring when the elastic body is inserted into the internal circumferential portion of the coil spring.
US08800968B2

Synchronization assembly and plant for laying cables such as electric conductors, optical fibers, ropes or suchlike. The machines of the assembly and plant are distinct and independent with respect to each other and each includes unwinding members having at least a pair of capstans to unwind the cables, and corresponding traction/collection members having at least a pair of capstans to wind the cables fed from the relative unwinding members. The synchronization assembly and plant includes automatic adjustment members that adjust the speed of rotation of the capstans of at least two unwinding members or two traction/collection members of the laying machines, so as to maintain the winding/unwinding speed of the cables stretched by each machine substantially equal.
US08800966B2

A drain plug for selectively draining a source of fluid is described, and which includes first, second and third portions which provide coaxially aligned fluid passageways which extend therethrough, and wherein the second portion is moveable relative to the first and third portions between a first position which substantially occludes, and prevents the passage of fluid through the coaxial aligned fluid passageways, and a second position where fluid is allowed to pass therethrough and may be collected for disposal as required.
US08800960B2

An automatic water supply control device is disclosed. A power processing unit processes an alternating current outputted by a micro hydro generator and provides a stable direct current. The automatic water supply control device uses a capacitor and a capacitor matrix for storing electric energy. A sensing unit detects changes from an environment such as human proximity, temperature and humidity and outputs sensing signals. A micro controller set receives the sensing signals sent by the sensing unit in order to control an electromagnetic drive unit and drive the electromagnetic coil. The micro controller set also controls an electromagnetic drive unit to drive an electromagnetic coil for supplying water and performing charging based on a logical setting, when an output voltage value of a step-down voltage conversion circuit is lower than a preset voltage value.
US08800956B2

A parallel movement mechanism including guide grooves and guide rollers and a vertical movement mechanism including cam grooves and cam rollers are interposed between a drive rod and a valve shaft of an air cylinder, and a valve seal of a valve plate is moved vertically toward and away from a valve seat surface to open and close the opening by moving the valve shaft in parallel to the valve seat surface by the parallel movement mechanism and moving the same vertically with respect to the valve seat surface by the vertical movement mechanism.
US08800949B2

A vehicle seat memory track assembly including two pairs of upper and lower seat rails that are positioned on opposite sides of a seat bottom of a vehicle seat, a seat track locking system, and a first actuator is operably connected to the seat track locking system. The first actuator includes a release lever positioned externally to the nested upper and lower seat rail pairs, and movable from a non-activated position to an activated position whereby the release lever causes an activation bracket to disengage the seat track locking system to allow slidable longitudinal movement of the seat to a different desired seating position. A memory system, when activated, records the longitudinal travel of the seat.
US08800948B2

A slide locking apparatus for a seat includes a first locking section with plural first locking pieces and at least one second locking section group with forward, intermediate, and rear second locking sections. When at least one of the first locking pieces locks with one of the second locking sections, another first locking piece locks with another second locking section. A first lock inhibiting section inhibits the forward second locking section from engaging any of the locking pieces when a rearwardmost locking piece is forward of a position where the rearwardmost locking piece coincides with the intermediate locking section. A second inhibiting section inhibits the rear second locking section from locking with any of the locking pieces when the forward locking piece is rearward of the intermediate locking section.
US08800946B2

A retail display clip is provided. The retail display clip includes a stationary clip base and a rotatable clip member that rotates about an axis of rotation. The rotatable clip member rotates relative to the clip base. The retail display clip includes an open state and a closed state. As the rotatable clip member rotates from the open to the closed or the closed to the open state, an over-center point is transitioned. The over-center point is created by the interaction between a locking tab of the rotatable clip member and a flat inner surface of the clip base. In the closed stated, a torque is created by the over-center point that causes the locking tab to place a force on the flat inner surface of the clip base. A gripping point is formed at the location where the locking tab places the force. The gripping point supports retail merchandise.
US08800942B2

A supporting apparatus for an electronic device includes a ball joint and a holding mechanism for holding the electronic device. The electronic device is secured in the holding mechanism by spring pressure and is capable of being stably held in different orientations.
US08800938B2

A pipe brace assembly includes a main clamp body that can be secured to a brace pipe. A cable, or other flexible tensioning member, can be wrapped around a braced pipe and secured to the main clamp body. The pipe brace assembly includes a method or mechanism for tensioning the cable or flexible tensioning member around the braced pipe. In some embodiments, the tensioning method or mechanism involves moving, such as rotating, the main clamp body to tension the cable or tensioning member. The clamping of the main clamp body and tensioning of the cable or tensioning member can occur simultaneously.
US08800934B1

A space access system may include a reusable booster limited to sub-orbital operation and having a fuselage. The reusable booster may include a tri-propellant propulsion system which may be configured to shift from a tri-propellant mode of operation to a bi-propellant mode of operation. The tri-propellant propulsion system may include at least one tri-propellant engine and at least one internal propellant tank mounted within the fuselage and being fluidly coupled to the tri-propellant engine. A payload may be mounted with the fuselage. The payload may have an upper stage.
US08800933B2

A method comprises removing space debris having a relatively low ballistic coefficient by hastening orbital decay of the debris. A transient gaseous cloud is created at an altitude of at least 100 km above Earth. The cloud has a density sufficient to slow the debris so the debris falls into Earth's atmosphere.
US08800931B2

A system and method of power generation, wind based flight, and take off and landing using a tethered kite with a raised tail mounted rearward of the main wing or wings. The tail may be fully rotatable and may be adapted to rotate more than 90 degrees from its nominal position during a traditional flight paradigm.
US08800928B2

The invention concerns a shell segment for the purpose of manufacturing a fuselage cell section for a fuselage cell of an aeroplane, with at least one skin field and with a multiplicity of longitudinal stiffeners arranged thereon, in particular stringers, and also at least one transverse stiffening element running transverse to the longitudinal stiffeners, in particular at least one frame.In that the connection of the at least one transverse stiffening element to the at least one skin field is undertaken with at least one connecting bracket wherein the at least one connecting bracket has at least one corrugation, the supporting brackets for purposes of absorbing tilting moments of the frames, in forms of embodiment of shell segments of prior known art, can be omitted. By this means a considerable weight reduction is possible with, at the same time, a reduced production effort.
US08800922B2

The description covers cabin components for aircraft, which can be produced with a sandwich structure and may have the components 1003 for signal and/or power transmission. The cabin components in this case have at least two prepreg layers 1001, 1005 and, for example, a honeycomb layer 1002, which can be connected to one another by pressing and heating. Furthermore, electrical and/or optical signal paths are shown on cabin components, which can be produced by positioning them there or printing. In addition, according to the description, signal and/or power transmission can take place beyond the boundary of cabin components, by means of a transmitter/receiver path.
US08800921B2

A supporting component is provided for reinforcing the skin of an aircraft or spacecraft, for example a stringer or former, this component being configured as a closed profile (hollow profile), such that a system medium (M) can be conducted through the structural component. In this respect, the hollow profile itself serves as a load-bearing component.
US08800918B2

A system for generating accessory power from a gas turbine engine is provided by the present invention. The system includes an electronic control device for monitoring at least one parameter which provides information about an incipient change in power demand, a control valve operated by the control device for supplying bleed air from the engine during a transient state in response to the at least one monitored parameter, and a pneumatically operated device for receiving the bleed air and for generating power to operate equipment onboard an aircraft. The pneumatically operated device may be an air turbine or a pneumatically integrated generator.
US08800912B2

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft having at least three wings and at least six propulsion units, each of which are located radially from two adjacent propulsion units, by equal or substantially equal angles. The at least six propulsion units together being located symmetrically, or at substantially symmetric positions, about the approximate center of gravity of the aircraft, when viewed from above. A vertical stabilizer may or may not be employed. If no vertical stabilizer is employed, yaw control during horizontal flight may be achieved through differential thrust using the at least six propulsion units. Yaw control during vertical flight may be provided by a plurality of yaw control panels. Absent yaw control panels, yaw control during vertical flight may be provided using differential propulsion unit tilt angles.
US08800910B2

A roll form toilet wipes dispenser including a housing defining an interior cavity, one open side, and an opening about a front of the housing, a side panel removably received within the open side of the housing and carrying a mandrel thereon, and an openable front cover connected to the housing adjacent the opening on the front of the housing, the front cover and the front opening cooperatively defining a discharge slot for withdrawing the wipes, the front cover having a protrusion extending therefrom in a direction of the housing and protruding through the discharge slot for engaging the wipes to assist in separating the sheets.
US08800907B2

A mobile device case includes a reel assembly, including a reel, a supporting plate, and a hub between the reel and the supporting plate. The hub includes a first cavity between the hub and the supporting plate for housing a spring, and a second cavity between the hub and the reel for housing a flat flexible cable (FFC). The spring is wound in a first direction, while the FFC is wound in a second direction. The FFC includes a first end for electrically coupling to a female jack connector of a device. A female connector is electrically coupled to a second end of the FFC for engaging a male jack connector of user-provided headphones. When the reel rotates in the first direction, the spring tightens and the FFC loosens. When the reel rotates in the second direction, the spring loosens and the FFC tightens.
US08800902B2

The invention relate to an attachment with interchangeable jaws, in which jaws can be interchanged according to the work purpose in the use of the attachment attached to construction equipment such as an excavator and configured to crush or shear concrete or reinforcing bars. The attachment comprises a main body unit connected to heavy construction equipment, and a jaw unit connected to the main body unit. The main body unit comprises a pair of lock pins, and at least one operating cylinder. The lock pins and the least one operating cylinder are mounted on a main body unit frame. The main body unit frame comprises an equipment connecting section, a first support, a second support, and a hook pin-receiving portion. The jaw unit comprises a pair of jaws, a jaw pin, and a hook pin. The jaw unit frame comprises a third support.
US08800896B1

A motorized spreader assembly facilitates efficient and expedited spreading of seed or fertilizer over a large area. The assembly includes a trailer having a hitch arm. A first bin having a bottom opening is coupled to the trailer. A first disc having a top surface is coupled to the trailer. The first disc is positioned under the first bin whereby the top surface of the first disc is configured for receiving granular material passing through the bottom opening in the first bin. A plurality of fins is coupled to the top surface of the first disc and configured for propelling the granular material outwardly from the first disc while the first disc is rotated. An engine is coupled to the trailer and operationally coupled to the first disc for rotating the first disc.
US08800892B2

A regulating device for a water outflow, in particular of sanitary fittings, comprises a cylindrical sleeve with a central cylinder axis. The sleeve is adapted for attachment to or in the water outflow. A support plate is disposed perpendicular with respect to the axis of the sleeve. A throttling and regulating element can rotate relative to the support plate about the axis and can move in the direction of the axis. By way of the throttling and regulating element, water can flow through from one side of the support plate to the other side of the support plate. The throttling and regulating element comprises a device for fine throttling of the water. An annular distribution space for the water is delimited by the support plate, the sleeve and the throttling and regulating element. In the distribution space, water can flow in from openings in the throttling and regulating element. In the distribution space, water can flow out of the sleeve to a water outlet.
US08800890B2

An apparatus and method for creating a realistic granite or other pattern on a substrate, such as a sink, bath, or piece of furniture. The apparatus and method may use gelcoat to create a regular or irregular pattern. The apparatus may use pressurized air or gear pumps to pump paint from tanks to a spraying device.
US08800886B2

A safety lock for a spray nozzle assembly for an airless, high pressure spray device, and more particularly to safety locks or guards for reversible, rotatable spray nozzles assemblies, optionally provided with a tip guard.
US08800883B2

An actuator device including: a case housing an expandable material, a moving part that can move in translation as a result of the expansion and/or contraction of the expandable material, and a heater to heat the expandable material. The device also includes: a position sensor which measures the current position of the aforementioned moving part; and a positioner to position the moving part, including a controller acting on the above-mentioned heater according to the current measured position.
US08800880B2

Assemblies for packaging a downhole tag. In one embodiment, a tag assembly includes a package configured to contain a wireless tag. The package includes a base, an inner cover, and an outer cover. The base includes a cavity configured to retain an antenna, tag circuitry, and the inner cover disposed over the antenna and tag circuitry.
US08800876B2

A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder tag is contained in and electrically connected to a mechanically rugged metallic tag housing slotted to define a radio frequency antenna, such as a half turn antenna, and sealed with an epoxy filling.
US08800875B2

A handle for a portable terminal having a user interface configured for interaction with a stylus. The handle comprises a handle body having the grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand of the user of the portable terminal, a proximal end of the grip portion for coupling to a housing of the portable computer, and a distal end of the grip portion. The handle has a receptacle connected to the handle body and located in the interior of the handle body, such that the receptacle is adapted for releasably retaining the stylus in the interior of the handle body. The handle body 21 has an aperture for facilitating access of the stylus into the receptacle. The receptacle has at least one arm having a first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/or notch/groove) adapted for engaging a second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion) of the stylus for providing the releasable retaining of the stylus when resident in the receptacle. The arm is biased towards a first position for facilitating the engagement of the first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/or notch/groove) with the second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion).
US08800874B2

Systems and methods of optical code reading include production of image data by a color image sensor array and processing of the image data to decode an optical code. In one configuration, the color image sensor array includes first and second sets of sensor pixels sensitive to light having wavelengths within, respectively, first and second wavelength bands, reflected light is focused by an optical system to form an image of an optical code on the color image sensor array, first and second sets of image data representing light intensity levels sensed by, respectively, the first and second sets of sensor pixels are produced, and the first set of image data is processed to determine whether the second set of image data is to be used in combination with the first set of image data to decode the optical code.
US08800871B2

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) assembly includes an RFID reader/writer having a first micro-USB (Universal-Serial-Bus) connector and a mobile phone having a second micro-USB connector configured to electrically connect to the first micro-USB connector. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the RFID reader/writer includes a circuit board having a first processor and a first USB controller, and an antenna board stacked on the circuit board, wherein the first USB controller electrically connects the first processor and the first micro-USB connector, and the antenna board includes a reverse F-shaped antenna. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile phone includes a second processor, and a second USB controller electrically connecting the second processor and the second micro-USB connector.
US08800863B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing at least one item of media from one of a plurality of possible media dispensing ports. The apparatus includes a user interface comprising a user display, an intermediate display adjacent to the user display and a port location display adjacent to the intermediate display and adjacent to a plurality of possible media dispensing ports. Each display is arranged to selectively display a visual cue to direct a user to a selected one of the possible media dispensing ports.
US08800861B1

Computer-based methods, computer readable media, and computer program products for offering upsell items to conferees accessing a conferencing platform utilizing, for example, an electronic communications device. Various aspects of the methods can include conducting one or more conferee-initiated primary transactions related to accessing the conferencing platform. The method then obtains data relating to the primary transaction, which data can include data representing the identity of the conferee and the subject matter of the primary transaction. The method then selects the upsell item as a result of or in response to the conferee-initiated primary transaction by, first, utilizing the data representing the identity of the conferee to obtain at least a second data element relating to the conferee.
US08800855B2

A carton for containing a product. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first end panel, a first side panel, a second end panel, and a second side panel. At least one end flap is respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The at least one end flap at least partially forms a closed end of the carton. An opener is positionable between a closed position substantially preventing removal of the product from the interior of the carton through a dispenser opening in one of the first end panel and the second end panel, and an open position allowing removal of the product from the interior of the carton through the dispenser opening.
US08800840B2

Surgical stapling apparatus are disclosed including an anvil having a working surface with a shaped topography, and a staple cartridge, in juxtaposition with the anvil. The staple cartridge includes a working surface with shaped topography which is complementary to the shaped topography of the working surface of the shaped anvil. When the anvil and the staple cartridge are approximated with or toward one another, at least a portion of the working surface of the anvil cooperates with at least a portion of the working surface of the staple cartridge to enhance alignment of the staple cartridge and the anvil in at least one of a transverse and longitudinal direction.
US08800838B2

A cable-driven surgical tool configured to receive various control motions from a robotic system.
US08800837B2

A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive tube is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor and is rotatable about a drive tube axis extending through the drive tube. The firing rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube and at least a portion of the firing rod is translatable with respect to the drive tube. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion and is in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod so that the firing rod drives a surgical function of the end effector.
US08800835B2

A fastener driving device includes a frame, a fastener driver reciprocally mounted in the frame, and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger lever configured to be moved to an actuated position to actuate the fastener driving device, a mode selector rotatably mounted to the frame, the mode selector being configured to move to select a mode of operation of the fastener driving device, and a trigger lock mounted to the frame, the trigger lock being movable between a first position wherein actuation of the trigger lever is permitted and a second position wherein actuation of the trigger lever is prevented. In the first position, the trigger lock engages the mode selector to prevent the mode selector from moving. In the second position, the trigger lock disengages the mode selector to permit movement of the mode selector to select the mode of operation of the fastener driving device.
US08800830B2

An electrical device mounting structure on a motorcycle which includes a resilient support member having a spring-flexural resilience and supporting an electrical device unit. The resilient support member has a first portion secured to a vehicle body or a member connected to the vehicle body. The resilient support member also has a second portion provided separate from the first portion and closer to the electrical device. The second portion is supported on the vehicle body or the member connected to the vehicle body via an elastic member having an attenuating property.
US08800823B2

A valve system for a trigger sprayer including a valve forming an air spring with a portion of the trigger sprayer and being made of a flexible or elastomeric material. The trigger sprayer may include an air-spring valve system wherein the air-spring valve system provides precompression during a pump stroke. The precompression forces developed in the valve system during a pump stroke may originate from an air valve or air pocket trapped between a portion of a valve body and a part of the valve system. For example, a valve may be inserted in a tube retainer which is connected to a valve body of a trigger sprayer. Air trapped in a chamber or space between a portion of the valve and the tube retainer may provide a force against the valve such that a certain force must be applied to the valve before it allows product to be released.
US08800821B2

A pump has a PVC “T” shaped member having an inlet, an outlet and an interior pumping chamber positioned between the inlet and outlet; a piston displaceable into the chamber; an air cylinder for driving the piston into the chamber; a spring for biasing the piston outwardly from the chamber in opposition to force applied by the air cylinder; a washer-urethane disk check valve at the conduit inlet permitting fluid flow into the chamber but precluding fluid flow out of the chamber responsively to piston displacement into the chamber; and a washer-urethane disk check valve at the conduit outlet permitting fluid flow out of the chamber responsively to fluid pressure increase resulting from piston displacement into the chamber.
US08800820B2

A concentrate/extract cartridge for dispensing a liquid concentrate/extract is provided. The cartridge includes a hollow body and a dispensing tube that contains a pumping device. The cartridge includes a valve having a valve stem that passes through a port of a valve seat connected to the dispensing tube. A piston is located at a first end of the valve stem and a valve body is located at a second end of the valve stem in removable contact with the valve seat for alternately opening and closing the port. A liquid dispenser suitable for numerous applications and having a removably insertable concentrate/extract cartridge and a method of dispensing a liquid are also provided.
US08800818B2

A multi-chamber dispenser may be provided and may include one or more chambers that may be removably fastened to a rigid frame and/or one or more chambers that may be permanently fastened to the rigid frame. A chamber may be actuated by rotating a cap, or an actuator, or both, to an application position and then pressing the cap or actuator in order to dispense the substance of one or more chambers. The substance may be dispensed via an independent dispensing conduit or a shared dispensing conduit. The multi-chamber dispenser may operate in any orientation and may operate when less than all of the chambers are fastened to the dispenser.
US08800816B2

A system and method for providing custom colored sealant are generally provided with a dispensing container, containing a quantity of sealant base solution. A bottom wall of the dispensing container is positioned to limit any headspace within the interior of the dispensing container until the contents are ready to be mixed. The bottom wall is moved prior to adding a coloring agent to the dispensing container, which is mixed with the sealant base by agitating the dispensing container, until a desired color is attained. A sealant thickener may then be added and mixed by similar agitation of the dispensing container. A rod may be provided to engage and move the bottom wall. A pull string may also be provided to move the bottom wall. A nozzle is then coupled with the dispensing container and the custom-colored sealant is ready to be dispensed.
US08800814B2

Disclosed is a beverage pouch or bladder supporting container having a plurality of elements for the purposes of efficiently dispensing, storing and preserving the beverage contained within the pouch, all while presenting an outward appearance that is tasteful and decorative. The container comprises an enclosure having an internal volume and a base, wherein the volume is actively cooled using a refrigeration system or alternatively is insulated for retaining a plurality of freezable blocks or a quantity of ice therein. Along the forward face of the enclosure is an aperture adapted to accept the spout of the beverage pouch, while an attachable or pull-out drip tray is positioned therebelow. Within the interior of the enclosure may further be provided a bladder support element adapted to suspend, compress or elevate the bag for more efficient and constant-flow dispensing of its contents through the externally-mounted spout.
US08800813B1

A metering product delivery pump system that includes a product accumulator assembly, at least one controlled product dispensing assembly and a rotary gate valve assembly for each controlled product dispensing assembly is provided. The product accumulator assembly is coupled to receive product. The at least one controlled product dispensing assembly outputs product to a product package. Each rotary gate valve assembly is coupled to selectively pass product between the product accumulator system and an associated controlled product dispensing assembly. Each rotary gate valve assembly includes a rotary gate valve and at least one blade configured and arranged to engage the rotary gate valve to cut solid product as the rotary gate valve is rotated.
US08800805B2

A high vacuum container includes an inner container body, an outer container body, a first group of supporting devices and a second group of supporting devices. Each group of supporting devices includes four supporting assemblies, and two supporting assemblies are disposed at the upper portion of the high vacuum container, and the other two are disposed at the lower portion of the high vacuum container. Each supporting assembly includes a base plate welded at outer surface of the inner container body and a heat insulating pipe extending along a radial direction of the high vacuum container, one end of the heat insulating pipe abutting against the base plate. Each supporting assembly at the lower portion further includes a fixing element, and each fixing element partly is partly inserted into the outer container body through the opening on the outer container body. Each fixing element has a top plate and a bending portion, and each bending portion bends vertically from the edge of the top plate and towards the inner part of the high vacuum container, and sleeves onto outside of the heat insulating pipe, and outer surface of the bending portion is welded to the outer container body at the opening. The high vacuum container and an adjusting device for adjusting the concentricity of the high vacuum container would be beneficial to high concentricity.
US08800800B2

A carrier plate for pharmaceutical containers, in particular syringes bottles, or ampoules, includes a receiving region that has a plurality of through-openings for receiving the pharmaceutical containers. The receiving region includes a handling region that defines a base plane for handling the carrier plate, in particular for engaging on the carrier plate and/or for supporting same, having a top face that functions as a pressure side under a load and a lower face that functions as a tension side. A structural member for increasing the rigidity of the carrier plate is also provided that includes at least one box profiled region between at least two through-openings on the upper face of the carrier plate.
US08800790B2

The invention relates to an arrangement for installing cables on outer surfaces of crane structures (1), the arrangement comprising means (9) for routing and fastening cables to said surfaces. These means consist of T profiles (9) fastened at the stem part (10) of the T profile to the outer surface (1) of the crane structure, the upper part (11) of the T profile on top of and transverse to the stem part of the T profile being at a distance from the surface of the crane and substantially parallel to this surface, whereby the T profile together with the surface of the crane provide cable conduits (12) for the cables, which are open from the sides.
US08800781B1

A partially releasable disc for processing recycling materials in general. More specifically a disc that is sufficiently flexible to function in heavy machinery without excessive wear while maintaining sufficient stiffness to avoid excessive fluctuations, wobbling, or other undesired excess deflection in the disc. An outer flexible portion may be wrapped around a less flexible core. A disc may comprise a plurality of outer impacting elements configured for engaging materials to be classified and propelling the materials in a conveying direction when a core is rotated. For ease of replacement, when the flexible portion is worn or damaged, the flexible portion may be removed without necessarily removing the inner core, saving labor and equipment expense when maintain a screen, such as the separation screens used for sorting recycled materials.
US08800778B2

A suspension solution filter sieve basket for use in a flue gas desulfurization includes holes which widen in a flow direction of a suspension solution.
US08800777B2

A cylindrical dedusting apparatus has an upper material infeed opening to introduce material into a frusto-conical infeed hopper centered over the tip of a conical wash deck supported over an air infeed conduit. Air is blown through slots and openings in the surface of the wash deck to separate dust and debris from the particulate material. The dust-laden air is discharged by passing between the infeed hopper and a cylindrical sleeve to enter into a circular collector for discharge from the apparatus. Flow rate of material over the wash deck is adjusted by vertically moving the infeed hopper within the sleeve relative to the wash deck to vary the dimension of the gap through which material flows onto the wash deck. A closed loop air system can be used with the cylindrical dedusting apparatus with a bleed air module that reduces air flow into the apparatus.
US08800742B2

The invention relates to an automatic cash register system which comprises a detection unit for detecting goods to be paid for, a control unit which determines an amount of money due, an input unit for supplying notes of value for payment of the determined amount of money, a sensor unit for determination of the denomination of the inserted notes of value, and an output unit for dispensing change. The control unit fixes which denominations are accepted for payment of the amount of money in dependence of at least one operating parameter, and/or fixes a maximum amount in dependence of the amount of money due, wherein the control unit controls the cash register system so that in the payment of the amount of money due only notes of value or combinations of notes of value are accepted whose value does not exceed the maximum amount.
US08800740B2

A method and device are provided for sealing a first oil environment, which is located on a first side of a movable piston guided in a hollow chamber, from a second oil environment, which is located on a second side of the piston. The piston can move back and forth in the hollow chamber between the two oil environments in the axial direction by a piston stroke length (d). Two annular seal elements are disposed around the movable piston so as to sealingly contact the inner circumferential wall of the hollow chamber. The annular seal elements are spaced from each other by at least a distance (D) in the axial direction that is greater than or equal to the piston stroke length (d).
US08800732B2

A hydraulic damper assembly includes a main body, a shaft assembly and a main piston operatively configured to define an upper portion and a lower portion within the main body. A hydraulic damper spool valve is adapted to provide a single path, variable hydraulic flow restriction between the upper portion and lower portion of the main body. The hydraulic damper spool valve is configured with an array of precisely shaped flow apertures that are proportionally opened and closed by a pair of valve spools in response to the pressure differential across the main piston. The damper's pressure-flow operating characteristic is simply and predictably dictated by the geometric configuration of the shaped flow apertures. The precisely defined open area of the shaped flow apertures provides a mathematically predictable hydraulic flow restriction that operates predominately in a turbulent regime resulting in insensitivity to hydraulic fluid viscosity and consequently temperature change.
US08800723B2

The present invention provides a solution for optimizing the transport capacity of an elevator system. For optimizing the transport capacity the elevator system dynamically locks floors served by it on the basis of defined locking rules. When a floor is locked, that floor can not be considered a designation floor or receive elevator calls.
US08800715B2

A retractable fall arrest device comprises a unit housing, a spring sub-assembly, a brake/clutch sub-assembly, and a drum assembly. The spring and brake/clutch sub-assemblies each include shaft portions which extend into the housing and are removably connected together or to the drum assembly, and support the drum assembly in the housing. The spring and brake/clutch assembly are themselves removably connected to the unit housing. Finally, the unit housing comprises two wall members (i.e., clam shells) which are removably connected together. This fall arrest device allows for replacement of any of the four constituent components of the device in the field, thus reducing the down time between repairs or recertification of a particular fall arrest device.
US08800713B2

A muffler for a vehicle exhaust system includes a plastic outer shell that defines an internal cavity. A metal pipe extends through the internal cavity from an inlet to an outlet. A Helmholtz chamber is formed within the plastic outer shell to attenuate a desired frequency.
US08800711B1

An easily adjustable pressure relief valve for adjusting maximum fluid pressure levels in automatic transmissions at events. Engines used in racing and exhibitions require automatic transmissions with increased fluid pressure to prevent slipping during shifts. The pressure relief valve replaces a main mod line solenoid accumulator and includes an easily replaceable spring allowing adjustment of maximum fluid pressure at each event. The relief valve spring is selectable to adjust maximum fluid pressure for each event.
US08800709B2

A control apparatus for a vehicle, comprising a control unit having: a resultant acceleration information calculating section (100c) configured to calculate a resultant acceleration which is a synthesis of two direction accelerations acted upon the vehicle; a resultant jerk calculating section (100c2) configured to calculate a resultant jerk of at least one of change rates of the two directional accelerations with respect to time and a change rate of the resultant acceleration with respect to time; and a rollover tendency determining section (100e) configured to determine a tendency of rollover of the vehicle using at least one of the calculated resultant acceleration and the calculated resultant jerk.
US08800698B1

The invention of the LNG-Lithium Hybrid Vehicle (LLHV) combines Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and lithium-ion battery power sources to propel the vehicle, said vehicle having an electric series motor for acceleration and a shunt motor for cruising. An accelerator engaging arm is attached to the primary acceleration pedal for the purpose of operating the series motor and the shunt motor. The invention further provides an LNG control system that routes power from the generator to either run the vehicle or recharge the lithium-ion batteries.
US08800692B2

Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may generate a shear lip at a wear scar thereon during cutting. A diamond table may exhibit a relatively high wear resistance, and an edge of the diamond table may be chamfered, the combination of which may result in the formation of a shear lip. Cutting elements may comprise multi-layer diamond tables that result in the formation of a shear lip during cutting. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements. Methods of forming cutting elements may include selectively designing and configuring the cutting elements to form a shear lip. Methods of cutting a formation using an earth-boring tool include cutting the formation with a cutting element on the tool, and generating a shear lip at a wear scar on the cutting element. The cutting element may be configured such that the shear lip comprises diamond material of the cutting element.
US08800689B2

A drill bit of the type used to drill a wellbore in the earth can comprise a bore formed in the drill bit, and a plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby the plug prevents fluid communication between sections of the bore in the drill bit. The plug can comprise a spherically-shaped member. The plug can comprise a floating plug sealingly and reciprocably disposed in the bore, whereby pressure in the different sections of the bore on respective opposite sides of the plug is substantially equalized.
US08800687B2

A steerable system comprises a first rotatable housing, a second rotatable housing connected to the first rotatable housing by an adjustable joint, a cam member held against rotation, in use, and cam follower means cooperable with the cam member and moveable to drive the second rotatable housing for movement relative to the first rotatable housing about the adjustable joint.
US08800686B2

Various embodiments relate to a bearing assembly including a support ring configured to reduce thermal warping under operational temperature conditions, a bearing apparatus that may utilize such a thrust-bearing assembly, and applications that incorporate the disclosed bearing apparatuses such as downhole motors in subterranean drilling systems, directional drilling systems, and many other apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. The thrust-bearing assembly further includes a support ring having the plurality of superhard bearing elements mounted thereto. The support ring includes at least one thermal-warping-reducing feature configured to reduce a radial moment, compared to if the at least one thermal-warping-reducing feature were absent from the support ring, which is thermally induced in the support ring when the support ring and the plurality of superhard bearing elements are exposed to operational temperature conditions.
US08800684B2

A method of drilling boreholes is provided. The method, according to one embodiment, may include drilling a borehole, transmitting a signal into the earth formation, receiving signals at least three spaced sensors responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least three sensors. In another aspect, the method may include drilling a borehole, transmitting signals into the earth formation from at least three spaced transmitters, receiving signals at least one sensor responsive to the transmitted signals and estimating a path of the borehole using the signals received by the at least one sensor.
US08800683B2

A system and method for an easy-to-open liner for use in connection with soil and sediment samplers, including direct push technology, rotary and coring systems, is disclosed. The liner is pre-scored along its length by one or more score lines formed in the exterior surface or the interior surface of the liner. After removal from the sampler, the liner can easily be opened to expose the contained sample without the need of cutting blades or other sharp objects, in accordance with health and safety requirements.
US08800679B2

An improved method is provided for operating a power tool. The method includes receiving an input control variable from an input unit; receiving at least one tool parameter relating to the power tool; determining a derivative of the input control variable; selecting one of a plurality of control profiles based on the control input variable, the derivative of the input control variable, and the tool parameter, each control profile correlating the control input variable of the input unit to a rotational speed at which to drive the output shaft; and driving the output shaft at a rotational speed in accordance with the selected control profile.
US08800664B2

A buoyancy module assembly reduces the effective weight of a sub-sea conduit used in a deep-water wellbore drilling installation. The assembly includes a buoyant sleeve positioned around the conduit between upper and lower stop collar assemblies. The sleeve contains buoyant material forming most of its cross-section, with cross sectional segments thereof each encapsulated in a non-porous resinous material that forms an outer jacket around each segment. In one embodiment, a non-rotating generally circular inside diameter of the sleeve is formed by the thin layer of jacket material bonded directly to an interior reinforcing cage. A narrow gap is formed between the ID of the non-rotating sleeve and the OD of the conduit. The collar assemblies comprise an inner collar rigidly affixed to the conduit and contained within a larger diameter outer shell adapted for rotation relative to the fixed inner collar.
US08800661B2

A sliding sleeve device features a first sleeve that can be shifted with a dropped object on a seat and applied pressure to open a housing port. A second sleeve is in line with the first sleeve and be shifted to straddle the housing ports that we exposed when the opening sleeve was shifted initially. Snap rings or other locking devices can be used to hold the closing sleeve in the shifted position with the housing ports closed. The closing sleeve can also be shifted with a shifting tool that is run for example on coiled tubing. The opening sleeve can also optionally be shifted with a tool in an uphole direction to open the housing ports.
US08800655B1

A mechanical stage cementing tool that includes a mechanical opening and closing seat sleeve and a pin sub. The mechanical stage cementing tool may be converted to a hydraulic stage cementing tool by inserting a hydraulic tube assembly into the mechanical opening and closing seat sleeve at a hydraulic modification area and by adding a hydraulic seat to the pin sub. The stage cementing tool has a running-in-hole position, an open position, and a closed position.
US08800651B2

A system for estimating a wellbore parameter includes a first component located at or near a terranean surface; a second component at least partially disposed within a wellbore at or near a subterranean zone; and a controller communicably coupled to the first and second components. The second component is associated with a sensor. The controller is operable to: adjust a characteristic of an input fluid to the wellbore through a range of input values; receive, from the sensor, a plurality of output values of the input fluid that vary in response to the input values, the output values representative of a downhole condition; and estimate a wellbore parameter distinct from the downhole condition based on the measured output values.
US08800647B2

A high speed swirling type centrifugal revolving pipeline device, which utilizes a spiral pipeline curling and revolving with different pipe radius and with different radius of curvature, comprising an inlet pipeline, at least two transport pipelines, and at least a pressuring and accelerating pipeline, to serve as transport pipeline for fluid to continue swirling up. At least a driving device is used to drive spiral pipeline. Spiral pipeline design and centrifugal force produced by high speed rotation are used to drive fluid to the highest water level swiftly and stably, to proceed with subsequent conversion of regenerated energy into electrical power.
US08800641B2

An apparatus for maintaining a temperature differential between a component and a source of heat is described. The apparatus includes a micro-truss structure having a plurality of nodes and members which define a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is operable for attachment to the component. The apparatus further includes a skin material attached to the first surface of the micro-truss structure such that the skin material is operable for placement between the heat source and the micro-truss structure. The skin material defines at least a portion of a fluid flow path through the micro-truss structure. A skin material is not utilized with certain configurations of the micro-truss structure.
US08800634B2

A device (10) for fastening a window blind with a window blind end piece (12), which has a front surface (13), on which is arranged an axis segment (15). The axis segment (15) interacts with a mounting element (18), which can be rotated about an axis of rotation (44) of the axis segment (15), for opening and/or closing a holding mount (17). An axial guide (47) is provided, which fixes an axial position of the mounting element (18) in relation to the axis of rotation (44) of the mounting element (18) about the axis segment (15). In order to reduce the risk of premature wear and to simplify a change between left-sided or right-sided mounting, the device (10) has a positioning device (48), which is separate from the axial guide (47). The positioning device (48) is provided for the detachable fixing of the mounting element (18) in at least one rotation position of the mounting element (18) in relation to the axis segment (15).
US08800626B2

A laminating system and a method of making a laminated product can include a roll of substrate material and a roll of film material to be laminated together to form a laminate. The system includes a sheeter station and, optionally, a breaker bar station and/or a registration station. The sheeter station is configured to cut the laminate at desired locations based on either signals received from the registration station or other system components. The breaker bar station is configured to remove any roll set curl that may reside in the laminate as a result of the substrate and/or film materials being fed to the system directly from rolls. The registration station is arranged, during an automated registration mode, to detect markings on the laminate and instruct the sheeter station to cut the laminate into individual sheets for subsequently processing into cards such as credit cards, gift cards, ID cards, etc.
US08800616B2

In a pneumatic tire, a difference Gs−Ge falls in a range of Gs−Ge≧0.10, where Gs is a groove area ratio for a wear rate 0% and Ge is a groove area ratio for a wear rate 100%. Further, a groove area ratio G for a wear rate 20% falls in a range of (Gs−G)/(Gs−Ge)≧0.30, and a groove area ratio G for a wear rate 35% falls in a range of (Gs−G)/(Gs−Ge)≧0.50.
US08800615B2

This invention relates to a rubber composition capable of improving a steering stability on a wet road and a low fuel consumption of a tire, and more particularly to a rubber composition comprising 5 to 60 parts by mass of a low-molecular weight aromatic vinyl compound-conjugated diene compound copolymer (B) having an aromatic vinyl compound content of 5 to 80% by mass, a vinyl bond content in a conjugated diene compound portion of 10 to 80% by mass and a weight average molecular weight as measured through a gel permeation chromatography and converted to polystyrene of 5,000 to 200,000 and 20 to 90 parts by mass of a filler (C) based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component (A) composed of at least one of natural rubber and synthetic diene-based rubbers, in which 50 to 90% by mass of the filler (C) is silica.
US08800614B2

Embodiments of club head covers having a pull strap and methods to manufacture club head covers are generally described herein. Other embodiments of club head covers having a pull strap may be described and claimed.
US08800611B2

The invention relates to an insert element 13 for inserting into the filler neck 10 of a tank suitable for filling with urea at a filling station by means of a pump nozzle 12. The insert element 13 comprises a cover element 24 with an opening having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of a standard pump nozzle spout 12 for Diesel fuel, and support means for mounting the cover element 24 to substantially the plane of opening of the filler neck 10.
US08800601B2

An apparatus for fluid flow control, including flow stoppage, in a pipe having a saddle fitting with an axially extending outer launch tube and a coaxially aligned inner launch tube longitudinally split into two inner launch tube halves disposed within the axially extending outer launch tube. At least one inflatable flow stopper bag is disposed within the inner launch tube for stopping flow of a fluid through the pipe with which the saddle fitting is connected. An inner launch tube control rod for manipulating each of the inner launch tube halves during the inflatable stopper insertion and removal processes is connected with each of the inner launch tube halves, and a flow stopper bag control rod for manipulating the inflatable flow stoppers is connected with each of the inflatable flow stopper bags.
US08800599B2

A Joule-Thompson or other throttling valve comprises an outlet channel (7) in which swirl imparting means (10) impose a swirling motion to the cooled fluid stream discharged by the valve, thereby inducing liquid droplets to swirl towards the outer periphery (7A) of the fluid outlet channel (7) and to coalesce into enlarged liquid droplets (17) which can be separated easily from a gaseous or other carrier fluid.
US08800594B2

A fuel return valve and system includes a flow-level select and shut-off valve and a servo control valve. The flow-level select and shut-off valve includes a first fuel inlet, a second fuel inlet, a return-to-tank fuel outlet, and a valve element movable between a shut-off position, a mid-flow position, and a max-flow position. The servo control valve is coupled to the flow-level select and shut-off valve and is configured to control relative fluid pressures therein to selectively move the valve element to the shut-off position, the mid-flow position, and the max-flow position.
US08800584B2

Disclosed herein is an automatic barrel pig launcher with an actuated ball valve and a rotating magazine that contains one or more pigs. The automatic barrel pig launcher comprises a plate bore, bottom plate bore, upper case bore, and throughbore of a ball that, when aligned, provide loading of the pig into the throughbore of the ball. The pig is launched by opening the ball valve. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods of use of the automatic barrel pig launcher.
US08800582B2

Storable exterior lift cover systems, apparatus, devices, methods, etc. are configured to be used with a lift device or the like (such as an exterior lift that raises, transports, stores and lowers mobility devices like scooters, power chairs and the like) mounted to a motor vehicle using a trailer hitch or the like. A covering apparatus has a foldable frame that can be unfolded to allow a pliable cover to extend over the lift platform and any cargo. Retraction of the cover and folding of the frame compactly configures and stores the cover apparatus, for example between the lift platform and a motor vehicle to which the lift is secured. Embodiments of the storable exterior lift cover permit easy deployment and storage of a cover that can be reliably transported externally in its deployed or stored configuration.
US08800581B1

A compactable car cover provides a flexible covering material that is attached to a car by a frame. The frame can be collapsed into a smaller state for storage by sliding telescoping rods into the central section of the frame. The frame is secured to a vehicle by large suction cups, which are placed on the windshield and rear window of a vehicle. The telescoping rods that form each side of the frame provide an attachment point for the covering material. Each pair of telescoping rods is connected by their own individual cover material, necessary for allowing the telescoping rods to be retracted into the center section. Unlike the outer telescoping rods, the front and rear rods that form the center section cannot be moved, instead serving as a support for the other rods and connection point for the mounting system.
US08800569B2

A system including a support panel and a fixation device for use in radiation therapy is disclosed. The support panel comprises a generally planar member that is arranged to be disposed adjacent an apparatus for producing a radiation beam to support a portion of the patient to which the radiation beam will be directed. The fixation device is arranged to be releasably secured to the support panel to hold the portion of the patient's body at a desired position. The fixation device includes attachment components which enable the releasable securement of the fixation device to the support panel without creating any attenuation discontinuities of a radiation beam passing therethrough.
US08800567B2

A system, method and kit for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system includes a first implant adapted for implantation in an inframandibular region and having at least one aperture therethrough, and a ribbon-like element having first and second ends and a substantially uniform, non-circular cross section along its length. The ribbon-like element is adapted for implantation in a tongue with the first and second ends extending through the at least one aperture in the first implant for coupling the ribbon-like element with the first implant.
US08800565B1

A breath intake valve is connected to a tracheostomy tube inserted into a patient's trachea. The inner end of the valve attaches to the tracheostomy tube. An apertured disk endpiece with an O-ring around its circumference is releasably set into the outer end of the tubular valve body. A floppy diaphragm overlying the inner face of the disk endpiece functions as an intake valve to allow patient inhalation and air intake, and as a check valve to block patient exhalation, thereby to redirect it to the patient's larynx, sinuses, and mouth for normal speech. The O-ring gives way to forceful patient exhalation to release the disk endpiece from the tubular valve body. The disk endpiece is tethered to the breath intake valve body to prevent misplacement of the endpiece after such a release. The breath intake valve is itself likewise tethered to the tracheostomy tube to prevent its misplacement after any disconnection. The breath intake valve also includes a whistle to produce audible signal when exhalation is forceful.
US08800564B2

Small tracheostomy appliances for use in treating Sleep Apnea Syndrome. The appliances are inserted in a tracheotomy incision, low on a patient's neck to equalize intra-tracheal pressure with ambient pressure under certain conditions to prevent undesirable increases in blood CO2 that could otherwise cause arousals from sleep.
US08800556B2

A respiratory system and method includes a filling unit for filling a portable bottle of respiratory gas and a conserver for mounting on such a bottle. A battery on the conserver may be recharged when the bottle is placed on the filing unit. The conserver may include electric timing circuitry operative to control the timing of pulsed flow of respiratory gas from the conserver, and an external electrical coupler to enable adjustment of the timing of the pulsed flow. The conserver may include at least one sensor operative to sense the reversal of flow between exhalation and inhalation, the conserver being operative to commence a respiratory gas delivery pulse in response to the sensing of the reversal of flow.
US08800554B2

A dry powder inhaler comprises at least one medicament reservoir and a closure member engaged with the reservoir so as to close an opening therein. A surface of the reservoir adjacent the opening and a surface of the closure member are in abutment, either directly or via a seal member interposed between the reservoir and the closure member. At least one abutting surface is formed with a projection that increases the contact pressure between said surfaces, thereby improving the seal between them and reducing the potential for ingress of moisture between said surfaces into the reservoir.
US08800550B2

The disclosure relates to a medicament delivery assembly that has a mouthpiece provided with an air amplifier and a primer source, where the mouthpiece and the air amplifier are each connected to the primer source via an actuatable valve. The air amplifier is also provided with a medicament extraction tube such that when the actuatable valve is opened, the primer source is activated and causes air to flow to the air amplifier. There is also described a method of administering a medicament using such a medicament delivery assembly.
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